Nine

It's Saturday.

A day of rest.

"Jamie Ava Norris! Get back here right now!" Bradley yelled as he watched his daughter move closer to the pool. She didn't have on a proper swimming gear and just wanted to cannonball into the water.

"Jamie!" Bradley snaps.

It's not that Jamie didn't know how to swim, she's been learning for a year now. Bradley just didn't want to see the worst thing happen. He has watched several episodes of 1000 ways to die and he had seen one particularl one where the guy cannonballs into he pool and still managed to hit his skull at the bottom of the pool.

Hearing the slight panic in her dads voice, Jamie took a step back from the pool before coming to meet him. Bradley hands her the swimming trunk he was holding and told her to go and change.

She had just turned the corner when the door bell went off. He checks his watch as he made his way to the door, it was just eleven thirty. Lee and Joshua were meant to be here at twelve. Maybe they were a bit early. Bradley checks the screen beside the door and rolled his eyes when he sees who was standing there.

"Well, don't you just look happy to see me." Rudy said as he walked into the house after Bradley had pulled open the door for him.

"I am happy but on the inside." Bradley says flatly as he shuts the door. Bradley himself was in a pair of bright pink trunks that was identical to the pair Jamie had gone to put on.

"Aren't you funny." Rudy teased. "Are we hanging out by the pool today?"

"Yeah and I'm also expecting guests."

"Work guests or Anne?" Rudy asked. He had come empty handed, clad in jeans, top to bottom. He turned to stare at Bradley with a hopeful expression on his face.

"Just ask her out like a normal person." Bradley tsked as he walked back towards the pool. When he got there he sees Jamie waiting, her legs swinging in the pool. When she sees Rudy, her face lit up and she scrambles, she takes one look at her dads face and doesn't run.

"My baby girl! The world has kept us apaprt for too long, how do we get married if I don't see you every day?!" Rudy faux cries as he pulled Jamie in for a tight hug. She laughs at his theatrics, laughter turning to squealing when he begins to tickle her.

"I'm not marrying you. I don't wanna marry you."

Rudy let go of her, he placed one hand on his chest and made his lips wobble. Bradley shakes his head at his dramatic friend before picking up his daughter, she swings her legs as she laughs, her voice ringing louder as Bradley takes her into the water, taking the steps into the shallow end.

"Hey! I'm feeling left out!"

"Then go change!"

The bell goes off, so loud it startles Bradley for a bit. His eyes widened when he realizes it would be Lee at the door. Rudy was going to make him remember this day for a long long time. He tries to rush out of the pool but Rudy had literally ran to the door and by the time Bradley got to the door, Rudy was smiling like a cat that just got the cream.

"Bradley, you didn't tell me you knew an angel." Rudy said, gesturing to Lee. Joshua ran all the way to his legs and hugged him, beaming up at Bradley, temporarily distracting Bradley from Lee.

Lee who looked like a literal angel in a white loose shirt, white shirt shorts that stopped mid thigh and a grey backpack. His face free of make up, his freckles out and proud to the world.

Bradley picks Joshua up, resting the boy on his hips as he ruffled his hair. He looks up at Rudy who was wiggling his brow at him. He shifts his gaze to Lee who was staring at him, a brow raised in question.

"Lee, meet Rudy, one of my closest friends. Rudy meet Stanley."

Lee laughs a bit as he takes Rudy's outstretched hand in a shake. Bradley knew his friend, Rudy would want to know everything and he'd also want to tell embarrassing stories about Bradley.

"Hey Lee. Did you bring your swim t-"

"I think that's what's in the bag but if you don't have any, I wouldn't be opposed to you swimming in your birthday suit." Rudy said and the adds. "I don't think Bradley would be opposed to it too."

Bradley feels heat shoot up to his cheeks. Instead of focusing on the different ways he could kill Rudy and hide his body.

"Hey little man, want to go see your friend? She floating around in the pool."

"Just how big is your house?"

"About 3 acres. It's got the essentials stuff as well as Jamie's game room, my home office, the small library, the home theater, the other screening room, the sun room, the pool, jacuzzi and the garage."

"Don't forget the garden."

"Ah yes."

"Do you hire like a cleaning service?" Lee asked as he followed Bradley towards the door leading out to the pool.

"They come in once a week. I don't like people going through my things."

Joshua lets out a loud cheer when he sees Jamie. It was a struggle to get him it if his clothes and into a pair of trunks before they let him slip into the pool. Rudy also changed into a pair of trunks, the white patches against his caramel skin standing out. He... well, he cannonballs into the pool, earning shrieks from the children.

Thankfully Lee doesn't take of his shirt. There was only so much Bradley could take before he also jumps into the pool. Lee lays on one of the lunge chairs, smearing sunscreen on his body.

"Having fun?"

Lee turns to smile brightly at him. "I always have fun with you both."

And well, Bradley wasn't expecting that. He gets up from his chair before he does something stupid like kissing Lee stupid, he jumps into the pool too. His hypocrisy slipping away in the water.

There was something about Lee. Something that pulls Bradley and the CEO doesn't know how long it would take before he lets go of his control.