Episode 28: A Dangerous Offer
Jaden sat on his bed, staring at the door. Ava's scent still lingered in the air.
She was playing a game. Testing him.
But Jaden wasn't going to lose.
His phone vibrated.
Abby: Goodnight, Jaden. Wish I was there.
Jaden exhaled slowly.
He needed to get out of his own head.
He typed back.
Jaden: Me too. Sleep tight.
He put his phone down and lay back. Tomorrow, he'd have to be sharper.
Because Ava? She wasn't going to stop.
And neither was Ethan.
The Next Morning – The Pressure Increases
Jaden stepped onto the pitch, muscles still sore from yesterday's scrimmage.
The entire facility felt different today.
More players. More tension. More scouts watching.
Iron Stride wasn't just testing them anymore. They were looking for who could rise.
Coach Vance walked onto the field, clipboard in hand. "Listen up. We've got special guests today."
Jaden's stomach tightened.
Scouts.
Vance continued. "A few of you are already on their radar. But if you want to stay there, you better show them something."
Jaden felt eyes on him.
Ethan.
Ava.
And—someone new.
A man in a dark jacket stood on the sidelines. Not a scout. Someone else.
And for some reason?
Jaden felt like that man was here for him.
Ethan's Next Move
Jaden was locked in. Every pass, every touch—sharp.
But Ethan wasn't here to win. He was here to get under Jaden's skin.
First, it was the small things.
A late challenge. No whistle.
A shove off the ball. No reaction.
Then, the whisper.
As they lined up for a corner, Ethan leaned in.
"She's not gonna wait for you forever, you know."
Jaden's grip tightened.
Ethan smirked. "How long before she finds someone else?"
Jaden didn't react.
Because Ethan wanted him to snap.
Jaden exhaled slowly.
Not today.
The Offer He Didn't Expect
Later that evening, Jaden was still cooling down when the man in the dark jacket approached him.
"Carter," the man said, voice deep and unreadable.
Jaden turned. "Who's asking?"
The man smirked. "Someone who sees potential."
Jaden raised an eyebrow. "And?"
The man stepped closer. "Ever think about what happens after Iron Stride?"
Jaden frowned. First Ava. Now this guy.
The man continued. "I know players like you. Focused. Loyal. Stubborn. But let me tell you something—" He lowered his voice. "Loyalty won't get you to the top. Sacrifice will."
Jaden's stomach tightened. Who the hell was this guy?
He studied Jaden carefully. "You're good, Carter. But if you really want to make it, you're gonna have to make a choice."
Jaden clenched his jaw. "And what choice is that?"
The man smirked.
"You'll see soon enough."
Then he walked away, leaving Jaden with more questions than answers.
One Thing Was Certain
Jaden pulled out his phone.
Abby: How was training?
He stared at the screen for a moment before typing.
Jaden: Complicated.
Because deep down?
He knew everything was about to change.