Double Score

“We’re all doing this for the good of the organization.”

“That’s what you keep telling us,” one of the tight ends made his voice carry over the scuffle.

“Then why don’t you make a personal investment in the team. Let’s see how much this actually means to you.”

“What are you saying?” I pushed him. I didn’t like the games he played.

He grinned. “A gentlemen’s auction. We’ll start the bidding at a thousand.”

Dylan’s hand shot. “I’m in.”

I stared at him. “You’re going to bid for her?”

“Hell yeah.”

Rocks called out. “Two thousand.”

It happened so fast, I didn’t have time. My hand was up next. “Five thousand.” I glared at Rocks over the table.

Dylan chimed after me. “Fifty-five hundred.”

Rocks exhaled. “Fine. I'll go up to six grand.”

A few of the other guys threw bids in. We were up to fifteen thousand. Steve looked pleased with himself. I didn’t know where we would land, but I knew between Dylan and me we had a pretty good chance of keeping Vanessa out of Rocks’ hands.

The rest of the guys moved out of the way as the bidding got too rich for their blood. One came back from the locker room with a bottle of bourbon. And someone else broke out a box of cigars. The last time we were together like this was Luke’s bachelor party.

Although, now one of us was ready to give up being a bachelor even if it wasn't for real.

Steve looked pretty damn pleased with himself for concocting this entire scheme.

I wanted to ask Dylan how high he was willing to go. But I kept upping the bet every time Rocks raised his hand. Damn him.

“Gentlemen,” Steve taken his role seriously. “We’re up to almost thirty grand. Do you want to keep going, or is Isaac the lucky winner?”

“Hell no,” Rocks growled.

“I’m still in,” Dylan reported.

Fuck. I didn’t know how much longer we would up the money like this. And what was the point? Did I really care about the Warriors? Or did I just want to make sure an asshole like Rocks wasn’t the one who spent the season with Vanessa?

Hell, I’d only spent an hour with the woman. That was it. And I was acting as if I had to defend her. Protect her. Like our meeting meant something. It didn’t mean a damn thing, but I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted her. I wanted to walk out of this room the highest bidder. The winner. The man who would take Vanessa McCade for the entire season.

Dylan grinned. He had the worst fucking poker face. “I can do this all night. You up for it, Rocks?” He looked at Steve. “Forty thousand.”

“Fifty,” I cast another bid for her.

“You two are fucking crazy,” Rocks groaned. “No woman is worth that much. I’m out.”

“So I’m the winner?” I smiled.

r /> “It appears so,” Steve agreed.

“Not so fast, brother.” I stared at Dylan. Slowly he raised his hand above the table. “Seventy-five thousand.”

“What?”

He shrugged. “Are you going to bid again?” he dared me. “You know I don’t like to lose. I’ll keep going.”