Dumped by the Baseball Captain, Claimed by His Brother

Chapter 3-Partying.

CHAPTER 3.

PARTYING.

Chloe's point of view.

The world tilted for a second.‘Benched?’.... The word escaped my lips in a whisper. I stared at him in disbelief. He’s joking, right? Of course he had to be joking. There’s no way he’s serious. He can’t bench me, my scholarship depended on playing. I need every point I can earn this season.

I am the starting catcher and also the best one on the team.Everyone who has ever watched me knows this.They call us the perfect duo for a reason—I knew his pitches better than any one.

“Come on, Chloe,” Scott said, smiling like he expected me to understand. “I’m not benching you for the whole season. It’s just the opening game.”

My throat tightened. “No. No, I can’t sit out the first game.”

The smile on his face faltered. “Chloe, please don’t make this dramatic. I’m only doing what’s best for the team.”

“Dramatic?” A sharp, humorless laugh escaped me. “You just told your starting catcher she’s riding the bench for our first official game of the most important season, and that’s not dramatic to you?”

“You can bench someone else.” I resisted."I've earned my spot.”

“It’s just one game, Chloe–”

“It’s the opening game,” I retorted. “My scholarship is on the line. My sponsors will certainly be in the audience to watch.”

His jaw tightened. “You’re overreacting, Chloe. This is in the best interest of the team. Your last few games weren’t—”

“It wasn’t my fault,” I snapped, cutting him off. “The equipment was bad and you know it. Besides, that was two months ago. I’ve gotten better.”

His eyes stayed fixed on my face. I folded my arms across my chest, forcing my shaking hands to stay hidden while I looked away. I couldn’t look at him right now. I needed to stand my ground. Sitting out the opening game would cost me points. I refused to be benched. I’ve earned my spot on this team.

Silence stretched between us for a moment before a tiny voice sliced through it.

“It’s okay, Scott. I can stay on the bench and play the next game with you.” Rebecca stepped forward, smiling. “I also think it’s a little hasty since the game is tomorrow.”

“No, Bec. You’re playing tomorrow,” Scott said firmly. He turned back to me. “Listen, Chloe, you’ll play after the first game. Rebecca is one of the best catchers in rookie baseball history. Everyone wants to see her tomorrow. You need to understand this will improve our chances this season.”

I shook my head. “Bench someone else.”

“I can’t.” His voice dropped, making my heart beat faster. “I already spoke with Coach, and the adjustments have been made. I’m only telling you now for familiarity’s sake. I hope you understand.”

Before I could argue further, Scott blew the whistle,calling the team to start practice. I stood frozen, heart pounding.For a moment, I considered homicide. Or maybe just killing them both. This was critical for my career, and he had gone behind my back to fix her for the first games. I thought about calling the coach, but I knew it was useless. He always did whatever Scott said.

As my teammates patted my shoulder and walked past me, I forced a smile even though my cheeks were burning. With that, I stormed back to my dorm. The moment I slammed the door shut, Lena knew something was wrong. She rushed toward me.

“What is it, Chloe? What happened?”

I exhaled, wiping my eyes. “He benched me for the opening game.”

“How?” Lena’s brows furrowed. “That’s impossible. You’re the best catcher—the coach won’t let him bench you.”

“Apparently not anymore.” I dropped onto the couch.“ Becca’s here now. I have competition.”

Lena sat beside me, rubbing my back.”This is because of the breakup,Isn't it? he's being a petty asshole.”

I laughed bitterly.” I don't think he even cares enough for it to be petty. He looked right through me like last night never happened.”

Lena scoffed. “Wow. God, he’s such a d**k. I can’t…”

I let out a bitter laugh, still in disbelief. I moved to the bed, flopped onto it, glaring at the ceiling. Lena soon joined me, consoling me until I finally fell asleep.

Later that evening, I changed into simple jeans and a hoodie, then headed to my mum’s mini bar down the street. As usual, I didn’t have the luxury of time to sulk. A girl’s gotta hustle, and I had to help Mum at the bar. I’d told her not to hire anyone—that would be a waste of money. Instead, I’ll just come help every evening after school.

Ten minutes after a long walk, I finally arrived. I checked the time. Already past six. I was late. I stepped inside,loud music and the smell hit me. The place was unusually crowded. Not wasting any time, I hurried into the tiny staff room at the back, pulled an apron over my hoodie, twisted my hair into a messy ponytail, and tied the apron strings behind my back.

Looking for Mum, I rushed to the drinks store and pushed the door open just in time to see her reaching for a tray loaded with bottles. One hand gripped the tray while the other jerked suddenly, a familiar tic making her wrist twitch. The tray tilted,Three bottles leaned dangerously, almost falling.

“Mum!” My heart shot into my throat. I sprinted across the room just as another tic jerked her shoulder and the tray slipped lower. My fingers caught the neck of a bottle before it could smash against the floor then I balanced the tray against my hip with a grunt.

“Mum!” I scolded. “The doctor said two bottles. Why are you carrying more than that and triggering your illness?”

She sighed. “There are a lot of customers. Besides, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at practice?”

“It got pushed back,” the lie slipped out easier than I expected. “I figured I’d come help.”

I’m glad I came. Mum has Tourette syndrome, and it triggers a lot.

“Where?” I asked. Once she answered, I sprinted into the VIP room to serve the customers. Nudging the door open with my shoulder, my feet stopped moving at the sight before me: Scott, Becca, and the entire baseball team were in there.

The atmosphere shifted instantly.Silence fell over the room and I wished I had never stepped foot in this place.I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of it. They were drinking? The whole baseball team was crammed in here, partying, when we had our opening game in less than ten hours.

“Chloe,” Becca’s eyes widened once she noticed me. “Oh my gosh, you came? Come sit with us.”

Scott leaned back in his chair, one arm draped around Becca’s shoulder, her legs resting across his lap. He smirked. “Nah… She’s not here to party. She's working,Right Bar girl?”

Heat rushed to my face,I set the tray down without a word.

“The game is tomorrow, Scott. You guys shouldn't be drinking, You know the rules about being sober.”

Scott grinned. “One night won’t kill us, Coach Chloe.”

The whole place erupted in laughter that prickled my skin.

Becca tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry, Chloe. I didn’t know you worked here. So your mom owns the place? That’s even better—come join us…”

Before I could say a word, Scott’s voice sliced through. “Oh, she can’t do that Bec. Her mum’s got some tic thingy, so she has to help her.”

Becca turned to him. “Her mom’s got what?”

Scott jerked his shoulder and head in an exaggerated twitch, mimicking my mum’s tourette’s.The whole room burst into a louder laughter.

My hands shook so badly I gripped the tray until my knuckles turned white. My eyes stung. I wanted to flip the table so badly, but I knew Mum would scold me for it, so I just walked off. This night couldn’t have gotten any worse.