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)
"We promise not to ask about Christmas," Renee said. Either she didn't see the annoyed look Allison shot her for killing their chance at getting good gossip or she chose not to acknowledge it. "It'll only take a couple minutes, I think."
Neil didn't trust Allison not to pry, but he trusted Renee to intervene on his behalf when that happened. "Okay."
"I need to get my stuff, too," Nicky said. "We can go when they're done with you."
Wymack nodded and surveyed his team. "Anyone got anything official to add?"
"We're going to need a shelf or something in here to put our championship trophy on," Dan said. "Can we rearrange again?"
"Board won't sign off on a purchase like that until we've at least made it through the second death match," Wymack said. "Nice try, though."
"Who needs the board's permission?" Allison said. "I'm going to buy it, because the board is too stingy. We deserve something obscenely expensive. Matt, measure the bed of your truck. I need to know what I can fit before I start looking for the right piece."
"Oh, to be young and filthy rich," Nicky said. "Must be nice."
Allison considered her manicure with lofty boredom. "It is."
Nicky rolled his eyes but didn't push it.
"Anything else?" Wymack asked. The sound of the main door opening heralded Abby's return and Wymack shook his head. "Never mind. Food's here. Stuff your faces and get out of my locker room. I'll be going over paperwork and scheduling if anyone needs me."
He hopped off his perch and vanished into his office. Abby covered the coffee table with food containers and passed out paper plates. When she was done she stayed only long enough to offer a quiet but warm welcome back to the Foxes. Neil thought it odd that she wasn't sticking around to ask about anyone's vacation, but the uncomfortable look she flicked Neil and Andrew on her way to Wymack's office made him think she was sparing their feelings. It was misplaced courtesy. Andrew wasn't likely to care if his teammates had better breaks than he did and Neil didn't begrudge them their happiness.
Lunch was a quiet affair. Neil unplugged his phone on the way out and Andrew wouldn't let him into the car until he powered it on. The team took two cars back to Fox Tower, and Neil followed the girls into their room. Allison had him sit sideways on the couch while she went through her suitcase. She brought a plastic bag with her and sat as close to him as she could. Neil watched as she unloaded makeup into the scant space between them.
"It would have been better if you'd come to the store with us," Allison said. It sounded like an accusation, even though they hadn't made Neil aware of their intentions. Neil wondered if he was supposed to apologize. Before he made up his mind Allison barged on. "It doesn't matter. I bought out the entire row. Something will match sooner or later. Look straight ahead and let me work. Don't speak until I ask you a question."
She lifted the small packets two at a time, one to either side of his face, and checked for the closest matching tones. Some she was able to discard outright. Others she set aside for a second inspection. Finally she was left with three, and she set to work covering up the bruises lining his throat and face. Renee and Dan came around behind the couch to watch her work. Neil didn't risk Allison's ire by looking up at them, but he could almost hear Dan grinding her teeth.
"Why?" Dan finally demanded. "What did he hope to gain? Why did he do it?"
"Dan," Renee said in quiet rebuke. "We promised."
"You promised," Dan said.
Neil would have let them fight it out, but it wasn't his decision Dan was challenging. "To get to Kevin," he said, and Allison lowered her hands from his face. Neil slanted a look at Dan. "Did you know? Kevin's been with the Foxes a year now, but he still has a room at the Ravens' Nest. Riko hasn't even thrown away his schoolwork. Interesting, isn't it? Riko threatens and dismisses Kevin at every turn, but he can't let go. He's as obsessed with Kevin as Kevin is with him.
"Now Kevin's starting to forget him," Neil said. "When we faced the Ravens last October, Kevin cared more about us than he did about having Riko standing at his back. He chose us over them that day, and that's unforgivable. Riko is King. He won't be dismissed or belittled or outplayed. So he took away the people Kevin was leaning on. He wanted us to fear him and to infect Kevin with those doubts."
Dan gave a rude snort. "What an incompetent asshole."
"Thank you," Neil said. Dan looked lost, so Neil said, "For not asking me if it worked."
"Of course it didn't work," Allison said. "You're not afraid of Andrew. Why would you be afraid of Riko? He's just another loudmouthed, spoiled child with anger issues. Now eyes forward and let me work. I didn't tell you you could look away."
Neil resumed a frozen position until she finished. She leaned back a bit to give him a scrutinizing once-over, then got up to grab a mirror from her desk. Neil's stomach churned as she brought it back to him. Neil took it from her outstretched hand but let it rest glass-down in his lap. Allison motioned for him to take a peek. Neil shook his head.
"If you say it's good, I'll believe you," Neil said.
"Not scared of Riko, but scared of your own reflection?" Allison crossed her arms over her chest and treated him to a pitying look. "You are one messed-up child. You come by that naturally or did your parents do that to you?"
Dan jumped in before Neil could react. "Looks great. Anyone gets too close they'll probably figure out you're wearing makeup, but I don't think anyone will ask. From back here I can't even tell. You'll just have to stop by here after morning practices to get dolled up for classes until the mess fades. Do you have nine o'clock classes this semester?"