Harry plopped down on the bench beside me in the men’s locker room. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard,” he grumbled, “but Drew won’t be joining us until the 19^th Hole.” He shook his head sadly.

“Okay. Why’s that?” I tied my golf cleats and stood. “Come on. Tee time is in fifteen minutes. I don’t want to start late. We’ll fry out in this California sun if we’re not careful.”

“I know. I’m just moving a little slower than normal after last night. The after parties were insane and I couldn’t break away. It was four in the morning before I made it back to my place in the hills, then it took me another hour to wind down enough to fall asleep.” He yawned.

“You have a similar story every weekend. So why do we still tee off at nine every Saturday morning?” I sighed. “Is this why Drew isn’t joining us? He finally decided to sleep in?” I smoothed my Polo shirt and pants before exiting onto the course.

“No, of course not. Drew has a funeral. Said something about how he was going to put the fun back in funeral. He’d meet us for drinks.” Harry shrugged.

“Fantastic. When he meets us, maybe we should talk about setting a later tee time.” I met my caddy and we started towards the first tee.

“That’s tough. Then we have to compete with all the married men who are lucky enough to just escape the house, the poor bastards.” He shook his head. “Well, go on. Might as well go first. You’ll probably take me for all I’m worth today.”

“We don’t have to bet on this. Damn, you’re cranky today. Is it that time of the month? Shit, Harry. I could’ve stayed home if I wanted nothing but attitude.” I let my caddy set up for me, then I walked up, took a few practice swings, and then finally connected solidly with the ball. I smiled as it soared towards the first hole. “Your turn.”

“You know, we have to bet. We always bet. It’s our thing.” He frowned as he waited for his caddy to prepare the ball. Then he took his turn. Harry didn’t do things with the same finesse I used, but he was interesting and we had history, which was why I kept him around even if he was miserable with a hangover, which was an all weekend situation. He returned to my side deep in thought. “You know, we’ve been in competition our entire lives, starting with a race from the womb.”

“Which I won,” I joked. “You two just weren’t motivated enough.”

“I’m pretty sure my mother claims your mother had an unfair advantage in that you were so small.” Harry stared at my pants for emphasis.

“Right, because you were hung up in the birth canal by your dick and not your bulbous head.” I laughed. “How many times must we go over this?”

“Almost every time we get together. I don’t see us breaking a nearly thirty-year cycle.” Harry chuckled. “We come by this naturally.”

“Yes, our fathers were betting on us long before we were old enough to feel the pressure.” We hopped in the cart and rode off to find our balls.

“I felt it,” Harry groaned. “I felt like the biggest disappointment.”

“Why? Because you were born last, crawled last, walked last, and missed making the football team in high school?” I rolled my eyes.

“Yes, but I was laid first.” He laughed.

“And thus, began your lifetime addiction to betting.” I pulled off to the side of path and we climbed out of the cart. “Concentrate today. You’ll have no excuse at all if you lose to just me.” I winked and strode toward the green.

The rest of the eighteen holes flew by as well into a rhythm as easy as our routine meetings. By early afternoon, we were starving and ready to enjoy the 19^th Hole. The caddies handled our bags while we walked into the bar. Drew was already sitting there by himself, swirling a rocks glass with amber liquid.

“How’s the Scotch?” I laughed as I motioned for him to join us at a table.

He sighed as he stepped down from the barstool and pulled out the nearest chair. “So, who won?” Drew looked at me pointedly.

“What makes you think we kept score?” I grinned.

“Dammit, Drew. Ty won. Ty always wins everything.” He huffed as he pulled out his chair and collapsed into it. “I have got to stop drinking on Friday nights.”

“Yes, that’s like suggesting you’re giving up air.” I rolled my eyes. Then I studied Drew and realized he wasn’t enjoying our banter like he normally did. “What gives, man?”

“Nothing.” He swirled his drink then took a swig before signaling the bartender to bring him another one.

“Quit being the girl in this friendship and just tell us what’s bothering you. We’re all friends here.” I leaned closer and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let us help.”

He pursed his lips and considered my suggestion. Finally, once his fresh drink arrived and the server disappeared, Drew spoke. “I attended my great uncle’s funeral today.”

“Ah, funerals will do it every time.” Harry nodded. “Were you two close?”

Tilting his head, Drew frowned. “I didn’t think we were. I’m his great nephew. And yet, I inherited his fortune.”

“Whoa.” I whistled. “Is this the uncle who helped start the record label?”

“Yeah. I always admired him. He had the biggest mansion, the nicest cars, the most beautiful women hanging around.” He sighed. “And yet he died sad and alone.”

“What makes you think so?” My brow furrowed. “Some guys love that life. We…love that life.” I glanced at Harry who nodded in commiseration.

“Yes, well at the end of his days, he didn’t love the life so much. In fact, he seemed filled with regret, as evidenced by the note he left me to go along with the inheritance.” Drew pulled an envelope from his inside jacket pocket and pushed it across the table to me. “Read it. My eyes are already getting blurry.”

“How many of those have you had?” I reached over and picked up his keys, then stuffed them in my pocket. He started to object, but I shook my head. “I’ll get you home. You didn’t answer the question.”

“How many? I don’t know.” He had started slurring his words. “Two, maybe three…”

I glanced past him to the bartender who held up an open hand. “Could it be five?”

“What are you, my mother?” He grumbled.

“Nah. She has more facial hair.” I chuckled. Your mama jokes never grew old.

“You’re not funny.” He glared at me. “I’m worried about dying sad and alone and all you can do is crack jokes about my mother.”

“That’s not all I can do. I plan to read this letter too.” I winked at him.

“Now be sure to read it so everyone can hear, Ty,” Harry urged.

“Fine.” I cleared my throat dramatically as I opened the letter. “To my nephew, Andy.” I made a face. “How close could you be? He didn’t even know your nickname.” I shook my head in disappointment. “Anyway…he goes on to say, ‘If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to get married. I used to joke that marriage was an antiquated institution designed to make women happy and men miserable. In my later years, I’ve discovered nothing could be farther from the truth.’” I glanced at them to see if they were paying attention and raised my brows. “Marriage and having a family mean not dying a sad and lonely old man like me. It means having heirs, instead of finding some relative you sorta like to give all your shit when you pass.” I chuckled. “So, this is how you inherited everything?”

“Well, he hated my father. The man was too straight-laced and hated music. So, this left me, since I was an only child.” Drew shrugged.

“You nearly killed your mother. She had to have an emergency hysterectomy.” I rolled my eyes.

“Ty, they could have adopted. They could afford it.” He shook his head. “I don’t even have siblings. I’m doomed.”

“Why don’t you take his advice and get married?” Harry grinned.

I grimaced. “I don’t know anyone who wants to get married.”

“Yeah, I swear our parents did it because it was expected. Have you ever seen three colder marriages? They were more like mergers.” Harry shivered.

“I might.” Drew piped in.

“You might what?” I stared at him, confused.

“I might want to get married, if it meant not dying sad and alone.” He sank low in his seat. “But who would want to marry me?”

I rolled my eyes. “This is the part where we’re supposed to offer reassurance, right?” I sighed. “I’ll play.” I laid a hand on his shoulder. “Honestly, Drew, if you don’t care about love you’ll have no trouble finding a wife. Women will line up to marry you.”

He brightened. “You think so?”

“I know so. You’re rich as fuck. Just drop some financials into the conversation and watch women fall at your feet.” I gripped his shoulder enthusiastically. Then I waved down our server. She was a perky young brunette.

“Can I get you another drink?” She smiled and batted her eyes at me. Since I already had a live-in girlfriend, I was pretty impervious to outside charms.

“Actually, it’s for my sloppy drunken friend here.” I chuckled. Her smile faded several degrees.

“Oh? I think he has had enough.” She glanced at the bartender who nodded.

“He doesn’t need a drink. He needs a date, a wife even.” I lifted his head up off his chest. “Picture him sober. He’s a good-looking guy.”

“Right.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes and I could see her backing away.

I pulled out the big guns. “He’s rich!”

She tilted her head as she studied him. “How rich?”

Leaning across the table, I whispered, “Filthy rich.”

Her eyes widened. “Would there be a pre-nup?”

Drew sat up straighter and grinned while I negotiated for him. After all, this was my job. At work, I was the closer. I sealed the deal. “Of course, sweetheart. There’s always a prenup.”

She rolled her eyes. “Let me think about it.”

With a sigh, Drew collapsed onto the table. “See, even with you in my corner, I couldn’t find a girl.”

“Please. We’re not even trying yet.” I frowned.

“Let’s go to Vegas,” Harry suggested. “We’re all off tomorrow. We haven’t done a guy trip for a while. This might really cheer up Drew.”

I tugged at my chin while I considered. Then I shook my head. “Paisley will never approve.” Then I pulled out my cellphone. “Damn. She hasn’t even called. I better get home. Come on, Drew. I’ll drop you off.”

“But my car,” he argued.

“We’ll pick it up in the morning.” Then I offered him a hand and helped him out of his seat.

Forty minutes later, I had dropped him off and made my way back to my house in the hills. My spot in the driveway was taken by the pool guy. I frowned. We’d discussed this. He needed to park on the street. I decided to address him directly before I went in to see Paisley. I seriously hoped I could interest her in a nooner.

Slipping through the gate in the hedges, I walked around the side of the house and came around the corner nearest the pool. The pool guy was nowhere to be seen. The chemicals were out. The hose was attached to the brush and dangling over the edge of the pool. I took several more steps onto the patio. To my right, the pool house door was wide open. Without thinking, I reached out and planned to shut it when I realized Paisley was inside, with the pool guy, already having the nooner I’d hoped to experience.

I stepped inside and stood at the end of the bed with my arms crossed over my chest and a vein in my forehead pulsing. The guy’s hips were bucking like a jackrabbit. “She likes the strokes longer and deeper,” I announced as calmly as possible. The guy bounded out of the bed and covered himself with the pile of clothes he picked up from the floor.

“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t think,” he stammered.

“Damn right, you didn’t,” I grumbled. “Go finish my pool, then you’re fired and I never want to see you again.” I watched as he began to back out of the pool house anxiously. “I mean it. This pool better fucking sparkle after the shit you just pulled you little fucker.” I jabbed at the air to emphasize my point.

He nodded and ran to the hedges to dress. With him out of the way, I turned my attention to Paisley. “What the fuck were you thinking?” I threw my hands in the air, hoping to convey some sort of frustration.

“I thought…man, I’d like to fuck him,” she retorted. “What did you think was going on here?”

“Paisley, we’re living together.” I spoke calmly and evenly. As I considered the situation, I realized I wasn’t nearly as upset as I should be, though I had yet to determine what that meant.

“Yeah. We’re living together. So what? This is it.” She gestured around the grounds.

“What do you mean?” I rocked on my heels some.

Paisley stood and let the sheet drop to reveal her gorgeous albeit mostly fake body. “You’re not the marrying kind, Ty. You’re about to turn thirty. We’ve been together for four years.” She sighed. “If we were going to get married, we’d have done it already. Since we’re not, what did I have to lose if you found out I was fucking anyone else?”

“All this,” I snapped as I gestured like she had moments earlier.

She rolled her eyes. “Just so we’re clear, this is nothing. This is completely replaceable.”

“Not by him!” I pointed to the pool guy.

With a laugh, Paisley nodded. “Duh, but seriously, you’re one in a million, not one of a kind.”

The tips of my ears burned. “Well, I guess you better start looking on replacing me. You have twenty-four hours to get out. Got it?” I glared at her, but she simply shrugged and pranced across the patio completely naked. I stood there shaking for a good fifteen seconds before I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. I dialed Harry who answered after less than three rings.

“What’s up, Ty? I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” He chuckled.

“Still want to go to Vegas?” I spoke quickly, betraying my eagerness to leave.

“Hell yeah!” He clapped his hands.

“Perfect. I’ll pack, then pick you up. We’ll get Drew together. He can sober up on the drive.” I raked a hand through my hair. “We’re out of here.”