Page 171 of Cheap Shot

“Honestly, the whole thing kinda fell in my lap,” Sebastian hedged. “She’s a … mutual acquaintance.”

Nicky raised an eyebrow. “Why do I feel like there’s more to it than you’re letting on?”

“Because you know me too fucking well,” Sebastian said drily. “It’s … she’s the wife of one of the Harriers.”

Nicky made a face.

“Hey, she’sgreat,” Sebastian protested. “And her husband is too. Honestly, the whole team was fantastic with Harper.”

And they’d been nothing short of amazing to Brie. By the time Harper was released from the hospital, there were meals ready and an entire roster of people who could watch Harper or arrange play dates with their own kids, whenever Brie needed it.

There had also been talk of helping Brie fix up more of her place—though that would likely happen in the off-season.

“How’s she doing? Harper, I mean.”

“Overall? Good. She had to have surgery last week though, because she was rejecting her pacemaker. Brie was out with a friend that night and when I was babysitting, Harper collapsed. Scared me shitless.”

“I bet.”

“She’s recovering well though. She’s home and back to her usual self. It’s just hard on her and Brie, and …”

“On you?”

“Yeah, of course. It’s been scary. I don’t know how I would have made it through the whole thing without …”

“Without?” Nicky’s face lit up and he reached out and whacked Sebastian on the upper arm. “Oh shit, you’re dating someone. What the fuck dude? Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

“Uhh, well …” Sebastian stared at the faint smudged thumbprint he’d left on the water glass. “Because you’re not going to like who it is.”

Nicky was silent and Sebastian glanced up to see a confused look cross his face. “Who could you possibly be dating that I would dislike? Unless … are you back together with that asshole you were dating last year?”

“Oh God no,” Sebastian said. “I am so over Max.Notthe issue.”

“Then why would I give a shit about who he is?”

“He’s uh, with the Harriers.”

“Oh.” Nicky rolled his eyes. “Well, I can’t say I’m thrilled with that idea, but I get it. The dude needs a job somewhere, right? Did you meet during Harper’s day with the team? What does he do? Social media or something?”

“Uhh, no.” Sebastian cleared his throat. “He’s a player.”

Nicky stared at him, mouth hanging open. “You’re fucking dating a guy on the Harriers roster.Who? I mean, I think the only other out guy who I know of on the team is Tanner Clayton. Isn’t he kinda young for you?”

“I’m definitely not dating Tanner Clayton,” Sebastian said, laughing despite the tightness in his throat. “But I am dating his D-partner. You might, uh, know him.”

When Nicky stared at him, expressionless, Sebastian sighed. “Luke Crawford, okay? I’m fucking dating Luke Crawford.”

“No fucking way,” Nicky said. “You—this hasgotto be some kind of stupid prank.”

“It’s not.” Sebastian set down the water glass on the coffee table before he dropped it. “I sort of wish it was? Well, not really because I care about him and this is—this is something good, Nic.”

Nicky scowled. “I—what the fuck, Seb? You hate the guy. Or has all that been a lie too?”

Sebastian winced at the hurt in Nicky’s voice. God, he’d been afraid of that.

“I absolutely hated him,” Sebastian explained. “God, I really fucking hated him for what he did to you. I hated his style of play and everything about him but …”

“But what?” Nicky said, standing up. “He was nice to Harper for a day and that made it all go away?”