Page 41 of Laken's longing

“Is there something wrong?” Isley laid the tubs down and stared at Ziggy who wore a perplexed look, a wrinkle at the bridge of his nose as he stared after Frey.

“Gotta be something, the man never refuses chocolate anything.” Ziggy paused on his way to the sink to fill the water jug, giving Isley a rueful smile. “Unless Booker was breakfast. That might have more than satisfied his appetite.”

They both laughed at that. Frey wasn’t very good at keeping quiet about his bedroom antics with Booker.

As the thought registered, Isley sobered. “Maybe it’s something with Emmy? Her poopy nappies have been causing a rash that looks real painful.” It was all Isley could come up with. He’d not had much of a chance to catch up and chat with work being killer, other than via the group chat they had and the quick hand off with Emmy.

“You could be right, teething is a real bitch. I’m glad I have no memory of it,” Ziggy laughed, but wore a look of sympathy.

The heavy tread of someone approaching drew a grin from Isley. Bowie appeared, sniffing the air like a blood hound on the scent of a fox.

“Do I smell peanut butter?” He came to the counter, hand already reaching for the correct tub with the cupcakes.

“Babe, you have the best nose.”

Bowie twitched that same nose, eyes crossing to look at it. “Do I?”

Isley reached up and kissed the tip of it making Bowie blush adorably. “You do. Now I gotta hustle. It's another ram-packed day, and I get Emmy first.”

“Lucky you,” Bowie mumbled around a mouthful of cupcake.

“Be careful your Daddy doesn’t catch you eating sweet stuff this early,” Isley whispered in Bowie’s ear. “You know what he was like the last time.”

Bowie blushed crimson and shoved the remaining bit in his mouth, giving himself chipmunk cheeks. Isley giggled and shook his head, leaving Bowie eyeing up the box with indecision.

Kari would never deny Bowie anything. Isley being one of the few people who knew about their relationship had witnessed from rat hand how much Kari was head over heels for Bowie. Isley was surprised the others didn’t notice, because Kari was always doing things for Bowie. They had a rule about not having cake for breakfast, but he’d bet his pert backside Kari wouldn’t get upset with Bowie over it. That was just who he was, never making mountains out of mole hills.

Laken, however, could make a mountain out of anything. He was poles apart from Kari. Kari had a lightness about him, even when serious, whereas Laken always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, like Rue. He often wondered what in his past had done that to him, put that pressure on him and Rue, he just wasn’t brave enough to ask.

Lost in his thoughts as he approached Booker’s office, who mainly started his day with Emmy in his office, his steps slowed when he heard his name mentioned.

“No, Frey won’t say anything to Isley. Did we not have this conversation last night? You’ll need to tell him something then, won’t you. And do it before the shit hits, bro. If Dad can’t work his magic, then everyone will know. It ain’t the best way to find out, is it?”

Shit hits? Work his magic? What will everyone know? How did it relate to him?

His confusion grew as there was a silence that followed indicating whoever Booker was talking to, they were on the phone.

“It’s important, you know that. We got you covered, so man the fuck up where it counts.”

More silence and Isley lingered, unsure if he should make his presence known or wait until the call finished. Booker wasn’t giving away who he was talking with but it sounded serious.

His fingers curled into fists, getting the feeling he needed to fight. It weirded him out while he continued to listen to one side of a conversation, second guessing who it could be. Taylin? Silas? They had both been in the press of late. Booker’s comment about everyone knowing would suggest something like that, wouldn’t it?

“I’m going tomorrow night, bro. It was decided last night… no, Frey will stay with Popi and Emmy. I’m not allowing them to be put in harm's way, despite what Frey says.”

A cold sensation ran down his spine, like someone had spilled icy water down his back. He flinched and crept closer to the partially open door.

“Yeah, yeah, but remember, secrets cause more problems, take it from someone who knows!” There was loud laughter before he heard Booker say, “later” leaving Isley stood outside the door, counting off seconds to make it look like he hadn’t been hovering or overheard anything.

“What ya doin’, furry flyer?”

He jerked around at Jupiter’s question, blushing furiously at the silly name, but then he couldn’t blame him after what he’d done. He’d not seen Jupiter since his animals' crazy antics, but he could smell his scent coming from Jupiter’s pores.

Look what you did!

It was an accident.

Jupiter tapped the end of his nose. “Sugar glider got your tongue.”