Page 10 of Scrimmage

“Well, thank you, ladies. I do try,” a guy responds.

Cole’s eyes widen as the sound of chairs scraping against concrete kills my ears.

“What the fuck are you all star-eyed about?” I pour myself a mimosa. I follow his gaze to two huge guys who look like they belong in a fraternity, and three girls who look like they’re trying to be the modern day Heathers. And they’re sitting at the table directly behind us blocking my sight of Penny.

“Shit,” I groan.

“Shit is right,” Cole whispers excitedly. “They’re—”

“Blocking my view from Penny,” I interrupt. I lean sideways trying to see through the two guys to no avail. “Fuck.” I keep maneuvering around, trying to catch a glimpse. One of them finally moves, abandoning his seat, and I sigh with relief. Penny looks bored out of her mind.

“Oh shit,” Cole whispers.

“Well, hello,” a man’s voice says next to me. Expensive cologne fills the space around me.

I look up and notice one of the guys from the annoying group. The brown haired one is making himself comfortable next to me. He’s the one who moved.

“Hi,” I say with disinterest, sipping on my mimosa and still watching Penny. She blows air out of her mouth and looks around for an escape. Dude must be real boring if Penny can’t even pretend.

The guy flips the chair around and sits in it, placing his chin across the top. “I saw you staring at me.”

“Huh?” I finally turn to give him my full attention.

“You were staring at me. Working real hard to get a look. Don’t worry. I noticed." He winks.

I squint, analyzing him. Self-centered for sure. “I wasn’t looking at you.”

“Right, right," he chuckles. “And I’m Chris Evans. Actually, I’ve been told I look a lot like him.”

“You don’t."

He crosses his arms across the top of the chair and sets his chin on top of them. “Alexi. And you are?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember inviting you over here.”

He gives me a fake frown. “It’s okay. No need to be embarrassed. I’m used to the attention.”

“Alexi,” the whiny voice says, suddenly standing over us with her hand on her hips. “Why’d you leave?”

I glance over to the table and notice everyone is staring at me, including a girl I hadn’t even registered before.

Alexi leans back. “Oh, just making new friends. Why don’t you guys come join?”

The sound of someone clearing their throat gets my attention. “That’s Ashland. I’m Cole.” He sticks out his hand, and Alexi shakes it. “Can’t wait to see what you do this season. Big fan.”

I ignore them until I notice they’re all picking spots at our table.

“What the fuck is happening?” I glance between the invaders quickly. They’re all plastic, their faces piled with makeup making them look unrealistic. The other guy has an arrogant look about him, and he seems annoyed. Same, bud. Same.

Alexi starts introducing his posse. “This is Stephanie, Mandy, Stacy—"

I spit out my drink. It spews onto the table and dribbles down my chin. Alexi tilts his head, giving me an inquisitive look with amusement in his hazel eyes. They scream mischief.

Cole shoves his face into his hands. “Ash." He looks at me, pleading. “Ignore her. She’s not great with people.”

“I’m not a dog,” I retort.

“Fucking feral if you ask me,” the annoyed guy says. I finally look at him. He’s got on a university shirt that is just tight enough to see his muscles. He looks like a typical frat bro with a backwards hat. His coal eyes are trained on me in a challenge.

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