Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 145402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 582(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 582(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
But it wasn't that easy anymore, and Neil didn't know why or when it changed. He knew less what he was supposed to do about it. He'd have to warn Andrew at some point, but now wasn't the time. He buried his unease and confusion deep and worked bandaged fingers into Andrew's hair. He didn't care how much it hurt so long as he could pull Andrew closer, and he let Andrew take him apart until he couldn't think anymore.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Foxes spent most of the next day outdoors, hiking up and down the nearby trails and signing up for some afternoon horseback riding. Getting onto the horse set every cut and burn on Neil's arms screaming in pain, but Neil was too stubborn to sit it out. He had time to catch his breath once he was up in the saddle and he gritted his teeth against the throbbing pain. By the time they finished the two-hour trek he'd almost forgotten about his injuries. Dismounting was an unhappy reminder, and when they got back to the cabin he dug his bandages and antibiotics out of his bag. Andrew collected Renee when he saw what Neil was doing.
"I can do it," Neil said when Renee sat cross-legged on the bed in front of him.
"I know you can," Renee said. "but perhaps it's easier if someone helps you."
He could have argued further, but there was no winning with Renee, so he submitted to her ministrations. She didn't bat an eye at the ugly injuries she uncovered or waste his time with apologies and questions. She simply bent her head to the task and cleaned every cut and burn as thoroughly and carefully as possible.
Afterward she asked, "Are you going to let them air?"
"I should," Neil said, "but I don't want these on display."
"I will ask them not to say anything," Renee said, correctly guessing Neil's concern. When Neil didn't argue, she slid off the bed and left the room. Allison was right about sound in the cabin; Neil heard every word Renee said to the Foxes with two rooms between them.
Neil would have stalled, but Andrew grew tired of waiting on him. He motioned for Neil to follow and left in search of Kevin. Neil swallowed a sigh and went after him. He braced for his teammates' reactions when he stepped into the kitchen with all his injuries bared. Nicky flinched and looked away, whereas Aaron surveyed the damage with keen interest. Dan opened her mouth but caught herself in the nick of time. Matt went from shock to anger in a nanosecond, and Allison averted her gaze as quickly as she could. Renee watched her friends with a smile on her lips and a calm stare, ready to intervene if one of them broke their word.
Kevin was the first and only to do so, and his reaction was predictable. "Can you play?"
"Yes," Neil said, before anyone could tear into Kevin. "It's going to hurt, and if the Bearcats get too rough next week I'll have some problems, but I still have my grip." He made a fist at Kevin as proof and carefully did not wince at the tearing feeling along his knuckles. "I'll just be extra careful."
"Absolutely not," Dan said. "You're not playing. You think Coach will let you on the court when you look like that? I'll sub in for you, Neil. Renee can help Allison out one more time, right?" She looked to Renee long enough to see Renee's nod. "Trust us to hold the line. You focus on healing so we can use you in semifinals."
Neil's first instinct was to argue and to call unfair, to say he hadn't survived his father and Lola's abuse just to sit out, to protest that they needed all the help he could get. Then he looked down at his arms and took a realistic assessment of his chances. It was disappointing to know she was right, but somehow it was still okay.
"I trust you," he said. "Thank you."
"Oh, wow," Nicky said. "Who's humanizing who in that relationship, anyway?"
Andrew casually reached for the wooden block of knives. Renee moved it out of his reach without batting an eye and smiled at the look Andrew gave her for interfering. Nicky took advantage of Andrew's distraction by hiding out of sight behind Kevin's taller body. Neil didn't miss the look Aaron sent Andrew, and a new flush of anger had him clenching his hand again. The ache in his knuckles warned him to relax, but then Aaron turned a shrewd look on Neil that made Neil want to knock him out. The pain would be worth it.
"Speaking of," Allison said, "I'm still waiting for an explanation, Neil. When are we going to talk about this?" She waggled her fingers at Neil and Andrew.
"Apparently never," Nicky said, a little sullenly.
"Don't be ridiculous," Allison said.
Neil dragged his stare away from Aaron with great effort. "Not anytime soon," he said, and when Allison looked affronted, explained, "I spent all weekend telling people every secret I've ever kept and I'll have to do it all over again as soon as we get back to campus. I think I've given up enough this week, don't you?"
Allison opened her mouth like she was going to argue but said nothing. After an eternity she looked to Dan and Renee. Dan gave a small jerk of her chin; Renee only smiled. Allison grimaced at them both before turning back on Neil.
"Fine. Be stingy—for now. We'll get the details out of you eventually."
They had time to kill before the office opened for dinner, so they headed to the back room. Kevin made a beeline for the TV and changed stations until he found a sports network. Dan and Allison claimed the Foosball table, so the others split into teams for pool. Neil had no idea what he was doing, but Renee and Nicky walked him through it. He failed miserably, but Andrew and Renee could hold their own against Matt and the cousins.