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)
"I know what he's like," Kevin said. Neil looked at him, but Kevin was studying his hands. "Riko. If you want to talk."
It was the most awkward and uncomfortable thing Kevin had ever said to him. Kevin was known for his talent, not his sensitivity. Consideration and tact were as foreign to him as the German the cousins spoke. That he tried at all was so unexpected Neil felt it like a balm to every bruised inch of his skin.
"Thank you."
"I know what he's like, but I can't—" Kevin made a helpless gesture. "Riko was cruel but he needed me to succeed. We were the heirs of Exy; he hurt me but there were lines he would not cross until the end. It was different for Jean. It was worse. His father owed the Moriyamas a great deal. The master paid those debts in exchange for Jean's presence on our court. He was property, nothing more. You are the same in their eyes."
"I am not property," Neil said in a low voice.
"I know how he sees you," Kevin said. "I know it means he did not hold back."
"It doesn't matter." It sounded like a lie even to him, but Kevin didn't call him on it. "It's over now and I'm back where I belong. The only thing that matters now is what comes next."
"It's not that easy."
"I'll tell you what's not easy: finding out from Jean that Coach is your father," Neil said, and Kevin gave a violent flinch. "Were you ever going to tell him?"
"I was going to when he signed me," Kevin said. "I couldn't."
"Were you protecting him or yourself?"
"Both, perhaps," Kevin said. "The master is not like his brother, nor is he like Riko. His kingdom is his court and that is the only sphere he chooses to exert control over. He has never raised a hand or voice against Coach before because Coach has never been a real threat to him. I didn't know if a confession would change things. I couldn't risk it. Maybe when all this is over."
"Is it ever going to be—" Neil started, but movement in the doorway made him forget his words.
Andrew stood in the doorway with Slosky at his back. He was wearing the same black turtleneck and jeans he'd been committed in. A bag hung off his shoulder, but Neil didn't remember him packing before Betsy led him out of the house. Neil might have asked what Easthaven was sending him home with, except his gaze finally caught on Andrew's face and he forgot his words. Andrew's expression was blank and his stare empty enough to put a knot in Neil's gut. Andrew lingered just long enough to see who'd come for him and turned away.
Aaron was the first to react. He'd been ignored by his brother for years; being looked at like he was no more interesting than a rock was old hat by now. Aaron motioned to Nicky and started after his brother. Neil and Kevin exchanged looks, calling a temporary and silent truce, and stood. Slosky said something to them as they filed out of the lounge, but Neil didn't waste time deciphering his words. Slosky had served his purpose by getting Andrew off his medication. Neil didn't need or want anything else from him.
By the time Neil reached the door Andrew was halfway down the building already. Aaron didn't follow but cut across the yard toward the parking lot. Nicky went with him, but Neil and Kevin stopped to watch Andrew. Two dumpsters sat against the corner of the building. Andrew upended his bag into one of them and Neil saw clothes fall out. He doubted Easthaven had supplied them; it was more likely Betsy Dobson and Andrew had picked a couple outfits up on the way to getting Andrew admitted. Andrew found his family in a sweeping glance and used their path to locate his car. When he set off for it, Neil and Kevin started after him.
Nicky had his keys on him, and he got the car unlocked so he and Aaron could pile into the backseat. Andrew opened the driver's door but didn't get in. He stood with his back to the car, one arm propped on the hood and the other draped along the top of his door, and watched the strikers approach. Kevin stopped right in front of him to inspect his returned teammate. Neil hesitated by the open back door so he could watch their reunion.
If Neil hadn't known Andrew spent the last year and a half fiercely protective and territorial of Kevin, he'd think they were strangers. Andrew treated Kevin to a bored inspection, then flicked his fingers in dismissal. Not even the bruises were interesting enough to get a comment, it seemed. Kevin nodded and went around the front of the car to the passenger seat. Neil didn't wait to see if Andrew's gaze swung his way again but got in the car.
Andrew slid into the driver's seat when everyone was settled and held a hand up between the seats. Neil dropped his key ring into Andrew's palm. Nicky caught Neil's wrist as he lowered his hand and gave a short, fierce squeeze. Nicky likely meant it as an apology for his cousin's cold shoulder, but fire sizzled up Neil's forearm and down to his fingertips. He'd rubbed his wrists raw fighting Riko's handcuffs, and his bandages weren't thick enough to protect him from Nicky's tight grip. Neil flinched before he could stop himself.
Nicky let go like he'd been burned. "Sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't—"
Neil's hand was throbbing, but he said, "It's fine."
"It isn't," Nicky insisted, and looked to his cousin. "I mean, Jesus, Andrew, aren't you even going to ask—"
Andrew cut the radio on loud enough to drown out anything else they had to say. Nicky's mouth twisted, but Neil shook his head and waved it off. It didn't ease the sick look in Nicky's eyes, but Nicky let it drop for now.
Kevin reached for the volume controls only once. Andrew popped his hand out of the way and pointed a warning finger at him without taking his eyes off the road. Kevin crossed his arms in a silent declaration of displeasure that Andrew ignored. Neil's head started pounding before they even reached the halfway point to the upstate. He was glad to see Fox Tower, gladder when Andrew parked and the car went mercifully silent.