out of the bed as quickly and as quietly as he could. He found a pair of clean boxers folded on top of his dresser and pulled them on and then tiptoed into the hallway to answer the call. “Hello?”
“My God son! You were beginning to worry us!” His mother’s voice came through the line loud and clear and shrill in the early moments of being woken up.
Jonah stifled a yawn, “Sorry. I was asleep. What is it? What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong, Jonah, is that your father and I have been standing on your doorstep or the past fifteen minutes trying to get hold of you because we knocked and you didn’t answer and now you’re telling me that you were asleep. Are you okay, honey? Are you sick? You never sleep this late.”
“Wh-what?” He felt his heartrate trip over itself as his eyes shot to the door, “You’re here?”
“Of course we’re here! Now come open the door.” His mother directly firmly.
“I… but…” He gave a panicked look at the closed door to his bedroom and then back at the front door of the apartment. “What do you mean of course you’re here? You’re supposed to be in Ecuador.”
“El Salvador, honey.” His mother calmly explained, “And we had a break so we thought we’d surprise our only son with a visit. Now, come and open the door for your father and me.”
Jonah felt like hell itself had opened up beneath him. Reed was still in bed. Naked. Asleep. Jonah’s parents were at the door and there was no way he could sneak Reed out of the apartment or refuse to let his mother and father inside.
“Jonah!” His mother’s chipper voice had deepened and he knew she was getting suspicious and worried now.
“Just… I’ll be there in a minute. I need to throw some clothes on.” He hung up the phone before she could say anything else and darted back into his bedroom. “Reed. Reed, wake up.”
Reed groaned, “Shh. Come back to bed.”
“I can’t. And I need you to get up. My parents are here.”
That got Reed’s attention. His eyes flew open and he sat bolt upright in bed. He blinked, trying to get his bearings as Jonah threw his clothes at him piece by piece and simultaneously tried to find something of his own to put on.
“What? I thought they were overseas.” Reed rubbed at his sleep-filled eyes.
“You and me both. They wanted to surprise me.”
“Surprise.” Reed grumbled at the same time he yawned.
“Yeah. They’re on the front step. I have to go let them in. Get dressed.”
Reed’s dark eyebrows hit his hairline, “You want me to meet them?”
Jonah paused halfway through pulling on his jeans from the night before, “Would you rather hide from them?”
Reed’s lips twisted into a scowl and he shook his head, “No. We’re together and we’re grown ass men. We shouldn’t have to hide.”
“Yeah…well, I wish we could.” Jonah finished buttoning his jeans. “But you’re right. We’re adults. We can handle this. Just, get dressed. Give me a few minutes to talk to them and then you can come out and I’ll introduce you. Okay?”
“Okay.” Reed stood from the bed and Jonah tried to ignore his beautiful nakedness.
“I’m so sorry about this.” Jonah dragged his gaze away and pulled on a t-shirt before quickly realizing it was one of Reed’s and groaning as he began to drag it back off.
Reed grabbed his arms and put them back at his sides, “Leave it on. It’s cute on you. I’ve got others.”
“Oh… okay.” Jonah licked his lips nervously and watched Reed’s eyes darken in the way they always did just before he kissed him.
“And you don’t have anything to be sorry for, baby. They surprised us, we can handle it. You got this and I’ll be out in a minute to have your back. Promise.”
The tightness that had filled Jonah’s chest relaxed a fraction, “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Reed leaned forward and brushed their lips together softly before turning him and pushing him back towards the door. “Now go before you upset them. I need to make a good first impression on my boyfriend’s parents.”
Jonah whined but left the bedroom so Reed could get dressed. A good first impression? He wasn’t sure that was possible.
After taking a couple of deep, calming breaths, Jonah opened the door and forced a smile, “Mom. Dad. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Well of course you weren’t. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if we told you we were coming.” His mother gave