Rafe POV
I watched Tripp, trying to gauge his reaction, but he didn’t move from his seat on the porch. Ray leaned over and whispered something to him, and Tripp nodded—but he stayed unnervingly calm. My chest tightened. I’d expected píssed-off Tripp—veins showing, jaw locked, ready-to-tear-into-me-for-taking-Mikayla-home Tripp. Not this steady, controlled version.
Each step closer felt heavier than the last, my gut twisting with anticipation. I clenched my fists at my sides, my muscles coiled, bracing for whatever came next. Then Mikayla’s hand brushed mine—just a whisper of contact—and the tension in me eased.
“Maria called me last night; why didn’t you call us, Care Bear?” Ray asked.
“Because it’s almost your birthday, and Tripp’s… busy,” Mikayla said carefully. Every word was measur
