The King's Men

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

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

"I'm not a hallucination," Neil said, nonplussed.

"You are a pipe dream," Andrew said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I am not a coward."

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

. "Am I bothering you?"

"Beyond the telling."

"Interesting," Neil said. "Last week you said nothing gets under your skin."

"I want to see you lose control."

"Ninety percent of the time the very sight of you makes me want to commit murder. I think about carving the skin from your body and hanging it out as a warning to every other fool who thinks he can stand in my way."

"What about the other ten?" Neil asked.

"Give me one good reason to not push you off the side."

Neil shook a stick out and lit it. "I'd drag you with me. It's a long way down."