Feisty Red (Three Chicks Brewery #2) - Stacey Kennedy Page 0,22
the bakery for the week ahead on the way home. By the time she got back to the brewery, the parking lot had a couple of extra vehicles and one white van as well as Maisie’s car.
Clara parked in her usual spot near the house. She quickly took the bagels inside to the kitchen before heading to the barn. The moment she got close, she heard Sullivan’s smooth voice. Another few steps, and she realized why—a news crew was interviewing him.
Maisie stood a few feet away, so Clara hurried to her side. “What is this?” she asked when she reached Maisie.
Her younger sister smirked. “All Sullivan’s idea. He called Hayes late last night and asked if he could get a T-shirt and baseball hat with our logo on it. Then twenty minutes ago, Amelia called me and told me he’d shown up with reporters.”
Clara followed Maisie’s gaze to find Amelia talking to a male reporter, who stood next to Sullivan. Her breath quickened. He’d always looked good in worn blue jeans and a T-shirt, but the black T-shirt and baseball hat both had a Three Chicks Brewery logo. He looked hot as he spoke to a female reporter and said into the microphone, “It’s all very simple. I needed a break, and I’m taking that break at home. I have no intention of making the mistakes I’ve made in the past again. When my suspension is over, I’ll be back and ready to play harder than ever.”
“Anything you want to say to your fans?” the reporter asked.
Sullivan paused, his gaze meeting Clara’s for a moment before he looked directly into the camera. “I’m sorry for my disappointing behavior. While I’m human and make mistakes, I’ll do better going forward.”
The interview ended with a few more questions, but Clara couldn’t take her eyes off Sullivan. She didn’t really know this man. Confident, determined, and centered—he’d been a twenty-one-year old kid when he left, and a total mess too.
Breaking into the silence, Maisie said, “All right, I’ve got to get to the studio, but see you tonight for dinner. Thank Sullivan for me. This was amazing exposure for us.”
Clara still couldn’t look away from Sullivan as his gaze fixed on her too. “Yeah, okay, bye,” she said, without looking Maisie’s way.
She swore she heard Maisie’s laughter, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away as Sullivan said his goodbyes to the news crew and made his way over. “What is happening?” she asked, trying to understand.
He lifted one shoulder. “My agent called and asked to set up an interview, since the press has been on me. I figured getting the brewery some free press would only benefit you. Have I overstepped?”
“Um, no,” she said, finally finding her senses. “This was…Sullivan, you didn’t have to do this for us.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “I know, but I wanted to.”
“Well…thank you,” she said, and the business part of her mind was smiling from ear to ear. Sullivan was famous. Companies paid him hundreds of thousands of dollars to wear their brands. And he’d done this for free. The extra exposure could also help her negotiate better contract terms with the distributors. “I mean it, thank you. You were right; this will definitely benefit us.”
“Good.” A warm, infectious smile crossed his face. “I’m happy to do it.”
With the news crew packing up, Amelia approached. “Okay, that was just cool. Again, Sullivan, thank you.”
“Anytime,” he said as if this meant nothing. “Whatever I can do to help with this new venture, just ask.”
Amelia gave Clara a quick look that she couldn’t quite read before she addressed Sullivan again. “Listen, tonight we’re grilling up some steaks for dinner. Hayes and Maisie are coming. Would you like to come too?”
His gaze swept to Clara, uncertainty in his expression.
Her mind stuttered for a moment. Every instinct inside her told her to say no. But, after what he’d done today and said last night, it was clear he was trying to do the right thing. And what better way to casually meet Mason than surrounded by all the people who loved him and would protect him as much as Clara would. “Yes, of course, you’re more than welcome. Nothing better than saying thank you with a big steak.”
“Okay, yeah,” he said, but hesitation showed on his face.
Clara understood. “Bring a baseball glove, all right? Mason already told me he hoped you’d play some ball with him.”
“All right.” He gave a soft smile. “I’ll bring