Page 23 of Taming the CEO

Gabe shrugged. "Let's put it this way: You fixing it somehow just keeps making it worse. At this rate, Samuel will toss us out on our asses too."

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. "He won’t. I have a plan."

He grimaced. "That involves talking to Cami?"

"Yes. Look, things just..." I paused, searching for the right word. "Escalated."

"I heard you loud and clear. I just can't figure out why."

I couldn't explain. I'd rehashed our encounter yesterday numerous times and still couldn't pinpoint how things got out of control again. Part of my problem was that her beauty just overshadowed everything. I lost my train of thought and then ended up pissing her off. These weren’t the type of negotiations I was used to. I'd just have to calculate every move beforehand.

"I have a plan," I said.

Gabe narrowed his eyes, then nodded. "All right. Then let's not waste our weekend with this anymore. Let's blow off some steam, and we'll fix it next week."

He was like me—work was work, and fun was fun. I didn't like to mix one with the other either.

"Hold it," Leo said just as we were about to resume our places on the tennis court. "I still don't get why Gran went with you. I figured she’d... I don’t know. Do her thing."

Nick tilted his head. I knew him well enough to tell that he was holding back a snarky remark.

"At this point, I’m not even sure myself," I admitted. "But we’ll figure out her plan soon enough."

"Oh, good. At least you're prepared for the fact that she has a plan," Leo remarked.

"Yeah, I wouldn't want to be blindsided," Nick said.

"Come on, let's stop yammering and start playing. I've got a lot of adrenaline to get rid of."

I teamed up with Nick, and Leo was with Cade. Gabe was only watching. Spencer was on the sideline until Nick had to return to work after one set. I pushed the issue with the hotel and Cami to the back of my mind and gave 100 percent to the game. That was my motto in life. But even with all of that effort, Nick and I lost.

"All right, this one is yours," Nick said to Spencer as he joined the next game.

Leo and Cade snickered.

“We’re gonna beat their sorry asses for sure today,” Cade said.

"Why would you say that?" Spencer asked. "Are you implying that I'm the weak link?"

"No, just the exhausted one."

"Yeah, you look horrible, bro," Leo added. “Even worse than Maddox.”

Spencer frowned. "Dude, I've got a small kid. Sleepless nights are part of the package. You'll see if you ever have your own kids."

Leo cringed. "That's a firm negative from me."

"And me," Nick said, clearly having overheard us even though he was almost at the edge of the court.

I started to laugh, and three sets of eyes focused on me.

"What's so funny?" Leo asked.

"Nothing. I just think Gran's got other ideas for us."

"You know, I didn't want to say anything," Leo said, coming closer to the net, "but you have to take one for the team. I think she's got her eyes on you and Cami."

"I'm fucking sure of it," I agreed.

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