Mulligans

28. A Secret Spot

Nathan backed Chase up against an ancient cedar tree and leaned in for a kiss. It was all Chase could do to keep from returning it, but his mind was made up and he was on a mission. "Nathan, we can't do this."

"Of course we can," he said, running his hand up into Chase's hair and cradling his head. "I can't stop thinking about you."

Chase placed a hand on Nathan's chest and gently edged him away, looking around intently to suggest the possibility of getting caught. "I think we need to cool it. We can't just...."

The rumble of a greens tractor interrupted him, and they looked up to see Tyler sweeping the sixth green on a John Deere. Chase snuck past Nathan without another word. Their conversation would have to wait.

Chase walked up to the green, where Tyler had climbed off the tractor and was cutting around the hole with his pocketknife. Tyler cleaned the blade on his jeans and then looked up in surprise.

"Dude. Where've you been? I feel like I'm working by myself!" he said, taking a chunk of grass and chucking it at Chase.

"Been clearing brush," he said evasively. "You want to stop by the driving range after work today? I could still use a few pointers, coach."

"Can't. Bre is bringing a picnic. She's been planning it all day—"

"Why'd you bring me out here? To play board games with your parents?" Chase interrupted, surprised at his own explosion.

Tyler stood and wiped his hands on his pants. "You're joking, right?"

"I didn't come so I could watch you go out every night with her," Chase said. He was angry with himself, but Tyler was the closest target.

"What did you come for? Sounds like you're a little jealous."

"Tyler, come on, it's not like that."

Tyler just laughed. "No, it is like that. I don't even know who you are anymore. You come here, announce that you're gay, and expect everything will be the same. It's not." Tyler turned and jumped on the tractor, leaving Chase in his dust.