Jasper growls lowly, grabs a new ball and throws it a little more gently this time toward the right pin. Before his ball can connect it topples sideways into the gutter. Defeated, Jasper returns.
“That’s too bad.”
“Don’t get cocky,” he teases. “You’re up.”
As I make my way to the ball-dispenser-machine thing I take a second to revel in this moment. A couple of weeks ago I thought things between Jasper and me were over for good, but here we are at a bowling alley on a date, laughing and teasing each other. It’s like some bizarro-fantasy I never thought would actually happen.
Before I can choose a ball I notice a kid and his dad a couple of lanes over staring at Jasper. The boy is pointing and saying something to his dad, who nods and encourages him forward. The boy skip-runs to Jasper and I step back from the balls so I can hear their interaction.
“Excuse me,” the boy says. “Are you Jasper Apollo?”
A quick whiff of his scent tells me this kid is a werewolf. I glance over at his father, who gives me a nod hello.
“I am,” Jasper says, kneeling so he’s eye to eye with the boy. “What’s your name?”
“Tommy,” the kid says.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tommy.”
“Who’s that?” Tommy asks, turning to scowl at me.
“That’s my friend, Max. Do you want to say hi?”
“Not really.”
Jasper glances at me and I can’t help but laugh.I wouldn’t want to meet me either, kid.
“Tommy, that’s enough,” the boy’s father says, coming to collect his son. “Leave the future alpha alone.” Tommy runs back to his dad, who reaches out a hand to shake Jasper’s. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Same,” Jasper says.
It’s strange watching him while he interacts with them. They know so much about him, probably feel like they know him, but to him they’re complete strangers, and yet he’s perfectly at ease, his decorum and willingness to engage perfected with years of practice.
“Didn’t think I’d ever see you in a place like this,” the dad jokes.
“I’m here with my mate.” Jasper gestures to me. The dad takes another look at me, like he’s really paying attention this time.
“Hi.” I manage an awkward wave.
“Right.” The dad sounds a little hesitant. “I heard something about that. Wasn’t sure if it was true.”
“It’s true,” I say.
“Nice to meet you too,” the dad says to me, only I’m not certain he means it. “Come on, Tommy. Let’s leave them to their game. You want a hot dog?”
Without saying goodbye Tommy is led away from us back to his lane.
For the rest of our game I can’t help but notice the dad glancing over every so often. Does he not approve of Jasper being mated to me? To a guy? Or is he just confused as to why the alpha’s son is bad at bowling? Either way I do my best not to let his strange looks distract me. I’m determined to whoop Jasper’s ass.
But Jasper notices too and for whatever reason, he’s unable to ignore the dad’s suspicious glances. His game suffers, even more so, and ball after ball lands in the gutter. His heart just isn’t in it.
“Let’s go,” Jasper says, having bowled his last bowl. The dad’s eyes bore into us as we leave the lanes and pass through the doors of the bowling alley.
The ride back is tense. Jasper is clearly not in a great mood. His foot is heavy on the gas and, while I fear for my life on a couple of the bends, we make it back to my place in record time.
“Thanks for tonight,” I say tentatively when we’re back at the curb outside my folks’ house.
Jasper grinds his teeth. “I’m sorry.”
