She shook her head. “It’s a bar, but it’s a bowling alley. It stays open till two. The guys won’t care. Promise.”

Jordan blew out a ragged puff of air, his hands coming out of his hair. “Yeah. Okay. That’s enough. Can we sneak in booze?”

“Yes, but we cannot get caught. I might not drink.”

Zellman stood up, shooting Bren a grin. “Pretty sure the only person drinking tonight is Jordan.”

Bren nodded. “I’ll call and make sure there’s a lane open. It can get busy Thursday nights, or so I’ve heard. I’ve not worked the evening shift there.”

“It’s kinda hot that you work in a bowling place.”

We all stopped.

I shot Zellman a glare, then because there was nothing to say to that, I clipped him in the back of his head.

“Hey!” He gave me a look.

“The fuck you say shit like that?”

“What? I like bowling.” He was looking at us, wide-eyed. Not getting it. “Have I never told you guys that?”

“No.”

Jordan wasn’t talking. His hands were pushed in his pockets, his shoulders hunched forward. He looked ready to topple a mountain, and also ready to be blown over by a gust of wind. The dichotomy was real tonight.

Bren held her hands up. “I’m pretty sure we’ve been over this before. You’re not supposed to use the word ‘hot’ and me in the same sentence. Ever.”

Zellman frowned as Bren was grabbing her stuff, ready to go.

I only needed my keys and wallet, which were by the door.

“I think we have, actually.” He gave her a crooked grin. “Sorry.”

Bren was headed out the door. “Stop talking. Just…stop talking.”

Zellman followed. “I really am sorry. I don’t even mean it that way. I use ‘hot’ for everything lately—”

“STOP talking! Just stop. Now.”

Their voices carried across the distance, and I remained in place, glancing over at Jordan.

He was looking at me, not holding anything back. He had aged ten years in the last four hours. He blew out another breath, shaking his head. “She quit school, man. Was that my fault?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s hers, all hers. Zellman’s right. She chose. I know you probably reached out.”

“I did. A few times. I kept getting forwarded to Sunday.”

Then she had got the messages. Bren’s too.

“You can only follow your gut, but mine is saying that Tabatha needs to work this out on her own.”

“So what do I do while she does?”

Zellman hollered from outside, “Let’s go! I’m not lying about bowling. I really do like it. I’m going to wipe the floor with all of you losers.”

I grinned, pointing outside. “Apparently, we bowl.”

FROM: Tazsters

TO: Cain Group

SUBJECT: grrrrr