“I don’t know what Gage will buy her. But your feelings aren’t a contest anyone gets to win.”

Kobe lowered his head. “I tried not to cry.”

“You never have to protect someone else by pretending you’re not hurt.”

“He wanted me to.”

“I know.”

The fifteen-minute drive felt much longer. Normally Kobe talked the whole way home — school, games, dinosaurs, whatever came next. This time he was silent.