Page 27 of From the Start

Unlike our own father. “Good for you.”

He purses his lips. “You don’t understand. I can’t be home with my children if I’m doing your job as well as mine.”

“You don’t do my job.”

“I can prove it to you.” He drops a pile of paper onto my desk.

“What’s this?”

“I’ve detailed every task required of the master distiller and the operations manager. I’ve also provided examples of when I did your job.”

I thumb through the document. “I don’t know what the big deal is.”

He growls. “The big deal is you’re being paid to be the operations manager forBuccaneer’s Distillerybut you are not performing the job. I understand you’re young and want to have fun. Maybe it’s time for you to quit.”

I pause rifling through the document to meet his gaze. Is he serious? He can’t possibly be serious. When Eli founded the distillery, he made it clear all managerial positions would be held by his brothers – no outsiders allowed.

“You want me to quit?”

“No. I want you to grow up and do your job.”

“I’m not a child.”

He points to the document. “Then, prove it. Do your job. If you need help understanding any tasks, feel free to ask me. But I will no longer be doing your job for you.”

“And if I don’t?”

He stands. “I’ve already spoken to Eli.”

Guess there are now two knives I need to have removed from my back.

“What? He didn’t mention anything to me.”

“Because he doesn’t want to believe his beloved baby brother is a slacker.”

“I’m not a slacker.”

His brow wrinkles. “I believe I used the term correctly. Slacker. A person who avoids work or effort.”

“I’m not a slacker,” I repeat.

He points to the stack of paper. “Prove it.”

He spins on his heel and marches away. I collapse in my chair. What a day. I reach for my phone, intent on messaging Zane with a request we get out of here and have some fun, but pause with my finger on the send button.

When Dad abandoned us, I decided life was too short to be serious. Maybe I went too far. Maybe I have become a slacker – allowing Jaxon to do my work.

I reach for the document. A little read couldn’t hurt.

Chapter 9

“I’m done with grass. We’re installing AstroTurf and calling it a day.” ~ Harper

Harper

The door to my office flies open and I quickly click away from the book website. I’m trying to find my next romantic suspense book to read. I love reading romance. So sue me.

“Hey, boss,” Sloane says. “The beer delivery is here.”