Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“There’s something else.” I’d forever be proud of how my voice remained steady, even as my father’s glare morphed into burning fury.
“What is it?” My mother lowered her wineglass from her lips and shot a concerned look at my father.
Alex slid his hand onto my thigh and settled it there after an affirming squeeze, right in front of my parents, who both zeroed in on the action. There wasn’t anything sexual or inappropriate about it, just a tactile show of support, but both my parents frowned as if that was the bad news in itself.
“At least you know we aren’t about to announce a pregnancy,” I said with an awkward laugh. Beside me, Alex snorted and shook his head, but a glance at him revealed sparkling eyes. At least someone appreciated my weak attempt at lightening the mood.
“Really, Ryder, this doesn’t seem the time for jokes.” My mother’s censure came with a delicate sniff and an air of how-will-this-news-affect-my-social-standing. She valued her position at the top of the country club food chain almost as much as her Hermes purse collection, and that was saying something because she loved those damn bags.
“What else did you… fire… floor… fuck up?” my father asked, huffing at his challenge in finding the correct profanity.
Alex’s hand tightened on my leg.
I leveled my father a severe glare I’d learned from my prickly boyfriend. “I haven’t fucked up anything,” I said, voice flat and even. Then I took a fortifying breath. “I’ve put my education plans on hold for months to run your company. Before you had a stroke, I’d alluded to the fact that I had different goals and desires for my future. That led to a blow-up we never had the opportunity to hash out or discuss. It’s long past time that I make my wishes known.”
I focused on the warmth of Alex’s hand and his solid, reassuring presence next to me as I inhaled. Here goes nothing. “I’d switched my master’s program from business administration to education. I want to teach kids, specifically elementary school-aged. And one day I hope to run my own LGBTQIA+ youth center.”
“What?” My mother’s Botoxed face didn’t contort like my father’s, but confusion swirled in her gaze. “Ryder, what on earth are you talking about?”
“I deferred one trimester so I could run the company while Dad recovered, but this was never supposed to be permanent. I am not interested in a permanent position as the CEO of Calloway Enterprises. I’m not interested in any position at Calloway Enterprises.”
“Darling, this is absurd.” My mother chuckled, heavy with condescension. “Education? You can’t major in education. Even your… friend is trying to obtain a degree in engineering. You’re a Calloway. Of course, you’ll run the business.”
Even my friend had a better career path. Christ, could she be ruder? Alex worked his ass off every damn day for that degree. I only hoped he didn’t pick up on her dig. She wasn’t complimenting him on his degree choice, but revealing her surprise that someone of his social standing could obtain a degree she found valuable.
She was the definition of snobbery.
Tsking as though I’d told her I’d spilled my drink on the carpet, my mother looked to my father, whose face turned an unhealthy shade of red.
My breath caught.
Was I about to cause another medical event?
Did I need to stop talking? Change the subject so I didn’t send him back to the hospital?
“Ryder, what are you really trying to tell us here?” my mother asked.
I froze, staring at the concerning tomato-red of my father’s face.
“You got this. I’m so goddammed proud of you.” Warm breath floated across my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned my head to find love and encouragement radiating at me from the one person whose opinion I cared about above all.
I had this.
I turned back to my parents, sitting opposite us on a matching floral love seat. “It’s time for you to find a replacement for me as CEO. I will be leaving when the fall trimester begins in a few weeks.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
ALEX
I was completely head-over-heels, make-an-ass-of-myself in love with Ryder. The way he found the strength and courage to be true to himself and state his needs in the face of his parents’ scorn astounded me. Even after our conversation last night, I don’t think I fully understood what this experience would be like for him. His parents’ disapproving glares were palpable, making me feel like a small child who’d colored on the wall. The need to apologize and hang my head in shame hit hard, and I wasn’t even the man on the receiving end of their shock and outrage. Yet Ryder remained steadfast in his decision.
I admired the hell out of him.
My father fucked off years ago, and my mom received a medical diagnosis that required care and limited her ability to function without assistance. Through no fault of her own, I had to take on a caregiver role from an early age. She never breathed over my shoulder, tried to control my life, or even knew about most of my daily activities. She focused on making it through each day the best she could. I knew she loved me, but I’d been raising myself for more than a decade. Familial pressure, or even oversight, was foreign to me, but Ryder couldn’t say the same. His parents would hand him a detailed script for his day-to-day life if they could.