Page 2 of Rookie Mistake

Whereas I’m the wild child, and Harper is the party girl who somehow manages to keep straight As, even though she hasn’t picked up a textbook all year and stumbles into class still slightly drunk from the night before on a regular basis.

Put us all three together, and we’re perfectly balanced.

The loud, screeching sound of the mic slams through the speaker next to us, and the crowd groans with the sudden deafening noise.

“Yessss, it’s finally starting!” Harper squeals, clapping her hands together excitedly. She reaches into the pristine white Gucci bag on her shoulder and pulls out the red auction paddles she picked up for each of us before the party started.

I wasn’t planning on participating in the auction tonight, but after seeing mystery guy… I think I just might.

After all, itisfor charity, and there’s nothing I’d rather spend my father’s money on than a good cause.

I see Lily begrudgingly pluck the auction paddle from Harper’s grip, and I laugh before sliding my gaze back to the stage.

The crowd has nearly doubled in the minutes leading up to the auction, and the room is buzzing with electric anticipation. If it wasn’t for the ridiculously large speaker we’re standing near, then I doubt I’d even be able to hear the president of Kappa take the stage.

He taps a long finger on the top of the microphone. “This thing on? Hello, hello?”

“Yes! Now, bring out the guys,” a girl screams from the staircase, giggling with her friends when the crowd cheers in response.

“Alright, I know y’all are excited and ready to get this going. I mean, tonight’s a bit of an infamous night here at Kappa. We’re going to have a fuckin’ blast and raise a shit ton of money for charity, but remember, these guys are not a piece of meat, ladies. They’re real boys with feelings.” He waggles his finger to the crowd. “If you’re bidding tonight, please come up to the front of the stage.”

Harper grabs both Lily and me and hauls us through the crowd, placing us at the very front next to at least thirty other girls.

I spot mystery guy at the far right of the stage talking to another tall, broad-shouldered guy standing beside him.

“Okay, before we get started, a few rules. This is an auction, so if you’d like to bid, raise your paddle. If you raise it and you win, you pay the donation before leaving. Your date with the player starts as soon as the auction ends. That means he’s all yours for the next six hours… wherever you crazy kids end up. No takebacks either. Thanks to John Ryan from last year, I’ve got to add that.” He shakes his head. “Now, let the fun begin. We’re going to introduce each player, tell you a little bit about them, and then they’re going to mingle in the crowd briefly before the actual bidding begins.”

Harper’s fingers close around my wrist, tugging me against her side, and I can feel the excitement radiating off her.

I rake my teeth over my bottom lip to bite back my smirk, keeping my attention on the stage as the first few guys are announced. With each introduction, there’s a new song played as they make their way down the line of girls waiting to bid on them, and I wonder what mystery guy’s will be?

“Okay, now he’shot,” Harper says dreamily as a stocky guy with a full beard that doesn’t hide his bright smile walks out.

Damien.

Football player. His dog is his best friend, and he enjoys working out.

Cute, but…pass.

Yeah, the guys so far have been attractive, but no one has caught my attention the way mystery guy has.

And if I’m bidding on anyone tonight, it’s going to be him.

“Yeah, he’s cute. Bid on him!” I say to Harper.

She looks over at him, then back at me, her gaze shifting as she tries to decide. Ultimately, she shakes her head. “No, I think I wantthatguy down there.”

Her pale-pink-tipped finger points toward the end of the stage, where a tall guy with buzzed blond hair stands, his lips tightened in a scowl as if he’s not interested at all in being here.

Of course.Harper has a thing for broody assholes, so this absolutely checks.

“Lil, what about you, you gonna bid on anyone?”

Her eyes widen in what I can only describe as sheer panic as she shakes her head animatedly. “Uh… no. No way.Definitelynot.”

“You sure? That guy over there looks like he’s definitely your type,” I tease.

Another adamant headshake. She’d probably throw the paddle on the floor if Harper wouldn’t pick it up and bid on someone for her. “Nope. Just here to watch and supervise you two. Someone has to keep an eye on you.”

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