Family Camp (Daddy Dearest, #1)(28)

Travis’s heart started pounding like a marching-band drum. Geo thought he was virile and ridiculously handsome.

“Plus, you’re good with him. You are. I don’t know. Maybe I’m trying too hard. I try not to. Then I’m trying too hard not to try too hard. Ugh.”

“You’re not trying too hard.” Travis didn’t think Geo had been pushy with Jayden on the hike at all.

He thought about when he’d first gone to live with the Mayhews, how he’d resisted their easy affection for a long time. He had a sudden flashback of sitting alone in the room he shared with Joe, pouting, refusing to go downstairs and join the family board game. Telling himself it was stupid.

“Look, I was twelve when the Mayhews brought me home. It was just another foster situation to me. And I’d already had five of those, plus spent time in group homes. I didn’t want to get attached to them. I didn’t trust it.”

Geo turned a little to face Travis. “Yeah?”

Travis rubbed his beard, trying to get a handle on how to express that time in his life. It wasn’t something he thought about often. They weren’t good memories. “See, it doesn’t matter if Jayden is playful with me. Because I don’t matter. I’m just a guy he’s gonna be around for a week. And Jayden is smart, he knows that. But you—if he lets himself get attached to you, that’s a whole other level of disappointment if it doesn’t work out. He’s going to guard himself against that, Geo. Until it finally clicks in his brain that it’s not temporary. Just…don’t take it personally.”

Geo took a heavy breath. “Wow. That’s insightful.” He folded his arms over his chest. “It would probably really help if the adoption went through, huh? That part is so frustrating. But they tell me it will take at least a year.”

“Does Jayden know you’re working on that?”

Geo shook his head. “I’ve told the kids they’re with me to stay, but I’m not sure they believe it. The counselor recommended we hold off talking about adoption. It would be awful to promise them that and then it didn’t happen. There are interviews with the kids at three months and six months, to make sure they’re not being tortured or working twelve hours in a coal mine or something, more home inspections. They’ll talk to their schools to see how they’re adjusting. And….” Geo hesitated.

“And?” Travis prompted.

Geo pressed his lips tight. “Not a big deal, but Jayden had some legal trouble. He was in juvie for six months. So they need to be convinced he’s not going to act out again, that I can handle it.”

Travis didn’t ask what Jayden had done. It was none of his business. But it did make him sad. Poor Jayden. You get so many strikes against you at that age, and it can be impossible to dig your way out.

“Okay. Sounds like a pain in the ass, but it’ll happen,” Travis said firmly. “You’re doing everything right, Geo.”

“Thanks. Yeah. I’m optimistic. As far as I’m concerned, it will happen.”

He sounded so determined, almost fierce, like he was prepared to fight for the kids with everything he had. And Travis felt it too. The desire to see Geo and Jayden and Lucy succeed was unexpected in its intensity. Obviously, he had an emotional reaction to the situation. But this wasn’t his family or his worry. He needed to keep his distance.

Besides, Geo had it under control. He was smart and committed. He’d work it out.

Travis took a few deep breaths, letting it go. They fell silent. Slowly, Travis relaxed. He should get up and leave, but he couldn’t find the motivation just yet. He leaned against the step rail on his side, suddenly tired. This new angle had him facing Geo. And in the dark of night, he felt free to stare.

Geo sat calmly, palms braced on the steps on either side of his hips, elbows locked. The posture made his shoulders and biceps pop under his T-shirt. His head was slightly back as he gazed up at the stars, his profile strong. Long neck, jaw a little rough with the day’s growth, those full lips, straight nose. From this angle, the glasses didn’t hide his eyes. His lashes looked long and inky-dark surrounding those expressive brown eyes, those intelligent eyes that looked up for the stars.

Heat stirred low in Travis’s belly. He felt himself becoming aroused. But he was too tired to fight it. It was fine. He could enjoy feeling this desire for a moment. The darkness hid his thoughts, and he wasn’t going to do a damned thing about it.

Geo was a camper, after all. Against the rules. And anyway, they were two ships passing in the night. After this week, they’d part ways forever. Or at least until the next Family Camp. But that didn’t mean Travis couldn’t indulge in a harmless little stare.

Only, Geo turned and looked at him, and it was clear Travis’s staring had not been so discreet after all. Because Geo’s expression was filled with heat. He licked his lips and slowly, deliberately, looked down Travis’s body. And suddenly the DEFCON 3 Travis had been idly enjoying became a very dangerous DEFCON 1.

Travis stood up abruptly. “I should, um, let you get some rest. Big day tomorrow.”

Geo raised his eyebrows and just looked at Travis. His expression said he was so not going along with Travis’s bullshit. He leaned back, moving his elbows to the top step, a smirk on his face, his posture an open invitation.

And damn it, but Travis wanted to RSVP.