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Kyle was sweating buckets – and it had nothing to do with the temperature of this strangely warm, yet beautiful November afternoon. No, he was nervous, and with good reason. They had all loaded up on one of the smaller fire trucks to make sure to make a ‘good show’ for the sake of charity…
Before they left, the captain literally inspected each of them, instantly making him wary. He didn’t,shouldn’t, have anyone to impress – and the fact that he was told to tuck in his t-shirt once again… before they were all told to get their hefty, insulated jackets – to make a good show for the people attending the auction.
Listening in disbelief, he realized that this ‘auction’ was literally going to be an actual meat-market of men for all sorts of women to ogle and bid on. Chase was right! They were going to be ogled like pieces of meat!
He was going to be going on a date with some strange woman, all for the sake of charity.
“I need an adult…” Kyle whispered openly, swallowing nervously.
“Youarethe adult, dipstick…” Chase whispered loudly, grinning nervously, and sweating almost as much as Kyle was.
The temperature was perfect, and the sun was beating down on them, keeping the chill from the air despite the fact it was late in the year.
“God help us all…” Justin muttered, shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
“Seriously, I don’t think I want to do this,” Kyle whispered, looking down the line of firemen standing there in the sun wearing their heavy yellow jackets and helmets… and Austin, his partner, wasn’t helping things in the slightest.
The outrageous man was posing for the crowd, grinning and smiling, right before slipping off his jacket, causing a group of ogling women to gather near them where they were lined up.
“Awww yeah, this is gonna be great!” Austin crowed happily. “Check this out!”
He flexed his biceps and kissed each one playfully, causing Justin to put his head down in his hands again in annoyance as the chief laughed from where he stood at the end of the line. Every man hesitated and looked down the line to gawk at the stoic man that led them, who was always so quiet.
“See?” Austin jeered happily, elbowing the two men closest to him – Justin and Chase, the two divorcees. “If Carpenter can loosen up and have some fun? Then you two spaz’s should be able to as well. I mean, seriously?! It’s a beautiful day, there’s a breeze, we are off work…” and Austin’s voice got louder, working the crowd as he stepped forward and jerked off his uniform shirt, much to Kyle’s horror. “… And all these fine women are here to support a good cause – am I right, Ladies?”
A rowdy, boisterous thunder of appreciation swelled around them as Austin flexed again and showed off his tanned six pack, his tattoo, and then openly smiled, shaking hands with the women and kissing knuckles repeatedly.
Yep. The playboy could certainly work a crowd.
“Someone’s gotta stop him,” Kyle whispered in a hushed panic. “They’re gonna expect usallto act likethat…”
“Thensomeone’sgonna be really disappointed, aren’t they?” Chase muttered.
“No kidding…” Justin agreed.
Austin ripped… literally RIPPED… his t-shirt off of himself, causing several women to scream in excitement – and Kyle nearly died as he realized he screamed aloud as well, but in horror.
Like a girl.
What was his partner even doing?
“I can’t do this!” Kyle balked, feeling faint and definitely disturbed at the fiasco that was about to happen. “Chief! Chief! H-Hey – s-someone g-get Carpenter for me… I c-can’t do this!”
His voice was breaking and croaking like a boy going through puberty – and he was thinking of his own pasty skin, if they put him standing next to Andy or Austin. Someone was going to laugh or chase him off the pergola where the auctioneer was…
“Alright… Alright… Alright! My lovely, esteemed ladies of Ember Creek – are you ready to play with fire? Are we having some fun yet? Just look at these fine specimens we have here today…”
“Not yet… but getting there, Mayor Winstead!”
“Right? You’ve got some flamboyant young men that are eager to get this auction started… and let’s hear it for the Flirt’s Battalion!”
“First…” Kyle hissed, mortified. “FirstStreet battalion… not Flirt’s!”
The mayor actually ignored him… and picked up a gavel to bang it on the small podium that she was standing at.
“We’re here today to raise funds for the children’s home, and every dollar spent is being donated one hundred percent to Sister Agatha’s loving care. It will help pay for school clothes, supplies, bicycles, and computers for the children, bringing so much joy and support to our beloved community – that is supported so wonderfully by our wonderful fire chief Reese Carpenter and the Flirt’s Battalion…”
“FIRST!” Kyle hissed, correcting her again. “You’ve got a typo, lady…”
