Page 28 of Scrimmage

The overwhelming aura of Alexi Daemon crowds around me. “You’re quick. Could give me a run for my money out on the field."

I don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about, and I don’t want to. We still have an entire semester left. This class is going to be miserable unless I find a way to get this stage five clinger away from me.

Cole has a strange look on his face. His eyes slowly roll to me. “This is the guy who has been bothering you?”

“Yes. Speaking of, how do I get rid of bodies?”

Alexi ignores my bullshit and extends his hand. “Cole, right?”

“Right.” Cole's seyes are wide as he shakes his hand.

“You must be the guy who had the unfortunate job of rejecting me over text,” Alexi chuckles.

Cole looks horrified. “That was you?”

“Nice response, by the way. You let me down easy.”

Cole gives me an irritated look. “I’ve had practice.”

“I don’t know if you remember, but we sat with you at Sunny’s a few weeks ago. Alexi Daemon.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. I know. I’ve got your jersey.” Cole hands me the coffees. I take them greedily, sucking one down while they chat.

“Glad you’re a fan.” Alexi grins, holding the straps of his backpack. “Usually everyone loves my brother.”

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s great, but the way you can run a ball down the field is like watching parkour. If you wanted to, you could go pro right now.”

“Thanks, man. Hey, we’re having a party tomorrow. Why don’t you guys stop by? It’s open bar.”

“No,” I answer immediately.

Cole’s eyes dart between us, pleading with me. When he realizes I’m serious, disappointment passes across his features. “I think we’re busy.”

“Bummer.” Alexi looks far from bummed. “If your plans get canceled, come by. Feel free to bring whoever you want. Since I have your number, Cole, I’ll send you the address. Just in case.” He winks at me, and I roll my eyes.

Cole is already forming a plan in his mind on how to get me to that party. “Yeah, alright.”

“It was good to see you again. Hope I see you guys tomorrow. If not, I’ll save ya a seat in class next week.” With one last wink Alexi walks away.

I start toward the opposite entrance, because I do not want to run into him again. “I thought he’d never leave.”

Cole looks like his entire world has been rocked. “I can’t believe Alexi fucking Daemon is the guy who is sitting next to you in class. Fuck. He’s as cool as I thought he was,” he gushes like a teenage girl talking about his crush.

“Do you know him or something?”

“I forget you basically live under a rock. He plays for Cassium.”

“This is still sounding like some ridiculous game of Clue.” I head out of the doors of the building toward the library with Cole on my heels. “Alexi in the auditorium never shutting the fuck up.”

“He playsfootballfor Cassium. Like…Alexi is the running back. They say that—”

I stop and hold up my hand. “Let me stop you right there. I literally do not give a fuck about whatever words are going to come out of your mouth next. That asshole broke the cardinal rule of sitting in a class. If he keeps sitting next to me, I might actually end his life. Then whatever football shit you were saying won’t matter, okay?”

Cole tilts his head. “Is that his hoodie?”

“We’re not discussing my clothing choices.”

“Everyone on this campus, and maybe on every other campus, would kill to have his attention,” he points out.

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