Page 17 of Caught in the Middle

Cam was relieved when Henry told him he’d be on the same flight as them, but that quickly faded to mortification whenever his boss insisted on covering the expense and not letting Cam repay him.

Emma assured him it was Henry’s nature and that he was covering everyone’s trip, even Asher’s, but it didn’t make Cam feel better. He had thought he would be scouring the airlines himself to find the next available flight. He wasn’t used to someone paying his way and he couldn’t help but feel like it made him look bad.

Nonetheless, his arguing made no difference to Henry who’d been like a brick wall on the subject before hanging up.

That was only the beginning of headaches for him as Emma explained they’d be sharing a room at St. Croix. He’d never been there before and always wanted to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, but there was something about going as a fake boyfriend that was putting a damper on it.

Emma also mentioned that Henry liked to do a lot of activities and meals together as a family, as well as Cam had better get used to not flipping the bill because Henry never let anyone pay.

He’d cringed at that information. It’d be one thing if he knew the man better, but at this point, it felt like taking advantage. Guilt wrapped its fingers tightly around his chest each time he thought about how he was lying to everyone. Well, everyone except Lulu. Emma made it clear that she at least knew, but now he was worried if she’d think less of him for lying to her dad, their boss.

He leaned back in his chair, refraining from letting out the sigh that was heavy on his lips. This was their second flight, and since his tickets weren’t booked until last night he’d been seated next to strangers. He was used to traveling amongst people he didn’t know, but it somehow felt more lonely this time. Probably because he felt like he was a bleeding man headed into shark-filled waters. The lies felt like they were swarming and piling up.

Their first flight had a short layover in Miami, which had him running from one terminal to the next. He knew his group deboarded before him and wondered if they’d been as panicked as him about making the connection flight. But then again, they’d all looked cozy and content in their seats whenever he finally boarded and headed for his own.

His heart was still racing from the potential humiliation of being the only one to miss a flight and inconvenience Henry further. The man had already taken care of it all for him as though he was a child or had never flown before.

Cam looked out the window as he put his earbuds in. He was headed somewhere he’d never been before, with people he barely knew, and a suitcase with nothing but business clothes and a couple of casual pieces. He exhaled the pent-up breath he was holding.

An adventure, Nate had said. Excitement. He needed some excitement in his life.

Well, he was about to find out if he found it or not.

???

Emma didn’t realize she was tapping her fingers on the counter until Lulu placed her hand over top, putting an end to the motion. “Sorry,” Emma said.

“I know you’re nervous, but it’s going to be okay,” Lulu whispered.

They’d finally made it to their hotel and Emma’s heart rate had only skyrocketed with each passing hour today. Weren’t Saturdays supposed to be for relaxing and no stress? Apparently, hers didn’t get the memo.

She glanced over her shoulder at Cam who was deep in conversation with Asher and Lauren. She’d barely seen him today since they checked out of their hotel in Dallas. She was still nervous she might look away only to find him gone, realizing this entire plan was likely a huge disaster waiting to happen.

“I know, I know,” Emma replied. Thankfully Lulu had been seated next to her on both flights, which meant this wasn’t the first time her friend had put a calm and reassuring hand on her restless bouncing. The woman seated on the other side of Emma on the second flight looked like she was ready to strap Emma’s legs together if that’d stop the incessant up-and-down motion.

She’d feel better once she and Cam could talk again. There was still so much to discuss and she needed to make sure they were on the same page–he wouldn’t do any unnecessary communicating outside of the dinners and group hangs.

She looked over at him again. He was clearly already failing at that direct rule she’d told him last night.

He looked fine though, not as nervous as he’d been at the dinner table last night. If she was being honest, he looked at ease like he was in his natural element. He probably was, she realized, remembering Cam’s social media was filled with photos of him and friends. He seemed like an outgoing guy, and she’d already learned he was nice.

However, a horrible thought skittered its way to the forefront of her mind as she waited for the clerk to hang up the phone to finish checking them in. She’d seen women in that quick scroll of his online presence, a few of them over and over. Did he have a girlfriend or someone he was interested in back home? He had appeared taken aback when she flatly said they wouldn’t be sleeping together. Maybe it was shock because he had another woman on his mind and he hadn’t even considered that with her.

Oh god, there was so much to figure out still. She refrained from groaning out loud as her insides worked themselves into knots. She’d be lucky if she didn’t leave this vacation and beautiful part of the world with an ulcer. Did stress cause ulcers or was that some myth people claimed? She didn’t know and thankfully the man hung up the phone in time to keep her from this rabbit hole of thoughts she was about to spin down.

“Sorry about that, but thank you for waiting.” His smile was kind. “Let me get that last room key for you and then you’ll be all set.”

Emma returned the smile while Lulu replied, “No problem, and thank you.”

“Here you are.” He slid several envelopes across the counter, each containing different room keys.

Lulu thanked him again and listened as he reiterated information regarding the hotel’s casino, room service, the two pools, and all the other amenities that should make this the best week of their lives. Emma tuned it all out as her gaze scanned the lobby until it landed on Henry wrapping up a phone call and walking their way.

Not their way, but toward Cam, Asher, and Lauren.

Emma grabbed Lulu’s arm and pulled her in that direction, tossing another word of thanks to the gentleman who’d helped them while Lulu tried not to drop the keys.

“What’s your deal?”

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