Page 6 of Just Bromantically Invested

“I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

That’s true. It’s hard not to get body envy from the man. We both played baseball in college, but it was never my endgame, was never the thing I wanted more than anything. It was fun, it kept me fit, and now that it’s over, I don’t miss it. I do miss the body I had while I was constantly training though. The body Madden still has.

“I’m not saying to be ashamed. Just … you really can’t get through the workday without having to strip off?”

“People weren’t made to wear clothes,” he points out as endlessly calm as usual.

“And I wasn’t made to be put in potentially embarrassing situations, but here we are.”

He shrugs, feathers ruffling. “Should I remind you that you bought this?”

“You’re wearing it.”

“Didn’t want to be rude.”

I smirk his way. “I think that’s the most I’ve seen you wearin years.” He’s covered from his neck to his feet with a chicken head hood that’s up covering his blond hair.

“I wasn’t gonna be …chickenabout it.”

I grab the chicken beak and tug it down over his face before Madden blindly swamps me in a hug. The chicken suitishot, but I don’t push him away. It’s impossible to deny him when Madden’s giving you attention. He’s the kind of friend you know will be forever.

“Thank you for showing up,” he says. “And I’m sorry. I’ll try not to be a dumbass next time.”

“Thank you.”

“We also have to bypass the shed on the way home to pick up my clothes. I only have two pairs of shorts.”

“Buy you some new shorts. Got it.”

He lets go, and I start the car, flooding the small space with the cool blast of the air conditioner.

“But even if I didn’t rescue you, one of your roommates would be here in a flash,” I add, keeping the bitterness out of my voice. “You would have been fine.”

Because that’s the simple truth with Madden. He’s always there for people, so they’re always there for him.

Selflessly. Willingly.Enthusiastically.

I wish they’d all fuck off and let me do my job.

I’m Madden’s best friend. They don’t need to worry about him when he has me.

Chapter 3

Madden

I’m not used to walking into the house and having everyone stare. Well, not anymore, at least. I still remember when I first embraced life as a naturist and the adjustment period we had while they all got used to me swinging free, and I got used to them very obviously not looking.

Now, no one is making the attempt not to look.

“What, uh …” Seven hides his smile behind his big, tattooed hand. “What is all this?”

“Yeah,” Xander adds. “Normally when we see your cock, it’s not the cockadoodledoo type.”

I laugh and nudge Penn. “There was an emergency, and this guy thought he’d teach me a lesson.”

“I’m almost scared to ask what sort of lesson requires you dressed as poultry,” Émile murmurs.

Penn opens his mouth to reply, but I cut him off.

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