Chapter Eight
Mackenzie
I ’m shaking as Mel leads me back to my dressing room. I can hear her talking to me, but I can’t bring myself to pay attention.
Did that really just happen? Did I really just sell myself to the highest bidder?
A hysterical giggle spills from my lips, bringing Mel to a stop. “Phoenix, are you okay?”
“I… I… Did I just do that?”
“You did.” Mel grins. “How does it feel?”
I shrug. “I have no idea. All I know is I can’t stop shaking.”
She nods, understanding on her face. “That’s completely normal. It’s the adrenaline. Come on. Let’s get you back to your room. We’ll get you a snack and a drink. That should help too.”
I nod but can’t seem to make my legs move. Mel wraps an arm around my waist, leading me to my dressing room. As soon as the door is shut behind us, she helps me to the couch before grabbing me a banana and a bottle of water.
When she thrusts them into my hand, I open the water and drink half the bottle before eating the banana in just a few bites. I can already feel the adrenaline ebbing, leaving me feeling tired. Which is unfortunate since my night is just getting started.
“Better?” she asks, and I nod. “Good. This happens sometimes. Don’t think you’re the first.”
“Thanks,” I tell her with a smile. “Now what happens?”
“Now, you wait here until the auction is over. If your buyer purchases a second lot, they’ll be brought to your dressing room since you were the first one bought. Then, you’ll wait together until the auction is over. Once payment is confirmed and all paperwork has been signed, I’ll lead your buyer—or buyers—here. Then you’ll leave with them, and they’ll return you here on Sunday night by midnight.”
I nod slowly. “And how often does that happen? The buyer buying two lots? And how often is there more than one buyer?”
“Both happen. I’m not sure how often, but I like to make sure everyone is aware of what could happen.” Mel smiles. “Do you have any other questions?”
“No. I think I’m good. Thank you.”
Mel nods. “I’ll see you at the end of the auction then, Phoenix. Just take this time to relax. The hard part is over.”
Watching her exit the room, I can’t help wondering if it really is over. Sure, my part in the auction is done, and I’ve been purchased. But that doesn’t mean the weekend will go off without a hitch, does it? I know the buyers are vetted and there’s no real reason for me to worry about ending up dead in a ditch, but I really have no idea what this weekend is going to bring.
I mean, it’ll probably bring lots of sex. I just hope my buyer is attractive. I don’t even know the gender—or lack thereof—of the person who purchased me. Not that it matters. I’m very open about who I’m attracted to.
Shaking my head, I wonder if I should get dressed. Mel didn’t say one way or the other, but I should probably let the buyer decide, right? After all, I’m theirs for the weekend.
Settling back on the couch, I can’t help but stare at the time. I know there are sixteen lots—something Mel confirmed for me on our way to the stage—and each bidding is five minutes. But what does that mean for how much time is left? Since we didn’t run into anyone else in the hallway, there’s likely some time in between each lot. Or did we pass anyone? I was in my own head. Maybe I should’ve paid more attention instead of losing my shit.
I’m definitely looking at another thirty minutes at bare minimum.
Deciding that staring at the time isn’t going to make it go any faster, I start playing the game I’d stopped when Mel arrived at my door. It’s easy to lose myself in it.
The knock on the door startles me enough that I end up dropping my phone.
“Yes?” I ask as I lean down to grab it, the door opening as my fingers close around it.
“Hi, Phoenix. I’m Jen. Your buyer made a second purchase, so I’m just dropping off Blaze. The auction is over, so your buyer should be here soon. Do either of you need anything before I go?”
“I’m all good,” I say as I sit up. Blaze has moved toward me and because I’m seated, the first thing my eyes find is his dick. My eyes widen at the size of said dick that I can see straight through the front of his underwear.
Damn, I want to lick that. Maybe suck on it or take it for a ride.
“Mackenzie?” My name is barely a whisper, spoken almost reverently.
My eyes pop up to the face of the owner of the lickable dick, eyes going wide in recognition.
“Is everything okay?” Jen asks.
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from Damon’s face. “Everything is great. Thank you. We’ll just wait here for our buyer.”
“Blaze?”
Damon can’t seem to tear his eyes away from me either. “We’re good. Thank you for all your help tonight, Jen. Have a great weekend.”
“You, too.” She hesitates for a moment, but eventually, I hear the door shut behind her.
“What are you doing here, Damon?”
He smirks. “I think you know what I’m doing here.”
I make a face. “Don’t start thinking you can charm me like that. It might have been ten years since I saw you, but I still remember it well.”
“Damn, Mackenzie. I can’t believe it’s you.” He strides over, hesitating as he nods to the seat beside me. “May I?”
“Yes, please.” The moment he sits on the couch, my hands are reaching for him. “I can’t believe you’re here. But seriously. Why are you here?”
He chuckles. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“And I’ll happily tell you after you answer me.” Cocking an eyebrow, I fight against the smile, trying to sneak out. It might have been ten years since I saw him, but it feels like yesterday.
“Fuck. Fine. I forgot how you’d always do this.” Damon shakes his head. “After Reginald had me arrested for assault, I was sentenced to ninety days in jail—“
“I’m well aware. I was at your sentencing. And I would’ve come to visit you in jail if you hadn’t refused to see me.” My words come out sharper than I meant them to. I guess I’m a little annoyed at the man in front of me.
He sighs. “I didn’t want to drag you into my mess. Mr. Hilton was determined to take everything from me and my mom since my dad was dead. He punished us because there was no one else to punish. I didn’t want you or Parker dragged into that.
“By the time I was released, he’d already run my mom out of town. She was living in a tiny one-bedroom in the worst part of Detroit. Life wasn’t easy for us, but let’s not get into that right now. Mom was diagnosed with early-onset dementia about five years ago. Her treatment is anything but cheap, and I’ve been doing everything I can to stay afloat. Half a million dollars for a weekend of sex is much better than what I’ve been doing.”
“No. Not your mom.” I fight against the tears I already feel welling in my eyes. “She’s dealt with enough in her life. I’m so sorry the two of you are having to deal with that.”
He shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but it’s clear just how much it’s affected him. “It is what it is. Now, tell me how you ended up here.”
“After you were arrested, Mr. Hilton all but ejected me from their house—telling me I was a bad influence on Parker, and it was time to remove that influence. The next day, Parker was gone. His number was disconnected, and all I could get from his dad was that he was attending a military school for the rest of the summer and for senior year. I never saw him again.”
Sighing, I look away. It’s so hard to think about that time, and that’s not even the worst thing I have to tell him. “I only left Ashwood to go to college. As soon as I’d gotten my Master’s, I returned home. It helped me out and my family liked having me around again. Then, six months ago, my parents took Lily and Ember on vacation in California. They were killed in a rockslide.”
“Jesus, Mackenzie. I’m so fucking sorry.”
I smile, still fighting tears. “It is what it is, right? Unfortunately, my parents had more debt than I knew. They’d taken out a second mortgage to cover my master’s degree. Their estate was just settled, and if I don’t come up with two hundred thousand dollars by the end of May, then I will lose the house. Well, five hundred thousand is more than two hundred, isn’t it?”
“Fuck.” Damon pulls me into his arms, and I lay my head on his chest. My eyes fall shut, remembering what it was like to be held by this man all those years ago. His body might have changed—somehow bulking out even more—but it still feels like this is where I belong.
It also gets me to thinking about the last time I saw him and Parker—somehow both the best and worst day of my life.