Page 10 of Enticed

“So what the hell do you think this meeting is about?” Luke asks just as Captain asks for the room to quiet down.

“Guess we’re about to find out,” I mumble while leaning close to him as Captain begins speaking.

“Morning gentleman and ladies,” he nods to the handful of women wearing the khaki and green like the rest of us. “As you know, next month is the fallen deputy fundraiser where we raise money for the families who have lost loved ones while on duty. It’s one of the events we take the most pride in and we really want this year’s fundraiser to be the biggest yet. A few of the children who lost their fathers and mothers in the line of duty will be going off to college this year, and we want to be able to give as much as possible.”

Murmurs of disbelief filter through the crowd, knowing that losing a parent has to be one of the hardest things to go through as a child. I’m extremely close with my mom and dad, so I couldn’t possibly imagine what that feels like. And graduating from high school and embarking on college while missing them—it tears me up inside.

“With that being said, the volunteers and committee that helps us organize this event decided to try something new this year besides the traditional selling of baked goods and carnival type games.”

The fundraiser is always held at Clove Park adjacent to the community center, and most of the town comes out in support. We set up game booths, food vendors, and a dunk tank, as well as ask for donations from people. I always assumed we did well with the numbers the Captain shares after each event, so I’m very intrigued by what the committee thinks could bring in more revenue.

“This year we will be adding a Date the Deputy auction,” the Captain finally says as eyes goes wide and conversation escalates quickly.

“What the fuck?” Cash says, turning to me for my reaction. But truth is, I don’t even know what to say right now. I look at Luke, who’s face is pale, and instantly cringe at the notion that he might have to go on a date with someone. He lost his wife a few years ago and now he raises their three-year-old son alone. I can’t imagine him being okay with being auctioned off for a date.

“Settle down, settle down,” Captain motions with his hands for the noise to stop. “Now I know that some of you are married, so of course you will be exempt unless you want to see your significant others outbid people for your affection,” Captain jokes. “But if you’re single, be prepared to be put up for sale.”

My co-workers start firing off rebuttals, but Captain shuts them up fast. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. This is a great opportunity to bring positive light to our department and hopefully earn thousands more dollars for the families that need it. The order for the auction has already been determined, and a member of the volunteer committee will be in contact with you in the next few weeks to organize your date. You need to have a date in mind so the people bidding know what to expect.”

“So not only do I have to be auctioned off like a piece of meat, but I have to plan out a date as well? I’d better get a fine piece of pussy in return then,” Cash shoots off in my ear as the Captain keeps shutting down excuses for people. However, not everyone is mad about the turn of events, including myself.

Maybe this is a great opportunity to force myself to get back out in the dating world. I’ve only had two serious relationships in my life—one back in high school and one in college. Sydney was my first serious girlfriend, my first everything really. She was sweet and funny, but we both knew it wouldn’t last beyond high school. Then I dated Britany in college. We were together for over a year, but ultimately wanted different things out of life. I’ve dated since then, had some one-night-stands and gone through periods where I enjoyed the lack of a woman in my life. But I’m also pushing thirty now. My mom wants grandkids, although now that Olivia’s pregnant, I know that bought me some time. However, it’s been a while since I’ve actually attempted to form a connection with someone—so maybe this is what I need to force myself back out there. And maybe it will help me move on from the impure thoughts I have of Clara almost nightly.

“Who knows? Maybe it will be fun? Maybe we’ll land some hot as fuck dates and things will work out better than we think?” I suggest to Cash but eye Luke again.

“I can’t do this. I’ll be right back,” Luke says as he makes his way over to the Captain, begging not to be forced into the auction. The look of relief that comes over his face when the Captain nods in agreement brings the color back to his cheeks.

“Poor Luke, man,” Cash says and I nod in agreement. His story is heartbreaking, and I hope one day he finds someone who will help him move on.

As people start filtering out of the room and returning to work, leaving for patrol, and finishing paperwork at their desks, Captain comes up to me and grabs my attention.

“Walsh. Can you come with me to my office for a minute?”

“Sure thing, Captain,” I reply, following him down the hall to his desk, shutting the door to the office behind me.

“I have a favor to ask of you. Don’t you have a friend who works in advertising?”

I tilt my head in confusion, wondering how in the hell Captain would know something like that.

“Well, she’s not really my friend, more my sister’s… but yeah, I do. Clara Anderson…”

“Yes, that’s the name I’m thinking of,” he snaps his fingers in recognition before he continues. “I knew she was connected to your family somehow. Anyway, we need someone to help us advertise the event, but we can’t really afford to pay them. Do you think she’d be willing to help out for a good cause? We could use the assistance to make the event as successful as possible…”

Captain must really be into this event or the committee has been hounding him.

“I don’t know, Captain… she’s really busy,” I say, trying to get out of a reason to call Clara, especially after the verbal revelation I gave her last night. I spent most of the night tossing and turning, wondering if she would remember what I said. I knew I shouldn’t have opened my fucking mouth—but listening to her tell me all of the dirty things she’s wanted to do to me over the past few months after she’s been drinking—has been my very own personal form of torture.

Try having a hard-on for your sister’s best friend every time you’re in a room together and finding an excuse to use the restroom to will your dick to calm down. Try looking at a woman in a whole new light than you did when you were kids because you’re both adults now and can’t help but realize the other one is all grown up.

Try wanting a woman more than any other woman you’ve ever seen, but realizing there are SO many fucking reasons why you can’t be together that it makes you fucking mad.

A part of me snapped last night with the knowledge that no matter what we wanted or how much of a fucked up history we have now—there was no way that Clara Anderson and I would ever be more than friends. I used to be annoyed by her, I used to think she was crass and way too wild of a woman for me, and I used to wonder how that woman would ever settle down.

But one night of seeing her again after years away, sexy and confident in her own skin, made my entire perception of her turn on its axis. Then I witnessed her in the most vulnerable position a woman could ever be in, and something in me snapped. Long gone was the notion that I needed to stay away from her. Instead, it was replaced with this innate need to protect her and instinct kicked in.

Most would say it was my job, my duty that called me into the actions I made that night, the move that got me shot in the shoulder, but ultimately saved Clara’s life.

But I know it was more than that. It was a moment of clarity. She wasn’t just some woman. She was a person that had been a part of my life for more than half of it and I had to do everything in my power to save her.

---