Chapter 85: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Busted!

***

“He what?” Bradley stared at Admiral Mathias with shock, from his position against the wall.

“He came here, demanding to know what was going on with you.” The Admiral chuckled. “That Broody kid has balls. Just like his old man if what I’ve read about the man is true.”

“Of course, Michael Broody has balls.” Ty snorted. “I mean the man couldn’t possibly have built that empire if he didn’t have balls.” He looked at Bradley’s face and burst into laughter at the confused look on his face. “Why are you so surprised? You should know Jean by now. The guy needed to know that you were okay so he came to the only person he thought could give him answers. That is Jean.” Ty froze when he noticed his slip and quickly added. “I mean you’re his patient and I’m his…”

“Aw shut up, Wesley.” Admiral Mathias waved a hand dismissively. “I’ve been with…my partner since before you two were born. I know when a guy is crazy about another.” He got to his feet.

Both Ty and Bradley stared at the Admiral as if he’d just told them that the pope had a secret wife. Admiral Mathias folded his arms across his broad chest and stared back at his two gobsmacked subordinated. Ty was the first to recover.

“Anton?” Ty’s voice showed just how shocked he was.

“Yep.” The Admiral still stared at the men.

“I thought he was your…best friend.” Bradley croaked.

The Admiral shrugged. “He is my best friend.” He chuckled. “We’ve been friends since we were six when he became my neighbour. We fell for each other in our teens. He’s my life.”

“Wow,” Ty muttered.

“What gave us away?” Bradley asked.

“You.” The Admiral grabbed the file on the table. “When that man fiercely told me why I had to accept his lies about him drugging your arse and taking you to a Christmas dinner, the look on your face said it all.” He started towards the door. “Can’t hide love, boy.” At the door, he stopped and looked at Bradley over his shoulder. “Oh, and you might want to give that butt a good soak.” Then with a loud chuckle, he was gone.

“Err…soak?” Ty turned to face Bradley. “Does that have anything to do with you preferring to stand throughout this…”

“Shut up, Ty.” Bradley started for the door as he felt the blood rush to his face. But Ty’s laughter was so contagious, Bradley began to laugh too as Ty fell into step beside him.

“So…have any plans for this two-week break?” Ty asked as he opened his sleek Bugatti Veyron and slid into the driver’s seat.

“No plans,” Bradley grunted as he got into the passenger seat. He knew he was going to spend a major part of his free time, playing his guitar.

“I’m leaving for Venice with Tan and the girls on Tuesday,” Ty informed Bradley.

“Probably going to come back with another pregnancy,” Bradley smirked.

“Nah.” Ty laughed. “Tan needs to give some attention to her career for at least two years before we get her all bloated up again.”

“Yeah, that’s important. Well, have fun on your trip.”

“Oh, I plan on doing just that. Have fun too.” He flashed Bradley a mischievously knowing grin.

Bradley laughed softly. “If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, don’t.” He turned to look out the window. “Jean has his job which keeps him busy and I’m no attention seeker or anything like that. I’ll only see him as and when he can spare some time.”

“Said the clueless soldier.” Ty drawled.

“Err…do you know something I don’t?” Bradley shifted to focus on Ty with a curious frown.

“Do I look like I do?”

“Actually, yes.” Bradley stared at his friend.

“Well, I know that you guys have a dinner date tonight so…”

“Oh snap.” Bradley groaned. “I forgot.”

“You must be fucking kidding me,” Ty muttered. “Jean hasn’t forgotten.”

“And why did he discuss our dinner date with you?” Bradley asked curiously.

“He wanted to know whether we had to go to work tomorrow.” Ty shrugged. “Probably have a long date planned. Something that’s clearly going to either run into the next day or something that’s going to make it totally impossible to…” Ty turned to give Bradley a naughty smirk. “…sit.”

“Oh, fuck you,” Bradley grunted. “The Admiral was only teasing. My butt is fine.”

“Yeah.” Ty drawled as he entered the gate of Bradley’s condo. “I wouldn’t dress so formal for that date this evening.”

“Dude, what does that fool have in mind?” Bradley growled.

“That fool? Oh, you mean your heartthrob.” Ty chuckled. “Ask him your damn self.”

“Oh, I will,” Bradley muttered as he stepped out of Ty’s car. But he couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he grabbed his bag out of Ty’s trunk. “Thanks, Ty.” Bradley looked down at his friend. “I’ll see you before you leave.”

“Err…our flight is on Tuesday morning,” Ty said with all seriousness.

“So? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s going to be possible.” Ty grinned.

But before Bradley could ask what his friend meant by that, Ty was driving off. Bradley stared after Ty’s car with a confused look. What the fuck was going on, he wondered as he drew his cell phone out of his pocket. He dialed Jean’s number as he started for his apartment. Jean had better not be planning anything silly, Bradley thought.

***

“You need to introduce us before you leave.” Wendy, Jean’s housekeeper insisted, folding her arms across her chest with a scowl.

“Aw come on, Wendy.” Jean groaned as he began to strip. “I don’t need your stress right now.”

“Do you have any idea how lost I felt at that party?” Wendy snapped as she began to gather Jean’s clothes. “One moment I was watching you kissing a man. A hot one I must admit.” She snatched Jean’s boxer briefs out of his hands.

“He’s called Bradley.” Jean headed for the bathroom.

“Then Mrs. Broody was calling him to cut the cake with you…” Wendy continued as if Jean hadn’t spoken. “…which means that everyone knows about him except me.” She followed Jean into the bathroom. “Then the next second, the two of you had disappeared. No ‘oh Wendy baby, I won’t be sleeping at home tonight'.” Wendy tried to imitate Jean’s voice. “No ‘oh darling Wendy, I’ll be back tomorrow evening’.” Jean couldn’t help laughing as he showered.

“It’s five p.m. darling Wendy.” Jean laughed. “I won’t really call it evening. I’ll bring him home, I promise. Just not today.”

“I feel slighted,” Wendy muttered as she dropped Jean’s clothes into the laundry basket and grabbed a towel off the rack. “Not a nice feeling.” She thrust the towel at Jean when he stepped out of the shower. But when she started to turn away, Jean drew her to his wet body and hugged her. “Oh my god, you’re getting me all wet.” She squealed.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you when you came back,” Jean murmured before stepping back to towel himself. “But I was angry at him at the time so I didn’t feel like talking about him.”

“He’s pissing you off already?” Wendy took the towel and wiped Jean’s back.

“It’s not like that.” Jean sighed as he left the bathroom. “He’s a really sweet and caring guy. You’ll like him when you get to know him.” He looked around when he heard his cell phone ringing. “Where is it?”

“I’ll get it,” Wendy said, going to the coach into which Jean had dropped his cell phone.

But instead of taking the phone to Jean, Wendy seemed arrested by the picture on the screen. It was a sweet, sensual, portrait of her employer and the soldier she’d seen him kiss the night before. Her bare-chested boss seemed to be holding the equally bare-chested soldier in his arms, with the soldier’s arms wrapped cutely around his neck. They were both looking into the camera. And the look in their eyes…

“Oh my god, this is so beautiful.” Wendy breathed. “So sexy.”