Can't Seem To Hide It

Sob Stories

Chapter 53: 

The gentle hum of the Minnesota rain painted a serene backdrop as the Bueckers-Fudd household bustled with warmth and life. Amare and Phoenix, Paige and Azzi's two young boys, chased each other around the living room, their giggles filling the air like music. Paige sat on the couch, her long blonde hair tied back in a messy bun, while Azzi leaned beside her, arms crossed, watching their boys with a mixture of amusement and nostalgia.

At 33 and 32, the pair had built a life full of love, success, and family. Paige, a Dallas Wings legend, and Azzi, who made her mark with the Minnesota Lynx, had grown from childhood teammates to best friends to soulmates. Their framed UConn jerseys hung proudly on the wall, a reminder of the incredible journey they had shared since their AAU days.

"Mommy, how did you and Mama meet?" Amare, their four-year-old, asked as he climbed onto Paige's lap.

Phoenix, just a year younger, followed quickly, plopping himself beside Azzi. "Yeah! Tell us again!"

Paige raised a brow at Azzi. "Again? They ask us this every week."

Azzi smirked. "And every week, they act like it's the first time they're hearing it. They love it."

Paige sighed playfully but couldn't hide her smile. "Alright, little guys. Let me tell you how it all started."

"It all started when your mama and I were just kids playing AAU basketball," Paige began, her voice light with nostalgia. "We were the ultimate dynamic duo—best friends on and off the court."

Azzi nodded, laughing softly. "Paige was this loud, confident ball hog—"

"Excuse me?" Paige interrupted, feigning offense.

Azzi grinned. "Okay, fine. You were 'confident.' But I was the quiet one, just trying to keep up with you."

"But you always did," Paige said with a wink. "We spent so much time together—road trips, tournaments, practices—by the time we got to UConn, it was like we were family."

Phoenix tilted his head. "So, you were best friends for a long time?"

"Yup," Azzi said, pulling him closer. "Best friends for years. When I got to UConn, Paige was already the star. She was always pushing me to be better, even when she was annoying about it."

Paige laughed. "Hey, I was just being supportive. But yeah, we were inseparable. We had this unspoken bond—she always knew what I was thinking on the court, and I always knew what she needed off of it."

"But you weren't in love yet?" Amare asked, his brow furrowed.

Paige paused, her gaze softening. "Well, I was. I think I started falling for Mama in high school, but I never said anything. I didn't want to ruin what we had."

Azzi smiled, her fingers brushing against Paige's. "And I was too focused on basketball to notice. But when I was a redshirt junior and Paige was a redshirt senior, something changed."

Paige continued, her voice quieter now. "We'd been through so much together—injuries, wins, losses. And one day, I realized I couldn't keep pretending I didn't feel more than friendship for her. So, I told her."

Amare's eyes widened. "What did Mama say?"

Azzi chuckled. "I didn't know what to say at first. I mean, this was my best friend, the person I'd leaned on for everything. But then I realized... I felt the same way. I just hadn't let myself see it until then."

Paige smiled. "It wasn't easy, though. We were teammates, and we didn't want to make things weird for the team. But we also knew we couldn't ignore what we felt."

"And so," Paige continued, "we took a chance. We kept things quiet at first, just to see where it would go. But it didn't take long for us to realize we were meant to be together."

Azzi grinned. "And the team figured it out anyway. They were way too nosy to let us keep it a secret for long."

The boys laughed, imagining their moms sneaking around.

"When we graduated and got drafted—me to Dallas and Mama to Minnesota—it was hard being apart," Paige said. "But we made it work. We supported each other through everything—games, injuries, tough seasons. And after a few years, we decided it was time to settle down."

"Is that when we came?" Phoenix asked, his voice full of excitement.

"Yup," Azzi said, ruffling his hair. "First came Amare, and then Phoenix."

Amare puffed out his chest. "I came first because I'm the oldest."

"And I came next because I'm the fastest!" Phoenix added, earning a laugh from his parents.

As the boys cuddled into their laps, Paige and Azzi shared a look filled with love and gratitude.

"You know," Paige said softly, "the best part of this story isn't just about basketball or winning championships. It's about finding someone who's always there for you, no matter what. Your mama was my best friend long before she was anything else, and that's what makes our story so special."

Azzi nodded, her voice steady. "And it's a story we get to share with you. No matter what, you two are the best things we've ever done."

The boys beamed, their little faces lighting up with joy.

"Can we play basketball tomorrow?" Amare asked, already plotting his next move on the court.

"Only if I get to teach you my jumper," Paige teased.

"Your jumper?" Azzi scoffed. "They're learning my three-pointer first."

As their playful banter continued, the boys' laughter echoed through the house, blending with the sound of rain outside—a reminder that love, friendship, and family were at the heart of every great story.

The End.

Zi Talks: I just wanted to say that this the end and I've been working on this book for about 6 months and I'm so happy for all the support and love I've gotten through out those 6 months

This book is ending and I hope you enjoyed I will update my other ones or if you have any ideas I'll try to create them

Goodbye!

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