Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Let’s … uh, move over here,” Banks says, grabbing my elbow.
I flex my arm, and he promptly drops his hand, looking at me warily.
“Sorry,” he says.
“Good life choice,” I say.
“About that …”
Banks sidesteps Marla, a silver-haired woman pushing her walker across the floor. Tennis balls cover the feet like drag slicks. Head down and shoulders back, she leans into the turn around the corner of the stage before nearly knocking over a small child to take the center seat.
“Have fun getting auctioned off,” I say, turning to leave. “Looks like a good time.”
“Foxx, wait.”
The way he says my name, coupled with how he takes a half step back, has my instincts rippling with anticipation. Something bad is about to happen.
I square my shoulders with his. “What?”
He winces.
“I would like to welcome our four eligible bachelors on stage,” Gloria says. “First, we have Shawn Daze, the surf instructor we all know and love. Welcome, Shawn!”
Cheers ring out from around the room as the first contestant takes his spot next to Gloria.
“Next, we have Chef Miguel Cotto, the reason we all go to La Pachanga,” she says. “Welcome, Miguel!”
The applause grows louder.
Banks rocks back on his heels. “I need to tell you something.”
“Colin Hensley, the firefighter that dreams are made of, is our third bachelor,” Gloria says. “Say hello to our local hero!”
“Better hurry,” I say. “You’re next.”
“About that …”
“And, last, our final contestant. I don’t know how we got this lucky, ladies,” Gloria says. “Please welcome the one and only Foxx Carmichael!”
What?
Cheers fill the air. Everyone in the room fixes their gaze on me. Gloria watches me expectantly.
Oh, hell no.
Banks grimaces, moving even farther away from my right hand.
Everything inside me stills. My jaw flexes, and my teeth grind so hard they hurt.
“Tell me she got us mixed up,” I say, balling my hands at my sides.
“Look, I can’t be in the auction anymore. Sara will kill me. She’s dangerous when she’s mad.”
“And I’m not?”
“Good point.” His eyes dart around the room. “Listen, Foxx, I didn’t think about it until we arrived. I can’t let my girl Gloria down, and none of our brothers can fill in. Maddox has Ashley, Moss has Brooke. Pippa would murder Jess if I volunteered him.”
“Foxx? Can you join us on stage, please?” Gloria asks, the microphone squealing in her hand. She taps on it, making it even worse. “Can someone show me how to adjust this thing?”
The entire town stares holes in my back, waiting for me to take the trail of humiliation and occupy the spot by Colin. Hushed conversations whisper through the room. I’m sure jokes are being made over coffee and coffee cake.
“Please do this for me,” Banks says, holding his hands before him. “I panicked, Foxx. I didn’t know what to do. You are the only one of us who’s single, and I … I panicked, Foxx.”
“You’re repeating yourself.”
“It’s for a good cause, and it’s not like you have a bursting social calendar.”
“Foxx?” Gloria asks again.
Banks grins. “You’re drawing more attention to yourself by not going up there, you know.”
I take a step toward him. “Sleep with one eye open, you little fucker.”
Instead of looking worried, he manages to look relieved.
I don’t really have a choice because, for once in his damn life, Banks is right. I’m only creating a bigger problem by resisting. The chatter among the gossips will only worsen if I duck out the back door and leave them hanging.
Banks, you’re living on borrowed time, kid.
I straighten my shirt, stand tall, and take a long, deep breath. Focus on revenge. It will be so, so sweet.
I step purposely onto the stage, carefully avoiding eye contact with the audience. My heart races as I stand next to the firefighter. He gives me a slight nod, a gesture of pity, really, before turning his attention back to the women clutching paddles with numbers written in black magic marker.
Gloria drones on and on, thanking everyone who had the tiniest hand in putting the event together. Then she gives a quick rendition of the rules. While she reads the bullet points off a sheet of paper, I exhale and finally face the crowd.
The women in my family sit at a round table near the bathroom. My mother is more entertained than she should be. Dad stands next to Jess, the only brother I really like most days, and lifts a plastic cup my way. My failure to acknowledge him results in a chuckle that he’s lucky I can’t hear. Banks stands next to Jess and gives me a thumbs-up. I level my gaze with his, unblinking.
His smile slowly fades, and his thumb falls from the air like a deflated balloon. I enjoy a smidgen of satisfaction from that.
“Let’s start the bidding on Shawn at two hundred dollars,” Gloria says. “Do I have any takers?”