The Hot Shot: The North Avenue Live Guys

By Sophia Nixs

Sebastian

I wanted to be the best; that was always the goal, and getting out from under my tyrant of a boss and setting up a business with my brother was the way I achieved that.
But, in order to maintain the advantage, I have to network. Unfortunately, these events are less than the social highlight I imagined them to be but, when I ditch the expected fiery redheaded woman for a night of passion with someone completely unexpected, sparks fly.
It's a one-off, or that's what I tell myself.
An indulgence I can't be allowed if I want to succeed. And I do. I will.

Walker

I'm struggling. That's how these things always start, right?
Things are hard and someone rushes in to my rescue and magically fixes every problem I've ever had with nothing more than a click of their fingers. Unfortunately, I live in the real world where you have to fix problems yourself, which is how I found myself signing a contract with one of the most renowned advertising companies in the area.
What I wasn't expecting, was the man I had a one-night stand with to be my new manager, and it's more than clear the rest of the world doesn't know what I do about him.

There are more than hearts on the line in this whirlwind romance. Will Sebastian give in to his indulgence and fight for his man? Or will Walker's dreams crumble alongside the love he thought he had?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sophia Nixs
• Release date: Aug 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223508533

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Sebastian

I should have given a shit, that I’d rocked up to work ten minutes late. My shirt was half tucked into my pants with the corner hanging out all crinkled. I’m sure that I was a sight for sore eyes, with the dark baggy circles under my eyes. It made me wish that I was a female at times—concealer was a thing of pure genius—and my dark brown hair was slightly messed up as I’d not applied the extra hold gel to hold my flick of hair at the front in place. I was lucky I could get away with blue murder in this place the majority of the time. Every boss had their limits though and I’m certain I was testing them to the limits today.

I wanted to push those buttons of his without actually making him snap. I know that I should be abiding by the expectations of the company—what with being a VP and all—but sometimes life got in the way and the immaculate specimen of a man that I showed daily was long gone. I was fed up with being taken for a ride.

Asquire Marketing & Advertising was a well-known firm that does exactly what its name implies; we support businesses in the steps to becoming successful with the best guidance plans to hit the big time. In my position though, friends were few and far between, with the only person who took the time to speak and spend time with me being my younger brother Jace. I could see why though when my boss was Brendan Rightside. He was harsh, uptight and a complete control freak when business was involved.

I’d worked my ass off to get to where I was today, and my comeuppance was having to answer to this prick. I was just waiting for the big break to happen so I could finally start out alone and show everyone that I had exactly what it took to compete and squash the likes of my uptight asshole of a boss and give him a run for his money.

I made sure I had invested in my future, and I had taken shares out to cover myself. After all my hard graft, I wanted stability for myself and for the life I deserved and if that meant destroying the competition in the process, I would enjoy every second.

I straightened myself up just as the man himself made his presence known.

And he finally arrives. Brendan Rightside’s drawled tone hit my ears the moment I entered my office. I mean, the audacity to not complete a full working day was one thing but rocking in like you’ve just left a woman’s bed is another thing completely.

Brendan Rightside was a harsh motherfucker who couldn’t give a shit that I had earned my place in this room by working my way up the ladder. The only thing that kept his heart pumping at a steady rate was the dollar signs that hit his bank account in line with his heartbeat. It was also the only way I had managed to secure Jace and I the early finish tonight. It was technically a work soirée function or in Brendan’s eyes, a chance to grow his money pile to wipe his ass with. That’s how I’d wormed my way around today.

The date had been circled in bright red ink on the calendar in the diary for the last seven weeks after having to rearrange it twice. Brendan didn’t care for these events; they were his idea of hell because he thought that our name should speak for itself. I didn’t agree. The face of a person speaks volumes about the intentions of a company and that’s why I pushed and pushed, before I finally broke down the wall, he had built around him regarding the importance of interacting in a social gathering with others. There was one condition; I secured at least one new client tonight.

I knew it was a test of my accolade. I was hoping for more than just the one though. I had my eyes set on securing my future.

Brendan. Always a pleasure. I checked my watch before flicking my gaze back to him and walked straight past him to the opposite side of my desk. With my briefcase placed on the mahogany desk, I ignored him as I ran my hand over the quality workmanship of the creased leather exterior before raising my brow and leaned over my desk. I flattened my palms on the smooth surface as his jaw ticked. Something the matter? I asked, noticing his furrowed brow and pointed glare whilst his knee bounced up and down. It was almost like he was training for an Olympic medal.

I knew I was riling him up as I watched and waited, counting down the seconds in my head for the immediate explosion of words that were about to barrel out of Brendan’s mouth. He hated being pushed—not being in control of the decisions—especially when it involved money and deals, but I couldn’t help it. He was a grade A prick and I saw him for who he really was.

Sebastian. He paused for a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose while he gathered his composure as I mentally high-fived myself. The fucker was using his therapy techniques as he blew out a long breath, making me smile with glee. I know we agreed tonight was important, but you can’t turn up like this. I mean, look at you. He took in my appearance and shook his head from left to right, tutting as he went. How can I trust that you’ll even manage to secure the one agreed client, let alone line up any others?

You can’t, I answered honestly. Are you willing to take the chance in causing an uproar when the charity finds out that their main sponsor has pulled out from the event? I quirked my head to the side as I leant back and folded my arms across my chest. I wasn’t backing down on this. Jace and I deserved this chance to prove ourselves. At thirty-one years old it was now or never. I promise I won’t go looking like this. I just had a slight mishap this morning.

I don’t want to hear about your escapades, he grumbled. You’ll dress to impress and uphold the name, Brendan stated. It was as if he was commanding me. After all, you don’t want to lose everything here.

And there it was. The control Brendan Rightside desired and thought he could remove in a click of his fingers. How wrong was he?

I understand. Now, if you’ll excuse me… I pointed at my watch, making Brendan notice the time. I had better ensure everything is prepped and ready before my clients begin to arrive.

Of course. Remember to push hard and create the best outline to suit, not just for the client but for us too or…

They’ll fuck you over and bleed you dry, I finished for him. I knew that it was the motto that had been ingrained into each of our souls the moment we took our first steps inside the damn building. Too many marketing firms thought solely about the client’s wishes and often forgot about the people it took to get there. We are the building blocks to create their vision and we deserve to be recognized too. But as you can see, I do have things I need to do. I’m sure you have, as well. I threw the implication of work in his face, knowing that indeed he hated knowing I was right.

I know you love to joke around but remember, this is your livelihood at stake. Your future. One day I’ll retire and then you’ll be in charge. He stood up and grimaced, running his fingers over the battered suitcase on the table. You need these connections to survive and form a future for years to come with the firm. Growth is important in this world. I nodded, trying to drown out the noise. Unfortunately for us, life can’t just be one big game; it’s fucking hard work. It’s something that if I don’t force you to see, then no one will.

I get it. You want us to have the stability to build a family; a life that easily falls into place, I finished. I walked over to my office door and opened it for him, hoping he’d finally got the picture that I’d had enough, and that this conversation was over with.

I want you to have it all. The wife and career. Not a choice, Brendan breathed out in frustration in the hope that I’d finally allow his words to settle within me. He had lost the person he cared for to continue this business he craved. They never would though because that’s not what I wanted, and I knew the world I worked in would never accept who I really was. I was the guy who never wanted the woman, but a man.

So, for now, I’d stay firmly hidden in the closet, be the ever-doting employee and play by the rules—most of the time—focusing at least on being the best in my career. The rest could be forgotten for now.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Are you nearly ready? Jace sauntered into the room, throwing his pile of papers into the tray for my secretary to deal with later. I’ve had enough, and I just want to get out of here. He paused for a moment. Like now.

You’ve been busy. I slapped his shoulder before heading around to perch over his shoulder to see what had grabbed his attention. What have you spotted?

Nothing, Jace told me in a clipped tone, making me chuckle as I waited for the answer to come. He always did hate being pushed. How are you going to guarantee a new client tonight?

I looked at the list that had caught his eye and saw that all the attending firms and owners of tonight’s bar were marked with the order of probability of signing with us or turning to a rival suitor.

I have my ways, I admitted before Jace turned to face me. I never said it was going to be easy.

You know that I’ve got your back and I’ll help however I can, Jace uttered, clasping my shoulder. You’ll live that dream, man. All of it.

Don’t I know it, I replied. You always have.

That’s what brothers are for. We always have each other’s backs.

I hope no truer words could be spoken.

Absolutely, I said, grabbing my briefcase and ushering Jace to step outside the door.

I walked straight past everyone still busy working away and toward the lift as Brendan stood, tapping his foot and watching the pair of us leave, scowling without a word to say. I still can’t believe the motherfucker hasn’t decided to come along tonight. I mean he may not agree with the idea, but I was sure he could see the benefit. It’s like he just wanted a constant conveyor belt running of new work without having to do any of the work to get it there. It didn’t matter, just as long as I continued being the brains in his career-driven empire and keep bringing him the cash to line his pockets with, nothing else mattered. He really was a piece of work.

See you Monday, I said, cocking my head to the side as the doors shut. I’ll give you my report on tonight then, I shouted. As the doors closed too, I was unable to resist flipping him the bird, making Jace bark out with laughter.

I knew he’d be cursing and questioning my motives and plans on how I was going to achieve the impossible, but I wasn’t known for my negotiation skills for nothing. I would ensure that these clients wanted my name and not the association with Brendan Rightside.

Let’s go and get ready, shall we? Jace scuffed my hair with a rough pass through of his fingers. Because I’m hoping in the near future, we won’t be having to deal with that dickhead for much longer. I’ll have a new and more understanding boss.

I can’t wait until the day I give in my notice and tell him to fuck himself. I gleamed at Jace as we called a taxi to my place. It’s going to make my year.

Oh, that won’t be the moment that makes your year. The minute you secure that client tonight, that’s what is going to make your year, Jace said as I nodded at his words.

Very true, little bro, I said. Very true.

I just had to put the actions into processes now and prove that I could do it.

CHAPTER 2

Walker

Hot Shot.

It doesn’t sound like much of anything, but it was my baby, my creation and I’d worked damn hard to get the doors open to this place. I’d scrimped and saved to find the revenue to put down the deposit on the building; it was located in Manhattan. Location was key, after all. It was how I came up with the completely unoriginal name but to me it stood for more. I wanted my bar to be not just any hot spot but the hot shot around the area. I wanted it to be the bar that stood out from the crowd in the midst of an array of others, as they all fought for the same opportunity. I wanted the recognition and praise for achieving my dreams. I didn’t want to end up being the one that closes the doors for the final time in twelve months—broke and penniless—with a failed dream and broken heart. That’s what would be happening though if something didn’t change and soon.

I had exactly ten months, three weeks and two days left before I needed to renew my yearly lease and that was the time, I would set for myself to make a difference. I wasn’t expecting to become the next bar with a line around the block for entry overnight, but I needed to be busy. I needed customers to fill the floor all night long and not just have the odd straggler propped up at the bar enjoying the happy hour promotion and buying an extra three rounds five minutes before closing, just to get the most out of their money.

I needed help and now.

Walker, looking at those figures isn’t going to magically make zeros appear on them, you know, Dee joked, slapping me on the shoulder to get my attention. I turned around on my chair and saw the thick, highly engraved invitation that she was holding in between her fingers at me. You need guidance and I think this could be the answer.

I couldn’t help but reach out to my pain in the ass and best friend’s hand for the invitation between her fingers before she pulled it behind her back and stuck out her tongue at me.

If you want it, you can come and get it—once you have put the ledgers away. Trust me, hours of staring is just going to pull you into an even more depressed state, Dee stated before backing it up with a gleam in her eye. I’ll even give you a clue. I pulled a favor in to get you an opening here tonight, so you had better be grateful.

What? I said I could do this myself. I turned back around and dropped my head down to rest on my books, knowing that Dee was right. I knew where she’d gone—the one person she despised so much—but I also knew that she would have the connections that I needed. I was scared when I tried to guess what Dee would’ve had to barter with the devil to gain her help. Nothing ever is free with her. I hated the fact that she’d gone crawling to her brother Will’s girlfriend, especially when the two of them despised each other.

Dee was a bubbly, outgoing girl who loved to support her nearest and dearest, as long as they remained loyal. If you dug a knife in her back, then she’d sever ties and make sure you knew all about it. That’s what Sarah did.

She was Will’s girlfriend, and she caused a ripple in the family dynamic so bad that getting everyone in the same room together would end up in a bloodbath—literally. Nothing mattered as long as she had her perfect, business executive boyfriend on her arm and the expensive cars and money to spend so frivolously.

You shouldn’t have gone to Sarah, I admonished.

Dee dropped her gaze, and her red fiery locks covered her face to avoid me. I stood up, lifted her chin and pulled her into my arms for a hug, not wanting her to think I was cross with her. I needed her to see that everything would be fine. I just wanted to protect her heart from any more heartache. Once she let them back into her life fully, it would be a struggle to escape them. They’d firmly fix their claws in and take everything that they could from her, just like before. I couldn’t let her become the exhausted shell of a person she was before, being at Sarah’s beck and call for every whim again. I’d rather close the doors to Hot Shot now than let that happen.

I just saw an opportunity when she mentioned a charity event tonight for businesses and I grabbed it. Dee pulled away and tucked her hair back behind her ears. "I agreed to attend