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.No one uses a driver to visit a friend for dinner.I park my sporty Lexus behind the black Town Car.When I let myself in the front the house is quiet so I wander toward the kitchen.The sounds of muffled chatter is coming from my dad’s office.He’s sitting at his desk with a glass of scotch while another man is pacing the length of the room.I knock on the doorjamb to get their attention.“I’m sorry to interrupt.” I nod politely at the stranger then look to my dad.“Where’s Mom?”“Nathan, son.” Dad stands and opens his arms toward me.“We’ve been expecting you.”I’m immediately suspicious.There is no reason for my parents to expect anything of me, much less my presence.They wrote me off as a reliable heir years ago.Now I’m just decoration at parties and a scapegoat for all that’s wrong in their lives.“Why?” I take one step into the room then stop.“What do you need me for?”Dad laughs off my skepticism.“Son, relax.I just want you to meet our guests.”I turn toward the white haired man that is appraising me like a side of beef.“Hello.”He takes one step closer and reaches for my hand.“Nathan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”I wait for an introduction but it doesn’t come.Finally, I have to ask.“And you are?”The man laughs and pats my shoulder then pulls out a business card and tucks it into my left hand.“Harris Newport of Dorchester Valley Vineyards.I’ve heard so much about you.”“Well, that makes one of us.” I chuckle lightly then glare at my father.What the fuck is his game?“Don’t be rude, Nathan.” Dad is playing the part of devoted father well.“Harry and his family are visiting to discuss some distribution options overseas.”“Welcome.” I offer a brief nod before turning away.I’m not getting involved in anything related to the vineyards.Dad bought those as a pet project and they’ve become his obsession.“I’m going to find Mom.”“Just a second, son.”Shit.Here it comes.“Yes?”“The Newports will be in town through the end of the month.” He takes a deep breath and appeals to me with his eyes.“And their lovely daughter, Audrine, has been bored to tears so far on this trip.”“Is that so?” I hold his stare, imploring him to tread lightly so I’m not forced to embarrass him in front of his guest.He ignores me and my warning.“I assured her that you’d love to take her on a tour of the city this weekend.She’s quite a lovely girl and wonderful company.”“I wish I could but I have an engagement this weekend.Perhaps Roman is free.”Just then, my asshole of a brother walks in and pats my shoulder.“I’ll be in Vegas this weekend but I’m sure Audrine would love to accompany you on your engagement.”I take his hand off my shoulder and squeeze it.I don’t ease up until he buckles slightly under the pain.With gritted teeth, I look back toward Mr.Newport.“I’m sure that’ll be fine.”“That’s for the impound retrieval, big brother,” Roman whispers in my ear as he shakes out his hand.“Now we’re even.”I smile and lean into him.“We’re nowhere near even, fucker.”He laughs and steps out of my reach.“Mom and the ladies are waiting in the parlor.”He’s gone before I can kick his ass.~**~Audrina is a pretty girl.Just a few years younger than me, she’s surprisingly close to what I would choose in a date.Her legs are long and slim and her chestnut hair flows down to her waist.It’s stick straight and shiny enough for me to know she spends hours getting it just right.Since I don’t do high maintenance, I quickly dismiss her as anything more than a one night fuck.But, since she’s here on business with my father, I don’t put much thought behind it.I’m much more focused on finding a way to get back at my brother.I’m glaring daggers at Roman when a strong perfume wafts up my nostrils.I hold back a sneeze as I look to Audrina.“So, Nathan, do you work with your father?”I hold back a laugh and shake my head.“Definitely not.I’ve never been interested in his businesses.”“No?” As she takes a sip of her wine, my eyes linger down to her chest.Her dress wraps around the front so I can see almost to the nipple of her small breast.It’s nice.She notices my wandering eye but doesn’t comment.Instead, she leans closer as if giving me a better peek.“What do you do then?”“I run a hair salon.” This is where I generally get dismissed as gay.That’d be best case scenario here.But I’m not so lucky.“So you’re surrounded by beautiful women all day.”“I am.It’s a rough life but I manage.” My mother catches my eye from across the room and offers an encouraging smile [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]