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Instead of hearing his parents answer, it was Rylan. When he turned toward the doorway, he spotted Rylan stumbling over to him, rubbing his eyes. He tripped and Cameron easily caught him against his chest.

Rylan’s arms wrapped around his waist and he relaxed against Cameron. He cupped the back of Rylan’s neck while his other hand opened against his back and rubbed up and down. He inhaled his scent when Rylan buried his face against his neck and mumbled something he didn’t catch.

“Why are you up so early?”

Rylan pulled back and blinked up at him. He rubbed his eyes with his fists before he shrugged his shoulders and moved back into Cameron’s embrace, gripping his tee in one fist, lifting his face and pressing a kiss against the skin under his neck.

“I got cold when you left. I sleep better cuddled up next to you, anyway.”

Cameron chuckled before movement behind Rylan’s shoulder drew his attention away from Rylan and to his parents. He noticed they sat there with blank faces, but both of their mouths opened in surprise.

His mom was the first to speak. “Hello?”

Rylan jumped in his arms and let out a cute little squeak before his gaze darted up to meet his own. His eyes were wide, darting back and forth, with a look of panic marring his beautiful face.

“Hey, it’s okay. Remember when I said my parents would pop in soon?”

Rylan nodded after he tried to choke out a response.

“Well… surprise.”

Rylan snapped out of his shock and turned to see his parents who moved from the island to stand right in front of them, close enough to touch.

“Mom, dad, this is Rylan.”

They both smiled at him.

“Rylan, this is my mother, Olivia and my father, Edward.”

Without hesitation, Rylan’s hand shot out, and he shook his mom’s hand before turning to his father.

“It’s wonderful to meet both of you. You have raised a generous, wonderful, and loving man.”

When Rylan stepped back against Cameron’s body, his parents were now beaming at Rylan.

There was a second of silence before his mom screamed and pulled Rylan into what must have been a bone-crushing hug. She squeezed him for several seconds before she leaned back, her hands gripping Rylan’s shoulders.

“Oh, my, Rylan. I never thought Cam would get close enough to someone who isn’t family or his friends, and even his friends he keeps at a distance. But here you are, walking into his arms without checking to see his mood. And instead of seeing him flinch away from you, he wrapped you closer. You are a miracle, you know that Rylan, don’t you?”

Cameron couldn’t help but think Rylan was cute as he stood there, eyes blinking, as he stared at his mom without knowing how to respond.

Rylan made a small noise before Cameron explained. “Mom talks to people as if they’re already in the middle of a conversation and think they know what she’s talking about.”

“Am I dreaming? Crap, I’m dreaming. Am I naked in this one?” Rylan glanced down and blew out a breath as he plucked at his tee. “Oh, not naked. Thank you, baby Jesus.”

Cameron’s dad laughed, moving both hands to brace on the counter as he tucked his head and shook from the force.

Rylan turned back to Cameron. “Your parents are here, right? Not hallucinating?”

He bent down and kissed Rylan. “I think I kept you up too late last night. I would have warned you about the visit, but I didn’t know.”

Cameron enjoyed the blush that stained Rylan’s cheeks. He caught Rylan’s hand and pressed his palm against his chest when he tried to slap him.

His mom interjected. “Ah, so that explains the hickey on your neck.”

Rylan’s gaze traveled over the exposed skin on his neck and groaned when he spotted what his mom had pointed out. “I didn’t know I did that.”

Cameron moved until his mouth was close to Rylan’s ear. “I like it, your mark on me. Maybe I should leave one on you, let others know you’re taken.”