Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

72: Callum, Ashlyn's Fav

'I didn't think I'd be seeing you here today'

Jack Ginnivan smiled and sat opposite Ashlyn Addison, carefully avoiding hitting his injured arm and shoulder against the table. He shrugged with his good side.

'I work here, you don't' he pointed out, smirking and waiting for her tired response. She just looked away.

'Nick told me to stop coming here, but it's fun, watching staff members having heart attacks trying to get me to leave. I quite like staying somewhere I'm not allowed to be' she explained, glancing around the huge kitchen and dining area. Jack nodded, knowing the feeling. 'Yeah' he just mumbled.

'How have you been? How's Dannika?' Ashlyn asked.

'I don't know, I guess I've been alright. I miss training with the boys though, and haven't seen Trent for a while either. Dannika's alright I s'pose' he said, although Ashlyn could tell his heart wasn't in it.

'The last time I saw the both of you was actually when we were at Trent's. He looked so pale, so unwell. I really hope he's getting better. Have you heard from him?' She asked. This was where he looked up, suddenly taking a lot more interest in her questions.

'He liked my message the other day, that's all I got. I haven't heard from Amelia, but as you know she wasn't happy I had Dannika with me. I can't be bothered with people like that' Jack said, although mentally knowing Amelia was right, Trent had every reason to be uncomfortable around the girl.

'I heard they're talking about putting Trent on this year's inactive list, his manager can't be assed following up with him every ten minutes and the club have no idea what to do. Nick was saying it would be the better idea, obviously due to his leg but also his mental health. Hi Jamie' Ashlyn explained, while glancing up and greeting an exhausted footballer, who nodded on his way to the coffee machine.

'Who've you pulled in from the street this time, Jack?' Jamie asked sarcastically, inserting a dollar and waiting for his coffee. Jack immediately jumped to his feet and ran over.

'Do you have a dollar? Please? I'll pay you back. Please. Please please please please please. I really want a coffee' he said, absolutely full of desperation and putting his hands together, almost begging. Jamie threw a look of confusion over to Ashlyn, and then a look of surprise at his younger teammate.

'You don't even have a dollar?' He asked, trying not to express his concern too much as he collected his drink, Jack still tagging along, arm to arm with him.

'Please Jamie. Billy. Please. I'll do anything' he continued, beginning to get on his teammate's nerves. Jamie sighed and pulled out his wallet again, passing him a $2 coin.

'THANK YOU!' Jack yelled, jumping up and wrapping his arms around Jamie, who's eyes widened in shock. He and Ashlyn exchanged a brief look of 'he's-nuts'.

'Don't need to hug me mate, just go and get your coffee' Jamie said, giving him another confused look and quickly leaving the room. Jack laughed, a bit too happy over the coin as he flipped it into the air and neatly caught it, sitting back down.

'What are you doing?' Ashlyn asked, laughing with him but knowing something wasn't right. Jack shook his head.

'I've been asking everyone for a dollar for a coffee since the day I arrived here. Nobody has ever said yes until today' he said, happily laughing and holding the coin between his thumb and finger, inspecting it like he'd never seen one before. Ashlyn sighed and shook her head.

'Okay, you have a coin. So go and get your coffee' she said, wondering why he'd sat back down. However he cut her off by running full speed towards another teammate.