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“I won’t play with Kevin.” He was tired, punched in the stomach with a racquet, and overall done with this shit.
“Why?” Wymack crossed his hands on his chest, frowning.
“Why? Oh, I don’t know why! Let’s hear what Kevin thinks about it? Let him explain why he’s so stupid.”
Kevin blinked. And blinked again. Very slowly.
“What the fuck?”
People rarely allowed themselves to speak disrespectfully about Kevin Day. Son of Exy, stunning and handsome, he was much more accustomed to worship, save for Andrew. The guy in front of him had some nerve.
Neil giggled nervously, reaching his limit. Has he been mistaken? Or is Kevin trying to be an idiot about it? Play it safe, so that his team doesn't comprehend what kind of trouble he's going to bring? Foolish.
“I know you recognised me, there’s no way you would’ve come all this way from Palmetto for a random kid in Millport, Kevin. C’mon. I’m done with this.”
Day rubbed the back of his head, confused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Josten. Respectfully, you’re an asshole. I flew all the way here and you talk shit like this. You understand that, yet you are willing to waste my time on this show. What is it, you're playing hard to get? We both know you're nothing, our contract is basically your dream. No one will sign you up beside Foxes, no matter the talent and potential.”
Neil scowled. Andrew looked his way.
“Recognised you, huh? Doesn’t look like it to me.”
He places himself closer to Kevin, just a bit, but enough to protect him in case of Neil’s sudden attack. Maybe Day is thick in the head, but Andrew isn't. Little minx is acting suspicious.
“Shut up, you hit me with a fucking racquet!” sounds close enough to a whine, if Andrew didn't know better.
“I’d do it again.” he shrugged.
Neil snorted. He was getting bored. Irritated, even. Why does he have to spit it out now?
“That’s enough, Kevin. Why did you come? How did you track me down? Does Riko know about it?”
Kevin raised his eyebrow, clenching his fists. Now his face has gone pale.
“I came because we need a striker, and you desperately need a team to get out of this shithole. I don't understand why my brother would be a variable in this dialogue.”
Andrew frowned. Suspicious. Little buzz in his head now became louder. Ordinary people don't talk about Exy King like that, don't look like they posses a knowledge.
“Who are you?”
Neil raised just his gaze at Kevin. This is getting ridiculous.
“Silence your guard dog. You know who I am. You remember me. You played with me, you cried into my shoulder, you threw up in front of me like a baby when you saw the mess.”
Kevin huffed, frustrated. Despite everything Josten spewed, situation did not become any less confusing. Maybe it was denial.
“I don’t know you.”
Neil scoffed, cutting the distance between them in one go.
“Think, princess!” this one just might get through that thick skull of Kevin's.
Kevin was startled, his eyes wide open. He tried to get something out of his mouth, but it kept failing to produce any coherent sounds.
“That can’t be…”
“That can’t be what?” Andrew asked. “Answer me, Kevin. You look funny, like when you see that dear brother of yours. I don't like it.”
Kevin turned to Andrew, looking lost and disturbed. “He…he just…”
“Say my name, Kevin! Come on! Don’t you remember?” Neil grinned, little sparkle showing in his eyes. What's there to lose now, when he had already misjudged the situation? Neil could practically envision his mother turning in her improvised grave, his voice getting thinner and thinner. “Don’t you remember my Father? Don’t you remember his work? I’m tired. You won. Congratulations! I didn’t want to be found, but you returned to my life and fucked it up, again.”
Kevin found his footing and walked past Andrew, pushing him away softly with almost no skin-to-skin contact. He gave Minyard a reassuring nod. He had to check, to touch, to make sure it was really happening.
Instead, he measured Neil with a look. he was lying. That person was dead.
“I don’t believe it.”
“Say it.”
“You don’t look like him! You don’t even resemble him! He's dead, he is de-"
“I asked you to say my name, Kevin.” slight British accent showed in his speech, as if to ensure Kevin more. Spreading like poison, rolling out of his mouth, just like in childhood. In the end, Neil could never lose an accent in his life, only acquire a new one, covering his true identity and burying it deeper under all of false ones.
Day sighed, opened his mouth and closed it. He did the same thing again.
Neil watched patiently, like a predator expecting its prey to give up willingly and stop fighting to save their life.
Older boy raised his eyes, scared and hopeful at the same time. He sucked in a shaky breath, lowering his hands and slumping shoulders.
“Nathaniel.” his voice didn't belong to him, small and distant. Afraid.
Neil grinned, throwing his hands up. Fuck this.
“Hello, Brother.”