Page 74 of Laken's longing

“But it’s so effective,” he giggled.

“Go get ready for your date before you turn my baking session all about you.”

Isley was still laughing when they ended the call, as was Wilder, which helped ease Isley’s burden of guilt at avoiding Wilder when he was clearly struggling with his friends finding happiness. Isley made a mental note to go to Wilder’s favorite store to pick up one of the cute onesies he loved to wear at home.

He went off to shower, hoping that he would sweat out the stink of stale liquor he could smell coming from him. The Advil he’d swallowed with fresh orange juice when he’d woken up was finally working. He’d drunk far too many cocktails after the relief of not having to be careful about what he said around Wilder and the others about Bowie. But it had brought with it more worry about what he should or shouldn’t say about Laken. If he would share with anyone they wereboyfriends.

Mates,his animal supplied.

Rushing much? We literally decided we were a couple yesterday.

No, we decided at the cabin.

You decided, and Laken does have some say in this.Isley made sure to keep that in the forefront of his mind before his animal got another hairbrained scheme and tried to bite Laken before he gave permission for that to happen. He might have deep feelings for Laken and could see a future with them mated, but that didn’t mean they were on the same page.

He is on our page, he’s just not as good with the words as we are. You have to help him.

Give over, you want to push for what you want and I’m not doing that.

Isley finished his shower, staying in longer and letting it get cool to blast away the last lingering effects of the alcohol. He was sorting out clothes when he heard his front door open.

He held on to the towel, knowing it could only be one person. He darted out of the bedroom, words dying on his lips at the sight of Somme.

Dishevelled, there was a tear to one arm of his jacket, and dirt down one side of his jeans, like he’d fallen on his side. One eye was swollen shut, and there was a nasty graze to his left cheek.

“I’m fine,” he stated in a roughened voice, as if he’d been shouting.

Isley stomped to him. His hands trembled as he worked to keep control of his fear, and gently guided an unsteady Somme to the couch. “If you looked in a mirror, I’d think you’d say differently.”

Somme sat with a wince, and Isley hurried to the kitchen to grab an ice pack and his first aid box to clean the graze, giving himself time to calm down. When he came back, Somme took the ice pack and placed it on his swollen eye, groaning.

“What happened?”

“Got jumped by two guys after my wallet and phone.” His shoulders rose indifferently, but there was something about the one eye Isley could see that said there was more to it.

The trembling worsened at what could have happened. “Do we need to go to the hospital? The police?”

“Nah. I came here ‘cause I knew you’d patch me up. And I went to the police and reported it. Not much they could do when I didn’t get a good look at the guys.” It was said matter-of-factly, but Isley could see how shook up his brother was and that he was lying.

To get a black eye, whoever hit him had to be right in front of him. “What am I missing here, Somme?” he asked, while gently wiping away the particles of dirt mixed with blood.

“Let it be, okay?” he answered tiredly, his one eye pleading.

“Alright, but on one condition. You get your ribs checked out by Jasper. He’s a paramedic, so will know if you need them strapped.”

Somme groaned and rolled the one eye Isley could see. “Jasper doesn’t need my drama.”

“He’s your best friend, he’s always been there when you’ve needed him. Promise me,” Isley persisted, knowing that if Somme agreed then he would.

“Fuck, you’re a pain in my ass. Alright.”

Something about the acceptance was off, and Isley considered his brother.

“Good. As your phone was taken, I’ll call him for you now.” He tapped the unmarked side of Somme’s face when he wore a guilty expression. “Thought so, you won’t use that as an excuse.”

After the call, Jasper, who had the weekend off, came by to collect Somme. He’d gone with Jasper unwillingly, complaining they were both overreacting when Jasper insisted Somme spend the weekend at his place so he could keep an eye on him.

Isley felt better knowing Somme wasn’t alone. Laken had messaged while Jasper was there to say he’d be with Isley at one o’clock.