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Kevin’s kissing him. His soulmate is here in his arms. Wait…Neil pushes Kevin away.
“Y-you can’t be here!” Neil cried out.
” Abram? What’s wrong?” Kevin pushes closer.
“Vinny you’re not supposed to be here,” Neil tries to convince himself more.
He’s going to get me caught. I’ve been running for half my life and I can’t stop now. I promised. That look on his face. I can’t help but…but want to break this promise. I want to be with him and to have my soulmates finally. But if I stop running, they’ll find out who I am. He’ll find me, and ill be gone. Torn away from my mates and leaving an empty space in their hearts.
“Abram please. You’ve been gone for years! You vanished. You left me. I saw that tape and I just…I knew it was you…”The sight of Kevin’s sadness almost breaks Neil.
“What’s going on here?” Wymack finally asks.
Neil’s eyes widen and his head snaps up to meet the larger man.
“Dad, this is my soulmate. Well my other soulmate,” Kevin answers back.
Neil looks puzzled at this. Wymack the coach of the pallmetto foxes is Kevin’s dad? His mate that’s had to live with another family has had a father all along. Suddenly Neil feels so much anger towards the man for not keeping his mate safe.
Neil turns his attention back to his mate. He takes his face in hands. “You have a dad?”
Kevin nods and leans into the touch, “yeah I do, and a mom too. We’ll step mom. After you left Riko got mad and blamed me again. Said that you were supposed to be his and not mine. That I lead you away and it was all my fault. He broke my hand after that so I couldn’t see both of your initials anymore. I couldn’t stay there anymore.I wrote letters to Wymack and explained how I found out about him. He tried everything to get me out of there. He finally got me out at 16.”
Neil keeps his eyes on Kevin as he talks. His mate was telling him everything he missed. Telling him about how he got hurt because of Neil. It’s his fault his soulmate got his hand broken. All he’s ever wanted is his mates. He wants them safe and happy, but he got one hurt.
“When I went to live with him and Abby, my step mom, they introduced me to Bee. She had two boys Aaron and Andrew who are twins.I was confused at first because I felt the same way with Andrew as I use to with you, but he didn’t have the right initials. Later I learned that it’s because he’s adopted. Andrew Joseph Minyard. He’s our mate Abram. He’s our third,” Neil is speechless.
While Neil’s been on the run, his soulmates have been together. They had each other. This lifts something in Neil. He feels lighter knowing they weren’t alone. That in leaving Kevin he still wasn’t alone.
“Vinny…we just…we just can’t right now. I've been running and you know what will happen if I’m caught. We’re just not in the right time yet.” Neil tries to explain.
Kevin won’t settle. He presses closer and wraps himself around Neil, “Abram, stay. I need you. I was broken when you left. Y-you can’t leave me again,” Neil’s shoulder starts to cool. Kevin’s crying. He made his mate cry.
Suddenly Neil is being slammed into the wall. An angry blonde with glowing hazel eyes is all he can see. “Don’t fucking touch him. If I do much as see another tear or glance between you two I won’t hesitate to-“
“Enough. Drew i-I’m okay. He’s our soulmate. He won’t hurt me,”Kevin reasons.
Andrew pauses at that. He looks at Neil as if he’s studying the hardest math problem. “Even if that’s true,” he starts, “that doesn’t mean I’ll let him into our lives. I’m not letting you get hurt. I will not break our promise Vin.”
Kevin sighs but reaches a hand out. He doesn’t make contact but offers it. Andrew slowly pulls away from Neil to return to Kevin’s side. Neil breathes then. He sees that they have something. Something more than Neil could and would ever have with them.
Neil tried to make his leave but he’s met with the coach.
“Well this was touching and all, and I’m glad my son has his soulmates, and you’re more than welcome into our family, but you’re joining my team. I won’t take no as an option.”
Wymack steps closer. Neil flinches and moves back. Kevin catches him before he can run and holds him close. Neil tries to refuse the touch but he can’t help but wanting it. It’s an urge he shouldn’t have. His mother would have beat him for this. Letting him get to close to someone like this. He wants his mates.
“Vinny you have to let me go. I can’t get caught. I can’t have these…these feelings,” Neil pleads. Kevin just holds on tighter. He’s scared that he’ll run again.
“Abram? Just join the team. We’ll hide our bond in front of everyone and we’ll keep your identity a secret. So just…just stay,” Neil sighs and sinks into Kevin’s arms. Has he always been this warm?
Someone clears their throat. “Look I’ll make this brief. You are clearly a talented young man. We could use you on our team, so just sign this and come stay with us. You’re apparently my sons other soulmate which makes you family. You’ll be safe with us okay?” Wymack then hands a packet to Neil, “Kevin, Andrew, I’ll be waiting in the car.”
Once he leaves Kevin’s talking about why he should join the team. Neil steals a glance at Andrew. Andrew’s looking at him. They hold gazes for a moment before the shorter male speaks.
“Just sign the paper. He won’t stop till you say yes. Vin let’s go.”
Kevin kisses Neil again. Softer this time, but still as lovely. Lovely? That’s something Neil hadn’t thought he’d think. Neil gives in only for a moment, but that moment made him want to stay and that can’t happen. Neil pulls away and agrees to come. Kevin smiles at him and goes with Andrew to leave.
Neil now stands alone in the locker room wondering how he will survive college. He has two soulmates, a new family, and somewhat of a future. This should be an interesting year.