Page 20 of Already Callin’ You Mine

6

JACE

I don’t know what pisses me off more—the fact that Presley’s idea isn’t bad or that I didn’t come up with it myself.

Because truth be told, her idea is more than “not bad.” It’s pretty good actually. I’m not admitting that though. Especially to her.

Weaving my way through the halls of Hayes Industries headquarters, I let my nose lead the way, the distinct scent of BBQ in the air. Fuck, I love Mondays. Because Mondays mean Munch—short for Monday Lunch—the weekly lunch meeting where the heads of each department get together to update each other on what is going on, talk strategy, and brainstorm if needed. And by heads of each department, I mean my siblings and me.

Sure, it’s a business meeting, and we accomplish a lot during this time. But it’s also a moment each week that the seven of us—Gus, Milo, Anton, Huxley, Ewan, Willa, and I—plus our father, Auggie, get to be together doing what we do best.

Each one of us is as different as the departments we oversee. Milo runs Southern Brothers Brewing with his best friend, Brandt, as well as Pour Decisions, the taphouse bar they opened a couple of years ago here in town. Hux, lumberjack and environmentalist, oversees the papermill and lumber division, while Ewan owns the local bait and tackle shop. Although these days it’s a lot more than that—it’s an outdoorsperson’s candy shop, with all the fun gear and toys someone could want. Anton has always been passionate about one thing—the precious three Ps. Peaches, peanuts, and pecans. Handing over the agriculture arm to him was a no-brainer. Willa oversees our charitable giving department, regularly reminding all of us that it’s our responsibility to support the community that keeps us going. Leaving Gus as executive vice president, responsible for pretty much everything, while still trying to manage the original branch of guns and ammo, since that role hasn’t been backfilled.

And of course, the best department in the whole place—personal safety and security. Because despite all the shit my siblings give me, safety first is without a doubt the best motto to live by.

“Heard you had a run-in with Presley Callahan.”

My father’s thick Georgia drawl makes his comment sound almost musical, if it wasn’t for the accusation in his tone. It’s subtle, but it’s there. After thirty-five years of life with this man, I know.

Two, actually. If we count this morning…

“How’d you hear—” I stop myself before I can even get the whole question out. Because the answer smacks me straight upside the head.

Miss Belle.

Mama was standing right there, well within earshot of the whole thing. I should have known that she would turn her mom ears on and eavesdrop on my conversation. Somehow, I thought I was safe when she didn’t comment on it right then and there. Didn’t chastise me for being less than gentlemanly toward our newest hire. Toward a woman who thought she had lost her child.

Nodding solemnly—because what else is there to do but own up to it—I join my father at the catering table Miss Harriett, Hayes’s catering manager, has set up for us and busy myself with readying my plate. It’s unusual that Auggie is the first one here, as more often than not the group is waiting on him, but today Miss Harriett has made pulled pork, one of Auggie’s favorites. Apparently he also got a heads-up on the menu.

“Your mama tells me it was a bit…tense…”

Tense. That’s one word for it.

“I don’t think it was exactly the reunion either of us wanted.”

“Because neither of you would have wanted one to start with?”

Wow, way to call me out, Dad…

“That would have been preferable.” I nod, putting the last of my helpings of pork, pasta salad, coleslaw, and green beans on my plate and turning to the large conference room table to take my usual seat. I plop down, pulling out my phone and clearing a set of alerts I ignored earlier before setting it down on the table.

Behind me, I hear my old man sigh, and I don’t need to turn around to know that he’s also rolling his eyes.

“I know there is a history between you two, but don’t you think that enough time has passed?”

Maybe. Then again…

I start to answer, ready to have a moment just him and me, where I can tell him things I’ve never told anyone. Tell him that I’m more conflicted about Presley’s return than I want to admit. Because like it or not, she’s just as pretty as she was our senior year. Maybe more so. And that little boy of hers? Holding on to him felt…different.

But on the other side of that coin, she’s still Presley Callahan. The girl who stole my spot. Unfairly.

One could even say she cheated.

Oh, wait…I did say that…

None of that matters though. I barely get my mouth open when my middle brother’s voice interrupts.

“From what I hear, it was like no time had passed,” Hux says, rounding the corner into the executive conference room and heading straight toward the food.