CHAPTER NINE
J ean
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J ean and Kevin were due at the station at half-past nine on Saturday morning. Kevin had gone over what to expect over a light breakfast, but nothing he said could make Jean feel better about this. It wasn t a live segment, but the turnaround time for it to be aired was only expected to be a few hours. They could each bring one guest to wait in the wings-Andrew for Kevin and Jeremy for Jean-but other than that it would just be them and the crew in the studio. Kevin had gotten a written promise there d be no other guests.
The whole setup was a complete turnaround from every other appearance Kevin had agreed to. Jean wasn t sure if Kevin had set such strict rules for Jean s sake or in response to how badly Kathy Ferdinand s show went last fall. He was honestly a little surprised the station went along with so many demands, but Kevin hadn t spoken to anyone since finals. Perhaps the exclusive right to finally ask Kevin about Riko s death was worth any concession.
Jean had been trying to hold that thought at bay for weeks, but with them five minutes from leaving the house it hit like a bag of bricks. He glanced across the living room at Kevin, who was trying to hug himself out of existence near the bay window, and felt his stomach give a violent lurch. He barely made it to the bathroom in time to throw his entire breakfast up, and his hands were trembling so badly afterward he could barely sip water from the sink.
Oh, babe, Cat said, combing her fingers through his hair as he tried tearing the hand towel in half. She traded him a glass of water for the towel. You can do this. I know you can.
I can t. I won t go.
You can, she stressed. Kevin and Jeremy will be right there with you, and Laila and I will be cheering you on from here.
Pretend you re talking to us, Laila added from the doorway.
I can t talk to the press. I m not allowed. And I can t- listen to Kevin lie about Riko .
Maybe you should have a drink, too, Cat mused. Jean didn t think it would at all help, but he drained half of the glass she d brought him. Cat clarified a moment later with, I mean vodka. I know it s not your style, but Kevin seems a bit more settled since he knocked some back. It s kind of funny; I hadn t thought him the type to get stage fright.
Jean stared at her, waiting for her words to make sense, but the best he managed was, Vodka.
Genuinely impressive how fast it went down, Cat said. I think you were getting dressed when-oh? She scrambled to catch the glass he pushed at her hands, and Laila almost didn t make it out of Jean s way in time as he stormed out of the bathroom. Jean made it halfway to Kevin before Andrew appeared in his path. Jean moved to shove him out of the way, but Andrew gave his arm a brutal wrench that almost took him off his feet.
Hey, Jeremy said, coming off the couch in alarm. What s going on?
Jean scowled at Andrew. Get your hands off me, Doe.
Still the best you have to offer? Andrew asked. Boring.
Kevin was closest, so he caught hold of Andrew s wrist. Don t. He s not going to hurt me. He doesn t know how. Kevin ignored the scathing look Jean flicked him, intent on staring down his tiny teammate. The tilt of Andrew s head said he was considering it, but his iron grip didn t waver. Kevin s knuckles went white as he squeezed. I need him today, and I can t put him in front of a camera if you break him.
Andrew let go and stepped aside, and Jean immediately shoved Kevin. Kevin leveled a vicious look at him, unimpressed with his attitude after Kevin had intervened on his behalf, and Jean lit into him in furious French:
You re drinking? You ? What is wrong with you?
You of all people don t get to ask me that.
Jean went to shove him again, but Kevin caught a fistful of his shirt. He slammed Jean into the wall almost hard enough to knock the breath out of him. Jean was dimly aware of the Trojans standing still as stone, startled by the sudden violence and an argument they couldn t understand.
I m the one who s going to get us through this, Kevin warned him. How I do it is up to me.
Kevin. That was Jeremy, pushing past Andrew like he didn t even see him. He caught hold of Kevin s elbow and dug his fingers in when Kevin wouldn t be pulled. Jeremy s tone was every inch a warning when he said, Kevin, back off. Right now. He waited for Kevin to let go and step back, then planted a firm hand against Jean s chest when Jean moved to follow. No. We are not doing this, not now and not like this. You two can talk it out like civilized adults when we get back from the studio.
You let him drink, Jean accused Jeremy.
Jeremy returned his frustrated glare with a calm look. He s not driving. If he says he can handle it, that s his decision to make.
He s not handling it.
And you are? Kevin demanded.
Enough, Jeremy said, snapping his fingers in their faces until they both looked at him. We don t have time for this. Pack up your differences and put them away for now. We need to get moving. Go on, he said, motioning for Kevin to put more space between them. You know where my keys are. Take Andrew out to the car, and we ll be out in just a sec.
Kevin, Andrew said, and started for the door. Kevin flicked one last cool look at Jean before following.
Jeremy waited until the front door closed before dropping his hand from Jean s chest. The look he turned on Jean was serious, but his tone was careful when he said, You ve got to get through this interview, Jean. Forgive and forget or whatever it takes; you can t bring this fight into the studio with you. They don t know anything about you outside of what the Ravens have been saying. This is your best and only chance to set the story straight. Okay?
A dozen furious rebuttals chewed at his throat. Jean worked his jaw and said nothing. Jeremy only gave him a minute before insisting, Jean.
It s in my contract, Jean finally said, because what else could he do but bite his tongue and bow his head? I agreed I wouldn t misrepresent the Trojans in public. I will behave.
Thank you, Jeremy said, moving out of his space at last. Just get through this, and then you and Kevin can sit down and try to make things right.
It was so optimistic, so na ve, to think such thing was possible, but Jeremy was right: this was not the time to get into it. Jean closed his eyes and counted his breaths until he felt a little calmer.
Jeremy waited until he opened his eyes before asking, Good?
No, Jean said. Let s go.
Cat met him halfway to the door to fix his shirt and give him a tight hug. One question at a time, okay?
Yes, Jean said, and followed Jeremy out to the car.
Andrew and Kevin were in the back, so Jean took the passenger seat. The twenty-minute drive to the news station passed in uncomfortable silence, as even Jeremy wasn t interested in idle chatter. There was a row of parking spaces for studio guests, and Jeremy held the front door to let them all precede him inside. Kevin went to chat up the receptionist, his pleasant persona already locked in place, and Jean studied the lobby with growing unease.
Kevin beckoned them over to show off their IDs, and they passed around a sign-in clipboard while the receptionist called them an escort. A youthful aide came out to greet them only a minute later, all bright smiles and rapid-fire greetings. Her handshake was more a quick squeeze than anything else, and Andrew didn t even look at her when she turned on him last.
Kevin s smile didn t waver as he said, Please excuse him.
Of course, she said, spinning on her heel. Right this way!
She buzzed them through a set of doors, then led them down a long hallway filled with awards and colorful posters. The elevator was quick to arrive, and she swiped her badge to get them to the third floor. She didn t stop talking the entire time, but Jean let most of her chatter flow right through him. It leaned toward the inane fawning Kevin tended to bring out in people: how thrilled they were that Kevin and Jean agreed to come by, how excited she was for the upcoming season, and some quick facts about the woman who d be interviewing them today.
Another desk was right outside the elevator doors, but one of the two staff stationed there was on the phone and the other was battling a fax machine. Their guide-Amber? Amy? Jean had already forgotten-scooped a folder off the desk without slowing. She opened it as she walked, withdrew two packets to hand Kevin, and led them into a small lounge.
Nothing you haven t seen, she said, motioning for them to sit. If you want to take a moment to read through and initial everything, I ll go check in with the team.
Thank you, Amber, Kevin said, and she was gone.
A cup of pens sat in the middle of one of the coffee tables. Kevin passed one of the packets to Jean before settling down to skim his own. Jean tilted his so Jeremy could see it, but Jeremy only nodded. The first page was a list of studio policies, and the second a contract giving the studio permission to edit and use today s footage however they pleased. The last was the expected list of topics for the day, including a dozen-odd example questions. Jean only read three of those before flipping quickly back to the front.
Just sign it, Kevin said. It will take you too long to read it.
No one asked you, was Jean s sour response as he scribbled his signature across the bottom of the first two sheets. Jeremy knocked his knee to Jean s in silent question, and Jean said, My year of English lessons were predominantly oral. I learned to read after the fact so I could pass my classes. It is an offensively ugly language, he added, skimming the endless paragraphs on the page. No personality whatsoever.
Jeremy smiled. Good thing I m learning French, then.
Kevin looked up, startled. Are you?
Trying, Jeremy amended. It s not going so well.
Kevin glanced between them. Jean very much did not want to hear whatever he had to say about that. Luckily for all of them, their aide swept back into the room to check on them. She collected their packets, waited for them to return the pens to the cup, and motioned for them to follow. They detoured by the studio first to drop Andrew and Jeremy off, and Amber took a few moments to introduce them to the crew. Jean glanced across the room toward the small stage. A recliner and loveseat were angled toward each other with a pale table between them. A vase of vibrant flowers was the only bit of decoration.
This way, Amber said, and Jean dragged his stare away to follow.
He and Kevin were handed off to two women, who busily set to work fixing their hair and applying just enough makeup to offset the studio lighting. Jean kept his hands folded tightly in his lap and fixed his stare on an empty corner of the mirror.
You ve got some scarring here, his attendant said as she checked his scalp. Does this hurt?
When Jean didn t answer, Kevin had to: Thank you, but it s an old injury. He s fine.
Just let me know, she said, and went back to work.
They were nearly done when Hannah Bailey came in to greet them. Jean recognized her from watching the news this summer; she usually helmed the desk for the evening sports broadcast. She was taller in person, and her makeup was jarringly severe face-to-face, but her hand was powder soft as she offered them each a lingering handshake.
Good to have you here, she said. I m Hannah Bailey. Do you have any questions for me before we begin?
Kevin charmed her with an ease that was irritating to listen to. He d watched some of her segments online over the years as he followed the Trojans seasons, so he was familiar with her style and some of the larger stories she d covered. Whether he genuinely meant any of his vapid praise, Jean didn t know and didn t care so long as he warmed her to them and held her attention. It kept her distracted the entire walk to the studio, but as she showed them to their seats, she finally turned a considering look on Jean.
I m aware this is your first public appearance, she said. Try to forget about the cameras and think of it as just a conversation between the three of us. We ll keep it as straightforward as we can, and we ll send you a copy of the final edit when it s set to go on air. Sound like a plan? Jean stared at her in silence until Kevin cleared his throat, but Hannah beat Jean to speaking. Forgive me for how this comes across, but we ve heard mixed reports on how fluent you are. We can provide an interpreter if it would make you more comfortable.
A rumor started by the Ravens last fall whilst they were destroying his previously nonexistent reputation, and which had worked to his benefit at least once since moving to California. Jean saw no reason to upend it now if he could keep hiding behind a language barrier. He glanced at Kevin, but Kevin motioned meaningfully to Hannah. He wasn t going to help this time, so Jean fought back a scowl and said, Kevin will help me.
As you like, Hannah said. We ve just got one or two things to set up and we ll get started. I ll begin by introducing the segment, and you ll know when the camera has panned out to include you when I do this. She turned a warm smile toward the camera and gestured to indicate her guests. She glanced their way afterward to ensure they understood their cue and dropped her hand to her lap. Would you like some water?
That would be great, Kevin said.
Hannah motioned to her team, but the faint frown that tugged at her mouth had Jean following her gaze. Amber was huddled with the camera crew around a laptop, both hands over her bulky headphones as she stared in slack-jawed fascination at whatever was happening on the screen. Hannah cleared her throat, offered a quick, Excuse me, and went to corral her team. She made it halfway to them before one of the men rushed to meet her and pull her aside. Jean heard the murmur of voices but couldn t make out any words, but Hannah hurried to Amber s side only moments later.
That bodes well, Jean said in an undertone.
Unlikely to have anything to do with us, Kevin said.
Despite that easy dismissal, he glanced across the room toward Andrew and Jeremy. The pair were also watching the fuss, but Andrew only needed a moment to feel Kevin s gaze on him. He waved it off, looking unconcerned. Jeremy caught the gesture as well. When he saw the question in Kevin s stare he checked his phone. His helpless shrug a few moments later ought to be reassuring: if the floozies weren t blowing up his phone with rumors and gossip, then Kevin was right about it not being their problem. Another headline for Hannah to chase as soon as she got them out of here, perhaps.
Amber lowered her hands and nudged her pair of headphones ajar to free an ear. She gestured wildly at the screen as she explained what she was looking at, and Hannah clasped her shoulder in either thanks or encouragement as she stepped away. Her Keep an eye on it and keep me posted, carried well enough as she started back toward her chair. She was almost back before she remembered why she d left, and she called, We ll take water, and then we ll get started.
She turned an apologetic smile on her guests as she got comfortable, but the new light in her eyes made Jean deeply uncomfortable. Whatever new story was unfolding put a hunger in her that was likely to make her tactless and greedy as she rushed through this for the next big thing.
I m sorry about that, she said. Shall we begin?
Since Amber was busy, one of the men had to bring glasses of water over, and he arranged them on the table within reach. Then he hurried back to his spot between the cameras. As soon as his crew motioned their readiness, he waved an okay to Hannah and counted them off.
Good afternoon, Los Angeles, and welcome to a special segment of Bailey s Breaking News, Hannah said, brandishing her perfect smile for the cameras. I m Hannah Bailey. As of this morning, we are two weeks out from the start of the NCAA Exy season. Join us this evening at eight-thirty for our weekly check-in around the nation. With some last-minute coaching changes in the Midwest, we re bound to see some shakeups heading into the year. Minnesota and Iowa will both be dialing in with the latest updates, and you won t want to miss it.
Today we ve got something special in store, Hannah said, pointing her gaze toward the other camera. I have with me today two of the biggest names from Class I Exy, Kevin Day of Palmetto State University and Jean Moreau of the University of Southern California. She motioned broadly to them. Jean kept his stare on her, aware that Kevin had glanced obediently toward the camera with a smile and an acknowledging tilt of his head. These former Ravens are here to help us pay an overdue homage to a legend and to prepare us for what s to come this season. Kevin, Jean, thank you for joining us today.
Thank you for inviting us, Kevin said, with a warmth that made Jean s skin crawl. And thank you, and your viewers, for being so patient with us this year. The privacy you afforded us this summer was immeasurably kind.
Of course, of course, Hannah said, reaching toward him like she meant to clasp his hand. I cannot even begin to imagine what this summer has been like for you. We have all grieved, she said, including Jean in her sorrowful stare, and I know we pressured you to grieve with us, but obviously our relationship with Riko Moriyama is so far removed from what the two of you had with him.
We stepped back, but we weren t completely sheltered, Kevin said. We ve seen the tributes and well wishes, and the forums dedicated to his best plays. It s been- he paused, searching for the right words. Jean wasn t sure if it was for show or if Kevin was fighting to find the kindest lie. -heartening, in the best and worst way, to know how deeply we ve all been affected. That we re not alone as we contemplate his loss.
Jean tasted blood. He wasn t sure if he d chewed through the inside of his cheek or if it was the sour tang of brutal memories. He started to reach for his face to check before remembering there were cameras. He pressed his fingertips to his lips instead of shoving them into his mouth. The movement was enough to attract Hannah s attention, and she turned a sympathetic look on him.
Thank you especially, Jean, for being with us here today, she said. We ve asked a lot of you by bringing you on today, tying your debut interview so intricately to such a grave discussion, but we are glad for the chance to finally hear from you.
If he spoke, he d likely throw up his stomach lining, but he d promised to be here and to behave. Jean swallowed hard against his nausea and said only, Yes.
Can we start with Riko? she asked, looking between them. A bit grim, to be sure, but it seems kinder to begin on a tragic note and end on the brightness of your respective futures.
Of course, Kevin said.
This story begins at the end: a controversial showdown between the undefeated Edgar Allan Ravens and the Palmetto State Foxes. Absolutely brilliant performances all around, Hannah noted, extending a hand toward Kevin, with a last-second win clinched by none other than Kevin Day. We could spend all day dissecting that game, but as we are pressed for time we will have to focus on its unexpected conclusion.
A curious choice, Kevin said. At her gesture, he clarified, Calling it unexpected. The Foxes had undeniable momentum leading up to that match, including one of the best win-loss ratios across the nation. Once we were able to defeat USC, the Ravens should have known to take us seriously.
No offense intended, Hannah said belatedly. The Foxes won, the Ravens perfect streak was destroyed, and Riko Moriyama was hospitalized with a shattered arm. That she left off how and why he was injured wasn t surprising, and Jean understood in a heartbeat who she d cheered for in that match. Still, it was a ballsy omission when Andrew was standing across the room. A few hours later, Edgar Allan reported that his body had been found in one of Evermore s towers. She paused there to let that reminder breathe, then asked, Were you able to speak with him after the match, Kevin?
No, Kevin said. We exchanged a few words during the game, but nothing after.
It feels indelicate to ask, but take us through it, Hannah said. How did you find out? What was it like, hearing he was gone?
Renee s voice at his ear, asking Jean to turn off the TV and wait until she could reach him. Jeremy s text, Jeremy s call, He s gone . For a moment Jean remembered the weight of the coffee table as he threw it into the TV, and he dug his nails into the back of his hand. He felt fuzzily hot in one moment and clammy in the next. In quiet French he said, I should not be here for this.
Kevin put his hand over Jean s to hide the half-moon marks Jean was tearing into his skin. Stay with me, Kevin said, just as soft, and Jean forcibly relaxed his death grip. Kevin looked toward Hannah, who was watching them with exaggerated sympathy, and finally said, It was devastating.
She made a sympathetic noise, and Kevin withdrew his hand as he sorted through his troubled thoughts. The best he managed was a slow and careful, He was my brother. Growing up, the only thing that mattered was the future we were going to carve out together. We d drifted apart after my injury and transfer, but he was still undeniably important to me. For him to be gone feels impossible, even now.
If the Ravens had won, or if he hadn t lost his arm, Hannah started.
That put a little more life into Kevin, and he smoothly cut in to say, I would prefer not to entertain such hypotheticals. I know it s not your intention, but it puts the burden of his death on us: the Foxes for their spectacular victory or Andrew for doing what was necessary to save Neil s life. And I will not argue on that last point, Kevin added when Hannah looked a bit taken aback. Neil s life was very much in danger.
You genuinely think Riko was aiming for him and not the court floor, Hannah said, with obvious skepticism.
Yes, Kevin said without hesitation. Rather than linger and argue that point with her, Kevin leaned her way and motioned for her to follow along. I grieve him, but I reserve my outrage for the system that led him to his death. You do not understand what it is like to be a Raven: the unrelenting pressure to perform to perfection, the suffocating legacy that weighs down your every move. It is that environment which cost Riko his life, as it did so many other Ravens this summer.
A tragic year on many fronts, Hannah agreed. Wayne Berger, Colleen Jenkins, and Grayson Johnson also took their lives over this summer. Four lives destroyed by a legacy. Nearly six, if the rumors are to be believed, she added with a glance toward Jean. We heard some upsetting news out of Palmetto State this last April. I will not be cruel enough to ask if they were true, but I will say I am glad to see you still with us and that I hope you are in a better place now.
Yes, Jean said. Kevin s heavy stare was a lingering weight, so Jean made himself add, Thank you.
The fifth, of course, would be Zane Reacher, Hannah said. Details have been relatively scarce on that front, but we have come across some new information that ought to be addressed. Namely, your role in the affair, Jean.
She didn t know about January; she didn t know about broken promises. She didn t. She couldn t. I don t understand.
We reached out to Edgar Allan s staff this past June to see how the Ravens were adjusting to their new coach. Unsurprisingly close-lipped, she noted with a glance toward the camera, but we were able to get something interesting from head nurse Josiah Smalls: he only called the Reacher family that day because you told him Zane needed help. She waited a beat to see if he d respond unprompted, then asked, How did you know he was in danger?
Kevin motioned for him to answer, so Jean offered an evasive, I just did.
Jean, Kevin said.
I won t answer that, Jean said in French. It isn t right to share their business with outsiders.
Kevin s stare was heavy as he followed Jean out of English. How did you know?
Jean flicked a furtive look at Hannah. He was in love with Colleen. He was different after- It caught in his throat, sharp and violent enough to break him. Jean swallowed hard and tried again: Finding out she was gone after everything else that happened would surely destroy him, or so I thought. I had to try.
Kevin considered that for a moment, then turned on Hannah and said in English: Colleen and Zane were in a relationship. If he noticed the accusatory look Jean sent him for betraying them, he didn t deign to acknowledge it. Jean feared how Zane would handle the news of her death, especially considering the Ravens instability this summer.
Oh, what tragic new insight, Hannah said, pressing her hand to her heart as if the truth was distressing to hear. I m sure his family is enormously grateful you were looking out for him. Have you been able to speak with him since he was discharged from the hospital, Jean?
No, Jean said.
She waited a beat, like she was expecting more than that. When Jean only stared at her, Hannah took a more aggressive approach: Forgive me for the way this comes across, but why did you save him? She put out a calming hand before he could respond and said, We are all of course immensely grateful that you did, but the Ravens have gone out of their way to make you a public spectacle this year. You could have simply looked away. No one would have known.
I do not care what they are saying about me, Jean said, too offended to watch his tone. They have every right to hate me for transferring when and where I did. I do not hold it against them, and I do not believe they should die for it. Who are you to suggest such a thing?
Jean, Kevin said, with a smile that said Jean was trying his patience. To Hannah he said, Forgive him, he is passionate when he gets going.
It was an unkind question, Hannah said, unapologetic. The fault is with me. But it is curious, isn t it? The unmitigated aggression, she clarified when neither man responded. Kevin also transferred away from Edgar Allan, albeit over winter break. The Ravens crusade against Palmetto State University is a well-known grudge-further exacerbated by the end of this last season-but they never turned that outrage on Kevin specifically.
Kevin turned a serene stare on her. You re leading up to a why , he said, and it was almost impressive how pleasant he could make an accusation sound.
Hannah smiled and admitted, Guilty. Some of the rumors are fairly damning, if you ll excuse my Fr-language, she finished with a glance at Jean. Would you feel comfortable addressing those with us today to help clear the air?
Jean teetered between kneejerk refusal and the bewildered suspicion he was supposed to allow this. If he denied her the answers she craved, would he be considered combative? Would that break his contract and his promise to behave in public? He had only a couple dizzying seconds to war with it before Kevin gave a quiet Huh at his side. It was just loud enough to get Hannah s attention, and she glanced away from Jean.
Kevin didn t wait for an invitation to speak but said, I m sorry; it s just an unexpected line of questioning. You re the last person I expected to buy into the Ravens sensationalism, especially seeing how you ve covered the Trojans for the last six years. USC s endorsement should be more than enough to settle the debate, I would think.
Even an ardent fan such as yourself must admit USC is not without its missteps, Hannah pointed out. Part of the Trojans undeniable charm is in how enthusiastically they recover and work to improve.
The misstep here is not theirs, Kevin said. The Ravens are out of line, and I am out of patience with their tedious antics. They should spend less time dragging Jean through the mud and more time rebuilding their nonexistent defense line. They ve lost their major players, he insisted. Zane graduated, Jean transferred, and Grayson...
Kevin didn t bother to finish that thought but gave a slight what can you do wave of his hand. Letting a camera see this heartless side of him was unprecedented; Jean wasn t sure whether to blame the vodka or Hannah s dig at the Trojans. He stepped on Kevin s foot in silent warning, but Kevin persisted with, They have no one of value left.
Hannah drummed her fingernails on the arms of her chair as she considered him. A rare treat to see you so protective of someone, Kevin.
I lost Riko this spring, Kevin said. Jean is the only brother I have left.
It stung more than it should this many years later, but Jean only had a moment to seethe. Across from him Hannah said, Speaking of brothers, let s backtrack to Grayson Johnson.
Jean stopped breathing. At his side Kevin said, It is perhaps a little too soon.
Hannah nodded to acknowledge that but didn t give up. Every other Raven we lost this summer chose to-leave, she said after a brief search for the best euphemism, from their own hometowns. Grayson is the sole exception, as he drove two hours north to Los Angeles from San Diego. By all accounts, Grayson s younger brother Lucas-also a Trojan-and Jean were the last two people he spoke to before he died. She gave Jean her undivided attention. What did he say to you, and did you know then it was a cry for help?
I know where you play. I know where you live.
Jean couldn t feel his face. I don t want to talk about Grayson with you.
The report filed with campus security stated that you got into an altercation with Grayson outside of the Gold Court but that you chose not to press charges. Coach Rhemann, however, filed a complaint to ban him from school property. An unusually decisive and aggressive move from USC, don t you think? Must have been quite the confrontation. What did you two fight about?
Teeth, Jean thought. He was distantly aware of Kevin s bruising grip on his wrist, as Kevin tried to pry Jean s nails free of his throat without being too obvious about it. Whether or not the camera could pick it up mattered little; Hannah was studying Jean s hand with an unhealthy amount of interest. Jean sucked in a slow breath and held it, looking past a cruel Who is going to protect you now? to a too-calm Grayson will never bother you again. Jean forced his grip to relax and let Kevin press his hand flat against the couch.
The Trojans would beat him black and blue for standing his ground so rudely, but any agony would be better than this. I won t talk about him with you. Do not ask me again.
I just think-
Hannah, Kevin said, in a tone that shut her up immediately. That is enough.
She looked between them, weighing her options. Jean didn t trust the look in her eyes one bit, but at last she nodded and sat back in her chair. Then we will talk less about the Ravens and more about you. Jean Moreau, she said, as if testing the sound of his name for the first time. Formerly of the Edgar Allan Ravens, now a member of the USC Trojans. From a three to a twenty-nine, save the lingering beauty mark. She gestured to her left cheekbone. You ve been a recognized member of the perfect Court since you were first spotted at Edgar Allan, but Coach Moriyama sheltered you from the pressures of public appearance. Language barrier?
It was as good a lie as any. Yes.
Born in Marseille, she said, counting off facts on her fingers. You immigrated to the United States at the age of fourteen to study under Tetsuji Moriyama, and you joined the Raven line-up at the tender age of sixteen. As of last year, you officially hold dual citizenship with the US and France. A necessary step, I assume, if you hope to play alongside Kevin on the US Court. She waited a beat to see if he would weigh in, then said, When is the last time you were home?
This is my home, Jean said.
But your family is still in France, she noted. Your parents, Herv and Chlo , and your younger sister Elodie. Hearing her name here was so unexpected and uncalled-for it knocked the wind out of him. He stared numbly at her as she studied his face for a reaction. I find it a little curious, perhaps a little sad, that you haven t taken time to visit them. A lot can happen in five years, can t it?
Did you think you were special?
Ravens do not have families, Jean said. It was not my choice.
Hannah looked genuinely thrown by that comment, so Kevin slipped in a quick, As you know, Ravens are contractually obligated to stay at Edgar Allan over breaks. It doesn t matter if you re from France or DC; you are asked to set everyone else aside and focus only on your team until graduation. It is an unforgiving schedule meant to ensure a total dedication to the team.
An incredible sacrifice, Hannah said, and sent Jean another intent look. Have you at least had a chance to speak to them over the phone?
There was a reason she was pushing this angle. Jean knew it, but he had no idea what she was building toward. The roiling in his stomach said it wasn t going to be good, but all he could do was say, No.
Hannah steepled her fingers together and tapped her index fingers to her chin. She was weighing how far to take this, gauging if this was the moment to push it, and finally went still to ask, Are you aware your parents were arrested by Interpol an hour ago?
Oh, Jean thought. Oh no.
He was going to be sick. He could feel it chewing up his stomach, shredding his lungs on the way to his throat. In frantic French Jean protested, I can t answer that accusation yet. I don t know how much they know.
And Amber said in flawless French, We ve got Le Monde pulled up on our laptop if you d like to step aside for a minute and read the article. As far as we can tell, it hasn t yet made it to international news.
Jean stared at her, refusing to believe what he was hearing. She misconstrued his alarm as surprise and smiled brightly. I was asked to be on hand for this interview in case you needed an interpreter, but you deferred to Kevin. She motioned again for him to approach her and said, Would you like to take a break and review it? Because this interview is recorded, we can edit the clip to be a seamless transition.
Jean rounded on Kevin and did the only thing he could: he slipped into Japanese and said, Don t make me do this.
Oh, Amber said in startled English. That s not French.
Kevin ignored her and answered in Japanese, Have Jeremy take you outside for some air. I will inform Hannah we will not be answering any of these questions. If she refuses to back down, we will leave. I will message Jeremy with the decision either way.
Jean didn t have to be told twice. Amber turned toward her computer when he got up, thinking Jean was giving in to curiosity, but Jean went straight for Jeremy without slowing. Jeremy moved to meet him halfway, looking more than a little alarmed, but Andrew got there first. A quick hand on Jeremy s chest pushed him back out of the way, and Andrew started for the door. Jean honestly didn t care who went with him so long as someone did, so he fell in line behind Andrew and followed him out of the studio.
Jean had no idea how they made it from that room to the parking lot. He didn t remember the elevator. He didn t know if Andrew had to sign out at the front desk. He was just suddenly aware that his hands were planted on the hood of Jeremy s car as he fought to suck air into his collapsed lungs. Every breath seemed to snag in his throat. Maybe he d suffocate out here and finally be free of this wretched existence.
Andrew s fist came down on the square of his back with a solid thump, and Jean finally managed to take a deep breath. Andrew listened to him breathe for a few moments before saying, History , with such a ferocious edge Jean knew he was mocking someone else s poor word choice. Fingers in his hair forcibly turned his head so Andrew could see the bloodied marks on the side of his throat, and Andrew demanded, Did Johnson ever touch Neil?
Jean didn t want to talk about Grayson, but that beast was the only thing big enough to smother the bone-deep ache of his shattering family. Hannah knew about Elodie, but how much did she know? Did Le Monde report her missing, or did they know she was-
No, Jean said. Andrew only stared him down, weighing the veracity of that simple refusal. Jean took his sister and shoved her as deep as he could go, feeling how it tore his heart asunder to bury her again. No. It would have been an inappropriate punishment for someone like him. His unforgivable crime was his willfulness and defiance in the face of his betters.
Implying it would have been appropriate under other circumstances. Andrew s stare was heavy enough to crush him. Jean knew in a glance it was less concern for Jean himself and more a visceral reaction to the violation. Perhaps Andrew s nerves were still raw this close to the trial, but Jean assumed Neil s imagined near-miss was the more likely culprit. Andrew s tone when he said, Enlighten me, was steady, almost bored, but Jean wasn t fooled.
You of all people should not have to ask. Jean dug his thumb into Andrew s wrist and slid it up the length of his arm toward his elbow.
Andrew snatched his hand back, and Jean was finally able to straighten. He rubbed the new ache from his neck before smoothing his hair with unsteady fingers, and he didn t miss the way Andrew s gaze flicked to his throat once more. Jean, in turn, dropped his stare to the arm bands Andrew never went without. He missed the days he hadn t even noticed such ridiculous accessories.
Jean remembered well the thick satisfaction in Riko s voice as he told Jean what he d dug up in California. Who, rather: a long-lost brother who could feel the law closing in on him and would do anything to break free of the investigation. Getting him to South Carolina was easy, and Drake Spear knew what to do from there.
Destroying the goalkeeper Kevin was so fanatically invested in had sustained Riko for weeks. After the news of Andrew s assault broke, Riko obsessively collected every article he could find on the attack and hung them over his bed. Getting a full report from Proust in January had made him even happier. For a moment Jean felt a razor taking ghost-thin strips off his back; Riko s hungry Read it again from the top, was so loud at his ear Jean automatically looked for him over his shoulder. The memory of fingernails biting at his scalp, pushing his face closer to the dreadful file, was sharp enough Jean checked his hair for blood.
He couldn t stay in these thoughts, so he said, You stole Kevin from us.
He stole himself.
You called him yours to Riko s face. My things , he reminded Andrew. Jean hadn t gone to Kathy Ferdinand s interview, but the distance hadn t saved him. The long hours back to Evermore had done nothing to soothe Riko s fury, and Jean had missed two days of practice to recover. You had no right to covet him. I could have- Somehow he bit off told you how that d end just in time. Jean clenched his hands into fists and forcibly refocused on Andrew s cool expression.
The silence that settled between them felt brittle, and then Andrew said, Spoil the surprise for me. Did Neil kill Johnson while he was in town?
It was an untimely reminder that the Foxes knew the truth of the Moriyamas through Kevin. Jean shouldn t be surprised that this fair-haired rat would know Neil s secrets, too, but he still cast a wary eye at Andrew as he weighed how to respond. Lying was the only sensible response, but it wouldn t get him anywhere here.
At last he grudgingly said, He hired his uncle s people to handle it.
Andrew didn t have the good sense to look at all concerned. He turned away and dug a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. Jean swiped at them, but Andrew moved out of his reach just in time with a calm, Your one and only warning: you will lose the hand if you try again.
You are an idiot, Jean accused him. You were barely fast enough to save him last time. The next time someone takes a swing at him, you and your brisket lungs will have to watch him die. I wouldn t have given him to you if I d known you would just throw him away so carelessly.
Filing that one under the list of things no one asked you, Andrew said as he lit up.
Jean scowled at him as he pulled his phone out. He hadn t bothered to save Neil s number, but it was the only unregistered one in his call history. Jean stared at it, warring between necessity and his desire to avoid this conversation at all costs. At length he closed his eyes and dialed out. It took three rings before Neil answered with a simple, Neil.
We re nowhere near the trial, Jean said in French. Why were they arrested already?
Neil said nothing for a moment, then offered only a confused, What?
Jean explained Hannah s ambush, then said, They are supposed to be what connects me to you, but the Butcher s investigation is still ongoing. What am I allowed to say if I cannot point the finger at him yet?
Can t claim ignorance now if they re going to use you as a witness later, Neil mused. It ll cast too much doubt on your credibility. Demand privacy as you come to terms with their arrest and avoid making a proper statement as long as you can, perhaps. I ll reach out for some answers.
Not a perfect solution, but it would have to do. Jean hung up as Andrew s phone beeped. Andrew skimmed his latest message before placing the phone near Jean s hand. It was Kevin s update: Hannah promised to stay on track with her questions for the rest of the interview, and she would send Amber down to collect them from the lobby.
Jean would ve preferred she held her ground so they had an excuse to leave, but there was nothing he could do about it. He pushed away from the car and started for the door. Andrew was slow to follow, buying time to get through his cigarette, but he caught up at the entrance and they went in together. Amber was waiting near the desk with her cheerful smile still locked in place, looking for all the world like Jean hadn t walked out on them.
The trek back to the studio was too short, and Jeremy caught Jean s eye as he stepped through the doorway. Jean would have to apologize later for misbehaving after promising to properly represent the Trojans, but for now he went back to his spot on the couch and sat once more at Kevin s side.
In weary Japanese Kevin said, Our damage control needs damage control. I will never do an interview again.
Don t lie. You like the sound of your voice too much to give this up.
Kevin conceded with a light shrug. Are you ready?
Would it matter if I said no?
Kevin didn t waste his breath responding but smiled over at Hannah, who was watching them closely. We re ready to try again.
Good, good. And apologies for dropping that without warning, she added, as an afterthought. Kevin and I already filmed a few cutaways for commercials, so let s take it back a few steps and try a new angle. She waited for Jean s nod, then motioned to her producer. He counted them off, and Hannah turned her winning smile on the camera. Welcome back to Bailey s Breaking News. When last we left off...