Page 11 of In Your Wake

“I’ve got to be honest, Spence,” I say. “I’m impressed you’ve stuck around this long.”

He frowns, but then his expression softens, and I swear his eyes light up like hearts. If a person could turn into an emoji, Spencer just did. “She’s the one, dude. I’ve never met someone like her. Can’t wait for you two to meet.”

Surprised by his sincere smile, mine stretches across my face. It almost makes me forget how my day started. “Yeah, what’s that about? I’m a little offended that I haven’t met her yet. I mean, you’ve been together for a year!”

“And whose fault is that?” Spencer asks with an arched eyebrow.

“Right, well, you know how it is?” I rub the back of my neck. “Schedules. Meetings. Yada-yada.” I glance up at the sign, and ignore the guilt gnawing in my gut. How would they react to finding out that I haven’t been that busy at all, only hiding? “Okay, are we ready to do this?”

Hunter steps up to the building and grabs the rope hanging from the sheet above. “If it’s all right, I’d like to say something first.”

Spencer shakes his head, and I drop mine. “Oh no, here he goes.”

“All I ask is that you don’t make us cry, Hunter,” Spencer teases.

“Assholes. I’m serious.” Hunter’s brow pinches. “This has been our dream for a long time, even if we didn’t realize it. And there’s no one else in the world I’d want to share it with or have by my side.” His expression drops a little, as his gaze flickers down the street.

Spencer sniffles beside me, but being the actor that he is, I know he’s faking it. I elbow him in the ribs, and he hides a laugh behind his fist.

“Seth would be proud of us today. That we turned his dream into a reality,” Hunter continues, ignoring Spencer. “I hope this is the first day of many that will continue to make him proud.”

We share a solemn nod and take a moment to remember our lost friend, but all too soon, heaviness weighs me down, so I crack my neck and pull my phone out. “Okay, enough sappiness. Let’s light this spark!” I say, hitting the record button.

“Without further ado, I present to you…” Hunter looks up and tugs on the rope. “The Four Brothers Brewery!”

He steps back as the sheet falls to the ground at his feet. The carved, bold gold letters of the sign stand out sharply against the black background, and we share an audible gasp.

“Real nice,” I say a minute later. “Love it.”

Hunter comes to our side of the sidewalk, a serene expression on his face.

“It’s perfect, Hunt.” Flanked between us, Spencer wraps his arms around our shoulders.

We stand staring at the sign, three brothers remembering the one that’s missing. I can’t speak for the others, but I feel Seth close by, giving us his approval.

Today’s importance is significant for all of us, but especially for Hunter. We were all close with Seth, but Hunter shared something a little extra with him. Nothing could keep them apart. From the swell of tears in Hunter’s eyes, something tells me that bond hasn’t lessened, even though Seth isn’t around anymore.

I squeeze Hunter’s shoulder. “Should we go inside?” I ask, curious for my first in-person visit. It’s hard to believe that we’re so close to our grand opening and I’ve only seen the brewery through a phone screen.

“Hell, yeah!” Excited like a kid, Spencer grabs the keys from Hunter and hurries to unlock the door. We follow him inside.

The immaculately clean place still smells of fresh paint, beer, and a hint of sawdust. In a daze, I walk around, my eyes finding it hard to focus on one thing. The exposed brick walls, the gleaming brass taps, the black metal pipe tables with wood tabletops; it’s all gorgeous and well-designed. But it’s the back garden area, with its open-air decor, pretty hanging white lights, and lush greenery, that steals my breath away.

“It’s fucking… perfect. Well done, boys. It’s stunning. Truly.”

They exchange smiles before Spencer gives Hunter a swift punch on the arm. “I told you he’d love it.”

Pride is etched all over their faces and strangely, I’m struck with envy. We’re all in this together, and I’ve contributed my fair share—financial backing and creating the menu—but I wish I’d been here for it all. Physically present and not over the phone. I should have been here, where they needed me. Not hiding away in the city and waiting for the team to beg me back. Then maybe this moment would fill me with as much pride as it does for Hunter and Spencer. And I’d have gotten to spend more time with Dad instead of rushing through what might very well be his last days.

Suddenly exhausted, emotionally and otherwise, I drop into a chair.

“Mitch, you good?” Hunter asks, sitting next to me, his kind voice soothing. “Is it your dad?”

I drop my head into my hands and nod. “He’s just so… broken.”

“It’s a real shame, Mitch,” Spencer adds, sitting across from us. “Why the hell is he refusing treatment?”

“It’s his choice,” Hunter states with a sharp edge. “His body.”