The Greatest Gamble

Bet Nine

I am woken up by violent shaking and a loud alarm. I sit up quickly and check my surroundings.

"Make it stop, make it stop!" Drew yells as he continues to shake me.

I reach for my phone and silence my alarm. It is 7:05 in the morning. When did I fall asleep? I look over to Drew.

He is looking at me with disgust. "What was that noise?"

"My alarm. I told you I'd wake you up," I laugh standing up.

He follows me into the bathroom. "It was going off for five minutes before you woke up!" he complains, grabbing his toothbrush.

I put toothpaste on both of our bristles and say, "But we're up now aren't we?" I brush my teeth and wash my face before heading into the kitchen. I dial Thomas and he answers with a groan. "We have an 8 am, remember?"

He replies with another groan.

"I'll see you in class!" I end the call and get some coffee and eggs out.

Drew joins me and sits at the table. "Can I have toast with blackberry jam, a white chocolate mocha, and my eggs over easy? Thanks."

I stare at him appalled. "What makes you think we can do any of that?"

"I fully furnished this place, and stocked your fridge," he replies simply. "It was two days ago. Do you not remember that?"

I take a deep breath because I am upset that he's right. "Get it yourself! I may work for you, but I am not your butler!"

"He'd have been here if you let me invite him," he grumbles walking past me.

"What was that?" I ask turning on the stove.

"Nothing!" He smiles at me. "When's my turn to burn my toast and then possibly the apartment down?" he asks, holding a bag of bread.

I snatch it from him. "Just go sit down. I'll make you breakfast, but you're having eggs my way, and getting regular coffee."

"But there's an espresso machine," he whines.

"And I've never used one!" I place bread in a toaster oven and put a pot of coffee on before I crack a few eggs onto my pan. I scramble them as the bread becomes toast and the coffee starts to roast. I finish the eggs in seconds and divide them among plates, I grab some mugs and pour coffee into them, and then I give each plate a piece of toast. Before I sit, I grab jam and creamer from the fridge, and some utensils. "Here, cinnamon vanilla creamer. It should taste just as good with that."

He takes it from me and stares at it. "I don't believe you."

"Won't know until you try it," I say, sipping mine black.

I hear him sigh before he says, "I know I can be a lot, but thank you." I look at him and he's showing me a small smile. "For everything. You have put up with so much these past few days. I'm just glad you haven't left me yet."

I cover my face by sipping more coffee from my mug. I lower the mug and say, "Don't get it twisted! I'm in it for the money!"

He laughs. "Right, right! Almost forgot!" He adds creamer to his coffee and tastes it. His eyes go wide. "This is pretty good!"

"Told ya," I smile back at him, "Now eat your scrambled eggs."

We both finish eating and I dash into my room to change into a new set of clothes. Once I leave, Drew does the same and comes out with my electric key. "Maybe don't forget this, this time."