Chapter 25

Sunlight spilled into the room like a gentle promise, its golden beams dancing through gauzy cream curtains and caressing the edges of the bed. Warmth touched Sienna’s skin before consciousness did-soft, slow, and coaxing. She stirred, lashes fluttering against her cheeks, and let out a small sigh as she sank deeper into the plush pillow beneath her cheek. The air smelled faintly of vanilla and strawberries-comforting, familiar, almost dreamlike.

And then it hit her.

Vanilla and strawberries. That scent.

Caitlin Clark.

Sienna’s eyes flew open.

She bolted upright, heart thundering in her chest, eyes darting around the room that was most definitely not hers. Panic bloomed as she scanned the unfamiliar space. The walls were a soft cloud grey, the hardwood floors polished and warm beneath a navy comforter she definitely didn’t own. The sheets-

“Cotton,” Sienna whispered, frowning. “This isn’t my room. And I don’t sleep on cotton sheets.”

Her fingers clutched the comforter tighter, as though it could protect her from the disorienting realization that followed. The scent, the decor, the quiet hum of an air purifier in the corner-it wasn’t her space. Her pulse quickened. Where the hell am I? For one ridiculous moment, the thought crossed her mind-Did I get kidnapped?

And then, as if summoned by her spiraling thoughts, the bedroom door creaked open.

Sienna’s shoulders tensed, breath catching in her throat. She braced herself for whoever walked in, a sliver of hope whispering-Please let this be Caitlin’s room.

She exhaled when she saw her.

Caitlin.

In an oversized Iowa hoodie and plaid pajama shorts, barefoot, hair tousled from sleep, and carrying a tray of breakfast in one hand and an iced coffee in the other. Her face lit up the moment her eyes met Sienna’s.

“Good morning, Sunshine,” she beamed, her voice warm and raspy with sleep. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Sienna blinked, then groaned, dragging a hand down her face.

“I feel like I got hit by a truck,” she muttered, then rubbed her temple. “But… I did have a good nap. Who would’ve thought Caitlin Clark would sleep on a nice and comfortable bed and not a rock?”

Caitlin snorted, walking over to the bed with the tray. “If you must know, I’m also human. I deserve a soft bed with beautiful cotton sheets.”

Sienna let out a light laugh, the tension bleeding from her shoulders. “Haha, very funny, Clark. Now tell me-why have you kidnapped me and brought me to your apartment?”

Caitlin placed the tray on the bed beside Sienna and smiled, cheeky and soft all at once. “Let’s have breakfast first. I brought bagels and donuts… oh, and a caramel latte for you. I wasn’t sure what kind of coffee you liked, so I went with what sounded like you. Also, there’s Tylenol on the nightstand-just in case your head still hurts. You… did a lot of crying yesterday, Sunshine.”

Sienna’s face softened, her fingers pausing over the edge of the tray. Her heart pinched.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, glancing up at Caitlin with glassy eyes. “For being here with me. I really appreciate it.”

Caitlin smiled, her expression gentle. “It’s no problem, Sunshine. I’ll always be there for you. Always.”

She reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Sienna’s forehead before adding, “The reason I brought you here is because you fell asleep in the car and I didn’t want to wake you up. I didn’t know where your keys were, and it was late. So… I brought you here instead.”

Sienna raised an eyebrow. “Where did you sleep, Cait?”

Caitlin took a long sip of her iced macchiato, her voice nonchalant but her eyes careful. “On the couch. And before you say anything-I didn’t want to make anything awkward by laying beside you in bed. I was just… respecting your boundaries.”

Sienna blinked at her, her chest fluttering at the thought of Caitlin sleeping on the couch, giving her space when she could’ve easily taken the other side of the bed. “Thank you, Caitlin,” she murmured, a smile ghosting across her lips.

The room settled into a comfortable quiet. The only sounds were the soft clinking of mugs and rustling of pastry wrappers as they shared breakfast. It was simple. Easy. Warm.

Then Caitlin broke the silence, voice lower. “Joseph came by your apartment this morning looking for you.”

Sienna tensed.

“I told him you didn’t go home last night and might be with Camden at his place,” Caitlin continued, watching Sienna carefully. “He didn’t look like he believed me… but he just said thank you and left.”

“Oh.” Sienna’s voice was hollow.

Caitlin hesitated. “Do you wanna talk about what happened?”

Sienna let out a bitter laugh, one without any humor. “What is there to talk about, Clark? That my boyfriend-” she spat the word like it was poison “-cheated on me? With his male assistant?”

Caitlin said nothing. She didn’t need to. She simply reached over and gently pulled Sienna into her side, her arm wrapping around her shoulders like a shield. Sienna didn’t resist. She folded into Caitlin, burying her face in the crook of her neck.

Caitlin pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, “I’m always here if you need anything, okay? Even if I have practice… I’ll drop everything and be there for you in a heartbeat.”

“You can’t do that,” Sienna murmured against her. “Basketball is important to you.”

Caitlin reached down and lifted Sienna’s chin so their eyes met. “Not as important as you, baby. And I want to do it.”

Sienna stared into Caitlin’s eyes, her heart thudding. Something shifted-something heavy and delicate and full of tension, like a wire tightening between them. Unspoken feelings thickened the air. Sienna leaned up and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Caitlin’s cheek.

“Thank you for picking me up yesterday, Clark.”

“No problem, Sunshine,” Caitlin whispered, her voice barely audible.

They stayed like that, nestled together under the morning light. Sienna’s head on Caitlin’s shoulder, Caitlin’s fingers tracing lazy circles on her arm. For the first time in days, the ache in Sienna’s chest dulled.

“I think I’m going to visit my dad in New York this weekend,” Sienna said after a while, her voice quiet. “I think I need a break from everything. I’ll talk to Camden and Mia later… but right now, I just need space, you know?”

Caitlin nodded, lips brushing Sienna’s temple. “Yeah. I get it. Everything can be too much sometimes.”

Sienna snuggled closer, her fingers grazing Caitlin’s hoodie. “Do you wanna… come with me? I know you’ve got that game against the Liberty the same weekend.”

Caitlin’s smile stretched slowly across her face. “You mean actually meet your dad? Basketball legend Jake Callaway? The Knicks’ rookie of the year, five-time MVP?”

Sienna peeked up at her, blinking. “I see you’ve done some research, Clark. Trying to steal my job?”

Caitlin grinned wider. “I’ve got my sources, Callaway. But no thanks-I’ll stick with basketball. You can keep your journalism and all your snooping.”

“Heyyy, I don’t snoop,” Sienna protested, swatting Caitlin’s shoulder. “I uncover facts and develop theories.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Caitlin drawled, eyes twinkling. “Whatever you say, Sunshine.”

Their laughter filled the room, pure and warm. Sienna’s chest ached in the best way possible.

“You really know how to make a girl laugh, Clark.”

“What can I say, Sunshine?” Caitlin winked. “I’ve got charm.”

Sienna rolled her eyes, but the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. Caitlin stared at her, entranced by the way the sunlight danced on her golden hair, the way her emerald eyes crinkled when she smiled.

“You’re beautiful, Sunshine,” Caitlin whispered, voice husky. “Really beautiful.”

Sienna’s breath caught. Her heart pounded against her ribs, but she leaned into Caitlin again. “Thank you, Cait.”

Caitlin tilted her head and brushed her lips against Sienna’s hair. “Hey baby,” she said gently. “You should bring your dad to the Liberty game. I’ll pay for the tickets.”

Sienna lifted her head, surprise and warmth in her gaze. “You’d do that for my dad?”

“He’s a big fan of yours,” she added. “This would make the old man jump for joy. He literally loves your game.”

Caitlin’s eyes widened. “Wait, your dad’s a huge fan of me? How did I not know this? You’ve been holding out on me, Callaway-this is golden information!”

Sienna laughed, shaking her head. “He watches all your games. Says you’re the most talented player he’s ever seen. He tells me you’ll be the queen of the WNBA one day… and that you’ll prove the haters wrong.”

Caitlin’s throat tightened. Her hand squeezed Sienna’s.

“I love your dad already,” Caitlin said, voice thick. “I’ll give him all the Fever merch-signed personally.”

Sienna’s heart swelled. She felt Caitlin hug her tighter, then murmur softly, “Wanna watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer with me? And cuddle?”

Sienna grinned, eyes fluttering closed again as she melted against Caitlin’s side. “Yes please. I love your cuddles. You’re warm, Clark.”

Caitlin smiled and pulled her closer, pressing another kiss to her temple as the morning sunlight bathed them in gold, the flicker of something unspoken burning quietly between them.

Authors Note :

Okay so idk about this chapter but I tried y’all. Update because I love this book and the Fever got the dub against the Sky. Also Caitlin Clark looked really hot playing and the fans are becoming over the top, leave Angel alone basketball is like that competitive everyone wants to win… anyways enjoy and I love y’all.

XoXo V 💜💜💜