The charity auction takes place at a fancy hotel, with chandeliers and white fabric draping the walls.I expect to not recognize anyone, but there are actually a lot of familiar faces.Everyone I make eye contact with offers me a nod or a smile.
Since Brooke and I got back from LA, I’ve been focusing on Mari, including trying to find that song recording of my mom’s.I could’ve sworn I had the file backed up.But after searching my phone and every cloud drive, I’m empty handed.
“Nova!It's so nice to see you again.”Robin, dressed in a blue satin cocktail dress, embraces me when I arrive.
“You know one another?”Mari demands when Robin turns away.
I don’t want to lie to my sister.“Yes,” I say.“But Harlan swore me to secrecy.”
Her eyes glint.
A tall, handsome guy pulls up next to Brooke before she can reply.
“This is my date,” she says.
He introduces himself, flashing perfect teeth to go with his square jaw.“We went to school together.I’m in town for the week for work.”
I scan the room.Harlan’s on the other side, chatting up donors.I see Jayden in another circle of guys in suits.
It’s a slice of what it must be like for the Kodiaks to be on the road and in a different city all the time.
Glamorous, sure.
But hard.Exhausting.
My gaze is drawn to Clay, deep in the heart of a crowd.
He texted to say that he'd had a good talk with Rookie.I’m so proud of him.
If only he could make peace with staying in Denver.
I did some searching online that corroborated the LA team is the top in the league.They have the biggest budget, the most glamorous profile, and they win.
I can understand why they would be appealing.But I wish he could be happy here, with what he has, and give the guys and the team a chance to see him as more than just the number of points he can put up in a night.
“Hey, Nova.You seen Brooke?”I’m waylaid by an irritated-looking Miles.
“She’s over there.”I point.“Everything okay?”
“Great.”He rubs a hand over his smooth-shaven jaw.“Who’s that guy?”
“Brooke’s date.She knew him from school.”
“She didn’t go to school here.”
I shrug.“I guess he wanted to see her.”
Miles looks desperate.“That why she said she couldn’t dog-sit for me earlier today?”He grunts something I can’t hear before stalking off.
I bite the inside of my cheek.Apparently, I’m not the only one with guy drama.
The beautiful tables are laid out with auction merchandise that will be sold in a few minutes.Maybe I’ll buy myself a treat.
“Do I need an Apple Watch?”an older man in a suit with graying hair asks me.
It takes a second for me to recognize him as the Kodiaks' coach.It’s the first time I’ve seen him up close.
“I’m not the person to ask.”I hold up my bare wrist.“But I hear it tracks all sorts of data and metrics.”
