Page 17 of The Billion Dollar Bet

Devin laughed. “Do you really expect me to keep a promise I made when I was seventeen and drunk no less?”

Devin had gone directly to Barry’s house after his date with Cassie. He’d wanted to go home and reminisce about their time together, but he needed to annul the bet. Cassie wasn’t just some girl he wanted to sleep with, even though he couldn’t help thinking about it. Was it possible to fall in love so soon? He was convinced that she was the right balance for him, therefore he called off the bet.

They were in Barry’s game room where a pool table, a few slot machines and of course a poker table were. A sixty-two inches flat screen was mounted on one wall and a few soft chairs lined out in front to form a mini theatre. It was the perfect man cave for the young men and their favorite hangout when they were not out partying.

“Alright,” Barry relented. “If you like her that much, I suppose it was wrong to bet about something like that.”

Devin slapped his friend’s shoulder. “And that is why you’re the one with the stable job. You’re level headed and smart. That reminds me, I’m going to start working tomorrow.”

The two other men’s eyes buggered and their mouths dropped open. Carter hadn’t quite recovered from the punch, but he stared at Devin as though he had morphed into some strange beast.

“What the feck has she done to you?” Barry asked. “Did you sleep with her?”

“That is none of your business, and even if I did, you think I’d tell you?”

Barry shook his head in disbelief. “You always do after scoring with a chick.”

“Cassie is no chick. I tell you, I’m gonna marry her.”

Troy who just arrived, walked in. “Who’s getting married?”

“Ask your friend,” Barry said thumbing at Devin.

Troy looked from one to the other questioningly. He then frowned when he saw Carter who was still holding his jaw and looking none too pleased.

“What happened and who is getting married?”

“Your friend here,” Barry replied. “Thinks he’s going to marry that girl so he’s called off the bet.”

Troy’s laughter reverberated through the room. Devin, who had perched his ass on the pool table, remained silent. He didn’t care what they thought about his plan to marry Cassie. What was foremost on his mind now was proving to her that he was worthy of her. After Troy was done laughing his face off, Devin straightened and set the down the ball.

“I will see you’ll later. I got to prepare for tomorrow.”

Troy grabbed his upper arm. “You can’t just walk into the company and take over tomorrow. That’s not how things work. Tell him Barry.”

Barry nodded. “He’s right. You’ve got to be trained first”

“You did it,” Devin pointed out. “What’s so hard about it?”

“I completed my college education. You on the other hand, didn’t.”

“The company is mine, I can do what I damn well please,” he replied with some acid. “And what about my mom? She just dropped herself into the CEO chair when my grandfather passed away. That chair actually belongs to me.”

“You’re all idiots.” Carter finally spoke. “There is a board of directors, managers and other people who will get him up to speed. They are the ones who steer the ship anyway.”

“He’s right,” Barry agreed. “I never thought of that. Your mom will get you settled until you’re able to stand on your own.”

“Until his fracking ego causes him to lose his grandfather’s legacy!” Carter added. “You think you know shit, but all that comes out of your mouth is hot air. Go marry your black woman and run your family business to the ground, you moron.”

Devin ignored Carter’s comments. He wasn’t going to allow his racist soon to be former friend to deter him from doing what he thought was the right thing. What he needed was responsibility and taking charge of the company that was his, was the right thing to do. It was time. At thirty one years old it was high time he got his shit together and stop running around like a chicken without a head. Cassie was twenty eight and already made a name for herself. What had he done with his adult years? Nothing.

“I’ll see you guys,” he said as he made his way to the door. “I’ll update you all on my progress at work.”

“And Cassie,” Barry said. “Tell us when she actually says yes.”

Devin smiled. “You’ll be the first to know.”

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