Page 9 of Scrimmage

He follows me into the kitchen and sits at the island while I finish the coffee and chug a Gatorade. “I’m not mad.”

“Then what is it that you have a problem with?” I sit onto the counter top.

He scratches his head and studies me with pleading eyes. “I don’t have a problem, Ash, or I wouldn’t take you. It just sucks when you leave with someone.”

“As opposed to what?”

“I thought we were going to get pizza?”

“Like I said, you were talking to Ava Stacy,” I argue.

“I don’t want to get pizza with her.”

Penny’s wisdom from earlier echoes in my mind. It’s not that I didn’t know he has expectations, but I don’t want to admit to her that he’s brought them up before. This is the first time he’s started to voice them directly though. I try to think of a way to divert the conversation. I pull out my phone and check Penny’s location. She’s at Sunny’s, which isn’t far from here. They have the best mimosas.

“How about I make it up to you right now?” I show him the phone.

He shakes his head. “We’re gonna spy on Penny, aren’t we?”

“Oh, hell yeah. You thought I wouldn’t?” I give him a sneaky grin, grabbing my sunglasses off of the counter. “We should wear disguises.”

Am I ridiculous? Absolutely. Delusional? That too. Flighty? Might as well be a pilot. I also think I’m fucking hilarious. But I’m mostly self-destructive. Penny knows that, but Cole hasn’t quite figured out that it’s an integral part of my personality. Maybe when he does he’ll finally lose interest.

“Are you going to make me wear a dress?” he groans.

“Do not suggest things you aren’t willing to do.”

I grab two hats and shove one onto him. With his hand in mine, I drag him out of the door.

“I’m gonna end up paying for this aren’t I?” he laughs.

“Oh, absolutely. Let’s make up our back stories.” I walk backward, almost tripping over the uneven sidewalk. “You’re Chance, and I’m Stacy.”

“Here we go again.” Cole drags his hands over his face. “Why is it always Chance and Stacy with you?”

“Long story.” I’ve probably said that to him thousands of times, but I never explain. If you want to come off as unhinged, that’s how you do it.

We waltz up to the podium, and I demand a seat at the open table directly across from where Penny is sitting.

Cole gives her an apologetic smile. “Ashland, this is so wrong,” he whispers.

“What? It’s a free country. We can eat brunch here, too.”

“No, because I know that’s not why we’re here.”

“Then why are we here?” I ask as if I’m completely innocent.

Cole orders us a pitcher of mimosas and gives me a knowing look. “You’re here because you’re being fucking nosy. Penny deserves her privacy.”

I hold my hands up in the air, stunned. “Um, excuse yourself. There is no privacy between Penny and I. It’s way too late for boundaries. I’m not sure if you remember, but this guy took her on three dates before ghosting her. If she’s gonna keep insisting on seeing him, I want to know what he’s like when he doesn’t know her friends are around.”

He levels his gaze at me as the waitress delivers the drinks. “Fine." I start to reach for the pitcher, and Cole stops me. “Don’t get trashed.”

I stick my tongue out. “You can’t tell me what to do."

I hear loud annoying giggles erupt from the door. “You aresofunny,” a nasally voice says.

“Right,sofunny,” a whiny girl says.

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