Page 81 of Small Town Firsts
My gaze whipped to Ronan. “Your brother is a Hawaiian giant?”
His jaw was still tense but he sighed. “More like best friend, but yeah, we’re pretty much family.”
Kain shot a look over his shoulder and dropped his hand. “Pretty much?”
Ronan flipped him off.
Kain snickered as he raked his fingers through his hair, pushing it behind his shoulders. “I’m starving.”
Sarcasm rolled off my tongue. “I’m sorry for you. I’m still confused as to what you two are doing in here and what the hell is with the buckets?”
Kain craned his neck to follow where I pointed. “Huh. Not sure on that one. Think we wanted to play beer pong and bowling and made up something in between. We hit the bottom of the moonshine bottle around four in the morning. Things got fuzzy.”
“Fuzzy?” I curled my fingers into fists under my arms once more.
Kain shrugged, his grin affable. Ronan was still quiet, his gaze zeroed in on Beckett, his brows lowering another millimeter per second.
What the hell did he have to be pissed about? I was the one who found them hungover in the workshop.
Beckett was still standing close to me, amusement and bewilderment warring over his face.
“Nice to meet you, Kain.” He held out his hand and Kain shook it. “Beckett Manning.”
“Someone has manners today. It ain’t these two.” Kain slapped Beckett on the arm. “I really could do with some food. That moonshine is killer.”
“Tell me about it.” Beck tipped his ballcap up. “My brother makes it.”
“No shit? Oh…you’re the big boss man here?”
Beckett huffed out a laugh. “Some days.”
“I do not have time for this.” I whirled on my heel. “I have interviews starting at nine.”
“Wait up, Key.” Beckett snagged my elbow. “What’s got you so riled? They had some fun on their downtime. I’m assuming you didn’t hurt the batches we are using for the opening?”
Ronan stood, his body language rigid with anger. “Of course not. I’ve got them fermenting in a temperature controlled shed.”
“It’s unprofessional. You haven’t even seen the way we’ve been running things and now it looks like a freaking frat party in here.”
Ronan’s hands fisted. “I wanted to show my best friend my workshop. And this isn’t exactly how I wanted him to meet the girl I’m crazy about.”
TWENTY
RONAN
WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?
Watchingher close down cut deeper than I expected.
I knew she was angry and in full strength defense mode. But she stepped back as if I’d legit slapped her. She bumped into Beckett, leaned against him for a moment, then whirled on those ankle breakers she wore that made my dick pulse and took off.
“Goddammit,” I muttered and moved to follow when Beckett moved in front of me. “Look, I know you’re my boss, but really not the time.”
“Saving you from yourself—both your job and the bruised balls you’d get right about now if you go after her. Let her cool off.”
I stiffened. “Job?”
Beckett inclined his head. “Looking like some blurred lines from where I’m standing.”
