Hammer and Hops (Foggy Basin Season Three)

1. In The City – Everett

Chapter one

In The City – Everett

I grabbed a shirt out of the dryer and pulled it on over my head, loving how warm it was, and better yet, didn’t need ironing or anything.

Too bad everything didn’t go that easily.

I’d totally trade the shirt in for not having to go to my parents’ house at all.

But it was too late to back out now, and unless I wanted them showing up in my new world—which I did not—then I needed to get the time in with them now.

I wanted to reassure them that I would still be in their lives, even if it was at my leisure rather than theirs.

Not that they would believe that or anything else I told them.

They never did. Mom ignored everything I said, choosing to make up her own story.

I could never win with her. Dad was only marginally better, but usually he was placating, going along with Mom.

It was beyond annoying and bordering anger at this point.

The best thing for this relationship would be space. And that was coming soon.

In any event, at least Donny would be there to run interference.

He’d have my back for sure. Right? Only he still hadn’t let me know his plans.

I’d hoped he would meet me here at my apartment so we could drive over together.

I lived outside of the city where it was more affordable, but my folks, being educators, lived downtown near the schools.

They taught classes at a few of the colleges and held tenure at Sacramento State.

It was a difficult legacy to live up to. One I failed to even try.

I plopped down at the table and checked my phone again. Donny still hadn’t answered my texts. I shot him another one.

I stared at the screen. There were no extra dots indicating he was texting back. I took a deep breath. His non-answer really pissed me off. He could at least have the decency to beg-off properly. And if he didn't come, I'd have to deal with my folks alone. They obviously loved him more than me.

The clock was ticking, and I didn’t want to be late.

I finished getting ready and headed out to my car.

It wasn’t the best in the world, but it was a hybrid, so I was helping the environment.

And I could use gas if I couldn’t find charging stations while driving around the foothills of California when I moved out there.

But that was all just trying to redirect my thoughts from the ones I didn’t want lingering in my brain.

The ones that said Donny was ghosting me after six months of dating.

Six whole months.

It didn’t seem like a long time, but it was the longest relationship I’d ever had. Fuck this. “Call Donny.”

The voice command repeated, “Calling Donny.” The call pushed through, ringing over my car’s audio system. And rang. And rang. And finally…

“Hey, Everett.”

“Donny, hey. What’s going on? I’ve already left for my parents’ house. Are you meeting me there?”

He blew out a loud burst of air. “No. I’m not.

Uh, I’m not going.” It wasn’t like he hadn’t met my folks before.

This wasn’t the nervous first meeting. We’d had dinner with them twice and hung out all afternoon by the pool.

If he didn’t like them, he at least got along with them. And they loved him.

“Uh…why?”

“This is tough, but, uh, I’ll just say it. I’m simply not doing this anymore. With you. Us. It’s over.”

“Oh, so we’re breaking up?” Wow, I didn’t see this coming. Or did I? Today wasn’t the first time he ignored my texts and calls, was it? No. And honestly, sex hadn’t been great either. The anger and disgust over this boiled beneath the surface, and I took a breath, bracing myself to keep it down.

“Aww, Everett. You’re a great guy and all, but you’re so clearly miserable, and I’m obviously not making you happy no matter what I do. I’m exhausted from trying, honestly. You really need a deep dive into why you can’t—”

“Happy? I’m happy.”

“No, no, you’re not. You bitch about everything.

Even your stupid brewery. You think that’s going to make you happy?

Like once you get there, once it’s done, once it’s successful, then you’ll enjoy it.

I don’t think so. I really don’t. You will simply find more reasons not to be satisfied. ” What was even going on with him?

“That’s not true at all.”

“Whatever. I didn’t answer your call to fight with you. Have a good life, Everett. Find a way to be happy.”

“Donny? Where is this coming—” But I had dead air. He’d already gone.

Great. Fucking great.

Not happy? Well, no. I hadn't been happy in a long damn time. Between my parents, stupid ass-wipes like Donny, and the pressure of getting my business off the ground, I didn't have anything left to be happy. The only emotions I had left in my bad were mad and frustrated.

Pulling up into my parents’ driveway, I wondered about the things he’d said.

Sure, I’d been a little stressed; starting a new business was challenging.

How could it not be? Everything about it had me overly stressed.

Even now, as I was stewing over Donny and dealing with my parents, the business was there.

I had a convention to go to in the morning to purchase more equipment and get it shipped to the new facility.

That was only the tip of the iceberg on my to-do list.

I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on the steering wheel.

Time to push Donny and his philosophy down into a nice box in the back of my brain, because thinking about this shit now, while I had to make nice with Mom and Dad, was not something I could even fathom.

The last thing I wanted to do was snap. With a deep breath, I shrugged it all off and got out of the car before Mom realized I was here but not coming inside.

She’d meet me in the foyer with a lot to say about that.

I sucked it up and went in. Pushing the door open, I called out, “Mom. Dad. I’m here.”

“Come in. Come in. Where’s Don?” Mom had refused to call him Donny from the beginning, saying it was a child’s name. She gave him the choice between Don and Donald, but he hated the second one with a passion. He never told me why exactly, but I had a few good guesses. Not that it mattered anymore.

“He’s not coming.”

“Oh? Was he busy?” She leaned in and gave me her delicate little hug, only using her shoulders and forearms. “I’ll make sure to pack a to-go box for him.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

“Frank. Don isn’t coming.” She directed me into the dining room, ignoring what I’d had to say as usual.

“That’s a shame. You can take a box—”

“Nope. Not going to see him.” I had to put a stop to this now, or I’d be hearing about Donny all night.

“Tomorrow or the next day, then.” Dad waved a pair of tongs in the air in front of him.

Mom saw it all over my face before I could clarify.

“Everett, honey. What’s wrong? Did you two break up?

Goodness. I don’t know if you can’t keep a man or if no one can see your worth.

You don’t let people in, honey…” She kept going on, but I didn’t listen to a bit of it.

Every one of her little compliments was a side-dig at me.

I couldn’t keep a man. I couldn’t show someone what I was worth.

I was always the one in the wrong. How about Donny was just a dill-hole who wanted to party all the time, and I wasn’t into that.

I had too much to do and other things that mattered more in my life—like the brewery.

Thankfully, dinner moved into more pleasant conversation as it was served.

My dad sure knew how to grill a mean steak.

So moist, juicy, and tender that it would be a crime to put any sauce on it.

He did drop a pat of garlic-and-herb-infused butter in the center of it, which only elevated it more.

I had no clue how he’d become such a good chef.

That wasn’t even his background. No, he was a computer science guy, which was a complete contrast in my mind.

Mom, having eventually run out of steam on the subject of my qualities, good or bad, moved on to her colleagues and what they contributed to the education field, also evaluating whether they were good or bad, so far this school year.

I was happier with her judging them than me.

The whole time, I stuffed my mouth with steak and potatoes that tasted like they were made in heaven and nodded in all the right places.

It was the best I could hope for in this situation.

“Mm, son. You are not going to eat like this out in the sticks.” Dad took another bite as he casually reminded me of one of the many things I was holding onto that I shouldn't. The grudges just kept getting bigger.

“You are probably right.” I wiped my face with my napkin, trying to think of a way to change the conversation.

I wanted to at least try to enjoy what was probably my last night with them for a while, maybe until next year, not discuss my upcoming move to Foggy Basin. That would only get Mom riled up again.

“Don’t know why you have to move so far away.

” And here she goes… “They don’t have beer in Carmichael?

Hell, you could even go down to Freeport or Elk Grove.

Those are all drivable.” Mom rolled her eyes, bringing up the subject for probably the millionth time.

She didn’t understand and probably never would, but it was my career and my decisions.

I only wanted them to respect that, but they didn't.

“They are, and I’m sure they have beer. An oversaturated market, in fact. I’ve tried to explain this.”

“Well, tell me again. I’m trying to understand.

” She wasn’t. No, she was trying to talk me out of it, but that wasn’t going to happen.

The wheels were already in motion and had been for quite some time.

Hell, the plans were already in place for moving the crop to the field out there.

And the last of the equipment would be purchased tomorrow at the event.

This was happening, despite their efforts to stop me.

“I’m not going through this again. I’m here to enjoy dinner, Mom, not talk about my plans.”

“Plans? What plans? You’re running around by the seat of your pants.”

“That doesn’t even make sense. I already have Lukas on board, and…no. I’m not getting sucked up into this. Either change the subject, or I’m leaving.”

My dad put his hand over my mother’s, in an obvious attempt to get her to stop arguing. She looked down at her plate and sighed. “Fine. I just love you. And care about you.” I did not doubt those things. It was obvious she loved me. That was never the problem.

“I love you, too. It’s going to be fine, Mom.” I didn’t know how this new brewery would turn out for sure, but I’d probably die trying to make it work.

After dinner, I drove home and was so proud of myself for waiting until I was inside to start rehashing everything in my head. I didn’t want to think about Donny or run through all the things I didn’t like about him anyway, or all the things I’d miss. Damn him anyway.

I buried my head under my pillow and let it go until later. I had a big day coming up and couldn’t waste a minute of it thinking about him.

I stopped to check in with Lukas before heading to the convention. As soon as I walked into the back of the restaurant where he currently worked, he grabbed my arm, pulling me into an office. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Uh, nothing. Why are you panicking? You’re going to make me panic.”

“No, no, no. We are not panicking.” He patted my arm. We both had a lot at stake with this brewery venture, and it understandably made us both testy. “I see it all over your face, though. Something is going on.”

I immediately deflated. Of course he could tell. We’d been friends for a long time, and he knew me better than anyone, even my parents, which meant I caved fast. Even if it had nothing to do with work. “Yeah, it’s Donny. Ugh. He broke up with me last night.”

“Oh, Sweetie. You don’t need that loser anyway. Freakin’ frat boy wannabe. You’re better off without him. And good thing you found this out now. But you know he was never going to follow you to Foggy Basin, right?”

“You’re right. I know. I know. Still hurts.”

He hugged me, and his hugs were fantastic. He was a big guy who loved food and drink. He loved all of it too, from fast-food crap with soda to elegant meals with fancy wine. Hugging him was like hugging a giant marshmallow without being sticky. “Time heals everything, my friend.”

“I know that too.” I gave him a smirk to let him know I'd be fine. "But it never runs the speed I want. Takes too long to forget but its never enough to do what you want."

"Isn't that the truth. Have you put in your notice at work yet? I'm waiting until a week out, because these losers will be like out of here then, and I'll miss some pay."

"Really hoping we won't need that pay, but no, I haven't, and I have an even to work on tomorrow."

"On Sunday?"

I held up my hands. "No one cares when I'm working as long as everything goes off without a hitch.

" I had a reputation for ensuring that happened no matter what.

I was probably the best event manager in Sacramento.

But the job was stressful as hell. If I was going to plan something, I wanted it to be for me, my friends, or my family, not strangers.

But it paid well and helped me get this huge loan to start this company, but I would be happy when I finally wiped my hands free of it.

“Okay. More important question…what did your dad make for dinner last night?”

I smacked his arm. “Not important.”

“Yes, it is, bro. I’m living vicariously through you.”

“Next time, you can come, then.”

Lukas gave me the side eye. “Not interested in the drama, just the food.” He knew my family and me alright.

“Whatever. I gotta go. Give me the list.”

“Right. Oh…” He shuffled papers around the desk until he found what he was looking for and held it up. “Here. Not exhaustive but I put little stars by the priorities.”

I took the list from him and looked it over. Actually, nothing on there was out of the ordinary or even unnecessary. “Solid.”

“Good. Now, go get ‘em, boss.”

We high-fived, and I headed out to the convention center.