Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 80: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Let's talk!

***

Bradley watched Jean and Lucy go and felt abandoned. For a moment, he felt as if he’d been thrown to the wolves. But somehow, Jean’s words popped into his mind. He’d said he wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt him. Jean obviously didn’t know that his father was his trigger, Bradley thought. He’d probably thought his earlier bout of nerves had been because he was scared of talking to his parents after that display they’d put on. Well, he couldn’t possibly go crying to Jean like a sissy to protect him from his homophobic father, could he? It was time he manned up and faced the nightmarish situation head-on. Bradley prayed for strength.

“Welcome back, soldier.” Michael Broody greeted cheerfully as he gave Bradley a firm handshake.

“Thank you, Sir,” Bradley said in a voice so steady it surprised him. He’d never been more proud of himself.

“Michael.” Michael corrected automatically. “Hope everything went according to plan.” He signaled a passing waiter.

“Everything went perfectly, thanks,” Bradley responded as he watched Michael grab two glasses of whiskey off the tray. The Broody patriarch handed one to Bradley as he took a sip out of the other. “Take a walk with me.”

Without looking at where Jean stood with his mother and brothers, Bradley fell into step beside Michael. This was it, he thought. He felt so pumped he actually pitied the senior Broody. He was so ready to let loose on Michael Broody and all the homophobic fathers out there. Bradley felt as if he was a boxer going into a ring to face his opponent. He was no longer a sniveling kid. He was definitely ready to tell the man his piece.

***

Back at their table, the Broody brothers looked worried. “Mum, I don’t think this is a good idea. “Tyler growled.”

“Me neither,” Ron added. “Dad can be a total douche sometimes.”

“I think you should follow them, just in case.” Josh looked at Jean who looked like he was about to pass out.

“You idiots done?” Lucy looked at her son’s worried faces. “Now, let me tell you this. I trust my husband.” She shrugged.

“But I don’t, mum.” Jean breathed. “Not when it comes to this.”

“Look at me son.” Lucy waited until Jean looked down at her. “Do you trust me?”

Jean groaned. “Yes.” He whispered.

“Good.” She entwined her fingers with Jean’s and drew him into the chair beside her. “It is well.”

***

“So…you and Jean huh?” Michael said as they strolled on the beautiful lawn of the hotel.

“Yep,” Bradley responded simply.

“How serious are you about him?”

“Very serious, Sir.”

“Call me Michael,” Michael said.

“I’m more comfortable being formal now, Sir,” Bradley said. “I don’t know what you’re about to throw at me so…formal is better for me if you don’t mind.”

“Listen, Bradley.” Michael stopped walking and turned to face Bradley. “I know I may have given you cause to think I hate you for your sexual preference. But know that I don’t hate you. I’m not going to apologize for speaking my mind in the den that day.” Bradley’s expression didn’t change at Michael’s words. “They are my views. And I’m entitled to them.” He shrugged.

“I respect that,” Bradley said smoothly. “I didn’t expect you to apologize for them.”

“What I’m going to apologize for,” Michael went on. “…is causing you pain by making you remember your past. I’m very sorry about that. But there’s one thing I need you to understand, Bradley. I may have the same views as your father. But I’m not your father.” He said quietly. “For me, the happiness of my children comes first. I would never do what your father did…throw out my young son just because he’s gay. I can never do a thing like that and I’m shocked your father could.”

“I appreciate that.” Bradley nodded.

“In as much as I wish my son would settle down with a woman, I can’t force what I want on him,” Michael said. “He’s an adult who knows what he wants. And that is you. My views or aversion for same-sex relations doesn’t matter at all where Jean is concerned. I know my sons very well. And I know that nothing I say would sway that particular son of mine. If I don’t want to lose him, I have to make an effort to accept this. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do because I love my son.” He paused and then added softly; “And I like you.”

“Thank you.” Bradley took a sip of his drink as he felt all the fight drain out of him. That had definitely not been what he’d expected.

“Now, there’s something you need to do for me, Bradley.” Michael paused to take a long sip of his drink. “I’m only human. I’ve held these views for years. Since I was a kid actually. In as much as I wouldn’t want to offend you with my utterances concerning the subject, I’m bound to slip once in a while and make comments to your hearing. Habit.” He shrugged. “By virtue of the fact that you’re with my son, you’re part of my family now. And we’re bound to meet often. Please try not to take offense when I slip.”

“I won’t,” Bradley said.

“Good. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, did you two really have to go at it like that back there?” Michael murmured.

Bradley looked confused for a moment before an amused chuckle escaped his lips. “Would you have preferred it if it was a…peck on the cheek?”

“Of course.” Michael took a sip from his glass to cover his amusement.

“Well, fortunately for me, your son wouldn’t have settled for that.” Bradley actually laughed. “You know your son. Always gets what he wants.”

Michael saw an opening and grasped it. “Are you saying he calls the shots?”

“Pretty much,” Bradley murmured.

“I see. So…he wears the pants?” Michael crossed his fingers in his pocket.

“Ask me what you want to know, Michael,” Bradley said.

“Is my son the pitcher or the catcher?” Michael blurted out.

Bradley stared at Michael with amused eyes. “Have you ask your son?”

“He wouldn’t say. The silly boy even took the tickets I gave him to a game but still wouldn’t tell me.” Michael’s scowl made Bradley laugh.

“Jean is a dominant, Michael,” Bradley said. “He can never be a catcher just as I can’t and wouldn’t want to pitch. Happy?”

Michael felt so much relief he hugged Bradley. “You have no idea. For once, I’ll go with the saying, a hole is a hole. Once my Jean is still doing the fucking, I’m cool. No offense.” He stepped back and gestured for them to go back to the ballroom.

“None taken.” Bradley chuckled as they started back. Just like his son, Michael Broody obviously had no filter. Well, two could play that game, Bradley thought mischievously. Michael’s next question gave him a fine opportunity.

“You’re not going to change your…style or anything like that I hope,” Michael asked with a frown.

This time Bradley did roar with laughter. “And pitch? Oh hell, no. Catching feels too fucking amazing I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” He drawled. “That’s experiencing fucking at a whole new mind-blowing level,” Bradley added and then laughed when Michael turned bright red in the face.

“I asked for it, didn’t I?” Michael groaned.

“You so did.” Bradley laughed as he pushed open the door and came face to face with Jean and his brothers. “You guys going somewhere?” He asked, looking at their surprised faces.