Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 207: Meeting the parents.

Chapter 207: Meeting the parents.

Chris was nervous. Of course, he was.

But it wasn’t this bad.

Not during entrance exams or interviews for scholarships.

Not when he had games and competitions.

Not even when the media was trying to eat him alive.

But this—this was different.

He kept glancing sideways at Sky as they walked down the polished corridor, their footsteps quiet on the hospital floor. Sky looked composed—at least, on the surface. But Chris knew him too well. The way his fingers twitched slightly, the way he kept his gaze too forward, too sharp—it all betrayed how on edge he was.

"You don’t have to be nervous," Chris said, nudging him gently with his shoulder.

Sky didn’t answer, but the stiffness in his posture gave him away.

Chris smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "They’re nice. They like you."

Sky finally spoke, his voice low and dry. "They don’t even know me."

Chris wanted to say that they do. But instead, he said, "They will." Though, the knot in his stomach betrayed his own nerves.

What he didn’t say was that his parents had only ever met his friends. Close friends. Like Wilson.

Never someone he liked.

Never someone who could ruin him and still make him beg for more.

Yes, that kind.

As they reached the door, Chris’s hand hovered near the handle. "Ready?"

Sky shrugged, feigning indifference. "Sure."

Chris gave a breathy laugh. "You’re so full of it."

Then he opened the door.

The room was warm with the quiet beeping of monitors and the low murmur of conversation. Two doctors stood near the hospital bed, speaking in hushed tones to Chris’s father, who sat upright now, pale but alert.

It was still jarring seeing his father like that—thinner, weaker, stripped of his usual commanding presence.

But he was awake. Alive. That was all mattered.

Chris’s eyes swept the room.

His mother wasn’t here.

His father looked up then, his gaze landing on Chris—and then shifting to Sky.

Sky instinctively stepped away from Chris.

A beat of silence passed. The doctors nodded politely at Chris, gave Sky a once-over, then wrapped up their conversation and exited the room quietly.

Chris’s father didn’t say anything at first.

He just stared.

Not at Chris—but directly at Sky.

The air went stiff.

Chris’s eyes darted to Sky, who had frozen in place, like a deer caught in headlights.

He had never seen Sky look this... humble. It was almost funny. Except it was. Because this was his father and he didn’t want Sky to look so... timid.

Chris’s father finally spoke, his voice low and dry. "Your mother’s in the restroom. Taking a call."

Chris nodded but didn’t move, didn’t relax. He could feel it—the scrutiny radiating off his father like heat. It wasn’t malicious, but it was heavy. Intense.

And it was directed solely at Sky.

Chris stepped forward, subtly shifting so he stood between them, just enough to block his father’s line of sight.

That earned him a pointed look from his father—one that Chris returned with a glare that said, Cut it out.

Sky finally attempted words, clearing his throat. "Glad you’re... uh..." His voice cracked. "Glad you’re alive."

Chris blinked.

His father arched a brow.

Sky’s ears turned red. "I mean—not that I thought you’d die. Just—I’m glad you’re... okay. Or getting there. I mean."

Chris turned to look at him, his expression somewhere between horrified and amused. Sky was never like this. It was almost cute. If it weren’t so painful to watch.

His father let out a quiet, amused grunt. Not quite a laugh. But not disapproving either.

Sky looked like he wanted to vanish into the floor.

Chris’s father finally spoke, voice even. "You’re too nervous for my liking."

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Because you were staring at him like he was made of glass."

"I was curious," his father replied calmly.

Sky cleared his throat again. "I mean... I’d stare at me too."

Chris turned slightly, eyebrow raised. "Because you’re good-looking?"

"What? No." Sky blinked fast. "That’s not what I meant—just... I mean..." his words trailed off.

Sky shifted awkwardly. "I’m sorry for showing up like this. I didn’t mean to be... abrupt."

At that moment, the restroom door opened, and Chris’s mother walked in, her expression warm but alert, gaze flicking quickly from her husband to Chris... then landing on Sky.

"Why are you apologizing?" she asked, tone gentle but curious.

While his mother sounded normal, to others, she may come off as strict in her tone since she always sounded like she was in a board meeting.

"I just... I know you’re all going through a lot and I didn’t mean to intrude or add to anything, I just..."

He was quiet again.

Chris’s father, eyes narrowing slightly, asks, "You just what?"

"I wanted to make sure Chris was okay," Sky finished in a rush. Then, without thinking, he added, "Since we’re... roommates."

Chris blinked.

"Roommates?" Chris’s parents echoed in unison, their voices overlapping with the same exact note of disbelief.

Chris visibly cringed.

His father didn’t even try to hide the smirk tugging at his mouth. "Then why are you this nervous?"

Sky’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, his voice cracking just slightly. "Because you’re... well... you. The Owens."

"The Owens?" his father repeated with a raised brow. "Does it intimidate you?"

Chris shot him a warning look. "Dad."

Sky tried to smile but it was more of a grimace. "I just mean... anyone would be nervous."

Chris’s mother, arms folded but smiling warmly, tilted her head. "If you’re that nervous or intimidated... then why’d you come all the way here, sweetheart?" She smiled kindly, but there was steel in her curiosity. "If you’re just a roommate, why show up at the hospital? Why fly across the state?"

Sky hesitated.

Then blinked.

Then turned slowly to Chris with the softest, most desperate expression that practically screamed please save me.

Chris stepped forward quickly, slipping between them like a shield. "Okay—can you both not interrogate him like he’s on trial? He came to see me, okay? That’s it."

His mother didn’t look convinced. "Yes, but why did he come to see you?"