"If Neil was quiet, Andrew wouldn't have brought him to Columbia," Renee said.

"True," Matt agreed.

When Neil looked between them, Renee smiled and said, "Andrew's welcome parties are his way of sizing up and eliminating threats. Not everyone gets invited."

"You went," Neil said, not believing it but knowing somehow he was right.

"The three of us were," Renee said, gesturing at Matt and Dan. "No one else was until you."

"Let's go," Wymack said. "I am going to drop you off at the dorm and spend the rest of the day drinking. Damage control can wait until tomorrow."

They caught up with Andrew's group at the bus. Wymack unlocked the door to let them on, and he got them on the road as fast as he could.

Neil spent the ride staring out the window and trying to figure out the consequences of what he'd done. Neil knew harmless conversation with his teammates was better than his dire thoughts, but he wasn't in the mood. He was too tense to play nice with them. Luckily Renee got the hint after a couple attempts and left him alone.

They were almost halfway back when Andrew had to take his medicine again. Abby went to the back of the bus to make sure he really swallowed it. Neil half-expected Andrew to fight it after what had happened at Kathy's show, but Andrew was surprisingly compliant.

They stopped only to get gas and made good time back to campus. Neil was so relieved to see Palmetto State again it was almost painful. Wymack let the bus idle out back of Fox Tower and watched his team climb out. He said nothing until Andrew approached, then put a hand in Andrew's path.

"Be smart."

Andrew flapped a hand at Wymack. "I know, I know."

Neil didn't know if Wymack actually trusted Andrew, but Wymack nodded and dropped his hand. Andrew took the stairs down and didn't slow on his way to the dorm. Wymack didn't leave until they were all inside. They took the stairs to the third floor, and Dan stopped outside Andrew's room.

"Hey," Dan said as Andrew unlocked his door. "Let's have lunch together as a team. We don't have to talk about this morning if you don't want to."

Andrew pretended to think about it. "No."

He opened the door and stepped out of the way to send Kevin a pointed look. Kevin started into the room.

"Don't worry, Kevin," Dan said. "We'll figure this out together."

Kevin glanced back at her, but he didn't get to answer. Andrew put his hand to Kevin's back and shoved him into the bedroom. Dan scowled at Andrew as Aaron and Nicky followed Kevin inside. Andrew smiled and slammed the door in her face.

"Asshole," Matt said.

"They're upset," Renee said. "They couldn't help him today."

"They didn't have to," Matt said. "Neil did it for them."