“Use my office,” he grunts. “The three of you can take tonight off since I’m sure Edna will be dragging you around like a dog and pony show.”
“Roscoe,” Edna groans. “Could you fucking not?”
Looks like there’s trouble in professional paradise. Since it’s not my pig, not my farm, I’ll leave them to their own devices.
Rhodes and Skylar exit behind me, and I feel as if I’m seeing everything happen outside of my body. I can’t control how I tell my parents, especially if they saw the photo. My phone begins to vibrate, and I suck in a panicked breath.
I’m scared to fucking see who’s calling.
“Wait till you’re in his office,” Skylar mutters.
There are too many people who could overhear, and the last thing I need is for someone to possibly take another damn photo.
As soon as the door is shut, Skylar asks, “Are you pissed there’s a photo, or because you’re in the closet?”
“I’m pissed my parents might see a photo of me playing tonsil hockey with someone I haven’t fucking told them about,” I growl. “I don’t like my private shit out in public.”
“Believe it or not, neither do we,” Rhodes sighs. “My older brother is a homophobic dick, so I try not to speak to him, and my parents aren’t in the picture. I don’t even acknowledge him in public.”
“I need to put my emotions away for this,” Skylar breathes, stretching out his neck. “Rhodes and I are very out and together, which is our choice. It’s one we have the freedom to make, just as you should have the freedom to choose to tell your parents and sister you’re attracted to men.”
Rhodes nods grimly, and for some reason, this helps to take the wind out of my anger and anxiety. I’m still very unhappy about this, but having them empathize with me helps.
“Okay,” I whisper, pulling my phone out and collapsing into a chair.
The stupid thing hasn’t fucking stopped going off, and there’s missed texts and phone calls. My agent is one of those calls, but I need to call my parents first. Tapping on my dad’s name as he’s the one who called last, I lean back and wait.
“Koen,” Dad says. “Are you okay? Your mother and I have had several people send us a very, ah, provocative photo of you in the last few minutes.”
Ugh, at least my clothes were on? I wouldn’t say it was provocative. Reaching out for the magazine, I make a face as Isee you can’t see anything from the zoomed in photo but my alphas and I.
“I’m not naked in the photo, Dad,” I drawl, adding levity to the conversation.
It’s not an emotion I can feel right now though because my heart is pounding in my ears. He’s on speaker while Rhodes and Skylar remain close to me and silent.
“No. However, the last time I saw you, I was told you were single and celibate,” Dad says. “It appears that something has changed.”
“I mean, I have to admit they’re gorgeous,” Mom says, interjecting into the conversation.
I’m not surprised I’m on speakerphone.
“Oh, your sister is visiting. Say hello,” Dad says, a smile in his tone.
Ugh, as mortifying as this is, at least they’re not angry.
“I thought you were ace,” Silvia says. “I guess making out with two men is better than one.”
“Ugh, please don’t give her ideas,”Mom groans, making me chuckle.
Skylar and Rhodes drop to their knees at the sound, and Rhodes rubs his cheek against mine. He’s scent marking and marking his territory, something I can feel he needs. If I had been approached about this in any other way than a random and invasive photo, I would be handling it better than I have been.
“A photographer hid in a shelter to take that photo,” I sigh. “A blue haired punk looking for a quick buck. I was bathing a dog at an animal shelter, volunteering there, when my alphas came looking for me.”
“Your alphas, huh?” Silvia asks. “Wow. How long has that been going on?”
“Not long,” I admit.
“Gentlemen don't typically kiss and tell,” Skylar says, announcing himself. “The pap is unfortunately making me out to be a liar.”
