Page 24 of The Billion Dollar Bet

“No, Devin would kill me if …”

“Devin?” she said, her nostrils flaring and her anger boiling over. “Was he going to increase the bet? How much this time?”

Cassie knew that she was blowing this out of proportion, but she spent the last few days depressed. After crying until her sobs became hiccups and her tears were dried up, she used the one thing she could find to strengthen her – her anger. Now it was snowballing and she didn’t know how to control it.

“No, he loves you, that’s why he called it off weeks ago.”

Cassie closed her eyes and tried to block out Barry’s words. “I really don’t want to discuss this anymore.”

“Please Miss Cassie, I don’t know what Carter said to you, but he didn’t tell you everything.”

“Carter?” she allowed her brain to slow, to process what he was saying. “What does he have to do with this?”

“Wasn’t he the one who told you?”

“Not that it matters, but I received a voice recording on my phone,” she told him. “I haven’t spoken to Carter.”

“A recording?”

“Yes.”

A puzzled expression crossed Barry’s face. “Can I see the number that sent it?”

“The number is hidden,” she replied.

“Then how about I hear it?’

“Is that important?”

“It kinda is,” he said. “Shows who actually sent it.”

“So what you’re saying is that you did not stake a bet on who would get me into bed and that the recording is fake?”

“No Miss Cassie. I’m not here to deny that we were stupid and did wager whether Devin would get a girl as you. You are like the most brilliant girl he’s ever liked …”

“Then what’s your point?”

“Please, only five minutes of your time. That’s all I’m asking and if when I am done you still don’t want to forgive Devin, it’s up to you.”

She fell silent while she tried to calm her nerves. A small part of her wanted to hear what he had to say. What was so important that he came all this way? Listening to him didn’t mean that she would forget the whole thing.

“Okay, five minutes.”

She turned and walked to the front door, opened it and allowed him in. They entered the living where she invited him to take a seat. Her grandmother was always gracious to visitors and taught her that she should be hospitable to anyone entering her home, especially if they came in peace.

“Would you like some tea, juice, something stronger?” she asked.

“No, thank you. I’m good.”

“Now, what’s so important that you came all this way?” she asked as she strolled to the side table and picked up her cell phone.

Cassie had deleted her conversations with Devin and blocked his number, but had saved the message she received with the recording. When she found the message, she came back to where Barry had taken a seat on the sofa and handed him the phone.

“That’s the message with clip.”

Touching the play button, they both listened to the conversation. After it was done, he gave her back the phone. Cassie took a seat opposite Barry where she could see his face clearly.

“So you heard it. What now?”

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