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Chapter Fifteen
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The plane touched down in Los Angeles, a city of eternal sunshine and relentless dreams. The Huskies were practically buzzing with good but nervous energy, each player caught between the thrill of making it to the Elite Eight and the dreadful task of besting South Carolina. Nika's stomach churned, but she wore her default mask of calm determination. She had a job to do, and distractions were not on her agenda—especially the kind that involved Ariana.
Nika stepped off the plane, dragging her duffel bag over her shoulder. Geno gathered everyone around for a quick briefing before they headed to the hotel. Nika stood at the edge of the group, her eyes wandering towards the woman standing beside her coach despite her best efforts to focus.
Ariana stood a few feet away, her brown eyes scanning the clipboard Geno was carrying, utterly absorbed in her sudden change of persona as their PT. Nika's chest tightened at the sight. She and Ariana had kissed, now going even as far as to having sex in the locker room, each situation more confusing and intense than the last. Ariana had a girlfriend, and she had a boyfriend— it was a fact that weighed heavily on Nika's mind.
"Nika, you good?" Aubrey's voice broke through her thoughts. Nika nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just thinking about the game tomorrow."
Coach Simms gave her a knowing look but didn't press further. "Alright, ladies, let's get to the hotel and settle in. Keycards are under the name of whoever's oldest, two in each room, organized by last name. So, KK and Inês, Ice and Paige, Amari and Caroline, Aaliyah and Jana, Azzi and Aubrey—Ari, I hope you don't mind I put you on the list, it's just cheaper and you're already right with the girls—but Ariana and Nika and we've got Ayanna, Qadence and Ashlynn in a double bed room. Have a nice half an hour break before we meet in the lobby at 1:00pm sharp. We've got a final practice session in two hours."
The team shuffled towards the waiting bus. Nika lugged behind, her eyes inadvertently meeting Ariana's as they both processed the rooming call. Neither of them said a word, neither of them seemed to protest. There was a moment of unspoken tension, a silent acknowledgment of the unresolved emotions between them. As they boarded the bus, Nika found herself sitting next to Aubrey who noticed Nika's distraction and nudged her.
"Earth to Nika. Watcha lookin' at?"
Nika side-eyed her, shaking her head. "It's nothin'. Just nervous about the game, I guess."
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. "Nervous? You? You're the secretary of defence, you've mogged crazier players. You never get nervous."
Nika shrugged, her gaze drifting back to Ariana, who was talking to one of the assistant coaches. "I guess this game's different. Stakes are getting higher and higher, pressure's on."
