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Bowie: I made pineapple upside down cake.

Ziggy: You did? I’ll grab you a slice, Lennon, and leave it in your office.

Lennon: Thanks.

Wilder: As we’re all going to Milan, maybe we need another night out together.

Hollis: No sex clubs!

Ziggy: Are you sure?

Wilder: You’re no fun, Hollis.

Hollis: I am, ask Taylin.

Lennon: He’s your mate, he should think you’re fun, right? But a night out would be great.

Isley: Yeah, some fun away from Misery Is My Middle Name, would be good.

Lane: It sounds like I need to have words with my sons when I get home.

Lennon blanched at the very idea. He didn’t want Lane saying anything to Kodi, not when he had never mentioned what excuses he used about where he was most of the time. Yes, they spent a few nights apart, but that was because they both had other commitments. Lennon’s were mostly to do with his family. He hadn’t thought to ask if Kodi wanted to come with him, and now that he was thinking about it, maybe he should. They were dating… though could it be classed as dating when they spent most of the time together naked?

Of course we are.

He wasn’t quite so sure about that as he typed a response.

Lennon: Please don’t, he’s bad enough now.

Isley: I second that. Laken has grumpiness down to a fine art.

Bowie: How is grumpiness art?

Ziggy: He just means that Laken has had a lot of practice at being grumpy.

Lane: I’ve also got lots of practice with my sons’ behaviors. I’ll speak to them, but don’t worry, they won’t know why.

Lennon shut the group chat and felt a cold sweat coat his skin under the shirt he wore. He rubbed at his smooth cheek and eyed the door of his office. It didn’t feel safe to stay when Hollis might decide to check on him. The meeting he had with Kodi and Booker wasn’t for another thirty minutes.

He eyed the bag under his desk holding the paddle. He had used it that morning, and as much as Kodi’s temperament improved with knotting Lennon, he continued to need his twice daily dose of paddling. Kodi now got hard at the sight of the paddle coming out of the bag. With that thought, Lennon grabbed the bag and his iPad and strode to his door with purpose. There he peeked his head out to check the corridor before darting out and heading for the stairs.

“Lennon, Lennon,” Ziggy called from behind him.

Lennon’s teeth gritted together at the grimace when he eyed the bag, his step faltering when he knew he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t heard him. He glanced over his shoulder wearing a distracted smile, not stopping. “I’ll catch you later, Ziggy. I don’t wanna be late.”

Ziggy jogged to him, his brows tugging together. “I’ll head down with you. I’ve a meeting with Jupiter to finish travel arrangements for Milan.” The affable tone didn’t match the light of determination in his eyes and the set of his jaw.

In the elevator, Lennon felt awkward for the first time and didn’t know what to say to Ziggy who lounged, his shoulder resting on the mirrored wall, staring at Lennon.

“Is everything okay?” He tipped his head. “You’ve been crying.”

He’d known Ziggy was going to ask, it was who he was. He cared. “It was the video.” That was the truth, except it wasn’t the only reason. Lennon didn’t know how to explain his over emotional state, so didn’t try.

“It’s not got anything to do with Kodi, then?”

The doors opened and Silas was several feet away, talking to Taylin. Lennon breathed a sigh of relief. “No, it hasn’t.” He gave a pointed look at the two brothers, and patted Ziggy’s arm. “Thanks for asking.”

Lennon didn’t wait for Ziggy to respond and darted off down the corridor towards Kodi’s office. Passing Silas and Taylin he gave a brief nod, wearing a ‘I’m too busy to stop’ look.