Page 110 of Best Year Ever
One of whom really did me a solid with Connor. Del, our starting kicker. We hadn’t been one-on-one in person yet for me to properly thank him, so I’d only texted him before this.
“Del, thanks so much again for doing that call with Connor,” I say, holding out my hand.
“No problem, he seems like a good kid,” Del responds, shaking my hand. “I’m sure he’ll excel in soccer at Princeton, but if he visits, feel free to get us all together on a football field. I’ll show him how everything translates from soccer.”
“That would be awesome,” I say, not wanting to be rude by sharing that Connor had shut down any talk of switching to football.
We break up after some more small talk, and then twenty minutes of mingling later, I find our table. Johnson’s already there, and Grace is not, though I see her name card by me.
“Hey, Grace said to tell you that she’ll probably miss the meal getting the auction set up,” Johnson says as I take my seat.
“No worries, I figured it would be insane tonight for her,” I reply, looking around. I know everyone else at the table. Nice.
The meal passes quickly, and all of a sudden, I see Grace and her co-host Roderick hit the stage to kick off the auction.
“Hello, hello,” says Roderick. “Welcome to the Waves annual charity auction. This year, the team has decided to donate all the funds raised to refurbish a community center in one of Orlando’s areas with the most need. Everything that we raise together tonight will go to that wonderful cause.”
The audience claps loudly in response.
“Now, tonight, we’re going to have items donated that range quite a bit,” Grace explains. “We also have a big surprise donation, which we’ll unveil later. So if one item isn’t of interest, stick around for the next. We are going to have quite an array!”
Roderick steps up then and starts announcing the first item. As bids come in from around the room, I space out for a bit and check the latest baseball scores on my phone. My plan is to bid on a signed Taylor Swift album coming up later in the evening,something Grace said she really wanted. Combine being a good big brother with a good deed.
The mood of the auction is lighthearted, with lots of jokes, creative donations, and funny moments as friends try to outbid each other. When the Taylor Swift album comes up, I have to compete with Carter, whose girlfriend apparently is a huge fan. It’s touch and go for a few rounds, but eventually Carter relents. I make an “I’m sorry” face to Jessica, and she waves it off with a giggle.
Without me noticing, over an hour has passed. I only realize because the last couple of big items are up for bid, other than whatever the surprise will be.
“One of our last donations today is an all-expenses paid family vacation to the Bahamas for a week,” Grace says enthusiastically. “Who wouldn’t want to bid on that?”
Like the other items tonight, there are a smattering of people who try to outbid each other and claim the trip. Grace looks so happy, which is awesome to see. She’s worked hard to make this event successful.
As the last auction donation I know about is claimed, both Roderick and Grace step to the center of the stage. The music creeps up in volume, and the lights swirl around as the tech guy is obviously trying to drive up anticipation of what’s coming. Roderick and Grace stay quiet, big grins on their faces, for about ten seconds before the music starts to taper.
“Okay, Grace. We’ve had a fabulous night tonight, and we’re thrilled to report that the team’s owners are going to match all of your donations,” says Roderick. “Let’s hear it for the Blunt family!”
The crowd gives a polite round of applause as Mr. and Mrs. Blunt stand up and bow in acknowledgement.
“Now, we do have one more donation for bidding tonight, right Grace?” Roderick says, turning to her.
“That’s right,” Grace answers. “This is a special one too—and involves a special person.”
Suddenly, I notice that Johnson is staring at me with a beaming smile on his face. I look back at him in confusion before moving my eyes back to the stage.
“We’re thrilled to share that we have a surprise guest tonight, who has graciously donated a one-of-a-kind auction item,” Grace explains, before turning to Roderick.
He follows up in a booming voice. “None other than the American tennis star, and most recently, Wimbledon runner-up, Rori Reilly. Donating six tennis lessons that she will give personally, as well as a meet and greet session with her tonight as part of the package!”
The audience is suddenly a chorus of jubilant chatter. Cheers, ‘ahhhhs,’ and even one loud “NO WAY,” comes from the attendees. Our table’s no different, with everyone showing their excitement at having Rori here.
Except Johnson. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me and is still smiling.
“You knew?” I mouth to him, and he nods.
“You better win this,” he mouths back. “Or I will.” His last word is punctuated with a wink.
I don’t know what to think. Why is Rori here, at my team’s charity event? Why is Grace acting like this is a normal donation? How does Johnson know, and why is he bidding?
“Rori, why don’t you come out here and say hi,” says Roderick from the stage.
