Chapter 9 Skylar
Chapter nine
Skylar
"Damn it." Whitney's frustration is loud and clear as she looks out at the crowd gathered at The Wet Whistle.
Ms. Diane, Babs, and I are organizing the ladies. We don't serve food at night, so the kitchen has become a temporary backstage for the bachelorettes. The auction starts in less than thirty minutes, and the excitement is palpable.
"What's wrong?" I ask, peeking through the circular window of the swinging kitchen door. "Did your brother show up after all?"
"No." She pouts. "But he sent his three best friends to cock-block me. I swear to God, he's going to force me to move or to join a nunnery if he keeps this shit up."
Hunter ambles back to us, grinning as he takes in the excited bachelorettes. "Ladies, you all look lovely, and this crowd is raring to go."
Claps and whistles sound out as the women help each other put the finishing touches on their makeup.
Faye Dunlop, who runs the spa in town, looks up from her mirror and grins at Hunter. "You're the MC tonight? So you won’t be bidding?" She pouts, and a few of the other women backstage boo.
"What about the other two?" Lane Peters and Jessica Clark grin at Paul and Mark, who look at me with raised eyebrows.
The hairs on the back of my neck prickle with the ladies’ attention on my guys, and I clear my throat loudly. "They are all taken, ladies." My cheeks heat, but I hold my head up proudly. I love these men, and we only get one life. I won’t allow worry to stop me from getting what I want anymore.
Mark reaches for me and gives me a hug, clearly pleased with my public declaration of ownership.
I dart furtive glances at Paul and Hunter, who look elated.
When Mark lets me go, Hunter puts his arm around me and kisses my neck in a way that has my panties soaked in seconds.
The heat in Paul's eyes tells me that another midnight sex session is in my future.
I realized this morning, as they all got up early and headed to the bar to help set up for the auction, that they need me to claim them too. We don't need to throw our arrangement in anyone's face, but if this is going to work, we can't hide from the world. And they need to know that I'm all in.
"About time, girl." Ms. Diane nods approvingly.
"All right, ladies. Twenty-five minutes and counting," Babs calls out in her high-pitched, gravelly voice.
I look around as excited chatter starts up again. "Anybody seen Nora?"
Everybody shakes their heads.
"Here's the list, sugar." Babs hands a clipboard to Hunter and explains the process.
As I head toward the back alley to see if my friend stepped outside for some air, I catch my dad hobbling down the stairs.
I grin. "Hey, you're joining the land of the living tonight?"
I brought the guys over to my dad's apartment for coffee this morning. Even if we aren't particularly close, I thought it best to give him a heads-up before news of our arrangement made it into the Foxy Falls grapevine.
Dad makes it down the last step and holds his side, but he looks a hell of a lot better than he did at Christmas. "Skylar, I can't thank you enough for all your help this week. But you need to head home before you get snowed in for the season."
"What about the bar?" I ask, excited at the prospect of heading out on an adventure with my men.
"Monica's brother and niece are done at the quarry for the season, so they’ll help out for the next month until she's fully healed." Dad nods at Paul as he walks past us.
"Skylar, I know I didn't have anything to do with this, but I want you to know how proud I am of the woman you've become,” he says, his eyes glistening.
My eyes prickle with tears. "Thank you, Dad. And thank you for meeting the guys this morning," I add, unsure if he has an opinion about our arrangement.
"Life is about figuring out what you need, Skylar. As long as you’re happy, I am too."
I smile and kiss his cheek. "You should probably take your own advice, Dad." I motion toward Monica as she enters the kitchen.
He shakes his head, looking awkward. "It's complicated."
His words make me realize how much I was getting in my own way with the three men who’ve pledged their hearts to me. Like father, like daughter.
"Maybe it doesn't have to be." I give him a hug, then leave him to figure out whatever it is he's avoiding with Monica.
As I get to the back door, Mark is waiting for me. He opens it and beckons me to follow him.
"The auction’s about to start," I say with a grin.
"Give me ten minutes." His deep voice is thick with lust.
I move immediately, like I'm under a trance.
"Just a quickie before things get started," he says, pushing me up against the wall next to the door and kissing me until I can't remember what I was doing in the first place.
"It has been at least twelve hours since my last orgasm," I agree as if it's a real affliction.
Mark makes a clicking noise with his tongue. "Far too long. Let me help you out with that."
He holds open the back door again, and I notice the black SUV the guys rented from the airport sitting in the back alley, already running.
I pull him out with me and hear a gasp on my right. I turn to see Nora and Vance break apart quickly. Her lips are red, and he’s staring at her like he's in love.
"Hey, Skylar. Mark." Nora glances at Vance before looking back at me. "Is the auction starting?"
"In about twenty minutes," Mark replies.
She nods, ducking in through the back door of the kitchen with a little smirk thrown my way.
I raise my eyebrows at Vance, who grins sheepishly as he walks down the alley toward Main Street.
"Hey, Vance," I call out to him.
He turns to look at me.
"You better bid on her, or somebody else will."
His eyes darken, and he nods, hustling to the front to do just that.
"Vance and Nora?" I whisper to Mark, clapping my hands with glee.
Mark chuckles. "I'd like to talk about that, but first..." He opens the door to the SUV, and the warmth from inside wraps around me.
I climb into the back seat, crooking my finger at one of my sexy men, who eagerly complies.
This year is going out with a bang.