Years Of Love

A Night Out

Chapter 5: 

It had been a tough week filled with back-to-back practices, exams, and the general chaos that came with being a student-athlete. The team was tired, both mentally and physically, but they were also in high spirits. After a particularly grueling practice, Coach Auriemma had given them the weekend off, and the team decided to blow off some steam by heading to a local bar.

Paige and Azzi had been inseparable since their first date. The bond between them had only grown stronger, and while they were careful not to let their relationship distract them from basketball, it was clear to everyone on the team that something had changed between them. There was a lightness in Paige's step, a constant smile on Azzi's face, and a new warmth in the way they interacted.

Nika, who had been privy to Paige's feelings from the beginning, was thrilled for her friend and had taken it upon herself to organize the night out. She knew Paige needed a break, and she figured a night of dancing, drinking, and letting loose was exactly what the team needed.

The bar was crowded and lively when they arrived, filled with the buzz of conversation, the thumping beat of the music, and the clinking of glasses. It was the kind of place where people went to forget their worries, if only for a few hours, and tonight, that was exactly what Paige intended to do.

As soon as they stepped inside, the team was swept up in the atmosphere. Nika led the charge to the bar, ordering a round of shots for everyone. Paige, feeling the excitement in the air, didn't hesitate to join in, downing her drink with the rest of the team. The alcohol burned her throat, but she welcomed the warmth that spread through her body.

The night progressed quickly after that. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and the team was having a blast. Paige found herself dancing with Nika, laughing as they tried to keep up with the fast-paced music. Every so often, her eyes would meet Azzi's across the dance floor, and the connection between them was electric, a silent promise that they'd find each other later.

But for now, Paige was determined to enjoy the night. She wasn't much of a drinker, but tonight was an exception. She kept up with Nika and the others, taking shots, sipping on cocktails, and letting the alcohol work its way into her system. Before long, she was feeling pleasantly buzzed, her inhibitions slipping away with every sip.

Azzi, on the other hand, was more restrained. She nursed a single drink for most of the night, content to watch Paige and the others have their fun. She wasn't much of a drinker herself, preferring to stay in control, but she didn't mind that Paige was letting loose. In fact, she found it endearing how Paige seemed to grow more affectionate with each passing drink.

It wasn't long before Paige was fully embracing the effects of the alcohol. She became more touchy, more giggly, and increasingly clingy as the night wore on. She clung to Nika, to Caroline, and especially to Azzi, who found herself on the receiving end of Paige's affectionate advances more often than not.

"Azziii," Paige slurred at one point, draping herself over Azzi's shoulder as they sat at the bar. "You're so pretty. Did I ever tell you that? Sooo pretty."

Azzi chuckled, her heart swelling with affection. "You might have mentioned it once or twice," she replied, her voice soft and amused.

Paige giggled, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Azzi's arm. "I'm serious. You're, like, the prettiest girl I've ever seen. And I get to call you mine."

Azzi blushed, grateful for the dim lighting that hid the full extent of her reaction. "You're pretty amazing yourself, you know that?"

Paige beamed at the compliment, her heart swelling with happiness. "I love you, Azzi," she blurted out, the words slipping out before she could stop them. She hadn't planned on saying it—not yet—but the alcohol had loosened her tongue, and now there was no taking it back.

Azzi's breath hitched at the declaration. They hadn't said those words yet, hadn't crossed that particular threshold, but hearing them now, from a slightly drunk and very sincere Paige, filled her with a warmth she hadn't expected.

"I love you too, Paige," Azzi whispered, her voice full of emotion.

Paige's face lit up, and before Azzi could react, she found herself being pulled into a tight embrace, Paige's arms wrapping around her in a way that made it clear she had no intention of letting go anytime soon.

The rest of the team, who had been watching the exchange with various degrees of amusement, cheered loudly at the impromptu love confession. Nika clapped Paige on the back, grinning from ear to ear. "Atta girl, Bueckers! Finally told her, huh?"

Paige just laughed, too happy to care about the attention. She was in her own little world, and in that world, everything was perfect.

Eventually, as the night drew to a close, the team decided it was time to head back to the dorms. Paige was tipsy and leaning heavily on Azzi, her usual swagger replaced by a playful clumsiness that had Azzi laughing under her breath.

The walk back was filled with light-hearted banter and inside jokes, the camaraderie of the team shining through as they navigated the quiet streets. Paige was still clingy, her arm slung around Azzi's shoulders, her head resting against Azzi's as they walked. Azzi didn't mind; in fact, she found it incredibly sweet, if not a little amusing, how Paige was so openly affectionate when drunk.

When they finally reached Paige's dorm, the rest of the team waved them off with knowing smiles, leaving Paige and Azzi alone in the hallway. Paige fumbled with her keys for a moment before finally managing to unlock the door, stumbling inside with Azzi right behind her.

Once inside, Paige immediately flopped onto the bed, laughing as she kicked off her shoes. Azzi watched her with a fond smile, leaning against the doorframe as she took in the sight of her girlfriend so utterly at ease.

"You're something else, Bueckers," Azzi said, shaking her head in amusement.

Paige grinned up at her, patting the spot beside her on the bed. "Come here, Fudd. I need cuddles."

Azzi chuckled and obliged, sitting down beside Paige, who wasted no time in wrapping her arms around Azzi's waist and snuggling close.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," Paige mumbled, her voice muffled against Azzi's shoulder. "We should do this more often."

Azzi smiled, running her fingers through Paige's hair. "Maybe next time, we'll take it a little easier on the drinks, huh?"

Paige laughed, a lazy, contented sound that made Azzi's heart swell. "Yeah, probably. But I have to admit, it's kind of fun being drunk with you."

Azzi's smile widened. "I'm glad you're having fun, babe."

Paige hummed in agreement, her eyes drifting shut as the warmth of the alcohol and the comfort of Azzi's embrace lulled her into a state of drowsy contentment.

For a few moments, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the soft rhythm of their breathing. But then, out of nowhere, Paige's voice broke the quiet, her tone teasing and playful.

"You know," Paige began, her voice low and a little slurred, "if I wasn't so tired, I'd probably try to get you out of these clothes..."

Azzi's eyes widened, and she quickly cut Paige off with a laugh, shaking her head. "Okay, okay, that's enough, Paige. Time to go to sleep."

Paige pouted, but she was too tired to argue. "You're no fun," she mumbled, her voice already growing softer as sleep began to overtake her.

Azzi just smiled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Paige's forehead. "Trust me, you'll thank me in the morning," she murmured.

Paige's only response was a sleepy hum as she finally gave in to the exhaustion, her arms still wrapped securely around Azzi.

Azzi stayed with her until she was sure Paige was asleep, her heart full of affection for the girl she loved. Paige might have been a handful when she was drunk, but Azzi wouldn't have it any other way.

As she carefully extricated herself from Paige's embrace and settled in beside her, Azzi couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. They had come a long way from those first tentative glances and hesitant touches, and now, here they were—together, happy, and more in love than ever.

And as she drifted off to sleep, Azzi knew that no matter what the future held, she and Paige would face it together, one day at a time.