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Matt:
Matt knew he was privileged. His childhood may have be rough, but he never had to worry about money they way other people did. He didn’t realize how much money really mattered until he got to know Dan.
He knew she didn’t want him to take care of her. She had worked for every dollar she had and Matt couldn’t be more proud of her for that.
Still, Matt offered. He knew she wouldn't accept, but he wanted her to know he was good for it if she ever changed her mind.
He could tell his new roommate Neil wasn’t very well off. Most Foxes didn’t have families to support them, emotionally or financially. Matt didn’t want to overstep or risk offending Neil by offering him money. So instead he tried to step up in little ways. He bought groceries for their room, and offered Neil pizza and whatever he would accept.
Neil didn’t seem to question where the contents of their fridge came from, but he quickly rejected any food offered to him.
Matt played with his new phone, trying his best not to be too obvious as he periodically glanced over at his roommate.
“Do you need something?” Neil asked, a half bitten apple in hand.
“I was thinking,” Matt began, wondering how to best navigate this, “I got a new phone, and the old ones just going to sit in my desk. Do you want it?”
“No,” Neil replied immediately.
“It’s no trouble really.” Matt tried to assure him.
“I don’t want a phone,” Neil said simply. Matt couldn’t help but notice the way Neil’s posture had transformed. Like he was ready to make a break for it any second.
“I know you’ll say you’re fine without it, but trust me the’re super useful.” Matt told him.
“I’ve had a phone before,” Neil said, looking frustrated, “I got rid of it because I don’t need a phone.”
“Right, well if you ever change your mind. It’s yours.” Matt told him.
“Sure,” Neil said and left the room, apple still in hand.
Matt didn’t think that went well.
Matt loved his truck, he really did. But sometimes he wished he’d gone with something flashier like Andrew’s new maserati. Hell, sometimes when he couldn’t sleep he stayed up looking at car prices online.
He knew exactly how much a car like Andrew’s retailed for, and just how impossible it was for Andrew to have afforded it. He would credit insurance, but he overheard the cousins saying Andrew would have to downgrade because insurance wouldn’t cover the full sum. A maserati was not a downgrade.
“Hey Nicky,” Matt called out to his fellow backliner when he saw him across the lunchroom.
“Matt!’ Nicky yelled in greeting. The relationship between the uperclassmen and monsters was better than ever, but Nicky still looked over his shoulder for the twins before relaxing.
“You wanna eat with me?” Matt offered. Dan and the girls were in class. He used to eat lunch with Seth on tuesdays, but Matt didn’t want to think about that.
“Sure thing,” Nicky agreed, pulling out the chair across from Matt and haphazardly throwing down his tray.
Nicky had always been the most reasonable of the monsters. That wasn’t saying much, but Matt tried his luck anyway, “Hey, I gotta ask. How the hell did Andrew afford a maserati?”
Nicky looked nervous, but laughed, “I have no idea.”
“He didn’t tell you?” Matt asked.
Nicky laughed harder at that, “Andrew doesn’t tell me shit. We don’t work that way I’m afraid.”
“Did you have to sign anything for insurance? Or like loan documents?” Matt tried.
Nicky gave him a suspicious look, “Are you suggesting Andrew stole it?”
Matt shrugged, but thankfully Nicky didn’t seem offended.
“That was my first thought, but I doesnt fit. He left with Kevin one day and came back with Kevin, Neil and a shiny new ride. I doubt Kevin or Neil would help him steal a car.”
Matt tried to hide his disappointment, “Damn, well if you ever figure it out let me know.”
“Sure thing, but I've given up questioning shit about Andrew. You'll die curious.”
Matt thought Nicky was probably right.
Aaron:
Aaron knew how to keep moving. Ignoring trauma was second nature to him. He just had to focus on the matter at hand.
He didnt have time to think about the way Drakes skull cracked beneath the weight of his racquet. He couldn't think about what he had walked in on. He had more pressing matters to worry about, like the very real possibility of spending life in prison.
“I’m sorry, did you not receive our email?” the receptionist asked, watching him warily like she thought he might kill her next.
Aaron opened his phone with more force than was strictly necessary and opened his emails. He read the email three times before taking a deep breath, “I’m sorry about that. My teammate said she had payment covered. I’m sure it’s a mistake.”
The receptionist smiled politely, “Let us know when it’s sorted and we can proceed with your case no problem.”
Aaron nodded and turned to leave, pulling up Allisons contact as he did.
“Jesus christ, what do you want?” The blonde answered. Aaron couldn’t blame her for hating him after Andrew choked her on his behalf, but he needed this lawyer.
“Did you call off my lawyer?” Aaron said through gritted teeth, “I know Andrew’s a fucking psychopath, but we can’t play if im rotting in jail.”
“What? No, of course not. I’m a bitch, but I’m not totally evil.”
“Then why am I getting emails telling me they can’t fucking help me without payment?” Aaron asked, running a hand through his hair.
“I don’t handle that stuff. Wait, I’ll call the accountant.” With that she hung up. Aaron took another deep breath, and wished he smoked because it wasn’t enough.
Thankfully Andrew hadn’t driven off yet, so Aaron marched back to the car and threw the door open without a word.
“Backseat,” Andrew said simply.
Aaron couldn’t handle Andrew’s crap today, “There’s nobody else in the fucking car!”
Andrew only blew a cloud of smoke in his face in response. Aaron climbed into the backseat, wishing he had absorbed his twin in the womb.
They were almost back to campus when Allison called back. “I’m sorry, Aaron. My parents- they’ve never cared what I paid for before, but they’re being dicks about-” Allison stopped herself, “I’ll figure something out.”
That was not what Aaron wanted to hear. “No, fuck, it’s fine. You’ve done enough.”
He hadn’t meant it as an insult, but Allison’s offended huff told him he failed. He probably should have corrected himself, but Aaron didn’t have the brain power to worry about Allison Reynolds hurt feelings right now, so he hung up.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” He chorused, “I’m going to need a new lawyer.”
Andrew kept the same bored expression he wore all day. Aaron suspected he was born with it, but his flawed infant memory could neither confirm nor deny.
“Why?”
“Allisons parents don’t want to be associated with a murder case.” Aaron said robotically, “How risky do you think it would be to use a public defender?”
“You’re not doing that,” Andrew said simply.
“Then what?” Aaron yelled, “What are you going to do? Sell the house? Sell your car?” he laughed, “Yeah right.”
For a moment he thought his brother might say something, might defend himself or assure Aaron he cared. Instead Andrew just kept driving as if Aaron hadn’t said a word.
Aaron called six different law firms, but none were available for pro bono work. He was resigning himself to the fuckery that was his future when he saw the email.
“What the fuck,” Aaron breathed.
“What is it?” Katelyn asked. They were trying to study, but Aaron found it difficult to work for a future he likely wouldn’t have. He knew Katelyn was worried about him. He’d seen her stressed around exams, or when she was dreading seeing her father. He could recognize just how much this had been affecting her.
“My lawyer’s been paid,” he announced, glad to have good news for once, “They’re going to help me.”
Katelyn all but squealed as she tackled him into a hug.
Aaron avoided talking to the other Foxes as a rule, but as much as he hated it he had to thank Allison.
He caught up with her during laps. He was no Josten (thank god) but he was a decent runner for his height.
“Thank you,” the words left a bad taste in his mouth, “For the lawyer.”
Allison gave him a bewildered look, “Is this sarcasm? My lawyer dumped you.”
“Yeah, and then you fixed it.” Aaron explained, wondering if Allison was playing dumb or if she was experiecing some form of grief related memory loss. Or perhaps being kind to him was so horrifying she had chosen to repress the memory.
“I tried, but my parents locked my accounts.” Allison said, a bitter look on her face, “It got messy.”
“Well, someone paid.” Aaron said. He didn’t think Allison was lying, but he didn’t know who else could have done it.
“You have a sugar mommy or something?” Allison guessed, “Maybe your dad finally came back with the milk.”
Aaron pointedly did not hit Allison. Instead, he watched Matt Boyd running ahead of them. Aaron could have dropped it, but he didn’t know how to handle his teammates kindness. He almost preferred it when they were calling him a monster.
Matt denied paying for his lawyer. And so did Nicky, Renee, Dan, Kevin. Hell, he even asked Coach, and Abby.
At this point Aaron was starting to wonder if someone did it to fuck with him. He found himself logging into Nicky’s emails to confirm he had not in fact sell the house.
“What are you doing in my room?” Neil asked, looking more irritated than concerned to find Aaron going through Matt’s things.
“Go away,” Aaron said bitterly.
“You’re robbing my roommate,” Neil said, “If you want a new phone Matt would probably just give you one. He’s weird about throwing things away. He’s always trying to give things to people instead.”
“No, he’s not. He’s just rich and guilty and you look like a homeless person. I’m surprised you don’t wake up covered in spare change.”
“I have money,” Neil said, sounding tired of the same argument.
“If you’re not going to call the police can you please fuck off?” Aaron asked again, “We are required to spend enough time together as is.”
“You're in my room,” Neil pointed out.
“What’s Dan’s birthday?” Aaron asked, staring down at Matt’s phone.
“Why would I tell you?” Neil scoffed, “What do you want with Matt’s phone anyway?”
“I need to know if he paid for my lawyer like he did my bail.” Aaron explained, hoping it would inspire Neil to help. Or leave.
“Matt didn’t pay for your lawyer,” Neil said, looking perplexed, “Didn’t Andrew tell you?”
Aaron put the phone down, “What did he do?”
Neil didn’t respond. Instead he shrugged, and walked over to his desk like the conversation was over.
‘Fucking hell, Josten.” Aaron sighed, “What did my shithead psycho of a brother do?”
Neil tensed his jaw, “Why would I tell you when this is clearly driving you insane?”
Aaron was done with this crap. “Fuck this. You probably don’t even know anything.”
Neil didn’t say anything, only smiled sharply and waved a sarcastic goodbye.
Nicky:
Nicky missed his husband. He would be lying if he said he never thought about dropping out and going back to Germany. But he couldn’t.
A scholarship was too good of an opportunity to pass up, besides his family needed him. It didn’t matter whether his cousins appreciated him, or even wanted him around. Nicky knew they needed him.
But he missed having actual conversations, and feeling appreciated. Also sex. He just missed Erik.
“I can’t believe this is going to be our last summer break,” Dan mused, a beer in one hand and a slice of pizza in the toher, “We should all do something.”
Nicky assumed ‘we’ meant the upperclassmen. They may have agreed to drink with them, but that was a very different to an international holiday. “How about Germany? What do you say, Allison? Ten first class tickets to Struttgard?
“Hard pass,” Allison said haughtily, “Besides, at least one of your lot are banned from leaving the State. With the ways Andrew acts I wouldn’t be surprised if he had his own charges by summer.”
Nicky deflated. He had been aware of the two facts, but he hadn’t put them together. Not that they could afford five plane tickets anyway. Nicky could try going without the cousins, but it felt wrong to abandon Aaron so close to his trial.
“Why would I want to spend my summer with you too? Go without me.” Aaron said, and Nicky wanted to hug him.
“You’re not escaping me that easily,” Nicky told him. “Erik can always come to the States for summer.”
“No, he can’t.” Aaron scoffed, “Unlike you, he actually has a job.”
“You guys are a fulltime job,” Nicky told him, waving his bottle with emphasis, "I'm a single father of four!”
“You’re not single or a father,” Matt pointed out. “Also four? Didn’t you try and sleep with Neil and Kevin?”
Nicky grimaced, “Dont take it so literally. Besides, that’s old news. If I could adopt Neil too, I would.”
Neil, who had been silently ignoring this conversation made a face. “Leave me out of this,”
“C’mon!” Nicky cheered, gesturing to Neil, “I just want to buy him clothes and give him a stable environment to grow.”
“Is that why he’s so short?” Allison considered, “Was it the bad parenting?”
“No, if that was a thing we’d all be as short as the twins.” Nicky pointed out. Aaron glared at him.
“Why is everyone obsessed with buying me things?” Neil asked.
“You’re the youngest,” Matt pointed out, “You’re like everyones baby brother.”
“Don’t speak for me,” Aaron said with a grimace.
“That and you obviously have no money,” Allison said.
“I have money,” Neil argued. “I’m just careful with it.”
“Really, how much is in your bank account right now?” Allison asked, making Neil frown.
“I don’t have a bank account,” Neil said, and Allison raised her arms like he just proved her point.
The next morning when Nicky checked his emails he almost didn’t see the confirmation email for three first class tickets to Struttgard.
“Allison, you beautiful genius,” Nicky greeted as they left their room. Still looking hungover, Allison only glared at him.
“What?”
“I was kidding when I asked for those plane tickets, but no take backs.” Nicky said, “But if you are feeling extra generous I wouldn’t mind another. I know our groups have shared custody of Neil, but I really think he’d love Struttgard. I mean, he already speaks German.”
Allison just stared blankly at him, “The what?”
“The plane tickets?” Nicky continued, “The ones for this summer you emailed me?”
“I don’t even know your email,” Allison pointed out, “Look, I don’t know what’s going on nor do I really care. But one of you has a secret sugar daddy, or crazy fan or something because someones been spending money and it aint me.”
Nicky remembered Aaron’s lawyer, and Andrew’s car and he realized Allison was right. They had a secret sugar daddy.
“Oh Kevin!” Nicky yelled, turning back into their room.
Kevin, who only rose before midday through threats of violence just raised his middle finger at Nicky and rolled over.
“Not happening,” Nicky informed him, sitting on the edge of his bed, “I need to tell you how much I appreciate you.”
“Appreciate me by fucking off.” Kevin groaned.
“I can’t believe it took me so long to figure it out,” Nicky continued, “I mean your mom must have been rich, not to mention all the money you would have earned as a child star. You must be loaded. Hey, why do you never help out with groceries? Just saying I’ve been paying the majority for years now.”
“What are you talking about? Kevin asked, looking awake and annoyed, “I have no money.”
“There’s no need to lie,” Nicky told him, “I know about the plane tickets! And the lawyer, and the Maserati.”
“Why would I buy Andrew a car that I’m not allowed to drive?” Kevin asked, “And what plane tickets?”
“Because Andrew’s a dick.” Nicky brushed off, “It has to be you. Who else would pay for this stuff?”
Kevin’s face flitted through a series of complicated emotions and landed on defensive, “Just drop it, Nicky.”
“No! I thought you hated us. I can’t believe you would buy us tickets to Germany! I thought we’d have to knock you out to get you so far from the court.”
Kevin’s face morphed into horror, “I’m not going to Germany! I have to practice.”
“Was the third ticket for Neil?” Nicky asked, “I don’t think Andrew would go without you, so you have to go.”
Although Nicky doubted Andrew would go without Neil either. He didnt buy Matt and Aliisons theory about those two, but theres way no denying how close they'd become.
“I’m done with this conversation,” Kevin said, pushing past Nicky to go to the shower.
Despite his earlier confidence, Nicky started to lose faith in his theory. The lawyer made sense. They couldn’t make it to championships if one of the backliners went to prison. Nicky could even explain the car, but as much as Nicky wanted to believe Kevin would buy him plane tickets, Kevin would never voluntarily go so far away from the court.
“Is Kevin rich?” Nicky asked his cousins later while he and Aaron played videogames.
“Fucking probably.” Aaron said, “Not like he shares any of it.”
“No,” Andrew said, “The Moriyamas still have control of his finances.”
There went Nicky’s theory, “Dammit. I thought he might be our secret sugar daddy.”
Nicky elected to ignore Aaron as he pretended to vomit.
“C’mon, I know you’re curious too?” Nicky argued, “Did I tell you someone bought us first class tickets to Germany?”
Aaron looked excited for the thirty seconds it took to remember he was banned from leaving the state. “You sure it wasn’t Erik?”
“No, I think it was whoever paid for your lawyer and Andrew’s car.” Nicky explained.
They looked to Andrew, who ignored them in favour of eating icecream.
“Andrew, do you know who paid for your car?” Aaron asked.
Andrew stared at them blankly, “Insurance.”
“Fuck off,” Aaron replied, “He’s not going to tell us because he never tells us anything.”
“Correct,” Andrew said, getting to his feet.
Dan:
Dan’s first impression of Neil was ‘yep, that’s a Fox.’ He seemed shy at first, not the way an insecure kid would be. But the way street cats bolted at sudden movements, like he was constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Dan understood that. She grew up waiting for her aunt’s mood to change. She knew just how to take the brunt of her rages and keep her cousins away. She would have guessed Neil’s instincts were flight rather than fight, but he quickly proved otherwise when he got into a fight with Kevin on day one.
Definitely a fox.
She knew better than to assume anything about people’s home lives. She didn’t know what Neil had been through, but she couldn’t help but project onto him. She assumed he grew up like she did. Unstable, financially and otherwise.
“Neil, kannst du Andrew fragen, ob ich mir das Auto ausleihen kann, um später ein paar Sachen abzuholen?” Nicky asked Neil.
Dan wished she spoke another language. She and the upperclassmen had discussed learning one to spite the monsters, but it never happened.
“Er ist direkt vor Ort und spricht Deutsch.” Neil replied, sounding irritated.
“Ja, aber er wird nein sagen, wenn ich frage. Außerdem ist es nicht so, dass wir unsere eigene Sprache haben wie du und Kevin. Moment, lernst du nicht Spanisch?” Nicky continued, before switching languages, “¡Neil! ¡Podemos cotillear totalmente en español! ¿Cómo me tomó tanto tiempo pensar en esto?”
“Mi español no es muy bueno. No necesitamos nuestro propio idioma. Tenemos alemán.” Neil replied. He sounded more robotic than he did in German, but Dan was still impressed.
“Neil, babe, what the hell?” Allison said for her.
Neil frowned, confused, “What?” he replied in English.
“How do you know so many languages?” Dan asked.
“I’m a Spanish major,” Neil pointed out, “You know that, you walked me to my spanish class last semester.”
“I know, but I never thought about it. That’s four languages now, Neil. Four.”
Neil stayed quiet.
“I know there’s things you can’t talk about,” Dan continued, “But is there anything you can tell us?”
Neil looked thoughtful for a moment, “I don’t know how many languages I speak. I used to know more, but I’ve forgotten them.”
“What’s your first language?” Nicky tried.
It seemed like a straight forward question to Dan, but Neil looked ready to bolt. “We spoke Polish at the dinner table. I’m not sure what language my mom spoke to me in. Probably English?”
“Polish? Did you learn all these languages in America? Like are your parents immigrants, or just really into languages?” Matt asked.
“My mother immigrated from Europe,” Neil replied, which was neither new information nor particularly helpful.
“How many languages can you hold a conversation in?” Nicky tried again.
Coach chose that moment to show up, “Okay, which of you fuckers paid my mortgage?”
The room descended into chaos.
Allison:
Allison hadn’t really cared about where the monsters were getting money at first. She was mildly offended by the Monster having a nicer car than her, but she had bigger problems. Aaron’s lawyer being paid for was a relief, but no longer her problem. But this crap was happening too often to be ignored.
Obviously, they started a bet. Allison bet Andrew was somehow responsible, probably through illegal means. Dan, Matt, Nicky and Aaron all bet it was some creepy stalker with a hard on for all things Foxes. And Renee, Andrew and Kevin all put money on it being one of the Foxes.
As the Fox with the most money to throw around Allison was pretty sure they thought it was her, which it wasn’t. Her parents had unlocked her accounts, but she knew she was being closely monitored. Honestly, Allison wished it was her. Whoever was doing it was going to bizarre lengths to hide their involvement. They had forged signatures to pay off debts for everyone from the Monster’s house in Columbia to Abby’s stationwagon.
“So, I called the bank.” Nicky declared, “They were very confused. I guess, they’re not used to people breaking the law to give money instead of taking it.. But, they confirmed that the money was paid in cash and submitted by someone using Andrew’s name.”
“Was there any footage?” Matt asked, with seriousness he never applied to his studies.
“Yes, but they wouldn’t show me,” Nicky said bitterly, “Coach and Abby wouldn’t let me see any of the papers or talk to their banks either, so this is all we’ve got.”
“So, we don’t know that Andrew didn’t pay off theirs too?” Allison continued, “Sounds suspicious to me.”
“I mean Andrew did bet on it being a Fox,” Matt agreed, “If any of us are doing it, it’s got to be one of the people who bet on a Fox.”
“Why? They obviously don’t value money,” Aaron scoffed.
“It’s not about the money, it’s about winning,” Allison pointed out. “This all started with Andrew’s car, just saying.”
“Why would Andrew steal money just to give it away?” Nicky argued.
“Chaos? To fuck with people? I don’t understand him enough to speculate.” Allison replied.
“The receptionist at my lawyer’s office wouldn’t tell me shit,” Aaron complained, “I think she was paid off.”
“That’s bold.” Dan commented, “Who would dare to try and bribe someone at a lawyers office?”
“That’s nothing,” Allison said, “The law has always had a price.”
“What she would tell me was that they paid $150 thousand dollars up front. In cash.” Aaron said, looking dazed. “They were told to put any money leftover toward pro bono cases.”
Allison had been told the lawyers price before of course. She knew it could depend anywhere from $50 thousand to $150 thousand depending on the length of the trial. She was just going to pay the costs as they came. It made no sense to pay outright.
“Who would spend that kind of money on Aaron?” Nicky asked. If his cousin was offended by his words he didn’t show it. If anything he seemed to agree.
“Is your cheerleader secretly rich or something?” Allison guessed, but Aaron shook his head.
“Why would Katelyn buy Andrew a car?” Matt asked.
“She wouldn’t,” Aaron agreed,. “Neil said he knew who it was, but he was probably fucking with me.”
“He did refuse to bet,” Allison pointed out.
“He always refuses to bet,” Nicky complained, “He says it’s a waste of money.”
“We’re assuming it’s all connected, but Andrew could have just gotten his car through insurance like he said,” Dan said, sounding doubtful “Or Coach forgot he finished paying off his apartment.”
Someone knocked on the door, breaking them from their theories. Matt opened it for Neil, whose arms were too piled high with pizzas to use his key. “I noticed it was getting late so I ordered enough for everybody.”
“Awww, Neil!” Allison cheered, patting his cheek affectionately, “How much? I’ll pay you back.”
“I don’t need you to do that,” Neil said, moving to claim two of the pizza boxes.
Allison made a mental note to sneak a $50 into his locker and grabbed a pizza.
Neil:
Neil missed his Foxes. He loved spending his summer with just Andrew (and Kevin), but Neil never thought he’d get to have this. The idea of getting another year playing Exy with the Foxes was too good to be true.
Nicky had returned from Germany the week before, and hadn’t shut up about it since. Neil didn’t regret a lot about last year. Hell, he didn’t even regret spending almost the entirety of his money on the Foxes, apart from the two first class tickets that went to waste because Andrew and Kevin refused to leave Neil behind. The FBI had banned him from leaving the country, and although Neil was relieved he wasn’t left with only Aaron for company he wished he never wasted the money.
They were the first ones there. They greeted Coach and Abby, and Neil and Andrew left Kevin to catch up with his father.
“When do their flights get in again?” Neil asked Andrew again. He knew of course, but he had more faith in Andrew’s memory than his own and he was getting restless.
“An hour ago,” Andrew repeated, “They’ll be here soon.”
Neil paced the court and calmed himself by imagining the bleachers full and the scoreboard lit up with another year of Exy.
Andrew didn’t share Neil’s excitement, but Neil knew he was glad to be back. Andrew may pretend to be apathetic all he liked, but Neil knew the Foxes were important to him too.
Andrew immediately broke Neil from his thoughts with three words, “Yes or no?”
Neil grinned, sparing a quick glance at Coach’s closed door to confirm nobody could see them, “Yes.”
Neil would be lying if he said he never imagined this perfect combination of the two things in his life that he valued the most. Typically, it was after a game or long practice of watching Andrew guard the goal with superhuman skill.
The feeling of Andrew’s lips against his was brief, but dizzying.
“Junkie,” Andrew breathed against his mouth. Neil made a conscious effort not to fall into Andrew’s gravity. “Hey, this was your idea.”
Andrew raised a knowing brow at him, but before Neil could kiss him again, his phone began to ring.
Hoping it was the others, Neil pulled his phone from his duffle. It wasn’t.
Neil answered his uncle’s call immediately, “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing so dramatic,” Stuart replied, “I heard back from the Moriyamas about Nathan’s inheritance. They said they appreciate the offer, but the FBI is watching you too closely. There are a handful of charities we can use as fronts to channel a part of it back, but you will get to keep the majority of his assets.”
Neil had tried not to think too hard about his father’s inheritance. He’d been surprised when the FBI begrudgingly informed him he was still legally entitled to the entirety of his father’s assets. Neil had already inherited more of his father than he cared to. He didn’t need his money too.
“I don’t want his money,” Neil told his uncle, “You or the Moriyamas are more than welcome to all of it.”
The other Foxes chose that moment to come barreling into the stadium, their enthusiasm dying down when they saw Neil on the phone.
“Not practical, I’m afraid or I would take you up on that,” Stuart told him, “I’ll contact you at a later date with the details, but the Moriyamas are expecting about ten million annually on top of the 80% of your earnings you already promised. But, honestly with the interest rates on the rest of it, that’ll replace itself in no time.”
“I don’t want it,” Neil repeated.
“It’s no different from the cash you and your mum already stole.”
Neil knew that objectively, but the idea still unnerved him, “I’m going to have them burn that house to the ground.”
“Good fucking riddance,” Stuart agreed. “Let me know if you need a good lawyer. Most of my people are over here, but I have a few contacts in the States.”
Neil big his uncle goodbye and turned to the other Foxes. Andrew gave him a questioning loo that Neil would wait to anser. But the other Foxes were looking at him too, and had nothing to hide from them anymore.
“What was that about?” Allison asked, eyeing the phone in his hand suspiciously, “I didn’t realize that thing even turned on.”
“It was my uncle,” Neil answered, immediately claiming their attention, “I asked him to check with the Moriyamas first, but I was officially removed from my father’s will. I inherited everything.”
“Fucking hell-”
“How much?”
“What the fuck!”
“What about the Moriyamas?”
“They’re taking a share, but the majority is mine.” Neil confirmed, “I don’t know how much I’m getting exactly. I’m going to have to get a lawyer to sell everything, but the FBI said their accountants estimated it’d be around six hundred million dollars.”
Nick gaped at him, “Oh my god, Neil! You’re rich!”
Neil looked over to Andrew. On the surface he looked bored as ever, but Neil could the figure had shocked him too. “Yeah,” Neil breathed, “Just when I thought I spent the last of my blood money.”
“Wait,” Allison looked between Neil and Andrew and let out a loud curse, “It’s you! You chaotic little fuck, you’re the one who spent all that money last year!”
“Yeah? Obviously. I thought you guys figured that out already.”
The Foxes did not seem impressed with his response.
“You-” Aaron’s jaw dropped. “You paid for my lawyer? Why? You hate me!”
Neil wouldn’t say he hated Aaron. He just deeply disliked him, “And? It was Andrew’s idea, but I would have offered anyway. I’m glad you killed Drake. A hundred and fifty thousand is nothing compared to what I would have paid to have him dead.” The Foxes stared at him blankly. Before anyond could ask why exactly he knew the going rate for a hitman he added, “Besides, we couldn’t play with you in prison.”
“You knew!” Aaron turned on his brother. His expression morphed into disgust, “He bought you a fucking Maserati.”
“Oh my god,” Nickly breathed, “We didn’t have a secret sugar daddy. Andrew did!”
Andrew took a knife from his arm bands and passed it between his hands experimentally. Nicky quickly shut up.
“But why?” Dan asked, “You said that was all of your money. Why the hell would you give away your insurance like that?”
Neil shrugged, and sent Andrew a guilty look. He told Andrew at the time that it was to keep himself honest, but that was a lie. “I wasn’t planning on living to spend it. I knew my time was running out and I wanted to make sure it went to the people who mattered.” Honestly made Neil uncomfortable, but the soft way the Foxes were looking at him was far worse, “And also Aaron, I guess.”
“Fuck off,” Aaron said without much heat.
Nicky looked close to tears as he pulled Neil into a hug, “Neil! You matter to me too! And not just because you’re rich now.”
“The bet is void!” Allison declared, “Andrew, Kevin and Renee clearly had insider information.
Andrew didn’t deny it, but Renee replied, “I was never told anything. I just guessed it was Neil.”
The other foxes sighed as Allison begrudgingly got the money from her purse.
Andrew raised his hand to get his share back, but Allison only glared at him, “Cheaters don’t get refunds. Besides, it’s not like you need any with Mr Moneybags over there.”
Andrew gave her a cold look, but put his hand down.
Kevin and Wymack emerged from the office, having clearly overheard the conversation. “Can we play Exy now?” Kevin asked, sounding bored.
“You and I are going to have to have a talk about forging signatures,” Coach informed him, “But you’re not getting that money back. I’ve decided to consider it my bonus for dealing with your shit last year.”
Neil wouldn’t have accepted it anyway, so he just replied, “Yes, coach.”