Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 72: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Mama Broody!

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“Finally, he makes time.” Lucy smiled up at Jean from where she sat at the edge of the pool, dangling her legs in the water. “I’ve missed you, handsome.”

“Missed you more, mum.” Jean leaned down and kissed his mother.

“Join me.” Lucy patted the space beside her.

Jean removed his trainers and pulled up his jeans. Then he sat beside Lucy and allowed his legs to dangle in the water too.

“Is Wendy back?” Lucy asked with a slight frown.

“Yep.”

“Good. She needs to ensure you eat well. Are you okay?”

“I’m good, mum.”

“Hmm… And Bradley? How’s he doing?”

“He’s okay.” Jean looked down at his feet. “He left for a mission this morning.”

“He’ll be fine.” Lucy patted Jean on the thigh.

“You know.” It wasn’t a question. Jean’s eyes remained on his feet. He was surprised at how shaky he felt inside. Pull yourself together. She won’t bite.

“A mother always knows.” Lucy chuckled.

“Aw come on mum.” Jean groaned. “You sound as if you’re talking about one of your slutty pregnant patients who can’t tell who their baby daddies are.” Jean groaned and then let out a yelp when his mother smacked him upside his head.

“Ninety-nine percent of the time a mother can tell.” She laughed. “Let’s just say I saw and observed a lot that night. The two of you couldn’t stop looking at each other. Especially you. You couldn’t take your eyes off him the entire time. You looked smitten.” Lucy sounded surprised, which made Jean laugh softly.

“Was I that obvious?”

“You’re my son and I know you very well and have watched you throughout your naughty life. I’ve never seen you look at another person the way you looked at Bradley.”

“How did you feel, seeing me like that?” Jean whispered.

“I was shocked at first, I won’t lie.” Lucy chuckled. “Then I thought it was a miracle. Because I never thought I’d ever see you like that. Then finally, I thought it was just beautiful. And the look on Bradley’s face whenever he looked at you…” She shook her head, stunned. “Aren’t soldiers supposed to have a poker face or something like that? So that the enemy wouldn’t catch on to what they’re thinking at any point in time?”

“I guess…” Jean laughed.

“Well, he completely forgot to school his features that day.” Lucy smiled. “It was just adorable to watch. “He looks like a good boy. So, you two are serious about each other huh?”.”

“I am,” Jean murmured. “This whole thing took me by surprise, mum. I just found myself losing interest in every other person. It just happened.”

“When you meet the right person, you drop everything for them. That’s just how it is.” Lucy rubbed Jean on the back. “When I first saw your father, I just knew he was the one. And despite all his faults, he was.”

“You and dad were made for each other, mum,” Jean murmured. “But as much as I don’t really care what anyone thinks, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Bradley is a guy.”

“And I believe in love and fate.” Lucy shrugged. “If you find love, true love, even once in this life, you’re a lot luckier than most. So what if it’s with another guy? Big deal.”

“Thanks, mum.” Jean linked his fingers with Lucy’s. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

“Ask away.”

“That day on the rooftop, I couldn’t help but notice you and Bradley in a deep conversation…”

“You want to know what we were talking about.” Lucy chuckled.

“If you don’t mind.”

“Did you know he hasn’t seen his mother in eleven years?” Lucy looked up at her son.

“Yes,” Jean whispered. After a lengthy silence, he gave a deep sigh. “His dad drove him out when he realized he was gay. He was only fourteen.”

“Christ.” Lucy whispered.

“He threatened to kill him if he ever set eyes on him again. He’s never gone back home since then.”

“Oh god.” Lucy breathed.

“The man said some really terrible things to him before he pulled a gun on him.” Jean went quiet for a moment before going on. “Bradley still hears the man’s voice in his head sometimes. That’s how traumatized he is.”

“The son-of-a-bitch!” Lucy’s growl would have made a wrestler proud. “Where is he?”

“Dead.”

“Good.”

“Now check this out, mum. How do you think Bradley would feel or react if he hears or sees my dad being his usual homophobic self?”

“He’ll drop you like a hot potato.” Lucy breathed.

“And that’s exactly what happened that day we came to dinner.”

“What?” Lucy turned herself to fully face Jean.

“Apparently, as they were waiting for Dean and I in the den, dad made his usual homophobic comments. Bradley was there. He left me the next day.”

“Oh my god, son. I’m so sorry.” Lucy gasped as her hands went to her chest.

“I couldn’t believe it when he walked. I didn’t know why. And for the past three weeks, it’s been killing me inside to know that he could just walk away as if what we had was nothing, after making me feel for him this much. I only got to know about an hour ago that it was because of what he’d heard dad say.” Lucy’s gaze ran over her son in understanding. It was obvious Jean had gone through a lot of stress. “Mum, I can’t lose him.”

“I’ll handle your father,” Lucy said quietly.

“I know how dad feels about same-sex relationships,” Jean said quietly. “But I didn’t ask for this. “It’s just that my feelings for Bradley are so strong that I don’t have any choice but to be with him. Dad needs to know that he’s the one I want.”

“Leave your father to me.” Lucy leaned her head against Jean. “He’s an asshole but he’s my asshole. I know how to handle him.”

“Thank you, mum.” Jean sighed. “But I will like to talk to dad too. Make him understand. He needs to know that this is not one of my usual adventures or sprees. I’m very serious this time. As much as I keep saying I don’t care what anyone thinks, I care what my father thinks. And I need his acceptance.”

“You will get your chance after I deal with him.” Lucy drew Jean into her arms. “Is Bradley seeing anyone? A therapist?”

“No.”

“He needs to,” Lucy said softly. “He needs help.”

“I don’t see him pouring his heart out to a stranger, mum.” Jean sighed.

“Encourage him to. It will do him a lot of good.”

“Okay, I’ll try.”

“I’m so proud of you.” Lucy looked happy.

“May I ask why?”

“Why else? You…” Lucy and Jean turned to look behind them when they heard Dean shouting Lucy’s name. “Will you stop shouting, boy…” Lucy laughed delightedly as they watched Dean, Tyler, and Sam walk towards them. “Welcome back Tyler, darling. Did you have a good flight?”

“I did, thanks,” Tyler murmured as he leaned down to kiss his mother.

“Hello, Sam?” Lucy smiled at her second son. And as Sam leaned down to kiss her, Dean stripped to his boxer briefs and jumped into the pool, making a huge splash.

“Son-of-a…” Jean’s words ended in a yelp when his mother smacked him upside the head again. “Aw come on Ma, you’re going to give me a headache.”

“Which you clearly deserve.” Lucy deadpanned, making her sons burst into laughter. “Come here, baby,” Lucy called to Dean who was deliberately splashing water all around.

“Hi, mum.” Dean swam up to Lucy, wrapped his arms around her waist, and puckered up his lips for a kiss.

“Hello, baby.” Lucy grinned as she leaned down to plant a kiss on her last son’s puckered lips. “What are all of you doing here instead of spending this lovely Sunday with your wives?”

“We missed our mother,” Tyler said, sitting on the other side of Lucy and dangling his legs in the water too.

“And we wanted to tell you we’ve had it with your husband’s homophobic attitude,” Dean added.