He glanced at the untouched thank-you bags. “Are my friends mad?”

“No.”

“They had to leave.”

“Their parents understand.” After a silence he asked softly, “Sailor did it because Uncle Gage doesn’t like me.”

I wrapped my arms around him. “Gage is angry with me,” I said carefully. “He made a terrible choice and pulled you into it. That’s not the same as you being unlikable.”

“He said I need a party to feel special.”