Page 42 of Nerdplay
I haven’t checked in with the office all day.
I’ve been so immersed in camp life that I failed to check emails, voicemails, or messages. My chest tightens and I find it difficult to breathe. I excuse myself from the game and race back to my cabin before I have a full-blown panic attack in front of a group of trolls and elves and whatever else they’re supposed to be.
“Charlie? Is everything all right?”
Shit. I slow my pace. “Hey, Courtney. Yeah, everything’s fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You look green, and not in a cool Hulk way.”
“I needed fresh air.”
“You’re in luck. We have that in abundance here. Still on for movie night?”
I manage a nod. “Six, right?”
“On the dot.”
“Why so early?”
“Have you seen the other campers? They’re not exactly night owls. Besides, I prefer an early night so I can get up for sunrise yoga.”
I bark a laugh. “You get up before the crack of dawn to stretch outside?”
“Don’t mock it ’til you try it. It’s a great way to start the day.”
“I’m not mocking it. I don’t see the point.”
“Does there need to be a point? Can’t I do it because I enjoy it?”
I have no clue how to respond to that. In my world, every action worth doing has a reason, whether it be a goal or a prize. I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for the goal of making partner. Courtney’s camp is simply the means to an end.
“Don’t let me interrupt your commune with nature,” Courtney says. “You’re clearly desperate for it. Pretty sure you left scorched earth in your wake.”
Not yet, but I may very well do that the day I leave camp.
I grunt something unintelligible and continue to my cabin, drawing deep breaths along the way. Once my heart rate slows to a nonfatal rhythm, I return Jeannie’s call. She picks up before it manages to complete a full ring.
“Where have you been?” she hisses into the phone.
“Is there an emergency?”
“Yes, the emergency is you’ve been incommunicado. I was worried they tied you to a tree and left you for the crows.”
“They wouldn’t do that.” Well, Hunter and Olivia might.
“Joel and Matt have both been sniffing around. From what I heard, Matt’s client is having to delay their negotiations.”
“He must be pissed.”
“He isn’t happy, that’s for sure. It’s probably a good thing you’re not here for him to torment.”
“Has LandStar called?”
“No, but your mother has. Twice.”
“In less than twenty-four hours?”
“Yep. I suggest checking in.”
