Drew sits beside Curtis and I take the seat beside him. Ashton sits next to his mom and Mia sits between us. While everyone chats, I lean over, stretching my arm around Mia, and hug her to me.
“You look gorgeous, woman,” I say, giving her a peck to her neck. “Reminds me of that night in California.”
She turns to look at me, our faces only inches apart, and chews on her bottom lip. “You don’t think it’s too tight?”
“Hey,” I say, brushing my thumb along her bare shoulder. “Your mom’s not here. We are. And I can guarantee every person at this table thinks you look amazing.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs. “You’re so sweet.”
“You’re not just beautiful, but you’re smart and funny, too. Your mom only wishes she were half of what you are, which is why she cuts you down. For her, she has to try really fucking hard to stay pretty and relevant. You just are. Effortlessly.”
“Mom,” Ashton complains, humor in his tone. “The hot hockey player is hitting on my girlfriend.”
Wendy cackles and I chuckle. Drew places a possessive hand on my thigh under the table and squeezes. I throw him a wink that brings out his dimple again.
We spend the next hour chatting and enjoying each fancy course. This event is a little too pretentious for my liking, but having my people here helps.
“Oh shit,” Ashton mutters over a mouthful of his chocolate dessert, glaring down at his phone. “Excuse me.”
He stands up so fast, I’m afraid the chair will topple over. His face is a mixture of fury, confusion, and fear. I snag his wrist before he can walk away.
“You okay?” I demand, meeting his hazel eyes with mine.
“Yeah, I’ll be right back,” he assures me. He pulls from my grip and stalks out of the room like his ass is on fire.
“What the hell was that about?” I ask Mia.
“Not sure. If he doesn’t come back in a few minutes, I’ll go check on him.”
Drew shoots me a questioning look and I shrug. Before we can figure out what Ashton’s deal is, I hear Sasha’s friend Courtney’s annoying voice on the speaker.
“Thank you all for coming to the annual Atlantic Pointe athletic fundraising event. Tonight, just by being here, you’ve raised thirty thousand dollars for the athletic department,” Courtney says in a peppy voice, making everyone applaud. “A huge thank you to Mr. Vanworth and all the football alumni for making this annual event happen, each year more successful and attended than the years’ previous.” She waves a stack of cards in the air. “Now, it’s the time where we give back to the community. The auction portion will be raising money for our Atlantic Pointe athletic scholarships. Those less fortunate rely on annual donations to be able to come and play at Atlantic Pointe University, while receiving a high quality education. Last year, we were able to provide full athletic scholarships to twenty students, who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend Atlantic Pointe, thanks to this event!”
Everyone claps and whistles.
“I know with this year’s auction, we’ll be able to help many more students attend Atlantic Pointe without being worried about graduating in debt. We appreciate you all for showing up tonight and I am looking forward to tonight’s main event.” She grins. “I know my daddy has his heart set on the trip to Fiji, and my chapter president is looking forward to a date with a hockey player.” Everyone chuckles. “The Delta Delta Delta sorority chapter is passing out auction paddles. Once they’ve been distributed, we’ll get started. Thanks again and let’s raise some money!”
Drew squeezes my thigh, drawing my gaze to his. His jaw clenches as he holds his paddle tightly in his fist. I see the intent written all over his face.
He’s going to bid on me.
Curtis’s hazel eyes bounce back and forth between Drew and me, reminding me why he can’t bid on me. I cover his hand with mine and lean toward him. When he does the same, I whisper, “Don’t.”
An irritated snort can be heard from him, even over Courtney’s loud voice over the intercom. She makes her way through all the lower ticket items, until she eventually makes it to the big ones. A bidding war ensues over a skiing trip for two to Aspen, Colorado. Even Drew gets in on that one and I can’t help but think it’s because he wants to take me with him. He loses to someone, but he’s okay with it. Ashton comes back, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Before we get to the highest ticket item—the trip to Fiji—let’s get to the fun part of the auction. Dates with the athletes!” Courtney bounces on her toes, making her boobs jiggle in an obscene way that probably has half the old men in here sporting chubs. “Let’s get it started tonight with Xavier Paulson, our very own quarterback!”