#Chapter 38 – Secret’s Out

Rafe looks at me with a little grimace, slowly taking the envelope out of the box and moving to tuck it into his back pocket for later, not wanting to make me watch. “No, read it!” I say, flapping my hands at him and working hard to tuck my disappointment low in my stomach. Because, I mean, I know that if mom knew I was here she would never have left me out – would probably have written me the longest letter of all. I can’t be hurt by this, and I don’t want him to have to wait. “Are you sure?” he asks, hesitating, turning the envelope over in his hands. Jesse rips his open, digging in, giving me a little shrug. I nod eagerly at Rafe, encouraging him, as Ben gives me a soft pat on the shoulder, not saying anything but…letting me know that he’s here for me. Rafe sighs but can’t help it. He settles back into the couch cushions as he opens and unfolds his letter, a smile already on his lips as he reads through the first words. “Did we miss anything?” Ben asks cheerfully, tipping the b