Page 36 of The Hot Shot

“He’s right. Whatever it is, it’ll be fine,” Jace replied sincerely. “Just start at the beginning. That’s always the best place to start.”

“Well, all my life we’ve been close,” I began as Jace nodded. “We played pranks and games together and shared our secrets until I realized I had one that I couldn’t share.” I felt the tears begin to gather behind my eyes as I blew out a breath, glad that Walker was by my side to lean on. I didn’t realize how emotional this would be and if in the process I would lose the little brother who had always doted on me, I would be broken. “It wasn’t because I didn’t want to share it with you. I just didn’t know how to form the correct words. I always thought of myself as the strong family man but then I realized that my perception on what I wanted had changed…”

“It could never change anything between us, Sebastian. You’re my big brother and I’m not going anywhere,” Jace replied, placing his beer bottle down on the table and grabbing hold of my hand. “Sometimes we have to hide things as we don’t know of any other way to cope.”

“You’re right. I buried a part of myself away, scared of what others would think—what you would think? I know now that was wrong. If people can’t deal with that fact, it’s their problem—not mine,” I said with conviction. “I’m sorry I made you believe I wanted a family. I was the guy who dreamed of two children, a wife and the picket fence. The whole nine yards. No though, I have everything I have ever wanted, right here in Walker.” I gulped harshly, watching for any sense of disgust that may appear on Jace’s face. “Walker and I are together. I love him and I’m proud to say that. I’ll never be the guy you’ll see with a woman on his arm, unless I’m just supporting her as a friend. He’s it for me,” I choked out. “I’m sorry I hid that I’m gay from you.”

“Sebastian…” Walker placed his hand on my knee and squeezed it tightly before turning to me. “I know that hasn’t been easy to say. I can leave you two to talk if you’d prefer?”

“No, stay.” Jace stopped Walker as he went to stand. “Please stay. You mean so much to my brother. I’d like to get to know you better too.”

“Thank you.” I nodded at Jace. “That means a lot to the pair of us. But there’s more…”

“Why do you both look so worried?” Jace asked, leaning forward. “I thought that coming out would be the hardest thing to admit.”

“Will Dallington and Sarah Lovedelio…” I began but Jace stopped me, holding his hand up.

“What do those leeches want?” Jace asked. “Why would you telling me about being gay have anything to do with them?”

“Because they’re blackmailing us and threatening to use Sebastian’s sexuality against your business,” Walker said with a note of anger. “They want to destroy you both. They want to destroy our relationship and, in the process, give Brendan Rightside all the glory back.”

“They what?!” Jace stood up and ran his hands through his hair as he began to walk in circles. “Are you taking the piss? They can’t do this.”

“Oh, I know, dear brother and that’s why you’re here now. I want you on the inside. I want you to know everything because I tell you to let them try and do their worst. It won’t work.” I laughed at the irony. “I’ll make them regret even trying.”

“Me too,” Walker uttered, interlocking his hand in mine as he rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand.

“Me three,” Jace replied, turning on his heel. “They’ll regret this. I’ve got your back, always, the pair of you. You can be the man you want to be and no one will ever tell you anything different.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

WALKER

The last few weeks had flown by and I couldn’t quote believe how fast the revamp of the bar had come together in time for the launch. The last few days all hands had been on deck with Dee back behind the bar and a few new members of staff hired in preparation. We had to be ready for all eventualities. I just hoped that all this work paid off as the last thing I needed was for a divide to occur between Sebastian and I over it all.

“Are you all ready?” Jace asked, walking into the bar with Sebastian hot on his heels. “Not nervous, are we?” he teased.

“Nope. How could I be nervous with all the work you two have done?” I smirked, waving my hand around. “The place looks perfect.”

The instant smile he gave me caused butterflies to take flight in my stomach as he stalked straight toward me and kissed me gently on my lips. I didn’t know what to do or how to react to the public display of affection. I mean, hand-holding and finger grazing in front of people had been one thing but actually kissing each other? This was next level and I didn’t realize how much I had wanted this.

“That was unexpected,” I uttered, pulling back and gazing into his eyes.

Jace slapped me on the back of the shoulder. “I already warned the guy you haven’t got time for any of that or to get a room until after the party,” Jace said as he walked off and started checking the set-up of the stage, directing one of the workers to move the speakers. “But does he listen?”

“He’s an angel. Perfect, always,” I shouted back as I kissed him. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“You deserved it and I missed you,” Sebastian uttered, shrugging his shoulders. “Everyone will be arriving in the next twenty minutes or so.”

“You’re nervous, aren’t you?” I asked, seeing the wrinkles appear across his forehead as I cupped my palm around his cheek. The instant slight nod made me shiver as I felt the same way but I knew that I had to remain strong for my guy, especially after everything he has done for the pair of us. “If they show, we’ll deal with it.”

“I… I just don’t want to cause you harm,” Sebastian whispered under his breath, as if he was speaking to himself rather than to me. “I’d never want that and I feel like they have pushed me into a hard place that I can’t escape from.”

“Sebastian, that’s what they always intended to do and you know what? It doesn’t faze me in the slightest. If anything, it has only made the connection between us stronger,” I confirmed. I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and pulled him closer until our foreheads touched. “I’m glad of that because I know they’ll never be able to come between us.”

“You’re right. They can’t,” he admitted as I relished in his strength for the night ahead.

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