Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Anya wants to work at the brewery now that she’s home from college. Callum wants no part of it. I’m not even sure why he won’t give her a chance to prove herself. Her ideas are good. I guess.
“Where are you?”
“Driving home from Danforth. Been on the road selling beer for a few days and I’m eager to sleep in my own bed.”
“How’d you make out?”
“It was good. What’s this phone call really about?”
She sighs as I turn onto the highway that will lead me back to Magnolia Ridge.
“Have you spoken to Callum?”
“No, why?”
“Do you think he’d listen to a proposal from me?”
I keep driving. “Proposal about what?”
“I have a few ideas on how to increase the profits at Atta Boy.” My sister’s voice is nervous. I can tell.
One thing about Callum is he doesn’t like being told how to run his business. I’m not sure how he’s going to feel about Anya giving him ideas. Sure, he should listen. That would be the rational thing to do. However, we’re talking about Callum here. He’s anything but rational.
“You know how Callum is,” I say, not really needing to elaborate.
She takes a deep breath and then says, “That’s why I’m talking to you first. You’re the most level-headed. I need you to talk to him and convince him to see things from my point of view.”
“I thought you were going to college to pursue a career in interior design.”
“And I switched my major to business. It makes me happy you take an interest in my life.”
I tighten my hands on the steering wheel. She’s good at making me feel guilty. That’s what happens when you’re the only girl with five brothers. “I forgot, Anya. I knew you switched majors. And you know I will walk through the flames of hell to protect you or make sure you’re happy. But I’m not getting in the middle of you and Callum.”
“You don’t need to get in the middle. Let me stop by and show you my ideas. Show you I’ve got this all figured out down to the very last detail. Please let me show you. If you look at it and think it sucks, then I’ll stop being a pain in the ass. But you won’t, Pax. You’re going to realize your sister is a genius.”
I can hear the pouting and I shake my head. “I have plans tonight and tomorrow, but how about Sunday at family dinner?”
“Yes, thank you, Pax. I love you.”
“Love you too, Anya.”
“What are your plans?” she asks.
“Goodbye, Anya,” I say with a small laugh, ending the call.
I love my sister, and I’ll look over what she has and if I think it’s worth the fight, I’ll do it, because I wasn’t lying when I said I’d walk through the flames of hell for her happiness. But Atta Boy Brewery is our livelihood, so if this idea is horrible, I’ll tell her. Because our reputation is everything.
I sigh when I see the sign that says I’m twenty miles from Magnolia Ridge.
I just can’t get home fast enough.
My phone dings as I’m buttoning the dark gray dress shirt I’m wearing tonight. We’re going to Moore’s Restaurant for dinner. I sure as hell couldn’t do this experiment at Atta Boy with my nosey brothers around. That’s the last thing Hartford needs. It’s the last thing I need.
I pick up my phone and speak of the relentless assholes.
Tripp: Question for you guys.
Brock: What’s up?
Callum: What?
Shepherd: It’s called an erection.
You need a picture book or something?
Tripp: Jealous my dick sees more action than all of yours combined?
In your dreams.
Brock: Your hand doesn’t count.
Shepherd: Neither does paying for a hand job at a strip club.
Callum: What’s the question?
Tripp: Ever heard of Cooter ball?
Callum: What the fuck, Tripp?
Brock: Haha, where’d you hear that?
You’re not fucking playing that.
Shepherd: I’m lost. I hate not being there.
Callum: When you coming home?
Shepherd: Not soon enough.
Tripp: I’ll play whatever the hell I want.
Do you even know what it is?
Brock: Is this the new teenage thing?
Shepherd: What the fuck is it?
Callum: Christ, Shep, open up Google.
Tripp, why the hell didn’t you Google it?
Tripp: I did! I was just seeing if you guys ever heard of it. Damn.
Shepherd: Fuck, Tripp. Why are you talking about this?
Tripp: Cooter ball is where you go to the strip club and wad up dollar bills, toss them, and try to get it to stick to the stripper’s pussy area.
Callum: Something is seriously wrong with you.
Brock: I did it once.
Callum: Bullshit.
Tripp: I watched a video.
Haha.
Shepherd: You really did it, Brock?
Brock: Yep.
Tripp: Where?
Brock: Woodpeckers.
Callum: Liar. Closest you ever got to money in a pussy was in a G-string at the club.
Brock: Fucking truth.
Shepherd: I think I need to experience this.
Tripp: Me too.
Callum: You want to toss a wadded-up dollar bill and try to get it to stick to a woman’s pussy? That’s your idea of fun?