Page 64 of Bourbon and Proof

“You look like Griz with that thing.” I point to my upper lip, mimicking where it has grown in thicker.

“Laney likes it,” he says with a shrug, his smile turning into a smirk. “She’s the boss. I’ll do pretty much anything that makes her smile and eager to get naked. This, for some reason, accomplishes both.”

I take another look at my phone to check the time. It’s late, and regardless of her job, there have been too many threats lately to ignore the fact that Hadley left my messages unread.

ACE

Are you staying at the Midnight Proof apartment tonight?

She hasn’t done that yet. She always comes home, but it’s a possibility.

ACE

It’s late and the bar should have closed well over an hour ago.

When I look back up at him, he’s watching me. He’s been doing it for years—assessing my social cues and making sureI’m okay. He’s the only one who asks every now and then if I’m alright. I don’t need it, but I appreciate it anyway. “You’ve been taking care of all of us since we were kids, Ace. It’s ’bout time you got your happy.”

I send her another text as I smile at my brother and say, “What makes you think I haven’t been happy?”

ACE

I’m coming down there if you don’t answer me.

Grant lets out a clipped laugh. “You’re more of an asshole than I am most of the time—happy is not the adjective I’d ever assign to your natural state.”

SUGAR

Don’t.

She never uses one-word answers. And my gut is telling me that something feels off.

When I look up, my brother’s examining the color of his glass of bourbon. “This is good. Is it single barrel?”

I nod.

He hums, and then takes another sip. “How long?”

It’s been a long time since I shared a bourbon I made. “About six years on that one.”

“It’s different. Not sure what that after-bite might be...”

“I smoked out the barrel. I let it rest and charred it again before I added the white dog. Wanted to see if it’d hold the added smoked flavor.” I take another sip, recognizing the notes he was appreciating. “I was right. It did,” I say proudly.

With his eyebrows kicked up to his hairline, he says, “You tried something new, then?”

I did. “Griz has a way of getting under my skin. He’s been telling me to take more risks for years. He just thought I wasn’t listening.”

“Well...” He polishes off what’s in his glass. “You got married, and now you’re finding ways to bend the rules of bourbon. I’d say he did more than just get under your skin.”

Julep gets up from the floor and sits with her tail wagging by the door a minute before it swings wide open.

Grant smiles as Laney waltzes inside. “Julep, my best girl in the world!” she laughs out, then notices me. “Hey, Ace, what are you doing here? You’re lucky I didn’t strip as I entered—Grant’s been rocking that mustache lately.” Raising her hand next to her mouth, she whisper-shouts, “I’m feral for it.”

“Honey,” Grant says, his voice low.

“Yeah, cowboy?”

He crooks his finger at her.

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