Page 30 of Camping with the Boss

Wade tries to put his mask back on, but his anger bleeds through like the purple sock that ruined River’s baseball pants when I was first navigating the surprise-now-you’re-the-parent phase of our brotherly relationship. Spoiler alert: the pants were ruined.

And Wade looks like he really wants to ruin something.

Not like that.

Although I can’t deny a part of me has a bosshole-kink. And we all know which part.

“We’re on a schedule, Mr. Drake. I think this can wait.”

Kink gone. Jerkwad. I keep my voice calm-ish. “I’m not sure it can, sir.”

Ander jumps up. “Why don’t I get everyone started while you both…talk?”

My gaze darts to his face, but he looks innocent. Something I’ve noticed more and more. How much of Ander’s scared-of-his-own-shadow act is, well, an act? “Perfect,” I say before Wade can say otherwise. I explain my plan and what I need him to do.

He nods. “Do you want us to wait for you?”

“Absolutely.” I shift my gaze to Wade. He’s fuming. There’s no other way to describe it. He’s about to blow up, and I need to move him away from everyone to contain the blast. “We won’t take long.”

I stomp off, giving Wade no choice but to follow.

“Everyone find two rocks each.” Ander’s voice is surprisingly confident. “They need to be big enough to write a letter on.”

Wade catches up to me but doesn’t try to lead. The activities hall—where we should have probably done these—is far enough away. But not too far. Thanks to the wind that is now picking up, we can still hear Ander leading the group.

“Are we doing anagrams with our names this time?” Al asks with a sneer in his voice.

Without even thinking, I grab Wade’s arm mid-turn. “Nope. They’re fine.”

He grumbles and keeps moving forward, but I hold on to his arm just in case.

“Al, you can sit this one out if it’s going to be a problem.” Jared sounds calm from here. Deceptively calm.

“Wait, Owen…Dillian. No wandering off. Stick to this area.”

Jesus. They’re all just a bunch of kids.

We reach the building, and as soon as the door closes behind us, Wade is in my face. And not in a fun, sexy way. “Do not undermine me in front of my employees. I forbid?—”

“Forbid? Huh. Okay, I think we’ve found your loyalty problem.”

He takes a deep breath, and I swear he’s about to roar. He seems to double in size. No, not like that. “I don’t need you telling me how to treat my employees, Canyon.”

I laugh in his face. “Really? Isn’t that the reason I’m here? Because you actually do need help.”

“You’re here because your brother?—”

“Don’t you dare,” I say, advancing on him until he backs into the pool table. “You hired me because you needed someone who isn’tyou.” I jab his chest on the last words to really make my point. “Diversity, my ass. Your loyalty issues can be directly linked to your—” I cut off my words. Not because they aren’t true. It’s the absolute truth. But he’s not ready to hear it, and that isn’t really the issue. I take a calming breath. “I get it. You want them to listen to me. Respect me.”

He doesn’t respond. His lips are pressed together as if it’s a Herculean effort to not speak. He folds his arms against his chest. Enacting every barrier he can.

The fight drains out of me. “I appreciate you coming to my rescue, Wade?—”

“That’s not?—”

“Zip it,” I say, miming zipping my mouth shut. His mouth drops open, but he just as quickly closes it and readjusts his stance. I nod, acknowledging his unspoken words. “I understand you want respectful employees. But we both know part of that was you trying to protect me.” I touch his arm, and he doesn’t flinch or move, so I squeeze—wow, the muscles in his forearms are…not the point. “But you standing up for me implies I can’t protect myself. That I need rescuing…”

Oh.Oh.My heart races…and it’s way ahead of my thoughts.Existing is nice, hun. But living is so much better.All this time, I’ve tried to convince others I could do things. But I’m the one waiting around for a fairy Godmother or a stupid prince to rescue me. I’m the one who needs convincing.

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