Page 27 of Good Vibes Only
“So what’s this I hear about you starting a brewery, Showtime?” Sofia changed the subject, clearly taking pity on me. Hey, Itoldyou that girl’s rad.
“It’s called BarDown Brewery,” I said proudly.
“Not gonna lie. That’s a sick name,” Connor said, offering me a fistbump.
“Thanks,Con,” I said emphatically. This time, it was my turn to give McKayla the side-eyes. “Becausesomepeople don’t like it.”
“I mean—‘bar down?’ Really?” McKayla groused, looking to Sofia for support. “Doesn’t the name make it sound like they ran out of alcohol or something?”
Sofia held up her hands to recuse herself. “Oh no. I amnotgetting in the middle of this.”
Brock explained what bardown reallymeant: “A bardown is when the puck hits the crossbar, deflects down, and goes into the net.”
McKayla sighed, defeated. “Okay. So hockey people get it. That’s good, at least. I just worry thatnon-hockeypeople won’t get it, and you’ll be limiting your reach.”
“You’re worried about my business? Aw, McKayla. I’m touched. I thought youwantedmy brewery to fail.”
“Don’t get too excited. It’s just the inner businesswoman in me. I can’t help it,” she said. “And anyway, it’s not like anything I say matters. I already told you your business is doomed, remember?”
“How could I forget?” I chuckled. “Thanks for that, by the way.”
“MCKAYLA!” A voice, slurring, roared from behind. Dakota rushed over and staggered between the five of us. He reached down and ensnared McKayla in a bear hug. “MCKAYLA JONES!”
“Um. Yeah.Hi, Dakota.” McKayla’s body went totally limp in his arms. “Have you been drinking tonight?” she asked sarcastically.
“Nahhhh.” Dakota held up a pinch of air. “Maybe like that much.”
“Oh, wow. Just that much? You’re so responsible, Dak.”
I chuckled. “Yeah … Dak got here early to help me set up. He’s been at it for a while.”
“I couldn’t tell,” McKayla said, deadpan.
“So how long have you two known each other?” I asked.
“Dude.” Dakota turned to me, his heavy arm slung around McKayla’s shoulders, and said, “This is the fuckin’ chick I was tellin’ you about, bro. Thehottestchick in high school. But she wouldn’t fuck me, man. HA!” He shook her by the shoulder. “Remember? Remember that, Mac?”
“Remember not fucking you? I sure do,” she said. “And I still won’t fuck you, either.”
Dakota threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Shestillwon’t fuck me! Ahahah!God, I love this girl!”
McKayla grimaced. “Wow, you arereallyhaving a good time tonight, aren’t you?”
Dakota threw his arms into the air in drunken jubilation. “WOOOO!” Just then, another girl across the room caught his eye, and he was gone in the blink of an eye.
“Mm. Some things never change,” McKayla quipped.
“Looks like we’ve got some catching up to do,” Connor joked.
I was just glad Dakota took the heat off me for a bit. Hell, next to him, I didn’t look so bad.
Brock clapped my shoulder. “Are you going to give us a mug of your beer, or what?”
“Hell yeah, boys,” I said, gesturing for the group to follow me. “I’ll pour you a glass.”
I led the group into the kitchen.
“So we’re leaning pretty heavily into the hockey theme,” I said as I showed them our lineup of beers on tap.
