Page 4 of Summer Brew

I’ve been trying to kill my feelings for him since his first serious girlfriend. I stopped following him and Gary around at that time as well. It was not a coincidence.

Talk about shredding a girl’s heart. The worst part is that I think he knew what it was doing to me. Maybe he didn’t. Somehow, it’s easier to believe he did.

Making him the villain somehow softens it. Even though I know the last thing Keaton could ever be is the villain.

“Enough,” her tone has gone to a place I have rarely heard coming from my chipper best friend—glacial. “If you don’t get your shit together and ask Keaton Shaw for help to get your passion project off the ground then I am going to call a tribunal and we are going to override your decision.”

I blink at her, the movement slow as I process her words. “You are not going to call a tribunal about this,” I hiss at her, my words filled with accusation.

“Yes, I am.”

Fuck.

If my best friends vote against my decision, the rule is that they don’t even need to get me involved when they go over my head. They’d go straight to Keaton and ask for help. On my behalf.

Which would make me look like a coward.

And it would be incredibly embarrassing. Far more embarrassing than just talking to Keaton myself.

I look up at the ceiling knowing Meadow is already gloating like she’s won. Because she has. The tribunal is not something to be taken lightly and must be respected.

“How the hell am I going to work myself up enough to ask him?” I groan out the question and Meadow chuckles.

“Maybe you take some pastries and go to his house. I find a baked good is always a nice appetizer for a favor,” she suggests.

I stare at the beer, the gross beer that still isn’t right, for a long time. I know what I have to do, even if I don’t want to.

“Fine,” I huff out. “I’ll do it.”

Meadow’s face turns triumphant and I’m still at a loss for how to approach Keaton. I guess I’ll have to try something I never have with him—be direct.

Fuck.

CHAPTER 2

KEATON

Dexter’s is busy tonight. It is most nights, considering Storyville isn’t exactly a thriving metropolis and there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to nightlife. Which is why when Gary and I meet up for a night out, this is our regular spot.

Now that I’m on summer break, we’re able to get together more often since I can work around Gary’s schedule at the firehouse easier when I have more flexibility. The man might be a goofball who doesn’t take a lot seriously, but he’s a damn good firefighter. If I were ever to need the kind of help he provides, I’d breathe a little easier seeing him there to save me.

Just as he brings us a few beers with a huge grin on his face, the air in the room changes. It doesn’t go ice cold or anything creepy like that. It actually warms, like the sun has just broken through the clouds.

There’s no need for me to look toward the door. I already know who just walked in. Still, I glance over to find Gemma smiling with the best friends she’s had since forever and Hollyn, the newest addition to the group.

Less than a year ago Hollyn was coming through Storyville on a road trip and her car broke down. Fate, it seems, has a sense of humor. What would be a huge annoyance turned into her walking into the library and meeting Elwood.

I would never have thought our librarian would fall in love with a stranded stranger. But he did. Every time I’ve seen him since Hollyn showed up in town happiness practically radiates out of him. Honestly, I’m a little jealous.

Aren’t we all searching for the kind of connection that protects our happiness?

I haven’t found anything like that in my life. Sure, when I was young, I thought I got close. It never lasted. Looking back, it was for the best. None of those relationships were meant to last longer than they did.

There was never really any major drama, things naturally came together and they just as easily naturally fell apart. No hard feelings. No big scenes with tears. No betrayal.

Just the ebb and flow of lives that aren’t meant to walk the same path any longer.

Even though I focus back on the beer, I catch Gary giving his sister a goofy wave. I might not be looking at her, but I’m very much aware of her presence. My body seems to lean toward where the group settles around a table.