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His hand stayed on the table.

I wanted to cover it with mine.

I wanted to ask whether Monday was still happening to him, even while the rest of us ate lunch on Wednesday.

Instead, I looked around at all of them.

“You didn’t have to do this.”

Rook leaned back in his chair.

“We haven’t admitted to doing anything,” he reminded me.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know, babygirl.” He said it without smiling.

Nobody looked sorry.

That was the part that got through the anger.

They hadn’t waited for me to ask. They hadn’t asked me to explain which part hurt or whether I wanted them to be upset.

They had read it.

They had been upset.

There was something terribly comforting about not having to make a case.

I swallowed and reached for my water.

Micah nodded toward his battered brothers. “We did our part. Your turn. Go beat up some cheerleaders for us.”

“Absolutely not,” Sadie said. “Those girls throw each other. I’m not getting hit with a whole bitch.”

Ruckus nearly lost his drink.

Rook bent forward, laughing into his hand. Clayton took the cold pack away from his eye and covered his mouth with it instead.

Micah looked delighted.

I laughed. Really laughed.

It hurt a little getting there.

Once I started, I couldn’t stop.

Chief’s mouth moved at one corner.

I pointed at him before I could help myself.

“Don’t. You’ll split it again.”

That set Clayton off worse.

“Jesus, Piper,” Ruckus managed. “Let us have this.”

I tried.