Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 109903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Her reference to Aaron didn't make sense at first, but then Neil remembered. On his second trip out to Eden's Twilight he asked Andrew why he bothered with cracker dust. Andrew said they'd picked the habit up for Aaron's sake. Just the other week Nicky mentioned that Aaron used his mother's drugs, though he hadn't specified what all she'd been into. Chances were cracker dust was a paltry substitute. Watching Matt crumble under temptation would have wrecked hell on Aaron's own sobriety.
Neil was starting to rethink how apathetic Andrew was about Aaron's life.
Matt misinterpreted Neil's silence. "You're a year too late to get mad on my behalf, Neil. Trust me: I'm okay. I'm more than okay, really. I thought rehab was bad the first time through. The second time almost killed me. It definitely killed any chance of me being tempted ever again. I'm clean for good and I feel better than ever."
Neil needed more time to figure out how to feel about this, but it wasn't his life, so he said only, "It's your fight."
Matt smiled in gratitude for Neil's understanding. "Guess we'll have to pick up some costumes this week if we're going with you. We wait much longer and all the good ones will be taken. What'd you guys get, so we don't double up on anything?"
"I'll ask."
"You don't know?" Dan asked, bemused.
"I'm hoping Nicky was joking," Neil said, getting to his feet. "I'll be back."
It turned out Nicky wasn't joking, but at least a zombie cowboy was better than a milk carton or a cow.
-
Having nine people along on a Friday night meant Andrew had to make an actual reservation at Sweetie's, no matter that they got there at half-past ten. A small crowd of people was waiting at the hostess stand, but the L-shaped corner booth was marked with a RESERVED placard. The booth was technically intended for eight people, not nine in costumes, but it helped that Aaron and Andrew were pint-sized. The Foxes squished thigh-to-thigh and pored over menus.
Usually Andrew's lot settled for ice cream and cracker dust, but it'd been six hours since any of them ate and they had a long night ahead of them. Dinner was also the safest icebreaker any of them could think of. The Foxes had never socialized en masse outside of team events and practices. They weren't really sure what to do with each other when Exy wasn't involved.
Aaron and Andrew did nothing to make the night easier on anyone. Aaron refused to speak to any of the upperclassmen, even when one of them said something directly to him, and radiated quiet anger from his spot between Nicky and Neil. Neil found it equal parts aggravating and interesting. Aaron didn't have a serious problem with his teammates on the court, so Neil couldn't understand why he was so against this.
Now that Renee was allowed to play as a goalkeeper again, Andrew only had to stay sober through first half. He'd taken a pill during halftime tonight and was still buzzing. He spent most of that considerable energy on his own group or Renee. He was a little more cooperative than his brother in that he answered Dan or Matt if they asked him something, but his answers were lightning quick, borderline rude, and always followed by a redirect to someone else at the table.
It could have been the most awkward dinner in the world if not for Nicky. Nicky hated how isolated the twins were and was desperate to make friends with the rest of the team. It was as if he'd developed a sudden allergy to silence. Any time the conversation started to slow he threw out another topic to salvage it. Renee, Dan, and Matt were happy to play along, but Allison and Kevin were slower to get involved. Neil preferred to stay out of it so he could watch the way they interacted, but since this was his idea he felt obligated to help Nicky out when he could.
They were working on dessert when Andrew's high started to noticeably peter out, and Neil didn't miss the curious looks the upperclassmen sent Andrew's way. Andrew's withdrawal wasn't a new thing but they'd always seen it through the smokescreen of a game. Here there wasn't a court and another team to distract them from his slow crash. Allison predicted earlier this week Andrew wouldn't last the night without his medicine, so Neil thought to warn them about Andrew's cracker dust habit. Andrew would ease his withdrawal with alcohol and drugs; he was going to be harder and colder than the upperclassmen had ever seen him.
Andrew acknowledged their attention with a sly grin and an elbow in Kevin's side. Kevin shifted in his seat enough to put his hand in his pocket. The rattle of pills against plastic was so soft Neil might not have noticed it if not for Andrew's reaction. The look Andrew shot Kevin's hand was so intense Neil wanted to lean away from it. Andrew dragged his stare back up to Kevin's face with obvious effort. The slow smile that curved his lips said he was pulling free of his drugged haze and was not at all amused by Kevin's silent offer.
"Don't make me hurt you," Andrew said. "I don't want blood in my ice cream."
Kevin only shrugged and pulled his hand free. Across the table the upperclassmen were silent. They didn't know what they'd missed but they'd heard Andrew's threat. Nicky shot Kevin an accusatory look for making things awkward and distracted Matt by asking about a recent movie.
Neil let the words go in one ear and out the other. He'd just remembered a question he'd been sitting on for months. He weighed his chances of getting a real answer with so many people present, considered asking in German, and decided he didn't want Andrew's half-assed answer. Kevin sat between Andrew and Neil, so it was easy for Neil to get his attention. He nudged Kevin with his knee and asked in quiet French, "Why do you have his drugs?"