Page 64 of Camping with the Boss

“No. I just don’t want the company to get sued. Again.”

Is that what Alex was talking about? I’m curious, but no one is saying anything more. Okay then.

“Pick another game.” Jared sits back in his chair. He’s the only one not eating s’mores. Or drinking. Even Sheila’s drinking a beer.

I mention this to Ander, and he chuckles. “Sheila believes in a healthy lifestyle except when it comes to drinking.”

“Fine,” River says. “How aboutNever Have I Ever?”

“I agree.” Vivian nudges Carol’s arm, and she nods.

“I love that game.”

“Have you ever played it?” Jet asks.

“No. But it looks fun.”

He rolls his eyes, and I get the feeling he doesn’t want to play.

River explains the rules. “Can, do you want to go first?”

The answer to this question is so different from what it was a few days ago. I resist looking at Wade. Fine. Unfazed. Am I the only one affected?

“Never have I ever been on an airplane.”

River groans, but I ignore him.

“Never?” Wade asks, and for a moment, I forget. I want to smooth the furrow on his forehead. Right, I’m not talking to him.

“Never.” Keep it together. I don’t want to fall apart in front of everyone.

Everyone else takes a drink, including River. I remember the work trip last year.

River shakes his head. “Bro, you wasted your first go.”

“I’m easing people into the game,” I say in a low voice, and that plan works perfectly at first. George announces he’s never played poker. And everyone else, including Sheila, drinks. Carol announces she’s never eaten cherry pie.

“That’s tragic,” I say. Wade stares at me, and I try not to react. My cheeks get hot…must be the fire. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

I absently take a sip of my beer without even needing to.

When it’s Al’s turn, he grumbles. “I’ve never played this stupid game before.”

Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves or, at least, getting into the game. We are almost through the first roundwhen Sheila announces she’s never played a video game. Everyone else drinks.

“Never have I ever cheated at a video game,” Dillian says, glaring at Jet. Is that the reason they aren’t getting along? It’s much better than the fighting-over-my-brother scenario.

Jared clears his throat. “Never have I ever playedTruth or Dare.”

Most everyone drinks. “Never?” Ander asks. “Not as a kid at Boy Scout camp? Or at a high school party where the jock dares you to make out with the quarterback only to realize later it was all a setup because the jock had a crush—” Ander’s face turns red. “Never mind. Go ahead, Wade.” He takes another swig of beer.

Wade smirks, and it takes my breath away. This sucks. “Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.”

Which seems completely random. Vivian drinks—and okay, no surprise—and Jet. Interesting. And then, his cheeks red, Ander takes a drink. Oh. So this is Wade’s payback for Ander bringing up the squirrel story last night. Was it really only last night?

I can’t imagine Ander skinny dipping, and I’d love to hear the corresponding story. Wade gives Jared a pointed look, and Jared coughs before also taking a drink. Now, I really need to hear these stories…or is it the same story?

The first round goes well, so the pitfall in the second round takes me by surprise. Jet glares at Dillian and announces, “Never have I ever slept with a coworker.”

---