Page 13 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

She holds up her left hand, showing off a wedding ring. I did know that, now that she says it. I remember Brenna saying something about being in the wedding.

“Congratulations. Where is the lucky man?”

“An undisclosed location.”

I blink, not sure if she’s joking or serious. Her face does nothing to help me along either, so I move on.

“What can I get you?”

She orders a Party Mode, and I slide it to her, as Brenna finishes shaking Ben off. Turning back to dish duty, I give Brenna and Mell their space, needing my own distance. If I almost got jealous of a guy who is young enough to be my kid for flirting with my best friend’s little sister, then distance is only the start.

“Hey Milo.” Bronwyn flags me down.

I reach into the minifridge below the bar and pull out a can of Diet Coke that I keep in there just for her. As a taphouse for Southern Brothers Brewing, as a rule, we only serve four drinks—Party Mode, Sob Story, Silver Lining Sour, and the Sobbin’ Shandy, which is Sob Story mixed with lemonade. Oh, and water. We are not a full bar. But when our marketing maven joined the Hayes team last summer, and we learned that she doesn’t drink but does have a rather strong Diet Coke addiction, I started keeping a secret stash for her under the counter. Placing it in front of her, I lean down, giving her my best smirk, knowing that she wants more than just another drink.

“Oh, thanks. But that’s not what I was going to ask.”

“I am aware. I speak troublemaker.”

She beams, not bothering to deny it. “I know you’re working on it, but the sooner you can have the name of the new beer to me, the better. That way I can get all art and everything done and⁠—”

“I know.”

“And I know you know, but…Rhythm and Brews will be here sooner than you think and⁠—”

“I know.”

“And I know you know, but…”

“Bronwyn. I know.”

She stops, pursing her lips. “Okay. Sooner rather than later, please.”

I nod. Like this wasn’t already weighing on me enough. I know this beer needs a name. But it can’t just be any old name either.

“Is that Nick Scarborough?” Willa asks.

I whip around, my eyes immediately landing on the offender. And I do mean offender.

Because yes, that is Nick Scarborough.

And he’s flirting with Brenna.

Turning back toward my sister, I put the scene behind me. Literally. I don’t want to see it. Besides, it’s none of my business. Who Brenna flirts with doesn’t matter to me. She should be out there flirting. Having her hot-girl summer or whatever she said they were calling it. Living it up with guys her age. Like Nick Scarborough.

“Isn’t he kind of a player?” Sylvie asks. “Or am I thinking of his brother?”

“They both are,” Kenzie says. “Ryan I think is a little more obvious about it, but Nick isn’t exactly Mr. Monogamous.”

I seethe. And this time, I reason that it’s allowed. Because this is how a big brother would act. This is me doing my job. I said I would look out for her. The fact that I want to rip off the hand that just touched her is because I would want to do that same thing if that were Willa. In fact, when Nash asked permission to take Willa to prom, I threatened to do just that.

No more justification needed.

“What is your problem?” Willa asks, smacking my arm.

I whip around to look at her. “Me? What? Nothing.”

She raises an eyebrow in disbelief, which is more than fair because I don’t believe me either.