overtime | clark & martin

fifty-five.

The WNBA Finals stage had finally been set. The Las Vegas Aces would once again be taking on the New York Liberty, making it the third year in a row that the two teams would face off in the Finals. For many, it was reminiscent of the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavilers facing off in the NBA Finals.

Jessica was already having a phenomenal season. She'd been Rookie of the Month twice. She'd even managed to steal Player of the Week from A'ja once. She was a favorite to win Rookie of the Year and even made the All-Star team. All that was left to do was to close out the year with a Championship.

The fight against the New York Liberty hadn't been an easy one. The Aces took the first two games in their home arena, but the Liberty took the next two games at Barclays. Now they were back in Las Vegas and Jessica knew they were hoping to finish out the matchup in front of their home crowd.

"What will you say when you win Rookie of the Year?" Kate asks as she places a bagel in front of Jessica. Jessica and Kate had been spending every moment that they weren't on the court or in practice together. Jessica even had a drawer at Kate's apartment and Lilo had a bed in the corner of Kate's room just like she did at Jessica's.

Jessica takes the bagel and begins lathering it in cream cheese.

"Thank you," Jessica answers Kate's question.

Kate raises a brow, "That's it?"

"Mhm," Jessica responds as she takes a bite of her bagel, "Because I'm locked in."

"You're locked in?" Kate asks.

"Yes," Jessica says, "I'm so locked in, can't you tell?"

Kate reaches out and wipes cream cheese from the corner of Jessica's mouth and sucking it off her finger, "Yeah you're so locked in."

"A little cream cheese doesn't mean I'm not locked in," Jessica responds, "Besides did you see what I did against Minnesota? Naphessa was begging for mercy."

"She was begging A'ja for mercy," Kate responds, "She told you and I quote, 'You're alright, rookie."

"Okay well when you put it like that it makes me sound like a dweeb," Jessica mutters.

Kate smiles as she leans against her kitchen counter, "You're not a dweeb. You're at least like top 100 this season. Maybe even top 75."

"A win is a win," Jessica states with a shrug and Kate laughs.

"Okay we need to go," Kate says, "Finish your bagel."

Jessica grins as she leans with her elbows on the counter, "I love it when you tell me what to do."

Kate smiles as she leans closer to Jessica and kisses her on the lips, "Finish your bagel, pretty girl. We have a game to win."

Jessica smiles, "I'll do whatever you want."

Kate narrows her eyes playfully at Jessica, "Don't start something you can't finish."

"I'd finish," Jessica answers as she stands and makes her way to the opposite side of the kitchen island, "I'd make sure you finished too."

Kate shakes her head as Jessica stalks toward her like a predator, "No, we're going to be late and then Becky will never let us hear the end of it and I'm pretty sure she knows we're dating-"

"Mhm," Jessica says as she wraps her arms around Kate's waist and kisses her. All protests die on Kate's tongue the moment that Jessica's lips are on hers. Kate pulls Jessica closer and deepens the kiss. Jessica pulls away from Kate and smiles at her.

"Now I'm gonna go get ready," Jessica says, pecking Kate on the lips once more before skipping off toward Kate's room. Kate smiles as she watches her go and shakes her head. Lilo, who had grown in the passing months follows Jessica into Kate's room.