Page 136 of Wicked Games

You’re welcome to visit any time.

Dad

Chapter 36

Margo

“The deadline to apply to NYU is coming up,” Caleb tells me once we’re settled in Robert’s classroom. “You don’t want to be stuck not having applied anywhere.”

I set down my paintbrush. “What’s this about?”

“You seemed excited to see the school.”

“I always thought I’d just get a job after high school. What’s the big deal?”

He meets my gaze. “What about your future? Don’t you want to dream bigger?”

“That ended the moment I was put into foster care,” I tell him. I haddreamed bigger—of course I did. But I stopped. I forced those dreams to go away, and now I can’t remember them at all. “And yes, the Bryans keep telling me they’ll help. But I don’t know what I want to major in. Attending an expensive school before I figure that out seems silly.”

Robert pauses in front of us. “Is there a problem?”

I blush. “No.”

“Margo isn’t sure she wants to go to NYU,” Caleb tells him. “I was trying to convince her to apply.”

“Margo,” he chides. “You should at least apply. Give yourself some options.” He’s quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry, we should’ve discussed this more after the open house. Most deadlines are January first, which gives us a few weeks to tour more schools, if you wanted. NYU might be different. Or, you might change your mind after you talk to your dad.”

I stiffen.

There’s one thing I’ve managed to keep from Caleb. Two, now. The first is that I wrote my dad a letter a few weeks ago.

The second is that I got a reply yesterday.

After sharing with Robert and Lenora, they agreed that Robert could take me over to the prison for visiting hours on Saturday.

The big championship game is tonight, and I asked them if I could sleep over at Riley’s house. Of course, I’ll most likely end up in Caleb’s bed… if he doesn’t stop looking at me like that.

I dip my head to get Robert to move on, which he does, then peek at Caleb.

“What?” I question.

“Don’t be so defensive, baby,” he replies coolly. “You’re allowed to see your dad.”

“I know.”

“Didn’t think you would hide it from me, though.”

I face him. “I was going to tell you tonight.”

“Just blurt it out when I was fucking you?” He leans in, his eyes gleaming. “When I wouldn’t be able to get pissed? Or, no, when me getting angry would benefit your pussy?”

My face heats. “That’s not it. I didn’t think you’d react this poorly in general.”

He scoffs.

And, yeah, maybe I should’ve seen this coming.

“I just decided yesterday,” I tell him.

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