𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝.

𝟐𝟐.

paige's pov.

it's been a full week since the cookout incident. practices have been grueling, coach barely speaks to me other than to discuss plays. y/n hasn't called or texted but in all fairness, neither had i. i had never been more torn in my life. on one end this was my entire life and future, resided on geno being on my good side. i love basketball, and UConn, but that could all go away if i continue with y/n. on the other end, this girl was the only person i had ever been serious with. the only girl who makes me want to feel. where do you even go from there?

i was sitting in my bed, staring at the ceiling. should i call? should i text? it was all so simple before, but now i'm so lost. "are you gonna sulk all day, or figure your shit out?" i hear azzi say from our door. "depends, how bad is my shit?" i groan, rolling into my pillow. i feel azzi come sit at the edge of my bed, rubbing my back. "listen P, i think you can figure this whole thing out."

i groan again, rolling over and swatting her hand away. "i've been trying! it's so complicated." i say, holding my head in my hands. everything feels like this back and forth game. i hated sharing, and the fact caitlin clark would be showing her face in storrs in less than a week didn't help.

 "from what i know, you two really like eachother. you clicked instantly. i think geno knew it was coming, and the fact you two were together hasn't affected your position on the team. i've known you a long ass time, P. i've never seen you like this over a girl. you better fix it before a certain someone swoops in and ruins it." azzi smirks, knowing she's right.

"i hate when you're right." i groan, grabbing my things knowing exactly where i was heading. 

caitlin's pov.

i breathe heavily, as i listen to the swish of the basket after another three. the team just finished their final practice before our game with UConn. i was dreading going to storrs. "great practice, cait!" i feel kate pat my back, even though i know i played like shit. "don't lie, kate" i huff, dribbling and swishing another three. "you need to be easier on yourself." she sighs, shaking her head. she might be right, but i cannot lose another thing to bueckers this week. 

"have you talked to her?" she whispers, looking down at her shoes. i stop in my tracks, spinning on my heels to face her. "no, she blocked me." i sigh, my eyes welling with tears. the night where alyssa kissed me replays in my head. 

"cheers to another great season!" alyssa slurs out, proposing a toast to the team. alyssa was our media girl, she was always around and we were all quite close with her. i smile, wrapping my arm around kate and drinking my water. i decided to DD tonight so the rest of the team could have a good time. "cheers!" we yell back, toasting and drinks sloshing. the music was so loud in the club, it was tradition the entire team came to this club before preseason. 

"we should totally play a game!" kylie yells, obviously wasted. everyone agrees, and i start to back out before being grabbed by a drunk kate. "please caity cat!" she smiles, i roll my eyes before sitting next to her in the circular booth. kylie places an empty bottle in the center of the table, "spin the bottle!" she smiles eagerly. "are we in high school?" i groan, rolling my eyes again at the childish game. alyssa stands to spin the bottle, and just as the bottle stops, i meet her eyes. "fuck." i whisper, before feeling her lips on mine. all i could taste was alcohol. before i could push her back, i feel flashes of people's phone on us. "what the fuck?" i turn to gabbie, who was giggling before posting the photo. "it was just funny!" she whines. 

i couldn't even be mad at anyone, it was a game and everyone was intoxicated. before i can even think to tell gabbie to delete, my phone blows up. texts from UConn cheerleaders, reaming my ass. fuck. 

kate and emma try to text y/n, and so do i. i'm blocked before i even get the chance to explain, and so are they. i've never been more screwed in my life.

"are you gonna try to see her? we fly out tonight." kate softens, knowing how hard the situations been on me. "i know, i just don't think i'll see her until the game. i might stop by her dorm to explain." i sigh, walking towards the locker room. i know the second i can get her alone, and explain, it will all work out, right?