A/N: I am going to try to do a few updates a week. Not really sure how long the story will be. I am a big fan of multichapter fics. I will only keep this going if I need that it won't get repetitive or boring. Happy to see I have a few favs and follows already. Makes me feel good 😊.
A/N: All characters belong to Shonda and Grey's Anatomy.
This chapter is all Arizona. Next will be all Callie.
Chapter 3
Arizona POV
Arizona hates press. Hates it. She hates the stupid questions and the flirty reporters. From the time she started golfing there have always been people who feel golf is a "man's game". Yeah, tell that to the men she constantly outperforms on the course. The fact she is a woman and a lesbian. Yeah, the press eats that up. A reporter once told her that they "hadn't seen such a controversial golfer since Tiger". What does that even mean? She knew the press these next two weeks was going to be absolutely brutal. That is the main reason Teddy wanted her to be on her best behavior. Arizona had never once hidden her sexuality. She had seen the gossip pieces about her being a womanizer and the "sources" saying things about her dating habits. It had really never been an issue because they were blips on the radar. No one really cared what a female golfer did. Most people didn't even know her name. She knew that was about to change.
Arizona walked up to the table and chair with her name card sitting in front, took a deep breath, and turned on her fake smile. When Teddy gave the nod to begin, the questions started coming left and right. Finally, Teddy stepped in and said "One at a time. She will be here for 45 minutes."
The first reporter Teddy called on was a tall man with thick rimmed glasses. He looked about as approachable as a feral cat. "Mrs. Robbins Chuck here from Golf Today, how does it feel to be on the biggest stage of the golfing world. After all, no woman as done it before." His disdain was so profound, she thought he almost gagged when he said Arizona's name.
Flashing her dimple smile Arizona politely responded "Well Chuck, it is actually Ms. Robbins, but please I prefer Arizona. I am just grateful to be here. I know this is monumental and I know this is a big story. My only hope is that there is a little girl watching this weekend that sees me and it makes her think anything is possible. I am excited to prove myself. There is a reason I am here. I am ready to show everyone I can play with the biggest names."
Arizona could almost hear Teddy breathe a sigh of relief at her response. It was a 50/50 shot which Arizona came to interviews. Don't get it wrong, Arizona was always kind and professional. Barbara and Daniel Robbins raised a respectable young woman. However, they also raised Arizona not to take any crap.
As the interviews progressed it was more of the same questions. Are you scared to play with the boys? Do you think you will get past the qualifying round? What does your husband think about you golfing with all these men? Blah blah blah…. Arizona stayed professional the whole time.
About 30 minutes in she saw the door to the banquet area where the press session was being held open. She watched a tall, buff, blonde hair, blue eye man slip into the room. Her smile instantly went from fake to 100% real. She made eye contact with her brother and he gave her a Robbins wink. She took a deep breath and finished the last 15 minutes of press much calmer than she was before.
When it was time to wrap up Teddy stepped up to the podium and said "Thank you all for your thoughtful questions. Arizona will be available for press again tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the golfers. Have a good day!"
Once she was given leave Arizona made a bee line for the back corner of the room. She immediately threw her arms around her brother. She didn't realize how glad she was to have him not only here with her, but as her caddy.
"Timmy! What are you doing here? You are not supposed to be here until tomorrow."
"Well, I figured you could use some support. I also heard you got the Presidential Suite, so I wanted to kick it with royalty for a night. My room will be ready tomorrow." Another Robbins wink and she felt calmer than she had all day.
"That is awesome! I can't wait to show you the suite. Lets go put your stuff away and get a practice round in. I want you to be able to scope out the course so we can put together a game plan tonight."
"Woah, woah, woah. Game planning tonight? Noooo way little sis. We still have 3 days before the tournament starts. We are going out tonight! Double trouble Robbins at The Race. This is like a what we have been preparing our whole lives for."
Before Arizona could even respond Teddy was already stepping in. "No. No Double Trouble Robbins while we are here. Arizona is under a microscope. This is her chance to get some huge sponsors, get her name out there. This is a career defining two weeks Timmy. You know this. I need you to support me on this." Teddy was all but begging at this point.
Tim huffed. He knew Teddy was right. This tournament was going to be huge for not only Arizona, but him as well. He would never abandon his sister and caddy for someone else. But, getting his name out there would be good for him too.
"Fine Teddy kill joy. I know you are looking out for AZ and that is why we love you. We will be going out a few nights though. This is a once in a lifetime experience. We will keep it classy, but we are getting out of this hotel."
"Timmy, Mom and Dad are going to be here anyway. We can't go crazy even if we wanted to." Arizona promptly reminded her brother. The Colonel did not put up with any nonsense.
"Ohhhh yeah…I was supposed to tell you. Mom and Dad are pretty much snowed in. They are going to make it; they just don't know when. They send their love and promise to be here by day 2 of the tournament. Dad is already working on digging them out." Tim was rubbing the back of his neck; he knew how upset Arizona was going to be. Their Dad always made it a point to survey the course with her and Tim.
"Why the hell did they retire to Michigan. Who willingly lives in Michigan?! A snowstorm in the middle of April. You have got to be shitting me." Arizona was borderline frantic right now. She was a creature of habit and not having her Dad there was freaking her out.
"AZ, listen. It will be fine. We will FaceTime him while we are walking the course. We have had to do that a time or two and it has worked out. Trust me, he wants to be here. But you have me and Teddy. We got this little sis. I promise." Tim pulled his sister into a reassuring hug.
Tim was right, she could do this. Dad was never interested in golf before. Then Arizona and Tim picked up the hobby and the Colonel was all in. He loved the passion his kids had for the sport. He also loved that it was something the whole family could bond over. Arizona knew he was just as upset he couldn't get there in time as she was.
Just as they were getting ready to head upstairs, they were approached by the handsome man Arizona saw leaving the restaurant that morning. He was tall, well built, had salt and pepper hair, and a salesmen smile.
"Arizona Robbins. My name is Mark Sloan. I am the manager of The Calliope. I wanted to come and formally introduce myself. If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me." He handed her a business card and flashed his best smile.
"Thank you, Mark, really I appreciate it. I assume you are not passing your card out to all the golfers here…" Arizona said in a joking manner.
"Nope. You are VIP the next two weeks. Carlos Torres is really happy you are here. I know he wants to try to set up a dinner between you, your team, and his team. He is really impressed with how you have made your mark already. All of us here at The Calliope are pulling for you." Mark said with full sincerity.
"Well thank you, Mark. I really appreciate that. I saw you at brunch this morning. Was that Carlos you were with?" She asked. She was also thinking of the beautiful Latina he was with too.
"Yes! That was Carlos Torres and Calliope Torres. If you call her Calliope, she may kill you. She goes by Callie. I am sure you will meet them at the welcome dinner tonight." He was clearly excited for this dinner.
Arizona totally forgot about the welcome dinner. She had nothing to wear and no idea when she was going to find something. She needed to go shopping, now.
"Mark. I really am looking forward to the dinner with you, Carlos, and your wife Callie. If you will excuse me, I have to go make sure all my stuff for tonight is ready." Arizona said in a hurry.
Mark genuinely laughed out loud. Arizona had no idea what was so funny. She gave him a look that implied she was clueless. "Callie is not my wife. She is my best friend and a partner in business. Sorry to laugh, I would be lucky if she were. The idea is just crazy. I will leave you to go check on your stuff. Please feel free to join me, Carlos, and Callie for drinks a half hour before the dinner. We will be in Carlos's lounge. Just tell the front desk person Mark invited you. It was great to meet you all." Mark turned and walked away.
Arizona stood there; she should be thinking about the fact that she had to get ready for this dinner that she had nothing to wear to. But she was thinking about the fact the Latina Goddess that she saw earlier was not Mark's wife. She was also thinking she needed to find a stunning dress if she was going to be properly introduced to said Goddess tonight.
"Teddy, we need to go shopping. Why didn't you remind me of this dinner?" Arizona huffed.
"Arizona, I literally emailed you yesterday morning about it. How many times do I have to tell you to check your email!".
Just then, Tim chimed in "Yeah Z, even I knew about it. I have my tux all ready to go. Honestly, I look pretty irresistible in it. I bet I can get more numbers than you tonight." Tim joked.
Teddy gave him a look that told him to zip it before she beat him.
They all headed towards the elevator to go up to the suite. Arizona let everyone in, gave Tim a key card, and headed back downstairs with Teddy. It was time to go shopping.
A/N: No offense to Michiganders. I live here and do enjoy it most of the time. Please know there is 100% snowstorms in April lol.
