Page 97 of Pitcher Perfect

“Whoa,” Caleb said over the noise.

We were engulfed in a steady stream of well-wishers shaking our hands, clapping our backs, and pulling us into hugs. Brewery regulars, townies I recognized but didn’t really know, even strangers.

“Seth? Holy shit, man! I thought you were working on a cruise ship.” I pulled Ty’s little brother into a hug so tight I probably squeezed the breath from him. I hadn’t seen him in person for a couple of years.

About five years younger, we weren’t as close when I lived with him, but we’d become friends after he graduated college. He’d gone from the annoying tagalong to a good guy, and I’d become less of an ass. He was more polished than I remembered. Still the same round face and thick torso, but what used to be dorky glasses were now fashionable, black-rimmed frames. He even wore a bowtie. I couldn’t resist reaching out and flicking it.

“Fancy.”

He chuckled and ran his palm over his smoothed-back brown hair. Even his stubble looked fancily groomed, like he’d used a straightedge razor or something.

“I leveled up my look when I started working on the cruise ship. Better tips.”

“It suits you. You look great.” He’d always been on the chubby side, and he wore it well. “On vacation?”

His jaw tensed, and he looked away. “Something like that. Sorry I missed the event. One of my flights from the Caribbean was late, which messed up my entire schedule.”

I hugged him again. He seemed like he needed it. “Glad you’re here, Seth. Missed you, Booger.”

“Don’t you dare start with that shit.” He laughed.

I wanted to reach out and ruffle his hair, but he wasn’t the same pipsqueak from when we were kids. I didn’t have the heart to mess up his perfectly styled hair. Instead, I turned to Caleb.

“Seth, this is my boyfriend, Caleb.” That felt amazing to say.

Seth arched an eyebrow.

Caleb shot me a teasing smirk before shaking Seth’s hand. “Great to meet you.”

“Seth is Ty’s little brother,” I said.

“It’s a shame I used up all the good looks and charm in the family.” Ty hooked his arm around Seth’s neck, making Seth burrow into Ty’s side.

“Watch the hair, you dick!” Seth ducked out from under Ty’s arm.

Ty threw his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry. Didn’t realize you’d become such a diva.”

The familiar bickering was as comforting as Aunt Carolyn’s bacon mac and cheese. Ty might tease Seth, but he practically bounced on his toes in his brother’s presence. Ty hadn’t talked about it much, but I knew he missed having Seth around.

“Congratulations, gentlemen.” Mabel approached with a glass of beer.

“Thanks, Mabel. Do you know anything about this?” I gestured to the party around us.

“Who do you think organized it?” She winked.

I laughed. Of course she had. “You somehow got access to our breweryandour beer?” I arched an eyebrow.

“Your landlord helped, and the chamber is going to pay for all the beer consumed tonight. We even got help serving.”

Sure enough, two bartenders from the lesbian bar were pouring behind ours. We needed to have a conversation with our landlord about breaking and entering.Sigh. Small towns.

“Thank you, Mabel. We appreciate the support.”

For as frustrating as Mabel could be, she really meant well. Though, I had a feeling she would call in a favor eventually.

“I plan to capitalize on this achievement thoroughly this year. Prepare yourselves, boys.” Her smile was devious. “Have you considered offering a discount for locals now that you’ll be getting more tourist traffic? We could promote that through the chamber.”

There it is.

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