Page 187 of On The Rocks

“It is, but you’re my best friend, Annette.”

The tears dripped. “Oh, man. You’re not even going to let me keep my makeup intact.”

“Eh, the sun is going to ruin it, anyway.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” She gave a watery chuckle, then she reached under the table for a mason jar full of ice and water. “We’re going to roast today. I had them bring out the umbrellas that weren’t ruined out to put a little shade over the food truck picnic tables.”

“Good thinking.”

“I have my moments. I’ll find you when I get relieved here from Ronnie.”

“Oh, she’s coming in. That’s good.”

“Yeah, she’s just thankful Justin saved her. She isverythankful.” She rolled her eyes. “Typical.”

I laughed and stood, then I gripped her shoulder lightly. “I’ll see you later.”

I didn’t make it ten feet before all the logistical problems started. It certainly made the day move fast as we figured out how to keep people from having heat strokes and making a triage tent for those who got overheated.

We had two food stations. One on the patio of the taproom and the other on the other side of the stage toward the parking lot. It was a sea of green bands as people enjoyed the various food and drink stations as well as merch tents for the artists.

Today, there were no VIPs.

Everyone was on equal footing. Unfortunately, that meant there were a whole lot of hotheads in the mix. Landon, our taproom bouncer, had hired on a few of his buddies to help with security, as well as people that Griffin had hired.

For our first show of the year, things were running pretty smoothly.

By the time pink started streaking the sky, one of the opening bands had made it to the main stage. They were a local girl rock band with an incredible lead singer. The crowd was getting restless and there were a bit too much cider and well drinks being passed around with the heat.

Justin and Griffin must have noticed, because they had Ian Kagan come out to guest sing with one of the teen groups who’d won the local talent contest last year at the orchard.

I was pretty sure the sixteen-year-old lead singer was going to be in a puddle on the stage by the end of it.

They sang One Direction’s “Steal My Girl” to a delighted crowd. It was a twenty-one and over crowd, but there were a helluva lot of older Directioners in the crowd, regardless of the more alt-rock flavor of the bands.

Finally, as the sun lowered in the sky, Bridger Everett and his band started their set.

I’d say a quarter of the crowd were here for him and he definitely won over most of the rest by the end of their set. He was a mix of Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan with one hell of a voice.

The crowd quieted, hanging on his every word.

Then Griffin walked on stage. Denim and cotton had never looked so good. He wore a tight Beatles shirt with John Lennon on the front.

I pushed my way into the back of the crush of people and stepped up onto the second bleacher and held onto the railing.

Griffin sat down in front of a microphone with a bent arm. He pulled the mic to his lips. “I wanted to thank you all for coming tonight. The taproom appreciates your support, and we’re proud to play for you tonight. It’s been a long time.”

The lights went down, then flicked over to a cool blue.

The acoustic guitars started and slowly built as the first lines of “Northern Attitude” lifted into the night.

When Griffin came in for a verse, my heart stuttered. His voice was deep with a range I didn’t expect.

I blew out a breath and covered my mouth as they harmonized, and the song built until the crowd went wild.

And the long yell along the back of the guitars left me turned on as hell.

That was my man.

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