Chapter 50

Drew PoV

I arrived at the gymnasium early in the morning, the smell of polished wood and the faint echo of steps greeted me. As I stepped inside, I spotted Natasha near the equipment storage, her brow furrowed in concentration as she checked over a list, making sure the balls were all properly inflated.

"Need a hand?" I called out, leaning against the doorframe.

She looked up, her expression brightening. "Drew! Actually, yes. I could use some help with these." She gestured to the stack of unchecked basketballs. "I'm making sure everything's ready for practice later."

"Got it." I grabbed a basketball and bounced it to make sure it was up to par for me to use. The process repeated until the stack was on the other large holding basket.

Natasha smiled. "You've been playing since you were little, right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because, it sure seems like it to me."

I rubbed the side of neck and nodded. "Yeah, I've been holding a basketball for as long as I can remember."

She gasped. "That long?"

I nodded, recalling me bouncing a ball in the driveway. A blurry face watched me play. I couldn't remember his face, but I knew it was my dad who taught me. That was the only good thing that bum has managed to do for me.

Those early mornings were filled with the sound of sneakers on pavement and the rhythmic thud of the ball hitting the concrete. I could almost hear my dad's voice, encouraging me to keep my eyes up, to focus on my form. It was one of the few memories of him that didn't feel clouded by disappointment. After he left, basketball became my escape—a way to channel my frustration and anger into something productive.

But as much as I loved the game, it was hard to shake the feeling of abandonment. He'd promised to be there for all my games, to teach me everything I needed to know. Instead, he vanished, leaving behind empty promises and a mother who worked double shifts to make ends meet. 

Still, I played. Every bounce on the court was a reminder of those fleeting moments—the way the sun would catch the ball just right, the thrill of making a perfect shot.

"Drew?" Natasha's voice pulled me back to the present, and I realized I had drifted off. 

"Sorry, just lost in thought," I said, shaking my head slightly to clear my mind.

She tilted her head, concern flickering across her features. "Everything okay? You seemed far away there."

"Yeah, just thinking about my childhood." I picked up a ball and threw it into the basket.

Natasha clapped. "Nice throw, Drew!"

"Thanks. Just trying to keep my skills sharp," I replied, hoping to redirect the conversation.

"Maybe we should have a shootout sometime. I'll give you a run for your money," she suggested, a competitive edge in her voice.

"Oh, is that a challenge I hear?" I quipped, leaning against the wall, crossing my arms. "I wouldn't want to embarrass you."

"Embarrass me? Please," Natasha said, the corner of her mouth twitching upward in a half-smile. "I might just surprise you."

"Bring it on then. But don't be too upset when I win," I shot back.

"I'm not worried," she said, her tone light but confident. "I've seen you play, and I know I can hold my own."

"Alright, we'll see about that. Just remember, no crying when I make that game-winning shot," I teased, enjoying the playful back-and-forth.

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the hint of amusement in her expression as we continued to check the remaining equipment. The easy banter helped ease my mind, allowing me to focus on the present instead of my past.

"So, do you ever get to actually play?" I asked, genuinely curious about her role as a manager. "It must be tough being on the sidelines all the time."

She laughed. "Well, to be honest, I'm not all that good. I'm more of an analyst than a player."

I hummed. "That so?"

"Yup!" She sighed. "Like I can tell something is bothering you."

I turned away. "I'm fine, I mean it." 

Natasha opened her mouth, but before she could ask anything, Wilt ran in, Loxus behind him.

"Hey!" Wilt said, waving at us.

His cheerful attitude was so annoying. He was the type of guy to believe in the power of friendship. 

"Morning, Wilt," I replied, trying to be polite.

"Are you ready for practice?" Wilt asked, bouncing on his toes.

Natasha giggled at his antics. "You really haven't change, Wilt."

"Why would I change? My energy is what keeps this team alive!" Wilt said with a grin, puffing out his chest dramatically.

"Or maybe it's just your endless supply of caffeine," Natasha teased, her purple eyes sparkling. "I swear you're like a walking energy drink."

"It is called enthusiasm!" Wilt shot back, grinning.

"Plus, Wilt had no coffee this morning," Loxus said.

I wrinkled my nose. He didn't?

Wilt laughed. "I'm naturally full of energy! Now, let's begin morning training!"

"Woah, everyone is here," Sylvester said, walking in. He wore an emerald coat and a white shirt.

Surprised he was still showing up for practice. How much longer until the coach decided whether or not he would officially join our team?

"Ugh, why is it so loud this early?" a guy with wavy orange hair and black highlights said as he walked in, rubbing his eyes as if he had just rolled out of bed.

Loxus smirked at Wilt. "Seems everyone here isn't fond of your hyperness."

"That's fine! I thrive on the haters!" Wilt replied, undeterred, his enthusiasm unwavering.

Jensen chuckled as he grabbed a basketball. "Ya really are something else, Wilt. Say, how about we do a two versus two? Drew and you versus Loxus and me."

Wilt smiled. "I'm in!"

I frowned. I didn't like the idea of being on the same team as Wilt. We were both star players in high school, so our egos already tended to clash. It didn't help that our play styles and philosophies differed too.

Drew PoV

Jensen chuckled as he grabbed a basketball. "Ya really are something else, Wilt. Say, how about we do a two versus two? Drew and you versus Loxus and me."

Wilt smiled, practically bouncing on his heels. "I'm in!"

I frowned at the idea. I didn't like the thought of being on the same team as Wilt. We both had star player backgrounds, so our egos tended to clash. And our play styles and philosophies were so different that it often led to chaos on the court.

Loxus, sensing the tension, raised an eyebrow. "You sure you want to challenge us, Jensen? You know we're not going to go easy just because it's practice."

"Please, Loxus," Jensen replied, his confidence unwavering. "You and I have each other's backs. It's not like Drew and Wilt can figure out how to work together seamlessly."

"Oh, I wouldn't underestimate them," Loxus said, crossing his arms. "Drew's got skills, and Wilt's got… enthusiasm." He smirked, clearly enjoying the banter.

"Enthusiasm? That's one way to put it," I muttered, shooting a glance at Wilt, who was still grinning like he was about to win the lottery.

"Come on, Drew! It'll be fun!" Wilt exclaimed, his excitement infectious despite my reservations. "We can totally take them down!"

"Yeah, right. Let's see if you can keep up with Loxus and me," Jensen shot back, a balanced confidence in his tone. He was a skilled player, able to adapt, and I knew he was going to be a challenge.

"Just try not to get too cocky," I warned, my competitive spirit flaring up. "You might end up regretting it."

"Regrets? Never heard of it," Jensen said, waving a dismissive hand. "Let's just settle this on the court."

"Alright, you two, let's get this show on the road," Loxus said, stepping forward and grabbing the ball from Jensen. "No holding back."

"Wouldn't dream of it!" Jensen replied, matching Loxus's energy as he took his position.

As I took my place beside Wilt, I could see the determination in Jensen's eyes. Loxus was always a solid player, and Jensen's balanced play style meant he could adapt to any situation, making him unpredictable in his own right.

"Just remember, Wilt," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "We need to communicate out there. Don't go off on your own."

"I know, I know! I'll stick to you like glue," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But you've gotta let me take some shots too!"

"Fine," I conceded, knowing I'd have to pick my battles. "But if you miss, don't expect me to bail you out every time."

"Deal! Let's show them what we've got!" Wilt exclaimed, his energy radiating as he bounced on his feet.

I snickered. He reminded me of my little brother. Well, whenever he was energetic. 

"Alright, let's get this started!" Loxus called out, tossing the ball to Jensen as we all took our positions on the court.

With a sharp whistle from Natasha, the game began. I felt the adrenaline kick in, ready to push my limits and show Jensen that underestimating us would be his biggest mistake.

As the ball soared into the air, I focused on the game ahead. No distractions, just the court, the competition, and the chance to prove myself—alongside the unpredictable force that was Wilt.