Chapter 20

T he locker room was charged with a combination of testosterone and anticipation as King and his teammates readied themselves to take the field to play for the NCAA Championship. Bradley U's team had played nearly flawlessly during the season, but they were up against the reigning champs, the same team they'd fallen to in the semis last year.

Unlike regular season games, where they could end in a tie, this final match would go on until there was a clear winner. Meaning extra time and then a shootout if the score was still tied after the additional minutes were played. King was planning on doing everything in his power to ensure that his team took care of things in 90 minutes.

He touched the crown charm of Lila's necklace under his jersey. Yeah, he hadn't lost it. He just couldn't bear to return it. Not after she'd so lovingly given it to him.

To remind you that you are not your father. You're a king. Those words and the gentle way she'd fastened the necklace around his neck had been playing a constant loop in his brain.

That moment had been the best and the worst of his whole damn life. Because that was the moment when he knew that he loved Lila Alexander. That he'd always love her. It was also the moment he realized he had to let her go. He'd become too dependent on her. He craved her. Her mind, her body—hell, even her scent. The longer it went on, the worse it would be when she finally realized how broken he was and left his ass. So he might as well end it while he still had part of his heart left.

Which turned out to be bullshit because he was already all the way gone for that girl. And he'd thoroughly fucked things up. Destroyed the best thing in his life.

"Ready for this, Spencer?" Jason's words and accompanying shoulder punch snapped King out of his thoughts.

"Ready to kick some ass," he replied, game day face firmly in place. This was the last time he was going to play with Jason, Nate, and James. They were all seniors, and this was their last shot at the title. And even though King was eligible to play next year, it wouldn't be the same playing without his teammates.

Coach Klopp gave them his standard stern pregame speech, and then they were heading out to the field. Thankfully, this year, the semis and finals were played at the professional soccer stadium in the next state over, and the drive was only three hours. Because of this, Bradley U navy and white filled most of the seats, with little smatterings of maroons and yellows, which were the opposing team's colors.

King tried not to wonder about whether or not Lila was in the crowd. He knew through the grapevine that a few of her friends had made the drive, but he'd made a point not to ask if she was joining them. It wouldn't make a difference, anyway. They were done…for good this time. And he wasn't going to dwell on the fact that his asshole sperm donor was here, but this time Sol at least had the decency to bring his wife to the game, instead of one of his mistresses.

The next 90 minutes were a battle. It rained on and off throughout the game, making the field conditions less than ideal. In spite of that, Nate protected the hell out of the goal, Jason defended like a boss, and Will and James represented in the midfield. King had a couple of shots on target, but the score was still tied 0-0 going into the 90th minute.

As the rain started up again, King knew that if they didn't get it done right, then during stoppage time, they'd most likely be headed for a shootout in unpredictable conditions. He subconsciously rubbed the necklace underneath his jersey as he sped to get open for a pass. Five minutes and counting .

Will had managed to retrieve the ball from the opposition and was moving it upfield. Then one of their rivals executed a clean slide tackle and took over possession. Two minutes and counting.

The other team advanced the ball to Bradley's goal box–within scoring range. Their forward maneuvered around the Bradley defenders and got a shot off. Fortunately for Nate, the forward slipped in the wet conditions and Nate made an easy save. He stood up quickly and ran to the edge of his goal box, scanning the field for someone open to throw to. King caught his eye, and Nate nodded almost imperceptibly. He made a move like he was going to roll the ball to James but then launched it over everyone's heads. King stayed in line with their rivals' last defender so he remained on-side as he trapped and cradled the ball with his foot.

You are not your father. You're a king. Lila's words came to him as he flipped the ball up and over a defender and reclaimed possession of the ball as soon as it hit the grass. He dribbled once, and then positioned his body over the ball. Time seemed to slow down as King took a deep breath and looked up at the goal. He picked a spot in the upper left corner and struck the ball hard with his laces. The momentum of his shot and follow-through brought him to the ground. As he fell, he saw the keeper jump and stretch toward the corner, but the shot was perfectly placed and out of his reach. The crowd and players were holding their breath and King heard the sweet sound of the ball hitting the back of the netting.

Before King could get up, his teammates were piling on him, their cheers triumphant, even though they still had about a minute left to play. They got to their feet and set up for kickoff. The referee blew his whistle to restart the match, but as soon as the player in maroon kicked the ball to his teammate, the ref's whistle blew again, and the Bradley U soccer team officially became the national champs.

They all cheered and sang the Bradley U fight song. The crowd had rushed the field, so it was a sea of school colors and celebration.

King stiffened when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Solomon. Solomon with a guy he didn't recognize. His mother was standing a few feet away, ever deferential to her husband.

"Way to finish, Junior. This is Guy Nelson, a scout for the Seattle Sounders."

Automatically, King shook the man's extended hand.

"We think you have a lot of promise, King, and think you should consider entering the SuperDraft this year."

King clenched his jaw and forced himself to breathe before he responded. "Thanks for coming, sir. I'm sorry. I'm still not sure what I want to do. I have another year of eligibility to play, and right now, I'd like to focus on our win and go celebrate with my team." He didn't even look at his father, whose creepy light-blue eyes were probably glowing red right about now.

Guy didn't miss a beat, "Of course, son. But give what I said some thought."

"Will do. Thank you, sir," King managed to say before heading back toward his teammates.

Then he saw her.

She was standing next to Julia and Nate, who were having an epic, slightly indecent, celebratory makeout. A few of their other friends were there too, taking selfies and dancing around. But not Lila. She was standing still, her legs looking like they were a million miles long in the skirt she was wearing, with an umbrella in her hand. An amused half smile lit her face as she watched her friends. She hadn't noticed King yet.

King tried to will his body forward, but he was stuck right where he was. He wanted her eyes on him. Hell, he wanted all of her on him. Seconds later, her expression changed, and her face turned towards his.

He wasn't sure if they stared at each other for minutes or mere seconds, but she was the one who finally broke eye contact, a lifted left eyebrow and a slight dip of her umbrella offered as her final parting gifts.

The crown hanging from his neck felt heavy.

You are not your father. You're a king.

Maybe it was time he started believing that.