Page 33 of 183 Reasons

“Just figured I’d swing by and see if you guys were here.”

“We were just bitching about the balls of this green energy company bullshit that’s going around town.” Jay slams his pint glass on the table and looks angry as hell.

“What are you talking about?”

“Come on, man, don’t tell me you haven’t heard about it. This piece-of-shit green energy company, Green Breeze Enterprises, is trying to march in and plant those big-ass wind turbines everywhere.”

“Green Breeze Enterprises? Huh. Nobody told me anything. But then again, I’ve had my head up my ass for the better part of a year. Wait—I did see a sign next to the political ones by the lake. I asked Earl if he knew anything, but he didn’t seem concerned. Said he would handle it.”

“He probably assumed there was no point in explaining since you are ditching this place at the end of the summer.”

I stare at Ryan. His words cut sharp, and for the first time, it dawns on me he might be pissed I’m leaving. There isn’t much I can say that will make his words less true, so I ignore his passive-aggressive comment. “Fill me in, Tyler. What’s the deal?”

“Apparently, a whole mess of property owners received letters informing them Green Breeze Enterprises is interested in purchasing and/or leasing their land and installing wind farms on the property. We’re talking dozens of massive wind turbines in town. They’ll look terrible, never mind what these monsters will do to the wildlife around here.”

Jay, who still seems heated, pounces back into the conversation. “I don’t know who these jackasses think they are, but I don’t think people will go down without a fight. Sure, people will make money off the sale or lease of the land, but the integrity of this place has to be kept intact. Seriously, man, Green Breeze will destroy everything around here. Next thing you know, we’ll have a strip mall on the side of the lake. My family will never sell to these tycoons.”

“Unfortunately, it only takes one family to fold and the rest will too.” Ryan has a good point.

A pit opens in my stomach. “Do we have a list of who was mailed a letter?”

“Sure do, man. Stable Farm is on their list—over my dead body.” Ryan slams his fist on the table. “But, we aren’t the only property they’re after.” Suddenly, their attention diverts to me and there is more meaning behind Ryan’s words. “What? He has a right to know, guys.”

“Shit, Ryan. Seriously?” Tyler stands and walks to the bathroom.

“What’s he talking about? Guys, what the hell?”

“Sorry, man. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but with you leaving … It’s public knowledge your family owns one of the biggest pieces of private land in this town. How could the orchard not be on the list? I know you don’t want to hear it, but your grandparents aren’t going to be around forever, man.” Jay’s brutal honesty cuts deep. I’m seeing a side of him I don’t think I’ve ever seen. Anger? Frustration? Revenge?

Thoughts flood my head in an uncontrollable flurry.Earl would’ve told me he received a letter. They would never sell to green energy assholes. Right? What will this mean for the orchard? For the family? Shit.I’ve been living with my head in the sand, dwelling on my own problems for so long, ignoring the everyday things, and now it’s backfiring big-time. I’ve been so focused on myself, on my bubble of a world. Bile rises in my throat.

“Guys, I had no idea. What now? Tell me everything. Spill it—let’s go.” I may be late to the party, but I can still fix this. This town is everything to my family. To see it taken over by massive turbines is serious bullshit.

Tyler returns from the bathroom and seems to be reading the group to see if we’re civil or ready to beat the crap out of each other. We’ve had our share of bar brawls over the years. I can’t blame him for wondering if that’s next on the docket.

He takes in the scene, waits a minute, and says, “There’s a town forum coming up toward the end of July for residents. Green Breeze Enterprises is going to send in their big shots from headquarters to tell us why allowing them to come in and destroy our land is a great idea. No one will decide anything then, but we can certainly voice our opinions loud and clear.”

Upsetting doesn’t begin to describe the anger building. Was it everyone’s intention to treat me as a complete outsider in my hometown? The one solid, positive piece of information I hear is that no decisions have been made. This means there’s still time to save Meriden, but I’m going to have to wait until Monday to speak to my grandfather. They always have plans with friends the weekend of the Fourth.

We change the subject to tomorrow’s festivities. Our posse always parties on the Fourth. Tyler’s family hosts a big get-together at their place, followed by tailgating at the high school for the town fireworks show. I’ve never missed a year, but I have to work it into the conversation that I have alternate plans tomorrow.

“So, speaking of the Fourth, I can’t make it to the party, guys. I’ll catch up with you at the fireworks.”

The conversation silences and the three guys look at me wide-eyed, waiting for me to continue. “Yeah, well, um, I have plans with Solia tomorrow night. Remember the woman whose wood we stacked?”

The three of them break into laughter, and they fist bump across the table. “I knew it, man. I knew the log cabin hottie got to you. That’s great, buddy. But what I want to know is, does she have any hot friends because this dump truck has a load that needs to be delivered. I could use action right about now,” Tyler says. “You aren’t stacking more wood, so how about you mention her bringing friends our way? Just saying.” Tyler is forever a ladies’ man whose key priority is getting into as many girls’ panties as possible.

The other two knuckleheads cheer him on and high-five.

“Guys, it’s just a date. We barely know each other. I don’t want to crash the party and overwhelm her with a bunch of people. That’s way too much, but we’re planning on going to the fireworks. And as far as the friends go, she’s new to town, remember?”

“I’m just busting your ass, man. Have a good time. Seriously, I’m happy for you. And if I can’t get any, I’m happy for you if you do,” Tyler says.

“You’re hopeless, but she is freaking hot.” The guys nod in agreement. I glance at the rustic analog clock on the wall and see it’s already midnight. Things never change. Whenever I’m here with the guys, time flies right out the window. It’s good to be back at the Binn.

16

More than any past Fourth of July, this one is different. Not only am I away from family and friends, but I’ll be cooking dinner for a man I just met. I pace between the bedroom and kitchen, accomplishing nothing, so I grab my phone off my nightstand.

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