Page 123 of Campus Crush
“Next up,” Ava announced, “we have the strong, silent type—Harrison ‘Gordy’ Gordon!”
Gordy walked out looking slightly uncomfortable but managed a small smile. Unlike some of the others, he’d kept it simple with jeans and a dark button-down shirt that brought out his gray eyes.
“Gordy is our star goalie who stops pucks with the same efficiency that he stops conversations with his dry wit. Starting bid is twenty dollars!”
The bidding for Gordy was competitive but not outrageous, ending at $120. He looked relieved when it was over, giving a polite nod to the girl who’d won him.
“And now,” Ava said, building suspense, “our team captain, the man with the moves both on and off the ice—Foster ‘Candy Kane’ Kane!”
My heart jumped into my throat as Foster walked onto the stage. He was wearing dark jeans and a blue Henley that made his blue eyes pop. His hair was slightly tousled, and he had that easy smile that had first caught my attention years ago. He looked confident but not cocky, giving a small wave to the audience.
“Foster is a junior business major who can skate backward faster than most people can run forward. When he’s not leading our team to victory, he enjoys hiking, reading,and making his girlfriend blush—which, as you can see, he’s doing right now.”
The spotlight suddenly found me in the crowd, and I felt my face flame as everyone turned to look. Foster grinned and winked at me, which only made me blush harder.
“Starting bid is twenty dollars, though I think we all know where this one’s going to end up,” Ava added with a knowing smile.
I raised my paddle immediately. “Twenty!”
“Twenty dollars from the girlfriend,” Ava confirmed. “Do I hear twenty-five?”
“Fifty dollars!” called a voice from the back.
I turned to see Brittany Armstrong, looking perfectly polished in designer clothes, her paddle held high.
Sam nudged me. “Ugh, that girl annoys me.”
“Seventy-five,” I countered, trying to keep my voice steady.
“One hundred,” Brittany shot back without hesitation.
My stomach churned. This was escalating faster than I’d expected. I raised my paddle again, hoping to end this. “One fifty.”
“Two hundred,” Brittany said, smirking in my direction.
I swallowed hard. That was all the money I’d brought. I looked up at Foster, who was watching the exchange with a furrowed brow.
“Two fifty,” said a deep voice beside me. I turned to see Gordy sliding into the seat on my other side, pressing cash into my hand.
“What are you?—”
“Just bid,” he said quietly.
I raised my paddle. “Two hundredand fifty.”
“Three hundred,” Brittany called, looking less confident.
“Three fifty,” came another voice as Liam appeared, stuffing more bills into my hand.
My eyes widened as I realized what was happening. The hockey guys were pooling their money to help me win. My smile grew as I watched Brittany’s wither.
“Three sixty,” Brittany countered, her voice taking on a whiny edge.
Drew materialized behind me, leaning down to whisper, “We got you,” as he added more cash to my growing pile.
“Three seventy-five,” I called, my voice stronger now.
“Four hundred,” Brittany said, her jaw tight.
