Page 97 of No One Wants That (Blitzen Bay)

Raine looks at Alex. “Did you know they were coming? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I knew as of a few hours ago,” Alex says. “But I was sworn to secrecy.”

Seb looks around at us. “Are these our new business partners?”

“Yep,” Alex says. “I think you know almost everyone. You met Millie and Mason at our game in San Diego. And that’s Kit. This is Seb Miller and his wife, Sophie.”

“What’s up, Seb?” Mason walks over to shake his hand. “You had a nice All-Star game. We watched it the other night.”

“Thanks. It’s not much of a game,” Seb says. “More a show for the fans, but it’s always a good time. Do you have a beer for me?”

Mason grabs one out of the cooler and tosses it to him. “Did you say something about business partners?”

“Yeah,” Seb says, patting Sam’s back. “Sophie and I bought Blitzen Bay from Sam. As part of the deal, he insisted that we give five percent ownership to eight other people, so I guess, we own sixty percent of the town and the rest of you own five percent each.”

“What are you talking about?” Butch asks.

“Butch, I know you’re not that slow,” Seb says. “I think I laid it out pretty clearly. Soph, what do you want to drink?”

“Um,” she says, looking at Millie. “Is that a martini?”

“Yep,” Millie says, pulling out her mixing supplies. “Do you want yours dirty?”

“Just straight up would great.” Sophie sits next to Millie. “How’s Mo? He was so cute when you brought him to the game. He had my ovaries exploding even harder than they already were.”

“Yeah,” Seb says, laughing. “I’m having a hard time holding her to our agreement to wait another year. And it’s totally Mo’s fault.”

“What the fuck!” Raine yells. “Why are you two acting like everything’s completely normal? Did you really buy Blitzen Bay?”

Seb jerks his head over to look at her. “Damn, Raine. That’s seriously the loudest I’ve ever heard you. I didn’t even know you had that level in your voice.”

“Answer the question,” Raine says.

“Yes, Raine,” Seb says, taking a long drink of his beer. “We bought Blitzen Bay and you’re a co-owner. You all are. Alex called me and told me about Sam’s problem. We were just finishing up the All-Star stuff in L.A., so we drove up here to see the town.”

“And you bought it?” Raine asks. “Just like that?”

Seb shrugs. “We were looking for somewhere in the mountains to chill out with our family in the summer after I quit playing. Alex said Blitzen Bay was cool so we bought it. Settle down. It’s not a big deal.”

“You own a town,” Raine says. “How is that not a big deal?”

“We own a town,” Sophie says, looking around the patio. “All of your names are in the contract.”

“So,” Raine says, her forehead wrinkling up, “if we all own five percent and you paid around ten million, you basically gave each of us five hundred thousand dollars.”

“Only technically,” Seb says. “There’s a clause in the contract that no one can sell their portion unless all of the owners agree to sell. And I’m guessing by the look of this group that we’re never going to be able to even agree on simple things, much less selling a whole town, so it looks like we’re stuck together for a while.”

“Huh,” Butch says, stroking his beard. “I’m having a little trouble wrapping my mind around this idea. What exactly does it mean to own a town? Do we have to do anything?”

“Not a thing,” Seb says. “Sam’s still in charge until he doesn’t want to be anymore then he’s passing the management of the town off to Nash and Elle.”

“We’ll take good care of your town, Sam,” Elle says. “We all will.”

“I know you will.” Sam grins as he pulls Elle in for a hug. “I’m happier than I’ve been in years.”

As everyone circles around Sam, the gate flings open and Gabi sprints across the patio. She slams into Seb’s chest and wraps her arms around his waist.

Seb looks around at us. “Anyone have a good explanation for this?”

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