Page 37 of The Hot Shot

The moment the doors opened I was on high alert, scanning the crowd whilst trying to be the perfect host, attempting to engage and interact with everyone who greeted me. It wasn’t easy to put on such a façade when all I wanted to do was hide away from the full bar and avoid the risk of confrontation in case they followed through on their threat.

I didn’t have to wait long though for a chill to appear in the air when I took to the stage to welcome everyone for taking time out of their busy schedules to come and support us tonight. I looked around the room, catching the eyes of the people who meant the most to me, smiling back a wide grin. Kellan was standing next to my bandmates Remmy and Kye; he had even gone to the trouble of finding a babysitter just so that he could be here. He caught Hardin’s gaze as he saluted me with a beer. I continued my focus as I scanned the room, seeing Dee serving busily away and chatting to Jace and Chelsea before focusing finally on my man standing to the side. I was so choked up at everyone making the effort for me.

Unfortunately, just as the crowd of people began to part, the sound of clapping began, followed by the tap of a mic.

What the fuck? I looked over at Sebastian and saw him quickly launched himself across the room, taking the steps two by two.

“Oh, isn’t this sweet?” Sarah mocked, surrounded by Brendan on one side and Will on the other. “I thought they may have seen sense but obviously my judgment was wrong.”

“Well, they do like to push boundaries.” Brendan smirked as he approached closer. “Isn’t that right, Sebastian? I just wished I knew how far before. I could have had a lot more fun with you.”

“Go to hell!” I said, making everyone quieten up to watch the show.

Sarah giggled. “Thanks for grabbing everyone’s attention for me.” She glared at me before she made her way up the steps to join us. “I don’t want anyone to miss out on what I have to say.” She dropped the microphone lower so only I could hear her words. “You still have a chance to change your mind.”

I watched as Sebastian grabbed my hand in front of everyone present and the few mumbles and noises of the crowd were drowned out by our friends clapping for us in unison.

“You see, I think it may be that you won’t want to miss what I have to say,” Jace snapped, snatching the microphone out of Sarah’s hand as she stomped her feet in protest. “I wouldn’t if I was you.”

“Give me that back…” she shrieked.

“No. Can I have your attention, please?” Jace tapped the top of the microphone as the room silenced and all eyes focused on my man’s brother. I didn’t know where to look and it seemed that Sebastian though the same. “I’m sorry for the rude interruption but this will only take a moment. Tonight, is a celebration of a new business here but unfortunately, these three here on the stage felt they could come in here and destroy the evening.”

“Throw them out!” Remmy shouted into the air as I fought the need to let out a laugh. Trust my friends to have my back. “I’ll happily do it.”

“Love to see you try.” Will coyly smirked, flipping him the bird in retaliation as Remmy took a step forward. Hardin held his hand up to stop him going any further.

“It’s not worth it. Let the guy speak,” Hardin said sternly before nodding at us all.

“Thanks. Yes, you may see that Sebastian and Walker are together.” He smiled at the two of us. “However, these three think that this is something they can use as ammunition against them to try and destroy a business, a career and a love that exists.”

“That’s not true!” Brendan interrupted.

“Shut it,” I snapped. “You came here with a purpose and now let him talk.”

“Brendan, Sarah and Will thought that you’d all think that by being a high-profiled marketing advertiser meant that you couldn’t be gay. That you had to marry and show off a trophy wife.” He rolled his eyes, taking in Sarah before turning back to the crowd. “It means nothing of the sort. Sexuality doesn’t define if you can do a great job or if you are a better person because of who you date. I’m sure we’re living in an era where it’s acceptable to love who we damn well please without consequence.”

“Absolutely!” Dee agreed.

“He’s right,” Hardin shouted.

“If my brother wanted to be with multiple partners, who are we to judge him? But he’s not! He made his choice; he chose Walker and I’m proud to call him my brother. Now, if you want to leave and stand by a blackmailing trio who want you to pledge all your resources to Asquire Marketing & Advertising, then you know where the door is. I’ll happily get Hardin, Remmy and Kye to escort you out with them right now.” Jace nodded at the guys as Sebastian, and I headed toward his direction. “But if you want to remain, you’ll always have a place here with us to grow and expand with our vision.”

I grabbed the microphone from Jace and turned it off before placing it down by my feet.

“Thank you,” I whispered, pulling Jace into a hug alongside a tearful Sebastian. “You don’t know how much that meant to us both.”

“I do and I know you’d do exactly the same for me, both of you. I’m going to make sure the guys are okay getting rid of the trash and give you both a minute, okay?” Jace said as he headed off in the direction of squealing and high-pitched protests that I was certain were from Sarah’s whining mouth.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” I admitted as I pulled him into my arms. “My gut screamed they would come but I didn’t think they would be so forward.”

“I know but it doesn’t matter because now they are gone. I have you and that’s all I need. If everything else disappeared right now, I’d still be the happiest guy in the world because I have the guy that I love right by my side,” Sebastian replied as he circled his arms around my waist and splayed his fingers across my back.

“Me too, baby. Me too,” I said, running my fingers through his hair until I reached the nape of his neck and directed his mouth to mine. “As long as I have you, that’s all that matters.”

EPILOGUE

SEBASTIAN

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