“This time doesn’t have to be just about waiting, honey. Think of it as an opportunity to become the man Leah deserves.”
She’s right. Again. And her suggestion gives me an idea I’ll have to talk to Rory about tomorrow.
“Dad would’ve loved her.”
“He would’ve loved watching you fall this hard for someone.” She places her hand flat on my chest. Right over my heart. “And he would be proud of you, too. Because of your career, but more so, because of the man you are.”
I glance around the reception, at the happy couples and the families celebrating, at Sean and Nicole starting their life together, and I swallow the lump in my throat.
She steps back, her eyes bright. “Now, go get yourself another drink, and stop looking like Scrooge canceled Christmas. This is supposed to be a celebration.”
Chapter twelve
Hays | Eight Months Later
The bright lights in the media tent are blinding, but I can’t keep the excitement off my face as I settle into the folding chair behind the microphone. Third place finish. My best result in three months, and exactly the kind of momentum I need as I head into the final stretch of the season. Plus, this press conference has been months in the making, and I can’t wait for what I’ve been working on to finally be made public.
The tent buzzes with the low hum of laptop keys clicking as reporters type notes, their press credentials swaying on lanyards around their necks. Someone’s phone buzzes with what sounds like a breaking news alert. I survey the row of TV cameras lined up against the back wall, their red recording lights glowing. The Golf Channel logo is prominent on the center camera, flanked by ESPN and NBC Sports. Perfect. The more coverage this gets, the better.
This circus gets broadcast to millions of golf fans worldwide, and somewhere in a small coastal town in Massachusetts, I’m hoping one particular brunette beauty is tuned in, though it is her birthday. Today’s been months in the making—not just thegolf but what comes next. Jenna’s exclusive feature story about my new foundation drops next week, and today, she’ll ask me about it publicly for the first time. To whet everyone’s appetite for more and garner the attention the launch deserves.
“Congratulations on your finish today, Hays,” Jenna Morely, from the Golf Channel, starts after getting the go-ahead thumbs up from the Tour’s media relations, up front on the right. Jenna’s professional smile is eager, and I see the anticipation in her eyes. We’ve been planning today’s questions for weeks.
I lean into the microphone, flashing her a warm smile. “Thanks, Jenna. Felt good to be back in contention.”
“Walk us through that birdie on eighteen.”
“I had 147 to the pin, with the wind helping just a touch. Hit a smooth 9-iron that released exactly how I wanted it to, left myself about twelve feet below the hole. The putt had maybe six inches of break, and I knew if I could start it on the right edge and trust the read, it was going in.”
“Let’s talk about your second shot on the par-5 fifteenth,” a voice calls out from the back. “You laid up instead of going for the green in two. That’s not typically your style.”
“Course management,” I offer, settling back in my chair. “The pin was tucked behind that front bunker, and with the wind picking up, the risk-reward wasn’t there. Sometimes, the smart play isn’t the most exciting, but I was hoping that patience would pay dividends, and it did.”
“What about that approach shot on twelve? You caught the fringe instead of the green.”
“Cut it a hair thin. The lie was sitting down in the rough more than I read initially.” I shrug. “That’s the difference between third place and first, honestly. Those marginal calls, the precision on approach shots when you’re between clubs. I need to trust my reads more and fully commit.”
“Before we continue,” a voice calls out from the third row, “can we talk about your wardrobe choice today? You’re known for wearing your signature bright pink polo on Sundays, but today, you went with mint green. Any particular reason?”
My heartrate ticks up, and I turn to face the cameras. “Sometimes, you need to send a message,” I say, a genuine smile filling my face as I think of Leah. “And today felt like the perfect day for mint green.”
“A message to who?” The follow-up comes immediately, but I don’t mind.
“To someone who’ll understand.”
A murmur runs through the crowd as reporters scribble away.
“Speaking of commitment…” Jenna says, her tone shifting as she moves toward what we planned. “You’ve been working on something significant off the course. Care to shed some light on that?”
Perfect. This is it. I sit up straighter, excitement creeping into my voice as I glance at her. “It’s true. I’ve been working to launch a foundation. The team is still putting the finishing touches on the details, but it’s a cause incredibly close to my heart.”
I pause, thinking about my parents—both of them.
“Golf gave me everything after I lost my dad when I was young. My mom did an incredible job raising me, but not every kid has that kind of support system. I want to level the playing field for young golfers from single-parent homes, foster families, those being raised by other relatives…you know, any kid who has the dream, but maybe not the traditional resources to follow it.”
The room goes quiet for a moment as reporters furiously scribble notes or type away. Which is exactly what I was hoping for. Now come the follow-up questions about funding, timeline, how people can get involved…
But instead of the foundation discussion, Davidson from ESPN leans forward. “Speaking of personal matters, there havebeen dating rumors circulating recently about you and a certain well-respected sports reporter. Care to address those?”
