“You knew there was damage to some of the buildings?”
Beau all of a sudden finds the floor more interesting than anything I’m wearing. “I saw it yesterday when I was looking for him. He asked me not to say anything because he didn’t want you worrying.”
“Of course he did.” I brush past Beau, knocking into his shoulder. “You shouldn’t have kept that a secret. We don’t do that.” Some other expression flashes across his face, but I can’t tell what it is. “My brother should have told the rest of us, too. He seems to forget that we will all own the winery equally. Omitting problems is not good for the business, and makes me think he’ll never see the rest of us as partners.”
“He probably didn’t want y’all to feel any added stress.” He shrugs as if it’s not a big deal.
It is, though. We’ll never make it as a business unless he starts treating the rest of us like we are valuable to the winery. At least Dad humors us when making decisions.
“I guess.” It’s the only thing I can say. Mostly I don’t want to fight with Beau, and this would definitely lead to one. “Since we’re closed again today, any chance you can run me home on your way to work?”
“As if you have to ask.” He grins over at me. “Let me know when you’re ready. I’ve already let my boss know I’d probably be late.”
“How did you know?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Seriously? I keep telling you I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.”
It's not completely untrue. Except when it comes to wanting to take things a step further than friendship. There’s no way I can take that leap. Everything between us will change.
“What are you doing here?” Parker’s voice rumbles through the building, and I jump, dropping my phone in the process. Fucking Parker. I bend down to pick it up and inspect it to make sure there’s no damage.
“Why does it matter? Last time I checked I work here.”
On the way to my house this morning, Beau and I talked about the images and videos I need to get. It’s one of the few things I can get done without him. Since nobody is supposed to be here today, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity.
“Yeah, but we’re closed today. Or, did you not get Pierce’s message?” He’s eyeing the phone in my hand knowing damn well what the answer to that question is.
“I got the message.” Why can’t he leave me be? I’m not doing anything illegal. “Why are you here?”
“Because I saw your car in front of the office when I was heading to town.” He leans against one of the barrels. “Now, it’s your turn.”
My brother isn’t going to let up. It’s one of the annoying things about the two of us. We’re persistent when it comes to getting to the bottom of things.
“I need to get some video for the social media channels. There’s just enough sunlight coming through that I don’t have to worry about the lack of power.”
“Does Pierce know you’re doing this? I thought he nixed your marketing plan.”
“He did.” I turn to get a better angle of the shot I’m trying to film. “I’m doing it anyway. If he doesn’t have to tell us about things going on with the winery, I don’t have to divulge what I’m doing with our social accounts. And you better not tell him anything.”
Now Parker moves toward me instead of hiding in the corner. “What are you talking about?”
“Did you know about the building damage prior to Pierce’s text this morning? Or, am I the only one who never gets told anything?”
I swear if I’m the only one left out of the loop, I’m going to lose my shit.
Parker takes a couple of steps back. There must be something in my demeanor that warns him away. He’s probably scared I’ll take a swing. As much as I’d like to say he’s wrong, I can’t. He’s one of the few siblings who can correctly guess my mood.
“I knew, but only because I saw it last night when I was walking the grounds to make sure we got all the debris picked up. When I told Dad, he said Pierce already had it handled.”
“Don’t you think that’s bullshit?”
“What?”
I throw my hands in the air. Why must he be so freaking obtuse?
“The fact that our big brother doesn’t think he needs to give us important information about the winery. He acts like we’re children instead of keeping us informed. It’s not like we would have gotten mad or anything. But knowing what was going on is better than not.”
“I kind of get it.” Parker holds his hands up in surrender at my scowl. “Let me explain before you beat my ass. Dad has been raising Pierce to be the one in charge since we were kids. Doesit suck? Yes. But in the end, we all should have equal say and knowledge. Maybe it’s something we can bring up at the next weekly meeting.”
