All Chapters of Taming the varsity player : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

ELOISE ​The heavy glass doors of the terrace closed behind me, instantly cutting off the thrumming bass of the orchestra and the low, suffocating hum of high-society chatter. ​The cool night air hit my bare shoulders, sending a sharp shiver down my spine. I walked over to the stone balustrade, resting my hands on the freezing granite, and stared out at the sprawling, moonlit gardens of the estate. I took a long, shaky breath, trying to calm the violent storm raging in my chest. ​I had done it. I had performed my piece, gotten my applause, and held my head high. But seeing him out there—seeing Mike with another girl wrapped around his arm—had opened every single wound I had been trying so desperately to heal. ​Click. ​The soft sound of the terrace door opening behind me made me freeze. ​I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The faint, undeniable scent of cedarwood cologne and fresh rain drifted through the night air, hitting my senses before he even took a step. ​"Elo

ELOISE ​The towering crystal chandeliers of the Montgomery-Cole estate threw thousands of golden light specks across the grand ballroom. The air was rich, thick with the subtle fragrance of rare orchids, vintage champagne, and the kind of quiet, generations-old wealth that didn't need to shout to be felt. ​I sat at the polished mahogany Steinway grand piano, letting my hands slide into the closing chords of the arrangement. I segued smoothly into a warm, soulful rendition of the traditional birthday song, keeping it soft, elegant, and resonant. ​Near the front of the dance floor, the matriarch of the family—an elegant elderly woman draped in emerald silk and diamonds—smiled radiantly as her family gathered around her. She blew out the flickering candles on a five-tier cake, surrounded by cheers, laughter, and the gentle clinking of crystal flutes. ​As the applause died down and the estate's background quartet took over the music responsibilities, I softly lowered the piano lid. ​

ELOISE​I didn't cry.​A few days ago, those cruel, jagged words would have ripped me apart, leaving me sobbing on the cold concrete floor. But as I pushed through the heavy double doors of the athletic building and stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, all I felt was a dull, hollow disappointment.​Mike hadn't just broken my heart. He had completely transformed into a stranger—someone bitter, arrogant, and willing to drag me into the dirt just to save his own inflated ego.​My boots clicked fast against the pavement as I marched toward the parking lot, Tasha keeping pace right beside me, muttering furious curses under her breath about Mike Weller's entire lineage.​"Eloise! Hey, wait!"​I stopped near the edge of the walkway, taking a deep breath before turning around.​Jax was jogging toward us, having quickly thrown a dark grey hoodie over his jersey, his gym bag slung over one broad shoulder. His dark hair was still slightly damp, and his baby-blue eyes were filled with genuin

JAX ​The silence in the penthouse was always loud. ​I stood in the vast, marble-floored kitchen of the downtown Nashville suite, watching the morning sunlight cut through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The space was pristine—architectural art pieces, custom minimalist furniture, and clean surfaces that looked like they belonged in a design gallery rather than a home. ​On the kitchen island sat a black velvet box. Inside was a limited-edition Patek Philippe watch. Beside it was a printed note from my mom’s executive assistant: ​So proud of your win last night, Jax. Wear this to the Belmont Gala. - Mom ​I stared at the watch, a low, quiet sigh escaping my throat. ​No "Great game, son." No "Saw your pull-up jumper in the fourth quarter." Just a six-figure watch to replace her empty seat at the front row of the athletic center. ​The heavy glass doors of the private elevator clicked open, and my mom, Vivian Cole, stepped out. She was wearing a tailored ivory pantsuit, her dark

​ELOISE ​I was sprawled across my bed in an oversized heather-grey sweatshirt and sweatpants, resting my chin on my hands while watching a random food vlog on my laptop. ​My phone vibrated against the mattress beside me. ​I reached over and picked it up. Jax. ​A quiet, unexpected flutter hit my stomach. I swiped the screen open and pressed the phone to my ear. ​"Hey," I murmured softly. ​"Hey," Jax’s deep, smooth voice came through the speaker, low and warm. "Do you happen to be free tonight, Vance?" ​I leaned back against my pillows, a smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, I am. Why? What are you up to?" ​"Well," Jax drawled, the familiar playful tilt in his voice instantly recognizable, "my school is throwing this mid-season athletic dance tonight, and I strictly refuse to walk into that room unless I have the most stunning girl in Nashville on my arm. Would you like to be my plus one?" ​My heart gave a sudden, hard thud against my ribs. "To your school dance?" ​"To the dance,"