Chapter 174 I'll Play Center
The referee's whistle pierced the air, and the basketball game between Princeton and Randview College officially began. The gymnasium buzzed with energy, students from both schools decked out in their respective colors, creating a sea of orange and black on one side and blue and white on the other. Chase Astor bounced on his toes, eyes narrowed with determination as his tall teammate won the jump ball, sending it straight to him.
Chase smoothly passed it to another player before positioning himself under the basket. Within seconds, he received the ball back and leapt into the air for a thunderous dunk that had the Princeton students erupting in cheers, stomping their feet against the bleachers.
"Princeton draws first blood!" the announcer's voice boomed across the gymnasium as Chase ran back down the court, flashing his trademark grin at the crowd.
Chase's moment of glory was short-lived. Randview responded with three consecutive baskets, pushing Princeton into a defensive scramble. Their tallest player, a six-foot-seven transfer student with arms that seemed to stretch forever, easily shot over Princeton's defense. With each point surrendered, Chase's expression darkened, his jaw clenching tighter as he barked orders at his teammates.
In the bleachers, Jade Morgan slouched in her seat, already regretting her decision to attend. She stifled a yawn as she watched the players dart back and forth across the court. Basketball wasn't exactly her idea of entertainment. The scoreboard's digital numbers changed again: 7-13, Randview's favor.
"You look thrilled," Julian Sheldon said, appearing beside her with a cardboard container in hand. His wire-rimmed glasses caught the harsh gymnasium lights as he settled next to her. "Popcorn?"
Jade took a handful without enthusiasm. "Is this what passes for excitement in college?"
"Better than calculus," Julian quipped, settling into the empty seat next to her. "Besides, Chase has been telling everyone you'd be here. I think he's playing extra hard to impress you."
Jade rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the court where the action had suddenly stopped. A Randview player had collided hard with Chase's teammate, sending him sprawling across the floor. The crowd gasped collectively as the player clutched his ankle, his face contorted in pain.
"You motherfucker!" Chase shouted, shoving the Randview player with enough force to make him stumble backward. "Are you here to play ball or break legs?"
The referee rushed between them as players from both teams converged, tension crackling in the air like electricity. Coaches from both sides hurried onto the court, pulling their players back before the situation escalated further. The Randview player shrugged, feigning innocence despite the smirk playing at his lips.
The injured Princeton player was helped to the sidelines, limping heavily with his arm draped over a teammate's shoulder. Jade could see the swelling in his ankle even from her seat.
"Chase, my ankle's screwed," he said, grimacing as the team medic examined him. "I don't think I can go back in."
"Where the hell am I supposed to find a replacement?" Chase ran a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, glancing at the scoreboard: Princeton 7, Randview 13. The sight of the opposing team's smug expressions only fueled his frustration. He scanned the bench, but there were no more substitutes available.
To make matters worse, Randview's cheerleaders chose that moment to perform another routine, their perfectly synchronized movements drawing appreciative whistles from their supporters. Their captain executed a flawless series of backflips, ending in a split that had the Randview section roaring.
Sterling Huxley, who'd been watching from nearby, stepped forward. "I could sub in."
Chase scoffed, looking at him like he'd suggested they forfeit. "Are you forgetting you're from Randview?"
Sterling shrugged and stepped back, rejoining the Randview supporters who laughed at Chase's predicament.
Jade's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see Chase's name flashing on the screen. She had been about to respond to Ethan's message, but Chase's call interrupted her.
"What?" she answered.
"We're playing like shit," Chase said without preamble. "I was hoping you'd still be here. My teammate's down with a twisted ankle, and we don't have any substitutes. Do you know how to play basketball?"
"No," Jade replied flatly, watching Ethan's message appear on her screen.
"Come on," he pleaded. "You have perfect aim. Just come down and sink a couple of three-pointers. We might not win, but at least we won't embarrass ourselves completely. It's a matter of Princeton pride."
Before Jade could respond, a tall guy with perfect teeth approached Chase on the court. Even from the bleachers, Jade could see the Randview captain's condescending smile.
"Need some help, Astor?" Brock Reynolds asked loudly enough for Jade to hear through the phone. "We could lend you a player."
"Fuck off, Reynolds," Chase snapped. "Don't pretend to be a good sport."
"Just trying to be helpful," Reynolds shrugged with exaggerated innocence. "But if you'd rather forfeit..."
Jade hung up and made her way down to the court. Julian called after her, but she ignored him, her expression unreadable as she approached the teams. The crowd's chatter dimmed as people noticed her movement, whispers following her progress down the bleachers.
"I'll play," she announced, stepping onto the court.
The gymnasium fell into a shocked silence before erupting into whispers. From the Randview section, voices carried clearly:
"That's Princeton's Instagram queen?"
"Way hotter in person than in her photos."
"Even in that baggy hoodie, you can tell she's stacked."
Chase's teammates exchanged glances, clearly doubting this unexpected development. The coach looked ready to object but remained silent after a warning look from Chase.
Reynolds' eyes widened as he took her in, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "Jade Morgan, right? I've heard a lot about you. Never had the chance to—"
"Have you heard about Ethan Haxton's interest in her?" Chase interrupted, stepping between them with a provocative smirk.
Reynolds' smile faltered. "I just heard you two were acquainted. The age gap seemed... I assumed you were family friends or something."
Chase held up his phone. "Got that recorded. Sending it to Ethan now."
"That's unnecessary," Reynolds said quickly, his confident demeanor cracking. He glanced nervously at Chase's phone. "I didn't mean anything by it."
"You should return to your team," Jade said coolly, her eyes holding a warning. "And remind your players that court injuries go both ways."
Reynolds retreated, but not before adding, "If you're playing, I'll make sure my team goes easy on you."
"How about a wager?" Jade suggested, surprising both Chase and Reynolds. "Losing team runs around campus shirtless."
Brock agreed.
The referee signaled for the game to resume, the timekeeper pointing meaningfully at the clock.
"I'll play center," Jade said to Chase as they huddled with the team.
"Center?" Chase stared at her incredulously. "You mean you'll jump for the ball? You're like five-foot-five."
"Not interested anymore?" Jade turned to leave.
"No, no! Center it is," Chase backpedaled quickly. "You're the center. Absolutely."
"She's the shortest person on the court. We're already losing—this is just going to make it worse." One teammate whispered to another, eyeing Jade skeptically.
Chase shot him a silencing glare. "Want to wear something more... athletic?" he asked Jade, eyeing her oversized hoodie. "That hood and those pockets will just get in the way."
"It's fifteen minutes," Jade said, stepping onto the court. "I'll manage."