Page 147 of Scrimmage

If looks could kill, Gavin’s would be slitting my throat. That’s right. I know. Koda fills another cup and scoots it across the counter.

“Extra strong.” He winks.

I almost choke because holy shit. For once, Koda and I are fully on the same page.

“To Gavin’s dick!” I hold the shot in the air. Gavin looks around pretending that he thinks it’s as funny as I do, but if he could choke me to death he definitely would.

We take the next round, but Koda pulls my back to his chest and puts another shot to my lips.

“Open,” he commands, feeding it to me before the others can recover. I instinctively do as he says.

“That’s a good little slut,” he purrs into my ear. The hair on my arms rise and goosebumps spread across my skin. I can’t help but to be turned on.

Gavin abandons us immediately to go say hi to someone who probably doesn’t exist. Koda takes the blunt from behind my ear and sticks it between my lips. He grabs a lighter from the counter and flicks it open. The end turns cherry red and crackles as I inhale. It’s a pretty good representation of what’s happening between us right now.

“Damn,” Angel slurs. “See, that’s what I’m looking for.”

“Koda Armory? Oh my gosh, it’s Koda Armory!” Some girl shouts. Her friends are flanking her, and they’re all clearly inebriated. “I didn’t know you would be here.”

Her skirt is almost baring her ass and her tits are hanging out. A fucking Stacy. Such a Gavin move. I bet he sent them over here.

“Neither did I."

I don’t look at him. I try not to acknowledge that he’s even there. I shove my ass into him forcing him away. Jealousy crawls up my back. I shouldn’t even be jealous. I don’t care what Koda does. We’re not even a thing. We’re at war, and this is all a game. He’s free to do whatever he wants. Although, he always seems to enjoy monopolizing my time when it suits him.

An artist named Bud that I met at the last convention is leaning against the wall. I take the opportunity to get away from Koda and drown out his conversation.

“Hey. I’m not sure if you remember me. You’re Bud, right?”

“How the hell could I forget?” he chuckles. “Sweetheart. Prince swears you’re the number one tattoo artist in the nation. After you won that award, I agree. I didn’t think you’d still be hanging around.”

“I’m still in school,” I giggle.

“Fuck school. You don’t need that shit. Prince told me I can’t have a chair at his new place because it’s for you.”

I chance a glance behind me. Koda is gone. So are the girls. A pang of hurt runs through me so I focus back on Bud.

“I don’t know about Texas. It’s so hot and dry. I think I could do it if it was the beach.”

“I’m gonna go check it out in a few weeks. You could tag along if you want. A few other artists are gonna go. Make it an ink-cation.” He leans in a fraction.

“That sounds like a hell of a time.” I’m not fucking going. If I’m going to visit Prince I’m taking Angel.

“Will your boyfriend be coming with you?” He’s digging for an answer.

“Don’t have one.” I give him a devious grin, and Bud bites his lip, his eyes darting to my tits.

“I’m sorry. I guess I just thought that big dude was your boyfriend. He was being all touchy and shit." He straightens. "Is he bothering you?”

“Oh, him? No. I think he left with those girls.”

“Cool. Cool. Do you want another drink?” he offers.

“I wouldloveone.” I drawl. I’m not drinking shit from anyone ever again, but that’s not the point.

He looks at me hungrily. “Don’t go anywhere."

If Koda can do what he wants, so can I. His comment about us doing anything later is an empty promise. I’m not going to come just because he tells me to. I’m going to come regardless of if he's there or not.

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