Page 107 of Scrimmage

“So, what were you two doing in the hallway?” Penny sings.

“I was just apologizing," I sing back.

“Looked like you were about to blow him.”

“I wasn’t,” I say primly.

“I’m gonna say something that’s gonna annoy you.”

“Go for it.”

“You like him.”

“I don’t.” My hands grip the steering wheel tighter. Do I?

“I haven’t seen you look at someone like that before.”

I cast her a sidelong glance. “You have.”

“Nah, it was never like that with Brin. That was total infatuation. This is different.”

“Whatever. You’re just a romantic.”

“Koda actually seems like a nice guy,” she pleads. “I know he’s being a dick or whatever, but he’s also being nice, and it seems genuine. He’s honestly never done anything that makes me hate him. He gives you orgasms. He feeds us and brings shit to the shop without you asking. He never lets you walk home because you could get murdered. He took you to the football locker room to study because it was quieter. He gave you a car. He just did all of our laundry. The only thing that bugs me is what you said earlier about you being triggered.”

“I’m not. You know I like rough sex, and he knows exactly how I want it when I want it. He’s not triggering me.”

“So he’s, like, being a total gentleman, taking your shit, and giving you everything you want?”

I hear what she’s saying, and I don’t like it. “It’s called manipulation.”

“It’scalledKoda liking you. You’re both just being fucking weird about it.”

I balk. “He doesn’t like me.”

“This isn’t middle school, Ash. Open your fucking eyes.”

We pull up to the house, and I throw it into park. “It won’t last. It never does.”

She turns to me, taking my hand and grasping it. “I’m not telling you what to do. I’m just asking that you look at the obvious. He likes you. You like him. I don’t know why you two are making it so fucking complicated. I think you should just consider it. If you change your mind, I’m here to help you navigate. That’s all.”

I sag into the driver’s seat. “I love you, Penny.”

“Love you, too. I’m high and wired. My creative juices are flowing. Put my laundry away for me?”

“Of course.”

She jumps out of the car and runs up to the house as Koda opens my door. “Where is she going in a hurry?”

“Artist stuff.”

We gather some of the clothes and music is already blaring from the studio when we get inside. He starts piling things onto the counter, not bothering to push the envelope of going into our rooms.

“Maybe I’ll see you Saturday.” He’s so casual about it.

Fucking Cuntsgiving. I already almost forgot about it. To be honest, I’m not really in the mood, but if I tell Penny that, she’ll cancel. This year especially sucks, and she’ll be more concerned than she already is.

“Don’t worry about it.” I grab some of the shirts and walk away. I don’t even say bye.

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