Page 88 of Exchange of Heart

‘I don’t owe her a damn thing.’ Ben turned back, broad shoulders looming over Rowan.

‘Okay, boys, I think that’s enough.’ Mum stepped between them, narrowing her eyes at Ben until he muttered incoherently and walked away.

‘Sorry about him,’ I grumbled to my mother.

Corey grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. Pretending to be part of their pretentious family sent jolts of pain dashing between my chest and stomach. My mother may be strong willed, but at least she’s passionate for the right reasons. I missed her advice, and I’d never been so grateful for my brothers. The two of them may tease me relentlessly, but I’d never known how hateful brothers could be until I’d met Ben.

Not to mention, this wasn’t the life I pictured when I pictured success. Sure, I’d get his thriving career, but what happened once I stepped outside the building for evenings and weekends? How would I ever be able to laugh and dance with Hayley on weekends again? Listen to her latest theory on love? This wasn’t a life at all. For me or Corey.

The speakers squeaked and an amplified voice asked everyone to find a seat. Candelabras glowed in the middle of each table creating a warm feeling of comfort at each one. They were filling fast as everyone obediently did as they were told, so I tugged Corey to the left mouthing ‘follow me’ to everyone else. At the table we’d claimed, Oliver and Diane sat opposite me, deep in conversation with her nose occasionally crinkling as she smiled at something he said. Rowan and Mum were next to them, enjoying a heated conversation about the health benefits of red meat that I refused to be pulled into. The table across from us was filled with Corey’s family, and I wondered how the hell this evening turned into a family reunion for both of us.

‘How are you doing?’ Corey nudged me with his shoulder.

‘Good, I think. I can’t stop thinking about Ben. Is he okay?’

Some of Corey’s hair had fallen from the pins, and my fingers scraped his bare shoulder as I brushed it back. Goosebumps scattered down his arm and his pupils grew. My chest tightened at the power of my touch.

‘I don’t know what I can do to help him.’ Corey frowned.

‘If we don’t manage to switch back, I promise I’ll do what I can to make a difference and try,’ I whispered.

‘He was a different person before the divorce. Honestly.’

‘I didn’t know he was married. Tell me about him.’

Corey remained silent for a moment, his gaze darting around the room until it landed on Ben at the next table. ‘He was happy,’ he said. ‘Then a year and a half ago, one evening at dinner, he drank too much. I didn’t think much of it, but the next week, the same thing happened again. I stopped by his place a few days later, and as his feet thudded to the door, something smashed. He opened the door and out wafted a stench strong enough to knock out an elephant.’

‘What happened?’

‘We have no idea.’ Corey snapped his fingers. ‘That’s how fast he changed. No warning, no nothing. Refused to tell us a thing. He met a girl in Hawaii, married her within the month, and said he’d bring her to the family dinner so she could meet us. Instead, he arrived alone and told us they were over. I’d never seen him cry before that night. Not even as a child. He used to shut himself in his room before he let the tears fall.’

A high-pitched screech interrupted us from the microphone as Corey’s mum adjusted the stand. Unable to get it to hold at the right height, she yanked the microphone out and walked to the side of the stand.

‘Welcome, everyone,’ she began.

‘How much money do you have?’ I whispered to Corey.

‘Like, here tonight?’

‘No, in general.’

‘Don’t you dare bid on anything.’ His eyes flashed.

‘It’s for a good cause.’ I batted my eyelashes.

‘Don’t,’ he warned again.

I took a sip of champagne while he started eyeball chicken, waiting for me to confirm his money was safe. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t. How could I just sit here knowing there were others in need and I could help?

‘Fine, buy what you want. Save the dogs.’ He surrendered with a playful grin.

Everyone clapped as his Mum finished speaking and the first item appeared on the screen behind her. It was a ruby pendant that would have looked perfect on a long gold chain paired with my favourite lipstick, and it sold for a ridiculous five thousand dollars to a tall, silver haired man who motioned to his purple haired wife while everyone cheered.

The second item was an antique painting by an artist whose name I didn’t recognise, and everyone gasped and clutched their paddles with fierce grips. Twelve thousand dollars later, there was another round of applause. I couldn’t believe each item was going for thousands of dollars. I bit my lip to prevent me from speaking and wondered if I should find some rope to tie my arms to the table. Did Corey even have thousands of dollars? Remembering the logos on his clothes and the glistening watch on my wrist, I decided he did in fact have thousands of dollars.

The fourth item had me reaching for my paddle, arm in position.

‘No, Nora,’ he groaned.