Page 114 of Cheap Shot

The following week, Sebastian finished his work and drove to his sister’s place with a sense of eager anticipation.

He had plans with Crawford tonight after he had dinner with Harper and Brie.

Crawford had traveled with the Harriers on their road trip and been cleared to play while on the road. They had texted a little while he was gone, which had turned into several hot jerk off sessions on video chat.

They hadn’t had a chance to hook up in person since the plumbing emergency though.

The team had gotten back late the night before last so that idea had been out. But after dinner with his family tonight, Sebastian was heading to Crawford’s place and he couldn’t wait.

Brie’s kitchen still had a hole in the wall, the peel-and-stick tiles had curled at the edges, and one small section of lower cabinets were going to need to be ripped out. But in the end, she’d agreed it could have been a lot worse—and a lot more expensive—if Crawford hadn’t been willing to help.

“Well, I guess something good is coming from your weird hookups at least,” Brie teased Sebastian as they washed and dried the dishes after dinner.

He ignored her by changing the subject to whether she’d made a decision about taking the new job.

She hadn’t, so they went around and around, debating the merits or concerns about it. Sebastian gave his sister a pointedlook at the messed-up kitchen and said, “The pay raise would really help right now since you won’t letmepay for it.”

Brie made a face but nodded. “I’m seriously considering it. It’s just figuring out childcare, especially when it comes to Harper’s appointments.”

“I get that,” Sebastian had said. “But you know I’m always willing. And now that Rosaleen is working for the shop, I have some more availability. Hell, one of her cousins just applied for the position of delivery driver too, so we’ll have more backup with deliveries.”

“That’s good,” Brie said.

“I’m just saying, I feel like things are falling into place,” Sebastian said.

“I think you’re just in a good mood because you’re getting laid regularly,” Brie teased.

Sebastian laughed. “Well, it doesn’t hurt.”

For the next few weeks, Sebastian worked, went to Harriers’ games, and hooked up with Crawford occasionally. Everything settled into a nice little routine.

During the break, while Crawford had been recovering from his injury, it had felt like there was something hovering between them, unsaid and undefined. It had felt different in a way Sebastian couldn’t quite put his finger on.

It was simultaneously a relief and a small disappointment that everything had returned to normal now.

Clearly, it had just been because Crawford had been bored and, well,medicated. On top of spending more time together, of course it had led to things feeling a little different.

Honestly, it was better that it had gone back to normal now.

It wasn’t like Sebastian hadwantedit to change.

Toward the third week of February, Boston got a huge dump of snow—nearly two feet in under forty-eight hours.

Although the shop was technically open, he’d told his employees to stay home and that he’d pay for the time off. He didn’t want them trying to make it to work in these conditions, especially because he knew it was unlikely they’d have many customers.

On the second morning of the snowstorms, as plows attempted to clear the streets and heavy white flakes continued to fall, Sebastian puttered around the shop, dusting the slightly neglected corners, and got a text that left him staring blankly at his phone.

Guess who’s doing a press conference today?

Sebastian stared at the text for a moment in confusion. And then it hit him what Nicky meant.

Holy shit! Does that mean what I think it means???

I’m back, baby! I’m playing tomorrow.

Sebastian grinned, setting his duster aside.Holy shit! That’s great news! How are you feeling about it?

Excited. A little nervous. Mostly excited.