“I know Coach isn’t going to want to hear this, but this was a good idea. There are so many people bidding!” Eli says. He shifts to look around me. One of the hockey players is on the stage now. He’s taken notes from Winston’s performance to encourage bids, but instead of just posing with his muscles hanging out, he’s dancing like he’s on a fucking pole, using his hockey stick.
“It’s all about showmanship,” Winston says, shaking his head. “Hockey players have built-in dance props. I think that’s unfair.”
I laugh. “His bid is going to be higher than yours,” I warn as the bid crests $900.
Winston scowls. “I need a do-over.”
“Here you are,” a different hockey player says and hands us each a card. “Peyton. Eli. Winston. Thanks for participating.”
Cards are handed to us with our names at the top. Below is the winner of our date auction and their phone number.
Dana Richards
561-369-4369
Hm. I don’t know a Dana. “Who’d you get?” Eli asks, leaning over to look at my card. I turn it around so he can read it. “Do you know them?”
I shrug, shaking my head. “I can’t think of anyone named Dana, but I suppose that doesn’t mean I don’t know them. You?”
“Aram Pendley,” he answers, frowning. “I think that’s someone from my math class. I’ll report back once I set up our date.”
“Mine is Lex Davis,” Winston says, also frowning. “If I’m not mistaken, I think he’s a biker from the bar I was at a couple of weeks ago. His buddies called him Rex. Like T-Rex. A damn dinosaur. He’s covered in tats, he’s like a damn foot taller than me, is all kinds of bear.” He shakes his head, still frowning.
“How did he know about the auction?” I ask.
Eli rolls his eyes. “There are flyers plastered all over town. There was probably one in the bar.”
“Did you talk to him about it?” I ask. “Are you uncomfortable with this?”
Winston shrugs. “I might have said something about it. I went to the bar to get drunk, and I ramble when I’m drunk, so there’s a very good possibility that I told everyone about it and encouraged them all to be here.”
“Did you see him?” I turn to look at the crowd, letting my eyes scan the faces. Oh. Yep. I definitely see some bikers.
“Yep,” Winston says. “I definitely see him.”
“Do you think he actually wants the date or is he, like, supporting the cute college boy who drunkenly word vomited about fuck knows what?” Eli asks.
Winston snorts. “Dunno. Guess I’ll text and find out.”
I watch the group of bikers as Winston pulls out his cell and starts texting. Maybe I can figure out which one this Lex T-Rex guy is. That guy pulls out his phone just as I hear the whhhp sound that signifies Winston sent the text message.
“That’s him,” I say.
Winston sighs. “Yep.”
Smirking, I pull my phone out too and send this Dana Richards a text message as well. Since I have no idea who this is, I don’t bother to examine the crowd for clues.
Me
Thank you for participating in the auction! Your winning bid means a lot to our team. As the date you bid on explains, this will be a kayaking and picnic trip to take place in two weeks, on Friday, the first day of the four-day weekend. I hope you’re as excited as I am.
There. That sounds convincing, right? Not like I’m going to be nursing disappointment for the next month because Coach Lemon isn’t interested?
CHAPTER 2
DANA RICHARDSON
I’m never late, but I always feel late. No matter what I do, I’m always rushing. I can get ready two days early, and I’ll still end up running to my destination. Especially when it’s work or school, or an appointment.
