"Dammit," Kevin said seething, "how the hell did he get your number?"
"I-I don't know," Edd replied quietly. The genius didn't either. He never gave his number out, except to friends and family. Blue eyes widened.
"Edd, what?" Kevin said as fear filled Edd's eyes.
"Charles." Was all he could manage before collapsing into the redhead's arms, defeated.
That fucker, Kevin thought, it better not have been.
"D, are you sure?"
"I-I don't know who e-else it could have b-been." Edd said into his shoulder.
The redhead was fuming. The elder Vincent had been out of Edd's life for a month. How dare he show up now, if it were him. Kevin couldn't think of anyone else though either. dammit
Pulling Edd's face up to meet his, Kevin tried to sound reassuring as he spoke, "hey, it might not be him. We don't know. Why don't you block the number? He won't be able to message you then?" The last sentence came out wavering, rationality was never Kevin's strong suit.
Blue eyes still shone with hurt as Edd hesitantly said, "I-I suspose that would be wise." Taking the phone handed to him, the raventte blocked the sender and deleted the text. "There."
"Good" Kevin tried a smile. Grabbing his boyfriend's hand and pulling him into a soft hug, he said, "why don't we get out of here, huh?"
Edd nodded. Kevin held the door open before getting in himself and driving home.
...
Edd was curled up on the couch next to Kevin. A movie played on t.v. but neither boy paid much attention. Kevin squeezed Edd's shoulder as a sigh escaped the raventte.
"I know, babe. I know."
A tear fell as Edd struggled to speak, "why is all this happening?"
The redhead's heart sank as he said, "I don't know. You don't need this. And you sure as hell don't deserve it either."
Edd said nothing as his phone buzzed. He was afraid to see who it was. Kevin noticed his reluctance.
"Do you want me to check it out?" Edd nodded, grateful.
Opening the text, a wave of relief washed over the jock.
"It's Eddy."
"What does it say?"
"He wants to know if you wanna hang."
"Tell him ok."
Kevin looked at him, "are you sure?" He said slightly worried. it's been a hell of a day
Nodding, Edd said, "Yes. It'll be good to see him."
"Ok I'll text him."
Edd put his head back on Kevin's shoulder and said, "ok."
Fifteen minutes later Ed and Eddy arrived. Taking in the couple's matching expressions, Eddy asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"There's not much to tell." Edd said solemnly.
"The hell there isn't!" Kevin said, a little too loud. shit didn't mean it to come out like that. Taking the look on his dorks face in, he said, "I'm sorry. I just think you should tell them is all."
"Tell us what double D?" Ed asked.
"Yeah, what happened?"
Edd knew Kevin was right. So he told his best friends what had transpired at the courthouse, trying to stay in control. When he finished, the Eds looked ready for blood.
"Shit sockhead, this isn't good."
"I k-know." Edd said weakly.
"We need to do something, double D!" Ed wasn't one to get angry. But at 6'4 he was a formidable foe, and loyal to a fault. And right now, the biggest of the teens was pissed. Edd knew it.
"It's fine. I-I'll be ok."
"It's not ok!" All three boys answered in unison.
Edd was taken aback at his friends reactions. He didn't want them to get in trouble, or worse, just because of him. Willing his emotions to stay in check, he pleaded, "p-please, please don't do anything rash."
"We need to do something." Ed muttered.
"Yeah man. We have to teach those Garrett idiots a lesson. Not to mention your so called father." Eddy said gruffly.
"We still don't know if Charles is the one who gave out Edd's number." Kevin said.
"Who else could it be, shovel-chin?" Eddy was about to continue, but stopped when he saw his best friends face. "Fine, but I still say we have teach Mike a lesson. His father too."
"Judge Garrett hasn't done anything."
"Yet." Ed said under his breath.
"Please, can't we just forget it for now?" The raventte was desperate.
Three sets of eyes focused on him.
"Fine." Came three responses. Edd sighed in relief as he stared at the t.v.
...
The boys hung out for awhile longer. Ed needed to get to football practice. Coach Kar understood that Kevin needed to miss it. Eddy said he had homework. Edd felt exhausted. He knew he'd never be able to sleep however.
"Hey D, do you want something to eat?" Kevin asked with concern in his eyes.
"I should eat something." He answered absent mindedly.
it's a start Kevin thought as he said, "how about a pizza?"
"Ok."
Half and hour later Edd managed to get a slice down. It was enough to satisfy his boyfriend. They watched sitcoms on t.v. until eleven. When Kevin started to nod off, Edd suggested they try to get some sleep. Agreeing, the two headed upstairs.
Burying himself under the covers next to Kevin, Edd whispered, "I'm sorry."
"For what, you haven't done anything to be sorry for."
"I'm sorry you have to go through this because of me." it's all my fault.
Kevin laid a kiss upon the dorks head and said, "it's not your fault, babe. I will always be here for you, no matter what. Understand? I love you."
Edd cried inwardly at his boyfriend's kindness, and out of sheer depression. Out loud, however, he said, "I love you too, Kevin."
Bringing Edd's lips to meet his, Kevin whispered, "it's going to be ok dork."
"Ok." I hope so
...
Edd quite literally groaned as the alarm went off at six a.m. Sleep had refused him yet again. Turning the blaring alarm off, he lay back down. He was greeted by Kevin's green eyes starring into his own.
"Morning, D. Did you sleep ok?"
"Yes." He lied.
Cocking an eyebrow, the redhead questioned, "are you sure?"
"No," Edd sighed, "but coffee will help"
Kevin sat up and stretched. "Sounds like a plan."
Edd headed downstairs as Kevin hopped in the shower. The hot water spilled over the redhead's skin as he continued to worry about his boyfriend. I wish I knew how how to help him. Sighing, Kevin turned the shower off, got dressed and headed downstairs.
Edd was sitting at the kitchen table, cup in hand. He was listening as Mr. Barr spoke.
"-ts going to be tough son. Believe I understand. But you will get through this." Turning as Kevin entered the kitchen he said, "Morning son."
"Morning dad," Kevin said yawning.
Looking at his watch, Mathew stood up saying, "I should get going. Got a ton of paperwork to do before this morning." Looking at Edd, "remember what I said ok?"
Edd nodded as he sipped his coffee. Mr. Barr felt sorry for the boy. Turning to address his son, he said, "keep an eye on him, ok?"
"Always, dad."
Satisfied he would do just that, Mathew said, "ok I will see you boys later. Love you both."
"Love you too dad."
Edd sipped his coffee again and fought his emotions back. Everyone kept telling him he'd get through this. The genius didn't know if he believed any of them. Too much had happened over the past four months, Edd didn't know how to deal with it. Sighing, he finished his coffee and got up to refill it.
Kevin saw the downcast blues and nearly fell apart himself. this verdict better be good he thought as he walked behind the boy and wrapped his arms around him. Edd leaned against him gratefully. They stayed like that for awhile, forgetting reality for the moment, realising each others embrace.
Too soon, it seemed, they had to get ready for the inevitable. They both dreaded and waited anxiously for it. Nothing was said as they drove into Lemmon Brooke.
...
Arriving to the courthouse at nine thirty, the two headed inside to await Nikolas's, and ultimately their fate.
A sugar induced smile was met with venom as Nikolas was lead into the courtroom. Edd looked away as the man spoke in passing, "good morning, pumpkin."
"Move it" the cop said as he pushed the man forward, away from the boys. Kevin unclenched his fist before taking Edd's hand in his own.
"I really hate that guy." He said squeezing gently.
"So do I." Edd said as the jury filed in.
"All rise for the honorable Judge John Garrett."
Everyone obliged. "You may be seated." Judge Garrett said as he shifted through the paper in front of him. Looking at the jury he continued, "has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have your honor. On the count aggregated assault, we find the defendant guilty. On the count of breaking and entering we find the defendant guilty. On the count of vandalism, in regards to a vehicle, we find the defendant guilty." The juror sat back down.
Judge Garrett nodded and said, "Nikolas Samuel Rainer, you will be sentenced to thirty six months, plus time served in a maximum security prison. Bailiff take him away."
Both Kevin and Edd let out the breath they hadn't realized they were holding. Something had finally went right. Kevin glared at the man as he passed. Nikolas turned toward Edd. Leaning as close as he could in his restraints, he whispered winking, "don't worry, pumpkin, I'll see you soon."
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY
ah yes another cliffhanger. O:-)
Are you still enjoying your stay in my little fanfic? I hope so!