Page 163 of Alphas Like Us
Ryke looks up from a plastic menu. “Who else is in your fuckingbed?”
“Just yournephew.”
Maximoff is currently pinching his eyes like he’s wishing this were one of his little alternateuniverses.
Lo leans forward and asks, “What is it about my son that made you want to spend time withhim?”
“Dad,” Maximoff growls, his neckflushing.
My smile is killingme.
“Let Farrow answer the question, bud,” Lo says while he eagle-eyes me todeath.
Just like that, my smile fades, and my eyes flit briefly to Jack Highland who films our table with another producer ofWe Are Calloway.We’re in a private section of the burger joint. Photos of old rock bands hang on the green-leafed wallpaper, but I can feel the presence of acamera.
“Any portion of this can be edited out,” Connor tells me, perceptive of my body language, “and none has to beaired.”
I agreed to be a part of the docuseries. Anything that brings me closer to Maximoff and his family, I want to do, and plus, since my life is very fucking public, there’s more to gain and less to lose withWe Are Calloway. It’s a highbrow award-winning docuseries, aired on a premium cablechannel.
“Noted,” I nod, and Jack flashes a charming“you’re doing great”smile behind the camera. I shake my head, and I ball up the paper to astraw.
“Remember my question?” Lo asksme.
“Farrow remembers everything,” Maximoff interjects and then groans at himself. He swings his head to me and rakes a hand through his brown hair. “I didn’t mean it in a goodway.”
“I think you did,” Itease.
He plasters on a decent scowl, and that’s when a twenty-something waitress brings out a tray of ice waters. I lean back in my chair and wave her to comehere.
“Can you get us a baggie of ice?” I ask since my boyfriend put more stress on his muscle earlier when he wrenched the car door open. I’ve noticed how he’s shut his eyes in longer beats.Wincing.
“Of course,” she says. “Anythingelse?”
“A coffin,” Maximoff interjects. “For my immediatedeath.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not dying, but he isdramatic.”
The waitress chuckles before leaving the table, and I turn to Maximoff. He’s looking really deeply intome.
My chest falls in a heavier breath, and fuck it…I kiss him. Our mouths meet, softly and tenderly, and I feel his lips rise beneathmine.
He likes that.And so doI.
When we ease back, I drop my arm to his chair. Maximoff still holds my shoulders in an assuredembrace.
And Lo is waiting for me toanswer.
“Dad, don’t make him answer that question,” Maximoff cutsin.
Lo doesn’t flinch. “Are you willing to watch out for my son’s well-beingtonight?”
Maximoff covers his face with his hand, a second away fromgroaning.
“All nights,” I answer, trying not to laugh at my boyfriend’s distress more than anything. He’s making this easier onme.
“What are you two doing tonight?” Loasks.
“Staying in,” I say easily and look toMaximoff.
