𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐄 ⋆☆⋆ caitlin clark

twenty-two

⋆☆⋆

The Iowa women's basketball team were on the road, only to lose to Illinois by four points. It was disappointing, knowing they could've done better. But the girls decided that they have to keep going forward. The team would be on the road for a good amount of time, until they returned back home before their game against Michigan.

Kate felt bad, leaving Kara at home by herself as she had been sensitive ever since New Years. Kara wasn't moping, at least she didn't show it. But Kate knew she was beating herself up on the inside. The press on Kara's back, World Cup roster trials, and now Caitlin being taken flooded Kara's mind. She was hurting.

Kate hated being so far away from her when she was this fragile. But she was happy to be home in Illinois for an extra day after their loss. Kara wished she could be there, but she locked herself in the house — coping with her own heartbreak she brought upon herself.

Kara was currently on the living room couch, an oversized sweater on with cotton shorts, her glasses on, and laptop resting on the blanket that covered her legs. The TV was only at a soft volume, playing 10 Things I Hate About You.

Kara was scrolling through her emails, archiving, reading, skipping. Everything was all business, and she was bored. The phone on her right side started buzzing, her managers name flashing across the screen.

"Hello, Kara," her manager, Sam, spoke. Kara loved Sam, she was always on it and aware of when Kara didn't feel like talking business. And she was always there to defend her at any time. "How are you doing?"

Kara sighed, taking off her glasses and closing her eyes and running a hand over her face. "I'm doing better than how I was a few days ago when you called me. Sorry for pushing off the meetings."

"Kara, never apologize. I know as you manager I'm supposed to keep you up with these, but it's also my job to look after you as a human first."

"You're the best, Sam. Is everything all good?" asked Kara.

"Yes, I just needed to run some things by you real quick. Tree Paine called me this morning," said Sam, making Kara perk up at the familiar name of Taylor Swifts manager.

"She did? What's up?" asked Kara, now sitting up. Tree Paine only made calls for Taylor when it was for big events, she knew as Alex had gotten a good handful of them when Kara was younger.

"Well, she was asking for your availability during February," started Sam, the shuffling of papers heard on her line. "And obviously you will be in training camp, but Taylor called Jill Ellis on the behalf of you and Alex. She beat me to it. But she wants you two to be her guests at the Grammys."

Kara gasped, a smile bearing her face. "Are you serious?! Alex hasn't said anything to me yet."

"That's because she hasn't found out yet," laughed Sam. "Taylor called me first before Alex's manager. I'm sure she's getting the same call right now, though."

"Well, I'll definitely do it. I confirm," said Kara cheerfully. She was ecstatic, this was the good news she needed amidst her gray feelings.

"Don't worry, I knew you would say yes," laughed Sam, sending the confirmation email to Tree Paine that she drafted before her call with Kara. "Sent. Now, Kara, please take care of yourself. I'm not going to ask you what it is, but before anything else — please take care of yourself."