On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(34)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“No. Carly.”

“Carly? The new roommate?”

“Yeah. Also the girlfriend.” I’d started using the term without thinking about it, but that’s what she was. I mean she definitely wasn’t just someone I was hooking up with.

“What?” he sputtered.

“Yeah. Carly and I are together.”

“I hope she’s not the girl outside then.” Anna Marie said as she walked in.

“Why?” I dreaded the answer.

“Because Caleb is hanging all over her.”

“What?” The term I could see red took on new meaning. I stormed out of the shop without thinking.

Anna Marie was right. He was hanging all over her. Of course Anna could have added that Carly definitely wasn’t into it. With her arms crossed she wanted nothing to do with him. Relieved she wasn’t flirting I felt the second wave of anger. This one was even stronger—why was he invading her space?

I marched over and stepped between them, pushing Caleb back in the process. “Get the hell away from her.”

“Why?” Caleb smirked. “We were just having a pleasant conversation.”

I felt the anger rising again. All I wanted to do was punch the asshole.

“Macon.” Carly’s soft voice distracted me. “I was just telling Caleb about our big plans tonight, and how you still haven’t told me what we’re doing.” She put a hand on my arm.

“Wha—” I caught myself just in time. “You don’t want me to ruin the surprise do you, babe?”

“No. You know how much I love surprises.” She bit her lip in an exaggerated way.

Caleb glared at me momentarily before turning his attention back to Carly. “Want my number in case you change your mind?”

“I’m good, but thanks.”

I put an arm around her. “Ready for lunch?”

“Definitely.”

I scowled at Caleb before leading Carly over to my car. I forced myself to stay calm because Carly was around, but next time I saw him alone he was in trouble.

I opened her door and closed it before walking around to my side. I wasn’t usually the type to do that, but I wanted to with Carly. She brought out that side in me.

I’d just started the car when she put a hand on mine. “What was that about?”

“What are you talking about?” I backed out.

“Don’t bullshit me, Macon.”

I sighed. “It was nothing.”

“You were ready to punch him. Admit it.”

“So? He was bothering you.” I stopped short as the person in front of us slowed to let a bunch of tourists cross the street.

“And you think he’s the first guy to ever do that?”

“Are you trying to make me angrier?”

“I just didn’t think you had an anger problem.”

“I don’t have an anger problem.” I rolled down the window.

“Pull over at the park.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Pull up at the entrance up ahead.”

I did as she asked. As soon as the car was stopped she jumped out. I turned off the engine and followed. “Listen, you really don’t need to worry—”

“No. Don’t try to make up an excuse.” She took a seat in the grass. She stretched out her legs, carefully smoothing out her skirt.

I sat down beside her. “I’m not.”

“Tell me what happened? Why did you get so angry?”

“I already told you.” I pulled a fistful of browning grass out of the ground

“If you were telling the truth then you belong in an anger management program, but I don’t believe that’s what it was. That little spat wasn’t just about me.”

I groaned. “Just leave it alone, Carly.”

“Nope. I can tell something’s up, and I don’t like secrets.”

“Caleb’s a POS. That’s it.”

“Besides his annoying habit of hitting on me, why is he a POS?”

“That’s not enough?” I turned my attention to trimming the grass again.

“Macon.” No matter how Carly said my name it had an effect on me. It’s like hearing it from her lips changed the way it sounded.

“Fine. I just can’t stand him. His dad owns the shop, and he thinks he walks on water. He doesn’t even like diving, so why should he take it over?”

“Are there plans to hand it over soon?”

“The end of this summer.” I’d be looking for a new job as soon as that happened. I needed to figure something out and fast.

“A lot of family businesses are like that. Maybe he doesn’t even want it.”

“Not all are.”

“I’m guessing you’re speaking from experience.” She scooted closer to me.

“You could say that.”

“And you don’t get to take it over.” She rubbed my back gently.

“Right.”

“So in other words, you’re taking out your own frustration on Caleb.”

“Don’t start.”

“What? I’m being real here.”

“My uncle’s giving his company to the chick he’s been screwing for five years.”

“Wow, that’s a low blow.”

“Exactly.”

“What kind of business is it?”

“Risk management mostly.”

“I didn’t know you liked that stuff.”

“I don’t.”

“Ok… so why did you want the position?”

“Because it’s what I was always supposed to do. It’s why I majored in business. Don’t tell Maddy, but I’ve deferred my acceptance to Wharton twice now.”

“What?” Her mouth hung open. “As in the UPenn business school?”

“Yup. I don’t want to bother with it.”

“Why haven’t you told Maddy?”

“Because she’d tell me I’m being crazy. She thinks I still haven’t applied.”

“Did you tell her she was crazy for moving out here to bartend?”

I shook my head. “I’m the one who suggested she move out here.”

“Then why would you expect anything different from her?”

“I hate letting people down.”

She exhaled sharply. “Tell me about it.”

“Who have you let down?”

“Come on. You’re not making me tell that story again.” She leaned back on one hand.

“What? Your family? They’re just being idiots.”