Page 152 of Alphas Like Us

He shouldn’t feel badly. I text back:dont worry abouther

And I update Oscar on Farrow’sETA.

Tom slumps down in the booth beside Oscar, and my cousin lets out a dramatic breath, “Some people just don’t want to have fun.” Mischief twinkling in his eyes, he tosses a pretzel bite in hismouth.

“Bowling is fun,” I say with extra emphasis so he won’t try that stunt twice and ruin Kinney’s event. “Normalbowling.” My cellpings.

How mad is she going to be if I don’t make it?–Farrow

Tom dunks a pretzel in mustard. “Did you say Fire Bowling? Because yes, that’s extremely fun. Dude, sign meup.”

I don’t even know what the fuckfirebowling is and I’m not going to ask. I just text Farrow back:I’ll handleit.

I can’t lie and say Kinney won’t be upset. She’s already throwing out revocations andprobations.

Jack positions the camera towards Tom. “What’s fire bowling?” he asks mycousin.

“Hear me out.” Tom gears up, holding out two hands like he’s ready to go into an intense conversation. “Douse the pins in gasoline. Light them on fire.FireBowling.”

Jack nods like he’s considering this. “I’m glad Iasked.”

“Sounds dumb,” Kinney saysflatly.

“Because, Kinney,” Tom refutes. “You have noimagination.”

She stares at him blankly. “I’m imagining you transforming into a toad rightnow.”

He touches his chest. “So I can find my prince charming. You shouldn’t have.” He messes herhair.

She sets a death-glare on him and then rolls her eyes, over the banter, and then looks at me. “Your boyfriend is now twenty-five minutes late. I’m thinking we should reconsider his probation and go straight to revocationagain.”

“Kinney,” I say firmly. “He’s trying. Give him some slack here.” Like he can hear me, I get another text fromFarrow.

You shouldn’t have to handle anything. I’m going to try to be there, wolf scout.–Farrow

“Wait,” Tom cuts in, stealing my attention. He’s pointing a pretzel bite at my little sister. “You’re kicking Farrow out of the Rainbow Brigade for being late? Does that same consideration apply for your date,too?”

What?My eyes widen. “You have a date?” I ask Kinney, shocked. She never mentioned anything to me, and a deep frown replaces mysurprise.

Kinney shoots Tom a look like he’s spilledsomething.

He’s laughing under his breath and springs up from the booth. Leaving for the rack of bowling balls. He does that: throw out drama-laden statements and then exits to watch everythingburn.

His mom calls him a shit-stirrer.

Oscar narrows his eyes at Kinney. “This is news to me. We could bring a date to this thing?” He lifts up his pintglass.

Jack trains his camera on Oscar and the lens extends out, zooming in. “Seeinganyone?”

“Bro,” Oscar says, putting his beer to his lips. “I’m not doing yourshow.”

Jack smiles. “I say this to everyone, but I really mean it for you, Oscar: you’d look good on TV. And it’s notmyshow.”

Both of them are pretty eye-locked. So I just watch for a second as Oscar replies, but I’m also looking at my little sister who’s ignoringme.

“Of course I would look hot on TV. Doesn’t matter. I don’t need the same problems that my little bro has with fame.” Oscar swigs his beer. “And give yourself more credit,Highland.”

Jack peeks from behind the camera, glittering charm reaching his brown eyes. “What kind of credit do you think I should givemyself?”