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Flip thankfully keeps all his clothes on, but unsurprisingly, he ends up causing a bidding war between the woman who bought a night with him last year and one of Scarlet’s castmates. Scarlet’s castmate is the winner by five thousand dollars at the cool price point of seventy-seven thousand.
More hockey players are auctioned off—all of them going for more than thirty thousand each—and then, finally, Hollis is up.
My mouth goes dry as Hemi reads his bio. “Hollis Hendrix, number fifty-five. Hollis loves a night in with his adorable rescue tabbies, Postie and Malone, who shower him with their affection. He’s a fan of action movies but doesn’t mind a good romantic comedy. He makes a mean French toast, and his ideal night out includes a stroll through the city and a romantic dinner at his favorite restaurant overlooking the harbor front. Bidding starts at two thousand for a night with Hollis!”
The worst part about this? The evening I arranged for Hollis is exactly where I would want to go with him. Which, in hindsight, was stupid. I went to that restaurant with him and my dad and some of the team for my nineteenth birthday. What I wouldn’t give to be the one raising a paddle…
My mom was right. It’s hard to love him from a distance. To want him with this wall between us. I’ve been so concerned about my dad, school, and my job application that I didn’t consider the most important part of me. I didn’t think about what lying would do to my heart, or how I would handle tonight without the rationalizing shield of ambition or safety.
My stomach flips as several hands rise in the air. Dallas’s previous winner bids, and then someone else across the room, and finally Scarlet raises her hand. It goes around and around, the number climbing until Scarlet outbids everyone by shouting, “a hundred thousand dollars!” The room falls silent, shock clear on several people’s faces. All I can see is the back of Hollis’s head.
Hemi calls for final bids, but all that follows is a twitter of laughter from Scarlet.
“Going once, going twice, and a night with Hollis Hendrix goes to Scarlet Reed!”
Scarlet pushes out of her chair and smooths her hands over her hips. She’s wearing a sophisticated black dress that highlights her perfect curves. She smiles and waves, cameras clicking and flashing as she crosses the room to meet Hollis at the end of the stage. My chest feels like it’s caving in as she pushes up on her toes to kiss his cheek. And then they pose for photos before he guides her back to her table.
I think I’m about to die.
This is absolutely my worst nightmare. Hemi must sense my panic because she gives the wrap-up speech I was supposed to and thanks everyone for their generous donations. I plaster on a smile, but my entire body feels numb. The lights shining on the stage make it difficult to see the faces of the people in the crowd, but I have a clear view of Hollis and Scarlet sitting at the table to the right of the podium.
Her body is angled toward him, legs crossed, arm threaded through his. She leans in close, so her lips are at his ear. He’s smiling, and to anyone else, it probably looks like he’s genuinely happy to have her attention, but I notice the stiffness in his body language. It doesn’t bring much comfort, though. They have history. Deep history. He planned to propose to her, for fuck’s sake. More than seven years ago. And the first I heard of it was earlier this week. Because it was too painful to talk about.
What if she lures him back in? What if he goes out with her and changes his mind? What if he decides he wants to give her another shot because being with me is too complicated? Seeing them like this—her touching him with causal affection, looking at him like he belongs to her—it’s not difficult to believe it could happen.
And now my mind is really spinning. Even if my dad could get over it and accept us, would everyone else? How would people react if it was me on his arm? Would they whisper? Say awful things about him? About me? Would they say the same thing Hollis has? That I’m so young. Would they chalk it up to perky tits and a fun time in bed? Will I be compared to her? We look nothing alike, but I’m the same age now as she was when they started dating.
Hemi makes another announcement as the lights dim and music filters through the sound system. I’d forgotten this part. Every year, the players and their dates take to the floor for the first dance of the evening. And it’s always a slow song.
Hollis pushes his chair back and rises. He holds out his hand to Scarlet. It feels like my heart is being carved out of my chest with a butter knife when she slips her hand into his. Of course she smiles at him, and he smiles back. Of course he guides her to the dance floor.
“You’re okay. Come on, Hammer. Let’s get you a glass of champagne.” Hemi gently leads me to the bar.
“Why did I do this?” The words slip out of me.
“Because you wanted the most money for charity with the biggest splash.” She wraps her arm around my shoulder. “I understand how wanting someone and wanting something for yourself can be so diametrically opposed. It’ll be okay.”
Rix and Tally meet us there. Tristan takes one look at my face and then the dance floor. I half expect an “I told you so” but he just pats me on the shoulder and kisses Rix on the cheek. “Thank you for dealing with my idiot ass,” he murmurs as he walks away with his glass of scotch.
I’m on the verge of a panic attack. What if I’ve pushed him into Scarlet’s arms? What if Hollis won’t pick me when it counts?
Hemi passes me a glass. I take it with shaking hands and gulp the fizzy liquid. “I’m so stupid,” I whisper.
“No, you’re not.” Rix squeezes my arm.
I scan the dance floor, where players and dates sway to the music. I want to appreciate how cute my dad and Sophia look, especially with the way she can’t stop blushing and how he’s smiling so widely the corners of his eyes crinkle. I want to appreciate the incredible success of the auction. How we’ve raised more money than ever before. Nearly a million dollars from the auction alone. Hollis being ten percent of that. But I can’t take my eyes off Hollis and Scarlet. Can’t seem to pry my gaze away from her hand curved around his. Or the graceful way they move together.
“That should be me.” It’s too late to fix it. And I’m terrified of what this means. I can barely watch him dance with her. How will I manage when they spend an entire romantic night together?
Scarlet throws her head back and laughs at whatever he’s said. Cameras click and flash. This will be all over the hockey sites tomorrow. That she bought a night with him. How great they look together. That they’re getting back together.
I can’t watch this. “I need to use the washroom.” I down the rest of my champagne and set the glass on the bar.
“I’ll come with you,” Rix offers.
I shake my head. “I need a minute on my own. Please.”
I rush out of the room, desperate to escape this nightmare.
