Chapter 26

The final buzzer echoed through the arena like a long exhale-81-76, Indiana Fever over the Atlanta Dream. It hadn’t been an easy win by any stretch. The game had been a scrappy, breathless battle-bodies hitting the floor, fouls called left and right, defense tighter than ever. But the Fever had clawed their way through, thanks to gritty defense and Caitlin’s clutch three with a minute and a half left on the clock that had flipped the momentum in their favor.

Now, the locker room was thick with exhaustion, but it buzzed with a kind of static joy that only came from hard-fought wins. Jerseys were peeled off with effort, ice packs wrapped, shoulders rolled. Lexie and Aliyah sat on the bench near the far wall, laughing at something so dumb it probably wouldn’t be funny if they weren’t so deliriously tired.

“You really tried to spin move past her like you were in a dance-off!” Lexie cackled, nudging Aliyah in the ribs.

Aliyah rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Hey! It worked, didn’t it?”

Kelsey and Syd were perched on another bench nearby, swapping jokes and laughing so hard that Syd had to lean against the locker for support.

“You should’ve seen your face when that ball slipped right through your hands,” Syd teased, nudging Kelsey with her foot.

“Girl, I was blinded by the sweat in my eyes,” Kelsey fired back. “I need goggles out there next game.”

Amid all the chatter, Caitlin sat with her back against the cool locker, her legs stretched out, towel draped across her shoulders, watching her teammates with a tired but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. This-these moments-this team… it meant more to her than she could put into words. She’d come in as the new kid, the hotshot rookie, but now? She felt home.

Her phone buzzed against the metal bench beside her.

Curious, Caitlin picked it up and her entire expression shifted. A grin split across her face, soft and sudden.

Sunshine ☀️💞 : “I’m outside Cait, wanna hang.”

Caitlin’s thumbs moved instinctively, her heart doing that familiar skip when she read Sienna’s name.

Clark ⛹️‍♀️ : “I’ll be outside in a few, Sunshine.”

The smile hadn’t even faded from her face when she felt a pair of eyes burning into her. She glanced up and caught Aliyah smirking at her.

“Well well well,” Aliyah drawled, nudging Lexie with her elbow. “Who’s got our Caitlin grinning like a lovesick puppy?”

Lexie turned quickly, her eyes lighting up. “Oh my god-it’s gotta be Sienna! I’ve seen her texting her nonstop lately.”

A chorus of playful hollering followed from the rest of the locker room. Caitlin’s cheeks flushed crimson. She tried to hide it, but she was too slow, and her teammates were too perceptive.

“Awwww,” Kelsey teased from across the room, grinning wide. “Look, our logo shooter’s turning red. That’s so cute. Caitlin’s got a crush!”

Syd joined in, whistling playfully. “Tell Sienna we say hi!”

Caitlin groaned and stood, stretching her arms up to the ceiling to hide her face. “Y’all are so damn nosy. Mind your business.”

She started putting on her hoodie and slinging her backpack over her shoulder when Coach White’s voice called out.

“Caitlin! Don’t forget-we’re hosting the New York Liberty next. I want you sharp, okay?”

Caitlin froze, halfway through adjusting her hoodie. “Wait, what? Liberty at home?”

Coach White gave her a pointed look. “Yes. Home game. Gainbridge. Were you not listening during the meeting?”

Caitlin ran a hand through her hair, her brows furrowed. “Damn, I thought we were playing them in New York. I-I had plans.”

“It doesn’t matter where we’re playing,” Coach said with a sigh. “Be sharp. Be focused. That’s all I’m asking.”

Caitlin just nodded wordlessly and walked out of the arena. She was drained, physically and emotionally, and now her heart ached with disappointment. She had been hoping to fly out with Sienna, meet her father, watch her beam with pride while Caitlin played in the city she called home. But now, that dream was slipping through her fingers.

She sighed, tucking her hands in her hoodie pocket as she walked out into the night.

And then she saw her.

Sienna, leaning casually against her car, arms crossed, her golden-blonde hair catching the glow from the arena lights. She was looking at her phone, unaware of Caitlin’s gaze, but she looked like a painting-untouchable and breathtaking.

A soft smile melted over Caitlin’s features as she closed the distance with long strides. Before Sienna could even look up, Caitlin slipped her arms around her waist and buried her face in the warm crook of her neck.

“Hey, Sunshine,” she whispered, her voice low and raspy.

Sienna inhaled sharply but immediately wrapped her arms around Caitlin’s neck, her smile lighting up the night. “Hey, Cait. You played good tonight, Superstar.”

“You were in the crowd then?” Caitlin murmured, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes.

Sienna blushed. “I was working, Clark.”

Caitlin tightened her arms around her, tugging her in until there was no space left between them. “Mmm, sure. Just for work. Not because you couldn’t take your eyes off me, or maybe were checking me out during warmups?”

Sienna’s face flared crimson, but her smirk betrayed her. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Admit it,” Caitlin teased, voice lower now, eyes dancing. “I look hot in my white Fever jersey, don’t I?”

Sienna swallowed, her fingers tracing down the center of Caitlin’s chest with deliberate slowness. She bit her bottom lip. “It’s not a lie. It was hard to concentrate when you moved like that on the court. It… made me feel things. Things I shouldn’t feel. Not as your friend.”

Caitlin’s eyes darkened immediately, and she leaned down, brushing her lips dangerously close to Sienna’s ear.

“Keep talking like that, Sunshine,” she murmured, voice a low growl. “And I might just fuck you in the backseat of your lovely car. I don’t care if anyone hears you screaming my name. I’ll make sure they know exactly what I’m doing to you.”

Sienna gasped, her breath catching. She tried to step back, but Caitlin’s hands were firm on her hips.

“Cait-“

Caitlin smirked, whispering, “Let’s go home, shall we?”

She stepped back finally, letting Sienna breathe again. Sienna rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “You’re such a tease, Clark.”

She slipped into the driver’s seat, shaking her head, though her smile betrayed her fondness.

Caitlin hopped into the passenger side, already hooking up her phone to the aux.

Taylor Swift’s “Guilty As Sin” filled the car.

“You’re such a Swifty, Clark,” Sienna teased, glancing at her.

Caitlin beamed. “She’s literally the best. Let me prove my point.”

And just like that, she started singing-softly at first, then with more confidence. Sienna couldn’t help it. She joined in. Their voices mingled, laughter bubbling between lyrics, fingers tapping to the rhythm on the dashboard.

When the song faded, Caitlin turned to her, voice suddenly quiet. “Hey, Sunshine.”

“Yeah, Cait?”

“I can’t go to New York with you. We’re hosting the Liberty at home. I… I won’t get to meet your dad like I thought. I really wanted him to watch me play too.”

Sienna reached over, taking Caitlin’s hand. “It’s okay, Caitlin. There’ll be other chances. Besides-I can’t go either.”

Caitlin blinked. “Why?”

“My boss wants me to cover the game live,” Sienna said with a small smile. “She wants interviews with both teams.”

Caitlin relaxed slightly. “So you’ll be at the game… working?”

“Yeah, I’ll be working. Interviewing you. Live. Try not to get flustered, Clark.”

“I won’t… unless you wear that one pantsuit again,” Caitlin teased with a wink. “You know the one.”

Sienna giggled and shook her head, but the smile she wore was soft-loving.

Caitlin couldn’t stop staring at her. Every second they spent together made it harder to resist. She wanted to kiss her. Hold her. Claim her.

But for now… she could wait.

Barely.

Because Sienna Callaway was already hers.

And soon, the world would know.

Authors Note :

Okay so idk what I’m writing anymore at this point I’m just writing stuff that doesn’t make sense anymore I’m sorry y’all, not my best chapter but trust me I’m trying my best to make it make sense y’all. School started again so I’m trying my best to update, anyways stay happy and I love y’all enjoy this chap.

XoXo V 💜💜💜