Serves Me Wright

I sighed. Of course that was why they were here. “He did. Yeah.”

“Everything all right?” Jensen asked.

“I don’t know. Jordan invited him.”

Morgan balked at that. “What? Why?”

“Crisis of conscience,” I volunteered.

Morgan laughed. “That’s something. So, is he here to stay?”

“I don’t know. He said that he’s a changed man.” I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t believe him, and I told him to leave. I’d guess he wants something, and he’s trying to get in with me and Jordan to get it.”

“Sounds like his MO,” Morgan said.

“I agree. He’s trouble. But maybe he’s being sincere,” Jensen said.

Morgan shot him a look of disbelief.

“I don’t support him. just mean…if I could have our parents back,” he said, his eyes meeting Morgan’s, “I’d do anything.”

“He’s not,” I insisted.

Jensen nodded, backing off.

Their mom had died from cancer when they were young, and their dad had died when Jensen was just out of college. He’d had to take over the mantle at a young age. I appreciated what they meant, but their dad wasn’t like my dad. Just because they were brothers didn’t mean anything.

“Well, congrats on the opening,” Jensen said. “Can’t wait to come back and do some wine tastings when I can get away again.”

“How are Emery and Robin?” I asked.

Emery had delivered a healthy baby girl last month by emergency C-section. Both were fine, but Emery had taken longer to recover.

“They’re both great. Her mom has temporarily moved into our guest bedroom. She’s been a big help with Robin,” Jensen said. “I know Emery’s ready to get up and get moving again.”

“I bet.”

“Well, we’ll get out of your hair,” Jensen said, shaking my hand again and then disappearing with Morgan.

I waved them good-bye and went to find Nora to help her close down the event. Nora was Hollin’s younger sister and the in-house event planner. She’d graduated from Texas Tech earlier this month, but she’d been interning with an event planner in town for a few years. She was a pro, and I was lucky to have her working with us.

“We’re all good here,” Nora said, patting down the bar top over an hour later when almost everyone had gone home. “I’m heading out for the night. I’m exhausted.”

She’d been working on the event night and day since she’d graduated. She’d gotten to the venue this morning at five a.m. and not stopped since then. She was a champ for only being all of five feet tall.

“All right. Have a good night. Take tomorrow off.”

She saluted me with a yawn and headed out. Jordan and Annie followed her, leaving just me and Hollin behind.

I took a seat on a barstool as Hollin hopped behind the bar.

“What’ll you have?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Too tired to drink.”

“That’s not the energy I’m looking for here, Wright,” he said, cracking a smile. “You don’t want me to choose for you.”

True. I really did not. “All right. Just a beer then.”

“Boring,” he said as he popped the top on a Blue Moon, poured it into a glass with an orange slice, and passed it to me. “Enjoy.”

I tipped the drink to him and took a good, long sip. Maybe I needed this more than I’d thought. Between Ashleigh, my dad, and the interview, I was wrung out.

“Good news, boys,” Alejandra said, striding forward in her mile-high heels. She’d worked all day in them, paired with a tight-fitting top and jeans. Her headset dangled from one hand.

“Yeah?” I asked.

Hollin’s eyes tracked her. There was no way that was happening. He’d said so when he hired her. Even if she wasn’t off the market, she’d bust his balls for even trying. “I like good news. Lay it on us, Villareal.”

“We’re booked out for tours the next two weeks.”

“Shit!” Hollin said.

“I know. We sold off a few cases of wine already, too. Not to mention, the admission costs more than covered the event, even with Cosmere’s fee.”

When it had just been Campbell, he’d done it for free, but we hadn’t expected the rest of the band to comply with that. Also, I was sure their manager, agent, and record label wouldn’t have liked it either.

“That is good news.” I lifted my glass to her. “Want to stay for a drink?”

“Unfortunately, no,” she said. “I’ll leave you to celebrate. I’m going to go home to Adrian. I don’t think I’ve seen him all week.”

I finished off my beer, and Hollin passed me another.

When I started to protest, he held up his hand. “Cuz, we’ve earned it.”

“Fine.” I pulled it toward me.

Just then the door to the backstage opened, and out walked Jennifer, talking to Campbell with wide, adoring eyes. I’d never seen her look at anyone like that, and something twisted in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t care if Campbell Abbey was a famous rockstar and Jen loved his music; I didn’t like it.