you don’t talk to me.”
An unaccustomed stab of hurt hit his heart. “Okay. I’ll shut up and keep my nose out of your business.” He picked up his coffee. “I’ll meet you back at the truck—unless you want me to find my own way home?”
“You’re really going to act all butt hurt now, when I’m dealing with my runaway son?”
There was a lot he wanted to say about that, but she was right that this wasn’t the time. He pointed at his cell. “Text me when you’re ready to leave.”
She flung up her hands and muttered something uncomplimentary as he walked out into the sticky afternoon air. If Mikey’s bus left on time, she had just over an hour to convince her son to come home with her. Conner’s gaze fixed on the flashing lights of the nearest casino. As he definitely wasn’t needed, maybe he’d go and chance his luck somewhere else.
* * *
Beth followed Mikey all the way back to the bus station, still arguing, until Mikey refused to even answer her. She waited with him as the bus pulled in. He set his backpack on his shoulder and looked at her, his gaze determined.
“I’m going, Mom.”
“Mikey . . .”
She reached for him but forced her hand to fall to her side. She nodded, let out a shaky breath and took a step back.
“Okay, take care and let me know that you got there safely.”
She turned and walked away, her eyes filling with tears, and refused to look back. She didn’t wait to see the bus pull out, but made her way back to the parking lot to find Conner sitting in the bed of the pickup truck, his expression unreadable.
She opened the truck, got in, and started the engine. Conner climbed in and settled into his seat, his gaze straight ahead. Neither of them spoke as she paid the parking fee and they set off back to Morgantown.
Beth waited for Conner to make some comment about her inability to make her son come home, but he didn’t say anything, which somehow made her feel even worse. But what could he say? He’d made his position clear and so had she, and that was the end of it. Sure, she’d alienated her son and the man who’d gone out of his way to help her on her frantic journey, but that was on her.
She’d told Conner to keep his opinions to himself and he’d done what she’d asked, so why was she still upset? She cleared her throat.
“Let me know if you want to stop for coffee or anything. There are a couple of places along the way that stay open late.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
He didn’t bother to turn his head to reply, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. He looked even more exhausted than she felt, which made her guilt kick up.
“You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
“I told you it wasn’t necessary to come with me.”
“I heard you the first time and I came anyway.”
Beth sniffed. “If you get sick again, Dr. Tio’s going to blame me.”
“I doubt it. He knows how stubborn I am.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t think I should force Mikey to come back with me, because that’s what a good mother would do, wouldn’t she?” Beth said.
“Actually, I’m the one who suggested you should let him go.”
“Well, of course you did, and you’re probably secretly gloating that he made me look like a fool.”
He slowly turned his head toward her. “Beth, what exactly are you trying to do here?”
“Nothing.”
“It sure sounds like you’re trying to drag me into an argument.”
“Why on earth would I do that?”
“Because you’re mad as hell about everything and spoiling for a fight?”
“I am not—”
He spoke over her. “It’s not going to work. Your fight is with Sean and I’m not going to act as his substitute.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
All Beth really wanted to do was burst into tears and let him hold her. If he was too stupid to realize that, then more fool him.
“Whatever you say.” He looked out of the window. “Wake me up when we reach Morgantown.”
* * *
Conner opened his eyes as they pulled up in front of Beth’s house. He hadn’t slept much, but pretending was far easier than trying to work out exactly how to deal with Beth. How was it possible for someone to be furious about something and yet almost in tears? How was a guy supposed to handle all that being thrown at him at once? And more importantly, why did he suddenly care?
“We’re here,”