“Oh, you are so fucked, Mackenzie,” Silas says in a hushed voice while laughing.
I frown at him with confusion. “What did I do?”
“Setting Coach and Aubrey up together? I knew my wife had tried before, but I didn’t know you were all in on it,” he replies with a head shake.
“He’s right. Ford is going to lose it once he finds out. All you girls will be in shit, but mostly you, Emma. You’re his girlfriend, you shouldn’t be betraying him like that,” Clay adds with furrowed brows.
Morgan slaps him in the chest. “She’s not betraying him. You guys might not notice anything, but this has been going on forfar longer than you think. If you’d pay attention, you’d notice how well they fit together.”
“Mhmm. Since our wedding, they’ve been completely smitten with each other. Even if they keep denying it, they can never seem to keep their eyes off each other. And then they get all nervous when they talk. It’s adorable,” Cecilia says with a pleased sigh.
“What’s adorable?” Greyson appears at my side, passing me my wine.
“Oh, nothing. Cece was just telling us about this thing Dante does,” I fill in quickly. Thank God he didn’t hear the rest of the conversation.
Grey goes to speak, but then a pissed off looking Noah and Gabe rejoin our circle. “What’s wrong with you two?” he asks instead.
“Well, it seems our cleaning lady quit on us again,” Gabe informs us.
“Again?” Morgan questions.
“Yup. Apparently, we can’t seem to keep one. Fourth one this month,” Noah says.
“Fourth?! What the hell do you guys do to make them quit?” Cecilia looks at them, astonished.
“Nothing!” Gabe declares but then rolls his eyes when Noah glares at him. “Okay, so maybe we aren’t the cleanest bunch. But that’s their job, isn’t it? We pay them to clean, so what’s the big deal?”
“I mean, yeah, it is. Why don’t you just call the agency you work with and have them send someone else?” I ask.
“That’s the problem. They don’t want to work with us anymore, and they aren’t the first company to refuse us. So now we have to find someone else. Maybe an independent worker, but I don’t know if I trust some random person to come intoour place, and I sure as hell don’t have the time to clean it up myself,” Noah states.
“Neither do I, so if you guys know someone, send them our way,” Gabe adds. “Hey, what about yours? Your place is always spotless, and I like the flower arrangement your housekeeper leaves behind. Think we could hire her?” He directs his question to Clay and Morgan.
“Yeah, not a chance. I’ve seen the way you two live, and if I send her your way, she’ll probably quit on us, too,” Clay tells him with a sharp headshake.
Shane and Aubrey join us shortly after with his hand on her lower back. She’s flushed all over, and he looks nervous as his eyes keep flicking to her. He clears his throat and looks at the boys.
“The presentation and speeches are about to start, then the auction will take place, so be ready when you’re called out.” The men all nod at each other. “Enjoy the rest of your night, ladies.” He smiles at us, then looks at Aubrey one last time before leaving.
We head over near the stage area, where one of the players from the team explains the charity they’re supporting tonight and why it’s important to him. Then another man from management joins in, as well as Shane. Soon they’re explaining how the auction will work and naming all the prizes. Apparently, there are also weekend stays at vacation homes up for auction and a whole bunch of other things.
When the players are all called to the back, they kiss us goodbye and head to the side of the stage. Waiters pass by, handing us bidding paddles with different numbers on them, as well as a child’s name we’ll be representing written beneath. We’re all looking over the names on our paddles when I spot one on Veronica’s that I recognize. Maddison Parker Ellery.What are the odds of her name ending up in our hands?
“Hey, mind if we trade?” I ask Ronnie, handing her mine.
“Sure. You superstitious or something?”
“No, I just happen to have met that little girl this morning, and she kind of has a crush on Greyson. I think she’d really enjoy a one-on-one with him.” I smile down at her name as I glide my fingers over it. I can’t explain it, but I feel drawn to her. I want to help her and be here for her during these hard times.
A few minutes later, the auction starts with the prizes first. I end up bidding on a few and winning them, of course. As my father would say, Mackenzies always win. I don’t necessarily need the things I’ve bid on, but I could always gift them to people who do. All I care about is the money they raise to help these poor little children who have been dealt a bad hand.
Once the prizes are all won, they move on to the fun portion of the evening. And by the howls from all the women around, I’m guessing we aren’t the only ones excited to buy out the team’s players.
One by one, the players climb on stage, being introduced by a speaker. Finally, our men hit the stage. Noah and Gabe both sell out for around $15,000 each. Clay, $24,000, bought out by his wife. Silas gets a little more bidding, to the point where Cecilia begins to give death eyes to all the women around her, and finally wins him at $35,000.
Greyson steps on stage next, looking sexy as hell. The bidding starts at $1000 and quickly climbs to $30,000.Damn, these women are thirsty. No way in hell am I letting anyone outbid me.
“$50,000,” I call out, raising my paddle high.That should get them to back off.
