by L. P. Dover
Since Jordan’s ball was farther away, he hit first. It landed about twenty feet away from the hole on the far side of the green.
Taking a deep breath, I gave Lucas his pitching wedge and stepped back. He wasn’t far from the green, he just had to hit it perfectly, so the ball wouldn’t roll into the bunker behind the green. Once he was lined up for the shot, I held my breath, hoping like hell it would land on the green.
Unfortunately, it bounced and flopped right into the bunker. Lucas gripped his club and his knuckles turned white. He walked over to me and slammed his club into his bag. “Fuck, that’s not good.”
“It’s okay,” I murmured encouragingly. “Your bunker technique is the best.” He looked into my eyes and I could see the turmoil rolling around in his. “I have faith in you, Lucas.”
Jordan went next, and his putt stopped literally three inches from the hole. He tapped it in, and the crowd cheered as he waved at them. I pulled out Lucas’ sand wedge and handed it to him. “Even if you get this in two strokes, you’ll be tied.”
The muscles in his jaw clenched. “Then we’ll go to sudden death. I don’t want that. I’m ready for this to be done.”
It was as if time stood still when he made his way into the sand. The bunker was so pristine and white, I could barely see the ball. Lucas glanced back at me once, before concentrating on the ball and his stance.
Everything moved in slow motion.
His shoulders rose and fell with his deep breath, and then he settled in. Swinging back, he hit the sand and it flew in the air, along with the ball. When the ball landed on the green, it kept rolling. The crowd started to rumble, and someone yelled, “Get in the hole!”
We all watched in anticipation as the ball rolled toward the hole and swiveled around the edge before sinking in. The crowd erupted into cheers and chants.
I squealed, tears streaming down my face. We both ran to each other and I jumped in his arms. “Oh my God, you did it! I’m so proud of you!”
He held me tight and swung me around. “Holy fuck, I can’t believe I won! I fucking won the Masters!”
He set me down and held both sides of my face as he kissed me hard. Pulling back, he dropped to a knee, and the crowd went silent. Their shocked expressions mimicked mine. Grinning devilishly, Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet pouch. He winked at me as a sparkling diamond ring slid out of it and onto his palm.
“You might want to breathe, sunshine.”
I didn’t realize I had been holding it. Sucking in a breath, I felt lightheaded, but in a good way. “What are you doing?” I looked around and saw everyone staring, eyes wide. Women were holding hands over their mouths, holding in their squeals of joy.
Several of the camera guys moved closer. It was all being filmed on live TV.
Lucas glanced down at the ring and smiled. “I’ve thought of a million ways to do this, either on our island, in another country, or in our home. Then I realized that there was no better place than here and now. We try to keep our lives private, but this is one thing I want the world to see.”
He held up the ring and spoke louder. “I want everyone to know how much I love you, and that no matter what happens, good or bad, we’re going to get through it. Because we have what it takes to make this work.” Taking a deep breath, he let it out slow, his gray gaze never wavering from mine. “Dr. Ashley Locke, on this day, April 14th, I’m on my knee, asking if you’ll please be my wife.”
My throat was so thick, I didn’t know if I could speak. Nodding quickly, I wiped away my tears. “Yes,” I cried, body trembling. “Oh, my God, yes.”
The smile on Lucas’ face made me melt. He took my hand and slid the ring on. I didn’t have a chance to look at it before he picked me up in his arms. “I love you so much,” he murmured in my ear.
Cameras flashed all around us, but I didn’t care. I was focused on him. My future husband. “I love you too. Today has literally been the best day of my life.”
He captured my face in his hands and laughed with joy. “And it’s only the beginning.”
The End
A Note From The Author
Hey everyone! Thank you so much for reading Going for the Hole. When I started this book a few months ago, my health had taken a drastic turn. It made no sense because I’m a young, healthy thirty-something-year-old woman. I couldn’t understand what the hell was going on in my body. I constantly went to the doctor, only to hear that they suspected anxiety. They couldn’t have been further from the truth. To the people who know me and have met me, I’m always the one with a smile and the crazy dance moves. I’ve never been an anxious person.
Refusing to settle for that diagnosis, I pushed further and demanded testing. I didn’t care how much I had to pay, I wanted to know what was wrong with me. What’s crazy is that if I hadn’t have pushed for answers, I might not be here today. That scares me more than anything. Turns out, after months of various testing and different doctors, I have Adrenal Insufficiency because of a pituitary tumor in my brain. If you recall, I mention Adrenal Insufficiency in Going for the Hole. Lucas’ mother died because paramedics didn’t know how to treat her after she was involved in a car accident. Adrenal Insufficiency is rare, and my heart goes out to any individual who suffers from it. There are days when I don’t know how I’m going to live the rest of my life with this condition. It scares me, but I know I have to fight through it for my family and friends. I have two beautiful daughters and a husband who need me . . . and I need them.
What I mainly want to point out is that if you feel like something is wrong with your body, don’t ignore it. Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re feeling is in your head. Push for answers. Push for tests. It could literally save your life.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.
She loves to write, but she also loves to play golf, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.
Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novels It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe and Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.
L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.
For More Information:
www.lpdover.com
Other Titles by LP Dover
Breakaway Series
Hard Stick
Blocked
Playmaker
Forever Fae Series
Forever Fae
Betrayals of Spring
Summer of Frost
Reign of Ice
Second Chances Series: Love’s Second Chance
Trusting You
Meant for Me
Fighting for Me
Intercepting Love
Catching Summer
Defending Hayden
Last Chance
Intended for Bristol
Gloves Off Series: A Fighter’s Desire: Part One
A Fighter’s Desire: Part Two
Tyler’s Undoing
Ryley’s Revenge
Winter Kiss: Ryley & Ashley [A Gloves Off Novella]
Paxton’s Promise
Camden’s Redemption
Kyle’s Return
Armed & Dangerous Series: No Limit
Roped In
High-Sided
Hidden
Betrayals (Winter 2018)
Circle Of Justice Series
Trigger
Target
Aim
In the Crossfire (2018)
Society X Series: Dark Room
Viewing Room
Play Room
ROYAL SHIFTERS SERIES
Turn of the Moon
Resisting the Moon
Rise of the Moon (2019)
A Very Merry Christmas Series:
It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe
Standalone Titles
Love, Lies, and Deception
Anonymous
Going for the Hole
CHILDREN’S BOOKS –
MOONLIGHT AND ALEENA SERIES
Moonlight and Aleena: A Tale of Two Friends
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A.J. Bennett ~ Now or Never
Tabatha Vargo ~ Playing Patience
Beth Balmanno ~ Set in Stone
Ella James ~ Selling Scarlett
Tara West ~ Visions of the Witch
Heidi McLaughlin ~ Forever Your Girl
Melissa Andrea ~ The Edge of Darkness
Komal Kant ~ Falling for Hadie
Melissa Pearl ~ Golden Blood
Alexia Purdy ~ Breathe Me
Sarah M. Ross ~ Inhale, Exhale
Brina Courtney ~ Reveal
Amber Garza ~ Falling to Pieces
Anna Cruise ~ Maverick
Keep reading for a sneak peek at PLAYMAKER by L.P. Dover.
Playmaker
L.P. Dover
Maddox
It’d been eleven months since that day in the kitchen when Callie brought Lacey around. What surprised me was that she actually thought I wouldn’t recognize her. For eleven months, I’d tested her, and she hadn’t tried to reach out to me once. The longer I let it go, the angrier I got. The time for games had come to an end.
Callie and Dallas’ rehearsal was tonight. Lacey would be there. I wasn’t going to let her avoid me anymore. Pulling into the parking lot, I got out of my little black, sports car and walked inside. The botanical gardens was the prime spot to get married at. It wasn’t like the chapel Lacey and I got married in.
I’d arrived early, but Dallas was outside in the garden, talking on the phone. I joined him and he hung up the phone. “Hey, man.”
I held out my hand. “Hey. I’m a little early.”
He waved me off. “It’s perfect. Callie’s inside. She’ll be out here in a minute.”
“Thanks for asking me to be a groomsman. I’m sure Callie had to twist your arm.”
He burst out laughing. “It’s not like that anymore. You’re her family which by this time tomorrow, you’ll be mine. It’ll make Callie happy to see us getting along.”
Callie was my cousin and it was important for her to have me be a part of Dallas’ family as well. For years, Dallas and some of the other Charlotte Strikers hated my fucking guts. Guess I couldn’t blame them. I was a dick and always wanted things my way. I’d changed though. I wasn’t the same person anymore.
I nodded in agreement. “It will. I’m sorry it took so long to get my head out of my ass.”
Dallas burst out laughing. “Glad you finally admit it.” Looking over my shoulder, his eyes brightened. “Well, if it isn’t my bride to be.”
Callie squeezed my arm and kissed my cheek. “What’s up, guys?”
Dallas put his arm around her. “Just enjoying your cousin saying how much of a douche he’s been the past few years.”
She snickered at me. “Oh, really? I’m surprised you even admitted it.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I shrugged. “What can I say, I’m trying to get on his good side.”
Dallas slapped my shoulder and chuckled. “You’re getting there, Ledger. I know Kellan’s impressed with you too. He’s looking forward to being our coach next season.”
That was exactly what I wanted to hear. Kellan and I had never gotten along, mainly because he was the best. My father always told me that if I wasn’t the best, I was nothing. I’d worked my ass off to be better than the rest, but it never worked. I just went about it the wrong way. Not anymore.
Callie glanced down at her watch. “It’s almost time, you two. Everyone’s about to show up.” She started to walk off, but he grabbed her wrist.
“Oh, I changed the lineup. I hope you don’t mind.”
Callie’s brows furrowed. “The wedding lineup?”
When Dallas nodded, I had to listen in. I was supposed to escort Kellan’s wife, Kristen, down the aisle since he was the best man and she was just a bridesmaid. “Who do you have me with?” I asked.
He looked over at me. “My sister. I’m switching her and Kristen around so that she can be with Braeden and you with Lacey.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Callie commented.
Dallas chuckled. “Lacey can handle Ledger. He knows better than to make the moves on her.”
If he only knew. Callie laughed nervously and glared at me. “I’m sure he does.”
Kellan and Kristen had arrived and Dallas left us to join them. Grinning mischievously, I looked down at Callie. She smacked my arm. “Stop smiling. You’re not the one who has to tell Lacey the news.”
For months, I’d wondered if she knew the details of mine and Lacey’s past. Judging by the look on her face, she did. “What all do you know?” I asked her.
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
I huffed. “About me and Lacey. You two are close now. I’m sure she’s confided in you.”
Sighing, she closed her eyes. “I know you two had a fling a couple years ago.”
“A fling? It was more than that. I’m pretty sure you already know the details.”
Her gaze snapped open. “What all do you remember?”
I moved closer, hoping she could see the seriousness on my face. “Everything.”
Clearing her throat, she glanced quickly around. “When you say everything, does that really mean everything?”
“I know that Lacey and I are married,” I said, keeping my voice low.
Gasping, she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Why haven’t you said anything to her?”
“I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take for her to come to me. She must really think I’m stupid.”
“Oh, my God, this is going to be a mess.”
I grabbed her shoulders. “Promise me you won’t tell her I know.”
She sighed again. “I promise. Hopefully, you two can work this out. My brain can’t handle anymore secrets.”
“Trust me, it’ll get handled.” Soon. Dallas called her over to join him and the others and I gently nudged her toward them. “Go. I’ll be good.”
I walked inside the building, and as soon as I turned the corner, a familiar blonde ran right into me, dropping her phone onto the floor. I wrapped my hands around her arms to steady her. “Hey, slow down, killer,” I joked.
She gasped and stared up at me, her eyes wide in shock. For a moment, she stayed in my grasp and we looked at each other. Recognition flashed in those emerald eyes of hers.
Jerking out of my hold, she stepped back. “Excuse you,” she said, pursing her lips.
“You ran into me, sunshine.” She flinched and I couldn’t help but smile. It was the nickname I gave her when we were in Vegas.
She stood up straighter. “Remind me never to do it again.” Bolting past me, she marched toward the door, but I grabbed her arm. Touching her felt exactly like it did in the past. Our connection was strong. What I wanted to know was why the hell she ran away from me. The words were on my tongue, but it wasn’t the right time.
“Did I do something to offend you?” I asked, genuinely concerned. �
��If I did, I’m sorry.”
She pulled her arm out of my grasp. “You have no idea.”
