Page 71 of Camping with the Boss

He squeezes my arm. “It’s okay to be sad, Wade. And even a little angry.”

“It is?”

“Of course.” He tucks the cover in around me. “I try to keep it together for you boys, but honestly, I’ve cried every day for the last three months. I’m not sure how I have any tears left.”

Jumping up and undoing all the work he just did, I throw my arms around him. He wraps me in a hug and holds me.

I gasp at the memory buried so deep I forgot it existed. Fuck Meredith. Ever since my uncle died, I’ve lived with her cruelty, thinking I was at fault. But she didn’t just steal my childhood and my ability to grieve. She stole every good memory I had of my uncle. Buried under a decade of anger. He was hurting too. I’m not sure Meredith ever loved him, but she was good at pretending until it no longer suited her purposes.

“Why are you here, Meredith? You hate camping.”

“It’s pointless and uncomfortable.”

I wait. No longer playing her games.

It doesn’t take long. She folds her arms as if she’s annoyed, but there’s a gleam in her eyes. She wants to tell me. A chill runs down my spine. “I thought having Ander here would help.” Her fake laugh has always irritated me. Now is no different. “This retreat was your chance to show the board you’re able to lead. It has done the opposite. Unprofessional behavior from you and your staff. Failing to meet the most basic standards of conduct. Not showing up for activities. Employee’s fighting. And you…sleeping with yet another employee.”

I try not to react. “That’s not what happened at all.”

She pins me with a glare, the hatred she normally hides so well slipping through her mask. “Should we ask your employees?”

What would they say? It doesn’t matter. I won’t put them through that. Not now. Meredith would. That’s the difference between me and her. The difference between past me—before Canyon—and present me.

All those years, I tried to follow her rules. Was I trying to be like Meredith?

Well, no more. I’m not bending to her will.

As if she can read my thoughts, she gives me an arrogant smile. “I’ve called an emergency board meeting for Monday. You will step down for personal reasons, and the board will appoint another CEO.”

Wait, what? I expected the first part but not the second. “If I step down, and that is a big if, Ander would be the CEO. The rules are clear?—”

“As if you follow the rules.” She spits the words out, her eyes flashing as anger breaks her careful façade. “I had such hopes for you, Wade, but you’ve done nothing but disappoint me.”

I hesitate, waiting for that familiar feeling of guilt at not being good enough. Always disappointing everyone. But it never comes. There’s still guilt, but it’s not about disappointing Meredith. “Sorry to hear that.”

She huffs, her hands clenched into fists at her side. “You will step down. Or the board will be informed of everything you’ve been doing. Your little friend and his brother will be fired from the company. And…” she says, leaning in closer, “I will destroy their reputations in the process so the only job they can get will be flipping burgers.” She jabs her finger in my chest. “Do you understand?”

I want to tell her to fuck off, but I have no doubt she’ll make good on her threat. I open my mouth, still not sure what to say, when I hear the doors open. Jared’s and Ander’s voices and laughter are unmistakable.

Meredith stares past me, and I twist around, careful not to put my back to my step-aunt.

“Meredith,” Ander says, his eyes wide. “What are you doing here?”

“Haven’t you heard?” she asks with a bright smile. “I’ll be speaking at the closing dinner tonight.”

“Why?”

Her lips twitch like she wants to yell at him. Instead, her smile widens. “I have several announcements to make.”

The room is no longer quiet as the cooks set out food in the self-serve areas. Jared and Ander share a look, and I swallow a sudden burst of anger. Everyone is keeping secrets.

“Announcements?” Ander glances from her to me and back. “What are you announcing?”

She smiles at Ander, and there’s not even a hint of warmth or fondness. “Breakfast looks…interesting. But at least there’s coffee.” Her heels click on the floor as she walks away.

“What in the ever-loving fuck?” Jared asks with a shake of his head.

“What—” Ander starts, but I turn him so he’s facing me.

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