And I'll call you mine { Paige Bueckers}

Part 10

Paige bueckers

New York City. It's a place I got to know when I was younger. I always imagined I would go there someday. Hoped I could play basketball in all of the amazing areas there. But the first time I ever visited was when I was 16. I surprised Jj for her sweet 16.

New York City was so freeing. A place where I did everything with no regrets. I never have and never will regret the time that we spent there together. For that week that I visited we kissed, cuddled held hands and lots of other things. We were not just best friends we were everything we had ever wanted to be.

We could be us and not have to worry about parents or school or basketball or friends. It was like we skipped ahead. To after graduation after college after we got jobs and we could afford a place in the city. When it was over I got to go back to my normal life. With school and basketball and my friends in Minnesota.

I think she was mad at me. I went to where she was so lonely and gave her a sense of false hope. That maybe New York wasn't so bad. But everything is always worse when you're alone. But I knew that's all I could give her. I couldn't give her a title as something more than my best friend. I couldn't give her all my time. And I couldn't be in New York City all the time.

So when I visited her from there on out I gave her all I could. I would do anything for her to be happy even if it is just for a week. Or a summer. Or maybe longer. I always hoped one day I could give her everything all the time. I thought maybe it would be different when we were in Connecticut together. But in Connecticut there is still basketball and school and lots and lots of camera.

People look up to me. Kids look up to me. "I am the face of college women's basketball." I don't believe it but they all say it. I am not publicly out. Or really privately. I think my parents have an idea but they never ask. Maybe they don't care. Or maybe they just don't want to see the truth. One person can only be so perfect. So I try to be perfect at basketball and good in school and the most disappointing part of me is kept a secret.

Every year I visit my family during the holidays I get a break from basketball and school and I get to spend time with the people I love most. But this year JJ is going to be all alone. Her mom and dad are both off on some tropical vacation with their new young partners. And ever since her grandparents passed she hasn't been back to Minnesota or their house. Even though it's hers now.

So this year she decided she wanted to invite my family to stay in New York. My dad, step mom and little brother immediately agreed and my mom was a little hesitant but agreed eventually. Her parents own multiple apartments in one building so each family will have their own and I'll probably just stay with Jj in the penthouse.

You know how I told you she hates New York by herself but loves taking other people there. This is what I mean she never goes back all year round even though it's only two hours away. But as soon as she knows she has people. People to talk to, bake for, host. She is glad to go back and even excited.

"Ok so I think we should have a Christmas tree in each apartment. And obviously the big one in the penthouse. And I'll have to make all the different types of cookies. Because you know Drew's favorite is sugar but Lauren likes chocolate chip and-." I had to stop her before she turned blue from not breathing. "I'm sure everything will be fine. We'll go to the grocery store tomorrow then bake all day Saturday." I said grabbing hold of her hands as she was waving them around while she was talking.

She lets out a deep breath. She flops down on the bed next to me and I wrap my arm around her pulling her closer to me. We drive to New York tomorrow and she's been so anxious but more excited trying to plan out every little detail. So I can definitely tell she relaxes a bit as she cuddles up next to me. "You're all packed and we can't do anything else till the morning so let's get some rest ok." I said feeling as she began to twirl a strand of my hair with her fingers.

She never plays with her own hair but always mine. "Yea ok." She whispers sleep obvious in her voice. She nuzzles her face into my neck and I pull the blanket up over us and in no time I can hear her breathing slow and her soft snoring.

.........

"Paige stop!" She said as the flour I had tossed covered her face. I gasped realizing I might have accidentally grabbed too much. She gasps pushing her eyes open. And giggling. "I'm gonna kill you." She said before she came charging after me. Instead of running I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder. I feel her moving around before she aggressively smacks my ass. "Ow god damn." I say as I place her down on the counter.

After I set her down I see her giggling and immediately turn my head to look at the back of my black sweats. I see two flour handprints on my pants and gasp and bust out laughing. She lays back on the counter gasping for air as she's laughing so hard. I lean over her and hold onto her hips to be sure she dosent laugh herself off the counter.

Once our laughter begins to calm down I take my hand a gently wipe some of the flour off of her face. She watches my face intently as I watch hers but not looking into her eyes. When I finally do. I see her eyelashes covered in flour and her green eyes glowing with something. An emotion I can't quite place. I start to lean into her. She follows suit and I keep hold of her jaw as we get closer and closer.

"WERE HERE!" We quickly back away from each other and turn to the door. We see my mom stepdad sister and brother standing in the entry way with all their suitcases. I move away from her and over to my mom. As I'm walking to them JJ quickly comes up behind me and dusts the flower off my pants.

"Hey mom you guys got here early." I said going into hug her. She embraced me as she spoke. "Our flight got moved up so here we are." When I pulled away she looked to JJ. "You're a mess." She said her tone short. She's never really been a huge fan of her. Jj quickly began to dust the rest of the flour off of her face.

"Jj I missed you so much." Lauren moved forward and hugged her tightly. She's always said Jj is like her second sister and Jj has always said Lauren Is like the little sister she never had. They hug and walk off the kitchen to look at the cookies.

"Jj I'm gonna take them to the apartment." I say before me my mom and stepdad begin to walk down the hall to where they will be staying. Once we're inside I help them with the bags. "I see you two are still getting into trouble together." My mom says her tone slightly disappointed.

"Yup that's just us mom." I said keeping my answer short. I shouldn't have to explain myself to her.