Chapter Twelve
Bowie
Warm, Bowie snuggled deeper under the covers, a scent tickling his nose.
He burrowed deeper, trying to find more of it.
It was familiar… safe and made his insides feel all fluttery.
He clutched his bear and jerked upright at the pain that came with a stiffness in his elbow, rudely jarring him awake.
He blinked his bedroom into focus as fast as his rapidly beating heart, searching the room, though he wasn’t sure what for. The lamp was on at the side of his bed, revealing a reassuringly empty room. The blinds were shut, though he had no recollection of doing it.
As he sagged, catching his breath, his mind woke up, and it all came flooding back.
“Kari saw,” he whispered and buried his head in his bear, feeling tears prick his eyelids.
He didn’t care. He took care of us.
How can you be sure he didn’t care? We wet ourselves like a baby.
Bowie cringed at that, sniffing back his tears, getting a distinct smell off his bear. He lifted up his head to stare at Boo-Boo. He smelled of… Kari.
More scenes from the day before were there, like the reel of a film, playing over to show just how much Kari had witnessed—had done to help.
Flopping back on the bed, pressing the bear into his face to hide the mortification warming his cheeks, Bowie groaned anew.
The last couple of days were like a bad dream.
Not all of it. We got snuggled into bed with Boo-Boo.
Most of it, not all of it, he agreed, moving the bear to stare up at the ceiling, more than a little lost to understand why Kari had…
His cheeks were on fire and what was happening under the covers left him embarrassed. Why would someone get hard at someone else treating them like…
Bowie couldn’t come up with anything that fit. But he didn’t think feeling aroused was the right reaction. He’d never felt this way over Rex, even the couple of times he’d kissed Bowie.
He was a liar who didn’t want us in that way. He’s a horrible person. You should be glad you didn’t want to—
Please, I’ve already got enough to think about.
Bowie came up to sitting, careful this time with his arm, and put his bear on the covers and moved to get out of bed, only to pause when his gaze landed on a piece of paper with his name on it in Kari’s handwriting.
Have I been fired?
Stop catastrophizing and read it. I bet it’s a love note.
Bowie wasn’t sure where his animal got these ideas from, but he sucked in a breath and picked up the folded piece of paper. With another deep breath, which he held, he flipped it open.
Good morning, Babycakes,
I hope you slept through the night and feel well rested this morning. I’ve left the cream on the counter for your elbow and neck, make sure you use it after your shower. There is a plate of food in the kitchen for you to heat. Please eat it all to help your body heal.
First, I want to assure you, Bowie, that you aren’t in any kind of trouble. It’s perfectly legitimate to take time off after such a trauma. Second, if you aren’t up to coming into work today, that is fine. Just send me a text message, and I’ll come and check in on you later.
Third, I’ve let Hollis know you are okay, but I have shared nothing with him. That is your decision to make.
See you later.
Kari
Bowie reread the letter no less than six times as he kept getting stuck on the nickname ‘babycakes’. The rest was important, Bowie knew that, but his heart gave a little bump at how Kari referred to him.
The sweetness of Kari’s actions came next, and back was the sniffing as he went through to the kitchen after seeing it was just before seven.
Clutching the note, he found the plate of potato cakes, sausage, and grilled sliced tomato.
The note that sat on the cling wrap said ‘eat me’ and had a tiny smiley face.
His chin trembled, his gaze sweeping the tidy kitchen before going beyond the counter to the carpet where he’d…
The pricking at the back of his eyelids increased until his vision blurred as he gave in to the overwhelming urge to cry. Gone were the reminders of that awful night—if he didn’t think about his elbow—and Kari had done that with no fuss.
It was silly. He knew it was okay to feel all emotional over it. He just didn’t understand why Kari had been so… kind? The word didn’t fit the vastness of emotions inside Bowie. It was like someone had tied a bow around his heart and was squeezing it, but in a good way. How could that be?
He sigh-hiccuped at his own stupid thought and placed the notes carefully on the counter, dashing his hands over his wet cheeks. “Stop being silly, it’s just food.”
He scrubbed your pee off the carpet.
He blew out, deciding not to think about that when it made his stomach dip unpleasantly. Taking the plate to the microwave oven to heat it, his tummy grumbled as the scent of sausage meat filled his kitchen.
Bowie went in search of his cell phone and found it by the couch. The notifications on the screen for the group chat were enough to have him open the app to read.
A lump formed in his throat at the obvious concern from his friends. He just wasn’t ready to talk about what had happened.
Delicious & Vicious
Bowie: Hey…
Bowie stared for a long minute, trying to think of the right thing to write. When nothing seemed appropriate without getting lots of questions, he hit send on the single word he’d typed and immediately shut down the app, placing his phone down when a loud bing alerted him breakfast was ready.
Yes, it was cowardly, but he needed a little more time before he could voice what had gone on with Rex. His gaze went to the locked door and he chewed on the inside of his cheek to hold back the next bout of blubbering at the possibility of running into Rex when he stepped outside his door.
Call Kari, he’ll protect us.
He wanted to argue with his animal half, but Bowie’s fear of meeting Rex was big enough to make it hard to do that.
Won’t that appear a little overdramatic?
Something he did not want to appear after how Kari had found him. He was a man, and not small, he should be able to defend himself—shouldn’t he?
Size has got nothing to do with anything. Rex is a pig, and Kari will kick his ass for us. Ring him, come on, you know you want to.
I could take the day off, he hedged, weakening when that wasn’t a work ethic that Bowie had ever followed.
Stop that nonsense, there’s nothing wrong with you. Now ring Kari.
“I’m gonna eat my breakfast,” he said defensively.
He could feel his animal shaking his head, but Bowie could easily reason with himself that eating should be his priority when the note was right there on the counter, telling him to do just that.
He continued in the same vein, going to shower and add cream to his elbow, which was a nasty shade of purple, as were the marks on his neck.
Seeing them brought a fresh bout of tears, making his eyes red and swollen by the time he headed into the bedroom to dress.
He wasn’t one to feel sorry for himself, or not this bad and not in a long time.
Bowie was feeling very much out of sorts by the time he was ready to leave for work.
Except he couldn’t make himself step outside of his apartment.
Ring Kari.
It was the fifth time his animal had reiterated what Bowie should do. He searched his contacts and looked at Kari’s number for the longest time before he gave in, when he really couldn’t justify taking another day off.
Three rings and Kari answered, “Hey, how are we this morning, Babycakes?”
Flustered at how Kari addressed him, it took way longer for Bowie to get his lips working. “I’m fine,” he croaked. He coughed to clear his throat while trying to ask if Kari would come and walk him to his car. “Would… can… oh dear…” he trailed off.
“It’s alright Bowie, just take a minute and gather your thoughts.” It helped that Kari didn’t sound annoyed.
“Could you come and get me… not get me… but like walk me to my car… Rex… you see—”
“Of course. I’m just heading out of the house now. I’ll be with you in about fifteen minutes. When I arrive, I’ll message. Then you can let those in reception know I’m allowed to come up.”
Bowie nodded, then realized Kari couldn’t see him, which he was glad of when he blushed at his own silliness. “Will do.”
“See you soon.”
Bowie slipped the cell into his trouser pocket, going to collect his things for work and to tuck away the notes with his bears.
“You look after those Boo-Boo, okay,” he murmured, closing the closet, his jacket clutched in his hand, not thinking about what he was doing.
No, thinking was overrated.
Minutes later, he paced by his front door after ringing down to advise he had a visitor, giving Kari’s name and then texting Kari to explain.
Bowie didn’t want to delay Kari further when he was already coming out of his way just to walk Bowie to his car.
Kari’s lack of questions didn’t come across as odd, what did was how Kari was acting.
Kari is always nice. Yes, he was. Then why did this feel different somehow?
Rex would never inconvenience himself for Bowie.
Stop thinking about the loser. And stop comparing him to Kari. There is no comparison.
Bowie took a few minutes to consider that before he agreed. Rex had been nice in the beginning, hadn’t he?
It was hard to say when he could feel the dull ache in his elbow every time he moved it and knew what was under the shirt he’d picked to hide the marks on his neck.
The recollection of soaking his pants he shut away at the shudder of fear that came with it.
It wanted to creep from his sub-conscious, along with the nasty comments Rex had thrown at him.
The doorbell rang and he had the door open before it stopped.
Kari gave him a startled look before a soft smile spread like sunshine, brightening his eyes. “All ready for D—me. Shall we get going?”
At the quick correction, Bowie got the impression Kari was about to say something else, only he couldn’t think what. “Okay.”
Kari stepped aside, and Bowie peeked out, breathing easier at the empty corridor.
“Bowie, what’s wrong? What are you checking for?”
Bowie dipped his eyes to the carpet and didn’t know how to answer when it would point out what a fool he’d been. If what’s happened already didn’t do that!
A fingertip stroked the tip of his chin. “Look at me, Babycakes. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
It was easier to do as he was told when he really wanted to believe that, even when he knew the truth.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
A request, not a demand—Bowie knew the difference. “I was worried when Rex lives on the floor above.”
“Does he now? He doesn’t have a key to your place, does he?”
The flare of anger got Bowie’s gaze dipping, although he wasn’t frightened as he shook his head, more embarrassed.
“He does, and no, he never asked for one.” Something Bowie was now very grateful for. He kicked at the flooring, working up the courage to glance back up. “I know I’m being a wuss, I’m sor—”
Kari pressed a gentle finger to his lips and shook his head. “No more apologizing for that asshat, understand? You did nothing wrong. Nothing.”
Bowie found it difficult to concentrate with the warmth of the finger making his lips tingle. He could smell… chocolate and cookie dough coming from Kari’s skin.
“Did you have cookies for breakfast?” he mumbled past the finger without thought, his tongue touching the finger before Kari moved it.
“Guilty.” Kari’s grin was all mischief and allowed the knot of anxiety forming in Bowie’s belly to loosen at speaking the thought aloud. “Popi made a few batches last night. He’s going to drop some off today.” He chuckled. “Which is a good thing with how many there are and how much I love them.”
“If you love them, why would you be happy he’s giving them away?” Bowie asked in confusion.
“Because I’d make myself sick gorging on them.” He came in close, looking like he was about to share a big secret. “I’ve snuck a bag out even when I had five for breakfast.”
A giggle burst out at how guilty Kari seemed.
“If you don’t tell anyone, I’ll share them with you.” He winked in a way Bowie had seen Frey do when he was flirting.
While that tumbled around his head, Kari somehow helped Bowie out of the doorway and had it locked and the keys in his jacket pocket before Bowie could catch his breath.
It all appeared so ordinary that Bowie could fool himself into believing the reason Kari was at his apartment wasn’t because he was a scaredy heifer.
Bowie found himself in Kari’s car. His justification was that as Kari was there, it seemed silly to take two cars. Bowie didn’t think too hard on why he didn’t argue when it meant Kari would be there to ensure he got back into his apartment after work—safely.
Not long later, Kari parked up and helped Bowie out of the car, slinging a bag over his shoulder.
Everything felt different, and Bowie trembled as he entered the head offices of Starling Enterprises, unsure how to act. On the drive to work, Kari had reiterated that what occurred was not his fault, and if he didn’t want to tell anyone, then that was perfectly alright.
Everything was so confusing with the way Kari was acting. It wasn’t different, except it was. Bowie wasn’t good at reading things the way others did, so he kept quiet and followed Kari to the elevator.
He had to decide what he was going to do next… didn’t he?
He glanced sideways at Kari as the elevator doors opened.
“What is it?”
“What should I do?” he blurted out.
Kari held the door so it wouldn’t shut on them. “Regarding your friends?” Bowie nodded. What else could he be talking about? “Whatever feels right to you, baby—Bowie.”
He didn’t miss how Kari glanced about at the busy reception area when he changed what he was going to call Bowie. He felt his chest tighten at the probable reason for that when it was easier to recall all the nasty things Rex said to him.
His shoulders slumped in defeat, nodding as he stepped past, muttering, “Okay.”
Work. He’d focus on that because that was far easier than the uncertainty clutching in his belly that he didn’t really understand.