Page 8 of Winter Ends
“Please, it’s the least I can do.”
Without waiting for a response, I set the bottle on the table and opened it with the corkscrew. There were no further complaints as the aromatics from the wine hit the air. While most Merlots were on the dry side, this one sat more on the sweet end of the spectrum. It’s why people who normally didn’t like reds enjoyed it.
I poured a sample amount into the bottom of Mrs. Grant’s glass and let her taste it. Her eyes widened as it opened over her taste buds. A grin split my face because I knew she’d love it.
“That’s probably one of the best...”
“I know. It’s a crowd-pleaser.” I poured her a full glass before pouring one for her husband. Aiden stared at me the entire time. I didn’t bother to touch his goblet. It was one thing to offer thekid booze in private, but I wasn’t about to land my ass in jail or cost my dad his liquor license.
“Now, while I’m over here...” I trailed off, looking over the family, landing on the youngest at the table. “It’s come to my attention that someone has a birthday coming up?”
Mrs. Grant nearly choked on her drink, setting the glass back on the table before looking between me and Aiden.
“Yes. Aiden is about to be nineteen on the twenty-eighth. How did you know that?”
I laughed. She obviously didn’t know all her son’s friends or how I knew Aiden, for that matter.
“Shawn Stevens, ma’am. My father owns this place. I’m a close friend of Nathan and Chase. I was trying to think of something to do for this guy in order to celebrate.”
She looked skeptical. Not that I could blame her. I’d be paranoid, too, if a much older man started talking about celebrating my baby’s birthday.
“And what exactly do you propose?” The wineglass was back in her hand. She swirled it for a moment before bringing it to her lips for a sip.
“My family has a cabin up at Snoqualmie Falls. It wouldn’t be just us. I’m thinking all the guys would go. How do you feel about that?”
Aiden sat up straighter in his chair, eyes wide. “I’m a fan. Let’s do that.”
His mother glared at him before waving him off. “Is that wise? I don’t know about a wild party.”
Aiden snorted, crossing his arms over his chest and sinking back into his seat. “I swear to God, it’s like Nathan ruined everything.”
Aiden’s mother turned back to study me, casting another sidelong look at Aiden. “I’ll tell you what, Shawn. I might let thathappen. You have to promise me that no shenanigans will go down with my youngest.”
Oh... she thought I was into Aiden. A huge smile lit my face. “No worries Mrs. Grant. He’s too young for me, anyway.”
When I looked over at Aiden again, his face was bright red and he’d sunken lower into his seat.
Chapter 5
Daniel
I. Was. Going. To. Kill. Him.
Where the fuck was he?
It had already been a busy enough night, but the second Shawn left the bar, all hell had broken loose. I couldn’t keep up to save my damn life. Orders were tossed my way like I was magic and had the memory of a goddamn elephant. I could easily remember two or three, but ten? Fucking forget it.
By the time I’d finally cleared out eight customers, I had steam billowing from my ears. If he expected me to pick up the slack so he could fuck off? Oh, he had another thing coming to him. I didn’t care who the hell his father was.
That’s when I saw him. He was out in the dining room, hand resting on the table, shooting the shit with Aiden. Fucking Aiden. A teenager. While we were supposed to be working.
Red.
All I saw was motherfucking red.
The bottle slammed onto the counter in front of me a little too hard and shattered, sending little pieces of glass flying.The patron that had been standing there gasped and jumped backward.
“The hell is your problem, man?” the customer asked.
