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Chapter Twenty-one (Long Chapter Ahead)
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Ariana was almost certain Paige was avoiding her. Upon getting off the plane, she would catch the blonde shooting her an intense glare, but the moment she glanced over, she would immediately turn away. Ariana knew her best friend was many things, but being slick was never one of her most redeeming qualities.
Despite a growing curiosity for the blonde's questionable behaviour, Ariana was quickly swept up in helping the team move gear and aid the couches in navigating their way to the bus waiting at the departure gate.
Finally being able to sit and take a breath after a long forty minutes of busy adventuring in the Des Moines International Airport. She scoped a seat in the row just behind Geno and Simms, head thrown back against the headrest as she sighed in relief. It was a rare moment of solidarity, the first time she had been alone without any voices clouding her sound peace.
But seeing as the universe seemed to hate her guts, peace never lasted as long as she hoped.
"Hey," Nika smiled, taking a seat across the aisle, "Since you're our little inside man on the staff faculty, do y'know our room sitch?"
Ariana shrugged, "Probably last names again."
"Lucky me," she smirked, her legs spreading as she sunk into her seat. Nika nestled an elbow against the window ledge, her head resting against her fist, "I get to room with the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." She stared, a sheepish smile on her face as she watched the doctor turn away with an eye roll. Nika held her hands up, "I'm not to be blamed for whatever I do when I get time alone with you."
"Get your head in the game, horn dog," the younger chuckled, "The team needs you, and you'll get all the time to do whatever you want after you guys take the win for this game."
"With you sitting court-side?" The Croatian grinned, "What kind of woman would I be if I don't give my girl the show she deserves?"
My girl.
"If it keeps you less distracted, I can and will switch rooms with somebody, Mühl."
"Mühl? Is that the nickname you came up with for me? My last name?" The older shuddered, "Sounds like coach yelling at me."
"Good, maybe then you'll start listening to me when I say all this out of love," Ariana leant in, her head poking out into the aisle, "I need you to focus, babe. You're the team's best chance at keeping Caitlin Clark from sinking one too many threes, so you need to lock in. The benefits of interning with the Iowa women's basketball team is I know a good chunk of their plays, and all you need to worry about is—Nika! Are you listening to me? I'm giving you solid tips here."
