Page 10 of The Hot Shot

“Let’s get this over with and maybe, just maybe, the fresh air will do me some good and this sickness will piss off so I can manage even just a few minutes on the weights.” I cocked my brow at Jace before jumping to my feet, checking the tightness and security of my shoes around my weak ankles before bouncing up and down on my toes. “Right. Perfect.”

“I hope so. I do love a weight challenge against you.” Jace smirked as he sauntered out of the door with a swagger in his step.

* * *

Power Zone was bursting to the seams today. Testosterone filled the air due to the gym being full of sweaty men working out to the pounding base that echoed in the room. I thought that when Chelsea suggested a separate room for women to work out that it may cause uproar between the clients but if anything, it created a sense of security for all women. I didn’t realize how many people felt so insecure about their looks when attending places like this. It definitely opened my eyes up to the bigger picture.

“Do you need to warm up for longer or are you ready to hit the weights yet?” I pulled the red cord off the treadmill, making Jace’s machine come to a slow and steady standstill. “It just seems like someone takes this in small strides rather than show a certain someone…” I winked at Jace, cocking my head for him to take a look at the busty brunette manager showing a guy in the corner how to get the maximum weights lifted correctly using the bar. “She’s giving a demonstration, man.”

Jace grabbed his towel and stepped off the machine, wiping his brow before chugging back some of the water in his bottle as he leant against the machine, admiring the way that Chelsea evenly spaced out her grip and stance before bending her knees to help take the weight. I couldn’t hide the smirk I felt curling up against the corner of my mouth as I watched Jace practically drooling over Chelsea.

“Come on, man.” I smacked the back of his shoulders. “Don’t you think it’s time you made a move? You’ve been coming here for six weeks now and you’ve barely said a word to her.”

I watched Jace’s head shake from side to side in fear before he instantly stopped and pointed over to the stand in the corner that Chelsea was making her way towards.

“I don’t just come here for her, you prick. I came here to build up our business. Don’t you ever wonder where I get my contacts from?” Jace admitted, nodding at the two men laying out the ropes on the mats. “Those two have already signed for us both. They are just waiting for us to leave Brendan behind.” He pointed to the guy on the cross trainer. “That guy is going to be opening up three bars.”

“You’ve proved your point, man,” I said, nodding at the realization of Jace’s words. “You’re indispensable to the team.”

“Just the same as you with your designs. Now I’m trying to bag a big contract.” Jace smiled as he made his way over to Chelsea and turned on the whole charm. “Are you still looking for participants in the bikeathon, Chelsea? My brother and I are always looking to support other businesses.”

The motherfucker!

“Or sponsors even?” I tried to drive the direction of the conversation away from having to actually join the damn event. Who even suggests doing a 10km bike ride without asking the person first? My brother, that’s who. This had better be worth it! “I’m sure I can sort my diary out.”

“Now how can I refuse an offer like that?” Chelsea smiled sweetly, winking at me as I faked a grin back and vowed that Jace would end up with payback for this. “I’ll take all the help I can get.”

I hated the fact that this seemed like fate telling me to stop fucking around in life with what my heart thought it wanted and take my chance with a woman who had showed an interest in me. There was only one problem: I didn’t like following the grain of others and I wasn’t about to start anytime soon.

CHAPTER EIGHT

WALKER

It had been a few days since Sebastian had decided that fleeing in the middle of the night was the right way to finish a perfect night. I wished he hadn’t but clearly, my opinion didn’t count. I understood his reasoning and if I’d been in the same position as he was, I think I most likely would have done the same. I didn’t even know his last name which made wanking off that much more erotic when I forced each syllable of his name off my tongue in the shower: Sebastian. He’d never be a Seb to me. I loved the way his name flowed so effortlessly from my lips; just like my hot semen had down the drain seconds earlier.

I had given Dee the last few days off. I knew that after having to put up with Sarah—even for that short period of time at the event—and after dismissing her so quickly, she would have had Will on her back for disrespecting her, especially after her having to ask for his help. I hated that I’d caused her problems and I wished that she had spoken to me about her plans first but she assured me that a lunch with her parents was actually not the worst thing Will could have demanded of her. I couldn’t help the guilt I felt inside, though—it was just me. I hated being the cause of any turmoil that could’ve been avoided but if it hadn’t happened, then I would have never met Sebastian.

“Have you missed me the last few days?” Dee chirped as she walked in with a swagger. She’d tied her hair up in tight space buns and she had a bright green, fluorescent lick of eyeliner on that I bet would illuminate when the lights changed and the place became a bit more rowdy further into the night. The bright tie dye crop top and cargo pants were a stark contrast to the sexy dress she’d worn just a few nights earlier and I couldn’t help doing a double-take at her. It was a pity I wasn’t that way inclined because I wasn’t ashamed to admit that the grunge look looked hot on her. “Because I bloody missed the gossip. You still haven’t told me about that hot shot guy.”

“I like what you did there,” I joked, throwing my head back as she pointed to the sign. “I’m more intrigued about the look. Please say you didn’t plan this to give someone a coronary?”

“Well, hold that thought.” She giggled to herself before heading behind the bar and stashing her bag in the staff cloakroom, completely perplexed that I was just waiting to hear what the hell had happened. It was like time wasn’t an issue for her as I tapped my fingers on the bar and rolled my eyes before she tutted at me in response. “I wasn’t letting Will have everything his own way with lunch. The princess parading in perfect attire is definitely not my style anymore. A dress style wasn’t mentioned to me, so I thought let’s go completely out there. I think our parents needed a stark reminder that they haven’t worn me down and they’ll have a hard job trying to get me to bend to their ways again. I don’t think anyone was amused when I was instructed to leave eight minutes after arrival.”

“Result, but I bet Will and his darling Sarah will have something to say about it.” I shuddered as I thought of the sharp-witted tongues that the pair of them had. I clocked the time and began to quickly refill the napkins, stirrers and straws before it came time for the doors to open. “I bet Mummy and Daddy were annoyed, too.”

“Always are but I have my life now and whether they like it or not, I’m standing on my own two feet and I’m not doing as they want. They’ll never manage to force me to marry again and line their pockets like they desire to. I’ll only marry for my own heart and for the love of another.”

I nodded at Dee’s control and demeanor for the way she’d acted. She hadn’t gone in looking for an argument or fight. In reality, she just wanted acceptance and to be able to have the choice to choose and marry for love and not for financial gain like they had expected. The sooner they accepted that Dee would rather be penniless without family ties than accept their conditions, the better. It just showed how strong-willed she was. I’d never let her get to that stage though. She was my best friend and I’d give her my last dollar if it meant she was happy, rather than have to crawl back and act the perfect woman for them assholes.

“Ready for hopefully a good night?” I flicked the neon sign above the bar, lighting up the bar name in bright pink lettering and smiled. “Let’s have a wild night.”

“I’m all for that. Plus, it gives me time to quiz you more about Mr. Hot Shot,” she purred.

I groaned, knowing how much a stickler Dee was for the gossip. “Later,” I said as I headed towards the doors and unlocked them, opening them wide. “We’ll talk after.”

“Come on, give me something to keep me going?” she pleaded, phrasing it as a question. She fluttered her eyelashes as I took a glance at the non-existent queue outside and sighed before propping the door open.

“Fine,” I sighed, heading back toward her. “His name’s Sebastian and even though he never told me, he definitely works out, if you catch my drift.”

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