Page 41 of Beyond the Hate

Sophia grins. “Exactly.”

“We can pick names out of a hat,” Maya suggests.

Chloe throws her arms wide. “And who’s got a hat with them?”

I jiggle my phone at her. “I’ll use a random name generator app.”

She throws her putter on the ground. “This is some bullshit.”

“Why? Because you’re losing.”

She narrows her eyes on me. “You hate to lose as much as I do.”

It’s true. I’m quite competitive. It’s why I owned my own putter after all. I quickly input our names into the app.

“Sophia, you’re first. Next are Maya, Nova, and Chloe. I’m last.”

“Ha! Ha! You’re last,” Chloe taunts.

I ignore her. Being last has its advantages after all.

When we reach halfway, Maya collapses on the grass next to the mermaid at the ninth hole. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but mini golf is harder sober.”

The rest of us join her on the ground and form a circle. I wave the bottle of whiskey at her. “You want another shot?”

“Give it to me.” Chloe snatches the bottle from me, unscrews the top, and drinks straight from the bottle. “Anyone else?”

“Might as well,” Sophia says. Once she’s had a drink, she hands the bottle to Maya who takes a dainty sip. She passes the bottle to Nova who gives me the bottle without drinking.

Chloe falls back to lay on the grass. “Who would have thought when we were playing mini golf last summer that this summer we’d all be in relationships?”

“Not every one of us is in a relationship,” Nova says. “Paisley’s still single.”

Chloe waves her hand in the air. “It’s only a matter of time before Paisley and Eli are knocking boots.”

I growl. “Eli and I will not be knocking boots.”

“Oh right. Because you hate him.”

I blow out a breath. I may have been wrong on my assessment of Eli as an asshole. He hasn’t been a jerk once since I’ve been brewing at the distillery.

On the contrary, he brings me coffee every morning. Mostly purchased fromPirates Pastriessince he’s now afraid of the coffee machine. And he checks on me periodically throughout the day to ensure I’m not working too hard.

In other words, he’s been a gentleman. It’s possible I was a bitch to him without reason. Or rather, the reason did not justify my rancor.

“Speaking of Eli.” Sophia smirks.

I glance over my shoulder. What is he doing here? I scan the area and notice his brothers goofing off at the first hole.

“Hey, Eli!” Chloe waves him over. And I debate hitting her with my putter. Not in the head. But in the back of the knees wouldn’t be so bad. Too bad she’s laying on the grass.

Eli strolls toward us with a grin on his face and a sparkle in his stunning blue eyes. I could drown in those eyes.

“Settle a debate for us,” Sophia says when he reaches us.

“What debate?”

“Do you think Paisley is cuter with or without her glasses?”

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