by Kent, Rina
Like me, Nicole didn’t want this life. She only accepted it for her parent. It’s wrong for her to pay for her mother’s sins, even if Nicole can be a total bitch herself.
I’ve never seen her so broken as the day she packed her suitcases and said goodbye to Dad and I. Daniel stood by my side that day.
She didn’t look him in the eyes as she bowed her head and walked out of the door.
“Are you ever going to tell me what happened between you two that night?” I ask Dan once she’s out.
His jaw tightens. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Dan… I’m your best friend, you’re supposed to tell me these things. I’m supposed to be there for you when you’re hurt.”
“That’s a tad bit dramatic, crazy bugger. Tone it down a notch.”
“Nope. It’s written in the friendship manual. I finally read it.”
He laughs. “About time.”
I face him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“One. It’s fucking embarrassing to tell you I was drugged and might have drugged you. And oh, wait. You had an accident that night.”
“Well, we had time after, why have you never brought it up?”
“You make it sound like a disaster or that I’m traumatised.”
“You aren’t?”
He continues staring at where Nicole disappeared. “I’m not.”
“But didn’t she… assault you?”
“Not exactly.”
“Not exactly? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. Nicole is over.”
But something tells me that’s not the case.
I sit at my desk in my room and stare at the sketchbook. I’m supposed to find a few sketches that speak of me and my style so I can send them to colleges, but I got lost somewhere.
For the past hour, I’ve been staring at multiple sketches of Levi. There are a few of him scoring, running, or just standing over the team with crossed arms.
I can’t get him out of my head.
Since that day he walked out on, I keep replaying the last look in his eyes. The hurt. The defeat.
I broke his wings, but I’m the one who’s bleeding.
I’ve been dreaming that he’d come back to knock on my door or sneak from my window.
But that’s all they were. Dreams.
Even if he came, it’d only make it harder to push him away again.
Because I said the truth. He’ll only see me as the daughter of the woman who killed his father. And while Mum had nothing to do with it, his father died that day.
I can’t live having him look at me that way.
That doesn’t mean I can stop thinking about him, though.
That doesn’t mean I can stop my muse from sketching him.
A few months.
It’ll be less than a few months before we go our separate paths.
Dan mentioned that Jonathan King allowed Levi to play professionally.
He’ll pick either Manchester or Liverpool and live at the other half of the country while I continue studying in London.
My heart aches and bleeds at the thought of never seeing him again.
“Those are really pretty.”
I startle and meet Dad’s gaze. I fumble with the notepad, slamming it shut and fight the embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.
Thank God Dad didn’t see the half-naked sketches.
“I knocked,” he says. “Three times.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” He pulls a chair and sits beside me. “I mean it. You have a special talent that’s different from your mother’s.”
I smile. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Are you returning to school?”
I wince. “It’s time, I guess. I can’t run away forever.”
No matter how much I want to.
“I know it’s been crazy around here recently, but you’re strong and I trust that you’ll get through this.”
“I know, Dad, it’s just…”
“That King boy?”
I swallow. “It’s over between us, don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried. My feud with Jonathan isn’t something you two should worry about.”
“Dad… are you approving of Levi right now?”
“He had the balls to meet me head on and even risked his future to process evidence about your accident. That grants him some points.” He scrunches his nose. “He still has that loathsome King pride, but it can be wrenched out of him.”
“But… but how about Mum and his father?”
“They both died, Astrid. It was an accident. Neither you or Levi had anything to do with it.” He holds my hand in his. “All this guilt is coming from inside you and you’re the only one who can fight it.”
“I don’t know how.” My voice breaks.
“Ask yourself. Are you living for the past or for the future?”
I’m speechless, not knowing how to respond to that.
Dad stands up and pats my hand. “For what it’s worth, that boy seemed infuriatingly set on the future.”
54
Levi
It isn’t over until it’s over.
* * *
The sound of the spectators is deafening.
We’re on our way to the championship.
Coach Larson looks at me like a hawk and points at his watch. Five. We only have five minutes left.
I motion at Ronan and Cole to push back to defence. I know they want to go out with a bang, but it’s been a bitch to defend our two to one against Manchester even though we’re playing on our ground.
I scored the first goal and Aiden scored the second.
The prick’s Daniel’s words from the other time stayed with me. For the last few games, I’ve been giving the team more leeway to have fun as long as the results are there.
Being the captain doesn’t only mean leading my team to victory. It also means being there for the fall and listening to them when they talk. Like every responsible general would do.
We lose the ball, and Aiden slams his shoulder in mine on his way back.
“You’re sloppy, Captain.” His eyes shine with contempt as he runs backwards. “I’d be surprised if you impress any scouts with your safe ways.”
Fucker.
He laughs, exchanging glances with Xander.
Sometimes, I think Aiden only allows himself to let go during the game. For ninety minutes, he transforms into an unstoppable beast, playing the opponent’s defence until he wears them out.
Cole snatches the ball from a midfielder and passes it to me. I keep possession, studying the pitch.
I can defend our score and win the game for sure. I can play as Coach wants. As everyone expects.
But I’m not a coward.
I’m a King and we don’t play fucking safe.
I sprint forward, and I can almost imagine the Coach yelling profanities in my peripheral vision.
I focus on the crowd going wild, the adrenaline pumping in my veins, and my team who follows me.
Aiden and Xander sprint on either side of me so we form a triangle. I dribble past one from defence and pass the ball to Xan who changes the direction with one masterful touch to Aiden.
I push in the last defender’s back and make sure we’re at the same line.
Aiden runs forward like a bull in between two defenders and passes me the ball. I don’t bother to keep it in place. I shoot it while it’s still in the air.
The crowd goes wild. I don’t even get a chance to see the ball inside the net. Aiden tackles me to the ground and the entire team plus the bench form a pile on top of me.
It’s impossible to breath, but I laugh anyway. It paid off. The gamble paid off.
This isn’t even only about the game anymore. This is about the fucking zombie I’ve become the last two weeks.
After I walked out on Astrid and never looked back because I was playing it safe.
That’s not me.
And it’ll neve
r be.
Xan and Ro carry me on their shoulders and I shout alongside them.
This victory is for us, not only me.
That’s probably the difference between me and Aiden. He’s too individualist to play the game right.
And the reason I’ll make sure he’s not the captain once I’m out of here.
The guys lower me when we reach Coach Larson. He stares at me with a disapproving glance, and all the guys grow silent.
“That was a dangerous stunt, Captain.” Coach grins. “But a damn good one at that.”
He headlocks me and I accept the taunting punches from everyone.
“Coach.”
He and the rest of the team straighten at Uncle’s voice.
“Mr King.” Coach Larson shakes Uncle’s hand. “You should be proud of your son and your nephew.”
“Right. Of Course.” Jonathan’s voice is completely neutral.
Aiden and I exchange a look and roll our eyes.
“Someone is here for you, Lev.” Uncle points to a man dressed in a three-piece suit and looks so much like the type Uncle hangs out with.
Wait. This is…
“Mr Jeremy?” Coach Larson who’s always composed almost stumbles on his words. “It’s an honour to meet you.”
“The honour is all mine, Coach.” Jeremy shakes Coach’s hand. “You’ve built an impressive team.”
He turns towards me. “Levi King?”
“The one and only,” Xan shouts.
Jeremy laughs. “I’ve seen exceptional captaining skills today. Your leadership and ability to make decisions in a split time are exactly what we’re looking for. That finish only proved how much we need to have our hands on you.” He meets Jonathan’s gaze. “You didn’t tell me you hid a gem, King.”
“It comes with the family name,” Uncle says.
Jeremy smiles, eyeing Aiden. “We’ll be talking to the second King soon, too.”
“Yeah, that won’t happen, Jeremy.” Uncle takes him away before the assistant coaches start drooling over him.
I gulp a mouthful of water and spill some over my head.
One thing is over.
“Victory party at my place!” Ronan shouts, gripping me by the shoulder. “Captain, man of the hour!”
“You’ll have to do it on your own.” I shrug him off.
“Why?” Cole snatches the bottle from between my finger.
“I have an important place to be.” A place that’s two weeks overdue.
“Uh, you don’t have to.” Xander waggles his eyebrows, motioning behind me.
My breath hitches when I turn around.
The guys’ cheers, the spectators, and the entire fucking world disappears.
The only thing that remains is the girl walking across the pitch.
She’s wearing my T-shirt with number ten on it. Her hair falls on either side of her face like a fucking halo.
Air rushes back to my lungs, and it hurts.
Feeling so much life after suffocating for two weeks fucking hurts.
I’ll make sure it never hurts again. For the both of us.
Astrid once told me I’m a dark night. It’s in dark nights that stars like her shine the brightest.
55
Astrid
Mine.
* * *
My heart tries to punch its way out of my chest as I stare at Levi.
Sweat and water make his gorgeous Viking hair all tousled and shining. He runs towards me in that agile, stunning way that made me put up with morning runs.
His chest muscles strain against his jersey and his strong thighs nearly burst out of the shorts.
He stops in front of me, his handsome face slightly flushed from the heroic game he just finished.
I only came in the second half, after trying to convince myself for the thousandth time that this is the right thing to do and praying that I didn’t shatter us for good.
“Congrats,” I murmur, almost stammering like an idiot. “That was a great game.”
“Fuck that.” He breathes harshly, approaching me slowly. “Why are you here, Astrid?”
“I…” I was an idiot? I want a second chance?
Where the hell do I even begin with my jumbled thoughts?
He barges into my space. His chest brushes against my breasts and I’m so full of him. Of his height. Of his natural scent now mixed with adrenaline. Of his sheer presence.
God, I missed him. I missed him so fucking much.
He clutches my shoulders with strong hands, and I briefly close my eyes against the sensation. His touch has always been my undoing, and I’ve been starving for so long.
“Tell me you couldn’t sleep, too. Tell me I’ve been driving you as fucking crazy as you’ve been driving me.”
I nod, fighting the pressure building in my throat. “I know there’s a dark past between us, but I’m choosing to be selfish. I’m choosing the future, Levi.”
“Thank fuck because I’m never giving up on you, princess.”
I release a long breath. “I thought you already did.”
“Nah. I have to live up to my devil reputation.”
I throw myself against him, my hands securing tightly at his back. Levi wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him. We’re so close that he’s crushing me until I can’t breathe.
Scratch that. I can breathe. I breathe him. His embrace. His warmth. The future I want with him.
Levi and I were something special since the day I stumbled into the private room, drugged, and he kicked me out just so he’d save me later.
We’ve been something special since he made me his target and I fought back.
The past won’t define our lives. The future will.
“Now say it,” he whispers against my ear.
“Say what?”
“That you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.” I chuckle, looking up at him. “Even if we have a long-distance relationship.”
“Fuck long-distance relationships.”
My heart breaks as if he jammed a knife into my chest. Does Levi only plan to spend the rest of the year with me and then we go separate ways?
He taps my nose. “Kiss for your thoughts?”
“So what? It’s over once you go to Manchester or Liverpool?”
“Nothing will be fucking over.”
“But you’re going —”
“I’m going nowhere, princess. Uncle brought his friend who happens to be Arsenal’s CEO to make sure I stay in London.”
“Arsenal. Wow.”
“I know. Jonathan is being manipulative until the very end.”
“No. I mean I’m happy for you… if you decide to stay in London, of course.”
“Fuck right I’m staying. I go wherever you go, princess.”
He seals his lips to mine in a passionate, all-consuming kiss that steals my breath away. I moan, threading my fingers into his hair as the guys cheer all around us.
I kiss him back, rising on my tippy toes to reciprocate what he’s thinking.
Mine.
Epilogue - Astrid
One year later,
* * *
“This isn’t funny.”
My heart almost beats out of my chest even as I try to keep my voice light-hearted.
The sound of the rain beats down all over the King’s mansion, soaking the fountain in the middle of the back garden and the trees in the distance.
I should’ve known he’s up to no good.
Levi is always up to no good.
“Levi?” I call in a hesitant voice as my steps falter near the covered hallway.
I search around, expecting one of his distasteful pranks where he jumps me from behind.
I’ll probably never admit this to him, but I love that part of him the most. There’s never a dull moment with him.
He makes my days unforgettable and my nights as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride.
Yesterday, he saw me having lunch with a few of my college friends who somehow
all ended up being males. Levi decided to be a dick and kiss me in front of all of them until I had to apologise and leave.
I’m still feeling sore from the way he took me hard and fast against the door as soon as we entered his flat.
It’s his way of punishment. A game he plays with my body that I don’t ever want to end.
As soon as we graduated, Levi chose to live on his own. He still didn’t touch his trust fund and is living off his overflowing career with Arsenal. It amazes me how he can play and study at the same time. I feel so overwhelmed with the art classes alone.
On paper, I still live with Dad, but in reality, I crash in Levi’s flat more often than not.
We practically live together now.
“Are you going to be petty for long?” I ask, rubbing my arms.
A chill covers my bare limbs and it’s not because of the cold. A part of me is bubbling, itching and almost jumping out of my skin for what he plans to do.
Levi might have grown up, but he’s still the same unpredictable arsehole who’s out to flip my world upside down.
The only difference is that I love it. No, I crave it. Sometimes, I feel like his madness mirrors mine.
And when I wake up in the morning with this face next to mine, I give a silent prayer to always wake up to him.
He might rock my world, but he’s also the only one who’s able to balance it. He’s my rock and my anchor. He has some possessive and controlling issues, but that’s part of who Levi King is.
In fact, after getting to know his uncle and his cousin, I can say Levi is the safest amongst them — shocker I know.
They have something all screwed up in the family’s blood.
They’re all twisted in their own ways and they’re not apologetic about it.
A sound catches behind me. I stop in front of the threshold and glance sideways, my breathing hitching.
“Levi?”
Nothing.
I wait for a few long seconds and then release a breath. I’m going back inside and to hell with Levi’s games.
Something slams into me from behind. I shriek as I recognise his warmth and his unmistakable scent.