Page 32 of Camping with the Boss (Pride Camp 2025 #9)

“Are you okay?” I’d organized my discussion points in order of importance, but now they all drop to the bottom of the list. My number one concern is taking care of my brother. But Ander’s an adult. He can take care of himself.

“Fine. Just…” He chuckles and shakes his head. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” He points to one of the round tables. “Let’s sit. Then you can ask your questions.”

Smart. We both agreed to meet. We both have questions. But having me go first gives him insight into what I already know and, more importantly, what I don’t know. Fuck that. I’m here to burn it all down. Every barrier between us. I’m so fucking tired of secrets. Of all the lies.

Once we’re both seated, I start with the question at the forefront of my mind. “What were the phrases Canyon and River used for the telephone game?”

He laughs. “That’s your first question?” His shoulders relax a little, and he stares at the pattern on the colorful tables.

“The point of the game is that the information is distorted by the time it gets to you. And I had Al whispering in my ear. He sucks at communication, by the way, and I’m a little worried he’s a bit of a conspiracy theorist.”

I tap my fingers on the table. “So you only heard Al’s version?”

He hesitates briefly and nods. “Yes.”

I sigh, taking a minute to process and push down my disappointment. My brother doesn’t trust me. But I already knew that. I press my thumb against my brow. “Do you ever get tired of playing games? Not just mentally. Physically exhausted. I do. I’m so done, Ander.”

He swallows, his eyes darting around the room. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s start again. The telephone game. The phrases changed by the time they got to you. And since Canyon didn’t go over them in the debriefing, there’s no way you could know what they are. Correct?” He nods, and I continue, “Unless you were in on the entire thing.”

His cheeks turn pink. Ander has always been a terrible liar…

but is that true? I’ve seen him lie successfully.

Just never to me. “Well, there is that.” He pulls out a note card and hands it to me.

The phrases are all handwritten. By Canyon?

I resist the temptation to trace the letters with my fingers. Focus, Wade.

I know what you did this summer.

Loyalty is rare. So if you find it, keep it.

You are the weakest link. Goodbye.

“That’s genius.” I think back to the game. Did anyone act suspicious? Al. Maybe Jet. Owen was grumpy, but he’s always grumpy. And I’d mostly focused on Canyon. “I’d love to see the notes they took.”

“Are we done?” Ander asks in a sharp tone, drawing my attention. His face is pinched. “Or do you have another question?”

“This meeting was your idea, remember?”

“With Meredith here, I think we need to show a united front. That’s what I wanted to talk about. But you have questions, so let’s hear them.”

“Why bother if you’re just going to be evasive.”

He grabs the card out of my hand. I want to snatch it back, but I don’t. He waves it at me. “This wasn’t my secret to tell.”

That grates on my nerves. “This is my team?—”

“Our team, remember?” He slams the card on the table. “And that’s why I told you. Ask your questions, Wade,” he says, leaning back and crossing his arms.

I can’t ask the question. Not yet. Maybe not ever. I’m not sure I’ll like the answer. “What do you want?”

He squirms and his chair scrapes against the carpet. “That’s a vague-ass question. For dinner? For Christmas? What do I want out of life?”

I’m fucking this up. I thumb at my brow again. It’s not automatic, but better than pressing the scars on my hand. “Meredith is asking for my removal as CEO.”

“What?” He places his hands palms down on the table. “I’m so sorry, Wade. This isn’t— I didn’t?—”

I place my hand over his. “I know. I’m not suggesting you had anything to do with it.” A week ago, I thought differently. But now? I can’t believe he would do that. “Regardless, you’re the obvious choice. Is it something you’re interested in?”

“I don’t know. I love the thought of doing it, but Meredith…I just don’t know.”

I lean closer. There’s no way she can hear us, but I still whisper my next words. “I’m going to find a way to get rid of her.”

Emotions flicker across his face. Hope. Fear. Desperation. Pain. He swallows. “What if you can’t?”

“It’s possible. Maybe things will be better without me.

She hates me for some reason. I think she likes you, Ander.

Or at least she doesn’t hate you as much.

When we were kids… I was the one punished.

” Ander’s eyes widen, and then his face darkens, and his hands ball into fists on the table.

Shit. “I didn’t mean… I don’t blame you. ”

He swallows, shaking his head in rapid little shakes. “Is that what you think? I didn’t get punished?”

I clasp my hands together. He knows my scars are there. I don’t need to hold them up. Rub it in his face. “Emotionally, yes?—”

“No. You still don’t get it.” He drags his hands over his face a few times.

“I lost my parents, Wade—no, fuck, don’t interrupt.

I need to get this out—they were my world.

Barely a year later, I lost my uncle. You were the only thing I had left.

” His hands tremble as he presses his palms against his eyes and takes several deep breaths.

Then his eyes, shining with unshed tears, find mine and he holds my gaze.

“You getting punished for everything was my punishment. I have every scar you have, Wade. Mine just aren’t visible. ”.”