CHAPTER TEN
J ean
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T wenty-five minutes later they were finally freed from Hannah s clutches, but getting out of the studio only solved one problem. Everything they d set aside for the sake of surviving the interview had to be addressed, and Jean didn t miss how quickly Jeremy s smile faded as soon as they were out of that wretched building and in the parking lot.
Kevin snagged Jean s sleeve halfway to the car and said, Give us a minute, Jeremy.
Jeremy turned toward him immediately. Let s hear it. When Kevin gestured between himself and Jean, Jeremy lifted his chin and fixed Kevin with a steady look. There was nothing aggressive in his stance or tone, but Jean heard the easy challenge in his: Sure. Look me in the eye and tell me this is going to cause no problems whatsoever for my team, and I ll wait in the car while you two talk it out. Can you promise me that?
Kevin s hesitation was all the answer Jeremy needed, and Jeremy turned toward Jean next. Obviously this is not something either of you wants to talk about, and I wish I could respect that. But whatever is happening here will have ramifications for all of us, so let s find a way to tackle this together.
Jean fixed his stare across the parking lot. You don t know what you re asking.
You asked me to help you survive whatever comes next, and this is part of it, Jeremy said. I m standing here as your friend and your captain, and I m asking you to be honest with me. Look at me, Jean, he said, and waited until Jean dragged his attention back to Jeremy s face. Can you trust me, or can t you? I need to know.
No was the easiest answer, but it wouldn t get him out of this conversation, and Jean knew it wasn t true. He studied Jeremy in silence, this bottle-blond sunshine captain who could force Kevin into submission without raising his voice or hand. Chances were good Jeremy would regret digging into this, but did Jean really have a choice? Whether he told him now or when Nathan s trial started, Jeremy was going to get the same version of the truth.
That didn t make it any easier to say aloud, but Jean held Jeremy s stare and said, My parents were business partners with Nathan Wesninski.
There was a heartbeat of startled silence, and then Jeremy asked, The so-called Butcher? Neil s father? That Nathan Wesninski? At Jean s tense nod, he glanced past them at the studio and said, Hold that thought after all; this is not something we should be talking about here. Let s head out before they get the wrong idea.
Jean expected to be harangued the entire way back home, but Jeremy said nothing until they were nearing their neighborhood. When the streets started looking familiar, Jeremy asked, Do you want to do this at home or at the stadium?
With or without an audience, he meant, but the only thing worse than having this conversation at all was having it multiple times. Home.
Jeremy accepted that without argument and took the turn he needed to get them to Laila s house. Within seconds of him parking at the base of the driveway, the front door was open. Cat and Laila stepped out onto the porch to greet them. Cat s greeting was cheerful, but Laila s gaze as she looked from Kevin to Jean was intent. Looking for a sign they d made it through the ordeal unscathed, Jean guessed. A pity he was going to have to disappoint her. Her stare landed on Jeremy last, and Laila s expression went grim.
How bad? she asked as they started up the stairs.
This conversation needs coffee, Jeremy said. Let me set some up first.
Kevin had gotten dressed before Jeremy picked him up at the hotel this morning, so he had nothing to change into, but Jean made a beeline for his bedroom as soon as he d gotten past Cat. He knew it was his imagination that his clothes smelled like the studio, but he had to get out of them and into something else before he tore his skin off.
He felt a split second of resistance as he yanked the second sleeve off his arm but realized too late what had caught on the shirt s pale buttons. The sight of Renee s necklace on the ground had his heart skipping in his chest. He snatched it up with unsteady fingers, looking for the break. It had snapped right at the clasp, leaving both loops hooked together on the same end.
Hey. Cat gave the hair at the nape of his neck a gentle tug as she came up alongside him. Are you okay? Kevin s already drinking again, and even Jeremy looks uptight. I m assuming the interview did not go well.
Hannah Bailey is a rancid bitch.
Cat s eyebrows went up. Tell me how you really feel. Her humor died as she got a better look at his face, and she gave his arm a brief squeeze. I m sure it s not as bad as you think. And if it was... Well, we ve had to clean up and smooth away a few things over the years. We ll get through this one way or another. Oh, your cross!
He turned it over to her waiting hand, and she hummed as she inspected it. The chain s a loss, but Laila should have something thin enough to replace it. Can I borrow this while I dig around?
Yes, he said, and she hurried away.
Jean was in no rush to follow, but he didn t need anyone else to come looking for him. He traded his slacks for dark jeans before digging through his closet. In the end he settled on the black USC shirt Jeremy bought him in May. Maybe they would hate to see him in it when they found out the truth, but there was a slim chance the familiar logo would be a subliminal calming influence. Jean would take any edge he could get for this conversation.
The coffee maker didn t have a large enough carafe for all of them, but it worked out. Andrew didn t want anything from them, Kevin was drinking straight vodka from a glass, and Cat opted for a beer when she saw how much Kevin was knocking back. The kitchen was too sterile a place for this conversation, so as they got their drinks, they headed down the hall to the living room. Jean wasn t sure if it was intentional, but he and Jeremy were the last to leave.
Jeremy was leaning back against the counter as Jean poured his coffee, and he touched careful fingers to Jean s elbow. I m sorry, he said. Even though everyone else was at the far end of the hall, he pitched his voice for Jean s ears alone. I hate to do this the same day she tried so hard to hurt you, but I know her type. She s not going to edit that out if it means she s the first to report on it this side of the ocean.
You are protecting your Trojans, Jean said.
You are one of my Trojans, Jeremy reminded him, low and insistent. This isn t me picking them over you. I need you to know that. I m trying to look out for all of us.
Jean had to step back so Jeremy could finally pour his drink. The ache in his chest was now hooked in his throat as a boiling knot. He knew what he had to say to them, and he knew what he couldn t say without it killing him. He d spent two months burying Elodie beneath everything he could find, only for Hannah to drive a spade right into her festering grave. For a moment Jean felt far away from here, and in his desperation he reached out. He planted a hand against Jeremy s chest as Jeremy took the first step to the door.
Jeremy, he said, and it sounded so much like please that Jeremy went still as stone. Do not ask me about her. Anyone but her. Jeremy stared up at him, looking more than a little lost. Jean couldn t say her name, but Jeremy had no idea who Jean was talking about. Jean swallowed hard against a rush of bile that tasted far too much like blood and said, My sister. I can t- The panic biting at his chest threatened to tear him open, and Jean looked away as Jeremy s gaze shuttered. The best Jean managed was, I can t talk about her. I won t.
He thought he heard Jeremy s soft, I m sorry, but his heart was pounding so loud he might have imagined it. Jean dug his nails into his own chest, trying to force his heart to a calmer pace, and fought his grief back with everything he had. Jeremy waited with him, but he was kind enough to aim his heavy stare elsewhere and say nothing else. Jean closed his eyes anyway and looked for the box he d shoved his nightmares into. He visualized forcing it closed and wrapping it in chains, layer after layer until he couldn t see the wood anymore. A problem for later, with the hope later never came.
He felt steadier when he opened his eyes. I am ready.
Jeremy wasn t crass enough to ask if he was sure but led him out of the room. Kevin had taken the far corner of the couch while Andrew sat cross-legged on the bay window where he could watch all of them. Laila had claimed her papasan chair, and Cat was sitting on the floor in front of her. She had a wad of tangled necklaces in one hand that she was picking at. She held it up when they arrived and said,
I m trying my best, but Laila apparently doesn t know how to use a jewelry box. Found these in a baggie under the sink.
Oops, Laila said, unrepentant.
Jeremy motioned for Jean to take his seat first, and Jean opted for the other end of the couch. It left a cushion open between Kevin and himself that he assumed Jeremy would fill, but Jeremy knelt on the ground on the far side of the coffee table. Jean supposed that was the best place for him if he wanted to look both Kevin and Jean in the eye without having to turn back and forth.
Jeremy followed Jean s lead in emptying half his mug. When he set it down, the click sounded final. Jeremy only waited another moment before asking, Why did Neil come to Los Angeles in June?
It was probably meant for Jean, but he didn t mind that Kevin was a touch faster on the draw. He had to meet with the FBI to discuss complications with his father s investigation. We incorrectly assumed he would head to Baltimore for it, Kevin added, with a sidelong look at Jean. Why they chose to meet here is beyond me.
Because Jean is here. Jeremy turned his head toward Cat and Laila, meaning his next words for them, but kept his gaze on Jean s face as he said, Because Jean s parents worked with Neil s father, the alleged Butcher.
Not alleged, Jean said, even as Cat s startled, What? nearly blew out his eardrums.
Cat and Laila rounded on him, Laila looking taken aback and Cat s mouth so wide it was a wonder she hadn t dislocated her jaw. Cat found her voice first, but all she managed was a strident, You re not serious.
Jean quietly picked his way through the truth, looking for the answer he was allowed to give them and the details that would best explain this fiasco to Kevin. He turned an unwavering stare on Jeremy and said, The wrong people were asking why Neil came back from Evermore different. He d spent years on the run; for him to throw away his disguise when his team was the talk of the nation was unforgivably reckless.
If they turned too long a look on Evermore, Neil thought it inevitable they would find me. He came here to warn me and to force a preemptive strike. Where Neil goes, the FBI follows. We wanted to come clean on our own terms rather than be blindsided down the road.
Laila put it together first: You were with the FBI when Grayson died. The local office vouched for you with the LAPD.
Yes.
Jeremy looked toward his friends then and finally explained, Jean s parents were arrested by Interpol a few hours ago. It hasn t made the news here yet, but Bailey s crew must have put flags on his family as they researched his background for the interview. They had a French speaker on hand to help interpret if Jean needed it, and she found the article on a foreign press site.
She didn t ask you about it, Laila said. She saw the answer she needed in the look on his face, and the edge in her voice was all righteous fury. With no warning?
Jean held onto his mug like a lifeline and stared down at his dark coffee. It was a minute before he thought he could trust his voice, and then the best he had to offer was, I promised I would represent the Trojans appropriately, but I walked out. I will apologize to Coach Rhemann as soon as I am able.
You didn t attack or insult her, Jeremy pointed out. Even your anger when she made that awful comment about Zane will work out in your favor, as it was a genuine burst of empathy. No one associated with our program is going to have a problem with how you handled yourself today. I m glad you walked out, he stressed when Jean didn t react. It was unbelievably cruel of her to spring it on you like that. It wasn t what you d agreed to talk about.
Cat was still staring at Jean. Your parents are French gangsters? Like for real?
Yes, Jean said.
Don t take this the wrong way, but what are you doing here? Cat asked, tossing her clump of chains from hand to hand as she looked for a new loose end to pick at. Why d they let you come all the way to America where they couldn t keep an eye on you? After how they treated you and what they did to you, that s either some serious self-delusion or some unbelievable trust, that they thought you d keep their secrets when you were so far away.
Neil had come up with this part of the story, though it was anyone s guess if it would hold up. It is hard to run an empire with a child underfoot, he said. I was a liability, a potential bargaining chip to be taken and used against them. I was rarely allowed to leave the property if not for games and practices, and I was forbidden to interact with anyone outside of their crew. It was better for them if I simply went away. So long as I kept my mouth shut and sent money home after graduation, they would never come for me.
Two children underfoot, Cat said, frowning at the inconsistency in his story. You told me you-
Cat. That was Jeremy, in a tone that would brook no argument. Let s not.
Cat flicked him a startled look but wisely went quiet. Jean knew she d work through it on her own, and he could only pray she d go to Jeremy for answers instead of him. He squeezed his mug until he thought it might crack between his palms.
Jeremy bought him time by turning on Kevin, but the question he presented was one Kevin didn t have the scripted answer for: Did you know about them?
He found out at the banquet last fall, Jean said. Neil and I recognized each other and panicked. We were too busy trying to figure out if we were safe with one another to remember that Kevin could also speak French.
Uncomfortable silence settled in the room for a minute as they each tended their own thoughts, and then Laila said, It s not the sort of thing to come up in casual conversation, and you ve only known us for three months. I can t hold it against you for keeping it from us. She let that sink in before continuing, That said, this has potential to blow up in a bad way. How can we help?
I don t know, Jean admitted.
I have people I can talk to, Laila promised him. I will make sure you are safe.
Jean didn t understand, but Cat couldn t hold out any longer. This was exactly the kind of gossip that would get her going for days, and the gleam in her eyes was unbridled fascination. Not alleged, you said. Then you ve met the Butcher before? Ouch! she complained when Laila thunked her temple. Am I supposed to ask about his family instead? Hey Jean, wow, what was it like? We ve seen him naked, Laila, we know the answer to that. She waggled a hand at her chest, indicating the scars Jean had blamed on his father. I was trying to be considerate.
Jean half-tuned her out as his thoughts wandered. The official story he and Neil settled on had him meeting the Wesninskis in France when he was young, but Jean had never been face-to-face with Nathan. He knew the Butcher had come by Evermore years ago, but only Kevin had been snatched into the Moriyamas embrace then.
Jean hadn t met him, but he had met the man s murderous cleaner Lola Malcolm. He still remembered the easy way she held herself, like the master and Riko were worth less than the heels she strode in on. Jean had found it horrifyingly offensive up until the master gave ground without hesitation. If Lola wanted Nathaniel, she had the master s word the Ravens would relinquish all rights to him and stay out of her way. After that easy submission, Jean had been so blindingly afraid of her he d barely slept for a week. Riko had counted it as a victory despite his uncle s violent fury later, since Neil was guaranteed a slow and agonizing death.
Oh, you did, Cat said.
Jean wasn t sure what she saw on his face, but he managed a rough, Yes.
Kevin finished his drink and reached for the bottle. Jean seized his wrist in a bone-creaking grip and said, I will break it over your head.
You know it s normal for college students to drink now and again, right? Cat asked, lifting her can of beer and waggling it at him. One day you really ought to try some, or maybe a little... She made a pinching gesture near her mouth that he assumed meant cigarettes. She wasn t cowed by the look he sent her but said, Something to take the edge off before you snap out of existence. I know someone who s got a medical card.
Kevin tried pulling free, so Jean turned to glare at him. Kevin considered Jean with blas amusement. He was well and truly drunk, then, and that only made Jean s mood worse. Jean stabbed an accusatory finger at him and demanded, You re Queen of the US Court-for now. How long can you hold it when you re drinking poison?
Always, Kevin promised. The last person who tried to take it from me died. Checkmate.
And if the angry satisfaction in his voice wasn t bad enough, Kevin had the nerve to smile. Jean let go like he d been burned. He grabbed his empty mug on his way off the couch and left the room, needing to put space between them before he tried to claw Kevin s eyes out.
He didn t want more coffee, but setting up another pot gave his unsteady hands something to do. He gave up right before hitting brew and started digging through the cabinets instead. The sight of food left him queasy and out of sorts. He pushed the doors shut and turned back toward the coffee maker, only to realize he was no longer alone.
He hadn t heard Kevin come in through the pounding in his temples, but Kevin was seated on the middle stool at the island. He d refilled his glass before leaving the living room, and he was working his way through it as he watched Jean. Jean wanted to put it through the window.
You are supposed to be better than this, Jean said, a quiet accusation.
You have always known what I am.
Kevin had been a ward of the Moriyamas for most of his life: spending most of his early summers with Riko while his mother traveled, then moving in for good once Kayleigh Day was removed from the equation. Once the cage doors slammed, he was forbidden to put even a door between himself and his beloved, loathed brother Riko until the night Riko finally threw him away.
He d grown up with the master s unforgiving violence, the first body upon which Riko could practice his fledgling cruelties. The frequent public appearances demanded of the Raven pair could stay Riko s knives but not his malevolent hunger; most of Kevin s scars were branded into his heart and mind. By the time Jean was thrown at Riko s feet, Kevin had mastered the art of putting mental walls between himself and whatever Riko was doing.
Jean had hated him for months. Incapable of stopping Riko s sadism and forbidden to leave the room, Kevin had simply stepped as far back as he could and feigned normalcy, arguing Exy drills and statistics while Riko pressed burns into Jean s pale skin. A soulless puppet who survived by hitching everything he was to his dream, or so Jean had believed, until the day Kevin leaned in and asked to learn French. It was the first hint he still had a personality of his own, that some part of Kevin Day existed separate from Riko Moriyama. It was proof that surviving Evermore was possible. Jean simply had to let go and stop fighting.
Now they were both free-of Riko, at least-but Kevin would still do anything he could to avoid processing the horrors of the Nest. Jean shouldn t hold it against him, seeing how desperately he was struggling to keep his own nightmares at bay, but Kevin had always been the stronger of the two of them. Kevin s defenses had been unshakable up until Riko broke his hand, and then they d shattered to dust.
Why he d turned to vodka instead of rebuilding those walls, Jean didn t know. Maybe there was too much rubble to build atop, but Jean didn t have to like this solution. If he was this far out from Riko and Evermore and he still couldn t face what he d been through or what he d done, what hope was there for Jean?
You are supposed to be better, Jean insisted.
We are what they made us, Kevin said. It is unavoidable.
Jean went to him and put his hand flat over the top of Kevin s glass. Why did you even tell that doctor all of our secrets if you were still going to destroy yourself like this?
Coach had me in her office three to four days a week at the start, Kevin said. Saying nothing was more maddening than being honest.
Dad, Jean mocked him.
Kevin hunched his shoulders a bit. That s-that doesn t sound right.
Jean tried to take the glass away, but Kevin caught it with both hands. Jean would have pulled, but Kevin flicked a defensive look at him and said, I don t know if I would have survived my transfer without her. But there are days that her words aren t enough, and I can t hear her past... He risked letting go of his glass to tap his fingers to his temple. Best not to think at all.
You are a fool.
And what have you told her? Kevin asked in quiet challenge. The look he turned on Jean said he didn t need an answer, but Jean still looked away. Kevin let the silence settle between them for a minute, then dug his nails in so hard his knuckles went white. I can still hear him. Can you?
Don t. Jean pried Kevin s hand free and smashed it flat on the island. We are not talking about him. I won t. I can t.
Even with me?
You least of all, Jean said. Kevin managed an unsteady frown, but Jean refused to believe him surprised by the rejection. My words are not safe with you. You have confessed to your doctor, your father, and your team. How long until your truths make it back to mine? You cannot deny it, you ruinous wretch. You told them who broke your hand. He dug his nails into the back of Kevin s hand and demanded, What were you thinking?
I have known Jeremy far longer than you have, Jean.
It is not just him, Jean argued. Cat and Laila were there.
You don t trust them, Kevin concluded. Jean faltered, and Kevin took advantage of his silence to press on with an impatient, I can because he does, and because I know how important Dermott is to him. I am not afraid of what she does or does not know about me. She cannot betray him, so she will never betray me.
Kevin reached for his drink, but Jean grabbed it first. He upended it in the sink, pushed the cup aside to wash later, and took a clean glass down from the cabinet. There was filtered water in the fridge, crisp and cold, but Jean was annoyed enough to fill the glass from the tap.
Fair is fair, Kevin said when Jean set it in front of him. Talk to Betsy.
I didn t agree to that. When Kevin said nothing, Jean insisted, You are not my captain or my partner. You cannot make me.
Yes, I can, Kevin said. Unspoken: you cannot refuse me .
I hate you.
Sometimes you do. I don t care.
Jean glowered at him, looking for a way out of this, and nearly jumped out of his skin when Cat knocked on the doorframe. She glanced from him to Kevin, gauging the mood in the room, as she held up a slender silver chain. Renee s cross glinted in the light as it gently spun, and Jean moved to meet Cat at the door. Rather than turn it over to him, she undid the hook herself and reached up to fasten it behind his neck. Jean gave it a gentle tug to check it, but he only managed a Thank- before Cat wound her arms around his neck.
She hugged him, slow and fierce. Comfort for surviving this morning s ambush, he thought, except the bite of her fingers into his shoulders was almost desperate. This was grief, he realized. She d put the pieces together herself or demanded the truth from Jeremy in his absence.
Jean wanted to shove her away, because how could he ignore this wretched ache if Cat was drawing attention to it? Instead, he dug bruises into her back, knowing he had to be hurting her but unable to let go. She smelled of jasmine and vanilla, not blackberries and sea salt. He latched onto that to keep himself here and now even as his heart wanted to swallow him whole.
I m sorry, she said. I shouldn t have asked. I didn t know she was gone.
Stuart s bored voice haunted him: A mild term for it.
Don t, he said, burying his face against her shoulder.
His heart was going too fast, so he focused on the beat of hers against his skin and counted himself back to the safety of their kitchen. It felt an eternity before he could relax his grip on her, and Cat was slow to let go after. She pressed a lingering kiss to his jaw before backing out of his space.
She tapped Renee s cross, which now sat lower on his chest, and cleared her throat before saying, Laila says the chain is yours to keep, if you like. If you re not happy with the length, we can pick a better one out next time we re shopping.
Thank you, he said. It is good like this.
Cat nodded and glanced between them. Are you ready to come back? Jeremy needs to get ahold of Coach. It s probably going to take a few calls, she warned him with an apologetic grimace. We haven t gotten the final cut that s airing, but once we know how she s spinning everything we ll have to revisit the game plan.
Staying here with Kevin was almost as miserable an option as hashing this out again from the top, but putting off the latter would only save him for so long. Jean motioned an okay toward the doorway, so Cat stepped aside. Rather than follow him into the hall, she gave his back a quick pat and went to distract Kevin. Andrew was missing when Jean made it to the living room, and Jeremy had moved to the couch. Laila got up at Jean s approach, gave his hand a brief squeeze, and left. Jean sank onto the cushion at Jeremy s side and stared at the dark TV.
Do you want me to do the talking? Jeremy asked. You ll have to answer any follow-up questions, but if you re not comfortable saying these things to Coach I can repeat what you ve told me. Just correct me if I get it wrong, he added, and waited for Jean s short nod. Okay.
Maybe Jeremy had messaged Rhemann a warning they needed to talk, or perhaps the coach just had his phone handy in case the interview went poorly. Either way, he picked up halfway through the first ring. Jeremy put the phone on speaker but held it near his face, and Jean let his gaze wander the room as Jeremy laid it out for Rhemann. He started a few steps from the actual problem, commenting on her pursuit of Grayson s story and her ugly speculation regarding Zane, before finally making his way to the subject of Jean s family.
Rhemann didn t say a word the whole time Jeremy was speaking. Jean could only imagine how furious he was, finding out Kevin and Wymack had dumped such a mess on his hands without warning. The smart thing for USC to do was transfer him to a different school before his worsening reputation dirtied theirs, but perhaps they would save face and money by keeping him as a sub. They could present themselves as tolerant and supportive while ensuring he didn t sully their name further. Either way-
Moreau, Rhemann said.
Yes, Coach.
Are you all right?
Yes, Coach.
It s a rare honest day for you, Rhemann said, sounding weary. Attempt not to break the streak, please. I asked if you re all right.
Jean squeezed his hands together so hard his knuckles ached. Yes, Coach. At the pained look Jeremy sent him, Jean added a, Thank you, Coach. It still wasn t the answer Jeremy was looking for, judging by his quiet sigh, but Jeremy only reached out and tugged lightly at his wrist until Jean relaxed his grip. Jean tried again with, I m sorry, Coach.
Rhemann didn t push it. I m not sure if you had plans for the afternoon, what with Kevin being in town, but it s probably best to stick close to home while this makes the rounds. Any idea when you re supposed to get a final copy?
It s supposed to air at twelve-thirty, so I think she promised to have it to us by noon, Jeremy said, and tipped his phone so he and Jean could see the clock. It was just past eleven now. Want me to forward it to you when it arrives?
The second it does, Rhemann confirmed. I ll get a conversation started with my team and the board. In the meantime, I need the four of you to contact your teammates. I don t think you want to be fielding calls the rest of the day, so what details you give them are up to you, but they at least need a warning that we re going to be getting a lot of attention for a while so they know to keep their heads down. You and I can touch base after we ve seen how much she gives away.
Jeremy nodded. I ll let you know when we ve heard from Neil, too.
Good. If anyone tries to get a statement, smile and send them on their way. Direct them to the authorities if they want to keep pressing but keep them away from Jean at all costs. He waited for an affirmative before saying, There s a lot more to say on the matter, but let s get the ball rolling while we can. Let me know if any of you need anything.
Will do, Jeremy said, and hung up.
Jeremy collected a notepad and pen on their way to the kitchen, and it took only a few minutes to figure out the most concise way to warn their teammates. Cat had the best handwriting, so she was put in charge of writing out drafts as Laila and Jeremy suggested them. Jean only had to stick around long enough to approve the final version, and then he and Kevin were sent on their way while the other three divvied up the Trojans between them.
Jean wasn t sure what else to do, so he led Kevin to the study and pulled up one of the Trojans games on his laptop. He didn t know how much they d get to watch before they were needed back in the kitchen, but it was better than risking another conversation.
Kevin got distracted as it was buffering and plucked up the yellow wristband Jean had set on the shelf. He twirled it between his fingers, frowning a little as he tried to sort out its significance. Jean took it away without bothering to explain where it was from and dropped it in his desk drawer. As he was sliding the drawer shut, Kevin caught hold of it to stop him. His free hand darted in and came back with one of the postcards Jean had hidden in there.
Jean kept his gaze on the computer screen while Kevin stared down at the vandalized card in his hand. He was slow to set it aside, and he did so only to pull two more out. Jean wasn t going to sit here while he checked every single one, so he finally said, They re all like that.
Kevin chucked the cards aside and went to collect a second chair from one of the other desks. He was drunk enough to be clumsy, and after dropping it a second time he settled for dragging it the rest of the way. They have always been boorish assholes. I never understood why you liked any of them.
You wouldn t, Jean said. Your world revolved around the two of you; you didn t have any space or time for them. But I knew them.
Or thought you did, was the cool response.
Jean ignored him in favor of turning the game on. It was enough to shut Kevin up for about twenty minutes, and then the camera briefly cut to the Trojans bench. Jeremy was in an animated conversation with Ananya and Shawn as they watched their teammates play. At the first glimpse of Jeremy, Kevin muttered a disbelieving, Law school.
He called it family tradition.
The noise Kevin made gave his opinion of that. His grandfather s fault, most likely. He said nothing else, so Jean dug his elbow into Kevin s side in a silent demand for an explanation. The Trojans scored, and the teams reset. Kevin sat back with a satisfied smile before finally saying, Arnold Wilshire is a sitting senator for Texas. It was mentioned in most of Jeremy s early interviews, and I know I showed you those. Did you read any of them, or were you too busy fawning over his phot-
Jean elbowed him again as hard as he could and checked the empty doorway. I couldn t read well enough to bother with so much text. It gave me a headache.
They were supposed to be a warning, Jean. If you didn t read them, you missed the entire point of me sharing them. He waited like he expected Jean to ask what lesson he d missed and sighed when Jean refused the bait. You can t tell me his family hasn t come up a single time this summer.
Jean thought of the vacant smile Jeremy wore for hours after visiting home, the insinuation that his brother Bryson was a bastard, and the way Jeremy had cracked when Joshua messaged him in June. Jeremy s quiet, Felt like I d been waiting forever, so it wasn t at all fair to come from her first had been jarring enough to center Jean when nothing else could, but he d thought he misunderstood until he saw Jeremy s house. So much larger than Laila s, but so lifeless, it was more a showroom awaiting a staged photoshoot than a home. How someone so warm had survived such a cold place, Jean didn t know.
We don t talk about family, Jean said.
Kevin only shrugged and let it slide. They were able to get through the next fifteen minutes uninterrupted, and then Kevin got a call from the studio that a link to the final cut had been forwarded to his email. Jean ceded his laptop to Kevin and went to collect his teammates, but he stayed in the kitchen as they left. When Cat hung back to wait for him, he only shook his head.
I do not want to see it.
She nodded and left without argument. Jean cleaned out the fridge to keep himself busy. He d scrubbed down half of the cabinet fronts when the others made it back to him. He heard their shoes and the scrape of the stools, but he kept his attention on his work so he wouldn t have to see their faces. The ruse lasted only until Jeremy came and crouched beside him. Jean dropped his hand to his thigh and waited.
Bad news is she kept the bit about your parents, Jeremy said. The whole thing is cut to make it look like that s why the interview was stopped, which-not the best look when done that way, but anyone who doesn t understand why you walked off is beyond our help. The rest of it is surprisingly well stitched, and she added a bit of commentary at the end where she tries to break down some of your responses. That, too, is generally in your favor. I was right: your reaction to Zane s bit looks perfect on camera. Loyalty and grief despite the Ravens crusade against you.
But, Jean said.
Jeremy wagged his hand, undecided on whether his but was negative or not: The microphones were on the set itself, not you. They couldn t catch everything you and Kevin said to each other, but what they did hear, they made sure to translate and subtitle. At the very least it establishes that Kevin knows the truth about your parents.
And that you speak Japanese, Cat piped up. I was so far off with my guesses.
An interesting choice, learning Japanese before English, Laila said, studying Jean with disquieting intensity.
Jean hadn t prepared an answer for that, and he felt that misstep keenly. Luckily for him Kevin was used to lying to cover for the Moriyamas, and he answered with a dismissive, Unsurprising. Exy started in Japan and the master was Japanese. I doubt Jean was the only obsessed child who picked up the language along with the sport.
Good lord. Cat scrubbed at her arms. Don t call him that. Queens have no masters. When Kevin only lifted one shoulder in a shrug, Cat turned a considering look on Jean. Wonder what happened to him, anyway?
If we re lucky, we ll never know, Kevin said. He took a swig from his cup, grimaced when he remembered too late it was only water, and flicked Jean a mean look.
Jeremy nudged Jean s knee before standing. I ve got to update Coach. Are you ready for round two?
No, Jean said, but he got to his feet and washed the cleaner off his hands.
Jeremy smiled. One more call, and then we re done for the day, okay? We ve done all we can for now. Let Coach handle the rest of the fallout without us. We ll pretend this morning didn t happen and attempt to have a little fun before Kevin abandons us for South Carolina. The rest we can deal with tomorrow, yeah?
Jean would always be a fan of emotional procrastination, so he said, Yes.
This call was much shorter, as they were just tweaking their earlier approach to account for what did and didn t make it into the cut. Rather than ask Rhemann if it was okay to leave the bulk of the aftermath to him, Jeremy simply said they d be going dark the rest of the afternoon. The audacity was enough to have Jean leaning away from him on the couch, but Rhemann agreed it was for the best.
And then Rhemann asked, Have you warned your parents yet? and Jeremy s easy smile faded right off his face.
Jeremy tapped the butt of his phone against his temple for a few moments, then admitted, No. Once they hear about it, I ll have to go home, and if I do that I won t be back tonight. Kevin s only in town one more night, so... He trailed off as if expecting an argument. When Rhemann said nothing, Jeremy said, I ll deal with them after I ve gotten Andrew and Kevin on the plane.
It s your call, Rhemann said. I assume you ll be turning off your phone, then.
Think I ll have to, yeah.
Then I ll call Laila if I need to follow up with you. Do you need anything else from me before I let you go? Rhemann said, and waited for a negative before stressing, Stay safe and look out for one another.
Jean studied him as Jeremy turned off his phone. It wasn t his business or his place to press; Ravens weren t supposed to talk about families when they weren t allowed to have any. But he wasn t a Raven, was he? He waged a quiet war with himself until Jeremy turned a too-calm look on him. Jeremy said nothing, but his expression was expectant. He knew Jean was working himself up to something, but he said nothing to dissuade him.
It was permission enough, so Jean said, You won t play in Texas because your grandfather is there.
He is not- Jeremy caught himself, but Jean quietly stored that automatic rejection away to mull over later. He s my stepfather s father; that doesn t make him family. But yes-and no. He s been living in DC since he was elected to Congress, so he s not in Texas now, but he ll have to go back sooner or later.
Jean s American geography hinged on knowing where important teams played, but even he knew roughly where Texas was. It is a long way from California.
He moved out there twenty...one? Jeremy glanced at his hands as if he meant to count on his fingers, then shrugged and continued with that best guess, years ago, when his wife s father fell ill. Settled in her parents house and just never came back. Guess the culture suited him better. Jeremy shifted like he was readying to get up from the couch, but he hesitated long enough to say, I ve asked you a lot of questions today that I knew you didn t want to answer, so it s only fair to ask: is that enough?
It is not my place to ask you for more.
You re my friend. Just because I don t talk about my family doesn t mean you can t ask.
You are my friend, Jean returned, testing the way it sounded aloud, and you don t want to talk about them. I won t ask.
Jeremy s smile was slow and radiant, and Jean had to look away. He needed to leave before he got himself in trouble, but of course Jeremy followed him to the kitchen.
Luckily there were three other people to serve as a distraction, and Cat was halfway through making lunch. Food wouldn t sate this gnawing hunger, but Jean would take what little relief he could get.
They were nearly done eating when Neil got back to him. Browning didn t want Jean talking about it yet, so if anyone pressed him about his parents he was simply to deflect: the arrest was tied into an ongoing investigation, so he was not at liberty to speak about it. It was a flimsy defense, but it was better than nothing. With that settled, Jean turned his phone off and put it aside to forget about for a while.
For a few hours it was like the interview had never happened. The Trojans and Kevin could carry a conversation without any help from him, so Jean watched with quiet interest as they got to know each other properly. It was inevitable that Exy would come up again and again, but Cat and Laila were good at steering Jeremy and Kevin to other things when they were at it for too long. It was a surprisingly pleasant afternoon until someone started pressing nonstop on the doorbell.
They d gathered in the living room for board games and gossip, but at the echoing tones they all went quiet. Laila motioned for everyone to stay put as she got up. She disappeared long enough to check the peephole and came back with her face a thundercloud. With a finger to her lips, she said, It s Bryson. Sit tight while I get rid of him.
It was almost impressive how quickly Jeremy s expression went blank. Jean glanced at him as Laila left, then the empty doorway, and got to his feet. Jeremy caught his wrist before he d taken the first step away. Jean heard the locks clacking undone on the front door as he turned a cool look on Jeremy. He wasn t sure what he could say that wouldn t be picked up by those at the front door, so he leaned down into Jeremy s face and murmured, Let go, captain.
She can handle it, Jeremy said, barely loud enough for Jean to hear.
-at the stadium with Kevin, Laila was saying down the hall. You re welcome to wait outside the Gold Court for him if it s that important.
A haughty voice said, I will wait here.
Jean caught hold of Jeremy s chin and forced his attention away from the doorway. Jeremy looked thrown, like he d already forgotten Jean was standing there. Cat hadn t oversold it, then; Bryson was a problem. Jean dug his fingers in and insisted, I am your partner. It is my place to assess and handle threats against you, not hers. Let me go.
Wood hit flesh with a dull thud in the hallway, followed by Laila s fierce, I didn t invite you in. If you re going to wait here, you can sit in your car.
Exactly the sort of hospitality I d expect from a sand ni-
Jeremy hurried to speak over his brother s awful words: I ve got to go.
He had to let go of Jean to get to his feet, and Jean was out of the living room in a heartbeat.
Jean got Laila out of the way with a quick hand on her shoulder. She was all that was keeping Bryson from getting inside, but Jean caught a fistful of his shirt as he stumbled through the doorway into the hall. He had a half-second to take him in: Jeremy s caramel hair, Jeremy s brown eyes, the same cheekbones and jawline, and then he threw Bryson off the porch with everything he had. The sickening crunch of glass as Bryson hit the windshield of Laila s car said Jean owed her a thousand apologies, but Jean didn t slow on his way down the steps.
Bryson was spitting outraged curses as he tried to roll off the hood of Laila s car, but Jean caught the collar of his shirt and threw him into the glass a second time. This time he put his weight behind it, choking off Bryson s air.
Be still, or I will break your neck, Jean warned him, and Bryson froze.
Laila appeared at his side. Ease up.
Jean didn t see why he should let go, but he forcibly relaxed his grip on Bryson s shirt. Bryson choked on the first breath he managed and coughed dramatically like he d somehow forgotten how to breathe. He was stupid enough to try sitting up, so Jean used a hand on his forehead to slam him back down. Laila s grip went bruising, and he didn t miss the way she cast a quick look around the empty street. Enough , Jean.
You don t know who you re messing with, Bryson said, glaring up at Jean. I m a Wilshire. Who the fuck are you?
I am Jean Moreau, Jean said, and Bryson tensed up so fast it was a wonder he didn t crack a bone in the process. It was a curious thing, being feared off the court; normally only his opponents regarded him with any measure of dread. Jean assumed Bryson had watched the interview and heard about his parents supposed connections. He brushed the speculation aside and said, You re trespassing.
I m looking for my brother, Bryson said. You assaulted me unprovoked.
Did he? Laila asked. I promise I can find a dozen witnesses who ll say you vandalized my car after I wouldn t let you inside.
You bit- Bryson lost the rest when Jean shoved him hard into the cracked glass.
Like I said: wait in your car or leave, Laila said. If you set foot on my property again, I will file a restraining order against you. I don t care how many Wilshires are on the force; none of them are stupid enough to take your word over mine.
She waited to see if he argued, but Bryson only glared at her. Jean made a quiet note to figure out the hierarchy between their families after he figured out how to fix her broken windshield. Satisfied by his silence, Laila motioned for Jean to follow. Leave him. He isn t worth the headache.
One swing with a racquet would shut this half-baked baguette up for good, Jean suggested, but Laila only tugged at his shirt until he finally backed away from Bryson.
Bryson didn t say a word as they went up the stairs and inside. Laila kicked her security bar into place as soon as she d done the locks, and the two of them went into the living room together. Jeremy was standing frozen where Jean left him. Cat had her arms out and waiting, and the look on her face was only a shade too anxious to be murderous. Laila folded herself into Cat s tight embrace without hesitation. Jean stopped in front of Jeremy and waited with his gaze averted.
Someone please remind me to talk to our neighbors, Laila said, muffled against Cat s shirt. I need to bribe some witnesses with a few months reduced rent in case he wants to start a proper fight.
Will do, Cat promised.
We heard glass, Jeremy said, looking between them. Everyone okay?
Everyone important, Laila said, turning her head to peer at him. Bryson jumped on my car and cracked the windshield in a dozen places, but Jean and I are all right.
Jumped. Jeremy s stare was heavy, but Jean refused to return it. Jean?
The contract I signed says I must represent the Trojans appropriately in public. This is private property.
That s a thin line to argue. He didn t sound pleased, so Jean checked the line of his shoulders. He was tense, but not coiled to strike. Jean didn t realize how obvious he was about it until Jeremy continued with a weary, You know it is, or you wouldn t be avoiding me right now. I won t lie and say I m not disappointed, but the fault is mine for not following you to the door.
Jean dragged his stare to Jeremy s face. Jeremy said nothing, seemingly content to study Jean s guarded expression, and then Laila lifted her head from Cat s shoulder to say, For the record, it was the sexiest thing I ve ever seen, and I don t even like men. It would have done you so much good to see that bitch humbled, Jeremy.
It was enough to startle a laugh from Jeremy, and a wry smile crept across his lips. Thank you for defending her, but be more careful, would you?
Yes, Jean said, and followed Jeremy s lead in getting settled again. He was acutely aware of Kevin s considering gaze, but Jean refused to acknowledge him. Kevin was at least smart enough not to say anything, and they went back to their game as if nothing had happened.