Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 30: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When desires explode… Emotions push through!

***

Bradley stood up when he heard the knock on his door. He’d been sitting in the lounger, watching TV without really seeing or hearing anything. He didn’t know what to expect from Dean whom he was closer with between the two brothers. He couldn’t say that after what he’d shared with Jean though. He watched warily as Dean entered the room and walked straight to him with a look he couldn’t decipher. Then Jean’s brother did the last thing Bradley expected… He gave him a hug. A real hug.

“You brave idiot,” Dean muttered. “We are here for you. “I can’t believe you had to go through all that…with no help. No one can hurt you again.”

Hurt him again? Bradley looked over Dean’s shoulder at a guilty-faced Jean who shrugged and mouthed a sorry. Bradley felt his heart drop into his stomach.

“You told him.” It wasn’t a question. Bradley could feel himself shaking.

“He didn’t have a choice,” Dean said, stepping away from Bradley. “And you don’t have to look so scared. Your secret is safe with me. I mean if even this idiot can keep it,” he jabbed a thumb in Jean’s direction, “you can rest assured that I can.” He said, giving Bradley an almost perfect salute.

Bradley didn’t miss how Jean struggled to hold in his laughter. Did the man actually find what was going on funny, Bradley wondered with a pounding heart. But for his dark complexion, he knew he would be red in the face from the embarrassment coursing through him. Jean was the first person he’d ever told his story to. He’d done that in a moment of weakness. Now another person knew. What was Dean thinking about him that very moment, Bradley wondered, trying very hard not to run out of the room in shame.

“I’m sorry,” Jean murmured. “That’s the longest I’ve gone, keeping anything from him. He won’t tell. Promise.”

The look Bradley gave Jean was a cross between incredulity, pain, and mortification. “You can’t promise on another person’s behalf. You’re not him.” He said quietly but something in his voice made Jean look at him closely. And whatever Jean saw brought utter disappointment to his face. Bradley didn’t miss it. He didn’t understand why Jean should feel disappointed though. Shouldn’t he rather be the one to feel disappointed in him? He didn’t have any right to tell his brother what he’d told him in confidence for goodness sake.

“Hey, it’s matters of national security so you have my word.” Dean flopped into a seat. “You’re a true patriot and I admire that. So I hear my brother’s house is now a safe house.” He grinned at Bradley.

“Well, I wouldn’t say…” Bradley began but got cut off by Dean.

“I think it’s the coolest safe house ever, don’t you think? I mean look at this.” He spread his hands. “Although it’s a shitty situation to find yourself in, it’s not so bad if you have to stay here. Personally, I would have thrown some wild parties and chilled my arse off whilst I wait. Who would suspect that such a house would be where ‘the military-scum’s most wanted’,” he gave the phase air quotes, “could be stashed? I wouldn’t.”

“You’re an idiot.” Jean groaned, shaking his head at his brother. Sometimes he didn’t understand why everyone said he was worse than Dean. His twin was a nincompoop.

“Takes one to know one,” Dean responded smoothly. “What I’d like to know is the meaning of what I saw when I walked in. He wouldn’t tell me the obvious truth so maybe you will.” He looked at Bradley with a naughty glint in his eyes. “I could have sworn you two were about to ki…”

“Will you shut the fuck up, Dean?” Jean growled, giving his brother an icy glare. “I’ve already told you we were arguing.” He snapped even as his eyes went back to Bradley. “You just saved the soldier from getting his arse whooped by yours truly,” Jean said but it was obvious that his thoughts were not on his brother and what he thought he’d seen. He looked pissed.

“Yeah right.” Dean snorted, giving his brother a thoughtful look.

Bradley’s eyes widened when the import of what Dean had said hit him. He obviously knew nothing about the personal stuff between him and Jean. He almost groaned when he realized too late that Jean hadn’t told his brother about his story. Jean was angry because he’d obviously figured out the conclusion he’d stupidly jumped to. Shit! Bradley knew he owed Jean an apology. He made a mental note to apologize to Jean immediately after Dean left.

About two hours later, Jean and Bradley were seeing Dean off at the gate.

“Hey, why don’t you come for the Christmas dinner on Sunday?” Dean asked, looking at Bradley.

“Dude, I don’t think…” Bradley started but Dean wasn’t even listening.

“We’re a crazy bunch but you’ll have a blast, trust me. Come on, you’ve been holed up in here for what? Three weeks?”

“You do remember that little detail about us having military sitters, right?” Jean drawled.

“Aw don’t disappoint me, Jay.” Dean snorted. “Who will know the guy is out of the house if you drive out of here with him lying in the backseat?”

“Now, that would work,” Jean murmured, looking thoughtful.

“Jean…” Bradley tried but was again ignored, this time by both brothers.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” Jean grinned.

“Because I got all the brains.” Dean chuckled, getting into his car. “See you two on Sunday. Now, go back to…arguing or rubbing lips or whatever it was I interrupted.” With that final barb, Dean shot out of there, leaving his brother groaning and Bradley looking amused.

“Think this is funny?” Jean growled as he turned to go inside. “Know what will happen if he tells my brothers? We’re going to meet all of them on Sunday, remember?”

“About that…”

“You’re coming.” Jean’s tone brooked no argument. “And what the fuck, Bradley?” He snapped, slamming the front door shut. “You actually thought I’d told Dean about…”

“I’m sorry,” Bradley said quickly.

“What do you take me for? A moron?” Jean looked pissed. The myriad of emotions on Bradley’s face as he’d stared at him whilst assuming the worst... Disbelief, betrayal, pain, mistrust, vulnerability…it had hit Jean hard.

“When he said he couldn’t believe I had to go through all that and no one was going to hurt me again and you said sorry to me I just…”

“He was talking about your one-man shooting craziness,” Jean growled.

“I know that now. I wrongly assumed…”

“Well, assumptions are dangerous, Bradley. I’ve never felt so insulted…”

“I said I was sorry,” Bradley said firmly. “I made a mistake.”

“Yeah. I’ll be upstairs.” Jean left Bradley staring regretfully after him.

Bradley couldn’t suppress his groan of frustration as he went back to his own room. For someone who hardly took anything seriously, Jean seemed to be taking things to heart a little too much, Bradley couldn’t help but think. Maybe he was pushing all the doctor’s wrong buttons with the way he was conducting himself. Bradley decided to allow Jean to cool off and then apologize again when he came down for dinner that evening.

Jean didn’t come down.