𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝.

𝟐𝟏.

y/n's pov.

i had spent the entire weekend with paige, and honestly it was so easy. everything with her was so comfortable. we had gone to the mall, and had not left each other's side. it was my own personal honeymoon. i just finished my monday practice, gearing up for this stupid cookout at my house. dad was beyond excited, and so was kathy because of course she loves hosting a team of hungry college athletes. 

i agreed to come a little early to set everything up with my parents. i needed to be ready by 4:30, so i threw some light makeup on, with a skirt and a nice top. i was sure this would be an event where pictures would be taken, so might as well look nice. i knew the girls where supposed to be there around, and honestly i was terrified. paige had been to my house plenty, but not while we were..well whatever we are.

i finally get in my car, and start driving to my childhood home. it was so familiar, the roads of the outskirts of storrs. my house was only 30 minutes from UConn, but it felt like a world's away. i knew the route from UConn to home since i was 7, as much of my childhood was spent in the walls of that gym. i probably knew the campus better than any staff member. 

i pull into my driveway, taking in the familiar windows and doors. it even smells like home. i grab the extra cookies and plates i promised my mom i'd bring, when i feel a familiar figure kiss my neck. "hi baby." paige whispers, turning me around. i feel my mouth fall agape. what was she doing here so early? "what are you doing here?" i giggle, pushing her off me. no way in hell i'd let my dad see us like this. "i offered to come help early, so i'd get to spend time with this pretty girl i know, you would like her!" she winks taking the plates from my hands, and walking through the back gate. 

this is gonna be one hell of a night.

paige's pov.

i find myself in a conversation with y/n's mom, who i've always loved. "oh trust me! i always told geno you'd be great, even before hopkins!" she smiles, before returning to the kitchen inside. "don't let your head get too big, bueckers." his voice booms from behind me. i hear y/n and him laugh, and honestly it felt like i was in a dream. me being around them not as a basketball player felt so normal. i could find myself being apart of their family, y/n's family. "why don't you girls set the table before the rest of the team arrives?" geno asks, as he kisses y/n on the forehead. i stare at the picture, almost giddy. it was so sweet to be here. y/n catches me staring, and winks. i knew this would be quite an evening.

we start setting the table, y/n laying out silverware and i lay out the name tags. i purposefully put ours next together, earning an eye roll from her. "you look stunning, baby." i whisper, as i leave a small kiss on her shoulder. "paige." she groans, pushing me away from her. i feel like a puppy dog each time i'm around her, just wanting her attention, to be near her each second. 

"look at this! we make quite a team!" she exclaims, setting a flower centerpiece in the middle. "i think so." i smile, putting my arm over her shoulder. we walk towards the house and it feels so simple. 

"who's ready to party!" kk yells, bursting through the back gate. she's followed by the rest of the team, what a riot. "hey you two!" nika comes up to us, raising a brow. i completely forgot how i was holding her, dropping my arm immediately. fuck. y/n smiles, greeting all the team. i forget how well she knows everyone else. kathy and geno come outside and continue to greet everyone along side y/n, and then we all sit at the dining table.

"thank you all so much for coming, it's a pleasure to have you here!" kathy exclaims, setting down the mashed potatoes and steak. "now please, be respectful to my wife and daughter, or we are running suicides tomorrow!" geno laughs, elbowing y/n. i naturally put my leg on her thigh, causing her to whip her head towards me. "bueckers.." she mumbles, before swatting it away. it was honestly hilarious watching her so tense.

y/n's pov.

as everyone finished dinner, and slowly trickled out of the house, i stayed behind to clean up, and of course, paige did too. i was knee deep in dishes, as she brings me more. "i think i'm signing off dish duty forever after this." i whine, loading more into the dishwasher. paige comes up beside me, leaning down to whisper in my ear, which causes my heart to beat even faster. "when we live together, i'll never make you do dishes baby." she smiles, pecking my lips. i giggle splashing the water at her, it almost felt like a dream.

"what the fuck."

i hear my father say from behind us. oh shit. "what is going on here?" he yells, pointing at paige and i. i see paige open her mouth to explain but i chime in. "dad, stop." i cry out, as he holds his head in his hands. "i knew this was going to happen, bueckers. i knew you would take advantage of her!" he cries out, leaving me in shock. i look to paige, who is in tears. "she's my only daughter, and of course you treat her like how you treat the rest of your girls! your gonna leave her heartbroken, and washed up! just like the rest of them." i find myself in tears too, wishing he would just stop. 

"coach, please." she whispers, wiping her own tears. "it isn't like that, coach.." i see her try to find her words, my heartbreaking for her. "coach, i love your daughter." she finally mutters out, but sternly. she meant it. my heart flutters despite the situation. she loves me? i turn to my dad, who's gaze softens. 

"go. this didn't happen." he whispers, pointing to the door. we both gather our things quickly and walk out to our cars. i feel myself crying still, wishing this hadn't happened the way it had. "come here." i pull paige into a hug, as she got the worse end of the yelling. "i'm so sorry." i whisper into her, kissing her temple. "it's true." she pulls away from the hug, meeting my eyes. "i do love you, y/n." i gasp at the sentence, tears welling in my eyes. "i love you too, paige. we'll figure it out." i smile, before she pulls me into a kiss. 

with paige, it was funny. no matter how bad or how awful life felt, she made it so much easier.