Page 23 of Pitcher Perfect

CALEB

I hadno idea why Austin tensed out of the blue.If he has issues with the town, why did he come back to open a brewery? Did something happen when he grew up here?There was clearly a story there, but I didn’t feel like I had the right to pry. Iwantedto—wanted to know so much more about the almost shy but bold workaholic with the amazing tattoos and breath-stealing eyes—but we barely knew each other. It wasn’t my place. He hadn’t asked any probing questions about my childhood, so I should respect that boundary.

I hoped that in the time we spent together for the competition, he might open up to me. I wanted to learn everything about him, and I couldn’t remember feeling that way about someone else in a long time.

Austin picked up the tasting tray Ethan had left at the edge of the bar, then led me to a table by the window. A handful of people sat in the taproom. It wasn’t quite five p.m. yet, but I imagined they got busier in the evenings.

Austin slid the tasting tray over to me. He became animated as he talked me through the six beers on the wooden rainbow-shaped tray. He watched me closely as I worked through them, as though he were cataloging every sound and micro-expression I made. I was enthralled as he taught me the differences between each one, guiding me through which I should taste next for the full experience. I wasn’t a total beer newbie, but Austin shared how each style was different without coming across as patronizing.

“This one has something else. Woodsy.” I took another sip of the saison. “No, an herb.”

Austin’s eyes lit up. “Yeah! Can you tell what it is?”

I rolled the liquid over my tongue and ran through some possible flavors—not rosemary or thyme but along those lines, something I would cook with. “Sage?”

Austin slapped the table. “You got it.” He shook his head, grinning. “Good palate. Most people don’t pick up that note.”

I was completely charmed by Austin. He tested me on the flavors to learn my palate and teased me when I got it wrong. I saw the man I’d met in Portland. He seemed a bit reserved until he got to talk about something he loved, then he was damn near bubbly. I wanted to know what other topics would set it off.

“We went through a fireball phase, and Ty convinced me to try a cinnamon-flavored recipe. He wanted to name it Burnt Nuts.”

I laughed. “Why does that not surprise me? Let me guess, it was crap?”

“So bad! I hadn’t learned how to work with spices yet.” Austin looked a little sick thinking about it. “I still can’t go anywhere near fireball.”

“It’s a shame that one didn’t work out. The name is amazing. I think Ty was onto something,” I teased.

Austin was so easy to laugh with.

I gestured to the flags over the bar. “It’s awesome you guys decided to lean into a gay theme. I wouldn’t have expected to see it outside of Portland or Eugene, but people around here seem to embrace it.”

“We’re not all gay.”

My eyes widened. I would have bet my food truck that he was interested in me on some level not purely platonic. He liked Matt Bomer.

“Ethan’s pansexual. The rest of us are gay.”

Oh.“Oh. God, sorry. That was presumptuous as hell of me.”

Austin’s smile was kind. “It’s not the first time we’ve heard that. Ethan is quick to correct people, but I don’t think he takes it personally. Dahlia Springs has been great on that front. If Ty and I hadn’t grown up here and experienced firsthand how cool people were, I doubt we would’ve taken the risk.”

“The small town I grew up in wasn’t this progressive. People weren’t outwardly homophobic or anything, but I didn’t dare bring a guy to prom. I knew there were queer people in town, but people weren’t open about it. Everyone was assumed to be straight, and those of us who weren’t kept it pretty quiet.”

Austin frowned. “I hate that that’s still a thing—straight unless otherwise specified.”

“Me too! It’s so infur—”

“How’s it going?”

The new voice startled me, and I jerked back. I hadn’t realized until that moment that Austin and I had gravitated toward each other, both leaning over the table. I looked up at Ethan and swallowed my annoyance at the interruption, pasting a friendly smile on my face. His knowing expression said I hadn’t fooled him.

“Great.” I cleared my throat. “The beers are amazing.” I looked between Austin and Ethan when I said it.

“Thanks.” Austin’s smile was crooked and sexy.

It faded when Ethan shot him a look I couldn’t read.

“Can I get you a full glass of one?” Ethan asked.

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