Page 45 of Cheap Shot

Harper helped Dakota put away her mat and blanket, then let Crawford carry her out into the hallway.

“Are you ready for lunch now?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m starvvving,” she said.

Luke laughed. “Just like a hockey player.”

It wasn’t long before Sebastian found himself sitting at a table eating with Crawford and the rest of the team.

The food was amazing. Well-prepared and there was a ton of variety. Everything from kid-friendly foods to fancier offerings like grilled steak, plus a variety of healthy sides.

While Crawford shoveled in food and listened intently while Harper showed him her drawings, Connor O’Shea leaned forward and looked at Brie. “I don’t wanna pry, but I understand your ex-husband left you two in the lurch. Is there anything we can do to help you out?”

Brie looked startled. “Oh, no. That’s very kind of you, but no. My brother and I have it pretty well covered.”

Which isn’t entirely true, Sebastian thought. But he understood why Brie had said they were fine. The organization had done more than enough.

This was a day Harper would never forget.

“It’s a lot of work raising kids,” Connor said doubtfully. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my ma after my ex-wife and I split.”

“Oh man, she isgreattoo,” Jesse said, his face lighting up. “You wouldloveCatherine. She’s the heart and soul of this organization when it comes down to it. And the best mother-in-law a guy could ask for.”

Brie smiled. “Aww. You two are married? I knew you were dating but I didn’t realize that you’d tied the knot already.”

“Uhh, no,” Connor said. “Not officially. But it’s pretty much only because we haven’t had any fucking time to plan anything.”

Jesse nodded.

“Well, if you ever decide you need a florist, call this guy,” Brie said. “My brother is amazing with flowers. He just opened a shop in Beacon Hill.”

Crawford’s gaze slid toward Sebastian, then away.

“Yeah?” Connor said. “Well then, you shouldreallytalk to my ma. She works with the Harriers Charity Foundation and they’re always hosting events. I’m sure she could use a good florist. Do you have a card?”

Sebastian smiled at the Boston pronunciation of “card”.

“Yeah, I have a couple in my wallet,” he said.

Brie gave him a little look as he dug it out from his jacket pocket but fuck, if he wanted this Boston shop to take off, getting his name in front of someone as well-connected as it sounded like Catherine O’Shea was would pretty much be guaranteed to do it.

He handed the card to Connor, who studied it for a moment, then tucked it into his phone case with a promise to pass it along.

Sebastian thanked him. If nothing came of it, oh well, but Sebastian wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity like that.

A couple of years ago, his ex-boyfriend, Maxwell, had called him ambitious when he was describing his dreams for his floral business. Sebastian hadn’t particularly thought of himself that way but since then, he’d come to realize it was true.

He’d also realized that a lot of guys were intimidated by that. Guys like Max who were happy with their desk jobs, showing up to work on time every morning and clocking out the moment the day was over, not thinking about work again until the next day.

They didn’t get what being a small business owner was like.

What it was like to pour your entire heart and soul into something. Where every early morning, late night, and long weekend felt worth it. Even when he was tired and overwhelmed and questioning if he’d made the right decision about expanding to another location or growing his online shop, he’d known deep in his gut he couldn’t imagine doing anything different.

Hedreamedof his work being featured in magazines and at wedding events. He wasn’t content to do the same thing over and over again. He wanted to grow, to expand, to see what else would come of his work.

So okay, he was ambitious. What was wrong with that? What was wrong with having a dream and going after it?

Only Max had always felt slighted. Had felt that Sebastian prioritized his work over their relationship. And Sebastian wasn’t blaming Max for it or anything, but he didn’t get half as much satisfaction out of a day spent with him as he did from his success at work.