I burst out laughing at the completely deadpan look on her face. Pursing my lips as she takes another swig from the tequila bottle, I shake my head. “Isn’t this place for kids?”
She furrows her brows and curls up her lip. “Are you calling me,mea child, Nate?”
I’m not sure if she’s playing around or being serious right now, so I decide to err on the side of caution. “Um… no? Just, I thought only children could play in there?”
“Ha! Shows what you know. Now get out of the car and get ready fortotal annihilation!” she says the last part slowly and in a low voice, like it’s from a video game or something. This side of Alex is even weirder than usual, but also quite funny. She seems competitive, but I think this will be a whole heap of fun, which is just what I need.
Alex opens the car door and goes to get out.
“Looks like you’re in for an entertaining night, sir,” my security detail says.
“You’re telling me,” I reply.
He nods while Alex rushes forward. “I’ll keep out of the way. You won’t even know I’m here.”
“Thanks, buddy,” I say and slide out of the car with my bottle of tequila. Alex is jumping from foot to foot like a six-year-old. It’s cute how excited she is.
It makes me almost forget why we’re here.
To make me forget…
Taking another drink of the yellow liquid, I approach Alex and shake my head at the flashing signs and the giant inflatable clown in front of the building. “This is a bad idea. You know that, right?”
She smirks, grabbing the bottle from me. “Why? Scared I’m gonna beat you ateverything?”
“What is there to beat me at? There’s just blow-up slides and shit in there.”
She grins mischievously and shakes her head. “Oh, Nate, so innocent for a hardcore rocker. Come, enter my domain.”
I smirk. “Weird… that’s the only word I have for you.”
“It’s a badge I wear with pride.”
While walking with her to the door, I let out a quiet laugh. When she opens it, we step through to the sounds of children laughing and screaming, and I wonder how we’re even going to be allowed in here. She walks us up to the counter, and a large guy with tufts of red hair on either side of his face, reminding me of a somewhat larger version ofSide Show Bob, smiles a little too wide when he sees Alex.
“Alexandria, how lovely it is to see you again,” he utters somewhat nerdy.
I try to hide my smile and watch her grin at him like he’s a long-time friend.
“Hey, Augie! I’m glad you’re back. Didn’t like your fill-in. What was her name?” Alex asks, and I furrow my brows, wondering how often Alex comes in here.
Augie sighs, rolling his eyes. “Oh, yes, Tamika. She came from a recruitment agency and was only here to fill the required hours for benefits…” He rolls his eyes. “Lousy person. Terrible with the kids. We got rid of her as soon as my back came good, and I could return to work.”
Alex nods. “I heard about your back. That happened when you were playing with the kids, right?”
“Yeah, I know I’m not supposed to bounce on the inflatables with them, but they just wanted to have fun. You know me, they think I’m a clown and love to crawl all over me. I should’veknown better. That’s why I’m relegated to the booth now. No inflatable time for me.”
Alex winces. “Oooh, sorry, Augie, I know you love it out there with the kids.”
“Yeah, but you know, I’m getting older. Gotta look after my health and all that…” He smiles. “No Whisper today?” he asks.
My ears prick up, and I raise my brow in question.
“No, he’s on a Korean Fung Shui retreat or something,” she says, and my mouth drops open wide.
“I love that guy!” Augie says, and Alex turns to me.
“What?” she asks.
