Page 43 of Laken's longing

Kodi:I remember that, Silas broke the vase that Dad had bought Popi for their anniversary when they wrestled.

Dad:Is that right?

Booker:Thanks for that dipshit.

Kodi:Always a pleasure to help.

Silas:You aren’t the only one who remembers stuff, Kodi.

Dad:Enough, you’re giving me a goddamn headache and you aren’t even in the house! Silas, Taylin, I’ll explain everything this evening. This is not the place to have this type of conversation. And Jupiter, yes it takes talent, one you developed and never lost! Now don’t be late. Popi is making tacos so bring your appetites.

Chapter Twenty

Laken

Last night had devolved into a supercharged conversation after Laken had given details—even sketchy ones—about the worst part of his childhood. It left him emotionally drained and thoughts of doing it again had made for another sleepless night. Dawn had barely broken when he entered the office this morning in the hopes that some busy work would occupy his thoughts. When he’d surfaced, he’d called Booker to double check it wasn’t going to be an issue with Frey keeping quiet. He’d had a moment of doubt that Frey, being close with Isley, may be inclined to let slip about his confession.

Booker being Booker had gone on about what he needed to do. Booker’s encouragement to tell Isley was due to their close working relationship and nothing more, but it hit far too close to the line he’d crossed just two nights ago in Isley’s apartment. There was no going back, he’d concluded. Whatever came next between him and Isley, he would accept it gracefully—possibly. And that right there was what held him back, the possibilityIsley would see him differently. Laken put off the inevitable conversation after Isley had come to his office that afternoon to update him on timetables of deliveries, beaming happiness. To take that happiness away would be like snatching an infant from its loving parents.

The sheer number of files they needed to work through kept them busy for over four hours and it was drawing to the end of the day. His previous plan to go to Isley’s after work was scuppered by the planned family meeting Popi insisted upon. Last night, Dad had argued with Laken that it was too late to get Silas, Taylin, Kari—wherever he was—and Rue on video chat, when he didn’t want to change the arrangement he had with Isley. The latter video chat needed a secure line, meaning the call link wasn’t easily sorted. Dad didn’t want the call to be intercepted by anyone using a listening device. It was all a little high tech for Laken, but he’d agreed more reluctantly, when he couldn’t explain his issue without giving away whatever was going on with Isley.

The dilemma now was how best to deal with Isley.

Carefully.

Thinking of ways to bring up the conversation, which was definitely going to result in pissing Isley off, was proving difficult. He was willing to bet his last dollar the tiny sugar glider wasn’t going to be fobbed off with platitudes easily. His stomach clenched in expectation of Isley’s reaction as he coughed around the tickle in his throat. He was nervous. Fucking hell what was wrong with him?

I’m a grown man.

About to get his ass handed to him by a tiny devil,his wolf supplied, laughing.

Not fucking helping,he growled back.This is gonna change everything.

It changes nothing. Get over yourself and give our sugar glider some credit with the truth.

Christ, he fucking hoped his animal was right more than he cared to admit. He was sweating at the prospect of laying out his past for Isley to examine in his tenacious way. It was going to be hard enough to talk about it again with the rest of his brothers and their partners, without telling the one person whose rejection would cut the deepest. It was a kicker, for sure.

It didn't matter how he’d tried to convince himself otherwise, it was the truth. He couldn’t stand the thought of Isley looking at him differently. He just couldn’t and that scared him more than those fuckers who abused him. More than the blackmailing scumbag.

“Do you need me to handle anything else?”

Isley’s question jolted him from his thoughts and, for a second, he couldn’t remember exactly what they’d been doing. When his gaze landed on the Haymarket file, he shook his head.

“We’re done for the day, just send David the updated costings and I’ll do the rest.”

He gave Isley a dismissive nod, not ready to start the conversation when he could taste his own fear.

Don’t be a dick, talk to him now.

Isley had risen and was nearly to the door when Laken groaned in distress under his breath. His shoulders sagging under the weight of defeat at the need to be truthful.

“Isley, a minute more, please?” Did he sound like he was begging? Gods, he hoped not.

Before he changed his mind once more, he pointed to the seat. “Could you sit?”

Isley, who had come back to the desk, frowned, fingers turning white as they gripped the ever present iPad in front of his chest in an almost protective manner, like he knew something bad was coming.

Christ! Why is this so hard?It was a stupid question, when he knew in this moment everything would change and there would be no going back.