Chapter 20

The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silence inside Selena Hopkins office, the steady rhythm doing little to chase away the stiffness in the air. Caitlin Clark sat slouched in the leather chair opposite her agent’s desk, arms crossed loosely over her chest, her expression the very definition of indifference. She leaned slightly to one side, her long legs stretched out in front of her, her fingers tapping idly against her thigh. Her eyes, half-lidded, were fixed on a dull spot on the wall behind Selena’s head, as if it offered something more interesting than the actual meeting.

Across from her, Selena Hopkins sat upright but not stiffly so-her posture hinted at exhaustion, the kind that seeps into your bones after months of managing too many fires. Her brown eyes were tired, and faint creases had formed at the corners of her mouth, deepened by worry. Her fingers hovered above her keyboard, unmoving, until finally she exhaled and dropped her gaze to the screen.

Caitlin broke the silence first. Her voice was calm, quiet, with that casual edge that she always used when she was trying to appear unaffected. “Why did you call me here, Mrs. Hopkins? Is something wrong?”

Selena’s sigh was soft but carried weight. Without speaking, she began typing something on her keyboard, her fingers moving with deliberate rhythm. Caitlin watched, her brow arching just slightly, but her expression remained bored.

Then Selena turned the screen toward her.

And just like that, Caitlin’s gaze sharpened.

There, displayed on the monitor, was an ESPN article. The headline in bold letters:

Caitlin Clark Breaks Up With Boyfriend Connor McCaffrey
By Sienna Callaway

Caitlin blinked once. Then twice. She leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on her knees, eyes scanning the headline again with a cool detachment. She tilted her head and read aloud, voice steady:
“‘Caitlin Clark breaks up with boyfriend Connor McCaffrey by Sienna Callaway.'”

A faint smile, barely there, tugged at the corners of her lips.

Selena crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “Caitlin, why didn’t you tell me or your management team about the breakup? We could’ve done something to prevent this article from being published.”

Caitlin’s smile faded, and her expression returned to its calm neutrality. She glanced at Selena before her gaze dropped back to the screen. “The breakup was mutual between Connor and I,” she said, voice even. “Besides, what would you have done? You know how journalists are. They dig until they find something. This was going to come out one way or another.”

Selena ran a hand through her chestnut brown hair and groaned lightly. “Yes, but this could’ve been controlled better. Spun in your favor. This… this could affect your brand. Your reputation.”

Caitlin looked up, and her eyes softened just slightly. There was a flicker of gratitude behind them as she spoke, her tone gentler. “I know you’re trying to protect me, Mrs. Hopkins. I do. And I appreciate it-really, I do. But some things can’t be prevented, not completely. I just… I wanted Sienna to write it. I didn’t want her to lose her job because of… us.”

Selena narrowed her eyes, catching on. “You told her to write it?”

A slow nod from Caitlin. “I asked her to. It was the only way I could protect her while still being honest.”

Selena was quiet for a moment, letting that settle in the space between them. Then she sighed, the sound heavier than before. “You’re right. You’re an adult. You can make your own decisions. But next time, Caitlin-please. Tell me before it gets published. Let me do my job.”

Caitlin gave a small, appreciative smile. “Deal, Mrs. Hopkins. Thank you.”

Selena’s lips tugged upward into a maternal smile. “Well, that’s not the only reason I called you here.”

Caitlin sat up a little straighter. “Oh?”

“There’s a sponsorship offer,” Selena said as she reached for a file and laid it in front of her. “The company wants you to be the face of their brand.”

Caitlin raised an eyebrow, curiosity replacing boredom. “A sponsorship? What’s the company?”

Selena flipped the file open and pushed it slightly toward Caitlin. “Clarity and Co. They’re a wellness and mindfulness brand. Think aromatherapy, essential oils, guided relaxation-you name it. They want to partner with you. I told them the decision would be yours.”

Caitlin leaned forward, her interest piqued now. “Clarity and Co,” she murmured, rolling the name around in her head. “Sounds… chill.”

Selena chuckled. “They are. And serious about you. If you’re interested, I’ll schedule a meeting with the owner.”

Caitlin nodded slowly. “Yeah. I’ll check it out for myself. See if it feels right.”

“Good,” Selena said with a nod. “I’ll set it up.”

Caitlin stood, stretching slightly, then slung her gym bag over her shoulder. “If that’s everything, I’ve got to get to practice.”

“Of course.” Selena’s voice was soft now, almost motherly again. “Thanks for hearing me out.”

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Hopkins.”

Caitlin left the office and walked through the hallways of the agency with long strides, lost in her thoughts. By the time she slid into her car and shut the door behind her, the silence wrapped around her like a second skin.

She rested both hands on the steering wheel, staring out through the windshield. Her thoughts drifted back to Clarity and Co, then to the article, and finally-inevitably-to Sienna.

Her fingers moved instinctively, reaching for her phone. She unlocked it and scrolled through her contacts, eyes lingering on the name: Sienna Callaway. Her thumb hovered over the call button.

But before she could press it, her phone buzzed in her hand. A name flashed across the screen: Mom.

She hesitated, then answered. “Hey, Mom.”

Her mother’s voice came through, gentle but tinged with concern. “Caitlin… why didn’t you tell us?”

Caitlin exhaled softly, pressing her head back against the seat. “You saw the article.”

“Yes. We both did,” her mother said. “Your dad’s here with me. We just… we didn’t expect to find out like this.”

Caitlin closed her eyes. “I was going to tell you guys. When I visited next month. I just… it happened quickly. And then everything with Connor and now the article…”

There was a pause. Her mother waited, giving her space.

“I broke up with Connor,” Caitlin said slowly. “It was mutual. We both knew it wasn’t right anymore. And there’s something else I was going to tell you when I came home. But I guess it’s too late for that now.”

Her mom’s voice was quiet. “What is it, honey?”

“I like women, Mom,” Caitlin said softly, her throat tightening. “I didn’t know how to tell you. But now with everything out there, I just… I need to be honest.”

Silence.

Then her dad’s voice, gentle and calm. “Caitlin… you’re still our girl. Nothing changes that.”

And her mother, now emotional but steady: “We love you, sweetheart. Always. You don’t have to carry that alone.”

A lump formed in Caitlin’s throat, and she blinked rapidly to stop the sting in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“We’re proud of you,” her mom said. “For being brave. For being honest.”

Her dad added, “And for being you. Always.”

Caitlin nodded, swallowing the emotion thick in her throat. “I’ll call you both later. I just… needed to hear that.”

“Anytime,” her mother said. “We love you, Caitlin.”

“I love you, too.”

She ended the call and set the phone down in her lap, staring out the windshield again. The day felt heavier now-but lighter too.

She wasn’t hiding anymore.

And that mattered.

Authors Note :

My best chapter yet…. sorry for the grammatical errors and stay happy y’all.

XoXo V 💜💜💜