Addie (Pack of Misfits #1) - Raven Kennedy Page 0,13

right in the midst of my arcade glory that he clearly doesn’t understand?

“I heard they just had a robbery.”

His words bring me back to our conversation that I’m admittedly sucking at. Mingling and small talk is not my thing. But really, it’s part of the misfit M.O. “Oh, yeah. I was there when it happened.”

He eyes me curiously for a moment. “That had to have been scary.”

I shrug. “Yeah. I don’t recommend participating in one.”

He smiles slightly, showing off nice teeth. He really is nice to look at for a human. He has mocha skin and jet black hair, and a solid four inches on me. “Sorry that you had to go through that.”

“Eh, stuff happens. It could’ve been worse.”

“I guess that’s true,” he agreed.

Awkward silence descends between us, and I start to tug at the hem of my shirt while looking around, desperately trying to find a way to escape. I’m terrible with guys. You know those genes that some girls have, making them able to talk to anyone and turn heads? Yeah, I don’t have that. Those are some designer-type genes. My genes have holes in them. Bottom-shelf type of stuff.

I try to catch Aspen’s eye, but she’s playing Centipede with one of the guys, and I don’t see Zoey anywhere. I’m debating about whether or not it would make this weirder if I excused myself to the bathroom, but Mario clears his throat before I can decide. “I’ve never been here before,” he admits.

I chuckle and look at him again. I give his slacks and button up shirt a once-over. “I can see that.”

He looks down at his own outfit and runs his hands down his shirt with a bemused smile. “Is it that bad?”

I tilt my head to the side. “You look like you’re going to start pulling people aside and offer to do their taxes.”

He chuckles, and the sound warms me up enough to make some of the awkwardness fall away.

“So, Addie, how about you show me how to play this game and I’ll buy you a beer?”

I smile. Now this, I can do. “By the time I’m done with you, Mario, you’ll be so good at whacking the mole, all the other whackers will be jealous.”

He chokes out a laugh. “I’ve never had a girl who wanted me to whack more. How can I resist an offer like that?”

We spend the next three hours playing. The first hour is spent with me showing him all the secrets of the mallet and sipping on cheap beer while we eat pizza between turns. When it’s clear he’s never going to excel at mole whacking, we move onto Frogger and then Street Fighter. I win at everything. It’s an excellent ego boost after getting trampled by Aspen.

The place is winding down, and some of my packmates have already left.

“Can I take you out? We could move onto a different kind of club,” he offers as we make our way to the door. My stomach is whining at me from eating and drinking so much. I probably shouldn’t have had that fifth slice of pizza. “I’m kind of beat,” I admit, giving him a sideways smile. “My ride is about to leave, so I’d better go, but maybe another time?”

He looks disappointed, but quickly recovers as we exchange phone numbers. “How about tomorrow? We could meet at Dare.”

That trendy restaurant bar isn’t really my scene, but he’s cute, nice, and…I haven’t gotten laid in months. The last time was just a one-night stand with a tourist and the guy was less than impressive. Plus, I can feel my heatwave approaching. It happens a couple of times a year for shifters, and it’s intense. Like embarrassing mewling, moaning, and I’ve even been known to beg.

At least if I spend it with Mario, I won’t just be falling into some stranger’s bed to sate my animalistic needs. Admittedly, humans aren’t the best companions to help ride out the wave, but it’s better than being alone.

“Okay, sure,” I relent. Really, my vagina is calling the shots at this point.

He beams. “You want me to pick you up?”

“That’s okay, I’ll meet you there. Maybe we can make it a double date? I’ll bring a couple friends.”

His smile falters, but he’s polite enough to play it off. “Sure. I’ll meet you there at eight?”

“Sounds good.”

“Hey, there you are!” Zoey says, sidling up to me with a triumphant grin on her face. I also notice that her ponytail is slightly skewed, with hair sticking