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“Is what the other kids?”

Since she knew he wouldn’t dare look away from his precious game, she allowed herself to make a face at him.

“Why you don’t want to do camp?” she asked, adopting a pleasant and curious tone, instead of the accusatory one that wanted to slip out.

He shrugged. “The other kids are fine.”

“The coaches then?”

“They’re okay.”

“So,” she said, breathing through the frustration, “what’s the problem?”

He shrugged again as if it were the only language he had.

“Micah, I need a reason.”

“It’s dumb.”

“Youaskedme to go to this.”

“Yeah, because you said I had to dosomethingthis summer.” He infuriatingly kept playing the game, not once looking at her as his fingers flew over the buttons. “All my friends get to hang out at home. They get to sleep in and chill out, and I have to go to stupid camp and sweat and shit.”

“Did you just sayshitto me, young man?”

Micah rolled his eyes, all disdain and teenage sullenness, and it wasn’t fair since he wasonlytwelve. She was supposed to have a few more years before this.

“Whatever, Mom.” He slid off the couch, his eyes never leaving the screen of his game. He started walking for the stairs.

Because she wanted to yell and demand, she let him go. She’d cool off first, then try again. Not a failure, just a regrouping. Giving him space, keeping the line of communication open, no yelling that might shut him down.

He was going to his next appointment with Dr. Grove no matter how much of a fuss he put up, that was for damn sure.

And she . . . She was definitely going to need that glass of wine.

* * *

Shane dried his hands on the towel in the bathroom and hesitated before heading out.

Mom had called a family dinner. Which she usually only did when she wanted to make some horrible announcement. Especially given that she’d summoned Lindsay home from school in Denver. The only person who would be missing was Boone, who was off rodeoing here, there, and everywhere, and was usually missing.

But worse than missing his youngest brother, or impending doom-filled announcements, was the fact that “family” dinners now included Ben Donahue.

Shane scowled at the door. He had to get it out now, because, while he was no less adamant about making sure his mother did not go through with this wedding, he knew he couldn’t keep sniping with Ben.

Shane had to find some well of calm politeness. Arguing would only make his mother dig her heels in deeper, and Ben as well. Shane had to adopt an act of friendliness, and he was pretty sure it would kill him.

But he’d give it his best shot. When he stepped out of the bathroom, Gavin was standing there, leaning against the hallway wall.

“What is taking so long? I’m not going in there by myself, that’s for sure.”

“We just have to stick to the plan, and everything will be fine.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “The plan sucks. The only plan I’m interested in is one where we beat Ben black-and-blue and leave him to rot in the mountains.”

“What, so Mom can insist on going to find him?”

“Oh, I can leave him in a place where no one can find him,” Gavin said with a little too much glee.