Chapter 2





Brady sat at his desk shuffling the last of his paperwork while smiling to himself thinking of his plans for the rest of the day. His father peeked in the door every once in a while to laugh to himself about his son's goofy grin, mainly because he knew exactly why he was smiling like that. He suspected it had something to do with a certain Ms. Chloe Lane. Before his last meeting of the day John decided to pay his extra happy son a little visit.

Sneaking up behind Brady who was lost in his own little world John exclaimed loudly, "Working hard son!"

Brady let out a little scream and turned quickly to see his attacker. Letting out a sigh of relief and then glaring when he saw who it was, "Dad, you scared the crap out of me!"

John smothered a chuckle, "Sorry, couldn't help myself!

Brady continued to glare while his father made himself comfortable in one of Brady's plush leather office chairs.

"Need something dad, or are you just here to give me a heart attack?"

John did chuckle at this remark. Raising an eyebrow in true John Black fashion, "Actually," he said smirking, "I was just wondering what had you so involved that you didn't even notice me coming into your office. You were smiling an awful lot. Is there uh something on your mind Brady?"

Brady looked at his father innocently, hoping he couldn't tell what he had been thinking about, cause lord knows if he did he would never stop teasing him about it.

Nervously, "Uh, no dad. I was actually just finishing these last few reports before I left for the day!"

"You're leaving awfully early." John said suspiciously. "You've finished everything?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to enjoy the rest of the day a little earlier than normal. Is that so odd?"

John laughed, "No, not odd. I was just wondering if you were planning on telling me that you were leaving early to see Chloe."

Damn, busted! Leaning forward with his elbows on his desk and burying his face in his hands, Brady groaned inwardly. He knew what was coming next. It was always the same. First came the hinting, then came the teasing, then came the full blown laughter while Brady sat mortified, the victim of his father's humor.

With laughter twitching at the corner of his lips, "So, is that why you were just looking like a lovesick teenager who just got to sit next to the prettiest girl in school?"

Brady groaned again, this time out loud though.

Not able to hold it in any longer, John busted out laughing and good-naturedly gave his son a hard slap to the back. "Just messing with you kid," while Brady tried to recover the air that was just forced from his body, "there's nothing to be embarrased about. You know it's okay, I think you're old enough to start liking girls."

Brady finally looked up and sighed, "Oh, come on dad you know this isn't the first time I've liked a girl."

John gave Brady his Gotcha face and accused, "Ah, so you finally admit it?"

Brady's eyes widened when he realized what he'd said and tried to evade the question. "Admit what dad?" trying for nonchalance, "You knew I dated plenty of girls in high school.

Still smirking, John whacked him again, not noticing that it again caused Brady a choking fit. "Nice try son." striding across the room to the mini fridge and grabbing a Coke before heading to the door, "It won't work but nice try nonetheless."

"What won't work?" Brady gasped through a face red from both embarrassment and lack of oxygen.

John turned with his hand on the knob, "This whole denial thing. Your feelings will come out sooner or later whether you want them to or not. My advice is to just tell her the truth now and save you the energy of covering up." Opening the door and stepping out to leave before turning back, "Later kid!" finally noticing his sons face. "Oh and Brady, I'd check the thermostat if I were you, you look a little flushed."

Brady, having finally regained his breath mutters to himself. "The man used to be a mercenary and he wonders why I almost pass out after he whacks me on the back. Unbelievable!"

Leaning back in his chair, Brady thinks about Chloe again and smiles.








Please review!