This was really pissing me off.

Scout got elbowed for the nth time tonight by the same douchebag from Pi Lambda Delta. His teammates went to help him stand up and make sure he was okay.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I stood up and yelled, "You better fucking kick his goddamn ass, Crimson!"

His eyes found me in the crowd, and a small smile slowly stretched across his face. He nodded to me and ran down the court with a newly determined look. He didn't waste time when he posterized his opponent.

"Hell yeah! That's my man!"

Madeline smirked at me. "You know you're supposed to root for our team. In case no one told you, we're teamed up with the Lambs."

Lilian giggled, shaking her head in amusement.

"So what?" I shrugged indignantly. "I'm only playing the part."

Madelined snorted at that and brought her eyes back to the game. "Keep telling yourself that, Cons."

"Do you want a customized jersey with the name Crimson on the back?" asked Jamaica, flashing me an innocent smile. "You are playing a part, after all."

I sat back down, keeping my face indifferent as I answered, "Yeah, let me know if you need my measurements."

"Sure thing," she replied, with a knowing smile.

My phone vibrated, making me glance at its screen. There was a text message from Frisco saying that he was here.

"I'll catch you girls later," I told the squad. "A friend of mine from home's here."

"Is he hot?" asked Madeline.

"Ew, Mads." I made a face as I got to my feet. "He's like my baby brother."

"So? I'm asking if he's hot."

"I'll let you meet him later." I rolled my eyes, stepping down the bleachers.

"That doesn't answer my question!" she shouted.

"I don't care!" I yelled back.

Madeline's laughter could be heard as I walked away.

I met Frisco at the Brick. As soon as I saw his curly head, I ran to him and put an arm around his neck. "Frisco!"

He spluttered the soda he was drinking on the table, and I burst out laughing.

"Missed you, too," he chuckled, as he wiped his chin.

I hugged him tight. "Feels like forever!"

"I know," he sighed, returning my hug.

When we pulled away, we sat down and ordered food.

"Did you get that payback?" he asked.

"Yeah, but it didn't stop the rumors." I frowned, suddenly thinking about it. "Actually, I haven't gotten nasty looks in a while. Huh, guess they're too busy with Greek Week," I added, shrugging.

"That's good, then. I was worried."

"Dude, compared to what we went through in high school? This is child's play."

"True, but then the consequences didn't affect you as much as it affected us back then. Here, the risks are different."

I snorted. "Yeah, I don't think anyone here could be worse than that psycho McKinley. Shirley's just a petty sorority girl. I doubt she has the guts to set a building on fire, let alone kidnap someone."

"You forgot that he also crushed me with his car."

I winced, thinking about the time he was in the hospital. Those were dark times, the boys were furious. We had no idea if Frisco was going to wake up. If I ever thought my friends were capable of killing someone, that was the time I was sure of it.

"Hey," said Frisco, noticing my silence. "I'm still in one piece."

"Yeah, whatever."

It was still a sore subject.

"Anyway, how are you and Prince Charming?"

I only shrugged and gave him an innocent close-lipped smile. When he realized I wasn't going to give him an answer, he chuckled.

"Fine, I'll just ask him."

"He's busy with the activities."

"I guess he's not too busy for you." He grinned at me, before raising a hand and waving to someone behind me.

I looked over my shoulder and watched Scout walk over to us, his hair wet from the shower after the game. He looked so fresh and clean – so... Scout.

"Frisco, what's up?" he greeted, slapping Frisco's hand and doing that man hug thing. "Heard Clemson reached out."

My shy friend blushed, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, they did."

"Wow. Congrats, man." Scout sounded genuinely happy.

"Thanks." Frisco gestured for him to sit next to me. "Come sit."

Scout met my eyes as he sat down.

"Did you win?" I asked him.

He grinned triumphantly. "Of course."

I couldn't help but return his big smile, it was like a virus. "Awesome."

"I kicked his ass, too."

"Aw, that's my good boy," I gushed, patting his head like I would a dog and he knew it. But he only chuckled, before raising a hand to get his order.

After the waiter came with Frisco and mine's food, he took Scout's order and went off on his way. I picked up my burger and started eating.

"This is so weird," mumbled Frisco, watching us.

"Nah," said Scout, grabbing some fries from my plate.

"Get used to it," I told Frisco.

He blanched, his eyes widening like someone just slapped him.

I frowned. What was up with that reaction?

"What?" I asked.

"You didn't give him shit for taking your food."

"Should I?"

His eyebrows shot up. "The Connie I know would smack my head and throw a fork at me if I did what he did."

Huh, maybe he was right.

Scout looked from me to Frisco, looking completely lost. "What'd I do?"

"She doesn't like it when someone takes food from her plate," explained Frisco. "Like Joey, from FRIENDS." He paused to laugh. "The only one who can get away with it is Oz, but that's just because he runs away before she could do anything."

I felt Scout's eyes on me. "Is that right?"

"It's not a big deal," I said, rolling my eyes.

Frisco snorted. "Whatever you say."

"Shut up, Frisco," I warned him, through gritted teeth.

He only flashed me a toothy grin, while Scout was still looking at me weird.

"You look malnourished and I feel bad for you, so..." I trailed off, shrugging a shoulder like it was no big deal.

Both boys looked at Scout's very fit body.

"Uh-huh," said Scout.

"Did you guys ever have to kiss?" asked Frisco curiously.

There was silence.

"I mean, if you guys are pretending to date," he continued, "were you ever in a situation where you had to kiss each other?"

I closed my eyes, trying my best to calm myself because killing Frisco in the middle of a crowded bar would not do me any favors – other than shutting him the fuck up.

"I'm not pretending anymore," stated Scout.

Frisco looked shocked, but then he smiled. "I knew it."

"We're... slowly diving into that possibility," I added.

"Reality," corrected Scout.

"Do you want me to throw a fork at you, Crimson?"

He grinned. "As long as you throw the spoon and knife, too, so I get the whole set."

"Sure, I'll include the plate for good measure."

"Great." He chuckled.

I glared at him, before resuming to eat. He was always so good at taking everything in stride.

"So..." continued Frisco, "you kissed?"

Scout burst out laughing, while I groaned.

God, save me from this conversation.

* * * * *

I looked at him like he was stupid.

"I say, go for the long pass," advised Tanner, the European-looking dude I met at the last mixer with the Lambs.

Frisco frowned. "To hell with that, frat boy." My friend turned to me with a serious face. "Look, they're way too heavy on the center defensive line."

I nodded, agreeing with him. "Their tail ends are too slow, too."

Never thought playing lingerie football against the Zits would ever happen to me, but here we were.

"Right." Frisco looked at me all business-like, and I was suddenly reminded that he was now the captain of a National-winning high school football team. I felt like a proud mama. "So make a fake pass to Jamaica, have Madeline block the way for you, then run like hell."

"Gotcha."

Damn, I was so proud of him.

"Hey, why would you listen to this high school kid than me?" Tanner protested.

I hung my head and sighed. "'Cause his play makes more sense than your dull fucking pass."

"It's been working for most of the game, hasn't it?" Tanner glowered, looking offended. Like I gave a shit.

Frisco shook his head. "They caught up with our style. Won't work this time."

"'Our?'" Tanner scoffed. "Who the fuck do you think you are, kid?"

I glared at him. "Don't fucking talk to him tha—"

"His team won three national championships for the past four years, he was there for two."

We all turned and saw Scout.

He smiled, looking nothing but friendly. "You also made captain this year, right?" he asked Frisco, who grinned and nodded. "Didn't you break a record or something?"

"Nah, man." Frisco shook his head, chuckling. "That's Oz. Most rushing yards."

"Oh, right."

"Wait," Tanner said, pulling up a hand. "That player from Mount Valley?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You heard about Oz?"

"Uh, yeah," he answered me, in an are-you-kidding-me voice. "Didn't he go to the University of Florida? He's a pretty big deal. They're hoping he's gonna bring them back their A-game." He snorted. "Good luck with that, though. Bama's roster is looking sick this year."

"Speaking of Bama," said Scout, turning to Frisco, "doesn't Kurt go there?"

"Yup, full football scholarship. Full ride to roll tide."

"He almost chose Notre Dame," I added. "But who can turn down Alabama?"

Scout put a friendly arm around Tanner and gestured to me. "They're friends with those guys – and her brother plays in the NFL."

Tanner's eyes grew round.

"That's why—"

I raised a hand to stop Scout from saying anything more and stepped up to the smartass Lamb. I appreciated Scout coming to my rescue but there wasn't really a need. This sucker just needed to be educated.

"That's why when I say I got this, I got this." I patted his head, and added in a whisper, "So be a good little boy and shut the fuck up."

I turned my back to him and ran to the field.

And what did you know? It worked.

We won.

Shirley passed by our bench, giving me the dirtiest look. Her scandal got her in a whole lot of trouble, but she didn't get expelled. She was still in her sorority, too. I guessed her father was rich enough to pull some strings.

The professors were fired, though. I heard the administration chunked it up to Shirley being 'taken advantage of.' At least, her grades were nulled this semester. She had to repeat the courses she aced, which was half of what she was taking. Yikes.

An idea came to mind and I barked at her like a rabid dog, causing her to jump. Madeline, Jamaica, and Lilian laughed – so did our Kappa sisters nearby.

I smirked. "Scared?"

Shirley scoffed. "I'm not scared of white trash."

"Yeah, shame you can't recycle your personality."

"Hmm." She tilted her head, looking at me from head to toe. "Don't you ever get tired of putting makeup on two faces every morning?"

"Don't you?" I threw it back to her. "You have more faces than Mount Rushmore multiplied by three."

"Can you go away now?" said Jamaica, annoyed. "We wanna celebrate our win in peace."

Shirley made a face, and pointed to Lilian. "What's with her?"

Our British friend was staring at her in wonder.

"She's in awe," explained Madeline, looking at Lilian before turning back to Shirley. "She didn't know it was possible for one person to harbor so much toxic aura."

"Funny." She glared at us one more time before finally stomping away.

I waited until the evil entity was out of earshot, then I faced Lilian.

"So why were you staring at her?"

She blinked. "Huh? I wasn't."

Jamaica burst into giggles. "She was staring into space. Shirley just happened to walk into her line of sight."

Madeline and I exchanged amused looks.

"Hey, Con!" called Frisco, walking up to us with Scout. He nodded to the girls. "Nice win, everyone. I'd love to celebrate with you but I should hit the road home."

I tried to hide my disappointment. "You're not staying for dinner?"

His eyes flickered to Lilian. "Maybe some other time."

Catching it, my eyes narrowed and lips curled up.

"Well, it's good to see you, man," said Scout, slapping Frisco's back. "Come visit us anytime."

"I'll try," Frisco promised. "With it being football season and all..."

Scout chuckled. "No pressure."

"Say hi to Halo and the others for me," I told Frisco, when he gave me a hug.

"Sure thing." He walked backwards, adding, "See you on Thanksgiving!"

Scout nodded and I waved a hand. It was sad seeing him go, I wanted to spend more time with him. But Thanksgiving was only a couple of weeks away. I'd get to see everybody by then. I couldn't wait.

"Why are all your high school friends hot?" Madeline said.

"He's more on the cute side, though," Jamaica noted critically, studying Frisco as he walked away.

"Who are we looking at?" asked Brody, who was suddenly behind us.

Jamaica jumped in startle. "No one!"

Madeline shot Jamaica a weird look, before glancing at me. I frowned the tiniest bit. Yeah, I caught it, too. There was something going on here.

"Shall we grab something to eat, then?" asked Lilian, turning to face all of us.

"Actually, Gaige is already waiting for us," Brody said, as he pointed behind him.

"Let's go!" chirped Jamaica, too cheerfully.

Madeline and I watched her like a hawk. There was seriously something she wasn't telling us. I was about to go to her and grill her about it, but then Scout grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. Suddenly, I turned into a fucking goo.

"Is this okay?"

I shrugged, playing it cool – even though I felt a warm tingling feeling in my stomach. "It's not the first time you held my hand."

Scout chuckled as we followed after the others.

"No, I meant..." He paused, nodding to our friends together. "Everyone is always gathering as a group like this." He tugged my hand, making me look up at him. "I don't want you to think you have to force yourself to replace Oz and your friends."

Oh...

"I'm not," I replied truthfully. "The crew owns a part of me. They are a part of me. With all the crazy shit we've been through together... A bond like that can never be replaced, you know?" I shook my head as I looked at my girls – my squad. "But this... this is something else. It's new, it's weird, it's... wholesome."

And it was already starting to hold a piece of my heart.

"That's good." Scout grinned, before walking faster to catch up with the others and dragging me with him.

As I gazed up at him, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if my two worlds collided. The crew didn't say shit about me dating that asshole Parker before.

But then, Alfie threw a fit when he merely figured out something was going on between me and Scout. Frisco freaked out as well, but it was more from the shock. He was cool with it now.

What about Oz, though? What about Kurt, who could hold a grudge with the strength of the pyramids?

Scout glanced at me and smiled warmly.

What about his twin sister, Snow?

_____________

Next update: Sunday (April 5)

Coming up next... Chapter 27: Talk
The long wait is over. ;)

#SavageMeWP