Chapter 6: The Traitor On The Sideline

NOAH'S POV

Practice was usually the only thing that could kill the noise in my head. The basketball court was a kingdom of logic: if you put in the work, you got the result. If you hit the apex of your jump, the shot was yours. The ball slapped against my palm as I drove past Marcus. I pivoted, my sneakers screaming against the hardwood, and sank the jumper without a second thought.

The echo of the ball hitting the floor rippled through the rafters, filling me with a hollow satisfaction. Behind me, Coach was barking defensive rotations and Jax was laughing about some brainless stunt he’d pulled over the weekend.

Then the heavy double doors at the far end of the court groaned open and the ball slipped from my fingers before rolling toward the bleachers. I didn't need to turn around, the very air in the gym seemed to thin and I knew the way the atmosphere curdled whenever she was near.

Elena Voss stepped onto the court like she owned every square inch of the hardwood and wasn't afraid of a single soul standing on it. She was in an oversized hoodie and faded jeans, her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. She clutched a leather-bound notebook to her chest, her expression guarded and frozen. She didn’t belong here. Not in my space nor my court.

Jax let out a low appreciative whistle. “Oh, wow. Is it Christmas already?”

My fingers curled into fists and Elena’s eyes found mine instantly before she looked away, dismissing me as if I were just another piece of gym equipment.

She took a small, measured step forward. “Hi, I’m Elena Voss. I’m here for the student media assignment covering the team this semester.”

Her tone was polite and professional but I wasn't fooled. I rolled my shoulders, set the ball down and approached her. As team captain, the court was my jurisdiction.

“You’re lost,” I said, my voice dropping into an icy, jagged drawl.

A few of the guys shifted uncomfortably.

Her chin lifted. “I’m not. I was assigned here.”

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Assigned? Well, I don’t want you here.”

She didn’t react to the venom in my tone, which only served to irritate me further. “Well, that’s too bad it’s none of your business.”

Coach cleared his throat, moving to intervene, but I didn't give him the opening. I stepped closer, using my height to shadow her. “I don’t do interviews during practice. My team doesn't need the distraction of a ‘student journalist’ looking for a puff piece.”

Her eyes narrowed, the blue darkening into the color of a cold Atlantic storm. “This isn’t just an interview, Noah. I’m documenting for the university media board.”

“Same thing,” I retorted. “You’re a student journalist, Voss. Start acting like one. Learn how to recognize a place where you’re not wanted and walk away.”

Her fingers tightened around her notebook until her knuckles turned white. “Understood,” she said, her voice dropping to a fierce hiss. “But Noah Hale, this is for the school, not for me. Believe me, I want nothing to do with you. I tried to get reassigned, but the board said no. So if you’ve got a problem with my face, take it up with them. Otherwise, stay out of my way and let me work.”

The gym went deathly quiet. I was too stunned by the sheer fierceness that my cock began to twitch. Hell no! She turned on her heel, preparing to retreat to the sidelines, but the universe decided we weren't done with each other.

A loose ball from the other end of the court came shooting across the hardwood. Elena stumbled back instinctively as she tried to dodge the heavy orange projectile. I moved before my brain could process the command.

My right hand snatched the ball out of the air an inch from her shoulder, but her momentum had already shifted. She tripped over her own feet, falling backward. My left hand shot out, catching her firmly by the waist to steady her.

Her breath hitched and my grip tightened for half a heartbeat, the heat of her body seeping through the fabric of her hoodie. For one terrifying second, the three years of betrayal was replaced by a visceral, bone-deep proximity before my brain caught up with my skin.

I let go immediately, stepping back as if she’d burned me, her face flushing a deep, angry crimson.

Jax broke the silence, clapping his hands with a grin. “Well, damn Captain. That was so K-drama.”

“Shut up, Jax,” I snapped, not looking at him.

Elena didn’t say a word. She just adjusted her hoodie, smoothed her ponytail, and walked toward the bench with her head held high.

Coach yelled, clapping his hands. “Back to drills, everyone! Hale, move!”

I threw myself into the practice, forcing my body to move until my lungs burned and my vision blurred. I needed the exhaustion to drown out the feeling of her waist under my hand. During a water break, Jax slid up beside me, tossing his towel over his shoulder.

“She’s kind of intense, huh?” he mused.

“Don’t start,” I warned.

“I didn't say anything.”

“You’re thinking it.”

He grinned wider. “I’m always thinking. Mostly about how she’s the first person to tell you to go to hell since freshman year.”

I gave him a Stony glare. “Focus, Jax.”

“On what?” he asked, amused. “Basketball? Or the walking distraction currently taking notes?”

Across the court, Elena was speaking quietly with Coach, her pen flying across the page. I hated that my eyes kept drifting to her. By the time the final whistle blew, my shirt was soaked and my mood was lethal.

“Good work,” Coach called. “Same time tomorrow.”

As the players began to disperse, Ethan caught up with me before I could reach the hallway.

“Don’t,” I said immediately, not looking at him.

He sighed. “You didn't even hear what I was going to say.”

“I don't need to. I know the lecture.”

He stopped walking. “You embarrassed her in there, Noah. You went out of your way to be a prick.”

I turned, my chest heaving. “Excuse me? She’s the one who invaded my space.”

“She’s just doing her job.” Ethan said.

“You talked her into this,” I accused. “You’re trying to play architect with our lives again.”

“The fuck, man? I’m an Arts major.” Ethan snapped, his eyes flashing. “Drop the idea that I’m trying to ‘fix’ things. I just want to survive the season.”

A dry, bitter laugh escaped me. “She doesn't belong here, Ethan.”

“You heard her. There’s no reassignment.”

I leaned in, my voice a low, terrifying snarl. “Get her off this assignment, Ethan. I’m serious.”

“Noah—”

“Get her off it,” I repeated, my eyes boring into his. “Or I will make every single second she spends in this gym miserable. I will make her regret showing her face here until she begs for a different story.”