Page 83 of Love Me

Satisfied and feeling more ready to get my shit done at work, I return to the distillery, having turned Hannah down for a to-go coffee, not wanting to wash away the taste of her on my tongue.

“Hey, spunk rag, you ready for this meeting?” Carter says as he walks into the still room, looking around.

“What are you looking for, Casanova? I left Billy at home, got too many meetings with you jackasses today.”

“You left him at home by himself? What are you, a fucking monster?Go get him.”

“No. I’ve got too much shit going on today and plans this afternoon once Bean Haven closes.”

“I hope he pisses all over your pillow and eats all your stupid hats.”

“I’ve got one hat and it’s on my head, idiot. Fuck off.”

“Whatever. I would never leave him at home all day,” he huffs.

“Dude, what is with you and my dog? Getting lonely? Need a companion? Maybe find someone to spend your life with instead of fucking half of Washington State. Or hell, I don’t know, just a random idea here, get your own fucking dog.”

Carter shrugs and rolls his eyes. “Nah. Never met anyone that made me feel anything other than arousal. But maybe the dog thing. Give me Billy. Which is a stupid fucking name by the way.”

I look up from where I’m checking on the temperature of the stills and give my brother a look like he can’t seriously be that stupid.

“You really don’t know? Billy Loomis? The killer fromScream?”

His eyes get huge, the pupils blown causing me to stand to my full height.

“You named our dog after a fucking psycho teenage serial killer?”

Satisfied with the progress of the stills, I start to head for the door, Carter hot on my tail.

“He’s not ours, he’s mine. And Charlie’s.”

“I want joint custody!”

“Fuck off, Carter! No. You can see him when you babysit Charlie next.” Idea struck, I spin on my heels, causing Carter to walk directly into me.

“How about this weekend?”

“I have plans. No more babysitting.”

“Not even to see Billy?”

His eyes narrow as he glares at me.

“Nope. You’re on your own. Ask Mom.”

“Fine,” I huff.

We leave the still room and jump in a golf cart, heading to the large main building on the distillery grounds where we keep our offices, tasting room, and event room. Walking in silence, Carter and I give each other a look as we get closer to Sawyer’s office and the distinct noise of rustling around and insults hit our ears. I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what we’re about to walk into. Carter pushes open Sawyer’s door, and sure as shit, Sawyer is on his knees, Dallas bent over in a headlock, throwing hard punches into Sawyer’s ribs and side.

“Jesus fucking Christ. Why? Did you two never grow up? Fuck.” I move to pull my asshole brothers off of each other, but Carter puts his hand out over my chest, halting me. I give him a look, and he shrugs. Agreeing with him for a change and taking our seats in front of Sawyer’s desk.

“You’re such a shithead! Give her back to me!” Dallas barks as he wrestles out of Sawyer’s hold. Good on him, that one is typically hard to get out of, Sawyer’s arms are like fucking death traps. A place where you go to slowly suffocate. Unless you’re Ivy.

“I told you, dumbass, I didn’t fucking take her!”

“Don’t mean to interrupt, but I’ve got to leave early today, think you two could pick this up after we’re done here?” I ask.

Sawyer shoves Dallas off of him, the force knocking both of them back from each other.

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