Episode 8: Scars & Sins
Jaden sat in the locker room, still shirtless, still staring at his own reflection.
The bruises on his body were darker now, the cut over his eyebrow stinging every time he moved. His knuckles were raw, dried blood crusted over his skin.
He didn't feel like a footballer anymore. He felt like a fucking fighter.
The door creaked open. Footsteps.
Leo.
Jaden didn't look at him.
Leo leaned against the lockers, shaking his head. "Man, I knew you had a temper, but that? That was some straight-up prison shit."
Jaden sighed. "He deserved it."
Leo grinned. "Oh, no doubt. But still… you might've just painted a fucking target on your back."
Jaden didn't respond. He didn't care.
Leo studied him for a moment, then clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Either way, you got respect now. Even the coaches saw it. And the other guys? They're scared of you."
Jaden finally looked up.
Leo smirked. "They won't say it out loud, but trust me—they know not to fuck with you anymore."
Jaden exhaled. Good.
He grabbed his shirt and pulled it on, wincing as the fabric brushed against his ribs. His whole body was sore, but he wasn't gonna show weakness. Not here.
Leo stretched. "Anyway, I'm heading out. You should celebrate, man. Some of the guys are going out—hell, even the staff girls are getting in on it."
Jaden frowned. "We're not allowed to leave the facility."
Leo chuckled. "You really think rules mean shit here?"
Jaden hesitated.
Then his phone buzzed.
Abby.
Abby: How's my champion?
Jaden felt something tighten in his chest. He gripped the phone, his thumb hovering over the keyboard.
He could go out. Get his mind off this. Lose himself for a while.
Or…
He exhaled and typed back.
Jaden: Still breathing. Barely.
A pause. Then—
Abby: Do I need to come kick someone's ass for you?
Jaden smirked.
Jaden: Nah. I handled it.
Abby: Of course you did.
Jaden leaned back against the locker, staring at her name on the screen. She felt so far away.
He wanted to tell her everything. About how this place was turning him into something else. About how much he wanted to see her. Feel her. Just escape from this fucking nightmare.
But instead, he just typed—
Jaden: I miss you.
Abby: I know. Me too.
Abby: When you come back, I want you all to myself. Just us. No football. No stress. Just you and me.
Jaden's breath hitched slightly.
God, he wanted that.
Before he could respond, the locker room door opened again.
Jaden looked up.
Ava Sinclair stood in the doorway.
Temptation
Ava leaned against the frame, her sharp blue eyes locked onto Jaden.
Leo raised an eyebrow, glancing between them. "Well… guess I'll leave you to it."
He smirked at Jaden before slipping out.
Jaden sighed. "What do you want?"
Ava stepped closer, her lips curling into a smirk. "You're really asking that?"
Jaden tensed.
She was too close now. Close enough for him to smell the faint trace of perfume under the scent of sweat and grass.
She reached out, dragging a finger over his bruised forearm. "You know… when I first saw you, I thought you were just another kid trying to survive. But now?"
She tilted her head.
"Now, you look like someone who likes to hurt people."
Jaden clenched his jaw. "I don't."
Ava leaned in, her lips brushing near his ear.
"Then why did you enjoy it?"
Jaden stiffened.
Fuck.
His body betrayed him for half a second—a flicker of heat, a reaction to her closeness. She noticed.
A slow, knowing smirk spread across her lips.
"No need to act all innocent, Carter." She stepped back, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. "You're not fooling anyone."
She turned and walked away, leaving behind only the faint echo of her footsteps.
Jaden exhaled sharply.
His phone buzzed again.
Abby: You still there?
Jaden tightened his grip on the phone.
Yeah. He was still here.
But for how much longer?