Page 24 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

I’d been through this part once before. Madam Alana would have each candidate review the contract for the final time, sign across the dotted line, and then be taken to the Candidates’ Room where I’d meet the others.

A pang of sadness prodded at my chest. The last time I was in that position I’d made friends. Lifelong friends. Faith, Ruby, Savannah, even ball-bustin’ Dakota, though she’d never admit it. I still had Jade, which helped. Though she wasn’t putting herself in the auction, instead learning the art of the auction as Alana’s protégé, I still would miss her company on the other side. Then again, maybe I wouldn’t be the only man in the bunch this time. That could be cool.

“Yeah, Memphis, focus on the positive,” I spoke out loud to my empty hotel room as I made my way to the shower.

I scrubbed every inch of my skin, allowing the heat and steam of the hot water to work the tension out of my shoulders. When I was done, I exited a new man.

Brilliant what a hot shower could do for the psyche.

I stared at my large frame in the mirror’s reflection. I was built. Took impeccable care of myself even after the injury. I’d treat whoever chose me like a true queen. Ever since I was a little boy I wanted to be married and have a big-ass family just like my own. I worshipped the very ground my father walked on. A vet and later a man who drove giant semi-trucks, ensuring people got the food or products they needed to have a good life. At least that was how he put it. He even took me on the road with him once. It was hard, often boring work. Sitting behind the wheel for hours on end, trying to occupy your own mind. But my father never complained. Not a single day in his life. He thought if he was making a living that provided for his family, he was doing what he was supposed to. And it would have set him up for life had he not gotten in that accident. His semi jackknifing across the interstate and plowing into concrete girders during a freak snow storm the likes the South hadn’t seen in decades.

He lost all he’d worked for in that accident. His ability to walk normally. To drive a truck again. His full pension, because he was just shy of hitting the vested limit when the accident happened. Almost lost his life too. Sometimes I see that look in his eye where the darkness comes in, rearing its ugly head and whispering nasty things into his ear. Things like his family would have been better off if he’d died because we’d have gotten a life insurance policy.

I heard him say those words to my mother in the kitchen late one night when I was supposed to be in bed. It was only the one time and the words had ripped me to shreds. Did the same to mymomma too because she smacked his ass silly. Right in the face. Pointed that finger at him and made him swear he would never leave her on purpose. Reminded him that they’d taken vows to be with one another through sickness and in health and by Lord he was not going to take the easy way out. Then she broke into tears and apologized for losing her mind and laying a hand on him. He just shook his head and did something I didn’t think he was capable of. I watched my father drop his head, wrap his arms around my mother, and cry into her chest, just like we did when we were hurt or needed our momma’s love.

My father wasn’t a crier. He could get a wet eye now and again, such as when he held one of my sisters when they’d been born, but on average, he was the very foundation our family counted on to keep us strong. He was the Jiminy Cricket encouraging us to do good, dream big, and be our best selves.

I admired the man more than anyone on this Earth. And I hoped in doing what I was about to do, that he’d eventually be proud. If I could help my family monetarily, pave the way for my sisters’ successes, I too would feel worthy of his respect and praise.

When I lost the chance to go pro, I became adrift in an open sea of endless options. None of which I could grasp for myself. I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a job. Wasn’t even sure what I would be best qualified for. I was a twenty-four-year-old man who’d played football all his life, who was close to having a college degree in political science, and yet no prospects whatsoever for work. All I knew was that I needed to do something.

My family was counting on me.

I would not let them down a second time.

“I will be chosen tonight,” I promised my reflection. “Whatever it takes, Memphis. You got this. Put it all out on the playing field and score that goal, get the golden trophy.”

Or in this case, I was thetrophy, and my ultimate prize would be at least three million dollars and a rich wife.

I got dressed in a dark-navy suit with a crisp white button-down shirt that I thought complemented my features well. Naomi sure hadn’t been able to keep her hands to herself.

Memories of her wrapping her pretty hands around my thigh trying to compare our quads was something I wouldn’t forget any time soon.

Once I was finished getting ready, I tucked my wallet into my pocket along with my room key and headed to the bank of elevators at the end of the hall. I hit the button and waited for it to open.

I lost my breath, my entire body going solid once the double doors opened to the one person I wanted to see more than anyone, but also didn’t want to see because of what I was about to do.

Naomi Shaw.

She looked up, her sexy mouth dropping open as those mesmerizing eyes sparkled.

“Well, I’ll be damned. What a coincidence.” She grinned coyly. Her body was wrapped in another body-hugging, absolutely stunning dress. This one a pristine white that offset her fawn-colored skin magically.

“Naw, I don’t believe in coincidences.” I stepped into the car, bringing my body closer to hers.

“No?” She swallowed visibly, taking a step back.

I shook my head and took another step forward, caging her against the back wall. I shouldn’t have but I wasn’t entirely in my right mind, my instincts raging with the desire to get closer. She pressed her small hands to my chest, the same way she had last night before she’d wrapped them around my neck—only this time it was to keep me at a distance.

“No, pretty lady, I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in fate. And that bitch has the worst timing ever.”

Episode 10

Let Destiny Be the Driver

NAOMI

I couldn’t believe my eyes when the man of my dreams entered the elevator.

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