Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“School isn’t out for thirty minutes,” Melody reminds me.
“And yet you kept him in here for the last two hours, didn’t send him back to class, and you’re worried that he’s going to miss the last thirty minutes? He’ll be here tomorrow.”
She starts to say something, but I just raise an eyebrow until she nods.
“That’s what I thought. Come on, Aiden.”
He’s quiet in the car ride home. Broody. Which is nothing new where my nephew is concerned. When I park in front of our little house, he walks inside, goes through to his room, and slams his door, and I let out a gusty breath.
We have to talk. And getting this kid to talk to me these days is like pulling molars.
When I knock on his door, he ignores me.
“We have to talk about this, Aiden.”
He doesn’t reply, so I try the handle, but it’s locked. I hate that he’s started locking his door. No fifteen-year-old should be able to lock his parent out of his room.
“Open up, buddy.”
Still no response.
So I go find a hairpin and proceed to pick the lock. It’s not easy, but the door finally gives.
When I open the door, I see that my boy is lying on his bed, his back to me, with his big headphones on, listening to music. He didn’t even hear me break into his room.
“Aiden,” I call out, but he can’t hear me, so I walk over and put my hand on his ankle.
He flails, startled, and his sneaker-clad foot hits me right in the shoulder, making me fall back onto my ass.
“Ouch,” I mutter, rubbing my shoulder.
“Aunt Wills,” he says, tearing his headphones off and tossing them on the bed. “What the fuck? Why are you in my room?”
His green eyes go round when he sees that I managed to unlock his door.
“What did you do?”
“I came into the room that I own to talk to you about today,” I reply, climbing to my feet. “You don’t get to lock me out of here, Aiden.”
“It’s my room.”
“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 up now.
“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 course he’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’s been a lot of progress on the house since I was here a few days ago, but the guys are nowhere in sight.