BETWEEN OUR LIPS. paige bueckers

thirty three

The small kitchenette in the gym is alive with the sound of sizzling chicken and bubbling pasta, and Kai is in her zone. She moves between the stove and counter like a pro, flipping chicken breasts on the griddle while tossing roasted vegetables with olive oil in a large tray. The aroma fills the gym, slowly drawing the team members in. It's not the first time Kai has done this—whenever a game or practice runs long, she makes sure the team doesn't leave starving.

Paige is the first to wander over, her bag still slung over one shoulder. She leans against the counter, watching Kai as she tosses a skillet of veggies over the flame. "So," Paige says, her voice casual, "what's tonight's special, Chef?"

Kai doesn't even look up, focused on not spilling the veggies. "The same thing I always make when you're all too tired to cook—grilled chicken, pasta, and veggies. You know, real food. Not whatever greasy takeout you'd normally inhale."

Paige smirks, picking up a stray piece of sweet potato from the tray on the counter. "I don't inhale takeout. I savor it."

Kai turns her head just enough to arch an eyebrow at her. "That better not be the only thing you're eating tonight."

"I don't know," Paige says, tossing the sweet potato into her mouth. "This might be enough."

"Keep stealing food, and you're on dish duty," Kai warns, but her tone is more playful than serious.

Before Paige can respond, KK strolls in, her hands tucked into her hoodie pockets. She pauses in the doorway, sniffing the air. "Alright, what's Kai cooking this time?"

"Nothing for you if you keep standing there," Kai says, her focus now shifting to draining the pasta. "Grab some cups and fill them. You're on drink duty."

"Why do I always get drink duty?" KK complains, though she's already moving toward the cooler.

"Because I trust you not to ruin water," Kai quips, earning a laugh from Paige.

Ashlynn bounds into the kitchenette next, her energy still at full speed despite practice. "Oh my God, Kai, you're feeding us again? You're like, our personal chef or something."

Kai sighs, setting the pot of pasta down on the counter. "Personal chefs get paid. I just don't want you all collapsing from malnutrition."

"Well, we appreciate it," Ashlynn says brightly, grabbing a handful of forks and knives.

"No, you don't," Kai retorts, though there's a faint smile tugging at her lips. "If you appreciated it, you'd stop eating straight out of the pans."

"I don't do that—" Ashlynn starts, but Paige interrupts with a smirk.

"She totally does," Paige says, reaching for another piece of sweet potato.

"You're not one to talk," Kai mutters, swatting Paige's hand away. "Your plate isn't even made yet, and you're already stealing."

"Because your food's better right out of the pan," Paige says, giving her a cheeky grin.

Amari and Inês appear next, both peeking over the counter to get a better look at the spread. "You didn't make enough for everyone, did you?" Amari teases, stealing a glance at the grilled chicken.

Kai rolls her eyes. "Do you really think I'd let you starve? There's plenty. Just don't fight over who gets the biggest piece."

"I'm claiming the biggest piece now," Inês says, grabbing a fork.

"No, you're not," Kai says, pointing the spatula at her. "Step away before I make you eat last."

Caroline walks in next, phone in hand as she snaps pictures. "This is so going on the team's story," she says, angling her phone to get a close-up of Kai flipping chicken.