Page 89 of Scrimmage

A plan forms in my mind. “Do you drink coffee?”

“I’m listening." Angel tilts her head.

“What does everyone want?”

“You’re serious?”

“I’m always serious.”

“Clearly,” she mumbles, pulling out a piece of paper. She writes down five orders, and I know exactly which one is Ashland’s. There’s enough espresso to send her into cardiac arrest.

“I’ll be back.”

I don’t have shit else to do and if coffee is how I can get into these people’s good graces, it’ll be easier for me to see her when I want.

When I get to The Roost, Alexi and Penny are sitting at a table.

“Did you kill Ashland?” Alexi asks with actual worry. Penny studies his face before looking at me, ready to pounce.

“She’s with Prince,” I explain. “Some sort of convention thing.”

“I thought you two were just fucking.” Penny straightens. “Are you two a thing? Is this why you kidnapped her and got us Chinese?”

“We’re just friends.”

Penny crosses her arms. “Ashland doesn’t want friends.” She’s fucking skeptical.

“She didn’t want to be friends with Alexi,” I point out. “Now she is.”

“Does she know you’re friends?” She giggles, relaxing.

Alexi chuckles. “He won’t give her a choice.”

“Probably for the best.”

“I’ve gotta go grab some coffee. I’ll be back in a few.”

I head inside, but I hear Alexi behind me. “He doesn’t drink coffee.”

“But Ashland does,” Penny says mischievously.

When I get inside, low and behold, Cole is fucking standing there behind the counter. “Hey, Koda.”

“Armory.”

“Right. Armory. You gonna study with those two?” He nods to where Penny and Alexi are sitting.

“Nah, gotta go take these to the tattoo shop.” It’s a dick move. I know he knows where Ash is supposed to be, but he bites his cheek and rings me up. After I pay, he starts making the drinks.

“So, you’re their errand boy now?” He asks the question like it’s innocent, but it’s fucking not.

“I just offered.”

“That was nice of you.”

“Make Ashland’s half.”

He looks over to me. “What?”

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