Page 20 of Scrimmage

“I don’t think people usually order wine at a college dive bar, but I could be wrong.” I shrug, my tone biting.

He analyzes me as if he can’t tell if it’s a jab or a joke. “I see you’re still sober.” Guess he figured it out.

Cole wraps his arm around me and grips my bicep, holding me into place. “Good to see you, Vale.” He gives him a polite smile. “How have you been? What did you do over the summer?”

If I use just the right amount of force I can beat my brains out on this table. I know exactly what he was up to this summer because Penny had him on speaker while she was muted, and we literally cooked dinner and had an entire movie night, listening to him talk about it. For hours. Cole has started something that will never stop. It’s like he knows exactly what I’m thinking because his grip tightens. Penny and Vale’s weird on but not exactly off relationship irks me. Especially when they’re on.

Vale is filled with narcissism at the question. “Well, I actually spent time in New York with a very prominent architect. Maybe you’ve heard of him.”

I immediately tune him out. Penny smiles and pretends to actively listen as if she’s never heard this before. I leave and come back with three rounds of shots for me and Cole. We drink every time Vale says ‘prominent’. Penny tries to ignore us. It takes another thirty minutes after we are out of shots before he pauses to take a breath.

“Oh really? That’s interesting,” Cole says. “When I went to New York I—”

Vale doesn’t let him finish. He interrupts stating he needs more wine, sauntering away.

“Why the hell did you ask him that?” I glare at him. “He is never going to stop. Ever. If we all left, he would still be talking.”

“It’s interesting,” Penny defends him.

“His dick is interesting not him.”

Cole rolls his eyes and sucks in a deep breath. He puts his beer to his lips and starts drinking.

“Ashland!” Penny admonishes me.

“What? He has to look at himself in the mirror to finish.”

This makes Cole choke on his beer. He beats on his chest, coughing and laughing. Penny tries to stifle a laugh. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“She does see the light,” I say with relief. “You’re too good for him, Pen.”

“I know,” she huffs. “But his designs are hot.”

“I don’t even know what to do with that.”

She hops down. “I’m gonna go get another drink. I’ll be back.”

“She’s not coming back,” I inform Cole. “It’s gonna take an hour for him to stop talking to the bartender, explaining the properties of wines and how they’re superior in Europe.” I finish my beer and hold it out to Cole. He narrows his eyes and gives me a grin before taking it and getting me another.

When he returns, he looks like he’s just witnessed a murder. “You’re right. He’s still on Italy.”

“Wanna go get pizza after this beer?”

“God, yes.”

give him a mischievous grin. “Whoever finishes last?”

“I’ll race you, but don’t pretend you’ll pay for a damn thing.”

“You’re such a gentleman.” I pretend to swoon. I’m a little buzzed, enough to let Cole stand close and touch me too much.

We both put the glasses to our lips. Cole beats me, and the shit eating grin tells me that he’s proud of himself. He wipes his mouth on the back of his hand. “A few seconds too slow, Bradshaw.”

“Whatever. Buy me pizza to ease my wounded ego.”

“Come on. Let’s tell Penny bye.” He pushes through the crowd with a firm grip on my hand.

When we reach her, Vale has finally switched subjects. He’s attempting to have a one-sided argument with some drunk guy about fifteenth century architecture.

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