Page 64 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

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“Charles Quinn is on the line.” Janice’s voice drifts through the speaker on my phone. It’s more proper than usual, as if she’s afraid my dad would know if she referred to him as anything other than Charles. His unerring formality seems to have that effect on people.

“Thanks Janice,” I reply before picking up the receiver. “Hello, Father.” Apparently, he has the same no-nonsense effect on me.

“Carter.” I hold the phone away from my ear as his voice booms over the line. He’s not particularly loud in person, but his voice seems to rise several decibels when he’s holding a receiver up to his ear. It’s another of his traits I hope not to mimic.

“I have the notes you sent over for the board meeting next week,” he continues. “I thought we should go over them before you present.”

“Is there anything wrong?” At the last minute I added a section about a bike park, and I expect it to be a sticking point since I doubt most of the members will know what it is.

“Not a problem per se, though I am concerned about the expert ski terrain you’re proposing to develop. Why the limited expansion when you could offer so much more with beginner runs and a secondarybase area?”

I walk my father through the environmental studies that were done on both areas, and the financial implications to develop each of them. It’s his way of prepping me for the presentation to the full board, although I’m sure it’s also a convenient opportunity to make sure I won’t embarrass either of us in front of his associates next week. He likes to say reputation is everything, and while that used to frustrate me, I see the truth in it now.

We cover the rest of the items on my agenda—to my surprise he has no objection to exploring the bike park since it could generate summer revenue—though he throws me for a loop when we’re done with work talk.

“Your mother is planning a dinner party next month, and she’d like you to attend.”

“What’s the occasion?” In my experience dinner parties are where deals are made, and since I’m not currently part of the family business I have no business attending that I can see.

“Her friend Susan has a son she’d like you to meet. He’s a nice boy, a few years younger though smart as a whip. You’d like him.”

Not for the first time, I’m torn between feeling grateful for having parents that accepted my sexuality from day one, and resenting how that support manifests itself in these matchmaking exercises. I thought I’d escape this interference by being gay since many families in our social circle still frown upon that, but if anyone can find a needle in a haystack, it’s my mother.

“Doubtful.” I pinch the bridge of my nose between my finger and thumb to stave off the headache that always accompanies those words. “I’ve never liked anyone Mother tried to set me up with.”

“That doesn’t mean you won’t like this one,” he insists.

I could tell him exactly why he’s wrong, but I was hoping to get past the board meeting before bringing up Sloan. I’d like to think ourrelationship won’t come under fire if I tell them about it after I’ve presented them with a viable plan to move forward.

“And how do you think this man will feel about me when he realizes I’m tied to a tiny resort town without a five-star restaurant and whose residents consider clothing without holes to be formalwear?” I’m exaggerating of course, though not by much.

“Your mother hasn’t married you off, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. She simply worries that you’re too isolated out there and she wants you to meet a nice man. Someone you may come home to visit from time to time.”

“You mean someone who will encourage me to give up this silly idea,” I correct. My parents may have helped me pursue this venture, but neither of them understand it. From a business perspective, my father is supportive. Though on a personal level, I’m confident they both want me to give it up.

“If I thought this idea was silly, I wouldn’t have backed it.” My father’s gruff voice rings in my ear. “That doesn’t change the fact that we both worry about the kind of life you’re living.”

“Just because it’s not the lifestyle you enjoy doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it. I happen to love being closer to the mountains than the city. I don’t miss the restaurants and the shops.”

“What about friends? You haven’t mentioned any of those since you moved there. Your mother just wants to make sure you’re not lonely.”

“I’m not lonely,” I exhale heavily.

“Fine. Come to dinner and put your mother’s mind to rest.” His tone suggests that’s the end of it, but I choose not to listen.

“Not if dinner is code for setting me up with a man I don’t want to be matched with.” I know my parents too well to think they’d un-invite their guests on my behalf.

“What’s the harm in meeting someone, Carter?” I can actually feel him grinding his teeth though I can’t see it. It’s the same thing I’m doing.

“I’m not looking for a boyfriend,” I grit, my composure waning.

“Which is precisely why your mother worries about you. Is it too much to ask that you honor her wishes?” His voice is just shy of yelling outright.

“Yes.” I raise mine to match his.

“Why?”

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