Page 32 of Already Callin’ You Mine

9

JACE

Never in my life have I been pissed that I have a free afternoon. It’s generally not something that you get upset over. Nor is having a meeting canceled. Usually not having to sit through a meeting is what makes my day. Not ruins it.

Not today, however. Nope.

Today, I’m pissed about it.

Throwing my truck into park, I huff out a breath, my ire still fuming. According to my calendar, right now I’m supposed to be sitting in Presley’s office, discussing my social media campaign. The very same project that I vehemently do not want to do. Also the very same meeting that she told me I’d better not be late for, or she would make me pay.

But something I like even less than the idea of a social media campaign is being stood up. Which is exactly what Presley did.

Left me completely hanging. Didn’t even have to courtesy to let me know that she needed to cancel or reschedule or whatever. Nope. I had to find out from some random person in the hallway as I was standing outside her dark office wondering where she was that she left early.

Early! After getting all up in my face about being late. Who just leaves the office early?

Me, I guess, if we’re being technical. I did just pull into the Pour Decisions parking lot in the middle of the afternoon when I’m in theory still supposed to be in the office. Although, since Pour Decisions is part of the Hayes family, one could argue that I’m still working. That’s what Presley was doing here the other day. Instead of pushing an agenda on another branch of the company, I’m supporting them.

By having a beer. And fuck, do I need a beer.

I tumble out of my truck and slam the door shut, chastising myself over my thought process of needing a drink. I am not that guy. Never have been and I’m not about to start now. But that doesn’t change that I need a distraction, and the taphouse is the best one I can think of. Because here I can escape. Kinda.

At least enough to calm down. To get over how pissed I am that the girl who managed to turn my life upside down senior year is doing it all over again. I’m thirty-fucking-five years old—I should be able to let this roll off me like water off a duck’s back. I should be able to rejoice in my afternoon to myself.

“What are you doing here?”

My mama’s voice stops me in my tracks. Of all the people I wasn’t expecting to see here in the middle of the day, it’s Miss Belle.

“Errrr…” I mumble, letting the door to the bar slam shut behind me.

“Thought you were meeting with Presley this afternoon?” Milo asks, looking up from behind the bar on the other side of the large, warehouse-like space. He throws a towel over his shoulder, acting like he’s Sam Malone on Cheers, not bothering to hide his cocky grin.

More steam bellows through my ears at the mention of her name, my face morphing into a scowl, pissing me off more. Because I’m not this guy either. I’m a happy dude. Easygoing.

Yet somehow, Presley Callahan ties me up in knots.

Ones I can’t figure out how to unravel.

“She didn’t bother showing up,” I tell him, weaving my way through the tables toward the bar. “Also didn’t bother telling me she wasn’t coming.”

“She stood you up?” Milo lets a single chuckle slip, that sassy smile going crooked, making him look borderline evil for a second. “Damn, dude.”

“It’s bad enough I have to do this thing, with Presley fucking Callahan of all people,” I rant, letting my pissy-ness flow out of me. This is a safe space. I can say it. “But she doesn’t even have the damn common courtesy to cancel. And it’s not like she doesn’t know how to get ahold of me. Thanks to Willa, she’s got my number. And she had no problem putting this meeting on my calendar. No problem standing right here telling me I better not be late.”

I pause, but only long enough to catch a breath. I am not done yet.

“If she thinks she’s somehow getting the upper hand here, she’s going to have to think again. Because this is so fucking unprofessional. This is why I told Gus to un-hire her. She pulled all that crap in high school and now⁠—”

“Are you done?” Miss Belle asks, cutting me off. Her voice is calm and even, matching the smile on her face. One that should scare me.

One that does scare me. That’s the look she gets before she puts someone in their place.

“I got a few more things I could rattle off,” I quip.

If I’m going to be given the where tos and what fors, I might as well earn it.

“Save them.”