?Chapter 144:


    Davina eased her touch, her tone softening. “If it hurts, just say so. Why act tough?”


    “Act tough? You think I’m putting on an act?” Ralphy retorted, his tone yful again. “I’m seriously a tough guy—this little bruise is… Ah! OW, ow, easy! Be gentle, okay?”


    Davina seized his arm and pressed down, determined to break through his bravado. “Still acting tough now?” she demanded, arching an eyebrow.


    He gave in with a dramatic sigh. “Not anymore.”


    “No more big talk now?”


    “No more,” he hurriedly answered.


    “Still think you’re some kind of iron man?”


    “Not after what you put me through—my spirit’s been totally broken.”


    Her earlier irritation vanished, reced by augh at his over-the-top surrender.


    Ralphy grinned as he watched her, drawn in by the way herughter lit up her whole face. Something shifted in his chest—her brightness was utterly maic.


    Once finished massaging his wound, Davina let her fingers linger a second before pulling away. “I’ll apply the ointment on your injury again tomorrow. The bruises should fade in a few days. Let’s go back; the others are probably done eating by now.”


    Ralphy replied with a nod, warmth softening his features. “Sounds good.”


    They strolled back side by side. Ralphy sneaked nces at Davina, while azy breeze tugged yfully at her hair, carrying a delicate trace of her perfume.


    The moment they stepped into their private room at the pizza joint, an odd hush greeted them—something about the room’s mood had shifted.


    If Ralphy hadn’t noticed Dn and Elliott sitting stiffly in silence, he might have assumed the two had juste to blows.


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    Christina, clearly restless, looked up and asked, “Got the cards? What took you so long?”


    She’d been desperate to get the game started—anything to cut through the heavy awkwardness settling in the private room. In an effort to keep things moving, she’d even started drinking with Dn and Elliott. When Davina and Ralphy returned, she exhaled in relief. The atmosphere lightened a little. She wasn’t exactly a pro at keeping things lively, but with them back, the vibe was bound to pick up.


    “Yeah, we had to walk all the way to a convenience store just to find a deck,” Davina remarked with a breathyugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She made no mention of themotion outside—it was pointless to bring it up now that everything had been handled.


    Ralphy ripped open the new deck and grinned. “Okay, ground rules: nobody’s leaving this room sober tonight. No exceptions.” He shot a sly nce at Davina, silently acknowledging their unspoken agreement to keep the earlier events to themselves.


    With a practiced flick, Ralphy split the cards into two tidy piles and offered them up to the group. “Here’s how it goes. We’ll each take turns drawing a card—the lowest number drinks. Simple enough, right?”


    Davina perked up, a yful spark in her eyes. “Nope, let’s change it up. Here’s my suggestion—everyone has to guess who’s got a card lower than theirs. Get it wrong, bottoms up.”


    Ralphy’s eyes lit up, his knuckles cracking as he leaned in. “Hell yeah! I’m ready to crush it.”


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