Page 104 of Bourbon and Lies

Chapter 44

Grant

A month later…

“It’s completely sold out.”

“What do you mean, it’s sold out?”

Ace’s eyes dance from Lincoln’s to mine, and then back again.

Lincoln snorts a laugh. “I know I’m the smartest of the three of us, but there’s no hidden meaning, Ace.” He nods at me to finish the details. It was mine, after all.

“Foxx Bourbon’s Cowboy Edition is completely sold out. We’ve gone ahead and created a collector’s edition of a completely new and original blend in one fucking weekend!”

Ace smiles big and wide.

Griz mumbles, “Told you.”

“Shut it, old man,” Ace says, still with a smile on his face. “How many bottles did we keep?”

“Two cases. Everything else has been claimed for tastings that kick off in”—Lincoln looks down at his watch—“’Bout an hour. And the rest are pickups for attendees. If they don’t claim their bottle in twenty-four hours, then it’ll go to our waiting list.

“You think we should keep making it? Let this edition be our special edition, and then change up the bottles?”

I look at my brothers, and then over to Griz. “You’re asking me?”

Ace shrugs. “Your bourbon, your decision.”

I glance toward the stables, where Laney is walking with Lily and Lark. They’re talking about something with their arms flailing and the girls laughing. She didn’t lie about being really fucking good at throwing big parties. There are carnival rides set in the front of the distillery, where kids and families stay entertained. Local bands on a main stage behind the distillery, performing all day. And then VIP guests and ticketed lovers of bourbon filtering throughout the property. Tastings from local chefs paired with all our blends for a Bourbon Brunch. Tonight, Crescent De Lune prepared a VIP dessert tasting to top it off. The adult-only tasting also features Romey’s Hemp Chocolates, and Marla opened Hooch’s for one day only to tourists who wanted to try a “real Kentucky dinner.”

“Let’s do it.”

Lincoln clears his throat. “So does this mean there’s another master taster joining my team?”

“Only when you want me there. That job is all you, big brother.” I clap him on the shoulder and squeeze.

“I want you there. Period.”

“Proud of you boys,” Griz says as he stands from the stool he’s been perched on for most of the day. It’s smack dab in the middle of the distillery that can be seen from every angle with the way that the double doors around the space are open. He’d said he’s as much of an attraction as the bourbon itself. It’s true.

Ace told him to fuck off, but people stood in line to shake his hand and talk to him about what it was like growing up and seeing his family flourish in this business.

He grasps Lincoln’s shoulder and gives me a smirk. “I knew that girl was going to be good for us.”

Ace drains his glass. “Grant, no more secrets like this one. It may not have started as our business, but you damn near saved us from tanking this year after losing that rickhouse.” He claps his hand on my other shoulder and squeezes. And then does the same to Griz. It’s the first time in a long time that I feel proud of what I’ve helped build.

“To no more secrets.” Lincoln raises his glass, and we clink our glasses and cheers.

“What the hell, how am I left out of this circle jerk right now?” Hadley laughs out from the doorway.

Ace just grumbles and turns away to stalk off somewhere as Griz starts cackling.

“Hadley Jean, get your ass over here,” Griz says to her.

Lincoln gives her some dumb-ass handshake they’ve been doing for decades as he leaves with me to go find our girls at the stables.

“Dad! You have got to try the stuffed croissant that Laney got for us,” Lily says as we get closer.

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