Episode 9: The Price of Victory
The last thing Jaden expected to hear in this prison disguised as a football academy was his name being called over the intercom.
"Jaden Carter. Report to the front gate."
Heads turned. Even Leo looked surprised. "The hell? You in trouble again?"
Jaden frowned. No one got visitors here. Iron Stride was a sealed-off battleground—no family, no friends, no distractions.
So who the fuck—
Then it hit him.
His heartbeat kicked up.
He didn't even respond to Leo. He just moved.
The Girl He Couldn't Leave Behind
When Jaden stepped through the security gate, the sight almost knocked the breath from his lungs.
Abby.
She stood there in a hoodie and jeans, her brown eyes locking onto his like she had been waiting forever.
Jaden's body went rigid. She was here. In this fucking place. She shouldn't be here.
"Holy shit," he muttered, walking toward her. "How did you even—"
"Don't ask," Abby cut in, stepping closer. "I have my ways."
Jaden let out a sharp breath. Fuck. He didn't realize how much he needed to see her until right now.
She studied him, eyes narrowing. "Jesus, Jaden…"
His bruises. The cut on his brow, the swelling on his ribs. The damage.
Her fingers barely touched his jaw, and he flinched.
Abby's eyes darkened. "Who did this?"
Jaden exhaled, shaking his head. "It's just part of the game."
"That's not a game," she shot back. "That's fucking insane."
Jaden knew that. He fucking knew that. But hearing it from her made it worse.
For a moment, they just stood there. Staring. Like two people who had waited too long for this moment.
Then—Abby hugged him.
Jaden went completely still.
Her arms wrapped around his waist—gently, carefully, like she knew he was barely holding himself together.
Jaden let himself sink into her warmth. His arms slid around her, gripping her tighter than he probably should have.
"Are you okay?" Abby murmured against his chest.
Jaden's throat tightened. No. He wasn't. But he couldn't tell her that.
So he just said, "Yeah."
Abby pulled back slightly, her hands still on his sides. She didn't believe him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You don't have to do this," she whispered. "You don't have to destroy yourself just to prove something."
Jaden clenched his jaw. "Yeah, I do."
Abby's expression hardened. "Says who?"
Jaden hesitated. Himself. The world. Every motherfucker who ever told him he wasn't good enough.
But Abby? She never doubted him.
She sighed, then stepped back, crossing her arms. "Fine. If you're not leaving, then I'm staying for the day."
Jaden's eyebrows shot up. "That's not—"
"I already talked to your coach," she cut in. "I told him I'm your biggest distraction, and I dare him to try and stop me."
Jaden actually smirked. "You're insane."
"Damn right."
For the first time in weeks, Jaden felt something loosen in his chest.
A Taste of Normal
They sat outside on the edge of the training field, away from everyone else. For the first time since stepping into Iron Stride, Jaden felt like himself again.
Abby stretched her legs out, her head tilted toward him. "So. Who's ass do I need to kick?"
Jaden chuckled. "Pretty sure Blaine's already gotten his ass beat enough."
"Blaine?" Abby frowned. "That the psycho who fucked up your face?"
Jaden nodded.
Abby huffed. "Should've hit him harder."
Jaden laughed under his breath. "Trust me, I did."
She eyed him. "You're getting used to this, aren't you?"
Jaden looked down at his hands. The scars. The bruises. The things he'd done.
Yeah. He was.
And that scared the shit out of him.
But he wouldn't say it.
Abby sighed, leaning back on her elbows. "I hate this."
Jaden glanced at her. "Hate what?"
"This place." She turned to him. "What it's doing to you."
Jaden didn't know what to say to that.
She exhaled. "I feel like… I don't know. Like I'm losing you."
Jaden's heart clenched.
He grabbed her hand before he even realized what he was doing. Instinct.
Abby blinked at him.
Jaden swallowed hard. "You're not."
She held his gaze. Daring him to mean it.
Then, quietly, she said, "Prove it."
Jaden didn't think. He just moved.
His lips brushed against her forehead, lingering there longer than they should have.
Abby didn't pull away. She just closed her eyes.
For a second, everything else—the blood, the competition, the fucking insanity of Iron Stride—faded.
Just him and her.
Then—
A voice interrupted them.
"Well, well. Didn't think Carter had it in him."
Jaden tensed. Leo.
He turned to see Leo standing a few feet away, arms crossed, an amused smirk on his face. And he wasn't alone.
Behind him, a few of the other guys from the program were watching. Including Blaine.
Jaden's stomach dropped.
Blaine was leaning against the fence, arms crossed, his lip still swollen from their fight. He was grinning.
Like he had just found a new way to fuck with Jaden.
Jaden's grip on Abby's hand tightened.
Leo exhaled. "You really shouldn't have let them see that, man."
Abby frowned. "See what?"
Leo turned to her. "That you're his weak spot."
Abby went rigid.
Jaden stood up fast. "Back the fuck off."
Leo raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I don't care. But some of these guys? They love breaking things."
Jaden's blood ran cold.
Blaine's smirk deepened. He met Jaden's gaze. And mouthed one word.
Soon.
Jaden's fists clenched so hard his knuckles popped.
Abby glanced between them, then looked at Jaden. "What's he talking about?"
Jaden exhaled slowly.
He had fought for himself before. But now? Now it was personal.
Because if they so much as looked at Abby the wrong way…
He was going to fucking kill someone.