Chapter 126: What Did You Just Suggest?
Max ended the call and leaned back, satisfied. He’d gotten exactly what he wanted, Wolf’s help. Not the rest of the Pit, not his crew, just Wolf as a solo act.
Honestly, it made sense. Wolf looked young enough to blend in as a high schooler, especially if he wore a uniform. No one would suspect a thing. He was sharp in a fight, didn’t have any messy ties to some billionaire family legacy, and most importantly, he didn’t ask questions. If there was money involved, he was in.
And Wolf hadn’t demanded details either. All he said was, "One hundred grand a day. That’s my rate."
Yeah. A hundred K. Per day.
Max had hesitated for a second, it was a ridiculous price, but deep down, he figured that was Wolf’s way of saying he didn’t really want the job. But the second Max agreed, Wolf dropped the tough-guy act and just said, "Cool. Hit me up when you need me."
Max shook his head, half-smiling. I really hope I don’t end up needing him for multiple days in a row, he thought. That kind of rate would wipe me out fast. Compared to everyone else’s fees, it was off the charts, but understandable. Wolf had his own street gang to deal with, and they were currently under the White Tigers. It’s not like Max could just recruit him. Wolf had his own turf, his own rules.
Still, Max chuckled. Back when he was part of the White Tigers, he’d never thrown money around like this. But now? Now it was actually solving problems. And fast.
When he got back to class, Donto was already in his seat. Somewhere along the way, the teacher must’ve told him to head back.
Max didn’t argue. He just slid into his seat like it was no big deal. Donto looked over, raised his hands, then slapped them down on his knees like he was trying to keep himself from saying something. But after a second, he held back. He bit his lip and stayed quiet.
Truth was, as much as Donto wanted to say something, he knew the school was a better place because of Max. Whether he liked it or not, things had changed, for the better. So he let it go.
As soon as Max got to his desk, he checked underneath it like he always did. Sure enough, tucked neatly against the underside was another note waiting for him.
Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon?
Great food... no atmosphere.
Still hungry for more?
He smiled without meaning to. Every day, without fail, there was always a note, same spot, same time. No matter what kind of chaos he had on his plate, that little slip of paper gave him a second to breathe. A tiny slice of peace in his overcomplicated life.
How does she come up with so many of these? Max wondered. And... is this really her type of humor?
Lunch rolled around quicker than expected. Max was at the canteen, sitting at a table with Jay and a very injured Joe, whose arm was wrapped like a burrito in a cast and sling combo.
"Man, I can’t even feed myself properly," Joe groaned, giving Max a look like please have mercy.
"I’m not feeding you," Max shot back flatly. "I’ve had my fair share of busted hands, trust me. You’ll figure it out. Use your toes if you have to."
Joe stared at the floor like he was genuinely considering it. "My toes..." he muttered.
Right then, the sound of clattering trays snapped him out of his toe-dining thoughts.
Two girls walked up to their table.
"This spot was starting to look like a total sausage fest," Cindy said with a wide grin as she plopped down across from Max. Abby joined her, sliding into the seat beside her like they did it every day.
"Maybe we like eating sausages," Joe replied, crossing his arms with a smug look.
Jay leaned over and whispered something into Joe’s ear. Whatever it was, it made Joe’s ears turn pink.
"Wait, people actually use that word like that ?" Joe blinked, raising an eyebrow. The girls giggled.
Over the past few days, Cindy and Abby had started showing up at their table more often, like it was just the natural thing to do. Max didn’t mind. And slowly, the others were getting used to them too.
The conversation stayed casual, random talk about classes, this teacher or that assignment, everyone chiming in now and then. Even Max, who wasn’t exactly Mr. Talkative, joined the flow here and there.
"Cindy... I hate to ask this, but these guys are useless," Joe said, shooting a look at Jay and Max. "Would you mind picking up those beans and, uh... placing them in my mouth?"
Cindy gave him a long look. "Did you have to say it like that?" she sighed.
Still, she grabbed the spoon, scooped up some beans, and jammed it right into Joe’s mouth with zero hesitation. His cheek puffed out like a chipmunk.
Then, without warning, she yanked the spoon out and smacked it against his front teeth.
Pain lit up Joe’s face as he raised both hands, wincing like the shock had hit his entire skeleton. "I... I think I’d rather starve than suffer like this!"
"Wow, are you seriously complaining right now?" Cindy shot back. "You owe me for this. Do you know how many guys would pay to have me feed them? Just a video of me doing it would go viral. Could make millions. You’re lucky I’m doing it for free."
Joe froze. After that comment, he gave her a quick once-over, subtle, but not subtle enough, then turned his head to the side and mumbled, "I guess you’re not too bad."
The whole table fell into a rhythm after that. Jokes, dumb comments, teasing, it almost felt like real high school. And like any real high school scene, Cindy was the one to stir the pot a little more.
"Hey," she said, eyes lighting up. "What if we did a group outing after school?"
"You mean, like... a group date?" Joe asked, his voice way too loud.
Instantly, Jay started coughing, choking on a mouthful of food he’d just stuffed in.
Max gave him a slow side-eye. Oh yeah, he thought. Back when we ran into those girls from Seaton... Jay completely crumbled. Total social meltdown.
Note to self: Jay’s weakness is girls. Which, yeah, pretty common, but for him, it’s next level.
"A group date?" Abby repeated, gripping Cindy’s arm. "Come on, we can’t call it that. Besides, it’s not really a group date... right?"
"You’re right," Cindy said, scanning the table. Her eyes moved from one person to the next, two girls, three guys.
She squinted. "Okay, wait a sec. I know exactly who we need."
Without another word, Cindy shot up from her seat and walked off with purpose. The rest of the group exchanged confused glances, listening as distant voices echoed from across the canteen.
"Hey, where are you even taking me? I was happy eating alone!" someone protested.
The grumbling got closer until Cindy returned, dragging along a reluctant girl with short hair and a permanent scowl.
"I would like to introduce you all," Cindy said with a dramatic sweep of her hand, "to our third girl. This is Sheri!"
Sheri looked like she wanted to disappear.