“And you’ll speak to me when I tell you to. What is going on with you?”
He shakes his head, and seeing the injury on his lip makes me want to punch someone. I’m not a violent woman, but I’ll do whatever needs to be done to protect my kid.
“I need you to tell me what’s up with you, buddy. I can help you.”
“I don’t need help. I’m fine. I’ll go to school tomorrow.”
I sigh with disappointment. “You can tell me anything, Aiden.”
No reaction.
“Okay. Well, I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready.”
“Can I close my door?”
“If you promise not to lock me out.”
His lips twist, but he gives me a curt nod.
I’m exhausted, and a little sore, when I leave his room. I wish he’d talk to me. I wish I knew what was up with my teenager.
More than anything, I wish I didn’t feel so helpless where he’s concerned. I don’t know what to do with him.
“I don’t want to go to the ranch.”
I glance at Aiden in the passenger seat and then out the windshield. We’ve been on the road for almost an hour, we’re only two miles away from the ranch, and he’s just speaking upnow.
“It’ll be good for us. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m sure there’s plenty to do outside.”
“Yeah, it’s fucking awesome being free labor.” He rolls his eyes, and I scowl.
“Watch your mouth, Aiden. I’m lenient with you, but you’ll speak with respect, or you won’t speak at all.”
He growls and turns his head to look out the passenger window.
“Why are you so grouchy? You’ve always loved the ranch. You used to love hanging out with Ray—”
And then, it hits me.Of coursehe’s upset at the thought of returning to the ranch since Ray has passed. He refused to come to the funeral, and I let that slide because we all grieve in our own way.
But Ray was the only grandpa that Aiden has known, and they loved each other.
“I’m sorry, buddy—”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
I roll my shoulders. It’s been a few days since I got Aiden from school after the fight, and he’s been in the surliest mood ever since. Worse than usual. I’ve cooked his favorite meals for dinner, I’ve tried to tease him, and I’ve even offered to watch his horror movies with him, but he will not soften toward me even a little.
Finally, I turn onto the ranch road, and when I pull up in front of the house, I get out of the car, but Aiden stays put, his face drawn in hard lines.
Thankfully, there’s no sign of Ryker or Gideon. There are plenty of workers bustling around, and even from out here, I can tell that there’sbeen a lot of progress on the house since I was here a few days ago, but the guys are nowhere in sight.
Good.
I walk around the car and reach for the passenger door handle, but Aiden locks the car. He won’t meet my gaze.
I have the fob in my purse, and when I touch the handle, the car unlocks, and I quickly open the door.
“Unless you want to lose every privilege in your life, you’ll get out of this car and stop throwing a tantrum like a damn three-year-old.”
