Page 35 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)
Eli snorts. “You plan to, what, go to Atlantic City and gamble your way into a college tuition?”
“As I just stated: how else am I going to fucking pay for it?” He glares at Eli. “I’m not going to be left behind while you assholes run off—”
“What about the whole football thing?” I cut in.
Although, I know his answer before his face even changes it.
“You and I both know that ship sailed,” he says. “Scouts came, but no one reached out. I’ve got a semester left to prove my lacrosse skills, but I’ve still got to get into the schools.”
He grimaces at the cards in his hand.
“So, yeah. Grades will get me into a good school, and poker will pay for it.”
Eli and I exchange a glance.
“Okay,” Eli says. “But you know—”
Liam jerks. “I don’t really want to talk about this anymore.”
“I was trying to convince Margo to apply,” I say, sliding the cards toward me.
He dealt me a pair of queens.
“She pushed back, huh?” Theo chuckles.
“She doesn’t think she’s going to college,” I mutter.
Liam snorts. “See? She gets it.”
“What are we betting with?” Eli waves the bag of chips he had brought in with the drinks. “These?”
Liam is too busy watching me to answer. “You can’t pressure her into it.”
“Like hell I can’t.” I fold my arms over my chest.
She’s going, whether she thinks she can do it or not. She’s smart. She has A’s and B’s in all of her classes, and college admissions teams love the harsh upbringing schtick.
And yet…
“I turn eighteen in April. I get my trust fund, and then…”
“Then what? You’ll finance Margo’s college experience?” Liam snorts. “I wish I had that kind of benefactor.”
I narrow my eyes. “It’s not a bad idea.”
“Just making sure she owes you, right, Caleb?” Liam throws down his cards and stands.
“Where are you going?” Theo calls.
“To get something stronger than soda.” He disappears down the hall.
Eli exhales. “You know how to ruin a mood.”
“Me?” I retort. “You were nitpicking his way of making money—”
“It’s illegal,” Eli snaps. “A concept you don’t really seem to take into consideration.”
“I haven’t broken any laws,” I correct. “Just because—”