Page 8

Chapter eight

Tent Is Set

I got the tent set up.

I used the whole space in the back for the bed.

I had a queen-sized air mattress that I put on the ground and piled other blankets beside it.

One thing I always brought camping was extra bedding.

Most people didn’t think about it, but an extra blanket or two could mean a world of difference when it came to comfort.

So now I had a huge sleeping area that would make Skyler more comfortable.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

In any case, that was all I could do.

In the front room of the tent, I had a folding table set up with the things we would need, including flashlights and Yeti mugs.

Our duffle bags of clothes were on the ground underneath the table.

Two camp chairs were on the other side.

I also had floor mats, one inside and one outside.

Perfect.

Outside the tent, I had a cooler, now loaded with ice and drinks, sitting beside the picnic table.

If this had only been for us, I would have had a second cooler with food and a grilling station set up.

But for this trip, Drew’s team provided plenty of food.

Speaking of the devil…

he walked into my campsite.

“Hey, Crow. Got a minute?”

We had known each other for many years.

Despite keeping his firm on retainer, I considered Drew more of a friend than a business associate.

“Sure, boss. This trip was a great idea.”

“You know it was mostly Danny and a few others putting it together. All I had to do was open the wallet.”

We both chuckled, but I knew what he meant.

He sponsored but relied on others to actually put it together, but he knew a good thing when he saw it.

“Well, I’m enjoying it so far.”

“Good. But I really wanted to talk to you about Skyler. Danny says he’s going to bunk with you.”

“That’s the story.” I balled my hands into fists and planted them on my hips, trying not to look defensive because I could guess what Drew was going to say, knowing that Skyler pretty much hated me.

“Do you know what you’re doing?”

I had to be honest here.

Drew was a good friend, after all.

“No. Definitely not.” Because the truth was, when it came to Skyler, I was clueless.

He’d hated me, with good reason, for a long time.

But after a while, it was bullshit.

He never checked back to find out why I had fucked up his case.

He never even considered that there would be a good reason.

He had only been concerned with how it messed up his career.

I understood that was an issue, but there were other factors to consider, and honestly, Drew didn’t hold it against him, so he should have gotten over it.

For fucks sake, it was years ago.

“I understand what went down back then, and you obviously know Skyler took it hard. He’s sensitive. He was new back then, but now he’s a seasoned pro. Add those two things up, and I guarantee you he’ll eviscerate you with words in ten seconds flat if he wants to.” Drew’s face was all concerned.

I’d guess it was for both of us because he wasn’t wrong about Skyler from what I’d seen already.

“Not my intention to get on his bad side. I’m thinking the opposite. Maybe it’s way past time to make it up to him.”

“I hope so. He’s a fantastic lawyer. I need him. And I like him. I don’t want to see him, or you for that matter, getting hurt over this.”

“Nope. I’m tougher than that.” I fake-punched him in the arm.

“I’ve been trying to apologize to him.”

“He’s stubborn.”

“Don’t I know it. Holds a grudge for-fucking-ever. But maybe this trip is what he needs to get over it. I’m going to do my best to make him see I’m really a nice guy.”

Drew chuckled.

“Are you though?”

“Fuck you, man.”

He reached out and shook my hand.

“Seriously, I hope you’re right. Hope it works out. Let me know if either of you need anything.”

“Thanks, Drew.”

He walked away, stopping to talk with other people as he went along.

He was one of the best people I knew.

That was really saying something, considering he was a lawyer.

All in all.

My hope aligned with his.

Maybe Skyler could stop being so obstinate.