POSE - Paige Bueckers

13- take your hair down

Shit shit shit shit shit

How am I already fucking late?

I rushed out of my car and towards the glass doors of the practice gym, quickly throwing my hair up in a ponytail as I pray practice hasn't started. I really needed film of the freshmen today, specifically Ayanna, considering our interview is tomorrow.

I throw open the doors, keeping my steps double time in an attempt to make it inside as fast as possible.

I'm seated in my usual spot on the court floor, my camera propped up on my knees as the video rolls, focusing on Ayanna. The camera was focused on Ayanna, I on the other hand, was doing everything in my power to not look at Paige. At first, I could only feel her eyes on me and resisted looking her way. I think she caught on to my avoidance somewhere after the running drills but before the shootouts. And Paige being Paige, she didn't like that she didn't have my attention. Her baskets became more and more excessive, shooting from as far as she possibly could and celebrating as loud as possible, even flaunting past me. I could ignore that well enough, I was still professional after all, especially because I was trying to get B-roll footage of Ayanna and other freshies so I didn't have to worry about that after their interviews were over.

She clearly did not like that.

It wasn't particularly hot today, in fact, the early autumn of the east coast began to chill the late August air, the mornings and evenings could even be described as chilly. So you see when a certain blonde shed her gray workout shirt and opted to finish her drills in just a deep carmine red racerback spaghetti strap sports bra (one of my favorite red clothing items of hers), it definitely caught my eye. Her smooth muscles and skin I know all too well put on display for me, and I know it's for me, because the woman won't stop looking at me like she wants to eat me alive.

I made sure to only look at her through the viewfinder in my camera, disguising my ogling as checking the focus. It appears she wanted more, she wanted my eyes on her, and she wanted it now.

She was lined up to take an almost half-court shot, from what I'm assuming would be the logo if it was there. Azzi tries to guard her, and fails, as Paige has already let the ball fly.

Swoosh

The ball makes it into the net, a perfect shot. Her eyes automatically find mine despite her teammates' mini celebrations happening around her, I lift my eyes up from my camera, finally giving her the attention she is clearly so desperate for. My eyes unbashfully raked over her body, her midrise basketball shorts and lack of shirt not leaving much to the imagination. Her eyes stared into mine, a cocky smile on her face saying now you look at me. She winks subtly too, adding a cherry on top to an already enjoyable experience.

The rest of practice continues like this: she makes some cocky move, I pretend not to notice, I ogle some muscles, she catches me in the act, and I go back to ignoring her. It's great fun.

I mean technically there isn't anything on my contract that says we can't date (I checked after she walked me to my door after our date and kissed me goodnight softly, so so softly, making my heart melt a little), but we still only went on one date, and I would like to build a reputation for myself with the coaches and staff before it gets out that she and I are, whatever we are. The last thing I would want people to think is that I'm sleeping my way into this job.

Practice wraps up yet again, and I find myself making sure I don't catch the eyes of a certain sweaty blonde.

I'm not planning on running away again, but if she wishes to talk to me, we must remain professional.