BETWEEN OUR LIPS. paige bueckers

eleven

KAI FIDGETS WALKING OFF THE PLANE. She suddenly thinks this was a bad idea but there's no going back, Kate is waiting for her at the airport. Kai doesn't know if she should hug her or what, she'll just have to play it by ear.

Kai walks down the stairs to see Kate holding up a sign, 'welcome back from prison!' Kai laughs as she reaches the blonde. "Was this really necessary?" She asks gesturing to the sign, Kate nods as they walk outside. Kai was only staying for two days, so she just packed enough in her carryon. Kate leads them to a car that was parked outside the airport, opening the door for the girl letting her slide it before shutting the door.

Kai smiles as Kate rounds the car and gets in the drivers seat. "We're going to the gym." Kate says while turning the car on and leaving the airport. Kai nods, taking her phone out seeing a message from Paige. Kai swipes left, deleting the notification and focusing on the road.

Kate pulls up to the Hawkeye gym, Kai smiles nervously as they get out and Kate leads her to the gym. There on the court was two basketball players, Kai recognized one of them as Caitlin Clark.

"This is Caitlin and Jada. This is Kai." Kate says gesturing between the two of them. Kai smiles and holds her hand out for them to shake. "Yeah, you're pretty talented." Caitlin says with a wink making Kai blush.

"Alright, she's here for me." Kate reminds with a playful glare to her teammate. Caitlin backs up and goes back to shooting the ball. "Hey, yeah I like your pictures." Jada says as well. Kai smiles, "thank you."

"Wanna shoot some hoops?" Kate asks, pointing to the basketball hoop. Kai nods, grabbing a ball and starts dribbling. Or tries to start dribbling. Kate laughs watching the girl trip over her feet.

Kai stops dribbling and walks to the court to line up a shot. Kai remembers everything Paige had told her, getting butterflies at remembering her hands on her waist. Kai shakes the feeling off and shoots her shot, it going in with nothing but net. Kai cheers as Caitlin grabs the rebound and shoots a shot as well.

They all shoot some hoops before heading to the dorm room. Kate laughs at something Kai said as she holds the door open for her. "I'll sleep on the floor," Kai says putting her bag down. Kate tsks at the brunette.

"No, I will sleep on the floor." Kate says with a laugh. "No, I can't possibly kick you out of your bed." Kai insists, denying the bed.

"You're sleeping on the bed, end of discussion." Kate retorts crossing her arms over her chest. Kai rolls her eyes, deciding to take the bed. "We can both sleep on the bed." Kai declares pulling on Kate's arm.

Kate laughs and climbs onto the bed, Kai scooting over to make room for the 5'11 hooper. "Hi." Kai speaks out, not knowing what to say. Kate pushes a strand of hair behind Kai's ear.

"So, you like being a Hawkeye?" Kai asks earning a small yes from the blonde. "And the colors don't bother you?" Kai adds on, Kate laughs and shakes her head.

"I could never wear a yellow jersey, it would look so bad on me." Kai says rubbing her arms with her hands. Kate mhms, her eyes flicking down to Kai's lips.

Kai watches as Kate leans in, their lips connecting. Kai doesn't move, before realizing that Kate was kissing her. Kate grips Kai's waist hoisting her onto her lap. She forces her tongue into Kai's mouth, immediately fighting for dominance.

"Kate— I don't do long distance relationships." Kai says pulling away from her. "Then move." Kate tells her like it's the simplest thing in the world. Kai scoffs at the girl.

"It's not easy, I have a job at UConn." Kai explains, still hoisted in Kate's lap. "You can get a job here." Kate retorts, wanting Kai to come to Iowa.