Page 88 of Skating and Fake Dating
Confident smile firmly in place with a hint of—is that amusement?—he says, “Hello, everyone. I’m thankful to be here to support Maple Falls, so let’s take it home!”
“I want to take him home,” mutters a woman nearby.
Carson wears a tailored slate gray game day suit that makes him look, dare I say,dashing. Cowboys really know how to clean up. Not that he is one. But he is wearing a cowboy hat. And be still my heart, does his Southern accent take me directly to that dusty road dream.
Why would he be amused? This could rapidly turn into a disaster. Or does he like the attention and is a showman like so many other professional athletes, at least in Odette’s opinion? However, when he does his little strut on the stage like the other guys, I detect tension in his shoulders. Maybe he’d rather be cleaning up after a baking spree, too.
“Ooh. There’s your man, but maybe not for long.” My cousin Savanna waggles her eyebrows.
Taking a deep breath, I tell myself this is fine. Totally fine. It’s going to work out. This is for the town. Plus, Carson and I are just fake dating, anyway. Probably.
But the knot in my stomach won’t quit.
Ashlyn says, “I know what many of you are thinking. This handsome Southern gentleman is taken. But, ladies, this is your chance to make him yours for a good cause, even if for only one date.”
Carson’s smile slips and I’m convinced my stomach is going to suck in on itself like a black hole.
My other cousin, Catie, glowers at me. “I can’t believe you let him do this.”
I’m about to defend myself when Fiona says, “The guys on the team were required to participate.”
Ignoring the comment, Savanna and Catie prepare their paddles as if ready to beat each other with them over the winning bid if it comes to fisticuffs.
Ashlyn says, “We’ll start the bidding at five thousand dollars.”
Arms shoot up across the room. Five thousand becomes eight, then ten. My hand tightens around my own paddle—number forty-nine, coincidentally, Carson’s jersey number. I have an emergency backup plan if Kay Cagle, Mrs. Nelson—my former English teacher—or another woman of a certain age doesn’t win the bid. I approve of one of them having the opportunity to bless Carson with a slice of pie and some polite conversation, but not one of my relations or an eager fan.
“Eleven thousand!” calls a woman from Brittany’s Seattle girls’ group.
The knot in my stomach tightens. How will this look if another woman wins him?
“Twelve!” shouts a female voice.
From the stage, Carson’s gaze lands on me. I wish I didn’t wear the drawn expression of desperation, and instead waved my paddle with the composure of a rich socialite or a corporate professional with money to burn. However, the look he gives me almost seems to sayTrust me.
“Thirteen thousand!” Savanna says, looking determined to outbid the women from the city.
Where are these people getting these funds?!
Catie cuts her a glare. “Fourteen thousand.”
One of the Seattle girls ups it again.
I don’t want to get involved in a war, but I looked at my savings and make a decision … if it comes to that. Taking a deep breath, I’m about to raise my paddle when a commotion comes from the back of the room. Everyone falls silent and turns to look.
The Ice Breakers mascot stands in the doorway. At least, I think it’s Otto.
As the oversized, furry aquatic creature strides into the room, waving at everyone and slapping paws, in its other hand is a paddle. Written on it is the wordOttilie. She wears a sparkly blue dress, a blonde wig hangs slightly askew on her furry head and it’s topped with a bow.
A ripple of laughter moves through the crowd as Ottiliesashays down the aisle, swinging her hips dramatically and blowing kisses to everyone she passes.
“Looks like we have a late arrival,” Ashlyn says, trying to keep a straight face. “Do you have a bidder number, miss?”
Ottilie reverses the paddle to display it and nods, nearly knocking off the wig, and then thrusts it into the air.
“Fifteen thousand dollars,” Ashlyn announces.
Nearly everyone in the room gasps and the bidding continues in a frenzy until the team mascot in disguise lifts her paddle decisively.
