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)
Wymack stopped by Dan and beckoned his team over. Neil joined the huddle around him, stomach in his shoes. He'd meant what he told Kevin yesterday. He didn't want the season to end prematurely, and he definitely didn't want to miss out on championships, but committing Andrew was the right thing to do.
"Be here at six o'clock tomorrow morning," Wymack said. "We've got a game to win Friday."
Dan screamed and jumped him, and the other Foxes were quick to pile on. Neil could barely make out Wymack's indignant sputtering. Neil looked over at Kevin, who was hanging back like he didn't quite believe it. It didn't take Kevin long to notice the attention, and he glanced Neil's way. He looked like he was about to say something, but Nicky pounced on Neil and broke their staredown. Neil gave up on Kevin—for now—and let his teammates sweep him up into their celebration.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
On Wednesday morning Aaron showed up at practice. He didn't say a word to anyone, not even Wymack or Nicky, but he was there. He was at the dorm on time for the ride to afternoon practice as well, so Nicky made Neil drive again. It didn't help anything, since he and Aaron didn't speak to one another in the backseat, but Nicky seemed to expect that cold shoulder. That afternoon was when the upperclassmen finally noticed who was driving Andrew's car, and Matt was quick to ask about it.
"Nicky needs more time with Aaron," Neil said.
"When Andrew finds out you've stolen his car," Matt started, but left the rest of the threat unspoken.
"Andrew knows," Neil said. "He left me his key."
Matt stared at him, startled. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. When Neil frowned at him, Matt only shook his head. Neil let it go. That night he asked Matt to teach him how to fight. Matt looked surprised by the request but agreed, and they spent the rest of the evening figuring out when they could possibly meet up for lessons. Exy practices took up most of their free time and Neil had late night sessions with Kevin still. Luckily their schedules lined up twice a week between classes. Matt promised to get Neil a pair of gloves the next time he went out.
Thursday was almost an exact repeat of Wednesday, except when they went to the dining hall for dinner Katelyn joined them. Maybe Aaron warned Nicky ahead of time, because Nicky didn't so much as blink when she showed up with a tray. Kevin's reaction was a little more obvious, but he looked more calculating than disapproving. Katelyn seemed nervous at first, but she warmed up quickly and chatted almost nonstop through dinner. She was so enthusiastic about apparently everything in the world it was a little exhausting listening to her, but Aaron looked so alive in her presence Neil couldn't hold it against her.
Friday was the game. It should have been an easy win, but Andrew's absence and Neil's new racquet tilted the odds a little in JD's favor. The Foxes still won by a six-point margin, bumping their season record to eleven-two, and Katelyn was waiting for Aaron when he stepped off the court.
Maybe their embrace was what inspired Dan, because as soon as the Foxes were in the foyer she said, "We should celebrate."
Nicky didn't even hesitate. "Only if there're drinks involved."
The silence that followed was telling: Dan had said it, but she hadn't honestly expected the cousins to take her up on it. Fortunately for everyone, Renee was quick to rally. "We've got a couple bottles in our room. I think most of them are half-empty, but there should be enough to go around."
Aaron looked at Renee like she'd grown three heads. "We don't socialize with you."
"You do tonight," Matt said. "Tell Katelyn to come."
"She's probably going out with her friends tonight," Aaron said. "We're not—"
"The Vixens can come too," Dan said. When Allison shot her an incredulous look, Dan only shrugged. "What? I've been here for four years and I probably only know five of them by name. That's kind of sad, considering they've stuck by us this whole time. I don't know if we can fit the entire squad in our room, but..."
"The basement study rooms are big enough," Renee suggested when Dan trailed off. "I doubt anyone will be down there on a Friday night, so we can make as much noise as we like. You'll invite them, won't you, Aaron?"
"No," Aaron said, like he couldn't believe they were still talking about it.
"Okay, seriously," Matt said. "What do you have against us? Andrew I sort of understand. You, I can't figure out. What have we ever done to you?"
"Besides pay your bail," Nicky supplied helpfully. "Aaron, we're going."
Aaron opened his mouth, closed it again, and fixed Nicky with an annoyed look. "You're explaining this to Andrew when he gets back."
"Oh, hell no," Nicky said, and jerked a thumb at Neil. "I'mma leave that one to him. Thanks for taking one for the team, Neil. You're a real friend." Nicky grinned over at Neil, but his amusement didn't last. He seemed confused by whatever he saw on Neil's face and backpedaled with, "Don't worry, we'll send Renee along with you for backup. Last I checked Andrew only wins half their fights, so you might actually survive. Uh. Neil?"
He should just let it go, or at least leave it to think about later, but Neil couldn't resist. "Are we?" he asked, because hadn't Betsy said it just a few days ago? He hadn't understood it then and hadn't even tried, too angry and upset over everything else that was happening. Tonight it almost meant something, though what, Neil didn't know. Realizing Nicky couldn't follow his twisting train of thought, Neil forced himself to say, "Friends?"
It was like that one word punched all the joy out of Nicky, but the look that crossed Nicky's face next was too fast for Neil to decipher. Nicky's smile was back a second later, but it didn't reach his eyes. Neil might have apologized, except Nicky reached out and scrubbed a gloved hand through Neil's hair.