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Maia pulled up a map of the west building as she walked through the sliding glass doors. Players didn't often go into the management offices, but when they did, it wasn't for a good reason.
Just as she was zooming in on the small picture of the layout posted on their website, Aiden's caller ID flashed on her phone.
"Hey what's up?" Maia asked, popping in her AirPods.
"Ok, so, before you say no," Aiden said cautiously, "I was wond- we were wondering if you wanted to go out tonight?"
"Absolutely the fuck not," Maia said, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder blade to scan her keycard for the elevator.
Going out with Aiden was not what you would expect. Or maybe it is, depending on how well you knew him.
"Cmonnn Maia, just this once?"
"No."
"But like, it's not just gonna be me this ti- hold up, where are you?" Aiden asked, hearing the background noise of the office building as people went about their day.
Along the way, Maia was able to pick up on a couple conversations, most of which definitely were not about work. Some were talking about drama in their personal lives, whereas others were debating the betting numbers of the NBA post season.
None of which were about women's basketball, which is probably to be expected.
"I'm on my way to Vince's office," Maia answered.
"Oh my fucking god, not that asshole again."
"WAIT WHO?!" Austin yelled from the background.
"Just Maias asshole of a boss...which we can talk more about when she comes out with us later!" Aiden sarcastically exclaimed.
"Real smooth, Aiden." Maia said, rolling her eyes. "So I assume Austin's going?"
"Yup, and Hasan is too," Aiden said. That cheeky mutherfucker...
Maia could only imagine the smile plastered on his face right now.
"Plus, I'm pretty sure you'll need some time to wind down after this meeting of yours," he added.
"Damn ok, I'll think about it," Maia said, rounding the final corner to a long hall of doors. "I'll have to call you back later though."
"See you soon, picking you up at 7!" Aiden yelled before hanging up the phone.
Maia sighed, clearing her mind of the phone call as she focused in on the task at hand.
——
"Maia!" Vince exclaimed as she pushed open the double doors. "It's so good to see you."
Anyone who knew the man even the slightest could tell that it was all a facade. Whether it was simply to get on Maia's nerves, or because he was leading up to some horrendous news, she couldn't tell.
"Come come, have a seat," Vince said, gesturing to one of the leather armchairs looking over LA.
"Quit the bullshit, Vince, just get to the point." Maia stated, staying standing where she was, but still dropping her bag.
"Is it your time of the month or something?" Vince joked, "I was only trying to be welcoming."
He smiled mischievously as Maia clenched her fists, trying everything in her power to not swing one of them at his nose.
"Well, if you insist," he said, sitting down in his desk chair, "as you may or may not know, the owner has been looking for a new head coach to take over. The other guy just wasn't preforming to the right....standards."
To be fair, he wasn't lying. The Sparks had been struggling for the past few seasons. It was one of the many reasons they had offered so much for Maia to come play with them.
"So the board had a meeting," Vince continued, "and they all collectedly decided that I would be the right fit to take his place."
If anything was going remotely good that day, or even week, it was all fucked over now. This was by far some of the worst news Maia had ever heard in her life.
"What the fuck," she said. "They can't just do that-
"...and," he interrupted, "Since your old coach pushed me so much to assert you as team captain, I thought it was only fair for you to take on some extra responsibility and help out a little around the stadium."
"With what exactly?" She asked.
"Oh, just something small," he said, nonchalantly flipping through a random book on his desk. "One of the building managers mentioned that he needed some help polishing the floors for the game next weekend...only about 4 hours or so."
Maia's jaw dropped, "Four hours? You've got to be kidding me!"
"Unfortunately I'm not-
This time it was Maia's turn to interrupt.
"I'm sorry but, no." She stated, picking up her bag. "I've got...plans tonight."
"Like a date or something?" Vince said, a frown falling over his face,
"Not that it's any of your business, but I've got personal things, so I cant."
Vince shrugged, "Maia, this isn't optional-
"Did I stutter!? I literally said no. I've got rights as a player to appeal to something like this, especially as team captain." She said before storming out of the room without looking back.
