Page 78 of Raise 'Em Up

“Fine,” I grumble, sitting up and grabbing my phone. “I’ll text the guys to let them know we will meet them down there. Lucky asses don’t need to spend all that time getting ready. They can roll out of bed and be good to go. We cannot,” I say, gesturing to myself, as I probably look like a hot mess right now.

“Speak for yourself.” She winks. “I look like a model, right from the moment I open my eyes.”

We both pause for a second before bursting out laughing, knowing damn well that's bullshit. Girl looks worse than me in the morning most times.

After brushing my teeth and taking a quick shower, I change into my uniform, and we head over to Felicia and Fatima’s room to get ready.

It takes an hour to do our hair and makeup, but by the time we’re done, we look amazing.

“We’re so damn cute,” Serenity says, snapping a photo of us all.

“We are. But this cute ass wants food,” I grumble, hopping off the stool.

We head down to the hotel lobby where we find the guys waiting. I spot them all sitting at the slot machines.

Smiling, I shake my head. “You know, it’s just a waste of money. The likelihood of you winning anything is low. You're lucky if you make back the money you put in.”

“Your lack of faith in me wounds me, baby.” Mateo chuckles as he pulls out a voucher that says he won five hundred dollars.

“What the hell?!” I snatch it from him. “This sucks. I can’t even play.”

“Sorry, babe.” Mateo winks, snatching it back. “I’ll buy you something pretty with it.”

I roll my eyes and move over to Lennox. “What about you? Did you win anything?”

Lennox gives me a guilty look. “Maybe?”

“You too.” I pout. “How much?”

“Ahh. I don’t wanna say.” He bites his lip.

“It’s bullshit, really,” Donny grumbles, slapping his buttons a little too hard.

I can see the dark circles under his eyes and my heart hurts. He’s not doing so good, and I’m really starting to worry that if we don’t get him help soon, it’s only going to get worse.

I can only do so much. Though I’ll always be by his side, for this, I’m not enough, and that's okay. I just want him to get better and go back to the old silly Donny that I miss so much.

“He’s fucking rich. It’s Colton who should be winning that money. He doesn’t need ten grand.”

“Ten grand?!” My eyes practically bug out of my head as I turn to Lennox.

“I’m not keeping the money,” Lennox grumbles. “And yes, I already offered it to Colton, but he turned me down.”

“I won my own money, thanks,” Colton grumbles.

“I know, I know.” Lennox rolls his eyes. “Anyway, I’m going to donate half to the rec center, and the other half to the animal shelter.”

“Oh.” My heart melts. “That's actually really amazing.” I lean in and give Lennox a kiss. “So, you won too?” I ask Colton.

“Yup.” He grins, not even feeling bad about my little pity party. “Enough that I don’t need to look for another job until next semester.”

“That's amazing.” I grin, feeling excited and happy for him. “How about you, baby?” I ask Donny.

“These things are a fucking scam.” Donny gets to his feet. “I’m getting something to eat.”

My heart sinks when he turns away and walks toward the little coffee shop. I look at the guys and we all share a look. They see it too.

I just hope we can get through this competition. The moment we get back home, we’re getting him help.

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