Nora Sakavic

"You do understand by now that your cowardice is what's keeping you and Andrew apart, right?"

"I am not a coward."

"You're a spineless asshole," Neil said. "You let the world happen to you and don't bother to fight back.

He started to reach for Andrew again but stopped himself halfway there. Andrew snagged that hand too and held it down out of the way.

"Stay," Andrew said, and leaned down to kiss him.

"I didn't say anything then because I knew I'd look out for only me when the world went to hell. I don't want to be that person anymore. I want to go back for you."

He didn't know what this thing between them was anymore. He didn't know what he wanted or needed it to be. He just knew he had to hold on for as long as he could.

Aaron was one of the first off the court. He shoved his racquet at Nicky and dropped his helmet and gloves on his way to the cheerleaders. Katelyn tossed her pom-poms aside at his approach and jumped into his waiting arms to kiss him. The Vixens bounced around them, cheering and waving to the crowd

straightened and turned to find Andrew had shifted closer. There was nowhere for Neil to stand except up against Andrew, but somehow Neil didn't mind. They'd been apart for seven weeks but Neil keenly remembered why he'd stayed. He remembered this unyielding, unquestioning weight that could hold him and all of his problems up without breaking a sweat. For the first time in months he could finally breathe again

He'd done the right thing by going to Evermore; he was making the right choice in standing his ground here with the Foxes. It didn't matter how much his reflection freaked him out. If this was the only way to keep his teammates safe from Riko's cruelty it was an easy price to pay.

"The next time someone comes for you, stand down and let me deal with it. Do you understand?"

"If it means losing you, then no," Neil said.

"I hate you," Andrew said casually. He took a last long drag from his cigarette and flicked it off the roof. "You were supposed to be a side effect of the drugs."

"Oh, to be young and filthy rich," Nicky said. "Must be nice."

If Jean wasn't willing to fight back, if he had nothing to fight for, there was nothing anyone could do for him.