NINE

I loosened the laces on my golf shoes and opened up my shoulders, but Skye was on my mind. We had been seeing each other for two weeks, and while it had gotten easier to avoid being discovered, keeping our relationship a secret was difficult for me. We were almost together 24 hours a day, and I had reached the stage where I was leaving work to meet her. We had a great time together, and not just because of the hot, steamy sex. We also enjoyed outings to the park, nighttime strolls through the neighborhood, supper at some of New York's oddest restaurants, and whatever else we could think of to keep ourselves under the radar. When Spencer would invite me to go golfing or out to dinner, I gave up resisting. The only result of resisting would be to appear suspicious. Maybe it was for the best that Spencer and I became closer. Perhaps then, when he did learn about everything, he would react a little more calmly than I had anticipated.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to be near Skye. We managed to make it work as best we could, and in the end I gave the elevator operator a tip. Although the employees were known for their discretion, he had witnessed Skye leaving my apartment in the early morning hours a number of times, so I wanted to be absolutely certain. Keeping the staff members of the Avalon happy ensured our happiness, and it had nearly become a manufacturing line. I knew it was just a matter of time until everything came to light, but I couldn't help but relish this moment with her. We could worry more about one other and less about what other people would think since it was intimate and private. There would be fewer splits if all relationships began in such a private manner. When you were with someone exclusively, you could really get to know who they were, and I adored Skye for who she was.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when the locker room door opened. As several males entered the room and started talking and laughing loudly, I looked up. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts before joining Spencer on the course, even though he was waiting for me in the bar. He wasn't acting like he usually did, and I could tell he was upset about something. I only hoped Skye and I had nothing to do with it. I got to my feet, tucked in my shirt, and headed toward the bar. While enjoying a Bloody Mary, Spencer was watching the news on television. I took a sip of my beer and then placed it back on the bar.

“You ready?” I asked, looking at my watch. “Our tee time is in five minutes .”

“Yeah.” He groaned, standing up from the bar. “I suppose we should get out there .”

Almost in solitude, we played the opening hole while admiring the course's early-morning sunlight. Spencer was beginning to loosen up to his usual, talkative self by the time we arrived at the second hole, and I was beginning to feel a little better. He leaned back and let the breeze beat his face as we went through the golf course on the golf cart.

“So, how’s work?” he asked. “It’s been a while since we’ve caught up on business .”

“Man, I tell you, we hit the top five on the Fortune 500,” I said. “We have a new investor, are finishing our new recruitment program, and by next year, we will have a technological department on the rise. I’m planning on us being number one on that list within the next two years .”

“That’s impressive,” he said, nodding his head. “You know your shit when it comes to that cyber stuff. I’m happy for you, though. It’s impressive enough to get in the top hundred on that list, but to be in the top five? That’s extremely hard to achieve. At the same time, you’ve always been that guy, motivated to keep moving forward .”

“I have to be in this business or I’ll get left behind,” I replied. “Everything is changing so fast in technology that by the time you implement a new objective, you have to add another on top. I need more hackers who are able to transition with ease and agility. It makes all the difference. So, how are you doing in half-retirement mode ?”

He laughed. “I guess I don’t work as hard as I used to, but the company just kind of runs itself these days. My mind is on other things anyway .”

“Like?”

“Skye,” he said grumpily. “I just don’t trust that she’s not seeing someone .”

I coughed to try to get rid of the lump that had formed in my throat. As my hands began to perspire, I tightened my hold on the cart's wheel. I did not intend to speak with him about this today.

“What makes you think that?” I asked .

“Intuition,” he said. “I don’t know.I've told that girl she needs to learn how to manage her life on her own if she is spending time with men. She won't have my financial assistance for the rest of her life. In contrast to the majority of the fathers in our community, I didn't raise her to only search for a husband. She learned how to make something of herself from me, just as her mother did. If she believes that working at the café is enough and that she can just spend the rest of her time with some guy, I won't continue to support her. It’s a distraction she doesn’t need. I don’t know; do you think I’m being too hard on her ?”

“Spencer, you know I don’t have good insight on these things,” I said, unsure of what to add to the conversation. “I think she’s going to do what’s in her nature regardless, so it’s really up to you how much strain you want to put on that relationship .”

“You talk about kids like they’re wolves,” he said, laughing .

As I sat there, I observed Spencer drift off into his own thoughts on the matter. Guilt set in as soon as I noticed the tension and anguish written all over his face. I had made my decision out of pure selfishness, which was out of character for me. I was oblivious to my life, my friendships, and the things that genuinely mattered because Skye was so great, and I was also blinded by that reality. While I was aware that I should definitely consider about ending things with Skye, I didn't want to harm Spencer. Since we were in our early twenties, Spencer had been there for me, encouraging me, supporting me, and generally being a wonderful buddy. He scooped me up when I fell. How did I repay him, then? His daughter and I had been living together while I kept my connection with her a secret.

I knew I truly treasured my friendship with Spencer, which was something I hadn't considered before I started all of this, even though it was so difficult in so many ways. Without even thinking about it, there was something about Skye that drew me in. She was exceptional in a way I had never experienced with a lady before.

We had so much fun together. We made fun of each other, laughed a lot, played about like kids, kissed in the rain, had sex almost anyplace, and were generally content to be together. There was no bickering, no expectation of one another, and I was beginning to act strangely when she wasn't there—something I knew was risky but disregarded. But it was really challenging, especially when I was around her. Her heart was so enormous that I couldn't stand to even consider damaging it, and her smile would just brighten my existence. Although it seemed like an insurmountable problem that I could not comprehend, I knew I had to take action.

I was aware of what I needed to do, despite my desire to reject it. There was very little chance that this would go as I had hoped. I knew I shouldn't have had these strong sentiments for Skye, yet I had begun to do so. In a way that was convenient for both of us, I needed to end things. Before this went too far and everyone was wounded, I had to defend her, Spencer, and myself. The stakes were high for everyone involved, including Skye's heart, Spencer's emotions, and his connection with his daughter. As for me, well, everything was at stake. All at once, I would suffer a broken heart, a ruined reputation, and the loss of my closest friend. It was beginning to seem as though there was nothing I could do to keep what we had.