Page 32 of Camping with the Boss

I move closer. Al is terrible at listening to other points of view. It’s something we’ve tried to work on. Will he listen to him? “Fine. Whatever.”

Everyone agrees with Dillian, so Vivian nods at Canyon. “We’re done.”

He checks the placement of the letters. “It’s right.” He smiles, and there goes my stupid, sappy heart. “Good job everyone for working together on this.”

At lunch, the group is animated. Canyon grabs my arm and grins. “I think this might work,” he whispers. Like he’s afraid of jinxing it. My heart melts. This is becoming a thing. I’m not normally a mushy person, but with Canyon…I can’t help it.

The way he responded to my kisses earlier. The way he clung to me last night. His words about not knowing what he liked. I don’t think he’s had a lot of experience. And fuck. I want to show him everything.

But I can’t. This thing between us…can’t happen. This entire retreat is about Tim and the mistakes we’ve made. But Canyon doesn’t know that. And unless I’m willing to share that information with him, I need to back away.

But he deserves this moment. I can’t deny him that. “Wow, Can. You got them to actively participate. Even Al.” I hold his gaze a moment longer. “Great job.”

“Thanks, Wade.” He grins, and his eyes sparkle as he puffs up, soaking in the praise like he’s desperate for it. “I mean, Mr. Darian. Sir.”

“You’re such a brat.” The words are out before I can stop them. And would I have anyway? Probably not, since he letsout a breathy laugh and his eyes drop to my mouth. I clear my throat. “I need to go check with the cook.”

I walk away before I can’t. His laugh follows me. The cook is fine, by the way. And I mingle with the group. Al is arguing with Vivian. No surprise. Carol and George are in a conversation about crossword puzzles. Everyone seems to be engaged in conversation.

Everyone but Sheila. She pokes her tater tots with her fork and seems almost angry. It’s not the first time I’ve wondered how she’s doing. But it’s the first time I’ve felt this prickle of unease. Does she know something?

“Not a fan of potatoes?” I ask, trying to smile. I hope I don’t look deranged.

Her gaze shoots up. “I’m just not hungry.”

I cross my arms. “Really?”

She laughs. “No. Not really. The food is fine, but something healthier would have been nice.”

The knot in my stomach eases. Sheila is all about eating healthy. I should have thought of that. “That’s fair. I think there’s salad if you’d rather have that.”

“I’m fine, dear. Don’t worry so much.” She smiles, and this time it reaches her eyes. “Your young man is quite the motivator.”

“He’s not—” I stop because that’s just the way Sheila talks. And protesting puts more emphasis on her comment than it warrants. Canyon isn’t my “young man,” but I play the words over a few times because I like how they sound. “He is.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I like River fine. But that boy’s been so distracted lately.”

The chatter around me fades as I focus on her words. “Distracted? What do you mean?”

“There you are, Wade,” Lydia says, not caring that I’m in the middle of a conversation with Sheila. An importantconversation. But now Sheila is talking to Jet, and I can’t demand she explain herself. Not now anyway. Lydia has been talking the entire time. “I’m just saying it’s not too late to rethink your choices.”

I frown. “My choices?”

“Are you even listening? I’m talking about dessert. Muffins are okay, but pie—cherry pie, to be specific—would be amazing.”

“River worked with the cook on the menu. I can’t change it now.”

Lydia huffs. “I guess we’re stuck with it then. At least Sheila didn’t design the menu, or we’d be eating nothing but vegetables. No offense, Sheila.”

She waves her hand. “No offense taken, dear. Healthy choices are important.”

After lunch, the group has free time, and they engage in a competitive game of Gaga ball. “Come on, Wade. There was a time when you were good at this.”

“Was there?” Canyon asks with a smirk.

“Was being the keyword,” I say, and then wave for them to go on without me. I do love a competitive game, but I’d rather watch with Canyon. Is his heart condition the reason he doesn’t play? Or is he not into sports. River wouldn’t shut up about whatever sport was in season.

George is off somewhere, probably doing a crossword puzzle. Sheila and Carol chat at the picnic tables. Al goes for a walk around the lake, which seems out of character for him.

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