Page 99 of Wild Eyes
“Going once…”
I peek over at Bree. She’s fucking preening—arms crossed, so sure of herself—and a part of me can’t blame her. West is special.
But he’s also mine.
In a world of things that have never been my own, it feels like he is. And I’m fucking sick of sharing. With my parents. With my record labels. With Bree.
“Going twice…”
“Ten thousand dollars!” I yell, and my hand shoots up before I can think better of it.
A wave of gasps breaks out around me.
From the corner of my eye, I see Bree’s furious gaze slice my way. I can sense the blatant shock rolling off Rosie and Tabby beside me.
“Oh shit,” Rosie murmurs right as the man on the stage shakes off his own shock.
“Well, nowthatis a new record, and I suspect one that might never be broken.” The host chuckles, and the crowd follows suit.
When I finally let my gaze travel back to West, he’s staring at me. I can’t place the expression. Anger? Hunger? Something intense. Something that makes it impossible for me to hold his gaze.
I find myself peering down at my perfectly white sneakers, wondering why I went and did that.
Because you needed to.
My inner voice isn’t the least bit horrified. It’s only my anxiety-riddled brain that beats me up.
The announcer counts down again, though I know I won’t be outbid.
When I peek up at Rosie, her eyebrows waggle, and I roll my eyes.
“What? It’s for a good cause” is all I say as I turn and walk away. Heading straight to the bar, where I’ll be giving my credit card a good workout.
For a good cause.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
WEST
I jogdown the steps that lead off the temporary stage. When Skylar walked away, I was stuck in place, waiting through the next auctions, cursing Doris under my breath. I wanted to chase after Skylar but refused to fuck up a fundraiser by making a scene.
But now I’m coming for her.
My feet hit the grass, and I make a beeline for the bar—but Bree steps into my path. She places a hand on my chest, and I flinch.
“West, I…” she says, but I’m not listening. I’m fixated on the fucking nerve of her.
Trying to win a date when I made my feelings clear. Touchingme like she has the right. The only hands I want on me are Skylar’s.
“Bree. We’ve covered this,” I bite out, trying to keep it cordial but also relaying my agitation with her. “Respectfully…Back. Off.”
She rears back like I’ve slapped her, and I don’t miss the looks her friends exchange behind her.
But I don’t care. I’m polite, and I’m kind. And I have been nothing but honest and upfront with her.
Right now, I just want to find Skylar, so I shove past, not having anything else to say. With long strides, I push through the crowd. I feel their eyes on me and hear the announcer’s voice ringing through the speakers.
When I get past the throngs of people, I head for the bar, knowing Skylar has to pay inside. I charge through the doors, heart beating fast when I don’t see her anywhere. My eyes land on Doris, standing at her till and counting cash with a pleased smirk on her face.
