The anger drained from Jack as suddenly as it filled him. “You assumed—no, everyone assumed—I wanted what you wanted.”
“If this wasn’t what you wanted, then why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I didn’t want to disappoint you and the rest of our family.” Jack shrugged. “Besides, I was happy to help build Weldon Brewery. I was thrilled to watch you and Tara sweep all those beer awards and to see the business take off.”
“Then why are you leaving?” His brother walked behind the bar and poured two glasses of beer, passing one to Jack.
He slid into a barstool and took a long sip. “I was happy to be here while I was needed, but it’s been a while since I’ve felt that way.”
“But we do need you.”
“Only to a certain extent,” Jack said. “Like I said, the bookkeeping and serving can easily be outsourced, but I’d be happy to have you retain me as a business consultant. Weldon Brewery is a well-oiled machine, and as long as you and Tara keep brewing those fantastic beers, the brewery is going to thrive. But you might need some advice from time to time, and I’ll be there for you when you do.”
His twin emptied his glass. “How long have you known that you didn’t want to work for Weldon Brewery forever and ever?”
Jack laughed, relieved to see his brother acting more likehimself. “For about a year now. I had to work so hard to make myself useful.”
“You should’ve told me how you felt.” It sounded like an apology.
“I wasn’t sure myself. I wanted to figure everything out before I dropped this on you.”
“You didn’t need to do it alone.” Alex dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m your twin, for fuck’s sake.”
“Language,” Jack said with a broad grin.
“Fuck you, asshole.”
“I love you, too, man.”
When Alex chuckled, something loosened in Jack’s chest. Everything was all right between them. He’d distanced himself from his family—kept his unhappiness a secret from them—because of his own insecurities and doubts. They would never be disappointed in him. The only person he disappointed was him by not believing in himself.
He was good enough. Everyone who mattered to him already knew that. It was about time he stopped doubting himself.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Here. A present,” Lizzy said as she handed Katie her prized stapler from her bare desk. With her personal belongings packed away, her office looked cold and sterile. How had she worked such long hours here? “Now you can stop borrowing it.”
“Oh, my gosh. Thank you.” She petted the black stapler like it was a sweet, mewling kitten. “I have coveted this for so long.”
“I’m going to miss it.” Lizzy laughed. “I’ll miss you, too, Katie. You’re an amazing attorney, and it was a pleasure working with you.”
Her associate’s face crumpled. “I can’t believe you’re really leaving. Everyone here knew that you were going to make partner in the next couple of years. All that hard work. I still don’t understand how you can walk away from it.”
“I can’t stay knowing that this isn’t the life I want.” Big-city lawyer wasn’t who she was anymore. But who was she, then? That was what she planned on figuring out. “I need to change course while I can.”
“I always knew you were brave,” Katie said with a bittersweet smile. “Do you need help taking your stuff to your car?”
“No need.” Lizzy patted the lone Bankers Box sitting on her desk. “This is it. I can’t believe five years of my life fits into one box.”
“Isn’t that ficus plant yours, too?” Katie pointed toward a tall, leafy plant in the corner of the office.
“That’s a ficus plant? I had no idea.” Lizzy shook her head. “That’s definitely not mine. The only reason it’s still green and healthy is because my black thumb has never once touched it. You know the office manager can get you plants for your office, right?”
“What? How come no one’s ever told me that? I always assumed you guys brought your own.” Katie walked over to the plant. “Can I have this one?”
“Be my guest.” Lizzy smiled. “The plant lady comes and waters it, so you don’t have to worry about killing it. The firm doesn’t want attorneys distracted from billable hours to water plants.”
Katie crinkled her nose. “Speaking of billable hours, I’m behind on my time sheets.”
