Kari was about to ask to take the call instead when he heard a muffled, deep voice demand, “What is this about Bowie? I never gave you permission to call me at work. I’m a very busy man, this is inexcusable.”
His wolf's hearing had no problem picking up the nasty edge that made Bowie wilt like a flower in a hundred-degree heat.
What the shittin' fuck?
Kari was up out of his seat at break-neck speed, papers fluttering around him like confetti and the forgotten file dropped to the floor while he reached for the phone before he could think logically.
Phone in hand, he held Bowie’s gaze as he replied, “This is Kari Starling. To whom am I speaking?”
The cough sounded choked before the same deep rumbly voice answered, “This is Mr. Lacy.”
“Well, be advised I was the one who requested Bowie contact youat work. I’m unsure why that would require permission,” he stated stiffly, already regretting suggesting calling this asshat.
Fucking permission, who the hell did he think he was?
“I apologize,” he offered quickly. “What would you like to discuss?” An eagerness filled the voice that hadn’t been there seconds ago.
The ‘fuck you’his brother would have no qualms about saying aloud was right on the tip of his tongue, and Kari had to take a moment to make sure he didn’t utter it. Something he’d need to think about when Bowie wasn’t stood mere feet from him, his chin trembling. He didn’t want the omega to fret after the other ad agency debacle, despite not really wanting the asshat in his office. Only that would make it obvious he had an issue—which clearly, he didn’t.
“Do you have time to come to Starling Enterprises' head office today?”
“I can rearrange my schedule and be there at twelve pm, if that is suitable.”
No, it’s fucking not.
Whatever was on his calendar, Kari would change it for one reason only: Bowie.
“Of course, I’ll leave your name at reception. Please do not be late.” On that, he cut the call.
Bowie hopped from one foot to the other, looking like he needed to pee. His eyes danced around the room, not landing on anything for more than a brief moment.
Kari swallowed a sigh and placed the phone down, bending to collect the scattered papers. “Why don’t you ask Miranda to get me a coffee and you a juice,” he suggested, reaching for the two sheets of paper under his desk, giving Bowie breathing room. “Then we can put the file back in order and see if there are any other local agencies we can contact.” He rose as he finished and caught Bowie’s wide-eyed nod before he darted out of the office.
When he disappeared, Kari laid his head on the desk in front of him and banged it to see if that would push the sense back into it. Because clearly, he’d lost it suggesting Bowie ring someone he was—from the way Rex spoke to him—in a relationship with. An asshat, who was now pissed off for reasons Kari chose not to scrutinize.
He wanted to ask questions that were none of his business. To stop himself, he banged his head once more on the desk.
Chapter Six
Bowie
Pancakes sweetened the air, and Bowie’s stomach rumbled in appreciation. He cut a small slice of strawberry and dipped it in the chocolate in the ceramic pot he’d melted it in. His mouth watered before the flavors hit his tastebuds. His groan got a sharp look from Rex, who hated any noise at the dinner table.
The silence that followed felt awkward, and Bowie was relieved when it got broken by the sound of an alert on Rex’s cell phone, which was sitting next to his dessert plate. The phone was never far away from his hand, Bowie had observed. When Bowie had asked why he brought it into the bathroom with him, Rex’s explanation of how important he was left Bowie feeling he should have somehow known this.
Bowie hadn’t gotten it, because who checked their cell phone while in the middle of using the toilet?
The narrowing of Rex’s eyes on his phone brought a bout of nerves that danced right in the center of his chest. Not something unusual for Bowie, except this time, it felt wayworse with how Rex turned that narrow-eyed, hard stare in his direction.
Bowie knew that look was all about him getting into trouble. Though he tried hard, it seemed he could never make things work the way Rex always liked. And of late, it had gotten much worse. He made sure never to push for more, not that he knew how to do that. The couple of kisses they had shared weren’t full of passion and excitement. Bowie had no comparison regardless of how his friends talked about such things. He figured there was something wrong with him and right now, that thought was hammered home.
The buzz he’d gotten when Rex had arrived earlier with strawberries, fizzled out like a dud sparkler. He wrung his hands together under the table, trying his best to hold on to the need to appease when he had no clue what he had done wrong this time.
You have done nothing. He’s a bully. I’m telling you, we need to kick him out, now.
His animal side was more assertive of late over this, and it didn’t make Bowie feel any better when he was seeing that his animal could be right.
Rex wasn’t happy, that was for sure. There was a deep scowl accompanying the aggressive hand waving the cell phone at his face. Thrust under Bowie’s nose, it was impossible to stop the desire to move away at the aggression coming off Rex.
