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)
"You could wait for Aaron," one of the lawyers said. Neil guessed that meant he was Waterhouse, the twin's attorney. "I'm on my way to get him now."
"No time for that," Andrew said. "He can take a number and wait."
He sailed down the hall to Nicky's bedroom. Betsy watched the door close behind him, then sent Neil a considering look. Neil looked at Kevin so he wouldn't look at her. Kevin was staring hard at Wymack as if waiting for Wymack to put an end to this. Wymack ignored him and saw the lawyers out.
"Aaron?" Neil asked when Wymack came back alone.
"Waterhouse thinks he can get Aaron released until trial on his recognizance," Wymack said. "Matt's mother offered to wire money for his bond if necessary. Waterhouse tried to meet with Aaron last night and let him know, but Aaron wouldn't see him. Hopefully hearing about all of this," he jerked his chin as if to indicate Andrew's upcoming departure, "will get him moving, but who knows when it comes to those two? Speaking of unpredictable assholes, when did that happen?"
"When did what?" Neil asked.
Wymack eyed him. "Forget it."
"I can't believe you're sending Andrew away," Kevin said, a little sharply.
"Technically I'm not," Wymack said. "Betsy is. And it doesn't really matter what you believe, because it's already settled."
"What about the season?" Kevin asked. "What about Riko?"
"What about Andrew? Attempt to think about someone and something else for just a moment there." Wymack waited a beat to make sure that accusation sunk in. "I know you're scared, but he needs this, Kevin. He's not any good to you until he gets his shit sorted, and he can't sort a damn thing when he's buzzing three miles off the ground. You know that."
Betsy waited a moment to see if Kevin would speak, then said, "I don't know how long it will take to get Andrew checked in, David. It's probably best if you don't wait for me."
"We could," Wymack said, but Betsy only shook her head. A door opening down the hall distracted Wymack and he scowled as Andrew returned. "When you said you were going to see if he was bleeding I assumed you were going to take time to explain this to him."
"You know what they say about people who assume, Coach." Andrew grinned and stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. "He's not bleeding, so I told him I'd be back later and we could talk about it then. It's technically the truth, yes? Let Neil deal with the fallout if Nicky doesn't like it. Bee, we're going."
Wymack let them get all the way to the door before calling, "Andrew. Don't leave me alone with these morons for too long. I'm getting too old to deal with their drama."
"Oh, you and me both," Andrew said.
Betsy closed the door behind them. Neil could just make out the sound of her engine starting, and then it was quiet. Andrew was gone.
The silence that descended on the house was almost suffocating, but it didn't last long. Wymack dug his cigarettes out of his pocket and shook a stick into his hand. He had it halfway to his mouth before he paused and looked at Neil. When he held it out in offering, Neil didn't hesitate to take it. Wymack let him use the lighter first. Neil passed the cigarette from hand to hand, trying to scatter the thin trail of smoke as best he could.
"Look," Wymack said. "I know I've always told you all to take your personal problems up with Betsy or Abby. I've said it's not my place to get into anything outside the court. I hope you've figured out by now I'm just blowing hot air. I'm not real good at being a shoulder, but I do have a working set of ears."
"There's nothing to say," Neil said.
"Maybe not right now," Wymack said, "but that offer doesn't expire. Figure out what you two need to cope with this and let us know. We'll sit down with everyone tomorrow to see how to proceed from here, but you don't have to wait until then to speak up. That said, I have some calls I need to make. Are you good in here for a while?"
When Kevin said nothing, Neil said, "Yes, Coach."
Wymack went outside to make his calls in the cold. Neil looked at Kevin's bleak expression and debated checking on Nicky. He didn't have the energy to deal with Nicky's reaction, so he went to the kitchen instead. He set the cigarette down on the edge of the counter and went back to making breakfast. He got a few more rounds of bacon done before Kevin joined him and sat at the table.
"Riko is going to tear us apart," Kevin said.
"Maybe," Neil said.
Nicky showed up as Neil was taking the last strips off the pan. He looked in at them but left without a word. Neil listened to him move up and down the hall and guessed Nicky was looking for Andrew. He knew he was right when Nicky went upstairs. Nicky came back down again almost immediately with Abby not far behind him. He lingered in the doorway, phone still clenched in one fist like he'd forgotten he was carrying it, and looked from Kevin to Neil.
"Where is he?"
"Betsy committed him," Abby said. "She's taking him off his medicine."
"Oh, thank God," Nicky said, voice ragged.
The look on Abby's face said she still wasn't comfortable with this plan, but she wisely kept silent. Nicky trudged across the room and sank into one of the empty chairs. He dropped his phone on the table and buried his face in his hands. Abby slid into the seat beside him and wound an arm around his shoulders. Nicky leaned against her but said nothing else. Abby rested her cheek against his hair and looked over Nicky's head at Neil. Neil turned away and tackled the eggs.
Wymack showed up a couple minutes later, and the five sat down to the most uncomfortable breakfast Neil had ever suffered through. Wymack's phone beeped at least thirty times in the time it took him to finish his food. Wymack read every message as it came in but didn't respond to any of them. Neil half-expected Abby to say something about the noise, but she let it slide like she didn't notice.