Breaking Through

seventeen

The locker room was electric with celebration, the air buzzing with excitement and the distinct smell of sweat, victory, and fresh Gatorade. The Fever had just beaten the Phoenix Mercury for the second time this season, and the energy was palpable. Caitlin was leaning against her locker, still catching her breath, as her teammates buzzed around her, their laughter and chatter echoing off the walls.

"Hey, Cait!" Lexie called out, her voice cutting through the noise. "Reality is coming!"

The room erupted in cheers and laughter. It was an inside joke that had quickly become a rallying cry. Diana Taurasi, the legendary player from the Mercury, had once said before the draft that reality would soon hit Caitlin Clark—that she'd find out what it was really like to play with the big dogs in the WNBA. But now, after back-to-back victories over Diana's team, it seemed like Caitlin was more than ready for the challenge.

"Yeah, reality is here!" Nalyssa added with a grin, giving Caitlin a playful shove. "And she's kicking ass."

Caitlin couldn't help but smile, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She didn't have any bad blood with Diana or any of the players on the Mercury, but she had to admit, it felt good to prove the doubters wrong. The media had questioned whether she could transition smoothly from college to the pros, whether she could handle the physicality, the speed, the pressure. But here she was, not just surviving, but thriving.

"Hell yeah, Cait!" Aliyah shouted from across the room. "One more game, and it's a clean sweep!"

"That's the plan," Caitlin replied, her competitive fire burning bright. She wanted that sweep. She wanted to show everyone, especially herself, that she could compete with the best.

As the team continued to celebrate, Lou, raised her voice above the din. "Alright, alright, listen up! Who's down to celebrate this win?"

A chorus of enthusiastic agreements followed, with Caitlin, Aliyah, Lexie, and Kelsey among those who raised their hands.

"Alright, let's meet at my place in an hour!" Lou announced, and the team began to disperse, each player heading off to shower and change before the night out.

Caitlin felt a thrill of anticipation as she headed out to her car. She had grown close to these women in a way she hadn't expected. They weren't just teammates—they were becoming friends, her new support system. It had been a long time, since Iowa, that she felt this happy, this at ease.

An hour later, Caitlin was at Katie Lou's house, surrounded by laughter, music, and the smell of pizza. They had all changed out of their game clothes and into something more comfortable, lounging on the couches and floor with slices of pizza in hand.

They were playing a friendly game of Mario Kart, though some would say between Lexie and Caitlin it was not a very friendly game.

"This is what victory tastes like," Lexie said, taking a huge bite of her slice and grinning at the others as she won first place in the racing tournament.

Caitlin chuckled, feeling a deep sense of contentment wash over her. This was exactly what she needed—a night of relaxation and fun with people who understood what it was like to live and breathe basketball.

Kelsey had to leave early, saying she had an early morning commitment, but the rest of the girls stayed, the night stretching out as they laughed, told stories, and simply enjoyed each other's company. As the night wore on, Caitlin found herself relaxing more and more, letting down walls she hadn't realized she was still holding up.

And then, before she knew it, the words were tumbling out of her mouth.

"I'm gay," she blurted out, her voice cutting through the conversation. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her in surprise. Caitlin's heart raced, a sudden fear gripping her—had she made a mistake?