Page 120 of Catch You

“Everything’s going to be okay. I’ve got a good feeling.”

“I’m glad one of us does. Come on, we’ve got rich people to schmooze.”

Reese links her arm through mine, and we make our way to the grand room where everyone is loitering with glasses of champagne and scotch to start their evening.

I do a lap of the guests and get pulled into a couple of conversations about how incredible this event is, helping stokemy confidence a little before Reese catches up with me once more.

“You ready?”

I glance at the little stage set up off to one side of the room, and my stomach drops.

I’ve never been any good at public speaking, and I’m not sure right now will be any different. But this is my baby, and I refuse to send her up there to start proceedings because I’m too chickenshit.

“Yes,” I say, blowing out a calming breath. “I’ve got this.”

Opening my purse, I pull out the notes I wrote weeks ago. I’ve memorized the words, but having the piece of paper in my hand helps to ground me slightly.

As I climb up on stage, I think of my aunt. She should have been here tonight, and I know that she would have been cheering me on right now, probably already on her third glass of champagne and working the room, trying to talk to every person here.

A pang of pain shoots through me, but when I look up from the makeshift stage, my eyes lock with Brooke’s, her parents standing to the side of her with smiles on their faces.

“You got this,” she mouths in support, and I nod back at her.

Stepping up to the microphone, I tap the top, and a fuzzy noise erupts from the speakers around the room.

“G-Good evening. Firstly, I’d like to thank you for agreeing to spend your evening with us as we raise vital funds for the LA Vipers Foundation …” The more I say, the more I relax, and I soon find my grip on the paper in my hand lessening as I get into my flow, talking about all the things we’re doing to support the young athletes in our community.

I’ve just about finished explaining how this evening’s silent auction will work when the door at the opposite side of the room opens.

I don’t think anything of it, assuming it’ll be a member of the hotel staff tasked with helping us tonight, but when Fletch steps into the room looking like sin in his tux, my words falter.

Things are only made worse when he’s followed by none other than Corey, who’s also dressed perfectly for the evening.

Holy shit.

I’m pretty sure I don’t say that out loud, but I can’t be sure.

His eyes hold mine as I finish what I was saying. I have no idea if it comes out making any sense—I’m too lost in the intensity in his eyes to focus on the words. I just have to hope that I’ve rehearsed it enough times that muscle memory takes over.

I thank everyone and step down from the stage as a round of applause sounds out. I’m not entirely sure my speech deserves it, but I appreciate the gesture as I make my way toward the back of the room.

People must see the determination on my face, because a couple move out of my way so that I have a clear path to Corey.

I come to a stop right in front of him. My heart pounds in my chest, and my hands tremble. I have no idea if I’m angry at him for taking off like he did, or just relieved to see him.

My emotions war as he stares into my eyes. The rest of the room fades to nothing as I wait to hear what he’s got to say for himself.

Fletch squeezes his shoulder before stepping away from us and disappearing from my vision.

“Can we talk?”

29

COREY

“Now? You want to talk now?” she snaps.

“Um … yeah,” I say, knowing that if she makes me wait, I’ll probably chicken out of having the conversation I really don’t want to.

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