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He swallowed when he spotted a flare of heat in Rylan’s gaze as his eyes traveled back to his neck. Cameron cleared his throat.

“Why don’t you sit and I’ll make breakfast?”

Rylan nodded and Cameron halted his movements with a hand on his arm. He took the time to pour Rylan his coffee and pressed the cup into his hands, watching as he turned toward his mom and dad and smiled at them. When Rylan walked toward the table, his parents followed and sat down across from him, their shoulders touching and both staring at Cameron’s boyfriend.

Rylan took a sip of his coffee and then another as his gaze moved back and forth and smiled when Edward wrapped his arm around Olivia’s shoulder and pulled her against his chest. It wasn’t until his third sip when the inquisition began.

Cameron busied himself with cooking and brewing another pot of coffee as he listened to Rylan speak about his classes, his business, and he mentioned the charity event coming up featuring his designs. Rylan even offered to make his mom a dress for the next function she attended, which made his mom beam at his boyfriend.

“What about your family? I’m sure your parents are very proud of you.”

He knew his mom meant well, but Cameron couldn’t help but stiffen at her question. “Mom.”

Rylan glanced up at him. “It’s okay.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” Rylan explained about his relationship with his mom and when she died, how his relationship changed between him and his father. He didn’t mention Tristan, but Cameron would when he had a chance.

“How did you two meet?”

“Well…” Rylan relayed the story and his surprise when Cameron asked him to move in with him after they’d only just met.

“So, Rylan’s your first boyfriend, sweetie? That’s great!” His mom stood to hug him and he hugged her back.

“It seems like such a juvenile word for our connection and while we agreed to label what we are to each other as boyfriends, I feel something much deeper than that.” Rylan glanced at Cameron with a smile.

Cameron plated breakfast and after he distributed them, he waited until Rylan poured fresh cups of coffee and they sat down together. Cameron pulled Rylan close.

“It’s like we’ve known each other forever. When I met him, a huge piece of myself that I didn’t know was missing snapped into place. Plus, Rylan brings color and happiness into my life by being himself and he’s now as essential as breathing.”

Cameron’s eyes moved from his parents to land on Rylan as he finished explaining. A tear that escaped concerned him as it traveled down Rylan’s soft cheek. But Rylan was beaming at him, and the tension in his chest dissipated.

“Where do you see this going?” His dad, always the logical one, had to know.

“Rylan is the one person who is meant for me. We’re not rushing into defining who we are and our relationship. We’re enjoying every day together and we’ll see where it leads us.” Cameron paused as he squeezed Rylan’s hand. “But know this, I will protect him from the world if I have to and would never push Rylan for more than he wants.”

The last part was a warning. His parents knew better, but they liked everything defined and linear, even relationships, which was why they found him so peculiar.

Rylan turned his attention to his parents. “The same goes for me, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll take care of Cameron, too.”

His parents sat back, satisfied by their declarations as far as he could tell. Although the last thing Cameron wanted was Rylan to feel pressured into anything he wasn’t ready for, he blew out a breath when they didn’t continue with their questions.

After they finished eating, Cameron stood and Rylan followed, both heading toward the sink with dishes in their hands, a common occurrence whenever they ate at home. Rylan enjoyed washing the dishes and since he didn’t know quite where everything was in the kitchen yet, Cameron dried and put things away.

As Rylan filled the sink, he leaned over and whispered. “Do your parents disapprove of us being together?”

Cameron shook his head and was about to speak when his mom interrupted.

“There’s something you’re not telling us.”

“How do you know?”

She shrugged and Cameron glanced at Rylan for permission. Rylan nodded and went back to scrubbing the pan he was working on as Cameron dried his hands and turned to face his parents.

He explained the trouble they were having with Tristan. He included the assault when Rylan was seventeen, but he left out the nightmares because if he told them that, his mom would insist on therapy. Not that he was against therapy, but his mom would pressure Rylan into it whether he wanted it or not. And finally, Cameron told them of his plans for Tristan.

Without hesitation, his dad pulled out his phone. “I’m texting you a lawyer’s number. Call him on Monday and he’ll tell you the exact steps you need to take from this point forward. Whatever you do, document everything. Date, time, what he said, if he tried to get physical.”