offsides | c. clark

sixteen.

2021
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

"It's just the Big Ten," Alex says softly as she strokes Caitlin's back. They were lying comfortably on Alex's bed after returning from the Big Ten Tournament, where Iowa had lost to Maryland in the championship, 104 to 84. "And besides, you guys made it to the tournament. That's what really matters."

"Yeah, but I should've played better. I had six turnovers—" Caitlin begins, frustration still evident in her voice.

"Love," Alex interrupts gently, a soft smile on her lips, "your six turnovers weren't going to change the outcome. You guys lost by 20 points. Even if we do the math and assume Maryland made a three off each of your turnovers, that's only 18 points. Technically, you'd still lose," she says playfully, trying to lighten Caitlin's mood.

Caitlin groans dramatically and buries her face deeper into Alex's chest. "That doesn't make me feel better," she mutters, her voice muffled against Alex's shirt.

"It should!" Alex chuckles softly, brushing her fingers through Caitlin's hair. "It proves it wasn't your fault. You had 21 points, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds. That's nearly a triple-double. Sometimes, you give everything, and it's still not enough. That's just sports."

"I hate losing," Caitlin grumbles, her voice a mixture of frustration and exhaustion.

"I know," Alex whispers as she leans down and presses a soft kiss to Caitlin's forehead, her lips lingering for a moment.

Caitlin shifts slightly, tilting her head up to meet Alex's eyes. "I just wanna keep up with you," she says quietly, her voice suddenly soft, filled with affection.

Alex lets out a small laugh and shakes her head. "Me? No, I'm not the standard. I'm just—lucky."

Caitlin sits up quickly and gives Alex a playful, frustrated look. "You really piss me off, you know that?"

Alex's brows furrow in confusion. "Wait, what? Why?"

"Because you don't know how amazing you are," Caitlin says, her tone softening as she reaches out to play with Alex's necklace, her fingers tracing the small "A" and "22" charms. "You have no idea how in awe I am of you."

Alex blushes, clearly flustered. "Stop it," she says shyly, trying to hide her face. "I'm like...so normal."

Caitlin shakes her head with a smile and meets Alex's gaze, her voice firm. "There's nothing normal about you."

"Ugh, Caitlin," Alex groans playfully, grabbing Caitlin's hands and bringing them to her lips, kissing her knuckles softly. "You're going to make me blush even more."

"I'm going to keep telling you until you finally believe it," Caitlin insists, her voice unwavering. "You're the hottest, sexiest, most talented woman on this planet, and you need to start acting like it."

Alex's face turns an even deeper shade of red as she opens her mouth to protest, but Caitlin cuts her off quickly. "You are," she repeats, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Alex's gaze softens as she looks at Caitlin, her heart full. "Okay," she says with a small smile. "Let's make a deal."

"Deal," Caitlin says instantly, making Alex laugh.

"You don't even know what the deal is!" Alex says, amused.

"Doesn't matter, I'm in," Caitlin grins.

Alex shakes her head, still laughing. "Alright. I'll start giving myself a little more credit if you promise to stop being so hard on yourself."