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“Yeah. I do. But I lost my scholarship. I might be able to manage a partial, but I can’t afford school. My uncle’s too pissed at me to pay for it after this last season. So I’m stuck figuring it out on my own.”
“He won’t pay? That’s not fair. Not like he doesn’t have the money.”
“He has his own kids. I’m lucky he took me in at all.”
“That’s what families should do.”
“Maybe. He’s right though. I blew my chances. It’s not his responsibility to fix it.”
“Well, how much do you need? I’m sure it can’t be that much. Especially if you can get the partial.”
“Why, you gonna spot me, Madness?”
“Ha. I wish. My father’s still pissed about the credit card debt I ran up last year. He was barely willing to let me go on this Europe trip, but I begged. Told him I can’t take another semester of college until I figure out what I want to do. I was about to fail out on purpose just to have a way out. I just… can’t figure out what it is I want to do.”
“Yeah. Too bad you can’t play football.” I nudge her gently, and she smiles.
“But really… how much do you need? There has to be a way. It’s a state college. Not like an Ivy or anything.”
“Ouch.” I give her a mock look of hurt.
“You know what I mean.”
“It’s still more than I’ve got, so it doesn’t really matter.”
“Tobias and Xander couldn’t spot you?”
“No.” It comes out harsher than I intend, and her eyes flash to mine. “Sorry, I just… I don’t want charity or handouts. Especially from my friends. If I’m going to do it, I have to figure out a way to work for it on my own.”
“And we’ve ruled out being a male escort?” I see from the way she smiles she can tell she hit a nerve and is trying to lighten the mood with a joke. “Because I think you’d be really good at that. Just a guess.”
“I think I’m not cut out for that.”
“Ah well… if our hands are tied that might make it harder. Underwear model maybe? A few nights of stripping?”
“Is this where your mind goes, Madness?”
“Just trying to think of ways to get you some quick cash.” She grins. “Oh, what about a phone-sex operator? You’d be good at that too, I think.”
I shake my head at her. “I think we need to be more practical. Maybe a checkout clerk. Or a part-time mechanic.” I nod to the check out as we walk into the grocery store, and then nod again when I see the collection of car stuff tucked in one corner of the big box store.
“Those will take longer.”
“But they’re practical.”
“When do you need the money by?”
“Last week.” My smirk fades.
“Oh shit. Quentin…”
“There’s a grace period. I have a few more weeks. I’m talking to my uncle when I get back. Might be able to write an I.O.U. or something that convinces him I’m worth one last bet.”
“Good. You’re too talented to quit now, just because there were some bumps in the road.”
“Well, thanks, I guess. Sometimes talent doesn’t matter in this world though. Especially if you fuck it up.”
“So unfuck it. If anyone can, you can. We can brainstorm ideas tonight. You help me. I help you. We got this.” She grins at me, and I almost feel like I could believe her. That a late-night, slumber-party style brainstorming session between the fairy lights and the frilly pink pillows could save my career.
