Page 206 of Alphas Like Us

Lo and Ryke leave their high-top table where they’d been chatting with their wives. And both men easily and assuredly joinMaximoff.

Lo is on his right. Ryke on his left. And the three look straight into the camera. Severity in their gazes. Because the paternity issues surrounding the three of them aren’t amusing or lighthearted. And for the most part,We Are Callowayhits serious tones all the waythrough.

The studio seems to quiet, more people compelled to look at them. Not because of the paternity rumors. Everyone invited here knows that’sbullshit.

It’s how striking and domineering they are side-by-side-by-side. And Maximoff doesn’t look confrontational or angry. He looks proud to be standing between his dad and hisuncle.

And Maximoff—pure, wholehearted Maximoff—can’t even see how Lo and Ryke look even prouder to be next tohim.

“Incoming,” Banks says, and our heads turn as Sullivan Meadows weaves around a few tables, dark hair splayed over the shoulders of her jean jacket. She’s aiming for SFO. For thistable.

ForAkara.

We can all tell. Even if she doesn’t realizeit.

“She’s hesitating,” Quinn narrates as Sulli pauses, turns slightly. Fingers to herlips.

Akara sets down his water bottle, brows furrowing. The two of them have been doing this concern-worried-for-each-other dance since their “fight” at the stair climb. It’s a little intense, even forbuddyguards.

“And she’s exiting,” Banks says, just as Sulli swerves around and rushes away fromSFO.

“I’ll be a sec.” Akara detaches from our spot and chases after Sulli. And when he’s well out of earshot, we all turn back to the table and look at eachother.

Oscar says, “Either Kitsuwon is in denial about his feelings for that girl or he’s playing all ofus.”

“Denial,” most of us say because Akara is adamant that they’re just friends. Not in the excessive way to cover a lie. In a peeved, fuck-offway.

“She’s back,” Donnelly says off the appearance of Luna Hale. Only he’s referring to the green marker on her cheeks, the blue-painted eyebrows and graphic tee. She makes a Spock symbol at the camera, and she looks genuinely lighter, happier. She dumped Andrew last week, and she told her big brother that her and this guy just “wanted differentthings.”

I smile into my next bite of apple.Good for you,Luna.

“Anyone read the story she posted online yesterday?” Oscar asks the table. A few days ago she gave SFO her secret username so we could read her fics. Honestly, I haven’t had time to delve into that rabbit holeyet.

Donnelly bites into a potato skin. “The one with the blue alien goddess and the glittery king of stars?” He licks sour cream off hisfinger.

Oscar nods heartily. “I give it a C+. Too manytentacles.”

Donnelly shrugs. “I thought it was prettygood.”

I’m not even going to ask or open that Pandora’s Box. The photographer bobs up from the camera and searches the studio forsomeone.

And then his eyes land onme.

“Farrow!” The photographer waves me over, and he’s already called Maximoff back to the plain white backdrop. I place my bitten apple back on theplate.

Donnelly says, “Go get ‘em.”

“Make us proud.” Oscar pats myback.

I spin and walk backwards, just to say, “Take notes,boys.”

They slow-clap, and I let out a short laugh. Heading over to my fiancé who stands alone on a white backdrop. And I’ve been craving to be by his side. Even when he’s facing acamera.

I reach the set, my black boots thudding on the hard floor. Our eyes never shift off each other, never deter, and no one tells me to unhook my radio or remove mygun.

I’m where I want to be, need to be, and should be, and there’s nothing that could possibly feel more comfortable, more perfect, thanthat.

Maximoff and I draw together. Instinctively. Longingly. His chest presses to my chest, and his hand warms my neck. My palm ascends to the back of his head, threading his thick hair between inked fingers. And if I thought the studio quieted when he was with his dad and uncle, then it falls to silence forus.