Page 32 of Scrimmage

“There you are!” Alexi shoves his way through the crowd into our trio. He puts his arm around me in a hug that I can't seem to get out of. “I didn’t think you would come, but Smith came to get me to let me know.”

“Smith?” I ask.

“The door guy,” Cole answers enthusiastically.

“Welcome to the football team’s humble annex abode.” Alexi ridiculously bows, almost falling over.

“Thanks for the invite,” Cole shouts over the music.

“No problem. Glad to have you. Your name was Carter, right?” Alexi big dicks him, sticking his fist out for a bump. For a moment, I wonder what Cole will do since they’re clearly already acquainted, but he bumps it back like a gentleman. He must have a massive guy crush on Alexi.

“Penny." She waves quickly with a smile.

“Ah, yes. Wait, you’re the girl I bought a drink for.” Alexi gives her a sneaky grin. “Nice to finally make your acquaintance. How’d the date turn out?”

She starts to giggle. “Before or after Ashland dumped a pitcher of mimosa on his head?”

Alexi turns to me, laughing with his eyes glistening from drink. “Poor guy. I’ll be back. I’ve gotta go get a new keg from the back.” He backs away, not taking his eyes off of me. “Don’t go anywhere!” he shouts before disappearing.

“If you fuck this guy, I swear,” Penny gushes.

I sip my drink. “I’m not going to fuck Alexi. We’re just in the same class, and Cole is in love with him."

“I’m not in love with him,” Cole mumbles into his cup, looking around.

“That’s how it starts,” she sing-songs.

“Not true,” I argue, looking to Cole for help, but he shrugs in agreement.

“Listen, he did invite us to a football party.” Cole is so happy to be here he doesn’t even give a shit that we’re literally discussing me fucking one of these guys.

“You’re no help,” I scoff at him.

A song blares over the speakers followed by Penny's screams. “I love this song! I wanna dance. Come on, Cole!”

He puts his hand out and glances at me quickly. “Will you be alright?”

I wave him away. “I’ll be fine. Go dance.”

He looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. For all I know, Penny is trying to get him away from me for my sanity, or so I can fuck the running back. Cole wouldn’t shut up about Alexi’s football career the entire way here.

I have no plans on waiting for Alexi or anyone else for that matter. I head back to the bar and flirt with Noah again before running away. I start to fall, my drink flying out of my hand, but someone catches me by my upper arm and sets me upright.

“Watch where the fuck you’re going,” I growl.

I look up into the coal black eyes of the guy who was with Alexi at the pizza place and at brunch. It takes me a second to remember his name. Koda. I’m assaulted by the smell of wood and spice mixed with a scent I can only describe as boy.

“Ugh. It’s you." He rolls his eyes.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Chance?” I snap. The minimal interactions we’ve had have all left a sour taste in my mouth.

“It’s a party,” he retorts. “Surprised someone would even invite you to one.”

“Well, your boyfriend did. Insisted on it, really.”

Koda towers over me, sneering. “He does love a slut with daddy issues.”

“Guys usually do.”

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