PRESENTING THE PAST - Paige Bueckers x Nika Muhl, Diana Taurasi x Sue Bird

CHAPTER 2

NIKA

"Seems like you enjoyed our visit to UConn, baby girl," Mom teases, while our feet are dipped in the pool.

We're back in our house in Seattle after a week-long trip to our house in Connecticut for my signing and other things Mom needed to take care of.

"I did! It's so nice there. Thanks for bringing me to UConn, Mom. I might have missed out on something that great just because I'm scared," I say, smiling and looking at the water instead of her.

"Fear is never a bad thing, baby. We're all scared of something. You're just a kid. A kid who's going to live the next four years of her life away from home. I can't blame you. If it wasn't for my work, I'd just be a full-time mom living simply in Connecticut, not missing any of my daughter's games," Mom says, giggling at the end.

"Nah! The W still needs Sue Bird," I say and bump shoulders with Mom.

"What do you like most about UConn? Tell me!" she asks excitedly, taking my hands and caressing them.

"Oh! Okay! Uhm, the basketball championship center is one! Coach Geno, I know he's nice and can be strict, but he gives me that grandpa vibe!" Mom laughs at that. "Their gym is perfect! I could spend every single free moment I have in there! Also, some of my friends from Connecticut will go to UConn too, so it won't be such a huge adjustment for me..." I say, while Mom smiles. "And, uhm, it's the tall blonde girl, actually..." I add, almost breathless.

"What? I didn't hear the last part." She definitely heard it but just wants me to repeat it.

"Mom! I know you heard it!" I say, whining. Mom just laughs and embraces me.

"Happiness really comes in different sizes. Sometimes it's just a fun-size white chocolate, and sometimes it's a 6'0 blonde white chocolate." I burst out laughing at what Mom says.

"Mom, you did not say that! Oh my God!" I say, holding my tummy, still laughing.

"What? Nika, you're my daughter. By the way you looked at Paige during our visit, I can tell," she says, stopping my laughter.

"I hate that you know me so well!" I say, rolling my eyes at her.

"You know what? She and D don't actually look like each other, but their personalities? Oh my God! Total copy!" Mom says, making me giggle again.

"What is Diana Taurasi like?" I ask Mom, while my feet move slowly in the water, creating small waves in the pool.

"Well, she's really, really competitive, she hates losing, and her energy is just wow," Mom says, smiling.

She and DT must be really close... makes me think...

"Mom, if you and DT are so close like that—both of you went to UConn and go to the WNBA, and you even have a show together..." I hear a small "Mhm" from Mom with a nod. "Why didn't I see much of her growing up? I mean, not like your other friends who literally helped raise me as well."

A moment of silence envelops us. You can only hear the sound of the little waves created by the movement of my feet in the pool.

"Oh, look at that!" Mom says, glancing at her watch. "It's a bit late now, honey! You need to rest; you still have private training tomorrow." Mom takes her feet out of the pool and kisses my forehead before standing up.

"Sure, Mom. You can go inside now. I bet you're more tired than I am. I'll just stay here for a couple more minutes," I say, smiling at her. She nods and turns to go inside the house.