CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63 :I WILL CHEER FOR YOUR SKILLS CHALLENGE

Ryan, still riding the high of his MVP-clinching tomahawk dunk, stepped out of the locker room, freshly showered and dressed in street clothes, his red No. 10 jersey swapped for a hoodie.

He barely made it down the corridor when an ABA staffer flagged him down, ushering him to a makeshift All-Star Weekend office tucked behind the arena’s press wing.

Inside, ABA Commissioner Carla Reyes sat behind a sleek desk, her presence commanding despite the temporary setup. "Sit," she said, voice crisp, gesturing to a chair.

Ryan dropped into it, his legs still buzzing from the game’s adrenaline.

"Tomorrow night’s Skills Challenge," Carla said, leaning forward. "You’re in."

This world’s ABA All-Star Weekend followed the same playbook as the NBA’s—Day Two featured the Three-Point Contest, Dunk Contest, and a revamped Skills Challenge.

The Slam Dunk and Three-Point Contests were invite-only, with invitations sent out early. The league had briefly considered Ryan for the Dunk Contest, but after he said at a press conference that he’d decline if invited, they didn’t bother.

But the Skills Challenge was different. Four teams. Three pre-selected All-Stars plus the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge. Each would be paired with a fan drawn from the live audience.

Ryan blinked. He hadn’t looked into the details and had no idea he was supposed to take part.

"Uh... can I pass?" he asked, scratching the back of his head.

Carla’s brow arched, sharp as a blade. "Why?"

Ryan shifted, a sheepish grin breaking through. "I... I got tickets. Planned to watch the events with my boys."

Carla let out a laugh, warm but firm. "Tickets? Watching’s nothing compared to competing. You can catch the All-Star Game Sunday. It’s settled—Skills Challenge, tomorrow, 8 p.m. Be there at 7."

Ryan exhaled, conceding. "Alright. What jersey? Rising Stars?"

"Your team’s," Carla said.

"Roarers."Ryan froze, eyes widening. "Uh... I didn’t think I’d need it. Didn’t bring a Roarers jersey."

Carla’s lips quirked, her tone shifting. "Eddie came with you, right?"

"Yeah," Ryan said, unsure where this was going.

"That old fox," Carla said, smirking. "I’m guessing he packed one just in case. Probably figured you’d win MVP and end up in the Skills Challenge. Text him."

Ryan pulled out his phone and texted:

"You bring my jersey?"

Eddie responded instantly:

"Of course."

Ryan looked back at Carla and grinned. "You called it."

Carla nodded, satisfied. "Thought so. See you tomorrow, Ryan."

——

The night in Vega City unfurled like a vast neon canvas, pulsing with life. Outside the Zentron Celestial Arena, the air still crackled with the heat of the game and the fading roar of the crowd.

Ryan, Eddie, and Jamal stood on the steps of the main entrance, the arena’s massive LED screen behind them looping highlights from the night—Ryan’s thunderous dunk, his rebound grabs, and that moment he hoisted the MVP trophy.

The plan was simple: dinner, drinks, maybe something more to cap off the high of Ryan’s MVP night.

Ryan’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, and his heart skipped—Chloe Palmer.

He answered, trying to play it cool. "Yo."

Her voice came through, sweet as honey but electric. "Congrats on the MVP, Ryan."He stopped dead, grin spreading. "Thanks. You catch the livestream?"

"Nah," Chloe said, a tease in her tone. "I was there. Live."Ryan’s jaw dropped.

"For real?"

"You left yet?" she asked. "Wanna hang?"

"I’m at the main gate," he said, pulse racing.

"Sweet. I’m grabbing my car. Be there in a sec—look for a bright red Zephyr V12. Hard to miss."

"Bet," Ryan said, hanging up.

He turned to Eddie and Jamal, who were eyeing him, curious. "Y’all go eat. Got a friend picking me up."

Jamal’s brows shot up. "Who?"

Ryan hesitated, then muttered, "Uh... Chloe Palmer."

Jamal’s face lit up, a wild grin breaking loose. He slapped Ryan’s shoulder. "My man! Go get it, bro!"

Eddie just watched, a knowing smile playing on his lips, eyes twinkling like he’d seen this coming.

A sleek, bright red Zephyr V12 purred out of the parking lot, its engine growling like a caged beast.

The car’s metallic sheen caught the arena’s kaleidoscope of lights, its curves sharp and futuristic, like something carved from a sci-fi dream. Heads turned; a few passersby whipped out their phones to snap pics. Ryan’s eyes narrowed, a grin tugging at his lips. That car was pure Chloe—bold, impossible to ignore.

He took a few steps forward, hands shoved in his sweatpants pockets, trying to play it cool despite the spark in his chest.

Eddie let out a low whistle, muttering, "Girl knows how to pick a ride."

The car glided to a stop beside Ryan, the tinted window sliding down to reveal Chloe Palmer. She was dressed down compared to the signing ceremony, but no less striking—black leather jacket, white silk camisole, a delicate platinum necklace with a ruby pendant that echoed the car’s hue. Her hair fell in loose waves, the ends dancing in the night breeze, her cherry-red lips curling into a smile that burned bright. One hand rested on the steering wheel, black nail polish glinting under the lights.

Her gaze flicked to Ryan, playful but warm. His eyes lingered on her a beat too long, his pulse betraying him with a quick thud.

Chloe’s eyes shifted past him to Eddie and Jamal. "You guys hungry? Wanna grab a bite?"

Eddie and Jamal exchanged a glance, their chemistry as sharp as an on-court fast break.

Eddie waved her off with a grin. "Nah, Chloe, we’ve got... uh, a brand deal to hash out." Jamal jumped in, nodding vigorously. "Yeah, meeting’s right now, actually." His voice carried a barely concealed chuckle, clearly giving Ryan an out.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, seeing through their flimsy excuse but letting it slide. "Alright, next time then." She winked at them, then turned to Ryan. "You coming or what?"

Ryan shot his friends a mock glare, muttering, "Your acting’s trash."

Eddie shrugged, whispering back, "Don’t blow this, man. MVP’s gotta live a little." Jamal stifled a laugh, waving him off. "Go on, don’t keep her waiting."

Ryan shook his head, smirking, and headed for the passenger side.

Behind him, Jamal called out, "Stay safe, MVP!"

Ryan didn’t turn, just flicked up a middle finger, sparking a burst of laughter from his friends.

The car’s scissor doors lifted like crimson wings. Ryan slid into the passenger seat, the leather enveloping him like a hug, the air thick with Chloe’s perfume—sharp, intoxicating.

He buckled up, stealing a glance as she tapped the touchscreen navigation with swift, graceful fingers.

The engine’s hum deepened as she eased onto the gas, poised for takeoff.

Ryan couldn’t resist. "This car... yours?"

Chloe shot him a sidelong look, her smile teasing. "Borrowed from a friend in Vegas. No way I’m driving a supercar a thousand miles from Iron City."

"Hungry?" she asked.

Ryan grinned, shaking his head. "Not yet, still wired from the game."

She nodded. "Let’s catch some air then."

Chloe floored it, and the Zephyr V12 shot forward like a red bolt of lightning, weaving into Vega City’s electric night.

Outside, the city’s lights—casinos, hotels, fountains—blurred into a streaking glow. Ryan almost asked where they were headed but caught himself, content to let the rush of speed flood his veins.

Twenty minutes later, the car pulled off the main drag, rolling to a stop on a wide, empty plain far from the city’s neon pulse.

Sparse shrubs dotted the ground, and the distant skyline shimmered faintly against the night.

The sky above was a clear, endless sea of stars, diamonds scattered across deep blue. A cool breeze brushed their faces.

Chloe killed the engine and stepped out, Ryan following.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint chill of the desert night. He tilted his head back, the vastness of the stars almost dizzying, like the universe itself was breathing above them.

Chloe kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the car’s roof, patting the spot beside her.

Ryan, surprised but game, shed his sneakers and joined her, settling with a bit of space between them.

The night was quiet, save for the whisper of the breeze and the distant hum of the city, a natural symphony.

"Vegas lights are so bright, you forget this is up here," Chloe said, her voice softer than usual. "Used to come out here with friends a few years back, lie on the car, and watch for shooting stars." She paused, chuckling. "Been too busy lately to remember what this feels like."

Ryan glanced at her, starlight casting a gentle glow on her face, her ruby necklace glinting faintly.

He smirked. "Didn’t peg you for the stargazing type. Thought you were all business plans and power moves."

She turned, mock-glaring. "Hey, Ryan, I’m a woman of many talents, okay?"

Her laugh faded into something serious. "But for real, thanks for the on-court interview plug and that press conference stunt. Zero9’s exposure went through the roof. You’re worth every penny as a spokesperson."

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck, a little sheepish. "Gotta thank you. Heard you smoothed over that league fine."

Chloe waved it off, her smile sly. "Pocket change. Zero9’s budget can handle it."

Her gaze softened, sincere. "But your improv? Made me know I bet on the right guy."

Ryan’s heart kicked up a notch, but he kept it cool, shrugging. "You said Zero9’s sales were slipping. Had to help you turn it around."

Her eyes lingered on him, weighing his words. Then she leaned back, hugging her knees, staring at the stars.

Her voice softened, rare and unguarded. "You know, Zero9’s my first real shot to prove myself. My dad’s shadow looms large. Sometimes it feels like I’m fighting the world to show I’m more than just a name."

Ryan let the words settle, the night breeze cool against his skin.

He wanted to say something profound but felt it might fall flat.

Instead, he shifted closer until their shoulders touched, the warmth between them quiet but undeniable.

He looked at her and said quietly, "You’re not anyone’s shadow, Chloe. You’re gonna make Zero9 a success. I believe that."

She turned, a spark of amusement in her eyes. "That sounds dangerously close to flattery, MVP."

"Nah," he grinned, "I only sweet-talk basketballs."

Her laugh rang out, clear and bright in the night. Their eyes met, starlight flickering between them, something unspoken simmering in the air.

Neither pushed it further.

Ryan dug into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled ticket. "Almost forgot. Got an extra for tomorrow’s skills challenge. Didn’t plan on playing in it. You in?"

Chloe raised an eyebrow, taking the ticket with a grin. "Skills challenge? Never seen one live."

She tucked it into her jacket pocket. "Alright, I’ll be there cheering you on."Ryan’s chest warmed, his grin wide. "It’s just for fun, you know."

They kept talking, the minutes slipping by unnoticed, lost in easy conversation.

Chloe finally patted the roof. "Alright, time to roll. Don’t want you dragging at tomorrow’s game."

The drive back was quiet, just the engine’s low rumble and the occasional whoosh of wind.

Ryan watched the stars streak by outside, replaying Chloe’s laugh and the way she’d leaned into him under the sky.

Her interest was clear—those looks, that tone—but the gap between them wasn’t one a supercar could bridge.

She was a rising star in the business world, backed by a titan of a family; he was just a rookie, pulling seven figures but still small-time next to her.

Chloe drove with focus, a faint smile playing on her lips, like she was savoring their talk. She liked Ryan’s realness, his fire, but Zero9 was her priority, not romance.

She stole a glance at him, lost in thought by the window, and smirked. "What’s on your mind? Tomorrow’s challenge?"

Ryan snapped back, shaking his head. "Nah, just... tonight’s been kinda special."She didn’t reply, but her smile deepened.

The Zephyr V12 pulled up to Ryan’s hotel, neon lights dancing across its curves.

The doorman opened Ryan’s door as Chloe leaned back in her seat, tilting her head. "Get some rest, Ryan. Kill it at the skills challenge."

Ryan nodded, smiling. "Will do. Thanks for... showing me the stars."

"No big deal," she said, waving it off lightly. "Wanna see them again, just holler."

He stepped out, lingering at the hotel entrance as the red supercar pulled away, its taillights glowing like twin meteors fading into Vega City’s night.

Ryan took a deep breath, the crisp air still tingling in his lungs, a quiet warmth settling in his chest.