Page 60 of Ignite

“Rylee’s Beat must be doing well, the bid is with Rylee Mettner.”

“Add another hundred,” Mrs. Olson called, and I looked to Reece. He nodded so I made an outrageous bid that no one could beat.

“Sounds like Rylee really wants that date,” Old Man Hobbs said before counting down the auction. “Sold. One date between Reece Sinclair and Rylee Mettner. Have fun you two lovebirds.”

I stood for the obligatory winning photo which Zoe promised to put online before the end of the night.

Then it was Ethan’s turn. After the strip show, he’d redressed into a black button-down shirt and black jeans. Butterflies multiplied in my belly as I remembered how his body had looked hovered above me. My chest tightened, knowing I had no right to be jealous. Ethan had wanted us to be something, I’d been the one to run away.

Taking his place in the middle of the stage, Ethan glared at Reece, then at me. He hadn’t known about my deal with Reece and had taken my bidding as a personal insult.

“Allow me,” he said, taking the microphone from Old Man Hobbs. “Ladies, we haven’t met. But I want to.”

A huge cheer went up as Ethan unbuttoned his black shirt. “I’m new to town, single, and looking to raise enough money to keep me here.”

Another cheer went up and Ethan tossed his shirt into the crowd. “There’s only one of me, but there are so many of you. Who wants me?”

As he brushed his hands down his chest and I imagined where my nails had left red welts. How could he do this? How could he do this to me?

I wanted to scream or cry.

“How much are you going to bid for him?” Reece whispered.

“Nothing.”

“He seemed pissed that you bid for me.”

“We’re nothing.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Up on stage, Ethan still spruiked his charms and had one dozen potential bidders seated in the front. I’d never seen anything like it.

“I don’t think one date is enough to get to know each other.” He looked at me and I had to look away. It hurt too much.

“So, ladies, I have a proposal.” He walked over to the side, wrote something on a cardboard coaster and gave it to Old Man Hobbs who nodded. “If the winning bid is more than the number I just wrote on the coaster, I promise the lucky lady or ladies seven dates over seven days.”

His eyes locked with mine, “C’mon ladies, who wants a piece of this?”

“Rylee, wait,” Reece called after me, but I didn’t stop until I slammed my front door shut.

I’d been a fool.

Ethan wanted all the women to want him, well they were welcome to him.

I’d already made that mistake once. Footballers couldn’t be trusted.

Felicity:Where did you go?

Reece:I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you to bid on me.

Reece:He’s not interested in them.

Zoe:Where did you go? We’re about to go out and celebrate. Consider all fundraising goals smashed.

Reece:He’s a good guy.

Rylee to Reece:No. Everyone thinks he’s a good guy. He’s the worst sort of good guy. He’s the sort that will make you fall in love, just to break your heart.

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