Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 103552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“Uh, yeah,” Bob said slowly.
“And what was Daisy’s opinion?”
“Daisy’s no longer participating,” he admitted. “Without Sawyers Bend Brewing, Sweetheart Bakery is out.”
That was something, at least. My family had my back.
“When did you talk to her?” I asked.
“Just a few minutes ago. Look, Avery, I’m not trying to start anything. I know you and Matthew have had tensions, and, you know, relationship stuff doesn’t have any place in business.”
“I’m not sure what this has to do with relationship stuff,” I said, gritting my teeth and pushing open the door of Sawyer Outdoor Adventures.
Sterling sat behind the desk in front of me at her laptop. Her eyes brightened as she saw me, then narrowed when she caught the expression on my face.
“I can’t say I understand, Bob, but this was supposed to be a collaboration. If two of you don’t want to collaborate with me, there’s not much I can do about it. I would like to know, though, more specifically, what the fuck Matthew said.” I bit my lip as the profanity escaped. Inappropriate for business, Avery, I told myself. The fact that I hadn’t set the phone on fire with the force of the fury pouring out of me was a miracle. A paltry fuck sneaking in was nothing.
“Avery, you make a good beer. Everybody knows that. But running a brewery, it’s a business. It’s not just the brewing, you know? And without Matthew there, we need someone reliable.”
“Fine,” I said. “I wish you all the best. It’s about the kids, right?”
“I’m so glad you understand.”
I tapped the red icon on my phone, hanging up.
Chapter Sixteen
AVERY
“Fuck him,” I said, slamming my phone down on the counter in front of Sterling. “Fuck him and fuck every single person who thinks I can’t do this. Goddammit.”
“What happened? Avery, who was that?” Sterling asked.
I crossed my arms over my chest and started to pace, stomping across the hardwood floor, my boots echoing in angry thumps. “That was fucking Bob James.”
“Do I know who Bob James is?” Sterling asked cautiously.
“Bob James runs Wild Haven Brewing.”
“Oh, you guys were going to do that thing with the toys for kids for Christmas or whatever with Daisy and that barbecue place out on Route 191?”
“Were being the operative term,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut to fight back my anger.
“What happened?” she asked, shoving back her chair and rounding the counter.
“Fucking Matthew is what happened. Fucking Matthew telling everybody I’m in over my head and can’t handle running the brewery. That I’m unreliable. And under all of it was the ‘stay in the kitchen’ bullshit line I’ve been hearing since I started this. No fucking wonder there’s not a lot of women brewing beer. It’s not that we don’t like it. It’s that we have to deal with fuckheads like this. I make a goddamn good beer, and I can run a business. Motherfucker.”
I bent over, bracing my hands on my knees, letting my head hang down. “Why did I ever get involved with him?”
“Hey,” Sterling said, crossing the room. She pulled me back to standing and hugged me tightly. “Hey, don’t do this. First of all, you hired him because he was qualified, and you wanted to learn what he knew. And you learned, right?”
“Yeah,” I said grudgingly.
“So, he also turned out to be a manipulative asshole. That happens. Not your fault.”
“I should have known.”
“Jesus, Avery. I mean, we all tell ourselves that after we fuck up, but the truth is none of us are perfect. We use the best judgment we have in the moment, and Matthew puts on a really good front. I’m pretty good at reading people, and even after I sobered up, I didn’t see what a shit he was. He was cute, and you never have time to date. Yeah, okay, hooking up with your employee, not great judgment.”
“Yeah, I figured that out.” I hated remembering what an idiot I’d been.
“Hey, I’m not giving you shit. Lesson learned, but it doesn’t mean you deserve this.”
“Goddamn right.” I spun around and paced in front of the counter, my feet hitting the floor in angry thuds. Sterling was right. I didn’t deserve this blowback. But it had happened. So, what came next? That’s what I had to focus on. “It’s not like this event was make or break for Sawyers Bend Brewing. I mean, I’m probably better off spending my time really getting a handle on running the brewery by myself. But it was going to be fun.”
“What about Daisy?” Sterling asked.
“Daisy’s a rock star, and she bailed. She told Bob that if I’m out, she’s out.”
“I love Daisy,” Sterling said, “and not just for her brownies.”
“I know. I owe her a thank you. It could have been good for them.”
Sterling shrugged. “Daisy and Grams have more business than they can handle. Those pop-ups that they do? Best lunch ever. Now that J.T. is so busy with school, they’ve had to hire extra hands to keep up. My guess is Daisy signed on half because it would have been fun to work with you, and half to get presents to needy kids for Christmas. She and Grams will probably do something. Maybe you and Daisy can figure it out together. You could get her to try your new version of the fall brew and make an apple pie that goes with it.”