Family Camp (Daddy Dearest, #1)(55)

If Geo saw these photos of another two men, he’d assume they were in a long-term relationship. Raising the kids together. Maybe married. Definitely gay.

Geo sank down on the front steps. It was quiet out in front of the lodge. Everyone was inside eating. Down the hill, the lake lapped in peaceful plips and gurgles, the swimming area empty and waiting for a horde of happy kids. And there was the beach where one of the photos—

Christ. Geo closed his eyes. Travis. How was he going to deal with this? What must he be thinking? He must be furious. Or terrified. Or both. He must wish to God he’d never started anything with Geo now. This was worst-case scenario.

Yup. This was the Titanic sinking on its maiden voyage. Falling off the bull and being trampled before they’d even opened the gate.

Someone sat down beside him. He opened his eyes quickly, hoping it was Travis. It wasn’t. Cindy Mayhew sat next to him in her usual camp T-shirt, her hair tucked up under her baseball cap like she’d had a rough night. Or a rough morning.

“You okay, Geo?”

Geo snorted. “Hell, no.”

Cindy gave him a smile, the kind with the corners turned down. “Yeah. It sucks. It’s so awful. Makes me want to hurt somebody.”

“How’s Travis taking it?” Geo’s gut clenched with worry.

“Um…” She thought about it. “I don’t think he knows how he’s taking it. When I saw him, he was mostly in shock, I think.”

Ugh. “Where is he? I need to talk to him.”

Cindy shook her head and looked out over the parking area, as if not wanting to meet his eyes. “He left this morning.”

“He…left?”

“He had to go meet with his agent right away. It’s a big deal for his career. So he asked me to watch Max and took off. I’m sorry, Geo.”

Geo knew it was a big deal. He did. But Travis had just left? Without even saying goodbye?

Hurt feelings were added to the burning stew in his stomach. “Is he going to be all right?”

“I don’t know.” Cindy sighed. “I mean, define ‘all right.’ Physically, he’ll be fine, but… I dunno, Geo.”

Geo felt wretched. He’d done it. He’d coaxed Travis into that position, overrun his “not at camp” mantra. It wasn’t like he’d set out to seduce Travis, exactly. As if he could. But he’d damn well encouraged it, egged Travis on. He’d wanted him, and he hadn’t been shy about it.

He’d been the first to drop to his knees the moment they were alone. And he’d flirted shamelessly in public. That photo of him going after Travis during family baseball. Way to be subtle, Geo.

It had seemed funny at the time. But it had hurt Travis. Really hurt him. Geo had been thoughtless, and he felt so guilty about that.

Geo rubbed his eyes. “Fuck. I never… In a million years, I never meant to hurt him.”

Cindy put a hand on his shoulder. “I know that. No one is blaming you. Anyway. Travis told me to tell you he said goodbye, and that he’s sorry for all this.” Cindy stood up. “Take care, Geo.”

“Sure. I will absolutely do that. Thanks,” he managed dully.

Take care, Geo. As she walked away, it felt horribly real, like the credits had run and someone had turned on the lights in the theater. This was the end—not just of he and Travis but the Mayhews and camp too. Please make your way to the exits.

Yup. This was pretty much the bottom of the “regretful brush-offs” barrel. It sucked.

He didn’t really want to go back inside, had no appetite for the breakfast that sat congealing at his table. But Lucy was in there. And Jayden. And sometimes you just had to pull up your big-boy pants and do what had to be done.

He didn’t look at anyone as he walked back in and made his way down the aisle of tables. He sat down and handed Bridget her phone.

Lucy blinked up at him, a bit of scrambled egg on her fork and her mama doll on the table so the doll’s matted hair was nearly in a blob of ketchup. Geo nudged the doll away from danger.

“How are the eggs, sweetie?” Geo asked with a forced smile.

“Good,” Lucy said, dipping them in some maple syrup. “Good eggs,” she added distinctly, as if to be sure he understood. Which was so damn sweet.

He glanced down the table at Jayden, who seemed oblivious to what was going on. He stuffed a large bit of French toast into his mouth, bobbing his head as Stryker rambled on about something.

He had to get these guys out of here. After breakfast they’d pack up the car and leave early, skip the last half day of planned activities. He didn’t want anyone saying anything to Jayden. And, if he was honest, he couldn’t tolerate the stares himself.

“It stinks,” Bridget said in a low voice. “Whoever did this is a pig.”

“Sorry, Geo,” Van agreed. “Are you all right? You won’t get in trouble with your school, will you?”

Geo gave her an incredulous look. “Gee, thanks for reminding me about that.”

Geo had been so worried about Travis, he hadn’t even thought about how this would impact his own life. The school he taught at was neither particularly conservative nor liberal. His principal, Jill, was cool—Geo liked her a lot. She was smart, level-headed, and no-nonsense. The staff and admin knew he was gay and some of the kids did too. But it wasn’t something Geo advertised in bold strokes. After all, Fresno Valley had its share of religious conservatives.