The King's Men (All for the Game, #3)

by Nora Sakavic

"I'm not as stupid as you think I am." "And I'm not as smart as I thought I was," Andrew said. "I know better than to do this again. Perhaps it's the self-destructive streak in me?"

"You assume he'll survive until summer," Andrew said. "You break him, you owe me a new defenseman," Wymack said.

Kevin dragged his stare back to Wymack's face and said, "and my father comes to all of my games. That is enough." On Wymack's other side, Abby's gaze softened. Wymack's jaw worked for a moment before he could say in an even tone, "Your mother would be proud of you." "Not just of me," Kevin said in a rare bout of humanity.

This is about you. This is about everything it took you to get to this point, everything it cost you, and everyone who laughed when you dared to dream of something big and bright. You're here tonight because you refused to give up and refused to give in. You're here where they all said you'd never be, and no one can say you haven't earned the right to play this game.

"You're crazy," Neil said to Andrew in an undertone. "This is news to no one," Andrew said.

"I'd ask you how it feels, but I guess you've always known what it's like to be second, you worthless piece of shit."

"Your close calls are getting old," Andrew said. "I thought you knew how to run." Neil affected confusion. "I thought you told me to stop running." "Survival tip: no one likes a smart mouth." "Except you," Neil reminded him.

A year ago Neil had been a scared nobody, hating himself for signing the Foxes' contract and counting down days until he moved in with Wymack. Tonight he was the starting striker for the first-ranked team in the NCAA.