U MY EVERYTHING, Brittney Griner

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄.

𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕:

The roar of the crowd echoed in my ears long after I left the arena. The excitement, the cheers, and the intensity of the game all seemed to linger in the air, a tangible buzz that followed me like a shadow. It had been a tough match for the Phoenix Mercury, and I could still see the strain etched on Brittney's face as she gave her all on the court that made Phoenix win the game against the Seattle Storm. BG had always been a force to be reckoned with, but tonight she looked especially weary.

I pushed open the door to my apartment, the quiet a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos of the arena. I dropped my bag by the door and sank into the plush couch, pulling out my phone to send a quick text to BG.

"Hey, you good?" I typed, fingers flying over the screen. It wasn't uncommon for us to check in with each other after games, especially the grueling ones. Brittney and I had known each other for years, our bond solidified through shared experiences and countless hours spent together. We were best friends, confidantes, and in some ways, each other's anchors.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a reply. "Sore as hell. You coming over?"

I smiled, already knowing the answer. "On my way."

BG's mansion wasn't far from my place, and the drive gave me time to think. I couldn't help but admire her resilience. At 6'9", she was a towering presence, both on and off the court. Her strength was matched only by her kindness, a combination that drew people to her like moths to a flame. And yet, despite her tough exterior, I knew there was a softer side to her, a side that not many people got to see.

When I arrived, the house was bathed in the soft glow of evening light. I let myself in, the familiarity of the place making it feel like a second home. The sound of the game played faintly from the living room, and I found BG sprawled on the couch, her long legs taking up most of the space. She looked up as I entered, a tired smile tugging at her lips.

"Hey, Gi," she greeted, her voice warm despite the exhaustion I could hear in it.

"Hey, BG," I replied, making my way over to her. "Rough game, huh?"

She let out a chuckle that was more of a sigh. "You have no idea. My whole body feels like it's been through a meat grinder."

I winced in sympathy. "Well, I'm here to help. Let's get you comfortable."

We moved to the bedroom, where BG could stretch out properly. I fetched some pain relief cream from the bathroom and returned to find her lying on her stomach, her muscles visibly tense even in repose. I climbed onto the bed beside her, the mattress dipping under my weight.

"Okay, just relax," I instructed, squirting a generous amount of cream onto my hands and rubbing them together to warm it up. BG let out a small groan as I began to work on her shoulders, my fingers kneading into the tight knots of muscle.

"That feels amazing," she murmured, her eyes fluttering closed.

I smiled, pleased to be able to provide some relief. "Good. Just let me know if I'm pressing too hard."

For a while, the only sounds were the quiet hum of the air conditioning and BG's occasional sighs of contentment. As I worked my way down her back, I couldn't help but marvel at her strength. Every muscle was defined, a testament to the hard work and dedication she put into her training. Yet, there was a vulnerability in this moment that made my heart ache for her.

"You're too good to me, Gi," BG said softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Well, someone has to take care of you," I replied lightly. "And who better than your best friend?"