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I excuse myself to use the restroom, feeling a headache coming on. Gathering some Tylenol I place the bottle back in my purse and am about ready to exit the restroom when two women walk in.
“All I do know is that there is no way I am losing the bid on him,” one says to the other. “I haven’t been able to stop picturing him in my dreams since he changed the tire for us a few weeks ago. That smile,” she groans.
“And those muscles,” the other adds and then they notice me.
“Oh sorry,” they each laugh. “Just gearing up to bid on our favorite firefighter.”
“I get it,” I wave it off and start for the door. “Good luck,” I toss over my shoulder and hear them say they don’t need luck, that they aren’t willing to lose no matter what.
These women are vicious.
What is it about a man in uniform?
Just as I reenter the room I see Liam exiting the stage, not looking happy and I hurry back to the table to join the others.
“What did I miss?” Grabbing my drink, I pop the pills in my mouth and swallow.
“Audrey lost Liam to some crazy woman that decided to bid a ridiculous amount, and he seems pissed.”
I don’t get the chance to say much when the music starts and I glance up to the stage as Fitz steps out, who knew the guy could dance like he is. It’s actually a little sinful.
The captain of the station starts the bidding and I hear the bidding begin. Fitz seems very pleased with himself.
“Three thousand dollars,” two voices yell out simultaneously, and I turn in my chair to see the two women from the bathroom. They are standing in the doorway looking determined and everyone else is watching them.
I’m actually just thankful that it wasn’t Tyler, that they had in their sights. I’ll admit I left the restroom feeling a little nervous about it. But I guess it's Fitz that will be in the company of two women tonight. I’d say poor Fitz, but I have no doubt he’ll handle it fine. He seems like the type that won’t shy away from that type of situation.
Fitz exits the stage, flashing the women a smile and one of them screams out. “You belong to us.” Making the entire room erupt in laughter and wild hoots. Who knew women could be so insane.
“Next up, we have none other than Calloway’s own football legend turned firefighting hero, Tyler Collins.” My chest tightens and my stomach flips around nervously. “Collins, get your butt up here,” Chief Harshaw hoots as a country rock song starts to play and the strobe lights begin to flash.
Oh my God! Of course he had to go all out on his entrance! No, he couldn’t just walk up wearing regular everyday clothes and wave like he’d rather be anywhere else but here.
Suddenly I want to kill him.
Ty takes the steps one at a time, popping the collar on his dress shirt while a cocky gleam brews in his eyes. He struts his shit like those guys in Magic Mike, the crowd erupts and eats up every bit of it. Even Audrey’s sister Charlie lets out a few catcalls while Jasper and Spencer laugh their asses off.
I notice Audrey looking at me and I force a smile. I am doing the best I can to hold onto my cool. My cheeks suddenly feel hot.
No time is wasted when the bidding starts. Each one makes my heart race even faster.
And Ty is playing it up so well. I wonder if it would be wrong of me to march up there and push him off the stage.
One paddle after another are going up, several women adding five or ten dollars to the prior bid before them. They are all around the room, several trying to outbid the other. I feel dizzy from the amount of paddles to the left, then right, behind me and right in front of the stage.
I look up at the stage and see Tyler lock eyes with mine, winking and I narrow my eyes at him.
“Wow,” Lorelei whispers at my side but I don’t take my eyes off Tyler. He offers this ridiculous sway of his hips, gaining a few more catcalls, and lewd comments. The bidding breaks out again and Chief Harshaw only shakes his head and keeps it going.
A tall brunette with hungry eyes lifts her paddle and tops off the bidding at nine hundred and twenty-five. She then looks around as if she is daring someone to outbid her. I don’t know why she gets my blood racing so much but before I know what I am doing, or can stop myself, I am grabbing my paddle and lifting it into the air.
“Two thousand,” I call out, and everyone turns to me in surprise. Even Ty, he stops wiggling his hips and strutting around on stage. He stands with his hands on his hips and a surprised smile on his face.
“Well damn,” someone to my left mumbles, maybe Spencer or Jasper who knows. I don’t look away from Tyler. My heart feels like it may beat out of my chest.
“We have two thousand from the young lady in the red dress,” Harshaw says, pointing to me and then scanning the crowd.
“Anyone else?” It’s then I look away from Tyler and scan the room, seeing everyone looking at me. There must be something about the look on my face, because suddenly no one else seems so eager to raise their paddle. “No,” Harsh chuckles. “Alright then. Going once, going twice… sold to the lady in red.” He points to me. “Hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, sweetheart!”
