Page 14 of The Problem with Players

“No, I’m a lover boy. Drake taught me well. Nine tomorrow night at O’Reilly’s, brother.”

“Nine?” I groaned. What kind of events started at nine at night? What was this? A college frat party? “I thought we agreed on six.”

“That was before Mom said she wanted to do cake and ice cream at her place. You can make it a late night for yourself, old balls,” Evan said, tossing the wrapped-up slab of ribs and pork belly into the carton in my hands. “If I have to be out, then you do, too. Now, go sell our goods.”

I took on one of Evan’s grimaces before heading out to Isla Iberia to pitch the products to Alex. I was already dreading the fact that I’d be staying up past ten on Saturday night. I liked to live a boring life where I worked all day and slept all night. My bedtime routine was my favorite part of every day, and one day off made my whole week feel unstable.

“I figured you forgot about the drop-off,” Alex mentioned as I walked into the kitchen of Isla Iberia through the back alleyway entrance.

“Not a chance. Got all the best pork for you to sample.” I set the container down on his countertop. He quickly washed and dried his hands with a rag before inspecting the goods.

He arched an eyebrow and tossed the rag over his shoulder. “I only asked for chops and bacon.”

“We figured you deserved more than chops and bacon, Chef.”

He narrowed his eyes as he began to examine the meat. He lifted the extras Evan tossed in. “Pork belly?”

“Pork belly.”

He grumbled, patting the meat with his hand. “I actually wanted some pork belly to test out a few recipes.”

I grinned. “It’s almost like we should go into business with one another.”

“Don’t get smart about it, all right? I said I would try yourmeat. I didn’t say I’d add it to my menu. I already get some quality stuff from a team in Chicago.”

“You’ll get better quality here and won’t have to pay to have it brought over, Chef. I’m telling you, once you taste Pierce meat, you won’t regret it.”

“I’m already on board with your produce, which has proved to be a good thing. But if I’m honest, you’re putting me in a bit of an uncomfortable situation here, Nate.”

“How so?”

“When we made our deal for produce, I wasn’t with Yara. Now that she’s my wife, it adds a bit of a challenge to the whole situation of us working together.”

“What do you mean by that?”

He cocked an eyebrow and shook his head. “I think you know what I mean by that.”

“I honestly have no idea.”

He crossed his arms and leaned back against his counter. “I got a visit from Yara earlier today. She was extra emotional about something that went down with Avery and you today at the high school.”

Oh.

That.

I flicked my thumb against the bridge of my nose before crossing my arms, too, standing tall. “Oh?” I said, trying to play it cool.

“Yes, oh.” He shook his head. “You got a pregnant woman coming over to me in distress because she’s convinced her older sister is going to have a mental breakdown from losing the one position that means the world to her. Now, you see how it could add unnecessary beef to my life if I have to tell her that I’m adding your family’sbeefto my restaurant?”

“To be fair, it’s more than just beef. You have pork now, and we also have chicken?—”

“Nathan. You already know I like you, and I hate mostpeople. You and your family have been easy as hell to work with over the past two years. But the idea of pissing off my pregnant, hormonal wife and Avery—a woman who scares me to this day—is a big risk to my…well…life expectancy.”

I sighed. “I know it’s a bad look.”

“It’s anawfullook.”

“What if I told you I wasn’t taking the head coaching position? What if I left that for Avery? Would you then consider a partnership?”

---