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CHAPTER 82: PANCAKES AND UNCOMFORTABLE TRUCES
publish date:
2026-08-21 00:03:08
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Taming the varsity player CHAPTER 94
ELOISE The applause inside The Velvet Lounge was still echoing off the mahogany walls as we stepped off the stage into the VIP green room area. My adrenaline was soaring, my hands still tingling from the final piano chord. Jax was waiting right by the backstage door. The second I cleared the curtain, his long arms wrapped securely around my waist, pulling my back flush against his chest. He pressed a warm, lingering kiss against the side of my neck that made my toes curl in my heels. "You were incredible up there, Vance," Jax murmured, his low voice vibrating through my spine. "Pure magic." "You actually made it," I breathed, turning in his arms to wrap my hands around his neck. "I can't believe you flew all the way from LA for a two-hour lounge set." "I'd fly around the world to watch you play, baby," he smirked softly, cupping my face. Behind us, Marcus set his drumsticks down on a table while Sarah unslung her bass guitar. Derek stepped into the room, slinging his Les P
Taming the varsity player CHAPTER 93: SPOTLIGHTS AND STOLEN SECONDS
ELOISE The velvet-curtained stage of The Velvet Lounge was bathed in a low, amber glow. The upscale Chicago venue was packed—a crowd of sleek wool coats, glittering cocktail glasses, and hushed, expectant chatter. I sat behind my Nord grand keyboard, taking a slow breath as Derek adjusted his amp beside me. Sarah gave a sharp nod with her bass, Marcus clicked his sticks together four times, and we launched into our opening track. The moment my fingers hit the keys and my voice hit the microphone, the room leaned in. The musical synergy between Derek and me on stage was undeniable. Every time I hit a bridge, his lead guitar harmonized with my vocals like we’d been playing together for years instead of weeks. He caught my eye halfway through our second song, giving me an encouraging, effortless smile as he shredded a smooth, bluesy riff that earned an immediate round of cheers from the audience. And then, right as we transitioned into the chorus of my original single, the heav
Taming the varsity player CHAPTER 92: FREQUENCIES AND UNMASKING
ELOISEThe resonant hum of Derek’s cherry-red Les Paul faded, merging seamlessly into the decay of my final piano chord. For three seconds, the rented garage studio was dead silent, save for the hum of the amplifiers and the heavy breathing of four musicians who had just poured everything into a three-minute track.Marcus slowly lowered his drumsticks, letting out a low whistle. "Damn. That was... clean.""Clean?" Sarah chuckled, wiping her forehead with a towel as she leaned her bass against her amp. "That bridge was downright electric. El, where did you find this guy?"I looked across the rug at Derek. He had rushed straight from the hospital, his blue scrubs still on under a dark denim jacket, his dark hair slightly messy from a twelve-hour shift. But the moment his fingers touched the fretboard, every trace of fatigue had evaporated."He found us," I smiled, stepping around my keyboard setup. "Alright, incredible first practice, everyone. Let’s call it for tonight. Saturday s
Taming the varsity player CHAPTER 91: NIGHT FLIGHTS AND CORNER OFFICES
ELOISE The black luxury sedan glided to a stop right at the curb of our high-rise at eight o'clock sharp. When the rear door opened and Jax stepped out into the evening air, my breath caught in my throat. He wore a tailored charcoal suit over a open-collar black silk shirt, looking every bit like the superstar athlete he was. His baby-blue eyes locked onto mine, taking in my fitted emerald-green satin dress and gold heels, and a slow, completely wrecked smile spread across his face. "Vance," he murmured, his voice low and raspy as he reached me, taking my hand and pulling me flush against his chest. "You look... unbelievable." "You don't look too bad yourself, Cole," I whispered, holding his lapels as he leaned down to press a deep, warm kiss against my lips that made my knees give way. "Happy anniversary, baby," he breathed against my mouth. He held the car door open for me, and twenty minutes later, we weren't pulling up to a Michelin-star restaurant—we were pulling onto
Taming the varsity player CHAPTER 90: AMPLIFIERS AND APPOINTMENTS
ELOISE The reverb of the bass drum vibrated through the concrete floor of the rented downtown garage space, rattling the loose metal folding chairs near the entrance. Tasha sat next to me at the improvised judge’s table—which was really just a folding plastic desk loaded with iced coffees, printed application forms, and highlighters. Her corporate orientation at the firm started tomorrow morning, but today, she was my self-appointed talent manager and chief hype woman. "Okay, so far we've got Marcus on drums," Tasha said, scanning her color-coded clipboard. "He looks like he belongs in a heavy metal group, but his tempo is clean. And Sarah on lead guitar is a prodigy. The band is taking shape, El." "We just need one more solid guitarist," I murmured, tapping my pen against my coffee cup. "Someone who can rhythm-blend with my keys." The garage's heavy side door clicked open, and a tall guy walked in. He was wearing a long, crisp white lab coat over a fitted black t-shirt an
Taming the varsity player CHAPTER 89: CAP, GOWNS, AND NEW HORIZONS
ELOISE I smoothed the front of my white lace dress, making sure the dark blue graduation gown fell neatly over my shoulders. Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I adjusted the square cap on my head, tilting it just right before securing the gold tassel on the left side. I took a slow breath, meeting my own reflection. I actually did it. Four years of college, completely behind me. My music career wasn't blowing up on the global charts just yet, but the foundation was finally there. My debut independent single had a modest, loyal stream count, and my weekend calendar was constantly booked with acoustic gigs—weddings, local lounges, private birthday dinners. It paid my bills, built my audience, and gave me a stage. I was doing what I loved on my own terms. My heart softened as my gaze fell on the gold necklace around my neck. Jax and I were coming up on our three-year anniversary. Between his brutal NBA travel schedule, late-night flights, and my classes and
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