Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 117363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Maybe Rhemann heard him choke, because he tried again with a quiet but firm, “Jean.”
“I will call Dr. Dobson.” It was enough to give Rhemann pause, and Jean leaned into the lie with everything he had. “I will call her as soon as I am home, Coach.”
There was a knock at the door. Rhemann finished taping bandages into place before rolling his stool across the room to open it. Lisinski was in the doorway with Lucas at her side. Jean took one look at him and knew his nose was broken; Grayson hadn’t pulled any of the hits he’d aimed at his brother. Jean wanted to be satisfied that Lucas had paid for his part in this wretched reunion, but all he felt was tired and cold. Rhemann scooted out of the way so they could come in and close the door again.
Jean tuned out Rhemann’s concerned questions and Lisinski’s assessment of Lucas’s injuries. When Rhemann was sure Lucas wasn’t going to keel over any time soon, he said, “Start from the top.”
Lucas’s story came out as a halting mess, torn through with self-censorship and regret. He’d failed to get a good explanation from Jean yesterday as to what started the antagonism between Jean and his brother, so he’d done as Jean dared him and demanded the truth from Grayson. Grayson refused to engage in the conversation, only to turn around and message Lucas at lunch today for information about the timing of the Trojans’ practices. He had nothing to say to Lucas, but he would speak to Jean, if Lucas could get him time alone.
“It’s only the second thing he’s said to me this summer.” Lucas stared down at his shoes, the very picture of misery. “He walked away from me four years ago and forgot I existed, and both times he’s bothered to talk to me since coming home it’s been about Jean. He leaves for West Virginia this weekend. It was my last chance to see him before he went, and I didn’t—I didn’t know how to refuse him. I’m sorry. I fucked up.”
Rhemann looked over at Jean. Jean wasn’t sure if he was waiting for Jean’s version of events or Jean’s righteous fury. Jean kept his stare on Lucas’s face and said, “The next time he leaves, let him go and change the locks behind him.”
“He’s my brother,” Lucas said, but his protest was weak.
“I already told you,” Jean said, voice flat. “He stopped being your brother the day he went to the Nest.”
Lucas made a face at the floor but didn’t argue immediately. “He hurt you. At Edgar Allan, I mean,” he said when Jean reflexively tightened his grip on his bandaged wrist. Jean didn’t answer, but Lucas wasn’t waiting for confirmation when they both knew what the answer was. “I heard what he said to you.”
“I will not talk about this with you.”
“Did he—”
Jean refused to hear the rest of that question. “I will not talk about this with you,” he said again, louder. This time Lucas took the hint, and Jean dug his nails into his bandage until the pain took the fierce edge out of his voice. When he trusted himself not to disrespect his coach with his tone, he turned a calm stare on Rhemann and asked, “Coach, may I go?”
“Are you really good to leave it like this?” Rhemann asked. “We have security cameras. We can call the police.”
Jean’s stomach bottomed out. “No, Coach.”
“Jean.” That muted protest was from Lucas, of all people, but Jean refused to look at him.
“I’ll send Jeremy away first,” Rhemann said, like that somehow would win Jean over.
“Ravens do not—” Jean started. At the look on Rhemann’s face he changed tracks and said, “I cannot talk to the police, Coach.”
Rhemann gave him a minute to change his mind, then gave up with a shake of his head. “I am trusting you to make the call that’s best for you, but I will not allow him to trespass on our stadium again. I’m going to contact campus security with his picture,” he said, with a glance at Lucas, “and inform them he is not welcome on the property. Lucas, if you hear another antagonistic word from him tonight, I would appreciate a heads-up. Thank you,” he added when Lucas gave a jerky nod. “Jackie can give you a ride back to the dorm.”
“I’ve got Haoyu and Travis,” Lucas said, still sounding defeated. “I’ll be fine.”
“You?” Rhemann asked Jean, then made up his mind before Jean could answer. “You’re with Laila. I’ll give the four of you a lift.”
Rhemann got up from the stool. Lisinski didn’t look pleased by any of this but left the office first. Lucas didn’t move, even when Rhemann stepped past him. Jean got a glimpse of Jeremy hovering in the hall like an anxious mother hen, but then Lucas reached for the doorknob. Lucas tipped his head toward Rhemann but kept his eyes on Jean as he asked, “Two minutes. Please?”