Page 36 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

There are four tables of unlabeled beer bottles. Two for stouts and two for ales. People are casting their votes in some large tacky plastic beer bottle that was unburied from the depths of town hall’s basement where all the decor is stored.

Rome has been pacing all afternoon. They don’t know which table is which. We had two unbiased volunteers, who agreed to refrain from voting, set the tables up.

“This sucks. I have no idea which bottle is mine. I have no idea if people are voting for me or them. That stupid bottle full of votes isn’t showing me anything. And all these damn people are taking the vow of silence too damn serious.” Emma pulls at Rome’s arm so he’ll sit with us.

I pull a swig from the bottle in front of me and know that it’s Rome’s ale because I’ve tried the others in the flight with Evelyn. The cherry flavor bursts on my tongue with a touch of a whiskey aftertaste. This is not one I had before.

“One hour left for tasting. Please make sure to cast your votes!” The announcer comes over the microphone.

“Jesus. There’s still an hour?” Rome slams his forehead on the table. He points at Eve. “This is your fault. All your fault.”

“Hey, now.”

“Oh yeah, go ahead and pick her because she’s your girlfriend, I’m just your best friend.” He scoffs.

“Okay, stud. Let’s go for a walk. I think you need to get out of here and relax.” Emma pulls him out of the park.

Eve leans in to whisper to me, “I didn’t know he’d be so worked up.”

I have to laugh at her. Because anyone who knows Rome knows he’d be worked up. “Really? You had no idea.”

“Fine. Maybe a little idea.” She holds up her thumb and finger barely apart, joining me in laughter. “I thought Ems had loosened him up. Apparently not.”

“His beer isn’t something he’ll ever loosen up for.” I pull her close. “Want another?” She nods her head and I head off to grab two.

“Hey, Hunter!” A cheery voice calls out to me.

Fuck. “Hey, Tiff.”

“Haven’t seen your brother around today.” She purrs.

“He’s on shift today. He probably won’t be by.” I say flatly. Tiff is nice enough, but we’re all over her attempts to get my brother back.

“What a bummer.” She steps close to me. Too close. “Maybe another Keaton would like to hold his place.”

“I’m taken, Tiff. Try Coop.” I push away from her, bringing my girl her beer. I feel bad for throwing Coop under the bus, but he could use a little shaking up.

Walking back Eve’s gaze is darting around the park with a pissed off look on her face. I take longer strides to get back to her faster.

Placing the two beers on the table, I cup her face with my hands and turn her to face me. “Hey, what happened? Why do you look like you’re going to kill someone?”

“I thought… I’m losing it.” She shakes her head. “I thought I saw Neil. But that’s crazy, right?”

I do a double take around the park myself looking for the fucker. He better not be here. That’s the last thing Eve needs. She’s finally happy. “Has to be someone else. Why would Neil be in Balsam Cliffs?”

“No. You’re right. It’s not him.” She keeps shaking her head as if she’s trying to convince herself.

“Come on. Let’s go put our last minute votes in.” I pull her up.

Margaret’s voice comes over the speakers, and announces that the winner will be called in five minutes.

As we make our way back to our table, Rome comes running into the brew-off’s space with Emma thrown over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” Emma yells at him, slapping his shoulder.

“Sorry, sunshine. I need to know who won and those legs aren’t going to carry you half as fast as I need.”

He places her down in front of Eve and immediately begins to pace again in front of the table. The judges are up at the front, tallying the votes. Margaret and Esther are there supervising so they can announce the winner.

“Would you sit the hell down?” Eve asks him exasperated. “You are stressing me out!”

“Hello, everyone!” This time Esther addresses the crowd. “We’re getting ready to announce the winner. Could I please have both brewmasters come join us at the front table?”

“This is it. Time to find out if I need to close up shop and get out of town.” Rome sighs dramatically, kissing Emma and heading up front.

“Could he be more of a drama queen?” Eve jokes with Emma.

Both Rome and Isaac shake hands before Esther and Margaret take the microphone back.

“Well. This was a close one. But we do have an official winner. Before we do that though, we wanted to thank both of these generous men for waiving any sales from the beer today to go to donations for families in need in the area. With your help we were able to raise three thousand, five hundred, and eighty-seven dollars.” Everyone claps.

“And on top of that another big thank you to the Balsam Cliffs Inn for matching dollar for dollar the money that we raised today.”

All eyes turn to Liam and Emma who both sport pink cheeks. They didn’t tell anyone they were doing that and I hear Emma whisper, “They weren’t supposed to tell anyone,” to Liam.

“Now. The moment you’ve all been waiting for.

The winners.” Margaret pulls open an official looking envelope.

“In true Balsam Cliffs fashion, everyone is a winner. Roman with Rebels Brewery has taken the trophy for his bourbon espresso stout, while Isaac from Schoodic Point Brewery takes the trophy for his Very Merry Wheat Ale.”

Both men take their trophies and shake everyone’s hands before making their way back to their families.

“Look at you. Worried for nothing, stud.” Emma jumps up running to his open arms.

“Hunter Keaton!” I snap my head to see Coop coming our way, hot pink lipstick smeared on his cheek.

“Oh shit, gotta go guys! See you tonight!” I grab Eve’s hand and run to the car before he can catch up to us.

I can hear him yelling behind us that I can’t sick Tiff on him and take the coward’s way out.

“Love you, Coop! Sorry!” I wince at how pissed he’ll be later.

“Tell me you didn’t, Hunter.” Evelyn gets out between giggles and gasps for air.

I scoop her up to run faster. “I did. She was trying to run her fingers down my chest. I’m taken. It was the first thing that popped into my head!”

Opening her door, I toss her into the passenger's seat and jump across the hood to the driver’s side just as he is about to reach my truck.

Throwing it in drive, I peel out, waving to Coop as I go by with just my middle finger.