Chapter 36

Sienna’s Pov :

Caitlin’s hand stayed firmly laced with mine as we left her apartment, walked down the quiet hallway, and stepped into the evening air. The city was painted in twilight blues and soft golds, the breeze carrying a crisp edge that tugged at the hem of my jade-green dress.

Her grip never loosened. If anything, it tightened each time I hesitated, like she could sense the storm inside me. She kept glancing at me-those soft, lingering looks that made my chest squeeze-as though she couldn’t help herself, as though she needed to keep reassuring herself that I was here, beside her, not about to vanish.

Meanwhile, I was internally combusting. My nerves hadn’t gone anywhere; if anything, they’d doubled with every step closer to the restaurant. My chest felt tight, and my brain was screaming, abort mission, Sunshine, run back inside before it’s too late!

But every time Caitlin’s thumb brushed the back of my hand, stroking gentle circles against my skin, the panic loosened just enough for me to take another breath.

By the time we pulled into the restaurant’s lot, I could already hear muffled laughter spilling out through the glass doors, a hum of chatter that made my pulse skitter. These were her teammates. Her second family. The women who had her back on the court and off, who teased her, supported her, probably knew secrets about her I didn’t.

Oh, God.

Caitlin parked and looked over at me instantly, like she’d been waiting for the moment I froze. She caught my hand again, lifted it to her lips, and pressed the softest kiss against my skin.

“Hey,” she murmured, her voice gentle in the small space between us. “Remember what I said-if it’s too much, we leave. No questions asked. Okay?”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “Okay.”

Her mouth curved into that cocky grin that usually drove me insane, but her eyes softened, warm and tender. “You’re gonna be fine, Sunshine. They’re gonna love you. Honestly…” She chuckled under her breath. “I’m more worried about them embarrassing me than you embarrassing yourself.”

A laugh slipped out before I could stop it, small but real, and the sound seemed to delight her. Her grin widened triumphantly, and she squeezed my hand once more before tugging me out of the car.

The restaurant’s private back room glowed with low lighting, the atmosphere warm and lively. Laughter drifted around the table, mixing with the clink of glasses and the rustle of plates. The hum of conversation hit me like a wave the moment Caitlin pushed open the door.

“Hey, look who finally decided to show up!” Sydney Colson’s voice rang out, loud and playful, carrying easily over the room. Her grin was pure mischief as she added, “And she brought the mysterious reporter with her!”

Heat flared in my cheeks instantly. Of course Caitlin had told them something.

Caitlin rolled her eyes, though her hand stayed firmly entwined with mine. “Don’t scare her off in the first five seconds, Syd.”

“Scare her off?” Sydney smirked, raising her brows. “Please. I’m the most charming one here.”

“Debatable,” Kelsey Mitchell muttered from her seat, sipping her drink with a sly grin.

The whole table broke into laughter, the kind of easy, familiar banter that made my stomach twist tighter with nerves.

Caitlin ignored them, tugging me closer like she was my anchor. “Everyone, this is Sienna,” she announced, her voice steady but proud. “Sienna, this chaotic bunch are my teammates… also known as the reason I go home with a headache after every practice.”

A chorus of greetings met me-smiles, waves, warmth that still somehow felt overwhelming.

Aliyah Boston leaned across the table, her smile wide and infectious. “So nice to finally meet you! I was wondering when our Caity would finally introduce you to us.”

My eyes flicked to Caitlin in shock, but she only shrugged sheepishly, her cheeks tinged pink, like it was no big deal.

My heart stuttered. Our Caity.

Caitlin guided me toward two empty seats, and I slid in beside her, her leg brushing mine under the table. The subtle touch grounded me, her warmth a reminder that I wasn’t in this alone.

The conversation picked up again, stories bouncing easily between them, their energy filling the space. Slowly-just barely-the knot in my chest began to ease.

It was Lexie Hull who drew me in first. She leaned closer, her blonde hair slipping forward as she smiled at me. “So… Sienna, right? You went to Stanford, didn’t you?”

I nodded, smiling nervously. I knew Lexie had played basketball for Stanford, alongside Cameron Brink-my best friend from college. But we’d never crossed paths, not really. I’d spent most of my time buried in the library or hunched over my laptop, while Cameron had tried endlessly to drag me to basketball games. Sometimes I’d cave, though the sport had never really been my world.

“What year were you?” Lexie asked curiously.

“Class of ’22. Communications major,” I replied.

Her smile widened. “No way! I was there the same time. I wonder if we ever crossed paths without even knowing.”

Something warm stirred inside me, the familiar rush of connection. “That’s wild. I… well, I wasn’t super into basketball then, but Cameron Brink-she’s one of my best friends-used to drag me to games constantly.”

Lexie’s eyes lit with recognition. “Oh, I remember Cameron! I played alongside her before I got drafted here in 2022.”

At that, Caitlin perked up, her expression instantly mischievous. “Are we talking about Cameron Brink? Because I swear, the next time we play L.A., she’s gonna nag me about you, Sunshine.”

I raised a brow, curious. “And why would she nag you about me, Clark?”

Caitlin chuckled nervously, scratching the back of her neck. “Well… you see, I wanted to get to know you more. My research about you being Jake Callaway’s daughter wasn’t enough. And when I found out you went to Stanford too, I remembered Cameron also went there. So I asked her questions about you-if she knew you personally. She did. And, uh… she gave me a lot of information about you.”

My jaw nearly dropped.

“And,” Caitlin continued with a sheepish grin, “she told me to date you. Even if you were still with Joseph at the time. She said she always thought Joseph was gay anyway. Guess she was right.”

I blinked at her, utterly stunned. Caitlin had known? She’d researched me? She’d gone to Cameron?

I gave her a mock glare, leaning closer. “So you are a stalker after all, Clark.”

She only grinned wider, leaning over to kiss my cheek before whispering against my ear, “Had to do my research so I could get the girl. If you thought I was obsessed with you before, I’m more obsessed with you now, baby. Well, damn-I guess I am a stalker. But I don’t regret it. I got my dream girl after all.”

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I looked away quickly, biting my lip to keep my smile from growing too wide.

I turned back to the table, clearing my throat. “So… do you all know I’m the daughter of Jake Callaway? He played for the NBA-New York Knicks.”

Some shook their heads no, but Kelsey, Sydney, Aliyah, Lexie, and Caitlin all nodded in unison.

“These four helped me with my research,” Caitlin admitted, smiling at me with that soft, almost smug fondness. “After we read your article about our first interview together-before the Connecticut Sun game.”

Lexie jumped in, her grin bright. “I knew your last name sounded familiar. When Syd looked you up, she literally screamed when she realized you were Jake Callaway’s daughter. He was also a Stanford Cardinal before he went pro! His picture is still up in the halls-we walked by it every day.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “I wish we’d crossed paths in college. We could’ve had so much fun.”

All this information was overwhelming, but I forced a teasing smile. “Well, well… I see you four are stalkers too. Clark isn’t the only one then.”

The table erupted in laughter, the five women blushing as Caitlin buried her face in her hand.

From there, the conversation flowed easier. Lexie and I slipped into our own rhythm, swapping Stanford stories, laughing about professors who nearly broke us, and comparing our favorite study spots. Caitlin sat between us, occasionally chiming in with her own quips, clearly delighted by the bond forming before her eyes.

As the night stretched on, the conversation bounced between playful and sincere. Her teammates teased Caitlin mercilessly-about her clinginess, her soft looks in my direction, the way her hand kept brushing mine under the table when no one was looking. But their smiles held nothing but affection.

And somewhere, between the laughter and the teasing, between Lexie’s easy warmth and Caitlin’s grounding touch, I realized something I hadn’t expected.

I didn’t feel like an outsider anymore.

I felt… like I belonged.

Authors Note :

Heyyy lovelies another update yayyy…. I’ve completely lost motivation writing my Fics now, I don’t wanna continue but Caitlin and Sienna can’t be left unfinished so I’ll try and update as much as I can. Anyways stay happy y’all and see y’all next chapter.

XoXo V 💜💜💜

P.s. I miss my Goofy, Funny and Fine Looking Shaylaaaa on the Court 🤧🥺💔