Page 31 of Make Me Feel Again

“Wait until you hear who we have up for bidding, guys,” Bridge says excitedly.

“Bohdi Stiles.” Women’s screams filter through the room, including mine. Bohdi takes a bow while laughing.

“Toni Delray.” I scream as Toni walks to the stage, purposely swinging her hips as she does a little spin and then blows a kiss to the crowd. Men whistle, and even some girls give her a cheer. A few other people are called up, and everyone cheers. Toni is lapping up the attention, and there is nothing more beautiful than seeing your best friend happy, and she’s glowing.

“We have one more person which I think is going to blow the roof off this place.” My interest is piqued. Who could that be? Everyone looks around.

“Cash Stiles.” As my stomach sinks to my feet, the smile falls off my face. Bridge was right about one thing. Every single person screams, and the roof almost blows off the building.

Chapter twenty-six

Cash

WhatthefuckisBridget doing? My eyes find Rylee when Bridget calls my name. I don’t move an inch, everyone is screaming, people patting me on the back like I just won a fucking award. She was laughing, smiling. She looked the happiest I have seen her in a long time. Then the smile fell as soon as my name was said. All I want to do is storm across the room, take her away from this, and make her mine again. Show her again and again that she’s mine. Her head turns to me in slow motion. The look screams hatred. Bridge begged me the other night when she came around. I said no. I fucking said no. Her jaw clenches. I can’t say no, it’s for charity. I’m going to kill Bridget.

“Come on, Cash. I know for a fact you’re not shy.” Bridge laughs. “The stories I could tell you all,” Bridge says to everyone, and they all laugh.God, please shut up, Bridget.I jog up the stairs and give everyone a tight-lipped smile. While walking past Bridget, I hiss, “We’re having words later.” Bridge smiles at everyone like she didn’t hear a word I said. I keep my eyes on Rylee who looks everywhere but me. Her shoulder stiffens, and she takes staggered breaths, her chest heaving. Her stormy eyes take in everyone on the stage except me. I glance at Bridget but then catch Toni’s face. If looks could kill, I would be twelve feet under, six feet from Toni and six feet from Rylee.

They start going through the bidding, and it’s funny to watch how excited people get. Toni’s up next, and she’s bouncing on the spot. When Bridget was asking who I thought would like to take part, Toni was the first person who popped into my head. She’s always up for a laugh and has to be one of the most confident women I know.

Bridget said that it might be nice for Rylee, but I shut that down straight away. If Bridge knew what was going on, she wouldn’t be asking her, and if she knew the battle Rylee and I have been going through with each other, she would understand. I know it wouldn’t be good for Rylee, seeing how much she has struggled lately, but I shut it down for my own selfish needs. Over my dead body will she ever go on a date with another man. Does witnessing the sheer anger that seeps from Rylee make me feel slightly good about myself? Yes, it does, I won’t lie. Knowing it annoys her that I may be going out with another woman, makes me feel good about myself, but seeing her face drop and that beautiful smile disappear, isn’t worth any of it. She still doesn’t look at me as she jumps up and down while clapping. I zero myself back into the room.

“Congratulations to the lucky winner.” She pauses, waiting for the guy to answer. I squint, trying to make out who it is, but I don’t recognize him. He looks a bit young.

“Kaleb Hawks.” His deep voice breaks through. I’ve never heard of him. Toni doesn’t jump for joy, but her head tilts, sizing him up as if she’s trying to work out if she’s happy about him or not.

“Well, Kaleb, I can tell you that 15,000 dollars is worth every penny for the stunning Toni. You got a lot to live up to for the date. Have fun.” Bridget laughs as Rylee’s subtle laugh fills my ears, then my eyes find her beautiful wide smile and her eyes shining like diamonds. My eyes jump to Toni again, and this time, she is smirking at Kaleb, so I’m guessing she worked out she is happy. I kind of feel for the guy. Fifteen thousand dollars for a date, fucking hell. He has a lot to live up to.

“Now the one you have all been waiting for.” Oh no, the one I’ve been dreading. Rylee’s shoulders deflate. She drops her head to the floor like she can’t stand to witness it.

“Who would like to take the grumpy, oh, I mean, beautiful Cash Stiles out.” Everyone laughs because she couldn’t be more right. “And, who knows, the lucky winner might be able to attend the cabin, because as far as I know, my brother is very much single.” Fuck. I don’t know what Bridge is playing at, I told her the other night there was someone. She asked me earlier if I brought anyone with me, and I said no. That doesn’t mean I’m fucking single. I belong to one woman and that woman looks like she’s about to tear every woman’s head off in this room.

Toni raises a brow at me, offering me a sarcastic smile, shaking her head. She’s not impressed. I can’t blame her upset; I was inside Rylee an hour ago, claimed her as mine, and she’s standing there with my cum running down her leg, and now I’m about to be bid on to go on a date with another woman and Bridge has announced that I’m very much single. She couldn’t be more wrong. I’m confident but feel more awkward now because of Rylee. I stand there tight-lipped with my hands in my pocket, just wanting this to be over. I zone out as my eyes land on Rylee again. I try and tell her with my eyes that’s it’s only her. I know if she could, she would bid—if people wouldn’t judge her, judge us. Hell, I would give her the money to win this date with me, but I know she can’t.

“Eighteen thousand, wow, ladies. Wow,” Bridge says in the mic. Can I get nineteen?”

“Twenty thousand dollars,” a voice comes from the back of the room. Everyone turns around, and my eyes land on the woman—Miley Sweeney. Shit. Miley is one of the most successful women in Baltimore, but also my ex-girlfriend who I was with for two years, the last year being when Rylee and Jace got together. When Rylee spins to me, tears glisten her eyes, and my stomach sours at her sadness.

“Miley Sweeney,” Bridget says through the mic. “This just got interesting.”Yeah, thanks a lot, Bridget.“Come get your prize, Mills.” Bridge giggles. Miley glides through the crowd in her short black dress, blonde hair flowing over her shoulders, and her mile-long legs that every man follows with their eyes as she walks past. She’s stunning, there is no doubt about that, but she wants the family life. It’s not something I wanted at the time or with her. There’s only one girl I want that with. Miley walks up the stage, her eyes on me.

“Mills,” I say as she approaches.

“Long time no see, handsome.” You could hear a pin drop in this room, so I have no doubt Rylee heard that. Mills kisses me on the cheek as I kiss hers, my hand rests on her waist. I catch Rylee’s eyes over Miley’s shoulder, and she zeros in on my hand and then glares at me.

You piece of shit, she mouths before spinning on her heels and storming out of the room. She turns around to me one more time before exiting the door, and the fire in her eyes makes me sick to my stomach. There is no way I’m losing her now. I just got her.

“Excuse me, Miley, I need to go,” I say as I walk off the stage, barging through everyone.

“Cash,” Bridge shouts.Not fucking now, Bridge.I need to get my woman.

Chapter twenty-seven

James

Myheartthumpsasmy eyes land on her. My chest heaves, watching her distressed state staring down at her phone. I clench my fists, thinking who the fuck did this to her. Why is she so distressed?

You can make her smile again.

I take one step and then another, ten more steps and I could touch her. I close my eyes, imagining my fingers trailing her soft skin. A shiver slivers up my back, as my body erupts into goosebumps when a breeze hits my face that smells like Rylee. She smells like a fresh summers day. My favorite. I need her, I need to feel her; I don’t know how much longer I can go without Rylee in my life.

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