CHAPTER3
TANNER
It had been a few months since I’d joined the ranks of the city’s billionaires. Frank had been right—about the sale and the amount I’d be getting. No one had been more surprised than me when it ended up being real and the money had been paid into my designated accounts.
For the first month, I kept waiting for someone to tell me it had been a mistake. When that didn’t happen and the world—and the markets—moved on, I’d slowly realized that no one would be taking the money back.
Even then, I hadn’t gone crazy with it. Having read too many accounts of people who had lost everything within a couple years after a sudden unexpected windfall, I was cautious. Relatively cautious anyway.
One of my first purchases had been a top-of-the-line new car. I knew full well it wasn’t exactly the smartest investment I could’ve made, but I figured a few indulgences wouldn’t hurt too much. Besides, it was my dream car and I’d decided to live a little, so I’d gone out and bought the damn thing. Cash.
Best fucking day of my life.
I’d also refreshed my wardrobe, and after retiring from baseball, I’d spent a couple weeks in Greece at a private villa. On my way out of the sport I’d dedicated my life to, I’d made a charitable donation to my team and I was looking into more worthy causes to support, particularly those that helped children.
That was the reason I was in a suit and tie now, heading to Jeremiah’s event. It was the first serious event I’d be attending since getting the money. I was nervous about the auction, but I was also kind of looking forward to it. At least I was doing something real, and it was going to get me a foot in the door of this new world I was supposed to be a part of.
There would be a bunch of businessmen and women there that I would brush shoulders with, and if I wanted to invest some of the money, which I did, it was their companies I would be investing in.
I’d already talked to Jeremiah about investing in some of his businesses, which was a great first step, but he’d warned me to diversify. Apparently, investing only with him just because it was familiar and comfortable wasn’t the best way to go. Tonight, I’d be meeting some of my other choices.
It had all been well and fine in theory, but now that I was getting closer to the location of the event, a private manor just outside the city that was owned by Jeremiah’s family, I was starting to feel more and more like an imposter.
Growing up with Jeremiah had meant getting lots of glimpses into the world he lived in. I’d even been out to the manor before, but always only as his friend. The place was now rented out for events and private parties. The banquet hall had become a popular venue with the wealthy.
I’d never been out there as a guest invited to one of those events, though. Somehow, it seemed to make a difference. Tonight, I wouldn’t just be Jeremiah’s friend. I’d be attending as one of them, the others who had more money than they knew what to do with and who flaunted it under the guise of doing good.
Sure, I had the nice new suit and the nice new car and a watch that cost as much as the house I’d grown up in, but I was still just that middle-class kid from Brooklyn who thought name-brand cereal was a treat. I was not one of these people, and it felt like everyone was going to know it.
Inhaling deeply, I turned off the road and drove beneath the arched entrance to Williams Manor. I had to remind myself to breathe. My tires rolled easily over the smooth paving as I slowed, joining the snaking line of equally expensive cars creeping toward the valet stand.
While I waited for my turn to hand over the keys to my baby, I opened my window to let in some fresh air. Maybe it’ll help with the whole breathing thing.
Williams Manor had always reminded me of something out of a movie. The long, sweeping drive was complete with fountains and lush lawns on either side. Warm, dramatic lights had been placed around the perimeter to shine on the building, highlighting its massive size. I couldn’t remember how many bedrooms the place had, but it was a lot.
The fact that I could afford something like this if I wanted it was just another reminder of how rich I was now, and the mere thought made me want to crack up laughing. It really hadn’t sunk in yet, and part of me hoped it never would.
Because name-brand cereal is a treat and I never want to take it for granted.
One by one, the cars ahead of me were driven away after their occupants had made their entrance, and then I was up. I was used to walking out into stadiums under the watchful eyes of thousands of fans, but this was different.
No one in particular was watching me, but I still felt pressure—and it was a lot worse than walking out into a stadium that had once been my second home. Elegantly dressed people were milling around on the front steps on their way inside, greeting each other and getting drinks from waiters in tuxedos that stood ready with crystal flutes of insanely expensive champagne. I wasn’t even inside yet, and it was already the fanciest event I’d ever been to.
I didn’t know anyone there to greet, so I bypassed the small crowd that had gathered in the entrance hall and strode farther into the manor, in search of someone that I did know. I wasn’t a fan of champagne, but I plucked a glass off one of the waiters’ trays anyway. My nerves demanded it.
Besides, I’d always been a fast learner and everyone else was clutching a glass of the stuff, so it seemed to be the thing to do around here if I didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb.
The banquet hall was done up in black, white, and gold, and a band in the corner played instrumental music. More waiters circulated in there, canapes on some of their trays while others carried around more champagne.
As I walked in, I was met with an almost solid wall of bodies. More people had stopped to mingle just inside the door, and small clusters had already formed throughout the room. Jeremiah had said the event would be well attended, but I hadn’t been expecting this many people.
It’s going to be nearly impossible to find him.
Hanging back for a second to plot the best course through the room, I decided to stick with skirting around the outside of a large open space in the center that I assumed was a dance floor. Round tables were set up around it, and while some people were already taking their seats, it seemed easier to make my way around them than to cut through the groups chatting between them.
Jeremiah had said to find him when I arrived so he could introduce me to the rest of the guys being auctioned off and explain the rules of the night. I was seriously starting to regret having agreed to join the auction, though. Why didn’t I just sponsor a table or something?
It was too late now and I wasn’t one to chicken out once I’d committed to something. I narrowed my eyes and kept them on the prize. There was a stage on the far side of the hall, and I was willing to bet I’d find Jeremiah somewhere around there.