Chapter 5: A Rival Emerges

Though Jaxon saw it for what it was—a direct threat to his supremacy—rumor had it that Liam was brought in to increase the team's chances at the championship.

Liam had established himself as a strong competitor, a player who never wavered from a court battle. He was dangerous rather than merely good. He was also now on Jaxon's team.

The triumph over the Riverdale Wildcats had galvanized the squad, and Jaxon felt joy in guiding Westbrook toward its first significant season victory. Everyone on the university was talking about the game, and Jaxon's name kept coming up. Still, he understood this was only the beginning much as much he enjoyed the victory.

The road to become the actual Alpha would not be simple, and the next test was already just around the bend.

Enter Liam Carter.

The news rocked the team like a bombshell the day following their victory: Westbrook had signed Liam Carter, a transfer from a competing university known for his aggressive play and unquestionable to introduce Liam, Coach Davis convened an emergency team conference. Tension prevailed in the locker room as the players assembled. Everyone understood Liam's arrival's consequences.

Not necessarily for the better, he was the kind of player who could alter the balance of a squad.

Liam's nonchalant assurance as he walked into the changing area set everyone on alert right away. His dark eyes looked about the room and rested on Jaxon. There was no handshake or grin; only a knowing glance, a challenge in his eyes that made it quite evident they were soon to be rivals.

Coach Davis added, trying to defuse the anxiety, "Liam's going to help us get to the next level." "I want you all to cooperate and challenge one another to grow. This year we have a shot at the crown; we will need every one of you to step forward.

Jaxon nodded, but inward he felt a flash of wrath. Now this newcomer was going to waltz in and try to take center stage, when he had guided the team to success. Jaxon refused to let that happen.

Initial Reactions The following session was merciless. Liam wasted little time flaunting his abilities and playing with an aggressive carelessness that drew everyone's attention. Everything Jaxon was, except with an extra edge, he was swift, strong, and unrelenting.

The squad soon came to see Liam wasn't here to perform second fiddle to anyone, least of all Jaxon.

There was immediate conflict between them. Liam was guarding Jaxon closer than anybody had seen each time he touched the ball.

Every shot Jaxon fired, Liam was in front of him, fiercely contesting it to make it very evident he was aiming to dominate rather than merely win.

A scrimmage brought the natural occurrence. Jaxon drove toward the hoop, and Liam stepped in to block him. Both athletes struck the floor hard in the collision.

The gym remained quiet for a while as everyone held their breath, waiting to know what would come next.

First Jaxon got up, dabbing at his face to clear the perspiration. Liam stood slowly, a smile pulling at the lips corner.

"Is that all you have, Hayes? " Liam challenged, his voice quiet but forceful.

The jaw of Jaxon clenched. "You'll see what I have," he said, his voice firm but tinged with unsaid willfulness.

The remainder of practice was a haze of fierce rivalry as every athlete pushed the others ever harder.

Though both Jaxon and Liam were tired by the end, neither had backed down. The contest was formally under way.

Drama off-court As if the stress on the court wasn't sufficient, events between Jaxon and Liam were about to grow much more convoluted off the court.

Jaxon soon observed that Liam had drawn Maya's attention. She had been on the sidelines during practice, her camera trained on the players, but Jaxon couldn't overlook the way Liam stared at her, or the way she seemed to linger on him a little bit more than required.

Though they weren't formally coupled, Maya and Jaxon had gone through a lot and there had always been understanding between them. But Jaxon couldn't get rid of the sense that things were about to alter now Liam was in the picture.

Jaxon went to Maya following practice, his heart thumping with a mixture of envy and frustration.

Trying to keep his voice laid back, he asked, "What's the deal with Liam?"

Maya arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean"?

Jaxon remarked, faltering to find the appropriate words, "You seemed... interested."

Maya yawned and crossed her arms. "Jaxon, you are here to cover the team. Liam is fresh, and he clearly has talent.

I will naturally concentrate on him.

"It's not only that, Jaxon remarked, his voice lowering. "I notice his attitude toward you."

Maya let her eyes roll back. "You are seeing things differently."

Liam is simply another athlete.

Still, Jaxon wasn't persuaded. Jaxon felt on edge for some reason about Liam—his bravado, his attitude. And now, Maya stuck in the between, their animosity had evolved into a whole other level of complexity.

The Battle Starts The following game arrived fast and was the first time Jaxon and Liam would share the court in a meaningful competition. Before the game, the locker room was tense and everyone on edge waiting to see how the two Alpha players would interact.

Jaxon kept looking at Liam as they lined up for the tip-off.

The arrogant assurance on his face infuriated Jaxon, and he became very determined. His court, his team, and he refused to let Liam take that away.

Starting quickly and with both sides playing at a brisk pace, the game Driving to the basket, making up plays, and leading the team as he usually did Jaxon was in his element.

Every time he moved, though, Liam was right there, pushing him, testing him, attempting to one-up him at every turn.

The game was deadlocked at halftime, and Jaxon and Liam's conflict was about to explode. Coach Davis had also observed it and drew them aside during the break.

Coach continued, his voice firm, "You two have to work out this. "We're going to lose if you don't cooperate; I don't care how brilliant you are. You two are Alphas; I understand this. Still, this is not about egos. It has to do with winning.

Though neither said anything, Jaxon and Liam exchanged a glance. Their rivalry was too strong, too personal. But Jaxon realized Coach was correct as the second half got underway.

Their feud would destroy the team if they couldn come together.

The Second Hal: Cooperation or Conflict? Though the second half was a struggle, something had changed. Jaxon and Liam kept pushing each other, still battled for dominance, but there was a reluctant respect developing between them.

They began passing to each other, setting screens for one another, and playing as colleagues rather than adversaries for the first time.

The game's last minutes were really fierce. With just seconds on the clock, the other team had the ball down by one point.

Jaxon and Liam both knew what was ahead: their top player was going to take the last shot.

Jaxon and Liam collided on the same moment the player drove for the basket. The player went for the shot, but Jaxon and Liam both leaped up to stop it together. The last buzzer sounded as the ball sailed beyond of bounds. Westbrook had triumphs.

Jaxon and Liam just stood there, gasping heavily and staring at one another for a time. Then Liam raised his hand silently. Jaxon shook it just for a moment, then stopped.

The competitiveness was not over—not by a long shot. For now, anyway, they had discovered a means of coexistence. And Jaxon pondered what the future held for Maya, Liam, and himself as he left the court.