“The brewery is my home just as much as it is yours, Tessa. I’m not walking away from it. I’m just going to spread my wings a little.”
Eric frowned and crossed his arms again. “What are you talking about?”
Jamie met his brother’s eyes, and for the first time in a long while, he truly looked at him. The intensity in his blue gaze. The lines of stress around his eyes. The hard set of his mouth. Eric had carried the responsibility of this place since he was twenty-four years old. He’d carried his siblings as well, and it wasn’t good for any of them.
“I’m growing up, Eric. Just like you always wanted. And I can’t prove myself here.”
“You don’t need to prove yourself to me,” Eric muttered.
“You know what? It’s not really about you.”
Eric threw his hands up in disgust. “This is ridiculous. We open in five minutes. We’ll discuss this later.”
“Sure,” Jamie agreed. It didn’t matter when they discussed it. He wasn’t going to get anywhere with Eric. Tessa was right; Eric still saw them as kids. If Jamie wanted to stop being the little brother, he had to get out of here.
Eric walked out without another word, but Tessa stayed and another tear leaked from her eye, tracing a slow path down her face.
“Cut it out, Tessa.”
“You cut it out!” she yelled. “You shouldn’t say things like that. You’re just mad.”
“I’m not mad,” he said quietly.
She nodded, her eyes glinting with fear. “Yes, you are.”
“Look at me. Do I look mad?” He knew he didn’t, because it had all drained out of him. He’d screwed up one too many times. That night with Monica Kendall had been the last straw. Another moment of bad judgment on top of so many others. Not the worst mistake he’d ever made, though. Not by far.
Tessa must have seen the truth in his face, because she stepped closer and grabbed his arm. “What are you doing, Jamie? What are you talking about?”
“I’m growing up, Tessa.”
She lunged and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his chest. “Please don’t.”
“Grow up?”
“No, don’t go. Please, Jamie. Don’t do this to us.”
He held his arms up, hoping she might let go. “I’m not doing anything to you.”
“Yes, you are!” she sobbed, and Jamie gave up any hope that she’d back off.
He lowered his arms and wrapped them slowly around his sister, sick at the way her back trembled.
“I don’t want to lose you, Jamie,” she whispered. “I can’t.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m still a Donovan Brother, just like you.” Instead of laughing at his pitiful joke, Tessa sobbed again, and he tightened his hold. “Tessa, I need a chance to stand up on my own.”
“You can stand up here. I’ll back you up, Jamie, I swear. Tell me your plans. What do you want to do?”
He wanted to reassure her. He really did. All Tessa had ever asked for was happiness for her brothers. But he didn’t have the energy to lie, and he could no longer see a way through this mess. Eric didn’t trust him, and Jamie couldn’t set aside his resentment long enough to be calm. In the end, he was saved by Henry.
“Um… Sorry to interrupt…” Henry’s eyebrows were nearly to his hairline as he eased one of the swinging doors open. “It’s eleven. Should I go ahead and unlock the doors?”
“Yes,” Jamie said quickly. “Thank you.”
Tessa squeezed him harder.
“We’ll talk about this later, Tessa. I’ve got to finish prepping.”