Page 74 of Swallow Your Sorries

“Since I’ve wanted my cum to taste more like fruit,” Zedd snarks.

“How thoughtful,” Bae quips. “May I suggest pineapple?”

“Coconut,” Étienne offers.

“Coconut cream,” Hale says, like it’s the best invention since the aeroplane. “How insightful. You’re ridiculously cultured, Éti. A distinguished gentleman. I don’t know what we did to deserve you.”

Éti blinks slowly in acknowledgement, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Have you been working with the kitchen staff then?” I ask. “The chefs?”

Zed nods. “It’s a part of the program. We get to pick the menu on Sundays and Wednesdays. I’m going to surprise Stassi with a few of her favourites.”

Curiosity gets the better of me. “Spit it out.”

“Well, since you’ve asked,” Hale begins. “I’ve got an exciting proposition. How would you boys like to become investors in the club? And Gant, how would you like to increase your holdings? It’s time for renovations.”

“That club needs a miracle that not even fifty grand can cover,” Zedd says.

“Seventy, collectively,” Hale corrects. “And I can’t believe you have zero faith in me. I’m wounded.”

“You’re not the one we have zero faith in, it’s the building,” Bae says.

“Demolish it,” Éti says quietly.

“Listen to the distinguished gentleman. Besides,” Zedd goes on. “Most students go home on the weekends or party at Louie’s. It’ll be hard to convert them to a new spot.”

“That’s before the five horsemen had a club,” Hale says enthusiastically. “Zedd, I was thinking, we could host you and Stassi’s eighteenth birthday as the grand opening. It’ll draw in the entire senior year. Not just at Beaulieu, but at Bradley and Ennox Prep too.”

Stassi’s probably the most popular non-student at Bradley for Boys, thanks to her viral dance videos and ridiculous curves.

“That’s in a month,” Bae says apprehensively. “How are you going to renovate that dump so quickly?”

Hale looks at me with big ocean-blue eyes.

“I can’t,” I say flatly. “Bart already threatened to seal my accounts, and the end of the month is approaching. That means he’ll get a report from my accountant, who’s already flagged it again.”

Bae raises a brow. “Elle’s tuition?”

Zedd whistles. “That’s over two hundred grand. It won’t be a threat anymore. He’s definitely sealing it. Good thing you can still eat at the cafe.”

Hale looks shattered.

“Just ask your mother,” Bae says. “Put away your pride.”

“No.” Hale stomps his foot like a child and finally lets go of Zedd and me. “That’ll defeat the whole point and she’ll throw it back in my face. I can’t go crying to her and asking for money .... but I can cry to my besties.”

“Nope,” Zedd shakes his head. “I’m not a gambler.”

Of course, Zaddy Zedd isn’t.

“I’d have to see it turn a profit first.” Bae shrugs.

“No,” Éti says simply, before heading into the dance studio behind Bae and Zedd.

“Fine! You’ll be begging me for a share once it blows up!” Hale barks before lowering his voice in defeat. “I thought if anyone Zedd would help me. He’s always helped me.”

Zedd and Hale had been the closest in the group, with Hale practically growing up with the twins, thanks to his absentee mother.

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