Chapter Five

Addie watched Sawyer walk onto the stage with the stealth of a lion hunting its prey. A shiver racked her body. He was seriously easy on the eyes. She was doing her best to keep things…professional. Could she even say that when the man tied up her tongue, made her fumble over her feet, and, technically, she’d kidnapped him?

His moods gave her whiplash, and that was a warning signal brighter than a beacon. But still, she was intrigued.

“And a surprise bachelor this evening, our very own Nashville Slammers’ all-star catcher, Sawyer McBain.”

Mr. Dawson went on to give some career highlights that he must have had memorized, but Addie couldn’t take her eyes off Sawyer. More than that, she felt like he was holding her gaze. Which was impossible, because he had the spotlight in his face and likely couldn’t see her. Still. The tug of attraction she felt, even across the room, was like the moon pulling the tide. Strange, since she wasn’t entirely sure she liked him or vice versa.

The bidding started, and Addie gave it a few minutes before she popped her paddle in the air. A thrill of excitement shot straight to her belly, and she told herself it was the adrenaline of bidding, not the way Sawyer nodded in her direction.

“Bidding on your own guest, Addison?”

Addie turned to see Karen Capshaw, another board member—closer to Addie in age—staring at her, brows furrowed. Karen looked stunning in her deep navy sequined dress.

Her cheeks warmed. “My hand just sort of shot up there without warning,” Addie said, trying not to lose focus on the action, a smile tugging at her lips.

“From what I read, he’s more than willing to spend time with an available woman for free. Unavailable women, too.”

Addie’s stomach clenched hard. She turned her body to face Karen. Did people really believe everything they read? After seeing how the media had turned her best friend’s words and actions around repeatedly, Addie knew that there was always more to the story. But maybe Sawyer’s mood swings hinged on the fact that people judged so harshly without having real evidence. She’d seen, firsthand, what that could do to a person. Isla had fought back and she’d had Liam and Addie for support, but Sawyer didn’t seem like he leaned on a lot of people.

“You don’t actually believe tabloids and gossip, do you, Karen?” Why she felt the need to protect him, she didn’t know. Because you can’t stand bullies.

Karen smiled, looked toward the stage, and actually lifted her paddle. “It’s all based on some kernel of truth.”

“You’re bidding?” Addie’s jaw dropped.

Karen winked. “Honey, if half of what they say is true about him, he’d be well worth the money.”

Addie’s stomach soured, and she swallowed down the lump in her throat. She glanced around and saw several women—all ages—laughing and urging one another to bid. If this was the sort of thing celebrities dealt with, she could see why Sawyer kept his walls up.

Karen got into the bidding, but Addie had lost her desire to participate even as a fun way to drive up the bids. She didn’t want to watch. Addie backed up, away from the crowd, trying to figure out what to do. She’d accused him of being cynical, but he clearly had reason. He hated this type of event though, again, clearly had a reason. And she’d trapped him into it. Shame swamped her when she realized the lengths to which she’d gone to get what she wanted tonight. This wasn’t who she was, regardless of the outcome.

“You okay, Ms. Carlisle?”

Addie whirled and nearly stumbled right into Dustin. He was taller than her so she tipped her head up to meet his gaze.

“I, uh, yes.” Think, Addie.

“We have three thousand four hundred. Do we have three thousand five hundred?” Mr. Dawson’s voice cut through the air, and Addie looked back to see Sawyer scowling.

Jeez. Even a scowl looked good on him.

“I just wanted to say thank you again for the opportunity,” Dustin said beside her.

“Hmm? Oh. You’re welcome.” Sweat started to trickle at her hairline. Sawyer was going to hate her.

“Going once,” Mr. Dawson said, his grin looking far too Cheshire-ish.

“Well, okay. I’ll see you later,” Dustin said.

Addie started and looked at the young man. “Wait. Take this.” She thrust the paddle at him, glancing around quickly to make sure no one saw.

Dustin accepted the paddle, his dark blond brows pushed together. “Sorry?”

“Going twice.”

Her heart went haywire. She couldn’t do it; she’d look like a fool trying to buy her way into Sawyer’s life. Or the organization. Which is basically what you’re trying to do! She widened her eyes at him, lowered her voice to a whisper. “Bid. Now. I’ll pay. Outbid anyone for any amount.”

She stepped away from him, her heartbeat thudding in her ears. She breathed a sigh of relief when Dustin, face still scrunched, lifted the paddle.

“We have three thousand five hundred, folks. Come on, everyone. This is for a great cause. How about three thousand six hundred?”

Wringing her hands together, grateful Dustin knew better than to outbid himself, she tried to blend into the crowd. Hopefully, she hadn’t just stomped all over her own chances to be part of something bigger. She could just imagine how some of the other board members would look at her if they found out she’d purchased her own celebrity guest. Not to mention how it would look if news of tonight hit the entertainment news. Addison Carlisle purchases one of her own at auction. There were too many pieces of this she hadn’t thought all the way through. That wasn’t like her.

The bidding continued and Dustin almost won. At the last second, an older woman, wearing more jewels than Addison had ever seen in one place, threw her paddle up with a bid one thousand dollars over the last amount. It happened so fast and then Mr. Dawson slammed the gavel down. It was done.

None of this was going how she planned. It’ll be okay. This will be fine. It’s for charity. He won’t hate you. That woman doesn’t look handsy at all. Addie cringed when she saw the woman rub her hands together and her friends, all decked out in silks and very shiny bling, laughed loudly.

“We need to talk,” Sawyer’s deep, masculine voice said in her ear, jolting Addie out of her thoughts.

Dustin wandered near them, hesitating a few feet away as the next bachelor went up for bid.

“I’m sorry. I tried to get Dustin to bid. I tried to bid. I don’t know if that’s even okay. But she…doesn’t look handsy,” Addie whispered.

“No good deed ever goes unpunished,” Sawyer said, his tone clipped.

“Uh, here’s your paddle, Ms. Carlisle,” Dustin said. He looked at Sawyer. “Sorry, sir. That woman’s bid came out of nowhere.”

“Not your fault, kid,” Sawyer said, crossing his arms over his chest, his lips pressing into a flat line.

Addie looked between the two men and felt guilt curling inside her chest, making it tight. The air was thick with perfume and cologne and the scents of overpriced hors d’oeuvres.

“Dustin, you did great. Thank you for trying. Please, make sure you come see me at the stadium.”

He gave her a small wave and walked away, heading toward bi-fold swinging doors that had servers filing in and out.

“I’m sorry. But listen, we can make a signal if she does anything untoward,” Addie said, turning to focus on Sawyer.

Did his lips just twitch? “Yeah? Like what?”

Addie glanced around then back at him. “Uh, you could do that fist pump like Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club. Do you remember that?” Why that was the first thing that popped into her head, she had no idea. But now it was all about cleaning up her own mess and getting through the next four hours.

“I barely remember the movie. What are you, a rom-com buff?”

She felt her cheeks warm. “Everyone needs a hobby. And nothing makes a person happier than a feel-good movie.”

His lips quirked again but then they turned down slightly. “You’re serious.” He stared at her like she was a little off-kilter. Which you’re giving him a lot of evidence for.

“It’s for a good cause.”

Sawyer leaned in, his warm breath making her own hitch. “I cannot decide what to think of you, Addison. This might be one of the strangest nights of my life and that’s saying something. You better get me out of that trivia show.”

She nodded. What choice did she have? She’d been so wrapped up in her own goals, she’d taken advantage of someone who didn’t deserve it. And very likely, her little scheme would have the opposite effect she’d intended.

Tonight, she’d just wanted to show she could be an active, contributing member of this society’s chapter. Instead, she’d crossed lines, made a fool of herself, tangled a young man up in her ideas, and given Sawyer one more reason to have little faith in others. Maybe this was why some people just handed over a check when they wanted to help out. It was a lot easier and there was no chance of owing favors—ones she could only hope she’d be able to pull off—to a broody, scowling-faced jock whose moods switched like the swing of a pendulum. One who had no reason to like her or help her.

Especially now.