Page 15 of Goalie's Obsession

Ethan raises a brow. “Wait, you didallof this?”

“She’s running the auction,” Natalie chirps, entirely too helpful. “And she’s very organized about it.”

Ethan chuckles. “Here I was thinking you spent all your time hiding in that little bookshop retreat. So, my baby sister finally decided to join the rest of society?”

“Maybe I decided tocontributefor once,” I say, sweet as poison.

Sophia pops a hand on her hip. “Translation: she was forced.”

"And it's her job." Connor nudges me with his elbow, smirking. “Be honest, Luce. You’re just here for the power trip, right?”

I toss a napkin at his head. “I’m here to make sureyoudon’t turn this into a circus.”

“Oh, it’s too late for that,” Ethan drawls. He strolls over and snags a paddle off the stack I just organized. He twirls it in his hand like it’s a toy, looking around the decorated room. “So how does this thing work again? You, what… wave it around and buy a date like it’s an eBay listing?”

I blink at him. “Are you serious right now?”

He shrugs. “Seems kind of… stupid. What are we bidding on? A ‘fan experience’ package? Is that, like, code for something?"

Connor snorts. “Told you rich people don't understand charity.”

I slap the paddle out of Ethan’s hand and jab a finger at the display board beside me.

“It’s a silent auction, Ethan. Each player gets a package. Some are private skate sessions. Some are dinner dates. Some are game-day passes with exclusive locker room access—calm down, they’re supervised. Anyone can bid. Even spouses and girlfriends. Highest offer wins. All proceeds go to Blake’s youth program.”

He blinks, expression infuriatingly blank. “Wow. That sounded very rehearsed.”

“Iplannedthe damn thing.”

“Yeah, but are we sure people are bidding for the experience,” he says, smirking. “Or just for a shot with the player?”

Connor leans closer to Ethan. “Speak for yourself. I hear Lucy’s already prepped a war chest for yours truly.”

My jaw drops. “I havenot.”

Sophia fake coughs: “Vegas.”

Connor smirks wider. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. If you win me, I’ll even let you pick the date.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

He shrugs. “I’m just saying. You bid big, I’ll make it worth your while.”

I stare at him, stunned into silence, as the team collectively loses their minds.

I hold up both hands, refusing to surrender. “That’s it. I’m outbidding everyone. Then maybe you'll all see it's aboutcharity, not… whateverthisis.”

"You'll outbid everyone?" Ethan whistles through his amusement. “Even me?”

“Especially you.”

There’s a beat of silence before the team explodes again. Ryder’s pounding the table, Blake’s cracking up, and Logan just mutters to himself.

When I look to Connor, he's just standing there, looking downright smug.

“Well then,” he says, following Ethan and the rest of the team toward the locker room. “Guess I’ll try to look extra cute on stage.”

And as he walks away, he tosses one final look over his shoulder.

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