"Bri! Mom and dad are here!" yelled Kaci, popping her head in Bri's room where Bri was laid on her back scrolling on her phone. "I just saw them pull into the driveway on the cameras."
Bri shot up from her bed, eyes wide with a smile. "What?!"
"Let's go," said Kaci, as the two scurried out to the front door.
The two opened their front door, met with their parents, Ben and Kyra Lewerke. The four immediately embraced in a group hug.
"Awww, my girls," smiled Kyra, holding her daughters at arm distance.
"We've missed you both," smiled Ben. "Your house looks cute, did you redo it Bri?"
Bri shrugged, stepping aside to let her parents in. "Only the outside a little bit. What came upon you guys coming?"
"Yeah, and how's the new house?" asked Kaci.
Kyra and Ben moved out of Iowa City last month, and in a more rural area with land and a space for their new house to be built. It's been a year, and the house was ready last month. What had been common visits from them to Bri, were now rare.
"Well we wanted to see our daughters who are now working together," chuckled Ben. "It's big! Especially for Iowa women's basketball."
Kaci smiled as they all sat on the couches in their living room, carrying on and catching up. The decorations for Halloween were up outside, the inside of the house smelled of cinnamon and fall, and subtle decor of fall items were laid out in the living room. Before Kaci saw the camera footage of her parents, she was watching Gilmore Girls. The tv was still playing it as the family gathered round the living room, setting the vibe up once again.
"So, Kace, how's living with Bri again? Only this time, you two are both adults," chuckled Kyra, making Kaci respond with a playful disgusted face.
"It's alright," shrugged Kaci, making Bri look at her. "I'm kidding. It's good, even with the set ground rules and everything."
Bri laughed as Kaci said the last part with a chuckle. Her parents smiled, but looked at her in confusion.
"What?" asked Ben. "What rules did you set?"
"I'll answer," smiled Kaci, interrupting before Bri could answer.
Her tone had a little bit of animosity, because to be completely honest, the whole rule was beginning to catch up to her and the whole rule was beginning to sound even more stupid. She was angry at times, but kept it lowkey and it was just her emotions getting the best of her.
"Not date a player, uhm, dress nice, and be open to anything the coaches say," said Kaci, listing the few things she remembered Bri giving her. "And I'm pretty sure that's it."
Ben and Kyra chuckled as Kaci finished listing. Bri looked at her sister who had a playful smile on her face, convincing Bri that she actually was not bothered. But she was.
"Very strict, Bri, huh?" laughed Ben, making Bri shrug.
Kaci looked at her mom for a quick second, as she smiled and a little glimmer of hope rose in her chest. Her mother's look was definitely one she recognized before.
• • •
Kyra decided to go take Kaci out to shop, while Bri and Ben went to get dinner prepped at the house. It was always Kyra and Kaci shopping, so Kaci loved having the familiar feeling of this again.
The two were in a small boutique, going through a rack of dresses. The two were silently looking through the multitude of clothes, other than the buzz of the soft music playing in the background with the soft murmurs of people in the shop.
"You can be real with me, Kace," started Kyra, making Kaci look up at her mom who wore a knowing smile. "I know how you feel."
Kaci furrowed her eyebrows, pausing her hands shuffling through the racks of clothes whilst her mom only smiled and carried on.
"And what do you mean, mom?" asked Kaci, an incredulous look on her face, letting out a breathy laugh.
"You don't like your sister's rules," said Kyra simply, shrugging. Kaci furrowed her eyebrows.
Of course it was her own mother to realize this, and Kaci always hid things well. But that was excluding her mom. Even in high school, when Kaci told her mom that she was enjoying playing basketball over soccer, her mom didn't buy it especially when Kaci hid it well. She could never even hide her relationship with her ex, as her mom knew the girl that always came over was not just a really good friend. Sneaky Kaci was another breed.
"What? I, uh, there's no-"
"Your dad and Bri are very much the same, and he found the rules reasonable. But I don't," started Kyra, now looking at her daughter. "I mean, you're free to do whatever you want as you're an adult now. Don't you agree?"
"Yes."
"And I know Bri wants the best for you and for this job, but I do feel like she's protecting your peace a little too much," said Kyra.
"Well, you see right through me," laughed Kaci. "I will say it's just a little unfair. I think it's held me back from even becoming friends with them, just a little bit."
It was true. Kate was the only one, besides Caitlin, that she has gotten to know very well. And it was basically a package deal anyway, dating Kate meant Caitlin also being your friend too. Kaci didn't complain as Caitlin was an amazing person. For the other girls, she didn't get to get to know them as well as she knows those two, and it saddened her because people like Gabbie seem so down to earth and amazing. Kaci felt if she avoided the whole problem of getting close to them, it could potentially help her case of Bri being on her. She was glad she was dating Kate, everything was smooth. For now.
"Oh, come on, I encourage you to become friends with anyone you meet. You know that right?" smiled Kyra, placing a hand on Kaci's arm. "And I also encourage you to at least ignore your sister's wishes. Especially dating a player one, jeez, even I would fold if an athlete was in front of me."
Kaci chuckled at her mother's comment, knowing full well that's exactly what situation she was in. Kate made her endlessly nervous in a good way, and she couldn't avoid it. Kate had her feeling all the feels, and she loved it.
However, Kaci still wasn't going to tell her supportive mother about Kate. Just to keep it safe. It guilts her to do so, but Kaci knew it was best and she would come to terms with telling Eve try one herself eventually.
"You're funny, mom," chuckled Kaci. "I'll listen you over Bri any day, then."
Kyra smiled. "Now, are you interested in any of the players anyway?"
Kaci took a deep breath, her mind bouncing between yes and no, even though she decided no a few seconds ago. She bounced between the consequences in her head, but ended up with her original answer.
Kaci simply shook her head as a no, as voicing her answer would make her feel guilty forever. Kyra nodded, but she knew Kaci wasn't being truthful. And that was okay.
• • •
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