overtime | clark & martin

fifty-three.

Jessica walks into the Aces facility carrying a bouquet of flowers. Jackie spots her and the flowers and watches Jessica walk to her locker.

"Secret admirer?" Jackie wonders.

"My parents," Jessica states, "They're coming to the game tonight, so they had flowers sent."

"Your parents as in Renee and Paul or as in Robert and Melanie?" Jackie asks.

"My parents as in all four of them," Jessica says, "And they literally signed the card from all four of them. At this point, I think they should just form a harem. Do you know Robert and Paul golf together? And Melanie is teaching my mom how to bake, it feels weird and swinger-y."

Jackie laughs, "You know most people would love it if their parents and stepparents got along."

"Unfortunately, I am not most people," Jessica responds.

"Well, I think it's nice your parents are coming. Rather interesting game that they picked to show up to," Jackie states, and Jessica couldn't help but agree. Their matchup was against the Indiana Fever, only this time the Aces were hosting them at home.

"Yeah," Jessica mutters, "I think I'm going to talk to Caitlin after the game."

"For what?" Jackie asks.

Jessica shrugs, "I mean I definitely shouldn't do it but I'm going to just give her a heads up that I'm moving on."

"Moving on?" Jackie asks, "Did you have some breakthrough in therapy?"

"Actually I did," Jessica says, "I realized that I'll never know when I'm ready to date again so I just have to do it."

Jackie nods her head, "Glad you figured things out."

Jessica offers her a smile, "Thanks."

Kate walks into the locker room and Jessica instantly notices her as she's texting on her phone and walking toward her locker.

"Hey Kate," Jessica says maybe a little too loudly. Kate looks up from her phone and at Jessica with a wide smile.

"Hi Jessica," Kate greets. Her smile fades a little as she notices the flowers in her hand, "Those are pretty flowers."

Jessica looks down at the flowers, "They are."

Kate offers her a closed-lip smile as she sets her stuff down in her locker. Jessica looks at Kate with furrowed brows and then back at the flowers.

"Oh," Jessica says as she realizes how this looks, "Oh! These are not from anyone relevant."

Kate looks up at Jessica confused.

"My parents sent these," Jessica explains, "They're coming to the game tonight. I didn't mean to say that they're not relevant my parents are totally relevant people and I love them. I just meant that these are not romantic flowers. They are friendly. Familial if you will."

Jackie facepalms from beside Jessica and shakes her head.

Kate smiles at the rant, "That's cool."

"I'm not seeing anyone," Jessica shares, "If you were wondering. You probably aren't, but just in case."

"I'm not seeing anyone either," Kate shares, "Just in case you wanted to know as well."

Jackie groans as she grabs her stuff and heads toward the exit of the locker room, on her way out she says, "You two are acting like high schoolers. It's so embarrassing."

Jessica and Kate both flush at the words and Jessica turns back to her locker as she gets ready for the game, putting on her leg sleeve as well as her shoes. She ties her hair back in a ponytail and she notices Kate sitting at her locker just watching her. When their eyes meet Kate smiles sheepishly at Jessica.