Page 12 of Beyond the Hate

“Are we going to discuss business today?” I ask the room.

“I hope we are,” Jaxon says. “I need to make preparations either way.”

Miles’ laughter cuts off. “Either way? What are you referring to?”

Jaxon’s brow wrinkles. “Didn’t you read Eli’s memo?” Miles snorts and Jaxon sighs. “Of course not. Why did I bother asking?”

“What did it say?” Miles asks.

“We need to decide between expanding our whiskey and gin distilling facilities or adding rum to our list of products,” I explain.

“Bro, I said from the beginning. We need rum. Bootleggers loved rum,” Zane says.

“Adding rum to our list of products would require us to buy additional equipment as well as Jaxon learning a new method of distilling.”

Kai rolls his eyes. “Jaxon is smarter than the rest of us combined. He can probably sleep on a book about rum production and know more than the experts the next morning.”

“There’s also the need for increased cleaning protocols as the molasses can cause sticky residue in the equipment,” Rhett adds. “And this will cut into the profit margin.”

“It’s all about the money with him,” Zane whisper-shouts to Kai.

“What does moneybags want to do?” Miles asks and everyone’s attention returns to me.

“It’s not as if the rest of you are destitute,” I mutter.

“Because of you,” Rhett says.

“Come on.” Miles elbows me. “What do you want to do? You know we’ll agree with your decision.”

Kai raises his hand. “I won’t. I want rum.”

“Really?” I lift an eyebrow. “Can you even stand the smell of rum?”

His hand falls. “If it’s not too close.”

“Oh, man.” Zane feigns a shiver. “I forgot about the time he drank a bottle of Malibu rum. His pores reeked of coconut for weeks.”

“Too bad his puke didn’t smell of coconut since he threw up every-freaking-where.” Miles feigns gagging.

This conversation could continue for months if I don’t stop it. I slash a hand in the air.

“I want to increase our whiskey producing facilities.”

Jaxon slams his notebook shut and stands. “I’ll get on it.”

“Hold on,” Rhett grumbles. “What are the costs involved?”

I grin. “There are costs but they’ll be recovered in no time since I just closed a deal with the largest restaurant chain in the US to exclusively carry our whiskey.”

“Whoo hoo!” Miles jumps to his feet. “Awesome news!”

“I bet Paisley will be impressed,” Zane says.

“She might even forget about how you’re a wimp who wears three-piece suits to a meeting on the island,” Kai adds.

I frown. Paisley also made a comment about my suit. She’s not impressed with anything to do with me. Not my clothes. Not my money.

To her, I’m the boy from high school she hates.

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