Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
There were a lot of dates on offer, and I’m torn between hoping mine comes up soon to get it over with, and hoping it somehow got lost in the shuffle. I should have hidden my bidding sheet when I was collecting them, and I’m angry at myself for only just now thinking of the idea.
Martin’s date is announced, and the winning bidder is someone named Rose, who I suspect is the older woman in the audience cheering loudly. I spot Martin to the side of the stage looking pleased, and I smile, despite my distress. This should be a fun event, but I’ve ruined it for myself by going down a path of deceit.
More names are called, and mine is still not among them. Cindy’s date is announced with much fanfare because the winning bid is just over five hundred dollars, and Lisa is very excited about it. I’m happy for both Cindy and the animals at the shelter, and remind myself that this is all for a good cause, no matter what trouble comes out of it for me.
Even from a distance, it’s clear when Cindy hands the final bidding sheet to Lisa, and I’m stiff as a statue with dread. Lisa’s eyes go wide when she looks at the paper, and it’s like she’s channeling my parents’ expected reaction. Does Lisa think it’s scandalous that male revue dancers bid on my date? No, that’s ridiculous — but as I watch Lisa lean toward Cindy and whisper, and see Cindy nod in response, I can’t help but feel judged.
Finally, Lisa returns to the microphone, looking flustered. “Oh my goodness. Okay, everyone, we’ve come to the last date offering of the night, and this one was won by very generous donors. The theme of the date is a fall picnic in the park, and the date is with one of our longtime shelter volunteers, Jade Griffin.”
Picking up on Lisa’s excitement, the crowd is quieter than it has been.
“Jade’s date received the largest bid of the night.” Lisa pauses for dramatic effect. “Five thousand dollars!”
Five thousand dollars?
The audience starts clapping before Lisa announces the bidder, and I allow myself a small hope that I might get out of this situation relatively unscathed, but then things go horribly wrong.
Lisa glances at the bidding sheet again before continuing. “Jade’s date was won by the Stanton brothers!” As the crowd applauds, Lisa scans the room and easily spots the men, who are cheering the loudest. “Why don’t you four come on stage?” she says, gesturing. “I’d like to personally thank you for such a generous donation.”
I should shrink into the back room, but it’s like my feet have been cemented to the floor. All I can do is stand and watch in horror. I can feel my parents looking around for me, but I can’t bear to look their way.
“Jade!” Lisa’s calling my name through the microphone, and it seems to echo off of the walls of the room. “Jade, come on up here, too.”
The audience is still clapping and cheering, though I’m sure my parents are not making a sound. I still can’t look in their direction, but I am hyper aware of everyone else’s eyes on me as I reluctantly walk up to the front of the room. The brothers are watching me approach, all four of them smiling big smiles, like everything is wonderful.
“Congratulations, Jade,” Lisa says when I reach the stage, “for bringing in the high bid of the night, and huge thanks to the Stanton brothers for generously supporting our shelter. All of the animals are very appreciative.” She shakes the men’s hands as she beams at them and at me. “I hope the five of you have a terrific time on your date.”
Maddox pulls me into a hug, but the other men must notice my stiff posture, because they don’t make physical contact. “Are you okay?” Dodge mouths silently. I nod, even though I am definitely not okay.
I have to turn and face the audience, because it’s the expected thing to do, and my eyes go right to my parents before I can stop myself. They’re both frowning. Hard. My dad’s eyes are narrowed at the men next to me.
I find Becca in the crowd. She’s smiling, even as her eyes are wide with concern.
Lisa thanks the brothers one more time, and then I’m free to flee the stage. “I’ll talk to you later,” I quickly say in the men’s direction before I scurry to the restroom.
Why didn’t I foresee any of this? I mean, of course, I wouldn’t foresee the large donation and being called on stage, but I should have realized that the men might find out about the auction. I should have told them about it and asked them not to come, though what reason would I have given? Who have I been protecting by not telling them about the situation with my parents?