I look at myself in the full-length mirror on the back of my bathroom door, adjusting my bow tie for the umpteenth time, wondering yet again how the fuck I got myself into this. Fucking Jacoby! My best friend just had to cash in with THIS bullshit. Then there’s Nadine, who hasn’t stop bugging me about it since she walked into my office that day. The one who tops the craptastic cake in this entire thing is my sister, Sienna. She’s too excited for this and she won’t even bid on any of them out of fear it would be me. I shudder at the thought.

My sister wants to date, great. She should, as long as whatever asshole she chooses passes my test. Luckily all the poor bastards she has introduced me to so far have failed.

I check myself out much longer than any dude should, thinking I look pretty suave in a tux. I may be into books, art, and might have a slight obsession with super hero films, however, that doesn’t mean I don’t take care of myself. I played soccer all through high school and college. I play with Jacoby and a bunch of buddies whenever I’m in town. I have kept up with my body and am in pretty good physical shape. I check my hair one more time to make sure it has that just-got-out-bed kind of thing going on that, according my sister, makes the ladies swoon.

Sienna calls up to let me know she’s going to pick up her best friend, Everleigh, and that she will see me there. I declined her offer to ride along with them. I try to avoid Everleigh as much as possible. I have always kept myself a good distance from the petite blonde. At first, because she was younger than me, and now because she’s my sister’s best friend which automatically puts her in the friend zone. I can’t even call us friends, more like acquaintances. It’s not that I don’t like her. It’s the complete opposite. She’s quirky, friendly, and over all, a fun person to be around. Not to mention she is absolutely adorable. She’s isn’t a tall girl at all, maybe around 5’2”. She has dark blonde hair and the most alluring light brown eyes that remind me of the color of spiced rum. Every time I see her, she’s wearing a different pair of glasses ranging from a deep purple to a delicate pair of silver wire frames. Whenever we see each other, we don’t really talk, although the way she says hey Colt, in her sweet yet husky voice goes straight to my groin. I have often imagined how my name would sound falling from her soft lips as she falls apart beneath me.

I shake my head, in a failed attempt to clear my head and calm down my dick that always stands at attention whenever thoughts of Everleigh are at the forefront of my mind.

I take one more look at myself, knowing I will pass both Nadine and my sister’s approval, then head down the stairs, grab my keys, and the black and silver mask I’m supposed to wear from the table by the front door.

The winery is not a far drive, and, though I’d love to drink my ass off tonight to make it through this ridiculous event, I have to be at work early for a meeting.

I pull up to the plain building and shake my head. I have a hard time believing that Nadine picked this place. Granted, a winery in an urban setting is totally unique. From the outside it looks like it could be a shoe store or even a big medical practice.

The valet takes my keys and instructs me to go through the back entrance.

Nadine is by the back door and checks my name off the list she has on her clipboard.

“Well, don’t you clean up nicely?” she says. I grunt out thanks and start to walk past her but she grabs my arm, hitting me with a warning gaze. “Can’t you at least pretend like you want to be here?”

I give her my signature crooked smile. “Of course, Nadine, I’m not that big of an ass.” She gives me another look that says ‘we’ll see’.

She lets me go and I make my way to what appears to be a holding room for the bachelors. It’s a pretty large room with cream colored walls and mahogany accents. I look up and see the ceiling is vaulted with skylights and around the room are a few mahogany hi-top tables. My nerves start to rise as I realize how empty this room looks. I scan it further and notice everyone is gathered in the back corner around a mahogany bar, and the velvet curtain that sits along the far wall. I look around for Jacoby and don’t see him, so I shoot him a text.

What in the actual fuck? I scan the room, fuming. I spot Nadine and stalk towards her.

“What the hell Nadine?” My voice is raised, her eyes widen at my tone. She looks around when the noise dies down and everyone starts staring at us.

“Colton.” She acknowledges me as her eyes narrow in warning. She then grabs my arm, leading me into a small room off to the side.

“What kind of event is this? I have to wear a god dammed Speedo, letting my junk flap and do something called the helicopter, making all the desperate women of Norfolk salivate at my semi-hard member?”

Her mouth opens in shock. She starts to speak but I don’t let her.

“If I wanted to make a fool out of myself, I’d put a bear onesie on, go commando with the ass flap open and walk around offering spankings in exchange for a donation.”

Her shock turns to amusement as she throws her head back in a loud laugh.

“Let me guess, Jacoby told you about the Speedo.” It wasn’t a question. She laughs harder and I glare at her.

“You are dressed perfectly. Lighten up! Have a good time. You may want to talk to someone about your kinks. They’re a little disturbing. Bears? Really?” With a final laugh, she walks back towards the bar.

I head for the other end of the bar and a waiter with a tray of wine stops in front of me. I take one and down it, put the empty glass back on the tray and grab another. He looks at me stunned and I narrow my eyes. He says nothing and walks away.

I look back down at my phone to shoot a text back to Joker.

I spot Jacoby right away. He’s standing by the curtain and I start to make my way over to him. But instead of going straight to him, I peek out behind the curtain and see the room is filled with women, all different shapes and sizes. The way the lighting is, I can’t make out features and that’s okay by me. The date to the amusement park will be fun, I hope. If not, at least I didn’t have to spend a dime and I can get enough from the press event to write my article the next day.

“You ready, bro?’ Jacoby slaps my shoulder.

“Oh yeah.” I roll my eyes.

“Who knows man, maybe she’ll be hot as hell and give good head,” he jokes. I know he’s goading me. I let my cynicism get the best of me.

“I’m pretty sure if she was a master of the cock suck, she wouldn’t have to pay for a date,” I deadpan, he laughs.

“Dude, lighten up! It’s going to be a fun time regardless. Just go into it with the idea that no matter what, it’s an experience, and make it a good one”

I nod. I decide not to say anything and just go with it. I guess he’s right. I can make the most of it, but I’m not sure I want to. I kind of just want to go, do what I need to do for work and leave. Maybe that’s not right but really, does it matter? The money is for a great cause and I would hope that whoever is bidding sees that.

I hear Nadine take the stage and welcome everyone to the event. A waiter passes through the holding area carrying a tray of glasses filled with red wine. I take a glass from his tray and gulp the entire thing down.

“Damn Colt. Slow down,” Jacoby says, I shrug.

“It’s just one glass and if I’m going to do this, I may as well loosen up a little wouldn’t you say?”

Jacoby nods and we turn our attention to what’s going on behind the curtain. Nadine makes her opening speech and the music starts pumping a hip-hop type of beat. I listen as she introduces the first few bachelors, and the auctioneer does his thing. The amount of money raised so far, has me softening a little. This all for Kevin, for his memory. No matter how I got here, he’s my reason.

I take a breath as I hear my introduction.

Removing my dark rimmed glasses, I place them in my tuxedo’s inside pocket. I can’t see for shit without my glasses, but my sister says they make me look like ‘a douche bag hipster’. I snicker to myself imagining what she’s going to say about the mask.

With my black and silver mask firmly in place, I start my short walk to the stage, taking cautious steps as not to trip with my very limited sight. I listen as Nadine lists some hobbies and starts the description of the date, using words like hair-blowing fun and I don’t know why but that sounds kind of sexy. Maybe chugging three glasses of wine wasn’t the best of ideas.

I shake my head and give the crowd a smirk and the women scream. I’m not sure if I should feel like a piece of meat and disgusted, or completely turned on. One yells $300 before the auctioneer even starts and oh shit, it’s on! A few of them go back and forth by the hundred and I can’t help but puff my chest out a little. I laugh at myself. They can’t see my face, but I can hear their hoots and hollers when I do that. I’m tall and lean with great muscle tone. I take my tux jacket off, revealing the white button-down shirt that is tight across my pectorals. The sleeves are tight around my biceps and tapered at the wrists. I would rather have rolled up the sleeves to show off the colorful tattoos that snake up my right arm from my wrist to my shoulder. I know from experience, women dig ink. I sling the jacket over my shoulder and turn around slowly, showing off my best asset. The women go crazy and I can’t help but laugh when the bidding hits $1700. This is insane! These women must be desperate to spend that much money on a trip to an amusement park. I hear the auctioneer ask, “Do we have $1800?” One women shouts ‘$1,800’ and when he asks for $1,900, no one bids. “Going, going gone! Bachelor number five is sold to paddle number nine.”

I slowly take off my mask, searching the room to find the owner of paddle nine but I can barely see without my glasses. I pause to put my jacket on, take my glasses out of the inside pocket and put them on. As soon as I do, my eyes widen, and my mouth drops open. Everleigh, looking stunning in a white and red dress, holds up her paddle and shrugs, giving me a small smile.

I’m not sure if this is one of those fate or punishment type of scenarios. My palms start to sweat as I descend the stage, making my way over to where she is standing with my sister who is grinning like an idiot. “Hey Colt.” Her husky voice sounds nervous, almost vulnerable, right then and there, I know I’m screwed.