Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

“That won’t happen.”

“Won’t happen, huh? Do you want a bet?”

“Screw you, Levi.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“I’d be happy to if you stop running away like a coward.” With one last tilt of his head, he saunters out of the door like it’s his damn house.

Blood wooshes in my veins as I flop down on the chair.

I will not be provoked by him. I will not be provoked by him...

Too late.

I’m totally murdering Dan for this. He’ll be my scapegoat.

With one last exasperated breath, I snatch my sketchpad. I’m so going to rip the drawing I made for him to pieces.

My mouth hangs open.

Levi’s sketch is gone.

16

Levi

There’s no place for a princess on the chessboard, but she barges in anyway.

* * *

After the discussion of tomorrow’s formation, Coach leaves us to shower and head home. It’s the first game of the season and team spirit is at its highest.

You have to be blind to not notice that Aiden, Xander, Cole, and Ronan brought a new spirit to the team. Even I can’t deny that their connected team play improved our middle and front lines. It’s rare to find second years as starters, but the four of them have proved themselves indispensable to the team.

Once we’re gone, they’ll have a stellar senior year ahead. If we win this year’s championship, there’s a high chance they’ll repeat it next year, too.

For the first time in RES’s history.

If anyone can pull it off, then it’s Aiden. The guy has no relationship with failure.

The team members slap each other on the back on their way to the showers, joking and talking about pussy and partying.

I don’t feel it.

Any of it.

It’s like I’m caught in a vicious, black cycle of my own making that I can’t penetrate.

Coach pulled me aside yesterday to inform me that Premier League scouts will show up during this season. He believes I can make it to one of the big ones, but even Coach said the dreadful, ‘If your family is good with it’ line.

Uncle made it blunt and clear that there will be no professional football playing, and even if I do get recruited by one of the Premier League’s titans, Uncle has the power to blacklist me from any team that matters.

When you have King Entreprises at the palm of your hands, anything can be done with a push of a button.

My long, distant football dream isn’t the only thing that’s fucking up my mood.

I’m thinking too much, calculating too much, and partying too much. I’m not getting enough sleep. Sometimes, I wake up just to find out I’m still dreaming.

All of that is terrifyingly similar to a certain someone who shall not be named.