Chapter Text
Neil was startled by a door slamming shut behind him. He turned to see Coach Hernandez walk up to him. Now Neil was more startled. He realized he was sitting on the bleachers at night just after the last game of his high school season. The night he was recruited by the foxes. Neil didn't have time now to panic so he tried his best to act like he did the first time.
“I didn't see your parents at the game,” he said.
“They’re out of town.” It felt wrong to say that.
“Still or again.”
Neither they were both supposed to be dead but were they now? What was happening.
“I thought they’d make an exception tonight,” he said.
“No one knew it'd be the last game.”
“There’s someone here to see you.” Even after everything those six words still startled Neil. Even if he knew it was just Coach. “He’s from a university.”
“Things went sideways with my last recruit, now I need another striker sub.'' Wymack says. Neil had to act normal; it would be strange if he just accepted.
“Go away,'' Neil remembers saying 'please' the first time but he didn't say that word now cuz of Andrew.
“It's a bit sudden but I really do have an answer tonight. The committee’s been hounding me since-”
“Janie got locked up. I know who you are. David Wymack with the Palmetto State Foxes.”
“Good that makes my job easier.” he throws a file at Neil. “Need a pen?” Neil wanted to say yes and sign but he couldn't yet.
“No. I’m not playing for you.”
“I misheard you.”
“You signed Kevin.”
“And Kevin signed you, so need a pen.” Neil knew Kevin and Andrew were in the locker room. So that's where he ran. And like the first time Andrew hit him in the gut with a racket.
He heard Wymack the same way he did the first time “god damn it, Minyard. This is why we can't have nice things.”
“If he was nice he wouldn't be any use to us, would he?” Neil hears Andrew say.
“He's no use to us if you break him.”
“You’d rather let him go? Put a band-aid on him and he’ll be good as new.” When Neil could move again he looked up at Andrew and his drugged expression. Andrew tapes two fingers to his temple in salute. “Better luck next time.”
“Fuck you.” Neil says with no heat.
“Andrews is a bit raw on manners. He breaks anything.”
“No.”
“Good then you can still sign.”
“I'm not playing on the same court as a champion. I'm not good enough.”
“True but irrelevant.” Neil turns to see Kevin sitting in the entertainment center. Just like last time. It was weird seeing the 2 on his cheek but then again this whole thing was weird.
“I already said no. How many more times do I have to say it.'' Andrew shifted behind him. Bad thing to say.
Coach kicks the two out and talks to Neil about his parents and offers him the same deal he did the first time. Neil was never so grateful for Wymack's stubbornness.
Neil leaves the school and hears Andrew say. “Too good to play with us, too good to ride with us?” Neil flashed a cool look and ran to the house he was squatting at. He immediately signed the contracts and finally got time to figure out what's going on.
Kevin and Wymack didn't recognize him, Neil was sure. Andrew wasn't so sure. It was hard to read him through the drugs. But he still hit Neil which he would still do now but not as hard. So he didn't think Andrew remembered. He had to wait five weeks till he could check with Aaron and Nicky and another four week to see the rest of the team. Neil fell asleep hoping he'd wake back up in his own bed at fox tower.