Page 145 of Cheap Shot

“Ugh.” Luke dragged a hand through his hair. “I fucking hate that I even have to. Not that I want him to have to stay hidden or any of that shit. I just … I don’t fuckin’ want it to be a bigthing, you know?”

“You could do what Graham and I did,” Thad offered with a little smirk. “Fuck around in the bathroom here and get caught by your brother/boss and have the whole fucking team find out too.”

Luke shuddered. “No fuckin’ thank you.”

“So just show up with your guy at a team event then,” Thad said with a laugh. “And refuse to answer any questions about it. Act like they’re the weird ones for being surprised.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Luke said with a laugh. “I just might.”

“Do it,” Thad said with a sly grin. “Just promise you’ll give me a heads-up so I can record Tanner’s reaction. He is going to lose hisshit.”

Luke snorted. Thad wasn’t wrong about that.

“Hey, I’m gonna get a water before we start playing,” Luke said, leaning his cue against the wall. “You want anything?”

“Yeah, a water sounds good. Thanks.”

“Sure. Back in a minute.”

Liam was busy helping someone at the far end of the bar, so Luke pulled his phone out while he waited.

He tapped out a message to Sebastian.I’m gonna be free in about an hour. Do you want to do something tonight?

A few moments later he got a message back saying.Honestly? No. I’m wiped out. We were slammed today and I’m exhausted. All I want to do is put my feet up and listen to records while I eat shitty mac n’ cheese. Alone.

Luke smiled. It hadn’t been a test, but if it had been, Sebastian would have passed with flying colors. He sent back,I get it. Enjoy.

Thanks for understanding,Sebastian texted.Maybe we can do something tomorrow though?

Sounds perfect,Luke replied.

And it really was. Right there wasexactlywhy Luke thought that maybe this could work with Sebastian.

“What can I get ya?” Liam asked.

Luke glanced up. “Two waters, please.”

“On it.”

When Liam plunked two waters down in front of him, Luke pulled out his wallet. “Gonna close out my tab.”

“Sure thing.” As Liam rang him up, he absently rubbed his lower back, digging his knuckles into his spine.

“You alright there?” Luke asked.

Liam glanced up. “Ahh, just getting old. I have a bad back.”

“I feel that,” Luke said with a huff. “I’m gonna need a complete fucking rehaul when I retire.”

Liam nodded in solidarity. “I thought I was close to retirement myself, but it turns out my nephew got himself a wife and child in Chicago and he’s happy there. He isn’t gonna be taking over O’Neill’s like we talked about a few years ago.”

“Ahh shit,” Luke said. “You thinking of selling this place then?”

Liam sighed. “I’d have liked the pub to go to someone in the family, but it doesn’t look like anyone’s interested. I’ll just keep going along until I can’t anymore. I’ll worry about it when the time comes.”

Nodding, Luke wondered if Liam would be interested in selling tohimwhen that time came. He glanced over to see Thad waiting for him and decided to save asking Liam that for another day. Besides, Luke needed to know what was going to happen with his contract before he made any serious offer.

“Best of luck to you,” Luke said, lifting one of the water glasses in a toast.