“Why can’t we call you coach, Coach?” Andy asked with a straight face.
Jay had been their Sydney Hearts teammate, retiring early due to medical issues, before being offered a position on the coaching staff only last year. He was a massive ball sack, but there was noarguing the facts - the defensive elements of the team were already doing better under his leadership and even though Andy and Jack loved to mock him when they weren’t at the club, we all knew he was proving essential on that coaching team.
“Can I call you three tackles and no goal assists?” Jay retorted, quick as lightning and Andy gave him a stern captain’s glare making everyone else guffaw.
“Tonight is shaping up to be a sad fest with you three mopey fuckers,” I interjected, receiving a grateful nod from Jay.
“Can’t wait for the day some chick has her teeth in you,” Seb mumbled.
“Just grab a few glasses, would you? You boys need something to take the edge off.” I stated, brushing off his jibe. The last thing I needed was a plus one who pretended they cared, only to want money or shares in my business. I already had enough bullshit to deal with - no need for another person in my life to make me feel worse.
“Spent a little too long playing with flavour profiles today,” I grinned. “Some pretty good notes in a few of the tastings, so get your heads out of your arses, I need your opinions for something new I’m working on for your bar, Seb.”
“Happy to taste if you stop fucking talking and pour us some.” Andy was especially pissed off tonight.
“Isn’t this the happiest time of your life, brother?” I asked, knowing he was only salty because he missed his fiancée but enjoying the banter too much.
“Of course it is. Nothing I want more than to marry her. Best fucking thing that ever happened to me.” He said earnestly and Seb slapped his back while nodding knowingly.
“Good for you, Cap.” Jack said, as lovesick as both of them.
“Oh, Christ. Okay, maybe I do need a drink.” I said with a mocking grin at the three of them.
While I’d enjoyed watchingthemall quickly and hopelessly fall in love, that life was not for me. Despite what my meddling parents believed they could decide for me. I was a busy man withno time for anything other than work and regardless, I was never going to be interested in someone my parents chose. Their marriage was miserable. I wasn’t even sure they communicated with each other above surface level bullshit and if they did it was heated in all the wrong ways.
My father cared only for how much money he made at the end of the week and my mother for what new things she could purchase. If I ever did see them together, they agreed on nothing other than the fact that every choiceImade was the wrong one. An opinion they never missed an opportunity to remind me of, as if causing me pain was their favourite pastime.
And if that was what life had in store for me after marriage, I was better off staying single.
“Looks rich,” Andy commented, swirling the pour around his glass before bringing it to his nose.
“Agreed,” Seb said, passing Jay and Jack one each.
“Taste it before you smell it, Seb,” I replied, knowing he wasn’t a fan of a peaty whiskey, and this one was particularly smoky.
He narrowed his eyes before raising his glass to his lips.
“You’re a dick,” he spat. “It tastes like pure smoke.”
“Made that one just for you,” I grinned.
“You know what they say, if you can’t handle the heat…” Jay was grinning, ready to run if needed and by the lethal look on Seb’s face, he wasn’t far off.
“There’s a bottle ofRoyal Spadesin my office with your name on it, Sebby-boy.” I’d been prepared, knowing he was going to hate this new mix I toyed with today.
“How’s the wedding planning?” I asked Andy as Seb took himself out back to grab another bottle.
“I suggested we elope. Apparently, that was selfish,” he replied looking perplexed.
“I’m not even going to pretend to understand women,” Jay scoffed, and Andy sighed.
“I don’t think they’re meant to be understood. Least of allby you, Jay,” I chipped just as Seb returned, a bottle of my first whiskey firmly in his grasp.
“You’re not wrong there, brother,” Seb laughed, pulling a seat out at the makeshift poker table I’d arranged for tonight. We didn’t often have it here but with all the girls out, and unlimited liquor on hand, I was happy to host. Plus, it meant I had more time to work, which with not much else to distract me, was all I did these days. I liked being surrounded by my people, the laughter and banter a comforting kind of distraction from the noises in my head and mixing the two worlds was my shortcut to feeling good. It meant I could show them new pours or things I’d created, knowing they’d give me the God’s honest truth. Sometimes brutally. But it also meant I could watch something I’d created be enjoyed by the people I cared about most. Especially now, when I wasn’t much of a drinker myself - staying clear-headed to keep the fog at bay. Because when the fog crept in, I lost my sense of control and that was never a good thing.
“Your office is a fucking pigsty,” Seb reprimanded as he handed the bottle to Andy.
“Nothing is ever up to your standards.” I rolled my eyes, I could have left my chair untucked and he’d comment about how growing up with a full-time maid showed.
