Page 40 of Fake-Off with Fate
Staring at the various shocked faces around the table makes me feel like the grim reaper at a church potluck. It’s hard to believe Maple Falls is facing such a horrible fate as having Alexander MacDonald come to town and change the very face of our existence.
Yet that’s where we are, so we have no choice but to jump in and do everything in our power to come out on top.
CHAPTER 20
JAMIE
A heavy senseof dread hangs over the room as the town council meeting comes to an end. It’s clear everyone is anxious, and I feel compelled to speak up. “I know this is a troubling situation, but Maple Falls is tough, and everyone is so community-minded. I know we will prevail.”
Councilman Mitchell responds, “It’s all well and good foryouto thinkthat, but it’s notyourtown.”
Dale interjects, “It is our town, Councilman Mitchell. My guys are going to live here for several months while we train and get through the season. That gives us a significant stake in a happy outcome for Maple Falls.” He adds, “The last thing we need is having to find another arena at this late date.”
Mrs. Fishman bats her eyes at me and asks, “Are you going to be for sale, Jamie?”
“I … um … rather …” I don’t like the way she’s looking at me—like I’m the biggest and gooiest chocolate chip cookie she’s ever seen, and the bakery just announced I was the last one left.
Before I can answer her, Dale says, “All of my single players will be participating in the auction, Mrs. Fishman.” He glances at Ashlyn before adding, “Bidding will start at five thousand dollars.”
Undeterred, Mrs. Fishman winks at me. “Good thing I invested in bitcoin back when it was only dollars.”
As everyone stands up to leave the meeting, there’s still a sense of unfinished business in the air. Troy walks up to me and says, “I’m going to promote the heck out of this bachelor auction. We should be able to get a lot of wealthy women and celebrities to come for the publicity alone. We really can’t have the season upset by having to relocate everyone.”
Even though the thought nauseates me, I tell him, “Sounds good.” Now that Ashlyn is pretending to be my girlfriend, I’m hoping she’ll bid on me. I’ll give her whatever amount of money she needs to make that happen.
“What about you, Dale? Are you going to get in on the action?” Troy asks.
My coach tips his head from side-to-side uncertainly. “I wouldn’t mind doing it, but I don’t want to be the only guy there to go for twenty bucks.”
Troy laughs. “If that’s all you get, then I’ll up the bid to forty.”
Dale rolls his eyes. “Thanks. That’ll do wonders for my ego.”
After saying goodbye to the council members, Ashlyn joins us. “I’m going to stay and draft an article for the newspaper. Is there anything you all would like me to add regarding the Ice Breakers?”
“Just make sure to mention how happy we are to be in Maple Falls,” Troy tells her. “And that we’re excited to do whatever is needed to save our town.”
Nodding her head, Ashlyn turns to me. “Do you want to stay and help, Jamie?”
“You bet he does!” This comes from Dale. “Our captain will be happy to lend assistance. Isn’t that right, Jamie?”
Ashlyn glances at me out of the corner of her eye so I nod my head to let her know I’m good with it.
After Troy and Dale leave, some guy wearing a sweater vest storms over to us. Beads of sweat dot his forehead like he justran a mile. “I don’t know what you’re up to, Ashlyn, but I know something is going on here and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”
Ashlyn glares at him menacingly, before saying, “Bite the wall, Phillip.”
“Well, I never!” he responds.
“There’s a reason for that,” Ashlyn murmurs. Then she turns her back on him and asks me, “Should we sit down?”
“I’m going to stay, too,” Phillip says.
Touching Ashlyn’s arm to get her attention, I suggest, “Let’s go somewhere else. I’ll drive.”
“I’m going to call the mayor!” Phillip shouts. But neither Ashlyn nor I respond. We simply walk out of the room.
Once we’re in the hall outside, I ask her, “Who was that guy?”
