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I stare at the paper, biting my lip as I struggle to keep it together. “If there’s tuition, I can’t—” I saved my best excuse for last, but Braxton cuts me off.
“Gray Wolf offers a full ride. Room, board, clothing, miscellaneous, it’s all covered. In addition, Arthur will provide for your mom. He knows how important it is to maintain a stable family home.”
“So it’s a boarding school? Because I should warn you, I don’t play lacrosse.”
For the first time since we met, a ghost of a grin tugs at his lips. A second later, it’s gone. “I don’t think anyone will notice,” he says.
I stare at the wreckage of my breakfast. There’s a stubborn part of me that wants to lash out, rail against an unfair system and a bad friend I never should’ve trusted. But what would be the point?
Sure, I can go back to school, back to the life I’ve been living. But after years of dreaming of something better, shouldn’t I at least take a chance?
Follow my own Wheel of Fortune?
I turn back toward Braxton. “What’s expected of me? You know, in return for Arthur’s generosity. What doesheget out of all this?”
Braxton adopts a serious look that matches his tone. “Arthur gets the satisfaction of seeing you succeed beyond your wildest expectations.”
I glance out the window again. The old man from before has moved on. Maybe it’s time for me to move on as well.
“What happens now?” I ask, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. I can hardly believe I’m actually choosing this path.
He tosses a twenty onto the table. “We head for the airport.”
I look past the window toward the curb.
The black Mercedes has returned.
