Page 72 of The CEO and the Mountain Man

“That my son might be in love? With a really great guy? It’s better than okay.”

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, bringing him in close. “You are such a sweet man. And a great father.”

Despite meaning every word, an ugly feeling crawled up my throat as I wiped his tears. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I wasjealousof Miguel. He knew how he felt and said it out loud. He didn’t care about things being too soon, or about whether it made any damn sense at all. He just claimed his man in front of everyone, natural as can be.

I would give anything to be able to call Clarkmi amor. Even if it was too soon. Even if it didn’t make any sense.

Chapter 21

Beau

The group ended the night with s’mores and a sing-along. Colt declared, quite seriously, that our awful singing had “successfully scared all varmints in a five-mile radius.” He also made a big deal of circling the camp and checking each tent individually.

Colt and the families retired for the night, leaving the four of us to put the fire out. Miguel took care of the fire, and we all waited a beat. In silent collusion, River went with Miguel, and I went with Clark.

Fuck propriety.

It had been a long day, and the tents had zero soundproofing, so I wasn’t aiming for anything sexual. I just needed every second I could get of the man.

Clark and I doubled up our sleeping bags and crawled in together, snug, holding on for dear life.

Tonight, Clark felt especially fragile in my grasp. He had hardly eaten dinner—wasn’t a fan of the fresh-caught fish—and waved off the s’mores because he couldn’t stand the sweetness. Thankfully, I knew he was a picky eater and had brought the protein bars he liked.

I worried that he wasn’t eating enough in general, then felt stupid for worrying about whether a fully grown man, seven years older than me and actively seeing a therapist, could feed himself.

I spent most of the night lying awake, listening to the sounds of the night around us, letting myself daydream. Dangerous, foolish, ill-advised daydreams. Of Clark, deciding that Colorado was in his bones. That he wanted to move out here, to be here with me. To stay here with me forever.

I finally fell asleep in the darkest part of the morning. After maybe three hours of sleep, I woke up to Clark drooling on my chest. For a moment, I let myself imagine again, then remembered that wasn’t how things worked.

This was a vacation fling, and I needed to get on board with that. Sooner rather than later.

Yes, he admitted he would like to keep in touch, but … I was sure that was a mistake. That we’d be drawing out a painful ending on something we knew had always been temporary. We’d get home today, have an amazing day tomorrow, and then, if we were smart, would go our separate ways afterward.

Needing to distract myself, I carefully rolled Clark over, covered him, got dressed, and went out to start coffee and breakfast. Not too much later, the families began to shamble out of their tents. No one looked shocked when Miguel and River exited the same tent.

Miguel finger-combed his long, messy hair, securing it in a quick braid over his shoulder. “I guess we were supposed to switch back this morning.”

“I don’t really care anymore,” I said, feeling listless.

Miguel flushed, playing with his earrings. “River is thinking of changing up his major. He’d been planning to go to the Art Institute in Chicago, but there’s a program in Fort Collins that he’s looking into.”

Sour jealousy hit me in the gut again, but I put on a smile. “That would be amazing if he could do that.”

Miguel shook his head. “There’s nothing in Fort Collins to compare to the education he’d get at the Art Institute. I don’t think he should give up on his dream.”

“Actually, I’m pretty sure he’s had a really hard time getting back to the art,” I said.

Maybe I should’ve kept that to myself, but Miguel was not surprised.

“I know, but I’d hate for him to get to a better place mentally and then regret not going for it.”

I hated that Miguel was already so mature for his age. I hated that I was jealous. I hated everything about this.

“You’re both smart young men. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

Miguel looked to River and touched his chest. “I hope so.”

Don’t be a jealous asshole, Beau.