Greg Chennault has been a golf fanatic since he was a kid. When he was twelve, he managed to sneak onto a local golf course in search of a job -- there he met Trevor Johns, who taught him the sport. Greg caddied for Mr. Johns all throughout his high school years, and still recalls his time with his former employer fondly. His memories of Mr. Johns' young son Junior, four years younger than Greg, aren't quite as rosy. The boy annoyed Greg, and once he stopped caddying for the father, he promptly forgot about the son. Ten years later, Greg works at the Hermitage Country Club, which hosts an annual Mid-Atlantic Gold Tournament each Memorial Day weekend. When Greg notices Mr. Johns' name on the roster of registered guests, he thinks it'd be nice to see the old man again. But the young golfer who takes the JOHNS nametag is hot, sexy, and not at all who Greg expects. Trey Johns was once "Junior," and is now all grown up. His first crush was on Greg, his father's caddy, and when they meet again, he's quick to inform Greg that he's still as smitten as he was before. But Greg has reservations -- he finds it difficult to resolve the memory of a gawky teenage Junior with the confident man Trey has become. Greg's conflicting emotions almost blow the first chance he has with Trey. Will he get another?

Playing the Field: Tee'd Off

The next few holes are the same.Trey tees off,then stands by Greg without speaking as his friends finish the hole.Of the foursome,he’s the best golfer,and is pretty much playing the course for par.His friends aren’t as serious about their game—oh,they’re quiet enough when Trey’s at the tee,but they joke and kid around when their turns come.By the third hole,Greg’sfed up with them,and he wishes he could get them thrown off the green.“What the hell do you see in them?”he asks.


Trey stands beside him,watching one of the guys line up a shot.It takes three swings before he hits the ball.The others laugh when it finally sails into the distance,and his own caddy teases,“You’re already over par,Chet.I wouldn’t hit it again if I were you.”


At first,Greg doesn’t think Trey will answer.When he does,he just shrugs.“They’re my friends,what can I say?We’re just here to have a good time.”


The words hang between them,balanced precariously on their double meaning.


Chapter 10