Daxton POV
Dinner was the usual scene: the whole family gathered around the table, Robert at the head, my stepmother Vanessa fussing over the food, and Henry and I flanking Maria. It had become routine, though tonight, there was an extra layer of tension in the air—tension that had me barely containing a grin.
Maria was sitting across from me, stiff and uncomfortable, her cheeks already a soft pink. I knew exactly why. Under the table, my foot gently nudged hers, just enough to get a reaction, nothing overt. She stiffened, shooting me a quick glare that was more flustered than angry. I couldn’t help it—I loved watching her squirm.
Dad, always the concerned father, broke the silence first. “Daxton, Henry—how are the football trainings going? We’re counting on you two to make the family p
