Kevin nearly threw his phone in frustration. what now

"Garrett, the fuck do you want?!" He all but shouted bitterly.

Edd's face paled at the outburst. will it ever end

"Calm down Barr. Geez. I-" Mike started to say but was cut off.

"Don't fucking tell me to call down, jackass! How the hell did you even get out of jail anyways? Your daddy help ya again?" Kevin's voice dripped with hate.

"No, my, my mom bailed me out." Mike's voice was small as he continued, "look can we talk after school tomorrow? It's important."

Kevin felt his blood boil. "What's so dam important that you'd think we'd talk to you?"

"I, I can't say right now. Please, just meet me at the coffee shop on main after school." Mike pleaded.

Kevin was taken aback at the boys tone. "Whatever." The redhead said as he hung up the phone.

Edd didn't look up as he said, "what did he want?"

Kevin rolled his eyes, "he wants to meet up after school tomorrow and talk. Says it's important." He forced a chuckle, but something didn't settle well. Mike sounded downright terrified.

"It can't hurt." Edd's voice was barely audible. The genius knew it was only a matter of time. might as well get it over with

Kevin rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at boy next to him. "I mean if you want to-" his voice trailed off.

Kevin's face was wrought with worry when Edd looked up. The raventte struggled against the usual thoughts as he said, "it'll be ok."

"Ok" Kevin said as he pulled Edd closer. Neither teen believed the smile.

...

Monday morning came all too early for Edd. Sleep eluded him as usual. As the lunch bell rang, Edd felt a sense of dread fill him. His friends were waiting for him, their faces doing little to hide the worry. for me It's all my fault

"Hey sockhead, how goes it?" Eddy said as the trio headed to the lunch room.

"Everything is fine." Edd said exhausted.

"Really double D?" Ed asked concerned.

"Yes of course." Edd lied horribly. "Don't worry."

His friends just sighed and sat down.

Nazz, Nat and Rolf joined them.

"What's up dudes?" The blonde bombshell asked.

"Nothing really." Edd answered too quickly.

Nat raised an eyebrow. "Really man?"

Edd said nothing as he picked at his salad.

There was an audible sigh of frustration and concern.

"Dude, come on. You know you can talk to us." Nazz said.

"I know." Came Edd's weak reply as Kevin sat next to him.

Squeezing his boyfriend's hand softly, the jock said, "what's up?"

Nazz crossed her arms and said, "why don't you tell us?"

Kevin blinked at her. "What're talking about?"

Edd sighed. His logical mind told him that they only wanted to help. The emotional side told him not to worry them, that he could handle it. I doubt it he thought as his gaze dropped. Forcing the words out, he said, "Mike called last night."

Eddy was pissed. "What the hell for?"

"He wants to talk." The raventte said simply.

There was a collective "why"

Kevin sighed saying, "hell if I know. Said it was important."

"Well are you going to?" Nat asked.

"I don't know honestly," Kevin said as Edd zoned out.

The raventte felt his depression creep in again as the warning bell rang. Putting on a smile that fooled no one, he headed to class.

...

The last bell rang and the boys made their way to Edd's car. Reaching for the handle, Kevin said, "you know we don't have to meet with that asshole."

"I know." Edd said getting into the car. "But we should get it over with."

Kevin looked at his boyfriend. He always put up a front. why can't he just let me in The redhead sighed as he shut the door.

"Ok" he said as they headed to the coffee shop.

Mike was waiting for them as they pulled up. It took all of Kevin's strength not to punch him in the face.

"We're here, now talk." Kevin said as they sat down.

"Oh come on, not even a hello?" Mike joked nervously. Dammit this won't end well

The words triggered Edd's memory. "What did you want to talk about, Mike." He said flatly.

Mike stared at him for a moment before saying, "look I'm sorry about everything, ok? I wanted to apologize. I'm an asshole I know that."

Kevin scoffed. Edd looked at Mike coldly as he said, "what's your point?"

Mike swallowed and continued, "no point, I-I just feel like I should explain why I acted like an ass."

"And why is that, Garrett?" Kevin asked bitterly.

Mike felt anxiety build up. Looking away he said, "my dad-" the boy stopped and took a deep breath. shit he'll kill me if he finds out.

"What about your dad?" Edd asked cautiously.

"My dad told me he'd kick me out if I lost to you again." He said finally, looking Kevin square in the eye.

"I don't understand." Edd said confused, "why would that matter?"

Mike's brown eyes were filled with fear as he spoke. "You don't understand. My dad, my dad is-"

"Is an asshole, we know" Kevin said, cutting him off, "now cut to the chase!"

"You only know part of him. He's way worse." Looking at Edd he continued, "worse than Charles even."

"You know nothing about him!" Edd said voice rising.

"Actually, I do. He's the reason my mom finally left. Not my dad, but him."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kevin said, temper spiraling.

"I mean it was Charles who smacked her around. My dad never hit her." His voice went quiet. "He saved that for me. Charles may have been more abusive but my dad is the one who is in control."

"Control of what?" Edd asked, hoping it wasn't what he thought.

"Everything. Look I know your mom told you what happened between them all."

Edd could only nod as he listened. nothing will ever be ok he thought sadly.

"What she doesn't know is that my dad and your stepdad want you two out of the picture." me too now

"Why?" Kevin was getting irritated with the drag on.

Looking away again, Mike said, "because they think you're a threat to their way of life and-" Mike stopped mid sentence as his phone rang. Sighing with relief he answered it. "Hey Marie. Yea I'm with them now." He handed Edd the phone.

"Hello." Edd said shaking.

"Thank god! I've been trying to get a hold of you all day. You guys need to get over here right now."

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

thanks everyone who's still reading! Much love and as always hope you're having fun!

More to come soon! I promise it won't take as long!