Page 8 of Resisting my Roommate

It worked.

A little too well.

Now I’m having trouble hiring enough staff to keep up with demand, which is why my sister’s been picking up shifts. Hell, even I’m working the bar when I typically spend my days brewing the beer we serve here at the Wicked Hop.

Lately, however, I have no choice but to forego the time spent brewing so I can lend a hand in the taproom, especially on the weekends.

And this weekend is even busier than the last, a mixture of locals and tourists taking advantage of the warm weather as they enjoy some locally brewed beer.

“I’m working on it, but this isn’t just a regular bar,” I remind my sister as I pour an IPA. “It’s a taproom. Serving only the beer brewed in house. I’d like someone who at least knows the difference between an IPA and a lager.”

“At this point, you just need to hire someone, Jude. I’m exhausted from all the hours I’ve been working here.” She swipes at her brow with her arm, pushing her hair behind her ears.

Out of five of us, Dylan’s the only blonde.

And the only girl.

Something she still hates, considering she has four older brothers giving any guy she tries to date hell.

“Between this place and helping Hayden with his kids, I barely have any time to myself. Don’t get me wrong,” she adds quickly. “I’m happy to help, but can you at leasttryto hire more staff? And not require them to provide an essay on how different ingredients used in the fermentation process can affect a beer’s flavor. Okay?”

I chuckle. “I’ll do my best.”

“Good, because if I don’t get a day off soon, I’m going to lose it.”

“I’m sorry, Dyl.”

She’s been working non-stop, especially since our oldest brother, Hayden, moved back home after his wife unexpectedly passed away late last year. My mom and Dylan have been helping him with his two kids while he works, which he seems to constantly do. I get he’s a doctor and will always need to be on call. It just seems he’s working all the time to avoid facing life without his wife.

Then again, I can’t blame him. I’ve been doing the same thing the past several years.

“Why don’t you take tomorrow off?” I suggest as I pour another round of beers for a group of tourists at the end of the bar.

“Are you sure?” Dylan sets several full glasses on a tray.

“It’s Sunday, so we’re only open a few hours anyway.”

“I don’t want to leave you shorthanded.”

“It’ll be fine,” I assure her. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Don’t tell Hayden, or he’ll come up with a reason to go into work himself.”

“It’ll be our little secret.” She gives me an exaggerated wink. “You should take a day off once in a while, too, ya know.”

“The taproom’s closed every Monday.”

She narrows her gaze at me. “But you still come in and work in the brewhouse. You need to make time for yourself outside of this place.”

“I go to Mom’s.”

“Because you still use Dad’s old brewing system there to experiment.”

“And I visit Beckham at the vineyard.”

“And Finn at the fire department. Blah blah blah. That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.” She lowers her voice, leaning toward me. “When are you going to move on?”

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