Page 1 of Hammer and Hops

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.”