Page 52 of Camping with the Boss

Stepping in front of him, I pin him with a determined look. “I need my lawyer.” He nods, and the lines on his forehead clear. Jared is in professional mode. I search his face. Leaning in, I add, “And my best friend.”

He nods once. “I can spare a few minutes.”

I pack away the memories of Canyon against the green door, submitting to me. It’s easier when I face the other direction. The wooden hedgehog on the bookcase has colored pencils for quills and beady eyes that seem to watch me. But he’s still less distracting.

Jared folds his arms across his chest and waits. And this is how I know something is off about our relationship. Normally, Jared would be eager to know what was going on. Ready to fix things with his legal expertise. Not this wariness like he’s afraid to hear whatever I have to say. Or afraid of what I might ask.

Twenty years of friendship. What happened to loyalty. It’s enough to get me started, even if it’s not in the right direction.

“How’s George?” I ask, failing to keep the anger out of my voice.

“Fuck this.” He heads for the door, pushing past me, and I grab his arm.

“Wait.”

He shakes me off. “I thought you needed my help.”

As he reaches the door, I throw the words out. Words that will stop him. “I’m going to tell Canyon about Tim.”

He stops. His hand smacks the door with a thump, and I jump. When he turns back to me, his face is impassive. “As your attorney—as Darian Enterprises attorney—I advise against it. You’d be violating your NDA.” His eyes meet mine. “You will get sued. And you will lose.”

“Yeah. Okay.” I expected as much, but it was still hard to hear. Or was it? Part of me is relieved. I can’t tell Canyon. But neither can anyone else, including Jared.

His face softens minutely, but it’s there. A tiny piece of my friend. “The NDA protects you, Wade. I made sure of that.”

I nod. The purpose of the NDA was to keep all parties from discussing Tim’s termination and the details behind it or his allegations that he was fired for being gay. But the way my brilliant lawyer wrote the NDA also keeps Tim from discussing any dealings he had with me, including the fact that he tricked me into sleeping with him. Very few people know that part, and I want to keep it that way. “I’m sorry. I just…I like Canyon.”

His brow raises, and there’s a twinkle in his eyes. “I’m glad.”

“Really?”

“You deserve to be happy…”

“But?” I ask, knowing there’s more.

“Do you think he’ll sign an NDA?”

Wednesday, June 11th, 6:15 p.m.

After dinner, Canyon and I relax on the couch in our cabin. I needed to get away from people for a while. Jared and Ander are off doing something. Probably interviewing Lydia about missing desserts.

At least, for now, we’re alone.

“Everyone’s hiding something,” Canyon says, his brow furrowed. “Jared and Ander. And by extension, George. During the trust falls, Al and Owen got into a fight over something minor. Vivian and Carol and their mysterious thief.” He rubs his fingers over his forehead. “And what’s going on with Dillian and Jet? So much tension there.” He laughs. “And between Lydia and everyone? Your team’s a mess, Wade.”

He’s not wrong. “I can explain some of that. Lydia has a sweet tooth.”

“I noticed.”

“Everyone hides their dessert when she’s around. I’m not saying Lydia is the one raiding the breakroom fridge and eating all the desserts, but they all suspect her.”

“Oh. That’s weird. Maybe she has a tapeworm. That’s a thing, right?”

I laugh and kiss him. “It is.” Ducking my head, I add, “I can explain the Dillian and Jet thing too.”

“Go on. But look at me when you do.”

“That’s my line.” I smile and then nod. “River is cute?—”

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