Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
HENDRIX
“I feel like this should be illegal,” Cash says as we all pile out of his brother’s truck. “Like, this can’t actually be allowed. I feel dirty.”
“I feel like a fucking stud muffin.” Jameson smirks, patting his shoulder. “I mean—face it—I’m looking the handsomest out of all of you. I’m definitely going to raise the most money.”
“Yeah, probably to an old woman or some shit,” I tease him, even though I fucking hate that we have to do this.
I hate that I don’t know who is going to bid on Isla. And I really fucking hate that I don’t have the money to do it myself.
We walk through the fancy, huge-ass glass doors and follow the signs toward the One Wish event.
The event center, where the dinner and auction are being held, is right off campus, and it’s one of the nicest places I’ve ever seen.
But why would I expect anything less from Brody O’Brien?
The dude probably has more money than he knows what to do with.
“Yo, Hunt,” someone calls from behind me, and when I turn and see it’s the man of the hour himself, I tell the guys I’ll catch up with them inside.
Holding his hand up to me, he pulls me against him and pats my back.
“How are you doing, kid? I’ve been following your games so far.
” He drops his head down slightly, giving me a questioning look.
“A little less fighting at that last game was nice. The sin bin’s all right from time to time, but you don’t want your ass to permanently be engraved in the seat, ya know? ”
I chuckle, patting his shoulder as he releases me.
“Yeah, well, sometimes, it’s not bad in there.” I shrug, looking around. “I can’t believe you’re pimping us all out though. Seems a little illicit, O’Brien, I can’t lie.”
“Oh, cut it out right now,” he drawls. “You know you’ve done worse for less.
Besides, this is for a damn good cause, Hunt.
Look at how you’ve turned your life around just because you were given an opportunity.
” He looks me up and down, winking. “Think of how many lives you could change if you went out there on the stage and showed them old biddies a little somethin’, somethin’ tonight. ”
“That’s … so wrong,” I mumble, but I can’t stop from laughing because it’s Brody O’Brien, and the dude could get away with anything because he’s so damn charming. “But you’re right.” I stuff my hands into my pockets, shifting nervously. “I’m not good at this type of shit—”
“Taking your clothes off? I’ve heard different,” he teases, grinning like a fool before smacking my arm. “I’m kidding, man.”
“No, I’m being serious,” I say, looking him in the eye.
“You gave me a chance when the rest of the world was all right with leaving me behind. I was a kid, fresh out of juvie, with a fuck ton of issues, and you still got me set up so that I could play hockey at the higher level.” I nod gratefully.
“Thank you, O’Brien. I’m not one for feelings and shit, but you changed my life. ”
Despite him getting older, he’s still rugged as hell. So, when his large hand pounds against my shoulder, I feel it.
“Happy to help, brother. I know what it’s like to look around and have zero hope.
” He drops his hand down. “It’s why we do this.
And you, being here tonight … you’re helping other kids.
So, when you get out there and ol’ Betsy is trying to bid on you and you’re scared, just think of that.
” He winks, giving my shoulder one last pat. “I’ll see you in there, man.”
As he struts off, joining a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and pulling her in for a kiss, I think about the speeches I’ve listened to where he’s talked about his old man and how relatable that was for me.
And I remember all the shit I’ve read about what an animal that guy was on the ice.
And like me, he had one hell of a temper and wasn’t afraid of fights either.
But he didn’t stay in the past. He went after more.
And when I turn slightly and see Isla walking in, wearing a light-yellow dress, making her more into sunshine than she already is, with her blonde hair down and wild, just the way I like it, I don’t want to fucking live in the past either.
I’ll still never be good enough for her, but I’ve got to at least try to talk her into giving me a second chance.
There was no rule that athletes couldn’t bid on each other.
Because the date isn’t tonight; it’s anytime in the next two weeks.
And while I may not have the money to bid on her tonight, I know who does.
The only problem is, her dad just walked in behind her, and something tells me no one is outbidding that dude.
“You want me to do what now?” Cash says, his eyes narrowed, not from anger, but pure confusion. “And also, how much money do you think I have, Hunt?”
“Dude, your dad is a retired NHL player; you’ve got it. Don’t even play that card with me,” I rib him. “Please, bid on Isla. And before you say I’m being possessive, that isn’t it. I just need this night, man. I need to tell her how I feel.”
“I already had someone I was going to bid on though,” Cash says, clearly overwhelmed because that dude has a plan for a plan, and if anything falls out of order, he fucking panics.
“So, bid on both?” I plead. “But aren’t you and Cam Hardy close?”
“I mean, we don’t, like, hang out, just the two of us, no.” Cash looks at me like I’m a nut. “Our families are close, yes.”
“Great.” I nod. “How about this? You give me money to bid on whoever the hell you’re bidding on, and I will give you everything I have—which, I’m warning you, isn’t a whole lot—but you can bid on Isla.
” I cringe. “But here’s the thing: you should probably go convince Cam that you want to bid on his daughter because there’s no way in hell that dude is going to get outbid by anyone.
” I stop, rolling my eyes. “Besides a true golden-child motherfucker like yourself.”
“Now I’m a motherfucker?” Cash grumbles. “You want me to help you out and lie to Cam Hardy—who could still kick my ass even in his older age—and you have the nerve to call me a motherfucker.” He shakes his head. “You’re unreal.”
“Is that a yes then?” I stare at him in anticipation, hoping like hell I can convince him to do this for me.
He throws his head back, pondering it before looking back at me.
“Fine,” he says. “But if I get my ass kicked by her dad, I’m going to send him your way next.”
I look across the room at Cam, tilting my head from side to side thoughtfully. “I think I could take him.” I shrug before throwing my arm around him. “You’re good shit, Hale. I take back all of those things I said about you.”
“What—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I mutter. “Now, tell me who I’m going to be bidding on. I’m dying to know the sweet girl who caught your eye, Cashy.”
Releasing him, I wait for an answer while he drags his hand over the top of his head nervously. Finally, he moves closer, whispering it to my ear.
“Margo?” I blurt out, rearing my head back. “You, the nicest kid I know, want to bid on Margo Pickering? Debatably one of the meanest people I know.”
“Shut up,” he growls, swatting my back. “You going to do it or what?”
“I mean … sure.” My shock turns to a grin, and I poke him lightly.
“Damn, boy. I didn’t know you had it in you to go after a wild card like that.
Good for you.” I cringe. “Isla isn’t going to love that though.
She’ll think I want her.” Before he can respond, I shrug.
“Oh well. Once she realizes my master plan, she’ll have to give me another chance. ”
Cash looks me over before, finally, he gives my shoulder a pat. “Well, good luck, Hunt.”
As he walks off, leaving me alone, I catch sight of Isla again. I watch her as she talks to a group of girls, but none of them hold a candle to her. Even in a room filled with women, she’s the only one I see.
My breath hitches, and I can’t pull my eyes away. As if she can feel my gaze, she turns toward me, her eyes staring into mine. This place may be packed right now, yet it’s just the two of us, and I feel like I can hear her every thought, even when we’re all the way across the room from each other.
She doesn’t look away from me, even though I told her more of my past than anyone else. And she doesn’t look ashamed either. Instead, she just looks sad.
Her parents step beside her, pulling her attention away from me, and for a few more seconds, I just drink her in before I tear my gaze away, knowing I probably look like a fucking weirdo.
I haven’t asked for much my entire life because I knew it would be rare for me to actually get anything I wanted. But right now … I want her. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything. And to be honest, I’m fucking terrified that I can’t get her back.
ISLA
The guy athletes go first, and the room changes with each one—from laughter, to cheering, to whistling. And when Brody flashes his cheeky grin and announces that NEU’s bad boy, Hendrix Hunt, is next … I kind of want to vomit when the entire room goes crazy.
My dad stands beside me, but he doesn’t say a word. But when Hendrix struts up to the front of the stage, slowly pulling his shirt off, my mom’s body knocks against mine before she leans over and puts her lips to my ear.
“All right. I see the appeal,” she whispers, careful not to look too impressed with my dad standing next to us.
“Well, the thing about this guy is … an anonymous donor put a pretty significant bid on him. So, what I’m going to do is announce the bid, and if you want to challenge it, you just hold up your sign, all right?”
Hendrix looks surprised and also suddenly nervous, though he quickly hides it with a smirk.
“An anonymous donor has bid ten thousand dollars on NEU’s very own defensemen, number three, Hendrix Hunt!” Brody says loudly into the microphone, elevating the energy somehow. “So, is there anyone who wants to outbid that?”
There are a lot of boos and some full-on tantrums happening, but no one challenges the bid. I’m not surprised either because, holy shit, that’s a lot of money.
“All right then,” Brody drawls, walking beside Hendrix. “Going once, going twice … sold, to the anonymous donor who was very certain that they wanted to win this good-looking dude tonight.”
My heart sinks. I knew someone would bid on him; I just didn’t know who it would be.
And with that kind of money, it’s obviously someone who really wanted to spend a few hours with him.
Subtly, I look around the room, trying to see if anyone steps forward to stake her claim.
But a moment later, he’s released from the stage, and it’s the women athletes on deck.
“Go get ’em, babe.” My mom winks.
Meanwhile, my dad flashes his bidding paddle at me. “Got mine ready,” he says cheerfully, in true Cam Hardy form, while my mom’s eyes widen, as if she’s trying to relay a message to me or something.
Smiling at them both, I follow the rest of the girls out back, chewing my lip the entire time because, to be honest … I’m terrified of who is going to bid on me.
And then I remember that my dad is here. And let’s be real; no one is going to outbid that man when it comes to his kid.
Behind the curtain, I peer out into the crowd from where no one can see me, and my heart breaks inside my chest as Hendrix outbids everyone to go on a date with Margo.
Margo. The meanest girl I’ve ever met. Someone who repeatedly makes sure I know how much she can’t stand me. That’s who he’s choosing right now.
Seeing the guy I can’t get out of my head bid on anyone would be hard, but seeing it be Margo? That feels like a thousand stabs to my heart. And when she walks back, smiling, I have to fight the urge to trip her because my mom raised me better than that and would likely wring my neck.
Seconds before I’m announced, I squint into the crowd, seeing Cash standing next to my dad as they whisper to each other. My dad almost looks sad, but maybe it’s my imagination.
“Now, this next one is my baby niece who isn’t really a baby anymore.
This girl grew up watching me and her daddy play hockey, and I am so proud to see her here, at NEU, making a name for herself out on the ice.
” Brody’s back is to me, but in my mind, I can see his huge grin.
“So, let’s dig deep in those pockets for Isla Hardy.
But, let me add, if you try anything inappropriate, I’ll personally pay you a visit. ”
My heart is racing. I clench my fists together, grossed out by how sweaty my palms are as I make my way onto the stage. My legs are shaky, and right now, all I care about is not falling down in front of a room full of people.
Brody starts the bidding, and I’m equally disturbed and flattered by how many paddles go up as he reads off information about me.
“Isla enjoys all things competitive, Double Stuf Oreos with milk, going to the movies, and of course, watching the Bruins play.”
I’m shocked when my dad never raises his paddle, and when my eyes find his, he shrugs and jerks his chin toward Cash, who continues to bid higher and higher.
I frown, not understanding why Cash is bidding on me or why my dad is letting him, and within a few minutes, it’s announced that he’s the highest bidder.
And it looks like I’ll be going on a date with Cash.
Before I exit the stage, my eyes sweep the room, stopping once I feel Hendrix’s gaze connect with mine. I expect him to look pissed or upset. Instead, he looks weirdly at peace.
Why shouldn’t he be though? He gets to go hang out with Margo.