Page 47 of Camping with the Boss

Everyone watches, their bodies facing the pair like arrows pointing to the main event.

Owen turns around, placing his arms over his chest in anXpattern. Al drops his arms to his side.

“Ready?”

My eyes focus on the empty space between them. Holding my breath. Waiting.

“Go.”

Owen falls back and everything seems to slow down. Al lifts his hands. And drops them again. Takes a step back. And another.

Canyon surges forward with a shout, and I’m already halfway there. But I’m not close enough.

Owen panics and grabs at Canyon, and they both go down, hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Al snorts. What the fuck? But hurting him isn’t my top priority. Canyon isn’t moving.

As I reach Canyon, Owen jumps to his feet and barrels into Al, knocking them both to the ground.

Everyone’s shouting, but I focus on the man in front of me. “Canyon?” I drop to my knees.

“Fine. Just. Winded.” He waves a hand toward the grappling men. “Go.”

I get up just in time to stop Jet from getting involved. I'm not sure whose side he’s on, and the rest of the group seems to be torn. Which is weird.

Jared appears next to me. Thank fuck. Besides me, he’s the biggest person here. “Is Canyon okay?”

I nod.

“Good.” He sighs. “What the fuck? I’ll grab Al.”

After another moment, they break apart and scramble to their feet. Jared grabs Al and I step in front of Owen, putting my hand on his chest. “Stop.”

“Did you see what that asshole did?” He reaches around me to stab a finger at Al. “You’ve fucked up now.”

“You deserved it.”

I want to check on Canyon, but I can’t take my eyes off Owen.

“How do you want to handle this?” Jared asks.

“You’re the lawyer. What do you suggest?”

“Fire them both?” He hesitates for a second, giving time for the threat to land. “Call the police?”

“Hey,” Owen says, waving his arms. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Not at first?—”

Jared cuts in. “Al’s face tells a different story.”

I keep a hand on Owen’s arm and turn so I can see Al. Blood pours down his face. Head wounds bleed more but shit. Al’s going to have a black eye and a fat lip.

I swallow the bile and choke out the words I don’t want to say. “We could call Meredith.”

The gasp sounds like Ander, but I don’t check.

It does the trick. And while I hate myself for using her as a threat, I want to check on Canyon.

“Al, go with Ander to get some ice for your face. Then clean up in the Northeast cabin.” Jared sends Owen to our cabin.

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