4. My Brother’s Money

4

MY brOTHER’S MONEY

Maeve

Fifteen minutes later, I’m on the edge of my seat as Everly begins the bidding on the last man standing.

“And now, for our final hockey player of the evening, we have a date with none other than Asher Callahan. You’ve heard all about our auction superstar. He’s gone for the highest amount the last two years. Let’s see if he can make it a hat trick.”

Asher grins, then leans closer to her mic, his trademark charm radiating across the whole ballroom as he says, “And I’ve already had two on the ice this season.”

Everly laughs. “Then this ought to be easy. Like a straight shot to the net.” She pauses and turns back to the audience, all business. “Bidding starts at fifty thousand dollars. Who’s ready to take home the night of a lifetime?”

Snake Girl doesn’t bat an eye. From her seat, a row over, she casually lifts her paddle like it’s nothing. She’s seated next to a freckled redhead. Must be the woman she was talking to in the ladies’ room.

My stomach churns with nerves but also excitement. Playing with Monopoly money is like riding a death-defying, daring roller coaster. It’s terrifying and thrilling all at once.

“Are you sure?” I ask Beckett one more time.

“Save our friend,” he says with a crisp nod.

Doesn’t have to tell me twice.

I lift the paddle I never thought I would lift. But I am not cool. I am not calm. I have zero chill as I shout, “Fifty-five thousand.”

On stage, Asher blinks. It’s the play he didn’t see coming. His green eyes lock with mine and questions flash across them. Like where did you get fifty-five thousand dollars? And aren’t you the girl with the ripped bodice who can barely make her rent?

I flash a knowing smile his way, then a take that one in the direction of my competition.

Buckle up, Snake Girl. This woman does not back down .

Without missing a beat, Miranda raises her paddle again, her voice dripping with smugness. “Sixty thousand.”

My heart pounds, but I refuse to let anyone see me sweat. I glance at Beckett, who gives me a subtle nod. I lift the paddle higher, my voice steady now, but my insides shaking. “Seventy thousand.”

There’s a collective gasp in the room.

Everly looks around, searching the audience, shooting a concerned glance my way, cautious for me. “Seventy thousand. Anyone want to bid more than seventy thousand for a date with Asher Callahan? ”

Snake Girl shoots me a scathing look, then flicks her black hair over her shoulder, sneering in my direction before she ups the ante. “Eighty-five thousand.”

For a moment, the air has been sucked out of the room. Then, whispers begin, and in seconds they turn louder. “ What are you doing?” Asher mouths to me.

I don’t answer him. I can’t back down now. Not when I’ve come this far. I lift my hand one more time, my voice loud and clear. “One hundred thousand.”

Beckett wheezes out a shocked, “Holy fuck.”

Like he’s not okay that I’ve gone that high. But…I guess I don’t fuck around with my brother’s money.

Everly blinks, her surprised smile taking over her face. “We’ve never had a bid that high. Does anybody want to counter the bid?”

Even Snake Girl hesitates, her confidence faltering for the first time. She looks at me, eyes narrowing into slits as if sizing me up, but there’s a flicker of doubt in her gaze.

How much is a beauty line worth? I guess we’ll find out, folks .

“Going once, going twice,” Everly says.

A few tense seconds that extend longer than my last relationship tick by. Snake Girl lingers, tapping her long, fuchsia fingernails against the wooden paddle before she reluctantly lowers it.

The victory is mine. Yes! I punch the air.

Everly’s voice cuts through the tension, triumphant. “Sold! One hundred thousand to the woman in the vest! Congratulations, Maeve! You’ve just won a date with Asher Callahan!”

A wild laugh bursts from me, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. Next to me, my brother’s face is pale and he’s clutching his stomach like he can’t quite believe he gave the go-ahead on that.

Reina is rubbing his back.

And Asher looks equal parts impressed…and bewildered.