I pull up outside the hotel just as the sky starts to darken. It’s small. Tucked between two taller buildings like it doesn’t quite belong there. A little boutique bed and breakfast with maybe ten rooms at most. It is made of old brick with wooden window frames. It looks completely out of place in the middle of the city. And I love it immediately. It reminds me of Oakwood. Quiet, unassuming. Real.
I grab my bag and head inside, checking in quickly before heading up to my room. It’s just as I expected. Simple yet rustic. Soft blankets, wooden furniture, a slightly creaky floorboard near the door. I toss my bag down and fall back onto the bed for a second, staring up at the ceiling. And immediately… I miss her. Freya would love this place.
I pull my phone out, considering texting her, but I know I’ll see her properly tomorrow. So instead I push myself up and give myself a pop talk.
“Come on Bennett, let’s get this over with.”
The venue is… ridiculous. Massive chandeliers hang from the ceiling, dripping light over the room. Ice sculptures line the entrance. Everything gleams. Too much. Way too much. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. If they spent half as much on the actualcharity as they did on this décor, they’d probably double the donations. But what do I know. I’m just a dumb rugby player.
I grab a drink and head toward the auction table, scanning the items laid out. A yacht. Of course. Luxury holidays to the Caribbean and the Maldives. Celebrity meet and greets. Even a car. Then something catches my eye. A bracelet. Simple, but expensive in that understated way. There’s a small key intertwined with one of the gold links, a single diamond set into the head. I glance at the card beside it.
One of a kind Cartier bracelet created for the foundation’s charity ball.
I can already picture it on Freya’s wrist. The way it would catch the light when she laughs. The way she’d look at me when I gave it to her.
“Oi.”
I turn. Relief hits me instantly as The Ravens lads bundle around me.
“About time,” Noah says, pulling me into a quick hug with a back pat.
“Where’ve you been?” Scott adds. “You missed training.”
“Had a lot on,” I shrug. “House stuff.”
Noah gives me a look that says he doesn’t believe me for a second. But before he can call me out, we’re ushered toward our seats. We take our seats and the auction promptly starts. The yacht goes for ninety grand to some bloke who looks like he owns at least three already. Theo bags one of the holidays. Scott, predictably, wins a Rolex. Flashy bastard. Then…
“The Cartier bracelet.”
My attention snaps back. I raise my paddle and Theo gives me the side-eye. Another guy across the room raises his paddle. His wife is practically vibrating beside him, whispering in his ear. Doesn’t matter. I keep going. Ten thousand. Twelve. Fifteen.
“Sold.”
Mine. I barely react outwardly, but butterflies erupt in my stomach at the thought of giving this to her.
“Wanna tell me something?” Noah mutters beside me.
“Not here,” I say quietly. “I’ll tell you. Promise.”
Scott leans over. “Didn’t have you down as the romantic type, Bennett.”
“I’m not.”
Noah smirks. “Yeah. That’s what’s interesting.”
Once the gruelling two hour long auction is over, I head for the bar. As I approach, I see Sienna. She spots me at the same time. We both pause. I wonder if there’s time for me to turn around and head to the toilets instead but she’s already walking towards me.Fuck.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi.”
Awkward.
“How’s Isla?” she asks.
“She’s good.”
“Good.”
