"So, Kade said some guys at his party bulldozed your house, and then you came to live with him?" he asks while backing into the turn-around spot.
Not so smart after all.
"Um... yeah. It's a little weird, but I'll actually be moving out sooner than I thought."
Now that I know my father's money is clean, I'll use it to rent a place until he gets out. Then I'll go live with him. Kade will soon be a memory or a friend he keeps at arm's length, just like his mother said.
"He seems to think you'll be staying for a while. Have you talked to him about moving out, or is this a spontaneous thing?"
Lyle is apparently a chatty and nosy little thing.
"Um... I think Kade will be fine with it. To be honest, he'll probably enjoy not having a poor girl around to cramp his style," I joke, forcing a small laugh.
"That's twice you've mentioned not being from money. We spent an hour on the slopes before I left, and never once did Wren, Erica, or Kade mention your financial circumstances. Does it bother you? Being around people with money?"
So much for lightening the conversation.
"Not really," I lie, shrugging. At least I'm a brilliant liar. He seems to accept that as we turn into a lively bar.
Thank goodness.
I regret coming already.
"They have darts, pool tables, plenty of beer, and dancing," he says with a grin.
I smile as I join him and he leads me into the bar which isn't quite as rowdy as I had hoped. I don't feel as out of place in here as I did at the lodge though.
"You want a beer?"
A beer. Hell yes. I can drink one in here without anyone thinking any less of me. Girls at the lodge all seem to walk around with any drink but a beer.
"I'll get my own."
"Not a chance. I invited you out, so I have to buy you a drink."
I huff. Rich people and their money. He thinks because I'm poor I need a handout. I'm sick of needing handouts. As soon as I get back to Sterling Shore, I'm getting a job. I don't care where.
"No. I'll get my own. I'd prefer not to take anything els
e from anyone ever again."
He frowns but reluctantly agrees with barely a nod. "Fine. I tell you what. I'll buy this round, and if you can beat me in a game of pool, I'll let you buy the next round. Sound like a deal?"
I smirk. He has no clue what he just proposed. "I don't gamble over pool because I can't lose. I mean that very sincerely."
His smile spreads, and it's impossible not to find it amusing. He's so wrong about whatever he's thinking right now. I'm sure I look harmless, but I'm the daughter of a man who taught me all the best hustles. Not because he wanted to lead me into a life of crime, but because it was the only way he knew how to bond. That should have tipped me and my mother off, but you don't see the bad when you love the good.
"I'm serious," I say with a grin when he stares at me with an expression that promises he doesn't believe me.
"You're either excellent at bluffing, or you really think you're that good. I warn you, Raya, I happen to be pretty damn good myself. I hold the title amongst my frat."
Shooting pool with a bunch of drunks is a little different than playing against the pros my father hustled on a regular basis just for fun. I was trained by the best, and have it down to an exact science. It's math on a table. The perfect tap changes the game.
"Fine. I'll tell you what. We'll play. Just remember I warned you and this is not a hustle."
He laughs as he follows me, handing me a mug of chilled beer as we make our way over to the first empty table available.
"You realize you'll be playing to buy drinks, not get them bought. How would that be a hustle regardless?"