I caught up with Dillion and his dad. "Took you long enough," her father muttered, "Dillion already putted out of turn." I quickly glance at Cat and her mom and see her mom holding up 4 fingers. They both glare at me when I make the hole in 3, but I know I can make up losses better when there is some sort of obstacle or water hazard.

When I sunk one of my balls by putting it off the island into the water, her dad nearly exploded with glee. "One-stroke penalty there, Bragin!"

Dillion shoulders me. "You seriously are going to let him win just because my sister asks you too? You know you could totally take him."

"I know, and that's enough. I have nothing to prove, Dillion, and the last thing I want to do is stress your sister out, especially not over some game of miniature golf. She's been through enough."

"I get that, just once, though I'd like to see him take a dive. Have him realize he isn't the be-all and end-all of all things golf."

"You sure that's what this is about?"

"Hey! No psychoanalyzing on the golf course!" Dillion admonished.

"That's right, we are here to have fun. So let's have fun."

"I'll have fun when it's over," Dillion grumbled. "Unless you've changed your mind."

"Nope."

"Yeah, I thought as much." We moved on to the next hole. Each time I discreetly checked in with Cat or her Mom to see what number they were holding up to keep a handle on the score.

However, disaster lay right up ahead, in the shape of a fabricated cave, that we would need to play through to get to Blackbeard's treasure. Which meant we would play the four of the last 5 holes indoors and I wouldn't be able to get a heads up on what the holes were worth.

The cave turned out to be pretty awesome on the inside. The obstacles stood out only by the reflective paint that caught the glow of the black lights. This place was pretty tricky, so to pretend to screw up in here wouldn't be so hard.

Mr. Fischer mumbled and cursed, blaming the black lights and his older eyes for missing certain putts. I tried to keep a mental count of his swings to be certain I would be over his.

There was a trick shot in the middle. It should be easy for me to screw this up without it being too obvious. It had a Bunker Fairway, so I purposely tried to aim for it, knowing it would seal my defeat.

"These crazy black lights screwing with your eyes, Bragin? You got yourself caught in a sand trap."

I pretend to look annoyed and tromp over to the bunker. "I'll get it out... eventually," I mumble.

Dillion rolls his eyes at my dramatic performance. I get to the sandpit and with an explosion send the ball sailing out of the bunker, and then I heard...

"I don't believe it! I just can't believe it!"

I get this sick feeling in my stomach. "No freaking way!" Dillion chimes in, and now I'm really nervous.

"What? What is it?" I ask, trying to find them by their voices in the cave's darkness.

Mr. Fischer stood looking down dumbfounded at the hole. Dillion is grinning ear to ear. "You somehow got it in. To make a shot like that, the odds must be like one in a million. Holy crap, Alex!"

I look to Mr. Fisher, who looks seriously pissed. "Dumb luck is all that was," and he storms off out of the cave and towards the last hole. Again I noticed, not caring to see what Dillion putted. Dillion was obviously not competition for him so, Mr. Fischer didn't care. I, however, am a completely different story.

"Damn it, Dillion! Do you realize what this could mean?"

"Yes, that you are fated to win this game no matter how bad you play."

"Not helpful." I sulk. Cat is not going to be happy. I told her I'd throw the game. Well, no matter what, I would not make this last hole. I had to lose this game, but it wouldn't be easy.

We meet up with Cat's dad and he is obviously not happy, which causes Cat and her mom to look to me, wondering what was up. Cat approached me while Dillion told his dad his score.

"My Dad played through already. He looked pretty pissed. What happened in there?"

"I..." I didn't have time to explain.

"You're up, Bragin!" Mr. Fischer looked like he wished to pummel me if he could.

As I address the ball, he leaned in to say for my ears only. "Don't even think of throwing this game?"

"What?!" My surprise at what he said caused me to chip the ball, and it rolled just a few inches ahead of me. I look down at the ball and thought... well that's one.

"You heard me. Any golfer that could make a shot like that will not lose to some old man on a miniature golf course."

I shift nervously. It would seem the gig was up. "It was like you said, a lucky shot, dumb luck."

He squints his eyes. "I'm watching you, Bragin. Don't disappoint me."

Shit. Don't disappoint him? What the hell is going on here? I feel like my world just turned topsy-turvy. If I win it'll upset Cat and her mom, Dillion would feel vindicated and Cat's dad would be... happy?

I shifted my balance and look up to see Dillion grinning, Cat and Mrs. Fischer terrified, and Mr. Fischer, points to his eyes and back at me, letting me know he's watching my every move.

Great, just great, like I need this kind of pressure. I step up to the ball. I take a breath and slowly exhale. I shift my balance, aim, and shoot. Five pairs of eyes watch as the little ball makes it through the treasure chest and into the hole.

"Ha! I knew you were a ringer!" Mr. Fischer shouts, but oddly looks delighted. Which caused the rest of us to be confused.

"Does that mean, Alex won?" Dillion questioned.

"It sure does!" Mr. Fischer exclaims, clapping me on the back. "I knew there was more to you than met the eye. What I don't understand is why were you trying to throw the game? It was obviously a third of the way into play you had skills? Why would you...?"

Mr. Fischer catches a glimpse at his wife and daughter, who are looking guilty as sin on the sidelines. "You two? Did you tell him to throw the game? Why?"

Cat spoke up first. "Dad, you know how competitive you get and golf is your thing. I asked Alex to throw the game. He was doing it for me. I didn't want it to ruin our time, over some childish game."

"And you were in on this too?" he asked Dillion.

"Oh, hell no! I wanted to see him beat your ass, but he was pretty stubborn about following through for Cat."

"Well, at least one of the lot of you is honest with me."

The rest of us looked dutifully ashamed. "I'm sorry, Mr. Fischer. I didn't want to stress Cat out. This seemed important to her because she believed it was important to you. You know I'd do anything for your daughter."

"Yes, I'm getting to know that more and more. Look, Alex, it annoyed me because I could tell you have the markings of a professional and you were playing... well not as bad as Dillion but I knew you could do better."

"Gee, thanks!" Dillion said with chagrin.

Mr. Fischer ignored him. He gathered up the putters and the balls to return to the girl behind the counter. "So, have you ever played professionally?"

"Yes, Sir. Nationals. My father's company sponsored the team. So I had a lot to prove. I not only wanted to not impress my dad but to prove to everyone else that my place on the team was merited and not ... bought."

Mr. Fisher turned, his expression a mixture of pity and ... pride. "You must have done your dad proud, Alex. No one could watch you play and think you were just a showpiece. I'd love to get you out on the course at the club and see what you can really do. If my daughter can spare you for a day?"

Cat grinned. "I'm sure I can manage. If Alex is okay with it?"

"Sure," I readily agreed.

"Great! I can't tell you the last time I enjoyed playing so much. Sorry about all the taunts back there. I was hoping to get you to break. You got some serious resolve when you make your mind up about something."

I look at Cat, who is beaming at me. "I definitely do."

The only person put out and moping slightly was Dillion, but not even his sour expression could put a damper on the mood. We spent a little more time together, and then the parents bowed out.

"I'm going to check out the boards. Give you two some time alone. I'll meet you back here around five?"

"Sounds good," Cat said, obviously happy to have some time alone, too.

"Thanks, Dillion and uh... sorry things didn't quite work out the way you wanted."

Dillion shrugs. "C'est la vie, my friend. See you two later. I'm out."

I felt bad watching Dillion walk away. No doubt he wanted some time alone to sort through his own feelings before meeting up with everyone. I know what it feels like to try so hard and never feel as though you measure up. If I was an only child and Aidan didn't exist, I'm sure my father would have thought me an even bigger disappointment, then I already was. Aidan, however, was such a blight on the family name that it made my presence tolerable.

"That's a face."

Cat caught me, and I grin down at her. "Sorry, reminiscing."

"About what?"

"My family, well my father actually."

An eager and expectant look crept across Cat's features. I don't think until this moment I realized how little I've talked about family and she's too polite to pry, but I guess if I mean us to be together I should share.

I half-laugh. It's not that exciting of a tale, Cat. My father started his own software company when he was in his early twenties. When the bottom fell out of the market, he kept his head and became even more successful.

Cat stares at me, trying it seemed to puzzle something out. "Are you telling me you're actually some spoiled rich kid?"

I laugh in earnest this time. "Yeah, sort of. I was a rich kid. Not very spoiled, though, as my father had to work for everything he built, so he demanded the same from his sons. Aidan wasn't interested in my father or the business, so that left me."

"So, your dad was what? Grooming you to take over?"

"That was the plan. I started college to get a Bachelor's degree in the science of business and business management and then move on to my Master's in business administration. All that changed though when they kicked Aidan out and well... when he was killed."

Cat put her hand on my arm. "I'm sorry."

I shrugged. "C'est la vie, as your brother would say." I give her a small smile and she smiles back.

"So if you're not taking over the company, what are your Dad's plans for it?"

"Don't know. Don't care. I haven't talked to him or my mom in 4 years and they've never attempted to reach out to me, so..."

Cat linked arms with me and squeezed a little. "Well, thanks for making my dad so happy today."

I could see she changed tactics to bring the conversation around to a more pleasant topic, and I was more than happy to comply.

"Who'd a thought, right?"

"I know! Oh man, when I saw his face when he came out to that cave, I thought he was going to explode! What happened in there?"

"I made an impossible shot, it actually was dumb luck, but I guess it sealed the deal for your dad and he knew I was playing him."

"Well, all's well that ends well, right?"

"Maybe?" I said, and she frowns up at me. "It would be better if we could celebrate with a little ice cream?"

"I don't know about me... but the baby loves your idea."

"I got your back, Peanut." I joke and pull Cat in for a hug, kissing the tip of her nose.

"I love you, Cat Fischer."

"I love you, too, Alex."