Page 70 of Scrimmage

“I’m sorry, what?” I turn to him, bewildered.

“Koda,” Alexi admonishes him.

“What theme park? On a scale of Disney to Holiday World, where did you go?”

I’m not used to people talking after I’ve made them uncomfortable. They usually fucking drop it. “Six Flags.”

“Did he buy you one of those souvenir cups?”

I run my tongue along my bottom teeth. “Yes.”

Alexi glares at Koda. “I’m sorry about my brother. He’s a dick.”

“She’s the one who said it.” He shrugs. “I’m justengaginglike you asked me to.”

It’s the first time I’ve thought Koda might actually be kind of funny in an underhanded way. He’s also not the kind of person to get uncomfortable because something isn’t pretty. I look him over. A layer of his collected persona peels back momentarily, exposing the humanity underneath.

Alexi changes the subject. “So what’s Vale’s deal?”

“He’s an architecture major. Wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps to prove himself or something. He’s also a dick.” I laugh.

“I thought he’d never shut the fuck up.”

“Should I call him over here and ask him about his trip to Dubai last summer?”

“Don’t you fucking dare, Bradshaw.”

Penny sees the three of us standing there, and she waves us over.

“What’s the probability that we can pretend we don’t see them?” Alexi asks.

“Zero. If we don’t go there, she’ll come here and bring Vale with her. Looks like he has Ava stuck in a conversation, so now is as good as ever.” I sigh. “I’m gonna get another drink. I’ll be there in a second.”

Alexi salutes me, making his way over to them.

“I didn’t realize Cole had a girlfriend,” Koda says, leaning next to me.

“You’re still here?”

“I mean, he lets you use him like a doormat. What does she think of that?”

“Ava isn’t his girlfriend, but she wants to be.”

“But he’s in love with you. He’ll never date her.”

“I dunno. Seems like it’s going well to me.” Cole has his arm around Ava as she leans into him.

“So you know he’s in love with you?” Koda raises his eyebrow in question.

Alexi forces his way into the booth with Penny and Vale, squishing Vale between them, which makes me laugh. He shoots me a wink before shoving a little more, which just makes Vale purse his lips.

“Where’s Stacy? Shouldn’t she be on her knees right about now?”

“I’d prefer you.” He’s moved closer. Koda is intimidatingly tall, and he knows it. What he doesn’t understand is that I’ve been short my entire life. I’ve had much scarier men than him standing over me.

“How kind of you, but I’ll be refusing your offer. Don’t want herpes.”

“And you’re clean?”

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