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“Is that so?” He cocks a curious brow.
“Yeah. You’re about to be my new boss,” I reply, not wanting to beat around the bush and verify for myself if Lottie’s suspicions were on the mark.
Lottie will probably be upset with me for not doing the whole song and dance of charming my would-be new employer. Still, as I see it, if Lawrence does buy the team, he’s going to find out the kind of man I am anyway. Might as well show him my cards now, then have to pretend to be someone I’m not.
“I see the rumor mill has already reached the team’s players.” His smile broadens as he continues to stare at me.
“One thing you should know about the Guardians is that we’re a tight unit. More like family, really. Kind of difficult to keep a thing like that secret for long.”
“I see. And what are your views on the matter?” he asks, intrigued.
“Honestly, I don’t have one. I don’t know much about you aside from being rich enough to buy us out. The only thing I care about is that my teammates and I continue to wear the white andgreen colors. We worked damn hard for them in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future, no matter who signs our checks.”
Green eyes stare into mine, and for a minute there, I almost believe he’s going to call security to kick me out for being so goddamn abrasively outspoken.
“Tell me, Nathan, are you always this blunt?”
“Yes, I am.” I nod. “Don’t know any other way, sir.”
“Sir? We’re about the same age, Nathan. No need to call me sir.”
“Fair enough. Lawrence it is. As long as you know that if youdobuy the team, I’ll probably switch to calling you sir again. Just how I was raised.”
What I don’t tell him is that I had that type of obedience beat into me twenty-four-seven, and even now, in my adulthood, it’s a habit hard to shake.
“Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean. I was also raised in a strict household.” He frowns. “I see we have a lot of things in common. Though you do hold one trait that I have yet to master.”
“Which trait is that?”
“The one that gives you the courage to speak your truth no matter the consequence.”
I swallow dryly because, again, just like with Trent, I’m not sure if what he just said is supposed to be interpreted as a compliment or as an accusation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big round of applause for Nathan Wilder!” the host on stage says over the microphone.
“You’re up, Nathan. I’d say break a leg, but if I want you to play for me in the future, then I’ll need both of them intact.” Lawrence smirks, giving me a tiny push towards the stage.
I’m still reeling at what he just insinuated when the blaring lights almost blind me as I step onto the stage. I pull my arm tocover my eyes, only for the host to pull it back down and push me to center stage.
“Okay, ladies, let’s start the bidding at a thousand dollars. Remember, not only will you have the pleasure and privilege of dining out with one of the top-tier hockey players playing for the Boston Guardians, but every cent you spend will go to charity.”
All my worst fears begin to surface when the room goes eerily quiet.
No one is going to bid for me.
Not when I’ve been dubbed a menace to society.
“One thousand dollars!” I hear Lottie’s voice shout from somewhere in the crowd, her presence making me breathe easy.
“Two thousand dollars!” someone else shouts, but the light blurring my vision makes it impossible to see who it is.
“Do I hear three thousand?” the host asks excitedly.
“Three thousand!” Lottie shouts.
“Four thousand!” the same woman yells, not waiting for the host to announce the previous bid.
“Five thousand!” Lottie insists.
