Page 67 of Laken's longing

“Carpet cleaning?” he laughed, a big booming sound. “I think you should be paying me for my inspiring date suggestion.” His shoulders shook as he continued to laugh, slapping Laken on the shoulder.

How could he stay mad at him when it was such a rarity to see him so genuinely carefree. Laken released a grumbled groan. “You’re an asshole.”

“What’s new about that? I’ve got another idea for next weekend if you wanna hear it?”

Laken recalled the dreamy eyed look Isley wore and found himself nodding, despite knowing this could lead to more uncomfortable situations.

Isley is worth it.

The simple truth of it slipped into the crack in his heart, the one that Popi and Dad hadn’t been able to heal fully, but Isley was working his magic on.

“It better not involve paint or drums!” he growled, more for effect because he was a damn sap, just like his brothers. it would seem.

Alphahole

Booker:Jup, why is Laken roaming around the house cursing you six ways to Sunday?

Silas:‘Cause Jup is breathing?

Jupiter:Funny fucker. And who knows why Laken does half the stuff he does.

Kari:What did you encourage him to do?

Booker:It’s not like that one time you suggested Kodi get a perm. Is it because the guy he had the hots for was into men with curls?

Kodi:Fucker, you had to go there, didn’t you Booker. I rocked that perm.

Silas:Come on… you resembled a poodle. Few could carry off that look. Oh yeah, that’s right, you couldn’t and Popi had to clip off all your hair.

Rue:Remind me again how Jupiter sweet-talked him into doing that?

Jupiter:What can I say, I’m a man of many talents.

Silas:Your talent is being a mischief maker.

Booker:So what did you talk Laken into?

Laken:Nothing! He talked me into nothing. Jupiter, I’m warning you…

Booker:Are you sure? Doesn’t sound like nothing to me.

Laken:Drop it.

Dad:Laken, when you have finished with Jupiter, I need a word.

Silas:Is this about the… situation? If it is, shouldn't we all be there?

Dad:I’ll leave whatever needs sharing to Laken.

Laken’s stomach dipped at the possibilities and how Dad should have been his priority, not mouthing off at Jupiter. He’d gone to shower after Jupiter had booked tickets for next Saturday’s date. This one, at least, Laken had vetted properly first. No more hidden surprises. Wanting to concentrate on something other than leaving the tiny sugar glider with a pout of disappointment at him leaving, he’d picked up his phone straight from the shower when the alphahole group chat sound alerted him to the messages.

I’m such a selfish fucker!His thoughts were on what Dad had discovered as he tugged on clean underwear, dressing to go in search of answers. When he’d finally gotten home on Friday morning, after leaving Isley’s, Dad hadn’t been home and Popi’s nervous energy said he was worried, so Laken hadn’t pushed because the message he’d received had reassured him. After dinner out with Isley on Friday night, he’d returned home to find Dad still hadn’t reappeared.

With Popi hollow eyed and looking decidedly pale, Laken had used his weekend plans with Isley to distract from whatever had gone down—what mess needed cleaning up. He was also doinghis best not to jump to assumptions when he knew that Oakland was with him, along with some of his team. They would protect Dad, not that his wolf wasn’t more than capable of dealing with a threat. But multiple threats…

Don’t go there.

Laken shut down that line of thought, focusing on the fact Dad was home and Popi wasn’t freaking out. Barefoot, he headed along the corridor, knocking on his parents' bedroom door. His nose wrinkled at the smell the door didn’t quite mask. His parents had found retirement most certainly invigorating by the number of times they’d been literally caught with their pants down. They had traumatized them all since they’d moved back home.