Page 70 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

Fifteen hours. That’s how long I believed it was me and Sloan against the world. That we could overcome any obstacles in our path as long as we faced them together. Then I walked into the apartment to find suitcases sitting by the front door.

The pain that spears my chest is so overwhelming I have to clutch my heart to make sure it’s still beating. Rapid, erratic pulses steal my breath for a solid minute, gradually turning to a steady thrum as my shock morphs into rage. Anger courses through my veins with each thump of my pulse, echoing beneath my skin.

“Fuck!” I scream, slamming the side of my fist against the wall just as Sloan emerges from the bedroom.

His steps slow as he approaches, eyes wide despite being somewhat puffy.

“Looks like my idea of sticking together is vastly different than yours.” I hear the venom seething in my voice as he sets another bag down in the foyer.Whatever. I have a right to be pissed.“Sorry I ruined your plans to sneak out by coming home.”

“I wasn’t going to leave without saying goodbye.” He stares at the floor instead of meeting my eyes.Coward.

“Don’t bother,” I spit, torn between wanting to pull him into my arms to kiss some sense into him or stalking down the hall to my room.

“Please don’t be like that,” he says softly, glancing briefly at my face. My scowl has his gaze shooting back to the floor. “This isn’t about you. Or us. It’s about the resort. The town.”

“No, it’s about you having doubts and using any obstacle you see as an excuse to cut and run.” I give him a disdainful once-over.

“It’s not an excuse, Carter. It’s reality. Your dad will never accept us and choosing me could cost you the resort. It could ruin the town. I can’t let that happen.” He winces slightly when his eyes meet mine, only this time his watery gaze stays locked on my face.

“My plans for the resort are viable whether I’m the one spearheading them or not,” I grit, trying not to lose my shit. “If they want to put someone else in charge, so be it. I’d happily give up the resort to keep you.”

“But who would they replace you with? The highest bidder?” His Adam’s apple bobs heavily as he swallows back a sob. “We both know if your dad has the opportunity to unload the resort and bring you to work for him, he’ll take it. You told me as much. But this town deserves someone who loves it the way it is, the way you do, and there’s no guarantee your replacement wouldn’t just see dollar signs everywhere. I can’t leave its future to chance.” Sloan swivels his head methodically back and forth.

“You think this place means shit to me if I don’t have you?” My hands ball into fists at my side.

“Yes.” His normally pouty lips quiver as he tries to force them to smile. “You wouldn’t have come back here if it wasn’t special to you.”

“That was before.” I turn away, running a hand through my hair so I don’t punch a wall.

“Nothing’schanged…”

“Everything’s changed!” My voice booms so loud he takes a step back, hands shaking as he wrings them together in front of his waist. I take a calming breath and start over. “Everything’s changed, Sloan.”

He wipes a tear off his face with the sleeve of his shirt. “Not the reason you came here in the first place.” He sniffs. “The town still needs you. They need your vision for the resort.”

“What about you? Do you need me?”Say yes. We can figure out the rest as long as you just say yes.

“The town needs you more.” Once again, he can’t meet my eyes as he speaks.

“And to think I used to find your compassion so endearing.” I shake my head, wondering how the thing that drew me to him could turn into the thing driving us apart. It makes me proud and sick at the same time, though my own pride won’t let me acknowledge that.

“Leave your key on the counter on your way out.”

I walk down the hall to my bedroom, tuning out the muffled sniffing from the man behind me. He’s no longer my concern.

***

The water cascades over me, coaxing my tired limbs to life. It does nothing to wake my mind though, which has been in a perpetual fog since Sloan left five days ago.

As someone who avoided attachments, it shocks me how quickly and easily I became attached to him. How empty my life is when he’s not in it. I want to hate him for that, for introducing me to love and then taking it away, especially under the guise that it’s the best thing for the town.

The irony is he’s not wrong. It may very well be the best thing for the town to drive this project forward regardless of how it affects us personally. As a CEO, I understand the logic. As a man I’m not sure how to live with it. Or if I even have a choice, given he’s no longer here.

Clean and marginally more coherent, I dress in my favorite navy suit and head to the kitchen to start coffee. It’s nearly finished brewing when a sharp knock on the door prevents me from getting a cup.

Curious—I almost never have unannounced company—I pull it open and find myself face-to-face with my father.

I study him for a moment, recognizing myself in his features. Tall, broad-shouldered, brown eyes which look somewhat imposing under thick brows. His face is rounder, his hair showing hints of grey, but the resemblance is as strong as ever. Right now, it makes me resent him even more.

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