“Take a seat,” Kari indicated to the seat directly in front of him, “and let’s go through the boards.”
Kari wasn’t sure what time it was when he opened the front door, but the house was in darkness except for the small lamp at the bottom of the stairs. As far back as he could remember, the house had never been in complete darkness. This was because Silas suffered from night blindness, but he wore contact lenses mostly, so many didn’t know about it. Not that Silas would ever mention it, and at times Kari simply forgot about the issue. The light being the reminder.
He'd never left lamps on in the house he’d bought, but it was nice to come home and see a welcoming light on. The soft click of the door and the alarm reengaging didn’t block the sound of the gurgling his stomach made. The gnawing hunger clawed at his belly when the piece of delicious brownie from hours earlier was a distant memory. He’d gotten so caught up after he’d insisted Bowie go home; he’d forgotten to order some food—again. It was becoming a habit. He lost count of how many times he’d asked himself how Dad had coped with the workload and a family.
Hunger driving him, he trudged in the direction of the kitchen, not bothering to remove his suit jacket, too tired and not in the mood to waste time. He flicked on the light and grinned at the covered plate sitting on the counter with his name on it.
He lifted the plate of tuna pasta bake, going straight to the microwave. While the food heated, he grabbed a fork and then went to grab a drink from the refrigerator. Another smile tuggedat his lips at finding the big jug of pineapple juice he favored in the door. Kari stood in the refrigerator doorway, not noticing the chill coming from inside, drinking straight from the jug. When the microwave binged, he moved to the counter and set down the already half empty jug.
Having retrieved his food, he sat for a second after peeling off the cling wrap, inhaling the cheese and tuna scent before he stuck his fork in.
“I thought I heard someone come in,” Popi said softly.
Kari jerked, his pasta landing on the counter as he swung in the voice's direction, having not heard Popi come in.
“Shit, Popi, you scared years off my life.”
“Less of the cursing,” Popi reprimanded even as he placed his hands on Kari’s cheeks to pull him close enough to kiss his forehead. “You’re very late.”
He eyed the jug with disapproval and went to the cupboard that held the glasses. A moment later, Popi filled a glass and pushed it towards Kari, giving him ‘the look’. It spoke of frustration and reprimand that didn’t require any actual words.
Kari gave Popi a sheepish smile of apology before stabbing at the piece of pasta on the counter and eating it.
Popi sat on the seat next to him and ran his fingers up and down the wet glass of the jug in a move that, to Kari, made it clear that Popi had something on his mind and was figuring out the best way to talk about it.
Kari munched his way through the large bowl, waiting.
He was down to the last few pieces of pasta when Popi finally spoke, “Is something bothering Kodi?”
Kari met Popi’s gaze, swallowing and shrugging. “When doesn’t something bother Kodi?”
“But more so than normal?” Popi persisted.
This was normal, Popi had always come to Kari first. If Kodi was going to speak about whatever was bothering him, it was to Kari. Popi was aware of this.
“He’s acting out more than normal, yes. He’s not saying exactly what’s going on with him. My best guess is you and Dad retiring is part of it. Y’all know he isn’t great with being told he’s got to do something, too.”
“Is the work too much for him?”
Kari didn’t shrug off the concern and contemplated his answer. Kodi, out of all of them, struggled with getting overwhelmed with life. Being an alpha brought expectations in Kodi’s mind, and he often fought with how this made him feel. The first time Kodi had brought this up, he’d just had his first shift. There was guilt when Silas couldn’t shift and what Kodi thought would be extra expectation from their parents because he could.
Where he’d gotten the notion from Kari wasn’t sure and Kodi had never answered him when he asked. Because it never came from their parents, of this Kari was absolutely sure. Kodi had never revealed his anxiety to anyone, pressing Kari into a promise of secrecy. “I don’t think so. You know Popi, he doesn’t always tell me what’s going on in his head.”
Popi continued to follow the rivulets of water condensation down the jug, his brow furrowed. “But you can guess.”
Kari released a heavy sigh. “I could, but it’s pointless until he talks about it. You know this, Popi.” Kari didn’t want to get into it when he was tired, especially when it increased the possibility of saying more than he should.
Popi’s worried gaze met Kari’s, and he worked to keep his guilt at holding back in check. “Will you tell me if it’s something you think is important?”
Kari rose and kissed the top of Popi’s head before reaching for his dirty bowl and cutlery. “I will.”
It was all he had to offer… for now.
Chapter Four
Bowie
“Could you hold the door for me?” a deep, sexy voice asked from behind Bowie. He glanced back to see his neighbor-boyfriend, who lived in the apartment on the floor above his, and a buzz of excitement rushed through him. Rex had moved in six months ago, and initially all they had shared was a fleeting nod.
