Page 70 of Camping with the Boss

“No, no, no,” Carol says as she jumps to her feet and yanks her pole back, reeling furiously and then yanking again, keeping the line tight. She reels in a small fish and holds it up. Canyon would know what kind. I just know what it isn’t. Not a catfish. Maybe a bass? Or a bluegill? It doesn’t matter because Carol’s face is lit up with excitement. “Can you take a picture?”

“Sure.” Using my phone, I take a picture of a happy Carol and her small fish.

“Look,” she says, practically bouncing as she stares at something—someone—behind me. Canyon?

“That’s amazing. You caught a bluegill.” River bounds past me to help take the fish off the hook, and Carol tosses him back into the lake.

Now would be the best time to leave…but…what if River knows where Canyon is?

I wait as he helps Carol bait her hook and get settled.

“Hey, boss. Gonna do some fishing?”

“No.” I laugh, but it sounds weak. “I, um…was wondering if you’ve seen Canyon?” I keep my voice low so Carol doesn’t hear.

He wipes his hands on a cloth and stuffs it in his back pocket. “He left about an hour ago.”

“Left? Is he…?” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat and take a shaky breath. “Is he coming back?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Dunno.” But his eyes are hard, daring me to start something, and I know he’s not telling me everything. “He didn’t say.”

“This is all my fault,” I say in a low voice.

“Pretty much.”

I don’t yell and scream at him. What’s the point? “Thanks.” I nod, but my smile is weak as I try to hold in my pain. I can’t break down in front of River.

I’m almost to the dining hall when I veer off the path. I find a tree…our tree and lean against it, my head back as I let the emotions wash over me.

Canyon spread against the tree as I touch him. Kiss him. His gasp when I fall to my knees and swallow his cock. Kissing afterward with Canyon trembling in my arms as I take care of him.

I wipe the tears off my face. I hate these memories. They remind me of what I lost. But I also want to treasure them forever.

My employees need leadership, so I mentally put the memories away.You’re the CEO of Darian Enterprises. Act like it.

As soon as I reach the dining hall, I go to the restroom and splash water on my face. My eyes are a little bloodshot. No surprise. Otherwise, I look fine. Or as good as I can get right now.

I hold my head up, force a smile to my face, and enter the dining room prepared to greet any early-rising employees. Instead, I come face-to-face with Meredith.

“Good morning, Wade, darling.” She gives me an air kiss, but all I can do is stare at her, my heart pounding like a caged animal struggling to get free.

“Meredith. Why are you here?” Oh God. River’s words come back to me now. Meredith set all this in motion.

She pats her perfectly coifed blonde hair. “I’m still part of this company. Why wouldn’t I be here?” A brow raises as she turns, glancing around the empty dining hall and dismissing any answer I might have given. “Where is everyone?”

My stomach joins my heart, trying to revolt against me. “Breakfast is at nine. It’s only eight.”

“Allowing them to sleep in? An interesting choice since the workday normally starts at eight—establishing and maintaining routines is important. Unless…chaos was your goal?” Her brows rise knowingly. Steph was right. Someone has been leaking information to Meredith.

“No. I’m not—I just—” All the progress I’ve made over the years unravels. I’m suddenly ten years old again, unable to do anything right.

“Problem, Wade?” Her eyes flick down so quickly it’s almost unnoticeable.

My thumb is pressed into my palm so hard my hand tingles. Fuck. I drop my hands, not shaking them out. I’m not giving herthe satisfaction as I swallow my grief and face her. Her eyes are hard, so unlike my uncle’s.

“I miss them too,” Uncle Frank says with a sad smile. His eyes are fond as he kisses my forehead.

I nod and sniff to hold back the tears. I’m almost too old to be tucked in, but it helps keep the nightmares away.

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