Page 15 of Bad Luck Club

“He walked out because ofyou?”

“He didn’t walk out because ofme. He walked out because he’s an asshole who tried to blame his lack of sales on everyone but himself, including Georgie, and I called him on it.”

“Oh, Lee,” Georgie said. Lee couldn’t tell if she was upset that he’d defended her honor or pleased by it. He suspected both.

“Have you noticed that every time you move to a new department, disaster strikes?” River asked. “Every single time there’s been an issue over the last month, there’s been one common factor—you.”

Georgie gasped. “River!”

“Yeah, Phil was a shitty salesman,” River said, “but he’s the only one here who knows everyone we sell to, what they order, and how often.”

“We have his Rolodex and his notebook,” Georgie said, then shot Lee a look of horror. “Unless those were the things he was holding when he left.”

Lee grimaced. “They were.”

“We can piece it together,” Georgie said resolutely. “The shipping department has been putting the orders in a spreadsheet. We can create a list of clients from our shipments and establish patterns.”

“Well, that’s just great,” River said in disgust. “Our attention should be focused on placing highly at Brewfest, and now we have to piece our sales situation together like a forensics team at a murder scene. And we still don’t have a salesperson.”

Or the customers they’d lost, but Lee kept that to himself.

“That’s not true,” Georgie said adamantly. “We have Lee.”

River released a bitter laugh. “Well, then we’re saved. I’m sure Lee knowsexactlywhat to do after three hours of training with Phil and a few hours with me, where he wouldn’t eventaste the damn beerhe’s supposed to sell,” he said in a controlled voice. “Then again, I’m sure Lee’s absolutely positive he knows how to do the job better than anyone. No training required.”

“What has gotten into you?” Georgie said, harsher than before.

“I’m tired of dealing with your brother’s attitude. He’s made it very clear he thinks he’s better than the rest of us. For someone who was so concerned about the outcome of Brewfest, he’s not doing a damn thing to help us go into it strong.”

Whichwasimportant. Sort of.

Their grandfather, being a Buchanan, had not been content to simply leave the brewery to them, no strings attached. He’d made their continued ownership contingent on placing in the top five at Brewfest, which was notorious for being highly competitive. If they didn’t win, River would take ownership. The stakes were significantly lower given that River was marrying Georgie. He’d made it clear he had no intention of taking the business away from the Buchanans, but even so. No one liked to lose, Lee least of all.

He had originally asked River to sign an agreement to hold him to his word, but he hadn’t pressed him to follow through. It had already soured things between the two of them worse than one of those awful sour beers Jack had tried to foist on him two weeks ago.

Back at the beginning of January, it had been announced that Brewfest was being moved to Asheville—it had originally been scheduled to take place in Colorado Springs—for reasons unknown. But it had set a fire under everyone. They were more anxious than ever to place highly in the best brews contest.

But River was right: Lee didn’t have anything to do with that. He didn’t belong here.

“Then you don’t have to worry about dealing with it anymore,” Lee said, his anger flaring again. “Because I’m done. I quit.”

“Lee!” Georgie called after him, but he ignored her.

He’d been a fool to think he could work here. Besides, River was right. Hehadacted like he was too good to work here, because that was exactly how he’d felt.

He marched past the aghast staff and then cut through the tasting room. He was about to push his way out the front door when he almost plowed into River’s great-aunt, Dottie. She stumbled backward, and he reached out to grab her upper arm to keep her upright.

“You’re just the person I wanted to see,” she said with a beaming smile as though he hadn’t nearly mowed her over. “Are you on your lunch break?”

“Now’s not a good time, Dottie.”

“Nonsense. Everyone needs to eat.” Then, before he realized what was happening, she’d grabbed his wrist and was dragging him down the street. “I know a place that serves the perfect burger.” She gave him a knowing look. “I know how fond you are of your red meat.”

He started to protest, but he did love red meat, and Adalia was always cooking vegetarian or pescatarian meals. Only…how had she known?

Dottie winked. “I know things. The faster you come to terms with that, the happier you’ll be.”

They made it another ten feet before he found his voice again. “Today’s not a good day, Dottie. I’d really like to get a rain check.”

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