Page 20 of Summer Brew

“I know you’re not leaving it at that,” there’s a clear threat in Mayer’s voice.

I roll my eyes and finish off my browning while giving my friends the most innocent smile I can muster. The looks on their faces tell me they’re not buying it.

“What?” I try one more time, but Mayer only arches her eyebrow even higher. Yeah, she’s not going to let me off for a second longer. “I went over to his place and told him what I was doing and then asked for help.” I shrug like it’s not a big deal, but the looks on the faces of the women around me tell a different story.

It is a big deal. And I know it.

“He came over to check everything out. He says it looks good. Now, he’s planning on doing a little research on the cannabis to hops ratio, which is where I’m pretty sure everything is falling apart. Then we’ll go through what I’ve tried and go from there,” the words rush out of me.

Maybe if I talk fast enough then they won’t notice what I’m not saying. Keeping my face neutral is the hardest part.

These women know me too fucking well.

“He came over and you walked him through everything you’ve been using and your methodology?” Greylin’s question is pure shock.

“How else would he help?”

“You’ve never even let us see where you do your brew,” Meadow’s words are edged with jealousy and maybe a little hurt. I shoot her an apologetic look.

I have been very secretive when it comes to my beer. I’m even aware that it’s a little weird. I’m protective of it.

I’m not ready to share more of it.

What if it’s even more of a failure? What if I never find the right combination? What if I just keep letting myself and the business down?

I shake off those questions because Keaton is helping me now. I’ll figure out the right recipe. Eventually.

At least, I hope I will.

While throwing my hands in the air, I whine, “You’re the one who threatened the tribunal if I didn’t get out of my own way. I did and now you’re surprised?”

“You threatened a tribunal?” Greylin looks at Meadow and tries to sound shocked.

It doesn’t quite land and I narrow my eyes at her. “You were planning on it too, weren’t you?”

“Yes,” Greylin sighs and winks at me, “but apparently Meadow is faster.”

“I was mentally taking bets on which one of them was going to use that card first,” Mayer teases. “If they were going to take much longer then I was going to have to use it myself.”

“I can’t believe I call you my friends,” I gripe at them, not meaning a single word.

They’re worth more than fucking gold. I’m more than aware of that. Even when they annoy me. Even when they push me.

“You love us,” Mayer deadpans.

“Was it awkward? You guys have been circling around each other for so long, while trying to ignore the other and be personable.” Greylin sighs, “Honestly, it looks exhausting.”

“It was so fucking awkward,” the words rush out of me before I add, “at first. Then it wasn’t and we just talked. It was easy to do because we focused on brewing for the most part.”

“What aren’t you saying?” Meadow is watching me closely. Too closely.

“Oh,” Greylin holds out the word and leans toward me while studying my face, “something definitely happened.”

I press my lips together and then let out a sigh. “When I thanked him for agreeing to help me, he said he had to help me because I’m like his little sister.”

My face scrunches up and I feel the pang of hurt from his words again. But then I remember the way he put his hands on my windowsill as if he was truly willing to keep them there even if I decided to close the window.

“He said what now?” Mayer’s chin drops down to her chest and I’m afraid she’s about to breathe fire for a split second.