Chapter 02

Sage's Pov 

The morning sun shined brightly against the pavement as I jogged up the path towards the gym, my backpack strapped on my back. I needed some alone time on the court to get more reacquainted, even if it's just for ten minutes.

I couldn't sleep the previous night. Sleep came, but the memories of that game tormented me and, strangely the thought of him kept me up.

Andrew Jefferson.

I'd seen a lot of attractive men in my nineteen years of existence, dated some, ignored most.

But there was something about the way he looked at me, like he saw so much potential—not just the girl who almost lost her career because of a selfish move.

It wasn't the age that scared me or even that he was my best friend's father, it was the silent pull, the kind that before you notice, it was there.

I finally got to the gym. Pushing the door open, I saw that it was empty.

Good.

The court glowed under the lights, waxed and perfect. I dropped my bag on the bench and walked to the center. I used to be the queen of the court, but now I feel like a stranger.

I grabbed one ball from the rack and bounced it on the ground. The echo filled the gym.

The ball felt good and familiar in my hand, I was starting to enjoy myself.

I took a few steps back, aimed, and shot.

It entered the net effortlessly. At this moment, I pretended nothing existed. It was just me and my ball, and the peace the court brought.

Until I heard his voice, my heart jumped. I had been so lost in the moment I didn't notice him walk inside.

His footsteps echoed through the gym—slow, soft, and deliberate. I didn't turn around, but I already knew who it was.

“Early start, huh?" he said.

Keeping my eyes on the hoop, I exhaled slowly. “Couldn't sleep."

“Me neither."

I turned to face him. He had on a pair of black workout tee and basketball shorts, clipboard under one arm and a water bottle in the other.

He looked absolutely breathtaking.

"You're serious about reclaiming your former title. That's good."

I nodded.

He tilted his head slightly. “Don't waste your time trying to prove something to anyone. What you have to prove, prove it only to yourself."

This man had the ability to read me so easily. Why, oh why, did he have to be Pauline's father?

“I'm trying to prove I'm not that girl anymore," I said, ball in hand.

He didn't ask what girl I referred to.

“Then prove it only to yourself," he simply replied.

I nodded. His words gave me so much strength.

He walked further into the court, eyes glancing around the quiet gym. “You know, when I was first offered this job to coach again, I almost turned it down."

“So what changed your mind?"

He didn't say anything for a moment before finally saying, “Pauline. She cried, begging me. She said the team needed stability and so did you."

His words surprised me. “She did?"

“She believes so much in you, Sage." His eyes finally met mine. “She always has."

Guilt twisted inside of me. Pauline had always been like a sister to me. She was always there whenever I needed someone always.

If she ever found out how her father made me feel, that would be the end of our friendship.

I looked down at the ball in my hand. “I'm not sure I believe in myself anymore."

Now he stood facing me.

“Pass it."

I threw the ball to him and he caught it with ease. He spin it in his hand like it was nothing, well it was for him. He used to coach professionals. It showed in the way he moved every move precise, confident, and powerful.

“Let’s see how many seconds you can last against me,” he said, a smirk on his face.

“What?” I blinked.

“Play me. Just a few one-on-one.”

I hesitated. Well, I guess I'm about to disgrace myself. “Okay.”

We moved into position. I started on offense, dribbling low, circling around him. He kept pace, eyes locked on mine but not in an intimidating way. More like he was reading me. Testing my instincts.

I faked left, pivoted right, and shot.

Missed.

“You are second-guessing yourself. Don’t hesitate, just move.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one everyone wants to fail.”

He caught the rebound and passed it back to me. “You’re not the one everyone’s watching to fail. You’re the one they expect to succeed. That’s what scares them.”

I stared at him for a moment.

“People don’t judge you because you fail, Sage,” he continued. “They judge you because they don’t have the guts to do what you do.”

No one has ever said it to me that way before.

I reset my stance, taking the ball again and drove forward.

This time I didn’t think no hesitation. I just moved. Twisting, cutting, rising up to shoot.

“Good job,” he said. He was impressed.

“Thank you,” I said, giving a small bow that made him laugh.

~~~~

The gym slowly started to fill up. The other players chatted and stretched. Pauline waved and started jogging towards me, her fresh ponytail bouncing behind her.

"You're here early," she said.

"So are you."

“I wanted to see Dad in coach mode. I heard it's intense".

"It's not that bad," I replied, forcing a laugh.

The guilt is eating me up bit by bit.

Practice kicked off with cardio drills, the team separated into groups, Coach Andrews backing others. He wasn't yelling, but at the same time, his voice carried so much authority.

When it was time for my group to shoot drills, he watched every move. When I hesitated a little, he immediately called it out.

"Confidence, Davis. You got this. Concentrate on the ball."

I nodded, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

I wanted to impress him. Worse, I wanted him to notice me.

When practice ended, I sat on the locker room bench. I took my socks off and my ankle burned, but not in a dangerous way—it was just sore.

Rina walked towards me, towel around her neck and hair slicked back.

"You really think you can just come back to the team and get your crown back because Coach Jefferson favors you, huh?"

I looked up at her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She smirked. "Don't play dumb with me, Davis. You think I didn't see the both of you this morning on the court?"

I didn't answer her.

She leaned in. "You might fool the others, but you can't fool me. I've got my eyes on you."

And with that, she left.

I sat still for a moment, trying not to shake.

The truth is, I honestly didn't know what I was doing. I wasn't even sure how to stop the unexplainable gravity pulling me towards him.

I laced up my shoes and left the locker room.