Page 17 of Beyond the Hate

He rolls his eyes. “You don’tneedyour phone. What youneedis a drink.”

I sigh. I’ll never admit it to my brother, but he’s not actually wrong. I could use a drink. It’s been a long week between fighting with my brothers about how to expand the distillery and arguing with Paisley at the meeting.

I can never say the right thing to her. Whatever I say she interprets as me shoving my wealth in her face. And then I open my mouth and snark at her. I can’t seem to help myself. She brings out the worst in me.

“You’re softening. Come on. Let’s go.” Zane dances to the hallway.

I switch off my computer and follow him. Rhett is already waiting there. The way he’s gazing at Dakota with longing in his eyes has my hackles rising. Those two are oil and water. Those two getting together will cause fireworks the distillery might not survive. I make a mental note to speak to Jennifer fromApparooabout writing up an anti-fraternization policy.

Jaxon rushes toward us. “Sorry, I’m late.”

Late? My brow furrows. “Why does everyone but me know what’s going on?”

Kai waves from the doorway. “Because you’re never here.”

Those words aren’t meant to hurt but they sting, nonetheless. I’ve missed way too much of their lives. Between college and growingApparoointo the multi-national business it is,I’ve spent way too little time with my brothers over the past decade. But I’m here now. And I plan to stay.

“You’re never on time but suddenly we’re having drinks and you are?”

Kai shrugs. “I have my priorities straight.”

I approach Dakota. “If anyone calls—”

She shoos me away. “I’ll deal with it. Get out of here andhave a good time.”

I want to invite her with us – she’s an integral part of our team – but I don’t dare. Alcohol and Dakota and Rhett is a combination I’m not ready for.

Zane urges me toward the exit. “Let’s go. Let’s go.”

I scan the group. “Where’s Miles?”

“He’s meeting us at theRumrunner.”

“TheRumrunner?” TheRumrunneris in downtown Smuggler’s Rest. I need to avoid the town and a certain inhabitant.

“Can’t we go have a drink at the bar at theHideaway Haven Resortinstead?”

Kai shakes his head. “No way. The drinks there are overpriced.”

“And it’s boring,” Zane adds.

My pulse quickens. It’s Friday afternoon and my brothers are insisting we go drinking. This will not end well. At least the police cells on Smuggler’s Hideaway have windows and proper beds. Ask me how I know.

“Boring’s good.”

Rhett nods in agreement. “Boring is safe.”

Jaxon removes his glasses to pinch his nose. “I can’t spend another night in jail. I have too much work to do.”

Zane scowls at him. “It was one night years ago.”

Kai bumps Jaxon’s shoulder. “You’re a workaholic. You need to have fun. Have a few drinks. Maybe get laid.”

Jaxon rears back. “I don’t… I mean… I could… But…”

Zane throws an arm over his shoulders. “Kai was joking.”

Kai glances at me and mouthsNo, I wasn’t.

---