Page 16 of Offensive Plays

I place the now empty glass on the table and give a hard and powerful "Aaah," just to get on his nerves.

He doesn't get to fix his life up in a matter of weeks and then turn on me. No sir-ee. I was the responsible one long before he was.

He rolls his eyes and Kesley chuckles to herself.

Ryker strolls up to our table and slaps Zane on the back. "Should we take bets on who'll bring in the highest bids?"

Zane smirks. My brother loves a good bet.

"Not everything has to be a game," Kesley says. But she pulls out her clutch from under the table and opens it, presenting a crisp hundred-dollar bill. "But my money's on Landry."

I laugh as Zane and Ryker both drop their faces. "Landry?" Zane asks. "Why him?"

"He's the team captain,” I answer for her. “And he's been out most of the season. It's like every woman's fantasy to snag the team captain. Supply and demand, bro."

Zane raises a brow and asks his wife, "And is it your fantasy?"

"No, caveman," she reaches for his cheek. "I prefer hot-headed defensemen. Obviously."

Zane settles down and kisses her on the neck. I turn to scan the room again. There's chatter all around us. Women are dressed to the nines, some accompanied by their husbands who, no doubt, are looking for a good tax deduction and figured this would be as good a cause as any.

"These ladies do know they're not actually going to sleep with any of them, right?" Zane asks nobody in particular.

"Have you met your teammates?" I reply. "Don't put it past them. Some of these guys would sleep with them just to say they banged the dude's wife from the Houston's Hugest Overstock Warehouse commercial." I mimic the loud announcer that everyone recognizes from his over the top voice.

"Shhh," Kesley chuckles and nudges me. "He's right there."

I look at the table she motioned toward and sure enough, there's Houston's Hugest Overstock Warehouse guy.

"It's like seeing a celebrity for the first time," I smirk, as I watch him interact with the other well-known patrons at his table.

You have to have money to be here tonight. PR Queen Rina Lopez made sure to invite the Who's Who of Houston. You had to be willing to drop eight grand on a plate just for a seat.

But as Rina says, it's for the children.

The music lowers, and the lights go down as the mic gives feedback, and Rina steps onto the stage.

She's dressed in an all-black glimmering ensemble that perfectly hugs her curves and towers over everyone in four-inch heels. Her sleek black hair is pulled into a high pony that shows off her high cheekbones. In another life, Rina could have been a model.

"That's my cue," Ryker says, taking his seat on the other side of our table. Izzy, his fiancee, is snapping photos near the stage. She, too, looks like a vision. Her dark hair tumbles down her back. Her teeny baby bump just barely poking out under her mermaid gown. I almost never see her dressed up. The girl is a walking billboard for #yogapantlife.

The crowd dies down as Rina begins. "Ladies and gentlemen, in partnership with the Children's Hospital of Greater Houston, the Heatwave and their staff want to thank you for participating in tonight's first annual Date-a-Player Charity Auction."

The room erupts into applause as Rina takes a moment to acknowledge everyone who made it happen.

"First annual? You mean we gotta sit through this shit once a year?" Ryker complains.

Only three guys on the team are exempt from being auctioned off—and that's only because they have significant others. Tonight, all the Heatwave singles will be sold to the highest bidder for a date of their choosing.

"You gonna bid?" Kesley whispers to me as Rina continues thanking sponsors.

I snort, "Are you kidding? I'm desperate but not that desperate," I whisper back. "I'd never date a hockey player. No offense."

Kesley smirks, "None taken."

"Some taken," Zane admits, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, please. Would you want me to date one of your teammates? That'd be your worst nightmare."