Family Camp (Daddy Dearest, #1)(49)

Geo swallowed a nervous gasp. He tried to keep his face composed. Would Travis be upset if he knew his dad suspected? Should Geo try to deflect?

But James Mayhew didn’t strike Geo as a fool or the sort of man it was wise to lie to. So he just said, “thank you,” and left it at that.





Chapter 24




Geo bopped and wriggled, executed a spin, and bumped hips with Van. The iPod played “Twist and Shout,” which was older than Geo—older than God, for that matter—but still great to dance to. Van did “the swim.” Bridget’s dance style was more laid-back-cool, swaying in an effortless way. She looked good tonight in a little black dress with bare legs and feet.

A lot of people had gone dressy-casual for Parent Party night, which Geo did not realize was a thing, so he’d just worn his favorite blue T-shirt and shorts. They’d hiked out to a “secret location” down shore from camp while the kids were at the lodge having a game night with James and Ida Mayhew.

It was a warm evening, and a breeze made the pine branches around them shiver. The lake lapped steadily at the pebbled shore and tiki torches augmented the light of a three-quarter moon. There was an iPod playing party tunes for dancing and there were kegs, a “camp punch” that could take the hair off a cat, and a buffet table. A small group was playing night volleyball and others were sitting by the fire. It had, in short, everything a party needed to be fun, including a super-hot, tall, dark, and handsome man.

Said man was not dancing though. Travis hung out on the sidelines with his brother, Joe. It was hard to tell, because he was being discrete, but he seemed to be keeping an eye on Geo. So Geo did a special fanny-wriggle for him.

A few bold women approached Travis and asked him to dance, but Travis always declined. It was a shame. Geo loved dancing, and it had been way too long since he’d had the chance. He wanted badly to go over to Travis, tug on his arm, and pull him out on the “dance floor.” He could imagine Travis’s arms around him as they moved, Geo’s back to his chest. Ass nicely snuggled into….

Yeah, baby.

But alas, that was not meant to be here in Camp Closeted.

Geo danced with Van and Bridget for at least an hour, then Van said she had to get a drink before she fell over, so the three of them went to get rehydrated. Or drunk, depending on how you looked at it.

“You know, that’s a good man,” Bridget said wistfully. She stared across the clearing at someone, rubbing her red Solo cup against her chin.

Geo turned to look, half expecting to see Travis. But no, Bridget was staring at Joe Mayhew. Joe was now talking to a camper, but he snuck glances at Bridget too. Joe laughed at something the camper said, a little too loudly, and his round face looked flushed.

“Aw, I think he likes you,” Geo said. “And that’s prime husband material right there, Bridge.”

“Oh, stop,” Bridget said, but she got a goofy smile. “What makes you say he’s husband material?”

“Welp, he’s obviously got a great family. And he’s loyal to them. Hence the camp-counseling thing. That’s a big happy flag right there. Amiright?”

“True. A man who loves his mother—or his family. Etcetera.” Bridget tilted her head and studied Joe some more from under her lashes. As though that would disguise her interest.

Geo continued. “Also entered into evidence: He’s super with kids. And he’s a nice guy.”

“He really is sweet,” Bridget agreed. “Aimee likes him. Yesterday he walked with her on the pee-wee hike, chatting the whole away. It was adorable.”

“Um-hmm. Trying to impress your kid. It must be true love,” Geo teased.

Bridget stopped staring at Joe long enough to give Geo a pointed look. “That’s funny. When Joe pays attention to Aimee, he’s trying to impress me. But when Travis pays attention to Jayden or Lucy, he just likes your kids?”

Geo made a show of looking at his non-existent watch. “Oh, look. Time for me to get another beer!”

Bridget rolled her eyes. “You’re such an avoider. Too bad they don’t have dodge ball at this camp. You’d be the best.”

“I admit nothing. Seriously, though, it’s Parent Party night. I think you should get Joe to dance. Maybe a little bump and grind. Even a k-i-s-s. Huh?”

Bridget straightened her top in a determined fashion, pushing out her boobs. “Oh, honey. We can do better than that. Hold my beer.”

“You’re drinking punch.”

“It’s a saying, Geo.” Bridget put on a friendly smile and went off to drag Joe onto the dance floor.

Geo still had half a glass of beer, but he decided to top it up. It would give him an excuse to wander over to the kegs near the trees and look for Travis. The guy had disappeared.

Geo was filling up his cup from one of the taps when he heard his name.

“Geo.”

He looked around. There, in the shadows of the trees, was Travis. He gave Geo a hungry stare that made Geo’s knees weak.

Travis glanced towards the party. “Have any interest in getting out of here?”

Geo looked around to make sure he wasn’t being watched, then he put down his cup and sauntered over into the trees. He stopped a few feet away from Travis.

“Depends. ‘Get out of here’ as in going somewhere private and making out? You’re not going to subject me to ‘Chicken Fat’ calisthenics or something, right?”