overtime | clark & martin

forty.

Kate and Claire had met at Iowa before Jessica and Kate's second meeting on draft night. They'd always been in a sort of will they, won't they kind of situation that became a definite won't they situation when Kate and Jessica started dating. Even after they broke up, Kate still had feelings for Jess that she just couldn't shake.

Even after everything came out about Jessica and Caitlin and the media dragged Jessica's name through the mud, Kate still wanted her. It was only when Jessica told Kate she was going to Turkey to play overseas that she realized that maybe things were officially over for her and Jessica.

It seemed like a sign because the same day Jessica left for Turkey, Claire reached out to Kate to tell her she was in town and wanted to grab lunch. The two of them went to lunch and everything went well. Soon they were going on dates and Kate figured that maybe she could fall in love with Claire and forget about Jessica.

Claire and Kate had been together for six months. They'd spent much of the off-season together and things had been going great.

It was crazy how just seeing Jessica had managed to derail that with just one smile.

"Hey!" Jessica greets as she approaches Kate at the Aces practice facility. She was all dressed up for her press conference and she looked amazing. There was a glow that wasn't there the last time Kate had seen her. Maybe it was the fact that she was finally free of their miserable love triangle or maybe this is what basketball did for Jessica.

"You look amazing," Kate says as she embraces Jessica.

"Thank you," Jessica says, "So after the press conference I was going to stay and get some shots up. Did you want to maybe join me?"

"You know, training camp starts tomorrow right?" Kate jokes.

Jessica laughs, "I know, but not all of us have Martinis that will love us no matter what."

"Says the girl with literally a million followers," Kate says with a laugh.

Jessica smiles, "I have to go but if you are interested in shooting, I will be here."

"Okay," Kate says. Jessica offers her a wave before heading off toward the presser. Kate sighs and knows she should leave the facility. She did her lift, and her shots were going to be shit if she stayed.

Jessica headed into the press room and smiled widely as she took a seat. On the table was the black Ace's jersey that had her last name and the number 21 on it. Jessica moves her chair closer to the table and leans into the microphone.

"Howdy y'all," Jessica greets with a smile.

"So we've got a few questions for you, Jessica. I think we'll ask around."

"Cool," Jessica says with a smile.

"Hi Jessica, I'm with Las Vegas Weekly and I first wanted to say congratulations."

"Thank you," Jessica says with a smile.

"So nominations for the ESPYs have come out and you've been nominated for Best Comeback Athlete, what are your thoughts and feelings about that?"

"Thoughts? I think it's a huge honor and I was kind of shocked because I didn't really think I was like a comeback athlete. Feelings? Super excited! I would love to win but honestly, I kind of don't care to I just want to go to the ESPYs. Paige was also nominated for Best College Athlete so make sure to vote for her."

"Hi Jessica, I'm with the Las Vegas Sun. How are you feeling coming into a franchise that won two back-to-back championships? Do you think there's any pressure?"

"It should be three back-to-back championships, but I digress. I would say there's a lot of pressure. You're coming into a franchise with very seasoned players and not only are these players seasoned but most of them went to the Olympics last year. I'm definitely going to have to prove myself. Which I'm so ready to do."