Page 7 of Scrimmage

“You blacked out, didn’t you?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny the events that may or may not have unfolded last night.”

“Mhm.” She heads back through the bathroom into her room. Her discarded towel comes flying through the door, missing the basket entirely. “Well, Cole was disappointed.”

“About what?” I call out, inspecting my sore legs. Bruises are all over them, per usual. I feel rough.

“Uh.” Her head pokes through her doorway, narrowing her eyes at me like I’m an idiot. “New Chance.” She gestures to the door.

“Why would Cole be mad about that?” I yawn and get to work brushing my teeth. Nothing like hangover morning breath to make you feel like death. The longer the mint assaults my mouth the better I feel. I head over to the shower and twist the nob, ready for the water to start steaming.

“Because he's in love with you.”

I step into the water, my body shivering, and sit down on the floor. “Not this again.” I roll my eyes, turning the heat up to burn my skin.

“Why the hell else would he keep inviting you to happy hours? Guys don’t do that unless they're trying to get your attention.”

“First of all, he invitesus. Second of all, he knows we like to drink, and we’re not boring. Third, I go home with someone every single time so it seems like a stupid move to keep inviting me if you’re trying to fuck me. You should probably suggest something else. Fourth, you’re wrong,” I list.

“Mhm. Whatever. He’s still hopeful. What time is it?” She checks her makeup in the mirror.

I reach for my phone laying on the edge of the tub and check it. "Almost eleven,” I groan.

“He’ll be here any second to bring you coffee and breakfast,” she sing songs.

“Us,” I remind her.

“Listen Ash.” She leans against the counter. “He doesn’t give a fuck about me. He just knows that if he doesn’t try to treat me like a queen, then you definitely won’t be interested in anything long term.”

“Everyone should treat you like a queen. If they don’t, I’ll kill them. Also, I’m not interested in anything long term and never will be.”

There’s a tentative knock on the bathroom door.

“Come in!” we shout in tandem.

“Told you.” I can hear the smirk in Penny’s tone. I get a handful of water and throw it at her outside of the shower curtain.

“Everyone decent?” Cole has his eyes covered with a bag balanced on a drink carrier full of coffee and Gatorade. Penny quirks an eyebrow, giving me an ‘I told you so’ look.

“Yes,” I huff, shutting the curtain.

“Penny,” he says cordially. I hear a rustle and then a loud slurp.

“You’re a life saver, Cole.”

“It’s just an excuse for me to make sure the two of you are alive,” he chuckles. “Speaking of, where’s Ash?”

“Here,” I groan, thrusting my hand outside of the curtain, opening and closing my fist like a baby reaching to be picked up. He laughs, and I feel a cup placed into my hand. I bring it into the shower and take a deep sip. The macchiato from hell, is what Penny calls it. It’s basically a shit load of espresso with a ton of caramel, and a splash of milk. Cole always complains that someday when it gives me a heart attack he doesn’t want to be held responsible.

“That hungover, huh?”

“Burrito.” I stick my hand back out and feel foil against my skin. I bring it into the shower and unwrap it, sinking my teeth into the egg, sausage, and cheese. The effect is almost instant. Life starts to course through my veins, and I feel like I can maybe walk again. “Mmm.”

“That’s a good sign,” Cole says. “Pretty sure you were blackout last night.”

“It’s because you won’t stop her," Penny sings.

“What?” Cole laughs. “Have you ever tried?”

---