Chapter 2

Griffin

I flop down into bed and let out a groan. I'm exhausted. Today we were so busy and I've been on my feet since I woke up. It's now after two in the morning and I'm just lying down.

My thoughts drift to the conversation I had with Anya today. She's just starting to clear out the back room and get her thoughts together on what is going to happen in there. When I poked my head in to see how it was going she smiled at me and my pulse began to race. She said we need to sit down and get some ideas for the menu. A simple request, but damn the thought of sitting down with her does things to me that it shouldn't.

It's strange having her around all the time. I made a promise to Callum years ago that I would stay away from his sister and I will never break that promise, but I can't help that when I look at her she knocks the wind out of me.

I pushed Callum to let her do this and I'm not entirely sure why that was.

One thing is for sure though, it was either the smartest or dumbest thing I've ever done.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand and I groan reaching over to see who it is.

Callum: My sister has just informed me that she booked a party for next weekend. This means we all need to get that room ready, plus you need to get with her and get a menu going.

That was fast.

Callum: A little too fast. We aren't close to ready. This is the shit I was afraid of.

Until she starts making serious money from this idea, Callum is going to be a hardass about it. Part of my job as his best friend is to try to get him to focus on the positive things. To make him understand not everything falls on his shoulders and that he needs to chill out sometimes.

It's not an easy job, but I try my best.

She's selling her idea which will ultimately be beneficial to us all. We'll get the room ready in plenty of time and I'll carve out time to work on the menu with her. We've got this, C. It's an exciting new chapter for the brewery.

He takes a few minutes to reply and to anyone else, they would think he's just occupied with something else. But, I know better. He's dissecting everything I've just said and processing it. He's evaluating the pros and cons. He's detailing how much time and money this is all going to take to make happen in time.

Like I said, my job as his best friend isn't easy.

Finally, my phone vibrates and I look at his reply.

Callum: Yeah all right. I want everyone at the brewery an hour early to get a jump on that room.

I give him a thumb-up emoji and toss my phone back on the nightstand. An hour early means I have an hour less to sleep. Which sucks but there's no point in arguing with Callum. The man can survive a day with twenty minutes of sleep. He's a fucking machine.

"Callum, what do you want to do with all these old receipts and orders?" Shepherd asks, holding one of the numerous boxes.

"I guess put all the boxes in my office and clutter it more than it already is." He pushes a chair against the table and looks around. "This is fucking ridiculous."

I grab his shoulder and he glances at me. "This is progress. You no longer use paper receipts or orders, so we'll scan all these into the computer in a file and you can get rid of the clutter. Don't overthink it, man."

Anya's eyes bounce between Callum and me while Paxton, Shepherd, and Tripp carry out the boxes.

He blows out a breath and nods. "Let's call it a night. We've been at this for hours."

"I appreciate it, Callum. I promise you won't regret this," Anya says, twisting her hands together.

"So you keep saying," he says, grabbing his phone off the table and walking out of the room.

She groans and knocks over a chair. "I'm so tired of his negative attitude."

I move toward her and pick up the chair before reaching out and touching her wrist. Her eyes snap to mine and I immediately let go. "You know how he is. It's going to take time, but he'll see what an amazing idea this is."

She searches my face and leans her hip against the table. "Why did you convince him to let me do this?"

I shrug and stuff my hands into my pockets. "It's a good idea, Anya. I'm able to see how much money can be made. Callum just takes a little longer to get there."

Her face lights up as a smile spreads across her kissable lips. "Thank you, again."

"So we need to carry all the boxes and you get to stay here doing what?" Tripp asks, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

"Anya and I are going to sit down and go over the menu for the party. You're more than welcome to go into the kitchen and be my sous chef instead," I say, grinning.

"There's an idea. Maybe you can get Tripp to stop complaining every five seconds that he's not on his damn phone," Paxton says, narrowing his eyes at his youngest brother.

Tripp rolls his eyes and stands up. "Not cool with being in the kitchen. What the hell do we need to do to get out of here?"

Everyone is exhausted and it's causing frustration that doesn't need to be here.

"Listen, Callum said we'll finish up tomorrow. You guys can get out of here," I say.

Tripp doesn't wait around, he rushes out the door with his phone in his hand.

"You aren't leaving?" Paxton asks, sitting on one of the tables.

"Anya and I need to discuss the menu. I promised Callum I'd get it done today."

Anya pulls out a chair and sits down. "This is supposed to be fun and exciting, but it's feeling forced and unwanted."

Shepherd wraps his arm around her shoulders as Paxton shakes his head. She's not wrong, it does feel that way.

"Come on baby sister, you know that's not true. I've been your advocate since you told me the idea. Don't let Callum and his bossy attitude get to you. You aren't new to his personality," Paxton says.

"He's right. We support this idea and we've got your back. It's exciting and you should let yourself feel the happiness you're trying to hide," Shepherd says.

She looks around at the three of us and forces a smile. "Thanks. I do appreciate all the help and support. It's been a long day. We should all just go get some sleep and start fresh tomorrow."

That's not gonna work for me, but she obviously needs a break.

"Good idea. I'll lock up," I say with a nod.

"Come on, Anya, I'll walk you to your car," Paxton says, jumping off the table.

"This room is going to be amazing. You'll see," Shepherd says, kissing the top of her head. He turns to me and nods. "You sure you don't mind locking up?"

I shake my head and follow them out of the room. "Yeah, I need to get a few things together for tomorrow. I'll be out of here in twenty minutes."

"Griffin, we'll go over the menu tomorrow if that's all right?" Anya appears exhausted, but still something in her eyes draws me in, making me want to wrap her into my arms.

"Don't worry about it. Just go get some rest," I say, waving as they walk toward the exit.

I head into the kitchen and get a few things ready for tomorrow. When that's done I grab a pen and paper. There's no way I'm waiting to figure out a menu. I'll get one together tonight at home. I know what she's going for and I know my ideas are going to surpass what she's thinking about anyway.

I turn everything off and lock up. As I'm walking to my Ford pickup truck, I realize I have a small grin on my face. As I climb into the truck I drop my head against the back of the seat. The idea of staying up late and doing this so that tomorrow Anya will be impressed is the reason I'm smiling.

Callum would kick my ass if he knew.

My phone beeps with a message before I even start my ignition.

Tripp: Hey guys, Shepherd's got a new beer flavor he's been working on. Any guesses on what it is?

I text back.

Knowing Shepherd, it's probably something weird like jalape?o and lime ??

Callum: Nah, he did that one last year. I'm guessing it's something with fruit. Maybe a peach ale?

Brock: If it's as good as his last one, I'm in. When can we try it, Shepherd?

Shepherd: You guys are gonna love this one. It's a chocolate hazelnut porter.

Paxton: Ooh, sounds fancy. When can we get a taste?

Shepherd: How about this weekend? I need some guinea pigs to test it out before I finalize the recipe.

Tripp: Count me in. Anything with chocolate and beer is a win in my book.

First, Tripp, you're not old enough. And Shep, just to warn you, if it's bad, I'm gonna be brutally honest.

Shepherd: I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Griff.

Callum: Speaking of the weekend, anyone catch the game last night? That last-minute home run was insane!

Brock: Man, I thought they were done for. Best comeback I've seen in a while.

Paxton: I missed it! Had a busy night with Hartford, if you know what I mean. Any highlights worth watching?

Tripp: All of them! The whole game was intense. You gotta catch the replay.

Seriously, Paxton, it was one for the books. That last inning was pure magic.

Shepherd: I was so pumped, I almost knocked over the batch of beer I was working on.

Callum: Just make sure you don't spill any of that chocolate hazelnut goodness. We need to try it this weekend.

Paxton: All right, okay, I'll check out the highlights. And I'm definitely down for the beer tasting. What time?

Shepherd: How about Saturday afternoon? Say 3 PM at my place?

Tripp: Works for me. I can try beer, right, Cal?

Callum: I guess, don't tell Mom.

Brock: Perfect.

Callum: Can't wait.

Looking forward to it.

Paxton: See you guys then, and will your neighbor be there?

Shepherd: Don't remind me about her.

Callum: What happened?

Shepherd: She's back with her ex, so I guess I can go fuck myself.

Brock: Dude, sorry. It seemed like you really liked her.

Shepherd: Yeah, it's whatever.

Tripp: You need to make her jealous. Show her what she's missing.

Shepherd: Get a girlfriend, and maybe then I'll take dating advice from you.

Tripp: I've had girlfriends.

Callum: High school crushes don't count. Speaking of which, Brock, heard you're dating Millie. The Book, Spine, and Sinker book store owner.

Brock: Yeah, it's still new. So, no screwing it up for me.

Tripp: You're dating her?

Brock: Yeah. She's real nice.

Shepherd: You'll have to bring her to Sunday dinner.

Brock: Maybe I will.

I toss my phone onto the seat of my truck, and rub my eyes. Fuck, I need to get home.