Page 23 of Lost King

"Oh, Doctor Pretty. I'm ready for my physical now," he sing songs as he struts into the kitchen wearing nothing but his birthday suit and my stethoscope around his neck. I silently pray the floor will open up and swallow me because this is by far the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me. Not only did my father see me nearly naked but my boyfriend is standing in my kitchen with all his pierced glory swinging in the breeze. My mother looks as if she's going to pass out and my father is on the verge of a coronary.

"Oh, shit—my bad," Quinn says quickly covering himself with his hands then slowly begins walking backward towards my bedroom.

"Perhaps you should join your friend in putting on some clothes," my father suggests.

With nothing to say, I hightail it out of the kitchen. When I make it to my room, I slam the door behind me before leaning up against it and closing my eyes. "This cannot be happening. When I open my eyes, I will see this was all just a dream," I chant. Counting to five inside my head I open my eyes to see Quinn's amused face right in front of mine.

"Sorry, Sunshine. You're not dreamin'," he chuckles.

"Why are you laughing? There is nothing funny about what just happened! Those are my parents," I tell him.

"Yeah, babe I got that."

"They just saw your dick, Quinn!" I shout. "There is nothing amusing about that."

"They're doctors, babe. I'm pretty sure they've seen a pecker or two in their time," he pauses a moment, "well, probably not one as fuckin' perfect as mine," he grins.

"Oh my god," I breathe feeling light headed.

"The way I see it, babe we're up a shit creek without a paddle," he grins and I give him a warning glare that has zero effect on him as he continues, "Luckily I'm a shit creek survivor. We have to suck it up and face the music because there is no way out of this one, Sunshine," he steps closer, "Look, I know this is not the ideal way to be meeting your folks for the first time, but look at it this way, it will make for one hell of a story to tell our kids."

Stepping around Quinn, I walk over to my bed, plop down and put my head in my hands. "Nothing you're saying right now is helping, Quinn. I wasn't ready for this."

"Ready for what? For me to meet your parents? Why not, Emerson? You ashamed of me?" he asks with a little bite in his tone.

I quickly snap my head in his direction. "Of course not. I could never be ashamed of you."

"Then what is it? We've been together nearly six weeks and have yet to bring up the subject of me ever meeting your parents. I haven't said anything because I didn't want to push, but I've started to get the feeling you're embarrassed by me and my lifestyle. I feel like you're hiding me."

I don't miss the small look of hurt on his face. Pushing off the bed, I go to him, wrap my arms around his middle and look him in the eyes. "I am not embarrassed or ashamed of you or the club. You and the club mean a lot to me. You are all like family." When Quinn sees and hears the sincerity in my words, he loses the look he had on his face and relaxes his tense body. It's in this exact moment I realize I no longer have the same fear I had weeks ago of what my parent's opinion of Quinn and the club will be. Whether they choose to accept him, and our relationship will be up to them, but their decision will have no bearing on my choice to be with him. Being with Quinn has made me the happiest I have ever been in my life, and I refuse to give him up for anyone.

Walking back into the kitchen, my parents stand from where they were sitting at the kitchen table. Quinn is the first to speak by offering his hand to my dad.

"Mr. Evans, it's nice to meet ya."

My father looks at him for a long second before reluctantly taking his hand, and my mom follows suit. The four of us take a seat at the table. Quinn sits next to me and casually rests his arm over the back of my chair. Several tense moments later my mother is the first to break the silence. "So, what exactly are you two and how long has this been going on?"

Just as I open my mouth to answer, Quinn cuts in.

"Emerson is my old lady."

At the term old lady, I know what question my mother has next.

"Is that what the men in your gang call their girlfriends or wives?" she raises a judging eyebrow.

This time I'm the first to answer. "The Kings are not a gang. They're a club." I bite out. My tone shocking my mother.

"I've heard rumors about this so-called club. I would say our assumption of them being a gang is pretty accurate," my father adds causing Quinn to sit up straighter in his seat. "I can also see the kind of influence this club has had on you. Don't think I didn't notice all those tattoos you have."

I can see by the set line in Quinn's jaw he's about to snap.

Only I'm about to handle the situation for him. Rising from my seat, I place my palms on the table and lean my body in the direction of my parents. "Let me tell you something. Quinn is my man. His club has become like a family to me. If you think I am going to allow you to come into my home—unannounced might I add, and disrespect the man I love you are sorely mistaken. For your information I got my tattoos back in college before I ever met Quinn and his club. Now, I think it's time for you two to leave, and do not think about coming back until you can treat Quinn with the respect he deserves."

"Emerson," my mother sputters. Holding up my hand, I cut her off. "No. There is nothing else to say. Please leave."

"Come on, Brenda let's go, our daughter is not thinking clearly," my father says taking my mom by the arm and leads her to the door. Just as they are about to walk out my mom delivers the blow I was already expecting, only this time I don't give a shit.

"I am very disappointed in you, Emerson."