Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Trapped
Game days always had a certain energy.
The stadium lights, the roaring crowd, the buzz of anticipation—it was the kind of electricity that ran through Jaxon Reed's veins, the kind that made every second feel bigger than life.
He should've been focused on the game, on making sure his team was locked in and ready to go. But his mind kept drifting to her.
Ava Carter.
She was impossible to ignore, even when she wasn't trying to be.
From across the field, he spotted her with the cheer squad, her movements sharp and precise as they ran through a last-minute routine. She looked effortless, but he knew better. She was controlled—always controlled.
And that made him wonder just how much she was holding back.
"Reed!"
Jaxon turned at the sound of Coach Daniels calling his name.
"You got five minutes before we head to the tunnel. Don't be late."
He nodded, heading toward the locker room. He needed to grab his gloves from the equipment room before heading out.
But just as he rounded the corner, someone else turned at the same time, slamming straight into his chest.
"Shit," Ava muttered, stumbling back.
Jaxon caught her arm before she could fall, his grip firm but careful.
"Carter," he said, smirking. "Didn't peg you as the type to throw yourself at me before a game."
She rolled her eyes, yanking her arm free. "Trust me, Reed, if I was throwing myself at you, you'd know it."
Jaxon chuckled, but before he could fire back, a loud bang echoed from behind them.
They both turned—just in time to see the storage closet door swing shut.
Ava frowned. "What was that?"
Jaxon sighed. "I think that was my only way of getting my gloves."
He reached for the doorknob and twisted. Nothing.
Ava crossed her arms. "Don't tell me you just locked us in a closet."
Jaxon tried again, rattling the handle harder. Still nothing.
"Okay, maybe," he admitted.
Ava groaned. "Are you serious?"
Jaxon turned to her, hands on his hips. "Look, it's not my fault this stupid door doesn't have an inside handle. And you're the one who crashed into me."
Ava threw her hands up. "I barely touched you!"
Jaxon smirked. "You underestimate your own strength, Carter."
She exhaled sharply, stepping back against the wall. "Just great."
Jaxon leaned against the opposite side of the tiny closet, eyeing her. "Relax. Someone will come looking for us in a few minutes."
Ava didn't respond.
He expected her to snap back, to throw another sarcastic comment his way. But instead, her body was stiff, her breathing quick and uneven.
Jaxon frowned. "Carter?"
She didn't look at him.
Her arms had wrapped tightly around herself, her gaze locked on the door like it was something far worse than an inconveniently stuck piece of wood.
And that's when it hit him.
She wasn't pissed.
She was scared.
Jaxon's chest tightened. He wasn't used to seeing Ava Carter anything other than in control, but right now? She looked like she was barely holding it together.
Carefully, he pushed off the wall, keeping his voice even. "Ava."
She flinched slightly at the sound of her name, her breathing still shallow.
Jaxon didn't hesitate. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Hey, it's just a closet, okay? Nothing's gonna happen."
She swallowed hard, her eyes darting to him like she was trying to focus on something other than whatever storm was brewing inside her.
Jaxon hesitated for half a second before making a decision.
Slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her wrist. "Breathe with me, okay?" he murmured. "In, out."
Ava sucked in a shaky breath.
"Good," Jaxon said, keeping his tone steady. "Again."
This time, her breath came a little slower. Her shoulders dropped slightly, tension easing just a fraction.
Jaxon didn't let go of her wrist.
He didn't say anything about how she was shaking, or how her eyes had been filled with something that looked an awful lot like fear. He just stood there, solid and steady, until her breathing evened out.
Finally, Ava exhaled, closing her eyes for a second before blinking up at him.
"I—" she started, then stopped.
Jaxon waited.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't like small spaces."
It was the closest thing to a confession he'd ever heard from her.
Jaxon nodded like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Noted."
Ava studied him, her expression wary—like she was waiting for him to press, to ask questions she didn't want to answer.
But Jaxon didn't.
Instead, he just grinned. "Guess that means you'll owe me when I get us out of here."
Ava blinked, caught off guard by the shift.
And then, to his absolute surprise, she let out a breathy laugh. It was soft, barely there, but it was real.
Jaxon felt something warm spread through his chest.
"Okay, Reed," she said, crossing her arms. "Let's see what you've got."
Jaxon smirked, stepping up to the door. "Watch and learn, Carter."
He had no idea how he was getting them out.
But for the first time, he knew exactly why he wanted to.