The auction is at its peak, and of course, Jaxon Walker is eating it up.
The moment he steps onto the stage, the gym erupts into screams. Girls are practically throwing themselves forward, clutching at their bidding paddles like their lives depend on it. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's loving every second of it.
"Ladies, let's keep the bidding civil," he says into the mic, flashing a grin that could melt ice caps. "I'd hate to see any fights break out over me."
A collective sigh sweeps through the audience. I roll my eyes so hard I nearly see my brain.
Ethan groans beside me. "This is unbearable."
"Tell me about it," I mutter, watching as the bids skyrocket within seconds.
"Fifty dollars!" a girl yells.
"Seventy!" another one shrieks.
"Eighty!"
"Ninety!"
Jaxon is eating it up. He winks at the crowd, and the screams intensify. He runs a hand through his hair, and I swear the screaming gets even louder.
I shake my head. "If his ego inflates any more, he's going to float out of the gym."
Ethan snorts, shaking his head. "I give it five minutes before he declares himself a national treasure."
"One hundred fifty!"
I nearly choke. That's an insane amount of money for a single date. I glance at Ethan, who looks like he wants to evaporate into thin air.
"This is my life," he states with zero enthusiasm. "Every single day."
Before I can respond, the bidding war rages on. Girls are practically fighting to win a date with Jaxon, and the cocky grin on his face tells me he knows exactly how ridiculous this is.
"One hundred sixty!"
"One hundred seventy!"
I cross my arms, muttering under my breath. "Unbelievable."
Jaxon catches my eye from the stage, and to my absolute horror, he smirks. Then he leans into the mic.
"You know, I'd hate for anyone to go bankrupt over me," he says smoothly. "But there's one bid I'd be most interested in hearing."
I freeze.
The entire gym turns to look at me.
Jaxon smirks, leaning into the mic. "What do you say, Carter? Ready to lock in date number two? Because let's be honest, one was never going to be enough."
My face burns.
The gym erupts.
"Nope," I say immediately, shaking my head so fast I probably look possessed. Not happening."
Ethan buries his face in his hands. "Why is this my reality?"
The auctioneer, trying and failing to regain control, clears his throat. "Uh, One hundred seventy going onceâ"
"Two hundred!" someone screams from the back.
Jaxon grins. "Looks like someone else is eager to steal my heart."
I groan. This is officially the worst night of my life.
Finally, the auctioneer slams the gavel down.
"Sold! To Madison Sinclair!"
The gym erupts and Jaxon takes a deep, dramatic bow, soaking up every second of his undeserved spotlight. Meanwhile, I fight the overwhelming urge to launch my clipboard at his head.
Ethan claps a hand on my shoulder. "Well. That was...something."
I exhale sharply. "I'm never going to hear the end of this."
And judging by the smug, self-satisfied look on Jaxon's face as he strolls off the stage like he just won an Oscar, I know I'm absolutely right.