Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
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.
CHAPTER 38
HOLLIS
“Ihope you’re not upset with me for bidding on you,” Scarlet says with a smile. “It’s such a worthwhile cause. I know you’re not looking to rekindle, Hollis, and I completely understand, but I’m only here for another month, and I didn’t want to leave without seeing you again.” She looks slightly embarrassed—and hopeful. She did just spend a hundred grand on a night with me.
People snap pictures of the couples on the dance floor. I can already predict how this will look when they hit social media. There will be endless speculation. Are we getting back together? Is this the beginning of Hollis and Scarlet 2.0? How the hell will Aurora deal with it? How can I put her through something like this?
Hindsight is an asshole. I should have told Hemi to pull me from the auction regardless of the suspicions it might raise. We’d been lulled into a false sense of security, believing it wouldn’t turn out this way. I should have talked to Roman, admitted I have feelings for his daughter months ago instead of all this sneaking around, let him knock out a few of my teeth if that’s what needed to happen. This is the shitstorm I’ve created. I scan the room for Aurora, but the lights have been dimmed.
Scarlet’s hand slides over my shoulder and rests on my chest. “I know I hurt you in the past, but it’s been years, Hollis. This could be good for both of us.”
I glance down at her. “In what way, exactly?”
“You’ll be retiring from hockey in the next few years, moving on to the next phase. You’d be great at sportscasting. Maybe you even want to try your hand at acting?”
Cold realization slithers down my spine. “Is this a publicity stunt?”
She gives me an imploring look. “It could be good for your career to be seen with me, don’t you think? We can push the platonic angle if that’s what you want. I know the last year has been a challenge. Back-to-back injuries, two surgeries. It can’t be easy. I want to help. I want only good things for you. I’m trying to apologize for what I put you through, make it up to you the one way I know how, Hollis.”