Becoming a Scott

Chapter 21

Christina held on to the handle of the golf cart for dear life as the smaller of the men with curly hair swerved on the path. His name was Thomas and he seemed eager to ask her questions and be dismissive of any questions she tried to ask. But, he was better company than Irvin.

"And if you had to choose between the mainland and the islands which would you choose?" He asked as he drove on, firmly behind the other golf carts.

"Uh, I don't know, it's kind of hard to say." She tensed when the golf cart tilted slightly to one side at the turn of a corner. "Have you ever been to the islands?"

"No, but what do you think would be the pros and cons to each location?"

"Right now? You want me to list them right now?"

"What about ease of travel? That's got to be a point against the island's right, unless you count boats? If your going to travel you need to be able to explore and the range of possibility seems to diminish once your encircled by water."

Ugh, Christina thought as Thomas hit the breaks with a screech and skidded onto the teeing ground, why does Ander keep subjecting me to the most annoying men possible?

They joined the others and watched as one by one they each took a turn swinging the ball out onto the field. When Thomas finally went up and stopped talking about the flaws of traveling by boat Christina took a step closer towards Ander.

She waited for Ander to admit this was also some big joke and that he actually had a more qualified group of men waiting just behind the trees but Christina unfortunately had another pressing matter to deal with. "I don't know how to play golf." She admitted under her breath.

"You don't know how to play golf?" He whispered back.

"Never had a chance, it's not a big thing where I'm from."

Ander folded his arms over his chest as he watched Thomas ready the tee. "Can't be too hard, just hit the ball and if you suck, you suck. No one will marry you based on your golfing."

There was a snap in the air as Thoma's ball flew high and dropped on the horizon and an idea popped into her head. Christina rolled her shoulder back and took a deep breath before gathering the courage to say what she was about to say next.

"The four of you play so well, I don't think I could possibly catch up." She spoke in a higher voice as reached for the club.

"Ah, that's absurd," Fred waved his hand dismissively. He was a thin man with heavy jewelry draped over him. "We aren't professionals."

"But the problem is that I've never played," she pouted. "How are you even supposed to position yourself to swing the ball?" From the corner of her eye she spotted a knowing smile spread on Ander's lips.

Thomas took quick steps and landed beside her. With simple instruction, he guided her into correctly hitting the ball. Christina gave him a shy smile, "I don't think I'll be able to remember all these instructions, Thomas."

He grinned up at her, "You'll get the hang of it and even if you don't, I'll be around all day to help."

Christina swung back the club and hit the ball, watching it only reach half the field. "That's upsetting,"

"No worries, it just takes time." Thomas said just as Fred spoke up, "How about you ride with me this time and I can show you how to hit the ball properly?"

This started a pattern than followed the rest of the game. Christina was ping ponged back and forth between Thomas and Fred who only grew more eager to have her sit beside them in their golf carts. Thomas, again, was all questions and golf advice. Fred on the other hand struggled to keep a conversation that didn't involve the topic of his family. But, all in all, they both kept their attention firm on her and that was more than enough.

"How about sometime this week we play again, just the two of us?" Thomas asked cheerily as he parked at the club house.

"I would love that, Thomas, thank you." She hesitated for a moment before leaning froward and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I really did enjoy your company today. You're quite the gentleman." Christina didn't wait for a response, turning on her heels she walked away, eager to get the fuck out of there. Of course she was doing what had to be done but it didn't mean she had to enjoy it.

Ander was standing by the lockers, handing his clubs to the attendants. "So, what do you think?" She asked as she neared him.

"What do I think of what?" He smiled as he lowered his sunglasses over his eyes.

"Thomas, he seems susceptible to getting engaged with a couple hours notice."

"The kiss on the cheek really sent him to the high heavens. He was watching you walk away, still is watching you now."

Christina didn't pause, she turned around and allowed the most genuine looking grin to spread on her lips. Raising her arm, she waved to Thomas. "I like him... sort of."

"He's a nice one," Ander sighed, "Family owns a bunch of mining factories abroad. A bit shady but nonetheless profitable."

Christina hummed, not feeling quiet as excited as she thought she would be. "Is Irvin still an option?"

"Why would you even ask that?"

"I don't know, maybe in some ways it's better to hate your husband than to feel sorry for him."

Ander leaned back against the wall, shoving his hands into his pocket. "That's a very empathetic view point from a woman trying to trick men into marriage. I'm only teasing," he added even though she showed no signs of responding to his insult.

"What do you think is the next step?" She finally managed to ask, breaking the silence that had grown between them.

"Tomorrow, I'm planning on taking you out to an event a companion of mine is hosting. Thomas will be there but you'll also have some other men that I think your grandmother might approve of. Maybe they'll offer you better conversation."

"Ander you know all of these people, shouldn't you also know if they're capable of good conversation or not."

He shrugged, "The way people act with me is different then the way people act with you. I might hate someone you might like, you might hate someone I might like. I can guarantee you that when I talk to Thomas never once has he mentioned the islands or my opinions on the best traveling methods."

Christina nodded, suddenly wanting to be done with the topic for today. She looked down at the clothes on her body and tilted her head. "Do you mind if I go home in these?"

"Take them, sell them, burn them, they're yours."

She smiled up at him. His skin was slightly burned from the sun exposure and his hair was lightly sticking to his face from the sweat. Ander reached up and combed his hand through his hair.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ander." Christina spoke before walking away.