Page 16 of Mended Fences

But things with the family business were strained. Earlier this year, Natalie, my brother Jasper’s fiancée and the orchard’s accountant, discovered some financial troubles caused by Nat’s father before he died.

That’s how the family ended up in business with Tessa. She was investing in a new cidery venture that Elliot, my twin, was heading up.

Those two fought like cats and dogs, but only because of sexual tension so thick you could cut with a butter knife was constantly brewing between them. It was only a matter of time before they fucked, or fell in love. I had a feeling the forced proximity of working so closely was going to be the catalyst they both needed to get their heads outta their asses.

It was one o’clock by the time I pulled up outside Callaghan’s—just in time for Kai to unlock the door.

I parked in my usual spot and killed the engine. The familiar red neonOPENsign buzzed to life in the window as Kai flipped the switch.

Perfect timing.

“You’re here early.” Kai’s gravelly voice carried across the empty bar as I stepped inside. The air held that musty, stale beer smell that permeated every dive bar I’d ever been in.

“Got some celebrating to do.” I slid onto my favorite barstool, the worn leather creaking under my weight. “Just landed a job at the ski resort.”

Kai’s eyebrows shot up as he grabbed a glass. “You? Working?”

“Don’t sound so shocked.” I drummed my fingers on the scratched wooden bar top. “People can change.”

“Sure they can.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Can stop drinking, too.”

I snorted. “Says the bartender. Beer me, man.”

He shook his head before turning to grab a bottle from the cooler behind him. “Question is,” he said, placing it on the bar in front of me, “what made you want to?”

Elena. Those deep-brown eyes. Her prickly but compassionate personality. The sound of her laughter when she fell on her drunk ass.

But I couldn’t tell Kai that. Couldn’t admit out loud how one woman had me completely turned inside out after just a few hours.

“Maybe I just got tired of being the family fuckup,” I muttered, lifting the bottle to my lips.

I spent the next three hours sitting at the bar, drinking beer after beer while other regulars popped in. We’d chat, and then they’d be on their way. But I had nowhere better to be.

Kai was shit company, but he was better than nothing.

I’d rather be with Elena.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I perked up. She didn’t have my number, but maybe she got it from Tessa?

JARED

Over in Ashford. Meet you at Cody’s.

CHASE

Be there in 30

“Hey, Kai, close me out.”

The drive to Cody’s took longer than usual with the snow coming down. My headlights cut through the white flurries, themotion blurring just enough to mess with my already fuzzy head. The winding back roads between Sable Point and Ashford demanded more focus than I had any business giving in my current state.

Wonder what Elena’s doing right now. Probably getting that massage. Lucky fucking masseuse.

I cranked up the heat, trying to focus on anything else. But my mind kept drifting back to how she’d felt pressed against me on the slopes, the way her breath had hitched when I’d adjusted her stance.

The driveway at Cody’s was packed when I pulled in. The gravel crunched under my boots as I made my way to the porch. Music and laughter spilled out the front door when I opened it.

Despite the fact that it wasn’t even five o’clock, the party inside was in full swing. I don’t think the party at Cody’s ever actually stopped. Bodies packed the living room, red solo cups everywhere. The sharp smell of weed mixed with cheap perfume.