Jock Next Bed (BL)-Chapter 248: Party time (3)

Chapter 248: Party time (3)
The evening was overly stimulating for Chris, but he endured it with far more grace than he’d expected of himself. It was funny how life changed. The last time he’d attended parties like this before his father’s illness, before his brief stint working at the company, before Sky, he’d always wanted to escape. It had all been so exhausting and boring, just empty small talk and political maneuvering.
But now? Now he was actively networking. He knew who was who, or was eager to find out. He knew what they did, what companies they ran, what connections they could offer. He found himself genuinely interested in conversations about market trends and investment opportunities. And judging by the way his parents kept catching his eye from across the room, looking pleased and a little surprised, they were thinking the same thing.
He had matured. A lot.
He’d been worried that Sky would find all this boring. The schmoozing, the endless introductions. But judging by how Sky seemed to hold his own in active conversation with whomever Chris introduced him to, his boyfriend was doing just fine.
Also, nothing could top introducing Sky to people as his boyfriend. His boyfriend. I mean, they both knew they loved each other, so what was the harm in throwing the ’boyfriend’ label out in the open? And whenever he said those words, he noticed the blush that crept up Sky’s neck and colored his cheeks. It never got old. Even the concealer painting him could not hide those. Of course, they both needed to use those on their skin unless they wanted everyone to see the evidence of their ’boyfriendness’ with all those hickeys.
"Sky..."
Chris’s mother’s voice cut through when their paths finally crossed in the organized chaos of networking. Her smile was radiant as she approached, her husband following, looking healthier than Sky had seen him last time. There was color in his cheeks now, vitality that had been absent during their last meeting. He still carried a cane to support his weight, but he moved with far more energy than before.
"Glad you made it," Chris’s mother said warmly, opening her arms.
Sky blinked, startled, but stepped into the embrace. She smelled like expensive perfume and something comforting, maternal. Her hug was genuine, not the brief, polite squeeze he’d expected from someone of her social standing.
"You look absolutely stunning," she said, pulling back to study his face.
And he did. Chris had made sure of that. Sky wore a burgundy suit that fit him perfectly. The expensive jewelry, matching cufflinks, the diamond ear stud caught the light just right. They’d even convinced him to let the makeup artist apply some concealer and powder in the dressing room, evening out his skin tone and making his features somehow even more striking.
He looked like he belonged in a high-fashion magazine spread.
The woman’s hands rested on Sky’s shoulders, her eyes, the same blue as Chris’s, crinkling with genuine affection. "Now I understand why Chris would be into you. Honestly, I’d be into you too if I were single and thirty years younger."
Sky’s face went completely blank with mortification.
Mr. Owen snorted beside his wife.
"What? I’m just being honest!" She scoffed.
Chris rolled his eyes, sliding his arm around Sky’s waist and pulling him away from his mother. "It’s bad enough that you have Wilson wrapped around your finger with your charm, don’t try to snatch my boyfriend as well."
She laughed, the sound warm and unrestrained. "Fine, fine. I’ll behave." She paused, her expression softening. "But seriously, I hope you’re enjoying this event. This is something you should get used to if you’re going to be a part of the family one day."
Sky’s eyes widened slightly, and Chris felt his own face heat. His mother had just basically implied—
She got distracted, her attention caught by someone across the room. "Oh! The Chens are here. I need to say hello. I’ll catch you boys later!"
She disappeared into the crowd with practiced ease, leaving Sky looking slightly dazed.
Mr. Owen stepped closer, studying Sky with the same assessing gaze Chris remembered from their first meeting. But this time there was warmth underneath the scrutiny.
"How are you, son?" he asked.
"I’m... good. Really good. I’m glad to see you’re better, sir."
"Yeah, well." He tapped his cane against the floor lightly. "Since you stole my boy away for that little adventure, I had enough alone time to recuperate properly. Nothing like being abandoned by your only child to force you to focus on your health."
"Dad!" Chris groaned, but he was fighting a smile.
"I’m sorry for—" Sky started, looking genuinely apologetic.
"Don’t be awkward." The older man waved him off. "I’m teasing. Mostly. Just have fun tonight. Enjoy yourself. You never know when you’re going to collapse and get bedridden. Really makes you appreciate these things."
Sky looked uncertain how to respond to that.
Just like his wife, his attention was caught by someone else, and he waved the boys off. "Need to say hello to the Senators before they leave. And then I’m calling it a night. I cannot handle one more hour of this." He muttered that last part like he was talking to himself before walking away, cane tapping against the marble floor.
Chris chuckled, and Sky turned to him with a glare that had no real heat behind it.
"You hate this, don’t you?" Chris asked.
"What?"
"This... all of it." Chris gestured vaguely at the party, the people, the whole overwhelming spectacle.
"No." Sky’s answer was immediate, firm. "It’s... chill. And I’m glad I’m here."
"Really?" Chris couldn’t quite hide his surprise.
"Really." Sky’s expression was sincere. "I mean, it’s a lot, yeah. But it’s your world. Part of who you are. I want to know it. I want to know all of you."
Chris felt something warm bloom in his chest. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I was really worried you’d hate it. That it would be too much, or too boring, or—"
"Chris." Sky’s hand found his, squeezing gently. "I’m fine. Better than fine. Stop worrying."
"Look at you being all sweet," Chris murmured, leaning in closer.
The urge to kiss Sky was overwhelming. He was right there, looking gorgeous and saying all the right things. Chris’s gaze dropped to Sky’s lips as he leaned in, intending to close the distance—
Sky pulled back.
Not dramatically, but enough. Enough that Chris froze, suddenly hyperaware of where they were. Of the hundred plus people around them. Of the fact that they were very much in public.
They both stared at each other awkwardly. The moment hung between them, uncomfortable and heavy. Chris withdrew, straightening up and looking away.
"Sorry," Sky said quietly, and he did sound apologetic. "I was just... we’re..."
"Yeah." Chris rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it off like it didn’t sting. "PDA is stupid anyway. Should we..." He looked around, desperate for a distraction, something to break the awkward tension. His eyes landed on the grand piano positioned at the far end of the ballroom, near the large floor to celling windows. There was already a pianist playing soft melodies the entire night but... "You can play piano, right?"
Sky’s eye brow shot up so fast.