Chapter 7 Jacket

"Who? Bella? We're just friends, Mom," Jack said, barely paying attention as he idled at base in his Dota 2 match. 

The game was practically playing itself at this point. Reaching the Immortal rank had been effortless—just a few days of grinding, and he was already dominating every match. 

It didn't matter how toxic his teammates were or how often they threw games over the smallest provocation. 

Jack was simply too good. He could micro a hundred heroes at once if the game allowed it—handling just five was nothing. 

Honestly, he could probably win blindfolded.

But none of that mattered right now. 

His mother was standing there, waiting for an answer, and he knew this conversation was far more important than a million matches of Dota 2. 

With a sigh, he afked in the game and turned to face her.

Madison stood with her arms crossed, a knowing expression on her face. 

"That's how it always starts, Jack. Friendship." She tilted her head slightly, watching his reaction. "You did get your sex ed, right?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom. I know how things work."

"Good." She nodded approvingly. "Because I don't want you getting yourself into something you're not ready for."

Jack hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to brush it off or actually engage in the conversation. 

Until he was suddenly enlightened on how he could use this to his utmost advantage. A trillion plans passed in his mind after just one breath but he settled on the most subtle approach he could find. 

"We're really just friends," he insisted. "Bella's cool, but I don't see her that way."

Madison gave him a long, assessing look before finally sighing. 

"Alright, if you say so. Just remember—feelings can sneak up on you when you least expect them."

Jack nodded as his mom left, relieved she hadn't noticed how uncomfortable he had been. He was as hard and tall as a mountain at this time. He exhaled slowly, shaking his head but a smile graced his handsome face eventually.

He knew that soon not only Bella was going to spread her legs willingly for him but also his dear mother Madison. 

***

A Week Later…

Jack was in the middle of a game when his mom suddenly walked into his room, arms crossed. 

He could tell from her expression that something was up. Without looking away from his screen, he greeted her casually.

"Hey, Mom. What's up?"

"You lied to me, Jack." Her voice was light, but there was a knowing edge to it.

Jack finally turned away from his game, raising an eyebrow. "Huh? About what?"

"Your sisters told me that you and Bella are officially a couple," Madison said, giving him a pointed look.

Jack blinked. "Oh? That…" He rubbed the back of his neck, caught off guard. "It just happened, Mom. I swear, even I didn't see it coming."

Madison smirked. "Uh-huh. So, when do I get to meet your first girlfriend?" she teased, though deep down, she couldn't ignore the strange feeling tugging at her—something like loss, though she wouldn't say it out loud.

Jack chuckled. "Come on, Mom. Me and Bella are still figuring things out. Give it a year or two—maybe even a few years—then I'll introduce you properly."

Madison rolled her eyes. "A few years? What, are you planning on keeping her a secret forever?"

Jack grinned. "Nah, just long enough to make sure she doesn't run away after meeting my lovely family."

Madison laughed, shaking her head. "You naughty boy. Just make sure you're being responsible, okay? Always use protection. Condoms are fine, got it? 

Jack groaned. "Mom!" His face turned slightly red, but his reaction was mostly an act.

Madison gave him a playful wink before turning to leave. "Just saying. I don't need any surprises, alright?"

Jack sighed as she walked out, shaking his head with a small smile. 

Everything was going according to his plan. 

***

One month passed quickly, and Madison couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with her only son. 

At first, Jack had been his usual self—smiling, joking around, and spending his free time either gaming or chatting with his sisters. 

But then, little by little, he began to change. His smiles became rare, his laughter almost nonexistent. 

His responses grew short and lifeless, as if he had no energy for conversation.

Madison wasn't the only one who noticed. Her husband and daughters had picked up on it too. 

They tried to ask him what was wrong, but Jack would only shrug it off, saying it was just the stress of college, the weight of adulthood settling in.

Madison wasn't convinced. She knew her son better than that. 

Something was bothering him—something more than school or growing up. 

A mother's instinct told her she wouldn't have peace of mind until she uncovered the truth.

That weekend, she decided to take matters into her own hands. 

She knew Jack would be in his room, likely lost in one of his games as he usually was. 

She approached his door and, finding it unlocked, pushed it open quietly. 

That wasn't unusual—Jack rarely locked his door. 

She stepped inside, her eyes immediately going to her son, who was seated at his desk, headphones on, staring intently at his computer screen. 

His fingers hovered over the keyboard, but he wasn't playing a game. His posture was different, tense, almost hesitant.

Curious, Madison crept closer, careful not to make a sound. 

She had intended to casually check in on him, maybe ask if he wanted to go out for lunch or just talk. 

But then she froze.

Her eyes landed on the screen, and her breath caught in her throat.

Jack wasn't gaming.

He was reading an article. And the title of that article sent a jolt of shock through her.

"How to Make Your Girlfriend Agree to Have Sex with You."

Madison's heart pounded as a wave of emotions hit her all at once—surprise, confusion, concern. 

She hadn't expected this. Not at all.

For a moment, she stood there, unsure of what to do. 

Should she pretend she hadn't seen anything? Walk away and give Jack his privacy? 

Or should she confront him about it right now?

Her son—her little boy—was growing up. And it seemed he was struggling with something much more personal than she had realized.