Page 81 of Camping with the Boss

“TheSecret Keeper Awardgoes to George for ‘trying to do the right thing even when no one listens.’”

George accepts the award as quickly as he can and sinks back into his chair.

Only a few left now. “Jet gets theKeller Bond Awardfor ‘his ability to read lips to thwart evil plans from afar.’”

As Jet accepts his award, his face red, I sneak a glance at Wade. He’s sitting up, his back straight as he grips the table.

“We’re almost done, I promise. This next award is very special. TheLoki Awardgoes to Owen for ‘his ability to play both sides.’”

Owen stands but then stops at my words.

“It’s amazing, really,” I continue. “He can pretend to be your friend while also stabbing you in the back.”

“This has gone far enough,” Meredith says as she stands. “Wade, you need to put a stop to this.”

“No. I don’t think I will. Sit down, Meredith.”

Her mouth drops open and I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind. She’s still not worried. “Very well.”

Once she’s seated, I turn to Owen. He’s still standing in the same spot. “You’ve been here for five days,” he says with a glare. “What could you possibly know?”

“I’m so glad you asked. We know you helped erase George’s documentation on Tim Smart. And helped forge information to help Tim win his case.”

“You can’t talk about that,” Owen sputters. “We’re legally not allowed. Jared?”

I wave his objections away. “I didn’t sign an NDA—I can talk about it. Right, Jared?”

“That is correct.”

Owen glares at me as he crosses and uncrosses his arms. “You can’t… I’m not?—”

“Do you want your award or not?” I ask.

“Fuck off,” he says, throwing himself into his seat.

“Owen—” Wade begins, but I cut him off.

“I have one more award, okay?”

He glares at Owen and then gives me a tight nod as he returns to his seat.

“This is the big one. TheMore Evil than Maleficent Awardgoes to drumroll, please…” River does a drumroll, and I lift my chin. “Meredith Darian for giving Owen the authorization to delete company emails and documentation, and for?—”

“Enough!” Meredith is on her feet, her face twisted with rage. “How dare you? Get out. You and your brother are fired.”

I’m not sure what to do, but I’m not leaving until Wade asks me to go. And, oh hell. He better not try to save me. “Wade?—”

He lifts his hand. “Hold on, Canyon. I’d like to hear from our board members. This is their company too.”

The man with the hair growing out of his ears stares at the ground. The other two look at each other and nod. “We’d like tohear what Mr. Drake has to say. And I hope for his sake he has the evidence to back up his accusations.”

I do. As long as no one bails on me. Wade nods to me, and I continue, “At first, I thought this Tim guy was just a terrible employee trying to skate by. It happens more than you think. But the more I learned about it, the more I realized that isn’t even close to the truth.”

“What do you mean?” Wade asks. “He was terrible.”

I nod. “Purposefully so. He set out to be the worst employee ever, so when he was fired, he could claim discrimination.”

“That doesn’t make sense, Canyon.” Wade strides over, and his scent confuses my mind. I want to tell him to go back to his spot. But I also want to keep him near me. “How could Tim know his records would be erased?”

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