Page 168 of The Maxwell Brothers

“Oooh, is that Kendra? Is that why you didn’t want us hanging out with you?” Reese asked.

I groaned. “It’s not Kendra. It was a fan who wanted me to sign her skin.” I took the phone, looking closer. The photo was blurred, but it looked like we were kissing or about to. “Fuck.”

Had Kendra seen this at all? She was important to me, and I wouldn’t want her to get the wrong impression with this stupid picture.

"What's wrong?" Reese asked.

"I don't know if Kendra saw this."

Her face lit up. "Wait, does that mean there's something going on between the two of you? What happened on the trip?" she singsonged.

“I’m going to call her,” I said, stepping away from the group. There was no signal down here, so I went up the cellar steps and headed outside, pacing in front of the building as I called her. It went straight to voice mail. I tried a second time with the same result.

I went back to the group, taking my place between Travis and Reese.

Reese looked at me but didn’t get a chance to ask anything because Tate spoke.

“I have the next one ready.” He poured a bottle in fresh glasses. Technically you could do the tasting in the same glass, as there was minimal aftertaste, but it was clearer this way.

The bottle was three months older than the last one, and it tasted even better. The smokiness was much more intense.

“Son, this is my new favorite,” Dad exclaimed.

Mom, Lexi, and Declan all weighed in with details, but my mind was on Kendra. We hadn't set any rules, obviously, but if I saw a picture of her with another dude, I’d lose my cool.

Maybe she didn’t see it.

After everyone gave their opinion on the second wine, we ate bread and cheese, Reese, Travis, and I sharing a plate. Usually, Tate gave us something between tastings to clear the palate, but since we were only trying out two today, it wasn’t necessary.

“What did Kendra say?” Reese asked me.

“Call went to voice mail.”

“Did you try again?”

“Yeah, three times.”

"Wait, you've called her several times?" Reese asked.

"Yeah."

"I'm just putting it out there, but she might be purposely not answering your calls."

Travis grimaced. “Yeah, man. Not a good sign. Not that I’m an expert.”

Fuck. That was my instinct too, but I didn’t want to creep her out with twenty calls.

I went closer to the steps of the cellar and sent her a message. There was enough signal for that.

Tyler: Kendra, I need to talk to you. I'm not sure if you saw the picture, but it's not what it looked like.I know it sounds cliché, but it's not. Call me when you see this.

Going back to the group, I saw the party was already breaking up. The tastings never lasted long, because typically Tate had a conference with his team once it was over, giving them our feedback. Besides, since this was a last-minute thing, most of us had plans for the rest of the day. Mine consisted of watching some old games and hopefully talking to Kendra.

“Everyone, thanks for coming,” Tate said. “This was helpful. I’m going to discuss your input with the team. It’ll make for great marketing copy.”

Travis patted my shoulder. He’d linked an arm with Reese. “Ready to go?”

“Sure.”