Page 8 of Relief Pitcher

“I don’t mind the company while clearing these Hallmark movies off my DVR.”

I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth. “All right. Thank you.” I called AAA to update them on the situation and asked about scheduling the tow for tomorrow. Then I shot a text off to my brother, Seth, because he’d be worried if I didn’t come back to the house tonight.

Seth: Offer to suck his dick yet?

Ty: Not technically.

Seth: [facepalm emoji] You’re ridiculous. I was kidding, but I should know better from you.

Ty: Hey, I don’t judge your demisexual ways. So don’t judge my… Wait, what’s the opposite of demisexual?

Seth: You.

Ty: LOL, fair enough.

I should probably tell the other guys too so they didn’t blow up my phone later. I opened the Tap That Brewery group chat.

Ty: I’m not going to make it home tonight.

Austin: Did the sexy lumberjack kidnap you? Or are you holding him hostage?

Dom: Definitely the last one.

Ethan: How do we even know this guy’s hot? He could be some really old guy wanting to spend his last years in the woods. Ty might be the first person he’s seen in months, and they’ll form a friendship and the guy will leave everything to Ty for showing him kindness in his old age. I can already picture the buddy-style movie montage.

Austin: Dude. What the fuck kind of movies have you been watching?

Ethan: I…don’t even know where that came from.

Dom: Jesus. You’re such a fucking romantic, E.

I aimed my phone at Cooper and snapped a picture of him watching TV. I forgot I’d turned my ringer on earlier while driving and it made a shutter sound. Hopefully, the movie’s Christmas music covered it.

“Did you take a picture of me? Is this 2005? Do you have ringtones assigned to people too?”

Why is him teasing me so hot?“My best friends—the other brewery owners—were debating how hot you are. And, you know, for security. This way, if you kill me, they’ll know your face.”

Cooper’s cheeks reddened.

I sent the photo.

Ty: The “I’m sorry, you were right” comments can commence.

Ethan: Forget everything I said. He’s gorgeous. Have you seen him with his hair down? How long is it? Is it curly?

Austin: Damn. Love long hair on a guy.

Dom: $20 says you’ll be calling him Daddy by morning.

Ty: Don’t be jealous, Daddy. No one will ever take your place.

Dom: [middle finger emoji]

Ty: What time is brunch with Parker? I’ll try to get AAA out here by then, and maybe Cooper can cut the tree first thing.

Ethan: 10 so we can open by noon, but don’t worry if you can’t make it. If I were crashing with a hottie like that bear of a man, I wouldn’t give a fuck about brunch with my friend and his boyfriend.

Ty: But the yummy food. Caleb is cooking.

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