Chapter Text
Neil was alone for a long time.
Nevertheless, this night came a call and it was supposed to change his life.
Neil hung up the phone in confusion. For a moment he was paralyzed. After so many years - how long has it been? - Nathaniel simply walked back into his life.
Neil struggled for air and tried to think. What did his brother want? He had only said that he had to meet Neil, right now, and that he didn't have much time.
Something terrible must have happened when his brother suddenly burst into his life in this way. Neil jumped out of bed. He was sweating, although the autumn night was pleasantly cool. How often he had been lying in bed at night and his thoughts were circling around his twin brother? How many times he had toyed with the idea of hiring a private investigator to find out where Nathaniel was?
But whenever he was very close to doing that, Nathaniel called him, told him he was in Paris or London, asked how Neil was doing and assured him that everything was fine. These calls were rare. They were superficial and meaningless. But they had always filled Neil with a little hope again and again, to which he could cling.
And now Nathaniel was here, in the north of Germany, insisting on seeing him immediately. Never would Neil have even thought of saying no, because this call, unlike all the previous ones, made it very clear to him that something was completely out of order.
Countless possibilities swarmed around in his head. When did he last talk to Nathaniel? What did he want? What had happened?
This surprising call at night seemed like an emotional robbery to him. Neil didn't know what he was thinking or how to feel. He was scared, but, by God, this time Nathaniel wouldn't just disappear from his life.
The coffee shop was brightly lit and well attended. He approached the door and his heart made a small sentences and then raced with excitement. For fear of renewed rejection, Neil would have preferred to turn around to run away, but instead he pushed the door firmly open.
If Nathaniel only intended to revive his relationship with his brother, he wouldn't have called in the middle of the night. Obviously, he wanted something else.
Neil took a deep breath and entered the well-known café through the glass door, turned around and let his gaze wander over the people.
Nathaniel got up from a table where he was sitting. When Neil saw him, he froze immediately.
Do I finally have a brother?
“Neil!” Nathaniel smiled.
Neil swallowed, became nervous as he approached the young man.
„Nathaniel."
Nathaniel quickly stepped behind the table and took Neil into his arms.
Nathaniel had a flawless skin that indicated a healthy life. His hair perfectly styled, his figure muscular.
Neil was thinner, his curls all messy.
He realized Nathaniel was looking at him.
“You look like a teenager with these hair," Nathaniel remarks.
"And you're still flawless," Neil replied.
"Do you hate me?" Nathaniel looked Neil directly and fearlessly in the eyes.
“I never hated you," Neil replied.
Nathaniel visibly relaxed. "I miss you, Neil.“
There were so many things Neil wanted to ask his brother, but he couldn’t find the right words.
Where did Nathaniel live? What did he do for a living? Where has he been all these years?
Nathaniel was the only family that Neil had remained.
"Why don't we sit down? I don't have much time.“
"You just got here," Neil said.
"I'm in trouble and need your help.“
Suddenly Nathaniel pulled a closed envelope out of his pocket.
"This letter will explain everything.“
Neil was dizzy. "What do you mean, you're in trouble? What the hell happened?"
It was all too much. Neil could hardly understand what was happening here.
"You have to take my place for two days, Neil.“ Nathaniel said.
Neil gasped. „What?"
"I need you to fill in for me. Just like when we were little. It's all in the letter, Neil.“
His blue eyes stared at him exploring. "I have to go.“
Neil grabbed him by the arm. "You want us to switch places? For two days? I don't understa—„
"Will you help me?" Nathaniel urged.
Neil looked at him and saw his despair. They both have had to go through so much in their lives. Neil got the anger of his father, Nathaniel, on the other hand, always had to live up to his standards. And even though they weren't that close, Neil wanted to help him.
"I'll help you,“ he whispered. Neil was terrified of the idea, but Nathaniel was the only one left of his family. And isn't Neil already used to having other identities?
„Good." Nathaniel took Neil’s backpack and handed him his noble bag. Then he took out a bag full of clothes under the table and pressed it into Neils arms.
"Just tell everybody I had my hair cut," he said harshly.
"Wait!" Neil grabbed Nathaniel by the wrist when he realized that his twin brother was about to leave. "When are you coming back? I need to know what's going on!“
"In three days,“ Nathaniel replied with a tight, calming smile. "It's all in the letter, Neil. I have to go now. A car is waiting for me and I'm running out of time.“
With Neil's backpack over his shoulder, Nathaniel squeezed his brother briefly to himself and then walked through the cafe to the door.
After a moment Neil hurried after Nathaniel. There had to be something really awful going on, because otherwise Nathaniel would not have called him and he wouldn't just walk away.
"What kind of trouble are you in?" he shouted and followed Nathaniel.
A driver was waiting in a black car, parked on the side of the road with the engine running. Nathaniel opened the passenger door and turned again.
"In murderous," he just said.
-
Neil has been driving on a winding, narrow road for a while now. Twelve hours after Nathaniel called and Neil was still stiff with worry and fear.
Last night Neil had been reading the letter over and over again. His hands clasped the steering wheel. Could he really do that?
He stopped Nathaniel‘ fancy car, turned off the engine and got out. The fields in front of him were flawless. Horses grazed nearby, further away he saw some white barns and a big house on the back of a hill.
That was the Foxhole Court. His brothers‘ home.
Neil exhaled loudly. He had followed the instructions in Nathaniel's letter exactly.
He had called the housekeeper, Charlotte Johnson, and told her he was coming this afternoon. He wore his brothers' clothes, his noble wristwatch, very expensive looking shoes and the handbag with Nathaniel's purse, driver's license and mobile phone.
Neil had called in sick at his work and explained that he couldn’t come for a few days. Neil was a professor and taught math and science. But yes, he'd actually pretend to be Nathaniel for a few days.
The letter had hit like a bomb and Neil still didn't know how to deal with it.
Nathaniel was married. Nathaniel was a father of two children. And all that time he lived only a few hours drive away. In the south of Germany.
He was the owner of a wealthy company and the husband of fucking Andrew Minyard.
They were never as close as other brothers, not even as little children. They were so different, had other friends, interests and hobbies. To be precise, Neil always had only few friends. If you could call them friends at all.
Nathaniel was more successful. Wanted to become a big star. No matter what discipline, he was good at everything. Or perfect.
Neil always had a harder time of it. He was apparently a nuisance, while his brother was popular with everyone. Even with their father. He liked Nathaniel, while he was very strict with Neil. His mother once told him that his father didn't want two children and Nathaniel was the firstborn. So.
He and Nathaniel grew up on a farm with horses, which they both totally loved. Neil was able to retreat and work with the animals while Nathaniel was in the spotlight with them.
And after their parents died, everything changed.
Nathaniel met another boy every week, where Neil was studying for school. Independence was the most important thing to Neil.
He was not surprised that Nathaniel chose another university and even less when he left it in the second year.
Neil heard that Nathaniel lived in London and Paris and traveled the world a lot.
Now Neil was here. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe calmly. In a few minutes he would step over Andrew Minyards‘ threshold. He was away on a business trip so Neil was safe for the time being. At least, that's what he hoped.
Neil knew Andrew Minyard mainly from exy. In this sport Andrew was very successful for many years. Neil would be lying if he said he didn't watch every game. Andrew was a blonde man, with a very restrained manner. Many people called him rude, but Neil always thought he was interesting. If he was honest, Andrew Minyard had always impressed him.
Of course, Andrew was also often seen in magazines. There were photos of charity events or other occasions. He also had a daughter. Olivia. Neil knew that, even without the letter from Nathaniel.
Seven years ago, Renee Walker, another former successful exy athlete, died in a car accident. Left behind was her little daughter. Andrew Minyard took her in. Many rumored whether he was the biological father. But Andrew gave no information about it.
Olivia should be sixteen years old now. So, Andrew was living here with his family at the foxhole court. The former property of Renee. No wonder many thought the two had once been a couple. But Neil had never felt that.
What he had learned from Nathaniel's letter, however, was that they had a son. A five year old adopted son named Noah. He apparently came from bad family backgrounds.
Neil shoved his hand into the bag and pulled out Nathaniel's letter. He unfolded the creased pages and read a section.
‚… Neil, I have a lot of regrets. But most of all, I've never been the brother you always deserved. Yes Neil, I know you as well as I know myself and I know that you have always longed for the affection I have withheld from you. Please understand Neil - once this has come to an end, I will make up for everything, every single moment we missed. When this is over, we'll finally have a chance to be real brothers.
I'm in trouble, Neil. This is a very serious, even deadly serious thing. Behind my husbands‘ back I borrowed a huge sum of money to keep his creditors off his back and prevent the foxhole court, our property, from being seized.
I have succeeded, but apparently I have turned to the wrong people and now John Miller has threatened not only my life but also that of my son if I don't pay him the money back by the end of this week. There's someone I haven't seen in years, someone who once stood very close to me and hopefully will help me out of this dilemma.
I only need two days, and for those days, you'll have to fill in for me. I'm sure it'll work, because I haven't told anybody about you. No one knows that I have a identical twin brother, so no one can suspect anything. And when I come back, when I get Miller his money, I'll introduce you to my family and we can make a whole new start - if you want…’
Neil was still trembling. Not only Nathaniels‘ life was in danger, Noah's too. He had no choice but to do what his brother had asked him to do.
He went back to Nathaniels‘ car and looked at himself in the mirror. His curls no longer jumped around on his head in disorder, but were styled like Nathaniel would do it.
His clothes were more than chic, almost glamorous. At the performance, which he had to deliver, he felt extremely uncomfortable - as if he had stepped out of his own person and slipped into another person's skin.
Neil continued driving along the road. He just didn't understand why Nathaniel didn't share his worries with his husband. Wouldn't that be exactly the kind of person you would talk to about such things? Not that Neil had any idea about it. He had never experienced more than fleeting kisses. He never wanted to trust anyone enough to form a close relationship. Not to mention marriage.
In front of Neil there was a brass sign with the address of the property: The foxhole court.
Neil was on the verge of tearing the steering wheel around and fleeing, but the last lines of Nathaniel's letter whirled through his head:
‚Neil, I'm desperate. I would never ask you to do that if I had another way out. You're my brother, my twin, and I know I can count on you.‘
Neil took his courage and tried his nerves to calm down. He had to try to be Nathaniel now. Charming and confident.
It was almost time. Neil would meet Noah, Olivia and the housekeeper Charlotte.
Neil quickly picked up the house description and the list of all employees Nathaniel had packed for him. He was outside the house now. A brick house supported by high white columns.
In front of the house stood a big car whose bonnet was slammed by a man.
Neil parked in in the shadow of a giant oak tree and got out. The man walked towards him with a frowning forehead, but it wasn't Andrew Minyard.
This man was big and rather slim, but not unmuscular. Andrew, on the other hand, was smaller. But in any case he was broader. He had broad shoulders and was very muscular.
It felt kind of weird that he knew some things about Nathaniel's husband. Without ever having met him.
Neil assumed that the man at the car should be Jacob Brown, who had just recently been hired as a mechanic and stable boy.
He put on a forced smile and tried not to stumble over his own feet.
"Did you have a nice trip, Mr. Minyard?" Jacob asked with a cool note. He didn't smile and his eyes were freezing cold.
"Yes, it was very nice." Neil said as nicely as possible.
Jacob kept staring at him.
Did Nathaniel have trouble with Jacob? And if so, why? He was just an employee - what could Nathaniel have to do with him?
Neil forced himself to smile, then turned around to take his bags out of the trunk. Jacob was faster and frowned.
"Since when do you get your luggage out of the car by yourself?" he asked and narrowed his eyes.
They stared at each other. Neil realized after a few seconds that he was a rich man who was served by others. Damn it, he had a role to play.
"My feet hurt and I want to get out of those tight shoes." He said quickly.
Jacob stilled. “I'll take your luggage upstairs immediately, Mr. Minyard.“
Neil collected himself and looked up. Someone was standing under the porch. He recognized a slender, elderly lady. Neil assumed that this had to be the housekeeper Charlotte Johnson.
The woman smiled politely but had a distant look. Neil replied with a shy smile.
"Hello, Mrs. Johnson.“
Charlotte nodded. "Did you have a pleasant journey? I've already prepared lunch.“
Nathaniel had written that Charlotte had been working for the family for years. So probably since Andrew moved in, or even when Renee was still living here?
Neil followed Charlotte Johnson into the house and stood in a large foyer. The furnishings were classically elegant with high windows and—
A deep man's voice brought him out of his thoughts. Neil froze, his heart beat wildly.
The man was Nathaniels‘ husband, Andrew Minyard.
"I'm serious... yes. Thank you." His voice was a little rough.
His steps came closer and then he came face to face with Neil. He had light brown eyes that shimmered almost gold. Sharp cheekbones and Neil could bet he was even a little shorter than Neil.
"You're staring at me like you've never seen me before." Andrew said.
Neil’s cheeks burned. Suddenly he couldn't get a word out.
Andrew pushed his phone into his back pocket and looked up to him.
"You're back. Your hair kind of looks different." Andrew said.
That was a strange greeting. He didn't even seem happy to see him again. He looked almost angry.
"Yes, I'm back and I have a new haircut. Do you like it?" Neil heard how shaky and uncertain his words sounded.
Andrew gave him an unbelieving look and turned away.
What the hell?
After a few moments, Andrew stood in the foyer again and held up an envelope to Neil.
"These are for you."
"What is this?" Neil asked.
"The divorce papers." Andrew answered and now his lips twitched into a small smile.
What?
"What?" Neil was taken aback.
Andrew wanted to divorce Nathaniel?
"You heard me, Nathaniel." Andrew said firmly.
Neil could only look at him when Andrew left the room.
"I'm taking your luggage upstairs now.“
Neil turned around and met the calculating view of Jacob. Obviously, what had just happened had not escaped him.
“Yes, thank you.“ Neil whispered.
Jacob seemed amazed and looked surprised.
Neil bit his lip, while Jacob turned around, lifted up the two suitcases and walked towards the stairs.
Neil leaned against the wall and rubbed his temple.
Why didn't Nathaniel tell him his marriage was about to fail? Did Nathaniel even know that Andrew wanted to divorce him?
He looked over his shoulder and saw Andrew sitting at his desk, leaving the door open to the office room. Charlotte walked from another door to Andrew.
"I'm going to pick up Noah now," she said kindly.
"Thank you, Charlotte." Andrew replied.
Shit, Nathaniel hadn't left any instructions to Neil about what he had to do with Noah or what their daily routine looked like.
"I'll get him," Neil burst out.
Charlotte was staring at him. "Excuse me?“
Neil saw the confusion in Charlotte's face and how Andrew narrowed his eyes a little. What did he do wrong now?
Neil realized now that he didn't even know where Noah's nursery was.
Why didn't Nathaniel write such important things down for him?
"I uhm... miss him, but I'm still exhausted from the journey, so it's probably better if you drive.“
Charlotte stared at him with surprise. "You never pick him up. I will pick him up. Just like I do every day.“
Neil didn't believe she was picking him up every day. Nathaniel must have picked him up once in a while too.
"You know what? It's better if I eat now and lie down for a while. But tomorrow I'll pick him up myself," Neil said.
Charlotte nodded barely, her forehead still wrinkled, and with vigorous steps she left the house and closed the door behind her.
Neil looked over to Andrew as he got up.
"You never pick Noah up." he said.
"Never is a very strong word" Neil replied nervously.
"So the game has already begun, huh?" Andrew muttered evil.
Fear climbed up in Neils’ back. He realized that he had to speak to his brother as soon as possible.
Neil swallowed hard. "What do you mean?“
Andrew snorted.
Neil fled and ran back to the foyer. Andrew behaved so viciously. And Neil actually knew him from the media with a similar attitude but here, with his husband? Or rather, soon to be ex-husband. Neil sighed. His brother should have known what was coming to him.
Did Andrew really want to divorce Nathaniel? Maybe he was just mad at him, maybe the two of them just had a nasty fight or a misunderstanding. Neil massaged his temples in exhaustion. He was the last one who knew about such things. So he just tried to play along as best he could.
Neil looked around the foyer. There were a few pictures hanging on the walls. Neil saw a picture of Noah on a wall next to him. A portrait of him with dark hair and green eyes. He looked shyly at the camera. In an other photo Noah was on a pony, dressed in riding clothes.
Neil also saw photos of Olivia, Andrews daughter. Nathaniel mentioned in his letter that she was 16. She was blonde and had hazel eyes. She was beautiful. There were only a portrait of her, not pictures of her with horses. Neil was surprised.
Overall, he thought it was interesting that Nathaniel and he grew up with horses and his brother lived with Andrew that way too. Although it has to be said that the property here once belonged to Renee Walker, so Andrew probably wasn't really interested in horses at all.
Neil stared at the empty windowsill. Wasn't his bag lying here? Panic rose in him. Neil looked up the stairs and called out. „Jacob?"
He didn't get an answer. Neil found the kitchen without any problems, crossed a storeroom and stood then in the laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer. Jacob knelt on the floor. He didn't look up when Neil came in.
"Do you want something, Mr. Minyard?“
"Apparently, I misplaced my bag." Neil said.
“Maybe you left it in the car," Jacob replied, straightened up to finally look at Neil.
Neil didn't like the way he was looking at him.
"No, I brought it in. I’m sure.“
Jacob just snorted and Neil returned and went back to the foyer, up the stairs.
Jacob must have taken his bag. But why?
On the first floor Neil passed four doors and finally entered the last room. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Suddenly he felt very exhausted.
He felt so uncomfortable here. He stared at the huge double bed in the middle of the room. How could he share this bed with Andrew Minyard?
Suddenly Neil was angry at the stupid situation his brother had put him in. He hurried into the walk-in wardrobe, which was as big as his whole bedroom.
He saw many exquisite suits, shoes, jeans, sweaters and riding boots. These were all his brother's clothes, Neil was sure. They looked expensive, probably from some designers Neil didn't know.
Nathaniel had insisted in his letter that Neil should only wear Nathaniel's clothes, which made sense. But since no one would see Neil's underwear, he put on his own. He couldn't find anything but fancy trousers and jeans. Why weren't there any sweatpants? Neil felt helpless. The two days piled up in front of him like a small eternity. He took off his boxers and looked for a new one in his bag.
"Let's get this over with," Andrew said.
Neil flinched and turned around to Nathaniel's husband. He just managed not to instinctively hide behind something.
Andrew stared at him. "What are you doing?“
"Would you please leave me alone? I'm changing," Neil said with a trembling voice.
Andrews gaze went to his face, mouth, eyes and finally his boxers, which were lying on the floor.
"What happened to your underwear?“
Neil wanted to throw something at him. Instead, he grabbed a new pair and got in.
"Nothing" Neil replied.
Andrew continued to stare at him and let his gaze wander over Neil's body.
"Are you on a diet or something?“
Neil froze. Yeah, he was a little thinner than his brother.
"I had the flu on my trip and couldn't eat for a few days. I still feel a little weak."
Finally Andrew looked at his face again, his eyes still a little narrow.
"We need to talk," he said. "Come to the office when you're dressed.“
Neil sank on the wall, but there was no wall, but a stand full of clothes, and fell into it. He quickly pulled himself back on his feet, his hands trembled and his cheeks were still burning.
He let himself sink to the ground and clutched his knees. "Damn" he mumbled to himself. He should confess everything to Andrew right now, right before it was too late. But he couldn't fall behind his brother. Otherwise he would wait another ten years until he saw him again.
He had made Nathaniel a promise and he had to keep it.
Neil got up, put on a black sweater and a pair of jeans. He was tired of Nathaniel's tight designer shoes, so he went down barefoot and tried to ignore the look Andrews gave him. Immediately he noticed his bare feet and frowned.
"What's the point of that?“
"My feet hurt." Neil said.
Andrew just stared at him.
"I'm terribly tired." Neil added, and that was true actually.
"Well," Andrews’ smile seemed bitter. "So am I.“
Neil didn't like the way he said that.
"It's a done deal, Nathaniel." said Andrew. "I've made up my mind.“
"You can't make such a decision on your own.“
Andrews eyes narrowed.
"How do you mean, alone? What the hell are you talking about?“
"I mean, we can try again," Neil said. God, he felt so stupid.
"Are you nuts? Have you changed your mind? We talk - no, argue - about it for months already.“
Neil was stunned. Nathaniel knew what was ahead of him and hadn't said a fucking word!?
"Why are you acting like this now? This is hardly surprising. You knew full well of this.“
Neil didn't know what to say and bit his lip. Andrew watched him closely.
"You don't throw a marriage away so lightly.“
"So lightly?" Andrews' face got hard. "I'm not the fool you thought I was when we married, Nathaniel." he said quietly.
Neil was still paralyzed. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said sincerely.
"I've known it for a long time, but I just didn't want to see the truth - I deliberately looked away. Because of Noah. And because you're so damn beautiful, and you know exactly how you always get me around.“
Andrew looked briefly at the ground before continuing.
"6 months ago I finally did what I should have done a long time ago. I looked at the facts about our fucking marriage." Andrew looked at him in disgust.
Neil could only stare back in silence. He had absolutely no idea what Andrew was talking about.
"Now I know that for Noah's sake I just couldn't see what was going on right in front of me. And it took me half a year to figure out that Noah would be better off without you.“
"Do you really believe that?" Neil gasped and stepped impulsively towards Andrew. "How do you think he'd be better off without me? Noah needs me as a parent, as a father, I—„
"That only applies to reasonable fathers and I wouldn't necessarily call you a reasonable father. Noah stays with me.“
Neil looked at him in total horror and Andrew took a step toward him.
„Why are you suddenly pretending to be so innocent? You know that I am right. You're too busy to be his father. You've never had time to be there for him!“
Neil was shocked by the words he said. He would not allow Andrew to take Noah away from his brother.
"He's my son too, Andrew.“
"If you want to look good financially after the divorce, you give me sole custody. This point is non-negotiable.“
Neil shook his head. "I see that differently.“
Andrew stared at him in disbelief.
"I'll get sole custody. I will fight for it by all means. If that's the way you want it, don't expect me to be generous with you financially or else at all.“
God, Neil had to get out of here.
"I don't care about your fucking money." Neil hissed. "This isn't about money, this is about a kid!“
His mother's voice was in Neil's ears. "He didn't want you. He already had a son.“
Andrew broke out in bitter laughter. "Since when do you not care about money? That's a bad joke, isn't it?”
Neil stared at him and tried to understand his horrible words.
"Nathaniel, you've always been interested in me for my money, and we both know it.“
"That's not true.“
"Oh, yeah?" Andrew came even closer. "As if you'd even wasted a second look at me if I were a poor wretch who earns only a few hundred a week. I should have listened to Aaron. He noticed your motives at first glance. But I didn't want to listen to him. Well, my bad. And now I'm willing to pay every price just to get rid of you.“
Neil gasped for breath. For a moment their eyes met. It was terrible. There was so much hatred in Andrews’ eyes.
Neil could no longer bear his presence, he could no longer bear his hatred. That's why he turned around and hurried out, so shocked that he stumbled.
In the hallway he snapped his arms around him and struggled for air.
Nathaniel may not have picked up his son from nursery, but that didn't mean he was such a bad father. Nathaniel would fight with claws and teeth for joint custody of his son.
Andrew wanted a divorce, he despised his husband. Neil had seen it in his eyes.
It wasn't just a fight. Andrew not only loathed Nathaniel, he hated him abysmally.
He wanted to take revenge on him.