Bitter Truth (Hawthorne Vines #1)

I can see the tic in his jaw, the way his nostrils flare slightly.

Memphis is pissed.

“If you, as our boss, want to sit us down and put some boundaries in place, expectations for how we are to act when we’re working, that is entirely fair. But you don’t get to tell me who I can and cannot date. Ever. Boss or not.”

He seems to think that point over for a beat, and I’m hoping that he’ll see my position as fair and balanced.

“And what would you say if I said I’d fire Wes if you kept seeing him?”

Not fair and balanced, then.

Rubbing my lips together, I think over what he’s just said. “I’d tell you that you aren’t really concerned about the vineyard if you’re willing to fire your most important employee because of something that has nothing to do with the reason you hired him in the first place.”

“You don’t think Wes will break up with you if I tell him his job is on the line?”

I sigh, then shrug my shoulders because it feels like the only thing I can do.

“You’ll need to talk to him about it. I’m not his keeper. But I’ll say this, Memphis. I’d reconsider your methods if your default way to solve problems is to get rid of the employees who are trying to help you.”

Memphis exhales an irritated breath, and I can see him trying to figure out what to say or do to get this situation back under his control.

“I love you, Memphis,” I tell him, deciding that maybe just a little bit of emotion is important to make him understand. “I do. I know this situation has been really hard, and that you’re doing everything you can to try and fix things.” I pause. “And I’m sorry Dad handed you something that was failing and then decided to take it away as if you’re the one who broke it.”

My brother’s chin rises, and I know what I’ve said touches at his pride.

“But it isn’t your fault,” I continue. “You should be so proud of everything you’ve been doing. I know I’m proud of you. They might not say it often, but I don’t doubt Aunt Sarah and Micah feel the same.”

I can tell that Memphis has now shut me out, so I rise from my seat and come up behind him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

“I love you,” I tell him again. “And I’ll love you no matter what happens with the vineyard. Whether Dad sells it or not, whether the restaurant saves it or not.”

I feel the tension leak out of my brother at my words, and then he raises a hand and squeezes one of mine where it rests on his chest.

“Love you too, Murph.”

I stand there for a little bit longer, and only let go when my brother taps on my hands, the international sign for Okay, let’s wrap up this hug.

When I get to the door, I turn back to look at him, finding his eyes on me.

“You can talk to Wes if you want,” I tell him. “But I hope you’ll try to think over what I’ve said before you do.”

When he doesn’t say anything else, I give him a little wave. “I’ll see you over there in a bit.”

Memphis nods, then returns his attention to the computer.

We still have a lot of problems, my brother and me. He’s still stubborn and overbearing, and incredibly frustrating.

But I can tell with each one of these little conversations we’re having, the times when we talk through something rather than let it go unaddressed, the brick wall that divides us is getting chipped away.

And maybe one day, it’ll be gone altogether.

“I think you should go.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course you do.”

Wes laughs. “I’m serious, Murphy,” he says, shutting off the water at the sink and drying his hands on a dishcloth. “And that’s me having only heard a few of your songs. I’m sure you have even more in your back pocket that would further blow my mind.”

Pursing my lips, I pin him with a stare.