Page 11 of The Hot Shot

“Oh fuck, I already knew he had a sexy name. Not fair.” She winked, turning the music on hoping to coax some passers-by off the street to take a chance and to step inside. “But that suit he wore sort of gave me the indication he’d have a fine body too and the fact that I saw him the other day walking out of Power Zone.”

“You saw him?” I tried to hide the shock in my voice at knowing one of the hang-outs I could maybe catch the guy at. “Well, I can confirm it’s certainly fine,” I teased before a group of four girls headed in through the door and straight toward the bar. “What can I get you ladies?”

I diverted my attention to the group that had entered, giving them my well renowned charm while knowing that the snippet I’d just given Dee had revealed where indeed my night had gone with Sebastian. It wasn’t like she was going to blurt my sexual conquests from the rooftops. It was a one-time thing between us, even though I’d have happily taken more if it was available. The connection was undeniable and the sex, well… I couldn’t compare it. It was so intense that I was shocked I didn’t instantly combust from his touch. It didn’t mean I wasn’t tempted to head to the gym that had recently opened and sign up, just to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive man and see his reaction to my presence. I wonder if he’d cower and hide, pretend he didn’t know me or try and grab my attention discreetly without anyone noticing, preferably late at night in the showers. All I needed was five minutes alone with him to jolt his memory into how good I could make him feel.

Dee was discreet though; a true friend and for some reason, I knew deep down she’d be there to talk to and support me as my gut screamed my night with Sebastian wouldn’t be that easy to move on from. He’d made an impression; one that had fully opened my eyes to something that wasn’t even available to me. Fuck!

* * *

“Walker, your phone has been calling non-stop. Are you going to answer it?” Dee shouted above the noise of the music in the bar as she came back into the bar, waving the damn thing in my face. “It may be important.” She raised her brow as I shrugged my shoulders, taking it from her outstretched hand.

The only people who had my number were the guys from the band and Dee and their numbers were programmed into the damn thing. I was perplexed at who would be calling me just after midnight in the middle of the week, especially as the number wasn’t one that I recognized.

“Hello,” I answered, covering my other ear with my hand to try and drown out the noise surrounding me. I nodded at Dee and headed out to the back room to hear the person on the line who was mumbling away. “Give me one second. I can’t hear a word you’re saying. I’m at work.”

“Walker, it’s Hardin from North Avenue Live.” I felt my jaw hang low at the revelation of who was on the other line of the phone. I’d been an admirer for so long of Hardin and his establishments. He’d somehow, even through a recession, had managed to excel in making his businesses succeed and stand out from the crowd by having a unique selling point—local up and coming live acts performing to an exclusive sell-out crowd—normally high strung business folk who’d had enough after a busy week in the office. The man of the hour Brendan Rightside of Asquire Marketing & Advertising gave him the catapult he needed and ever since he’d flown with multiple businesses now popping up around the country. I didn’t want multiple bars though. I wanted to excel at just one. I wasn’t greedy. I just wanted The Hot Shot to succeed. “You’re a hard guy to get hold of. I nearly ended up coming down to that bar of yours that you’ve just opened. I was getting that desperate to get hold of you.”

“You should have come down,” I offered, trying to not force the issue. I knew that if someone got word of Hardin Poltin being in my bar, that it could ignite a wildfire of people checking out the place. “Why would you want to get hold of me?” I asked nonchalantly, trying to hide the fact that speaking to this guy had no effect on me. I wasn’t sure if it was working but I hoped it was.

“I need a favor,” he said bluntly as I coughed loudly, choking on his words.

“From me?” I uttered once I found my voice. “How the hell could I help you out? Unless it’s a supplier issue and you’ve heard of our…”

“Walker, stop and take a breath.” Hardin laughed loudly. He stopped and barked an order out to someone who had come and interrupted him, making him not seem all that pleased at the disruption by the tone he invoked. “I’ve been hearing you sing and have a good voice. I need you to bring that band of yours and provide a show for me Friday night at my place.”

“At North Avenue Live?” I laughed, so loudly that I felt my sides may split as tears fell down my face. “Go on. Who put you up to this? Kye wouldn’t have the guts because he’s too timid to even walk past your place. Remmy? Well, he’s a cocky motherfucker but to approach you… I don’t think he’d have the balls.”

“No one approached me, Walker. I heard you at Jumbugs last month at the free for all event,” he admitted. “You had a smooth voice and I wanted to watch you a bit longer before approaching you but…” He winced, letting out a sigh. “Truthfully, my act that’s meant to perform has laryngitis and I promised a local band to my high-flyers. I’m sold out.”

“So, you needed someone fast,” I said, pushing him further, wanting more information. I was intrigued knowing that there were plenty of acts he could’ve picked from within in the area. “But why me?”

“Because I’d heard of your current struggles…”

“And you thought that maybe it would be a stepping-stone to increasing business?” I dropped my head, allowing the anger to placate through me. “Isn’t that shooting yourself in the foot, though?”

I felt the phone get ripped from my hand as Dee’s eyes widened in concern as she hit the speaker button, allowing Hardin’s voice to echo around the small space.

“Ignore Walker, he was just concerned about cover for the place. He’ll be there Friday. Just send him a message with the time you need him to be there,” Dee confirmed as Hardin remained silent. “I’ll assure it for you.”

“If you’re sure it’s no bother,” Hardin replied. “I’d rather it be someone I can help than just somebody who’s already found there footing in the door. I honestly just want to give a little back to someone who’d appreciate the gesture.”

“And he’s grateful,” Dee said, baring her gaze at me. She mouthed for me to say something—anything to agree with her. I don’t know what the hell she was playing at but I felt like I was being pushed into something here. I didn’t even know if the guys could make it.

“Dee’s right,” I said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity. I’ll see you Friday.” I made sure to force a cherry tone out before finishing the call and daring daggers at Dee.

“What are you doing?” I stormed back to the bar, noticing her hot on my heel. Thankfully Selia wasn’t busy and she was coping with the few people at the bar alone. “I didn’t need your help. How did you know what was going on anyway?”

“I came looking for you and overheard your side of the conversation,” she seethed back, placing her hands on her hips. “It wasn’t hard to put two and two together. Hardin Poltin has been one of the guys you’ve never stopped talking about. So yes, I was saving your back before you made a huge mistake.” I opened my mouth but shut it immediately, not daring to say a word. Dee wasn’t happy at all as she fumed at me. “Do you want to fail before you’ve even started? Hardin could easily break you or make you with one word, you fool!” she shouted at me, making two people at the bar turn around and face us.

“Keep your voice down,” I said slowly, ensuring to keep my temper in check.

“Sorry but you want this place to be something. You deserve this. Now stop panicking about how it happens and why and instead, go and call Kye and Remmy because you’ll need them on Friday. I’ll deal with Selia for cover.” Dee darted her gaze at me as I swallowed harshly, contemplating her words.

Whether I liked it or not, she was right. It was rare that Dee was wrong, to be honest. I just had to get my band members up to speed and tell them in not so many words that we have a big ass gig on Friday and that we’d need to bring the house down—no matter what.

CHAPTER NINE

SEBASTIAN

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