The Hourglass

by K. S. Smith

  Turning to look around the room I spotted Brooke walking in through the main entrance. “Oh, there she is now.”

  Luke quickly shifted so our bodies weren’t touching, and I waved Brooke over. She smiled at the three of us and lifted her finger to let us know she’d be over in just one minute. Sliding closer to Luke, I kissed his cheek again. A bead of sweat touched my lips. “Honey, you’re sweating, are you okay?” Luke quickly pulled his handkerchief out of his lapel and wiped his forehead just as Brooke began walking toward us.

  “Savannah!” my assistant called. “We need you back stage, please hurry.”

  I apologized to Mr. Hemsworth. “I’m so sorry, I’ve got to get back stage, Luke knows Brooke, so he can introduce you. Again, thank you for partnering with Hourglass.”

  Rushing back stage, I peered at the scene from behind the curtain. “I’m not sure what Ms. Reid needed, but she sent me an urgent text asking me to get you out of there.” Laughing to myself I let the curtain close, this is going to be more fun that I’d ever guessed.

  Brooke

  Sliding up beside Lucas, I laced my fingers into his and then planted a kiss on the corner of his firm lips. Moving my mouth ever so close to his ear I whispered, “Would you like to explain why Savannah was over here a moment ago?”

  Stepping back, I flashed a smile to the man in front of us who was looking between us in utter confusion. “Why hello, I’m Brooke Reid, the new Design Editor at Hourglass.”

  My hand extended out to shake his, while his jaw hung agape. With a slight shake of his head, he focused his eyes back on mine. “You’re the new hire Monica was raving about? How lovely to meet you. I am Mr. Hemsworth. You’ve been doing an exceptional job arranging our pages.”

  As a blush rushed to my cheeks, I felt my smile grow. I was being raved about, by Monica. Holy Crap! “Why, thank you, Mr. Hemsworth. If you don’t mind, I’d love to steal my boyfriend away before the auction begins. Stake my claim so these women know he is mine when the bidding war ensues.”

  Mr. Hemsworth suddenly began coughing or choking—I’m not quite sure which actually—before finally getting his bearings and speaking. “Actually Ms. Reid, I need to speak with him first regarding an issue that just arose. Can I send him back to you in a moment?”

  “Of course, just be sure no other girls steal him.” I gave him a wink before spinning around and heading for Lisa, who was making final preparations for the auction.

  As soon as I got to Lisa, her eyes grew large in terror. “Brooke, umm, is everything okay?”

  “Lisa, everything is absolutely perfect!” I turned so that I could face Lucas and watch as Mr. Hemsworth very animatedly flailed his arms and spoke to Lucas about the new issue. A full on belly laugh bubbled out, consuming me, and Lisa sent me a very perplexed look.

  “Brooke? Did you hear me? I said Savannah and Mr. Wellington looked cozy a moment ago.”

  I was incapable of reining in the idea that was growing in my mind as Lucas walked toward me. Glistening in sweat, his pulse became visible in his neck as he neared the spot where Lisa and I stood.

  “Perfect timing, babe, Lisa was just telling me something very odd I thought you’d like to explain. She said Savannah was saying you were hers? I tried to tell her that is preposterous. I mean when will Savannah catch a hint! My God!” I threw my hands in the air and sucked in a quick breath before continuing. “If Savannah Prescott wants to play dirty, we can do that then. Come on it’s time for the auction I’ll have Lisa escort you back because I am going to find Savannah and handle her right this instant, I mean she knows I think I’m pregnant with your baby, and now this, this! Lisa, take him away please,” I choked on my words as tears brimmed in my eyes.

  “Brooke, I … I…” Lucas stuttered trying to form words as his eyes moved rapidly from my face, to my stomach, to a pissed off Lisa who looked like she might kill him at any moment.

  “I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “Excuse me please, it must be the hormones!” I ran off toward the bathrooms in a flurry, as Lisa dragged Lucas to the backstage prepping area.

  As soon as I stepped in the bathroom, slow applause began, and turning I smiled at Savannah and took a bow. “Oh he is done,” I laughed.

  “I must say, I think I might have created a monster,” Savannah said coyly. “You ready to start the bidding?” Grabbing my hand Savannah led me out to the main ballroom.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Auction Night

  Savannah

  SITTING DOWN IN the front row, I peered around the room. Brooke had done a phenomenal job with the event. Crossing my legs, I placed my bidding paddle in my lap and overheard the woman next to me raving about Luke as she pointed to his picture in the auction brochure, “He’s just perfect, don’t you think? I can’t wait to bid on him. I’m sure I’ll win. I’ve got twenty five thousand dollars in hand and I’m ready to fight for him.”

  Snickering to myself I relaxed, oh honey, twenty five thousand dollars is chump change compared to what I’m willing to spend to ensure Luke Wellington gets what he deserves.

  Across the aisle I watched as Brooke took her seat, winking at me just as the lights began to flash onto the runway and Monica appeared to begin the bidding. We’d made it through the first three bachelors when I shot a quick text to Brooke.

  One more to go, let’s allow a few bids before we begin the war.

  Brooke glanced up and nodded at me, then took to her phone, a buzz alerting me of an incoming text message.

  Perfect. I’ll place the first bid.

  Grinning across the stage, I knew Brooke needed this. She’d been hurt the most out of the two of us, and I wasn’t going to let Luke get off easily. He had hurt me, but most importantly he’d hurt my best friend, my innocent best friend, and there was going to be hell to pay.

  Monica began with Luke’s introduction as he floated effortlessly down the runway, stopping right next to Monica and directly in front of me. He glanced down just in time to see me flash him an earth-shattering smile. I watched the sweat begin to bead on his forehead.

  “We’d like to start the bidding at one thousand dollars,” Monica roared through the loud speakers. Paddles took off into the air; women were going crazy for Luke. Within a minute he was already up to ten thousand dollars. Peering down at me his eyes were huge, wondering why I’d yet to bid, but I just sat there, smiling.

  “Fifteen thousand dollars!” a loud voice said from the other side of the runway. Luke’s head whipped to the left and he locked eyes with Brooke, whose paddle was proudly high in the air.

  Glancing back at me, a look of horror on his face, I stood and lifted my paddle higher. “Sixteen thousand.”

  Luke’s face paled white as Brooke and I glared up at him. “Seventeen thousand dollars,” another voice from somewhere behind me yelled and I glanced over to Brooke. There was no way she was going to let anyone other than one of us win this bidding war.

  Brooke

  “Bitch!” The curse slipped out before I could stop it as I turned to look at the new bidder trying to step in on my bidding war with Savannah. Meanwhile, Lucas was standing up on the stage, sweating bullets. Honestly, it was kind of grossing me out at this point. I’m really not even sure how women were finding him attractive. He looked anxious and nervous as he wrung his hands together, his confidence completely faltering as he resisted the urge to flee the train wreck he was bearing witness to in front of him. This was all unfolding perfectly.

  The woman, who had just wagered the seventeen thousand dollar bet, cleared her throat, regaining my attention as she gave me a heinous glare. Narrowing my eyes at her as she spoke. “Looks like Luke Wellington is going to be in my bed tonight,” she taunted causing the crowd to chuckle at her bold statement.

  “Twenty-five thousand!” I screamed aloud, daring her to challenge me further. Currently feeling the intense need to smack her across her over botoxed face.

  “Twenty-seven thousand,” her confident voice goaded, her dress swishing and
her heels clicking as she sashayed toward me. Her eyebrow went up in defiance.

  Pulling in a deep breath, I slowly released it. Reminding myself that the plan was to humiliate him, not make him seem like this hot commodity worth fighting over. Turning to look at Lucas he gave me a puzzled expression.

  “Well it seems the delicious Mr. Wellington is in high demand this evening, would anyone else like to jump in on this?” Monica’s charismatic voice cheered through the speakers.

  “Thirty thousand,” I bid again forcing all eyes to find their way back to me standing nose to nose with the intruder. “Trust me honey, you don’t want this one, he’s got a lot of baggage.” Looking back at Lucas I saw his adam’s apple bob as he forcibly swallowed.

  “Fine, you can have him, there are five other men I can take home drama-free,” she snapped.

  “Thirty-Five thousand,” a feminine voice called from beside me. Turning, I spotted Savannah standing a bit closer than she was before, flashing her smile at me to get me back on track. Twisting my head to look back at the stage Lucas was getting whiplash looking between Savannah and I standing way too close for his comfort. Deciding to test his strength that seemed to be stretched taut like a rubber band at this point, I inched closer to Savannah in a challenging gesture. “Forty thousand,” I growled at her. “After all he is my boyfriend.”

  Savannah

  “Your boyfriend?” I seethed, doing my best to shoot daggers from my eyes at my best friend. “That’s not what he said last night when he was in my bed.” Flipping back to Luke I raised my paddle even higher. “Forty five thousand dollars!”

  Luke lifted his trembling hand toward his neck and loosened his tie, undoing the top button of his shirt, while using his other hand to wipe the perspiration off of his terrified face. My stomach fluttered in excitement. Luke was withering away right before my eyes and it was apparent to everyone in the room.

  The room was buzzing with chatter and I could hear some of the women behind me. “I’m not sure what this guy has done to the two of these girls,” said one of them. “But they are out for blood.” My lips tugged upward at the sides and I knew our plan was working. Keep it together Savannah, it's working, we just need a few more minutes and this prick will be ruined for any other woman as long as he lives in Denver.

  Before Brooke could counter bid, Monica lifted the microphone back to her lips. “Ladies and gentlemen, forty-five thousand dollars for Lucas Wellington. You sir, have officially become the highest bid in Hourglass auction history.” I can only assume Monica’s intention was to take the attention off Brooke and me and our evil plan. She continued, “With forty-five thousand dollars, can you imagine how many children will be blessed with new clothes? This is just wonderful. I am so elated right now.” The room erupted in loud cheers followed by a thundering round of applause; but we were far from over.

  Stepping even closer to Brooke I leaned in and whispered, “Okay, this is all you. Give him your highest bid.” Smiling at each other we both glanced up to Luke one final time before humiliating him completely. Luke’s stare was locked on to the two of us, his eyes filled with rage. Slipping an arm through Brooke’s I gave Luke one last wink before Brooke brought all of his indiscretions crumbling down on top of his head in front of our entire social circle.

  Brooke

  With my arm hooked through Savannah’s, we both stared Lucas down. He looked ready to hit the deck. I flashed a glance over to a scowling Monica, thinking she might very well kill us before this night was out.

  “Going once. Twice,” Monica kept her eyes locked on mine, waiting for me to bet, to commit career suicide. With a swallow of my fear, I unlinked our arms and stepped forward, Lucas despite being several feet away and on a stage, took a retreating step back.

  “Well, Savannah,” I crooned loudly so that my voice carried through the ballroom. “I’m not sure I can afford fifty, but hey, he’s been having us unknowingly share him for the last few months. Should we split this too?”

  The audible gasp heard throughout the room brought an enormous smile to my face. Lucas’s head hanging in shame as his shoulders slumped; well that was just the icing on my delicious cake.

  “Egh, I am not sure he is worth a dollar, but I guess we can take him. I’ve always wanted a dog,” Savannah stepped up beside me with an equally large smile on her face.

  “Fifty thousand dollars to help the children of America. Why Mr. Luke Wellington, we are indebted to you. The amount of children we will be able to clothe, well, I am just speechless!” Monica forced a cheery voice as she shot daggers at Savannah and me. “Ladies get your pocketbooks ready, because next up is one man so hot that he melts the snow, Mr. Joshua Worthington, the co-CEO of Worthington Squared.

  Meanwhile, Lisa stepped out on stage to grab Lucas and usher him off again, as he watched Savannah approach me. Looking around, I noted that all eyes were on us as the women began to gossip and point at a disappearing Lucas Wellington. Yet, both Savannah and I turned our heads to meet eyes with the woman who held our lives in her hand as she stared us down with a murderous look. Crap.

  Savannah pulled her lips back in a snarl before leaning in close to my ear, “Forget her for now, let’s go drive that final nail in the coffin.” Pulling out my phone I sent Lisa a text asking her to escort Lucas to the hotel room Savannah and I had reserved.

  As soon as I opened the door, I could see the spot in the carpet where Lucas had been pacing. His back was to the door as his stiff frame stared out the window.

  “Oh Lucas, would you care to offer up some excuses?” I asked, acid lacing my voice, finally allowed to let all my disgust and anger be directed at him.

  Twisting around Lucas came face to face with both the women he had been toying with over the last few months. His face went pale as his mouth tried to form a coherent thought, instead just gaping open and closed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Savannah

  “OH WHAT, CAT got your tongue?” Brooke yelled across the room. Her stature was rigid, but her hands were trembling. I knew this was so much harder on her, she had given him almost all of herself and he’d used her for everything she was worth. Luke hung his head, apparently unable to form a word as Brooke walked directly up to him, poking him in his chest. “Say something you worthless son of a bitch!” she screamed.

  Luke tried to form a sentence, but all that came from his mouth was, “Brooke, I’m... I’m so—”

  I watched Brooke’s palm come into contact with Luke’s cheek. The loud pop rang through the hotel room. She had tears in her eyes as the next words flew off of her lips. “Do not say you’re sorry.”

  I moved behind Brooke and placed my hand on her shoulder. Her body slumped, but she turned to me and gave a quick reassuring smile before she looked back to Luke. “I fell in love with you. You made me fall in love with you. You even told me you were in love with me. The entire time it was nothing but a lie! You are a coward, Lucas Wellington, and I’ll be damned if I’ll ever pass another woman in the greater Denver area without letting her know what a slimy piece of shit you are.”

  Luke tried to take her hand. “Brooke, please, just let me explain.”

  But before he could touch her, I cocked my arm back and rammed my fist into his nose, making a crunching sound under my knuckles.

  Luke made a gurgling sound and then screamed at me. “Shit Savannah, have you lost your damned mind?”

  Thick red blood poured from his nose and I didn’t even think to offer him a towel to stop the bleeding. Stepping closer to him, I felt the anger radiating off of his body. His chest heaved up and down rapidly. “Don’t you dare touch her; you have no right even being in the same room with her. Do you see what you’ve done to my best friend?” Rubbing my throbbing knuckles I continued in on Luke. “It’s one thing to pull that shit on me, but to do that to Brooke.—”

  I stopped, shaking my head back and forth. “No, you know what, screw that, it is unacceptable to treat both of us like that. You and I may h
ave started off as a weekly booty call, but when I told you I wanted more, you agreed. You made me believe that you wanted more too. I just didn’t know that your version of more meant having both me and my best friend.”

  Luke kept trying to interrupt, but I wasn’t having it; it wasn’t his turn to talk, it was mine. My turn to make him realize that he was going to pay for playing us against each other; stepping in closer to him I backed him into the corner of the giant room. “You think Brooke and I want to hear your explanation? Is that why you keep stammering? Neither of us give a shit about what you have to say, there is nothing that you could come up with that would make either one of us even remotely feel sorry for you. It is what it is Luke, you are a player. You had two amazing, beautiful, successful women who wanted you and instead of being a gentleman and choosing just one of us, you wanted to have your cake and eat it too.”

  I stopped for a moment to gather my thoughts, and Luke took that as his opportunity to pipe up. “Sav, you don’t understand, I love both of you.”

  My eyes grew to the size of golf balls and a loud cackling laugh escaped my throat just as Brooke jumped back into the argument. “You love both of us? You have no idea what love is. You don’t lie and manipulate the people you love, Lucas. You don’t cheat on people you love and you sure as hell don’t make their lives miserable by turning best friends against each other. That is by no means the definition of love, my friend.”

  Luke stood there; having been told that there was nothing he could say that was going to make this situation any better, but he chanced it anyway. “You’re right!” he roared. “You’re both right, I wanted the best of both worlds, I’m sorry.”