Page 1 of Bought by His Brother's Best Friend

ONE

SHANE

“What do you mean, you can’t make it?” I gripped my phone tighter, trying to keep my voice low as I paced the narrow backstage corridor.

All around me, event staff rushed by with clipboards and headsets, finalizing the set up for the evening’s charity auction.

Tyler’s sigh crackled through the speaker. “I’m sorry, Shane. We’re grounded. The snow’s coming down so hard they’ve shut down the entire airport.”

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling my stomach twist into knots. My brother, NHL star Tyler Bennett, was supposed to be the highlight of tonight’s bachelor auction—the grand finale that would bring in thousands for the children’s sports foundation.

“How bad is it?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Tyler wouldn’t bail unless it was impossible.

“Bad enough that the team’s bunking at an airport hotel. No flights in or out until tomorrow at the earliest.” There was genuine regret in his voice. “I’m sorry. I know how important this charity is. I tried everything, Shane.”

I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. The muffled sounds of the gala filtered through from the main ballroom—the clinking of champagne glasses, the gentle hum of string music, the excited chatter of donors who’d paid thousands per ticket to see and bid on local celebrities.

“It’s fine,” I said, though it wasn’t. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“Can they move me to the next event? Or auction off something else instead? Signed jersey? Tickets to a game?”

I checked my watch—thirty minutes until the auction began. “I don’t think they can restructure the entire program this late. But I’ll figure something out.” That was my job after all, as both Tyler’s agent and his brother—solving problems, making things work.

“Thanks, Shane. You always do.” The relief in Tyler’s voice made me stand a little straighter, despite my anxiety. “Hey, call me after and let me know how much they raise.”

“Will do. Stay warm.”

I ended the call and took a deep breath. The foundation had been counting on Tyler’s star power. Hockey’s golden boy would have fetched at least fifteen thousand dollars for a charity dinner date. The entire event had been promoted with his face on the posters.

“There you are!”

I turned to see Marjorie Davis bearing down on me, her silver hair immaculately styled and her slight frame draped in a shimmering blue gown that matched her formidable energy. As the event organizer and foundation director, she ran these charity functions with military precision.

“Please tell me Tyler’s on his way.” Her smile was hopeful, but the worry lines around her eyes deepened when she saw my expression.

“I’m sorry, Marjorie. His flight’s grounded due to weather. There’s no way he can make it tonight.”

Her smile collapsed. “But he’s our big finish! The headline bachelor! We’ve been promoting him for weeks.”

“I know.” I glanced at the lineup board where Tyler’s name sat at the very bottom, highlighted in gold marker with a star beside it. “Maybe we can end with one of the other bachelors? That actor from the medical show seems popular.”

Marjorie shook her head. “Dr. McDreamy has to go on early because his agent insisted he needed to be at another event by nine-thirty.” She pressed her fingertips to her temples. “This is a disaster. The audience expects a Bennett. Half the women here came specifically because Tyler’s being auctioned.”

I nodded, my mind racing through options. “What about a video call? Tyler could appear on the big screen, say hello, and then people could bid?—”

She arched an eyebrow. “A virtual appearance isn’t the same as being here in the flesh. It won’t inspire the same enthusiasm. We’re short of our fundraising goal, and Tyler was our sure thing.”

The disappointment in her voice made my chest tighten. This foundation had helped Tyler get his start in hockey when we were kids. Our parents couldn’t afford equipment or league fees, but the foundation had covered everything. Now kids like we were depended on tonight’s success.

“There has to be something we can do,” I said.

Marjorie’s gaze traveled slowly up and down my frame, and a calculating look appeared in her eyes. “There is.”

“Great, what is it?” I asked, relieved she had a solution.

“You.”

I blinked. “Me what?”

---