Chapter Twenty-One
Brew
I ’m working in my office when Heather opens the door and pops her head inside.
“Your friends are at table six in case you want to come say hi.”
I walk out to find Lennon and Amiya, Sebastian and Avie, and Anson and Tabby seated with dinner menus in hand. “Hey, guys.”
“What up, man? Wade wanted me to ask if you were still up for poker next week,” Lennon says as I pull up a chair from one of the other tables and take a seat.
“What night?” I ask.
“Friday.”
“I’ll check my schedule and get back to you guys,” I say.
Lennon lifts a brow. “Check your schedule? Audrey will be back, won’t she?”
“Audrey’s not the female he’s concerned about,” Anson says, grinning at me as he picks up his beer.
Fucker.
Everyone’s attention slides from their menu to me.
“What other female has bearing on your schedule these days, Brew?” Amiya asks.
I don’t answer, so Anson takes it upon himself to do it for me.
“Ida Mae’s niece.”
Avie gasps. “Brandee? How?”
I slide my gaze to hers. “She and her friends came in here last weekend, and we connected.”
Anson laughs. “They connected all right.”
If looks could kill, his head would be exploding right now.
“Wait, you and Brandee? You’re the friend who works at the garage?” Amiya squeals.
“That’s me,” I mutter.
“What do you mean, the friend who works at the garage?” Avie asks, her confusion evident.
Amiya leans forward, resting her elbows on the table and narrowing her eyes at me. “When I invited Brandee over for drinks after our Bald Head trip, she said she couldn’t come because she was seeing a guy she’d met at Whiskey Joe’s last week, who works at a garage on the island.”
“You went with her to Bald Head?” I ask.
Amiya nods. “I sure did and she seemed awfully excited about her lunch date.”
“I’m confused,” Tabby chimes in.
“So am I. Why don’t you clear things up for us?” Amiya says, her glare focused on me.
I let out a breath. “She and her friends came into the bar while Cody Banks was playing. They were being hit on and approached by guys left and right. To escape the crowd, she came and sat at the bar, and we started talking. We really hit it off. Her friend was being funny and acting all protective, but once I passed the test, she nudged us to spend more time together. So, she and the other friend took off, and I ended up giving Brandee a ride home.” I pause and glance up at them.
“And …” Amiya prompts me to continue.
“And I like her. She likes me too. We’re spending time together while she’s house-sitting.”
“Why does she think you work at a garage?” Avie asks.
I shrug. “I was working behind the bar that night. She thought I was just one of the bartenders. Later, while we were talking, I mentioned that I worked with cars, and she assumed I was a mechanic. Yesterday, I was at Willis’s place, working on a classic race car that my grandfather had bought for me at an auction.
She brought me lunch. I never told her I worked there, but I guess she just assumed. ”
“And you didn’t correct her?” Amiya asks.
“No, I didn’t.”
“He likes that she thinks he’s broke. He even asked me and Willis for ideas on what to do on a budget-friendly date,” Anson reports.
“So, you’re lying to her,” Avie says.
“No. I haven’t lied about anything other than telling her my place was a mess and that’s why we couldn’t go there. Everything else—”
“Is lying by omission,” Amiya cuts in.
I sigh. “I’m going to tell her. It’s just nice to spend time with a girl who treats me like everyone else.”
“I haven’t known her long, but she seems pretty down-to-earth to me. I don’t think she’s the kind of girl who would get clingy if she saw your big house or knew your last name,” Amiya says. “Yeah, she’s even friends with Garrett Tuttle and acts like it’s nothing special,” Avie adds.
“Garrett Tuttle? Really? She knows him?” Tabby asks.
“Yep. They grew up together, and she’s close with his wife. I almost peed myself when Erin nonchalantly dropped that bomb on me and Eden,” Avie explains.
Lennon’s eyes meet mine. “Don’t you know Garrett Tuttle?”
I nod. “Yeah, we’ve run into each other at a few tracks and charity events. And I know his brother Langford too. We met in Colorado. Stanhope Marshall, Grandfather’s buddy, is an investor in Langford’s resort, and he talked Brewster Sr. into investing.”
“I think Langford is married to her best friend. The mayor. Brandee works for both of them,” Avie says.
Sebastian shakes his head. “Man, she’s going to figure it out soon. All it’s going to take is for her or one of her friends to mention your name to Garrett or his brother.”
“She only knows me as Brew,” I reply.
“Exactly. Your name isn’t Steve or Brian. She mentions a Brew from North Carolina, and they’re going to put two and two together,” he insists.
I know he’s right. I need to tell her.
“I know. I’m going to talk to her. It’s just … we haven’t even gone out. Maybe I should just cancel our date,” I say.
“Why would you do that?” Amiya asks.
Heather walks up and asks if they’re ready to order, and Amiya waves her off. Lennon grumbles.
“It’s getting too complicated. I don’t want complicated. That’s why I was drawn to her in the first place,” I say.
She rolls her eyes. “Oh my God, can you be more dramatic? All we’re saying is, if you like her, then tell her who you are. Jeez.”
Tabby clears her throat, and all eyes go to her.
“I understand where you’re coming from and why you want to feel anonymous.
It’s nice not to have the weight of expectations on your shoulders.
While it might not seem serious right now, that can change quickly when you meet the right person.
So, if you want to keep being just Brew, the mechanic and bartender, for now, that’s fine; we can keep your secret.
However, if you ever want more than a brief fling with her, you need to allow her to see the real you.
That’s the only way she’ll be able to decide if she wants something more. ”
I nod. “I know. But we’re both here for a couple of months, and then we’re going back to living our real lives.”
Tabby smirks. “Keep repeating that. That’ll keep your heart safe.”
Avie sighs. “For now, we won’t mention anything to her, so you have a chance to tell her yourself.”
Amiya shakes her head. “All right, but you’re taking a big risk here.”
“Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it.”
“Now, you just need to hope that Sabel doesn’t find out and tell on you,” Anson adds.
“Now that that’s sorted, can we order?” Lennon asks.
I raise my hand to beckon Heather back over.
“Their dinner’s on me,” I whisper to her as I stand.
“I’ll see you guys later. I’ve got to get back to work.”