Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Bradley grinned. “Come on, Leanne, don’t feel bad. It’s not even your money, and my brother doesn’t care.”
Leanne was momentarily at a loss for words.
Eric shot Bradley a glare, thinking, ‘This kid is getting more and more cunning. He’s always pushing for more.
Cameron got the picture, wondering, ‘Leanne is probably j stunned by that deal.’
A few minutes later, the four of them walked into the dining room together. The table was covered with all sorts of delicious food.
Eric rested his fingers on the back of a chair. “Wow, this is quite the spread.”
Bradley grinned. “Heard you were coming, so I had the chef start early this morning. Not bad, right?”
“Here, Eric, have a seat.” Bradley pulled out a chair for him.
Eric smiled, “Brad, you really know how to make it hard for someone to say no.”
Bradley just grinned but said nothing.
“Ms. Starling, please have a seat.” Cameron pulled out a chair for Leanne.
“Thank you, Mr. Wallace. You really are a gentleman,” Leanne said with a smile.
Bradley chimed in, “Nope, he’s not a gentleman. He’s just a high schooler.”
Leanne forced a smile.
Eric raised an eyebrow. “Bro, are you trying to say something?”
Bradley shrugged. “You’re overthinking it, bro.”
Cameron sat down next to Bradley.
Eric looked Cameron up and down and said, “Brad, you really are good-looking.”
Bradley replied with a smile.
“But compared to Cameron, you’re just average,” Eric added.
Bradley kept smiling. “You’ve got good taste.”
After a pause, Bradley said, “Eddie said you’ve gotten really good at throwing shade lately. Guess he was right. You really are one of a kind in our family.”
Eric smiled, “You flatter me.
Cameron and Leanne thought, ‘What are they even doing?’
Cameron spoke up, “Eric, I hope these dishes are to your liking.”
Eric grinned, “If you made them, Cameron, I’m sure they’re great. But if someone else did… Well, that’s another story.”
Cameron didn’t know how to reply.
Bradley said, “Cameron made everything.”
Eric picked up a piece of lamb and had a bite. “Hmm, this is actually really good.”
Bradley teased, “Sorry, Eric, but I made that one.”
Eric paused. “Oh, it’s not that tasty after all.”
Bradley grinned. “Wait, my bad. I think I got it wrong. It probably wasn’t me.”
Eric shot Bradley a glare.
Leanne was dying to laugh but had to hold it in.
Cameron sighed helplessly, “Brad…” torture.
He just called out to Bradley, but that was enough-Bradley got the message.
Bradley just smiled. After that, he stopped teasing Eric.
Actually, they were really close. A little playful banter was just part of their routine.
After lunch, Leanne headed back to their branch in Viremont to get the contract ready. Eric stayed behind.
Cameron, worried that Pearl might scare Eric, locked it away.
Bradley turned to Eric and said, “Eric, want to check out Cameron’s pet? It’s super cute. Interested?”
Eric laughed. “Oh yeah? What kind of pet?”
“It’s just a little furball, really well-behaved,” Bradley replied.
“Where is it?” Eric asked.
“Come with me,” Bradley said.
Curious, Eric followed Bradley to the door of Pearl’s room.
The door was locked. Inside, Pearl was sound asleep.
As soon as Eric reached the doorway, Pearl immediately picked up the scent of a stranger.
In an instant, its eyes snapped open-those wild, predatory pupils radiating pure intimidation.
Bradley said, “Look, Cameron’s pet is called Pearl. It’s right inside.”
Eric raised an eyebrow. “Pearl? That’s actually a pretty cute name.”
Bradley grinned. “It’s even cuter than the name super fluffy, perfect for petting.”
“Is it a kitten or a puppy?” Eric asked.
Bradley didn’t answer. He just pulled out a key and unlocked the door. “Go see for yourself.”
Curious and totally unsuspecting, Eric walked into the room, only to be instantly pinned by a pair of fierce, beastly eyes.
Eric screamed inwardly, ‘Damn! A tiger! A full-grown white tiger! This is the pet Bradley was talking about?
In all his twenty years, Eric had never seen a white tiger this massive.
Even scarier, right now, that huge white tiger was staring straight at him.
It looked like it wanted to devour Eric in one go.
Eric’s feet were practically glued to the floor. Trying not to startle Pearl, he lowered his voice and hissed, “Bradley, you bastard! You call this a pet?”
Bradley stifled a laugh behind his hand-he’d just wanted to make fun of Eric.
He stepped in, blocked Eric, and said to the aggressive Pearl, “Pearl, he’s one of us. Relax.”
Pearl let out a growl, circled once, then flopped back into its bed and went right back to sleep.
Eric’s eyes went wide. “Why does it listen to you?”
Bradley shrugged. “We’re pretty familiar with each other. If you come by a few more times, it’ll recognize you too.”
“Really?” Eric asked.
Bradley nodded. “Yeah. Eddie knows that. He’s been here a bunch. Pearl doesn’t exactly like him, but at least it doesn’t attack him.”
Eric glanced at Pearl, still feeling a chill run down his spine, and quickly backed out of the room.
“How did Cameron raise a tiger as a pet?” Eric asked.
“Someone gave it to him,” Bradley replied.
He only paid 30 dollars for it, so it was basically free.
“Keeping a tiger must cost a fortune,” Eric muttered.
Bradley nodded. “Yeah, it’s pretty expensive.”
“Wait.” Eric suddenly realized something. “Why is his pet living in your house?”
“This is his house now,” Bradley said.
