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plot: reader is a rookie for aces in 2022

trope: rookie x vet yk how i do 🫦

pairings: wbb black! reader x aces! kelsey plum

warnings: cheating, domestic violence? and yeah I think that's it

a/n: still in mourning of aces kp if u couldn't tell 😔💔 this was sittin' in my drafts for a minute 😭😭 felt post worthy

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"Pick me up at 5:30. Don't forget." She spoke, leaning over to press a kiss to her girlfriend's cheek. "A'ight. Have a good day, baby." She smiled, climbing out and grabbing her bag to pull over her shoulder. "Love you."

She pulled out her key card and walked to the front door. She swiped the card and tried the door but it didn't open. She chuckled awkwardly, trying it again and opened the door successfully. Sighing in relief, she entered the building. It took her a minute to actually find her way around. They were doing shoots today, so she had to get her makeup and hair done for her pictures.

"You look lost." She knew that voice. It was Kelsey Plum. She glanced over her shoulder, the Aces guard looking her over in amusement. "Unfortunately I am. Uh, my agent said I'm supposed to go to the makeup room..something like that? I don't really remember-"

"I know what you're talkin' about, I'm goin' there myself. Don't worry, everyone gets lost the first time." Kelsey reassured, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"'Preciate it," y/n replied, waiting for her to catch up so she could follow her.

The first day with the Aces was actually really nice. She got to bond with them for a couple hours and so far she hoped this meant her rookie year was off to a good start. The first practice with the Aces should have been something to look forward to. However, she wasn't in the best of moods since finding out her girlfriend had been cheating on her. She had yet to confront her about it either.

"Pick you up at 5, baby."

"Don't be late." She mumbled, pressing a peck to her cheek and getting out.

She entered the facility, her bag over her shoulder again. It took her a minute to locate the locker room, and when she did, it was empty. She could tell by the slight mess in there that she was late. "Fuck." She rushed to get changed and ran to the court as fast as possible. When she jogged through the doors, everyone paused what they were doing to look at her. Awkward.

"You're late," Becky stated, a blank expression on her face. She wasn't pleased.

"I'm sorry- I got lost," she explained weakly.

Next thing she knew, everyone was running suicides thanks to her tardiness. She practically got drilled through the entire practice because of it. Safe to say, she was never going to be late again. In the locker room, as they were all talking, she was silent in her corner, her mind on something else..like how to confront her cheating girlfriend...or get revenge on her cheating girlfriend. They both sounded a little delightful.

She hadn't noticed a lot of the women were gone until Kelsey and Dearica were sitting down beside her. They didn't even speak, just sitting there in silence until she was ready to talk. After a minute or two, she finally did. "My girlfriend cheated on me."

"You confront her yet?" Dearica asked.

"No. I don't know how. I'm sad about it...but there's the other part of me that wants to get back at her," she confessed, not really ashamed about revenge, more the fact that she let herself get played like that.

"Cheat back," Kelsey stated casually.

"I would usually disagree...but you don't seem like the type to let stuff go, so I'm with KP. Go for it. But, I doubt it's gonna make you feel better." Dearica added, and Kelsey couldn't help but disagree with the last part. Revenge always felt good. At least it did for her. It was probably different for others.

"Yeah, I guess that's more sane than what I was thinking," y/n mumbled, and the two shared a look, silently wondering if their rookie was crazy. But, it made sense. She was a bit of a crash out in her college career. "I'm scared to ask, but what exactly was your first plan?" Kelsey questioned.

"Scratch up her car...or just set it on fire," she shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yeah, don't do either of those," Dearica said, feigning genuine concern.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out, seeing a text from her girlfriend. "Great. Now she can't pick me up." She scoffed, turning her phone back off, trying to keep herself calm through all the frustration. "Come on. Get your stuff. I'll take you home." Kelsey said, her tone not leaving any room for argument.

"I'll see y'all tomorrow," Dearica smiled, hugging her rookie first, "don't set any cars on fire, rook." She got up and hugged KP next before picking up her things and leaving.

She put on her shoes and grabbed her stuff before following Kelsey out. She gave her a little guide around the facility as well just so she wasn't late next time. "You know any lesbian bars here by any chance?" Y/n asked on their way to the car.

"Uh, I don't, but Syd probably knows a couple so you should ask her," Kelsey replied, the question caught her off guard a little bit but she figured she was only asking so she could meet someone to cheat back with like she planned.

It got quiet really fast when they got into the car. Y/n figured that was her fault for asking a straight woman about gay bars. "Right. Sorry- that was a weird question to ask. You're clearly not gay-"

Kelsey smirked before cutting her off, "that's bold of you to assume."

Y/n raised a brow, "so, you tellin' me, you like girls?"

"I like women, yeah." Kelsey chuckled softly, starting the car and putting it in drive.

"Guess I learn somethin' new every day," she mumbled to herself.

They got to her apartment which had only been about 15 minutes away, and y/n immediately noticed her girlfriend's car parked in her spot. "Huh? Could've sworn this bitch told me she couldn't pick me up." Y/n hummed, getting out and mumbling an incoherent thank you. Kelsey quickly got out, "okay, I'm getting the feeling you're upset- and you don't have the best track history after that."

"You sound like my mother," y/n retorts, walking to the building and Kelsey locked her car to follow after her. "Maybe you're mom was onto somethin'."

They both stepped in the elevator and she hit the button to her floor, tapping her foot anxiously. "I knew I should've just dumped her ass the first time," she mumbled. Kelsey raised a brow, "you let a first time happen?"

"Don't judge me. I was lonely," y/n remarked, very ashamed of that time.

It got to her floor and the second the elevator opened, she was faced with her girlfriend and another girl in a skimpy dress with smudged makeup. Y/n hummed again, a smile finding her lips and her girlfriend let out a shaky breath. "Baby- this is not what you think. She's just a friend."

"Mhm. I'm sure she is. Have a good day, friend." Y/n took Kelsey's hand to lead her out, and the 'friend' stepped inside the elevator, quick to get the fuck out of this situation. "You supposed to take me home," she said towards y/n's girlfriend, Dani. She sighed, "just wait by my car, I need to calm her down real quick."

"Baby- you ain't even gon' hear me out?" Y/n pushed open her unlocked door and stepped inside. Kelsey would've complimented the apartment set up, but now was definitely not the time. She turned around, hearing Dani step inside, "so? How you gon' calm me down? I'm really curious."

"Can we not do this right now? You got your teammate here," she replied, gesturing to Kelsey.

"Mhm. Okay." She nods, walking to the bedroom. Dani followed after her, watching her grab her suitcases from the closet and throw them onto the bed. "What are you doin'?" Y/n grabbed her things off the hangers, thankful that most of her stuff was back at home in California with her mom. "I'm packin' up my shit and leavin'. Kelsey, could you grab my shoes?"

Kelsey nodded, glad that she was doing this instead of fighting with her girlfriend. "Are you serious? This is ridiculous," Dani scoffed, grabbing y/n's shoulders and pushing her against the closet wall. "You gon' calm the hell down so we can talk about this." Y/n winced, feeling the grip on her shoulders tighten, "get you hands off of me, Daniella."

"You gon' calm down?"

"Get your fuckin' hands off her." Kelsey stepped into the closet with a pissed off expression, she pushed Dani off of her immediately. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" She shoved her into the wall as y/n gathered her stuff off the floor. "Come on, Kelsey." She grabbed her hand to pull her out.

"Are you okay?" Kels asked, watching her throw her stuff into the suitcases and zip them up.

"I'm fine. Can you give me a ride to a hotel?" She asked, picking up her things and Kels quickly grabbed the heavy luggage from her. "No, but I can give you a ride to my place 'cause that's where you're gonna stay now." Y/n was not about to get into an argument with the older woman, so she just accepted it. "Fine. Let's just get out of here before I start breaking shit."

"Good luck payin' off that car without my income babygirl," y/n shouted out before Kelsey ushered her out.

"I can't believe she put her hands on me- like, I think I really went into shock 'cause I swear if you hadn't pushed her off I would've knocked her out." Y/n rambled, stepping into the elevator and pressing the button to the first floor. "Good thing I did 'cause the last thing you need is an assault charge," Kelsey retorts.

"Thanks for that, by the way. Sorry I put you in that situation- I didn't think that through at all." She mumbled apologetically.

"It's fine. It would've been much worse if I wasn't there," Kelsey reassured.

She sighed deeply, her head falling in regret, "I really should've put the apartment in my name. I don't know why I let her convince me otherwise." Kelsey glanced her way, trying to be positive for her, "look at it this way. She's gonna struggle to pay that rent without you so...you already won."

"You right about that. I was supposed to help her get a job here. Bitch is unemployed without me." Y/n smirked, picking up her bag as the elevator came to a stop. "Just keeps gettin' worse for her," Kelsey added. They chuckled together as they walked out. Y/n glanced at the girl waiting by her ex girlfriend's car, "good luck. She's broke now."

They got to Kelsey's car and packed her stuff into the back before getting in and driving off. "I know a good realtor here that could help you find an apartment way better than that last one if you're interested," Kelsey suggested, stopping at a red light as y/n was searching her purse for something.

"Oh yeah, definitely, I'd appreciate that." She mumbled, digging her hand in her purse to search for her chapstick that just seemed to dissappear. It really was not her day.

Kelsey parked in front of her house and they both got out. "I don't think I'll get used to rich people neighborhoods," y/n comments, pulling her stuff out of the trunk. Kelsey chuckled in amusement, loving how blunt she could be. "Where'd you grow up?"

"Slauson. You heard of it?" She wasn't really expecting her to know it, given Kelsey always gave rich kid. "I'm from Cali, too. I know where Slauson is." Kelsey replied, unlocking her front door and pushing it open. Y/n pursed her lips, a little amused, "so where you from? Don't be offended- I've never Googled you before."

"None taken. I'm from Poway. You heard of it?" She returned the questioned, receiving a playful smile back. "Yes, I've heard of it. 'Lil city in San Diego, 'bout 2 hours away from Slauson. So basically, you from the suburbs." Kelsey didn't argue that, shrugging a shoulder, "you could say that."

Kelsey turned to look at her, raising a brow, "so, if you're from LA, why am I hearing a slight southern accent?"

Y/n smiled, loving how she caught onto it, nobody ever caught it. "My dad is from Louisiana. Him and my mom divorced, so every summer I would go to stay with him." Kelsey hummed at the new information, "good to know. The accent was throwin' me off all day. A'ja and Syd suspected Texas."

Her eyes scanned the place, it looked really nice inside- definitely had an interior designer. "Nice place you got here. Where am I sleepin'? I'm not opposed to the couch- it looks comfy." Kelsey chuckled, gesturing her to follow and she did, not before kicking off her shoes and picking them up. She opened the door to a guest bedroom and set her stuff inside. "This is the guest room. You can stay in here. Although- if you wanna sleep on the couch, I'm cool with that."

"This is really nice of you. Thank you. I really appreciate it. 'Ion know how I'm gon' pay you back for this..." she trailed off, running her hand over the soft throw blanket on the bed.

"You don't have to. The only thing I'll ask is that you don't come late to practice again. I'm tore up from those suicides." Kelsey expressed in all seriousness, still feeling the after effects. She pursed her lips awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck, "given I don't have a car...could you drive me to practice?"

Kelsey chuckled softly, nodding her head, "sure."

"'Preciate it," she sighed in relief.

She smiled, backing up to the door, "alright, I'ma let you freshen up. You cool with pizza tonight? I'm ordering in."

"Yeah, I'm cool with whatever. Thanks, again."

"Don't mention it, rook." Kelsey waved it off nonchalantly, shutting the door for her and leaving.

»»

"Okay, I want you to be honest with me. Were you disappointed about being drafted to the Aces?" Kelsey asked, pausing the movie to ask this question. She was really curious. Everyone had seen y/n's face when her name was drafted and it definitely looked as though she was disappointed.

Y/n set down her slice of pizza and sighed, "I knew one of you were gon' ask me that. And, I'll be real wit' you, I was kind of disappointed. Only 'cause we were hopin' the Sparks would draft me so I could stay in LA near my mom. That's the only reason- it had nothing to do with y'all as a team. I got lots of respect for everyone. I just wanted to be near my momma, that's all."

"I understand how you feel completely. All my family is in Cali, so I really miss them- I be feelin' alone here sometimes." She responded with genuine understanding and it made y/n feel much better to know she wasn't alone in that feeling. "Maybe, in the future, after we win a couple championships here, we'll go back to LA."

"You wanna make that a promise?" Kelsey suggested, holding her hand out.

"A'ight. Let's do it. A couple championships and we go home together," she spoke, putting her hand into Kelsey's.

Kelsey still held onto her hand, her tone growing more serious. "We're goin' for that championship this year with Becky as our coach now, and she doesn't see you as a starter so we need to change that before the season starts. You prepared to train your ass off with me, rook?"

Y/n grinned in a cocky manner, "I'm always ready."

Kelsey chuckled, letting go of her hand to grab another slice of pizza. She forced herself to look away 'cause she was beginning to think y/n was quite hot with that cocky grin. Even though the age gap wasn't that big, it still felt wrong to look at the rookie like that. "You always this cocky?"

"I'd argue it's confidence...but yeah, I guess it am. Comes naturally when you look like me." Y/n shrugged, a smug smirk gracing her lips, she was enjoying this.

Kelsey hummed, nodding slightly, though deep down, she knew y/n was all talk. "I'm sure it does."

"You don't sound very convinced." She squints, leaning forward, getting very close as she tilted her head slightly with a flirty tone, "should I be convincin' you?" 

Kelsey leaned forward to return the energy, "I don't know how you did stuff in your college days but flirting won't work on me. You wanna convince me you're good enough, you do it on the court." Y/n pursed her lips, a little impressed with her attitude. "A'ight. Playin' hard to get. That's okay. I'm a patient woman."

"I like your persistence, rook. How 'bout you focus on channeling that on the court and less on the thought of us in the bedroom, 'kay?" She winked playfully, turning her attention back to the tv as she resumed the movie. Y/n had never been left speechless...or turned on like that. It just made her want Kelsey more.

Yeah, this was about to be insufferable.

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Becky still didn't see y/n as a starter, even after two practices, she didn't, and y/n was rightfully growing frustrated. So, she stayed late for practice again and this time A'ja joined her. Even A'ja didn't understand why she hadn't made the starting five yet. She was good, almost too good, so something clearly wasn't clicking with Becky.

"If everyone on the team thinks I should be on the starting five, clearly I should. The problem is Becky. She's clearly got something against me." Y/n rambled, shooting another three like it was nothing. A'ja passed her the ball again. "You're frustrated, rightfully so, but placing blame won't get you anywhere. Maybe you just gotta sit down and demand that you deserve to be in our starting five."

"Demand? I shouldn't have to demand anything though. I'm one of the best players on this team. I should be on the starting five. I understand that I'm a rookie- but being new to the league shouldn't automatically take away my rightfully earned spot on this team." A'ja grinned at her bold statement, she caught the ball as it fell through the hoop. "Everything you just said to me. Say it to her."

"You think that'll actually work?"

"That don't matter. What matters is that you receive the respect that you deserve. If she respects you, she respects your game and she'll take you seriously. You gettin' it now?" A'ja explained, throwing the ball back to her and she shot another three. Y/n's nods sharply, "yeah, I gotchu."

A'ja grabbed the ball and smiled, walking over to her as y/n picked up her bottle to drink some water. "So...what's goin' on between you and KP? She don't just let anybody in her house- and spend her time teachin' them how to make the startin' five."

"We just friends. Ain't nothin' goin' on. Trust me- if there was, I would've told you." Y/n shrugged, squashing the rest of the water.

A'ja smirked, "but you want somethin' to go on?"

"I'd be lyin' if I said no," y/n smiled, walking over to the chairs to grab another water she set in her bag. "But, I ain't tryna ruin the friendship we got goin' on, and I'm still apartment searchin' so I ain't 'bout to mess that up and be left to live in my car." As proud as she was that her car had finally got to Vegas, she had no plans to live in it.

"Well, in case you ain't figure it out yet, literally everybody on the team knows y'all like each other. You make it so incredibly obvious." A'ja stated almost in exasperation, and you couldn't blame her either, she was tired of seeing them constantly flirt with each other and still act like they just friends.

"Oh, yeah, I figured that."

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The next day, after practice where y/n made sure to show out, they were all gathered in the meeting room where everyone was allowed to speak their opinions. Kelsey took a seat in the front next to y/n who was beside Syd. Becky was discussing the starting five plan for the preseason and y/n raised her hand as soon as she finished speaking. Becky raised a brow, "yes, y/n?"

"With all due respect, coach, I strongly disagree with the starting five decision." The room grew tense, her teammates nervous for her but hoping she'd stand on business at least. Kelsey set a hand on her thigh for support, and that gave her the rush of confidence that she needed. "I'm one of the best players on this team. No disrespect to Dearica- but I should be on the starting five. I understand that I'm a rookie- but being new to the league shouldn't automatically take away my rightfully earned spot on this team."

Becky clasped her hands together, sharing a quick look with Natalie and Tyler. "Okay. Y/n, you're on the starting five. Anything else?"

Her shocked face went away quickly, shrugging nonchalant, "no ma'am- I mean, coach. Thank you."

The second the meeting was over and the coaches stepped out, all her teammates cheered for her excitedly. Y/n nodded in a cocky manner as if she wasn't shaking in her boots confronting Becky. "That's right. I stand on business. Take notes."

"We goin' out to celebrate, put somethin' nice on- I'm lookin' at you Syd," A'ja said, shooting a pointed look at her.

"Proud of you, rook." Kelsey whispered in her ear, squeezing her hand and pressing a kiss to her cheek before getting up to leave.

"I know y'all seen that." Dearica remarked, and Chels nodded, surprised y/n wasn't chasing after her.

A'ja groaned in annoyance, landing a smack on her shoulder, "when you gon' make a move? I'm gettin' impatient."

"Relax. I'm tryna be slow and steady. Have patience." Y/n reassured, getting up from the chair and throwing an arm over Syd's shoulder as she walked out. Syd glanced over her shoulder to stare at the rookie. "Let me guess. You ran out of lotion."

"So close! I need deodorant."

"You lucky I keep extra in my locker."

"I'm extremely blessed."

"Don't be sarcastic. That's my thing."

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It was June 10th, they were thirteen games into the season, 11-2 . Y/n was already targeting rookie of the year, not even on purpose either, she was just genuinely that good. Her chemistry with the whole team was incredible to see and even Becky was convinced she'd take rookie of the year.

But, her teammates did notice how detached she seemed recently, especially Kelsey. She knew it had a lot to do with y/n being away from her family for so long. She desperately missed her mom and brother. That's why she was so excited about their game against the Sparks, because it was an away game and she'd finally have a chance to see her family.

The flight wasn't very long, so she planned to rent a car and drive to go see her family- hopefully getting there in time for lunch. She also planned to stay the night at her mom's instead of the hotel.

Y/n grabbed her suitcase and bag and was ready to split from the group to get a rental, but Kelsey gently reached for her wrist to stop her. "Hey, do you mind if I come with you? If not- that's totally okay, I don't wanna impose." Y/n bit back a smile and nodded, "yeah, that's okay with me. Momma wants to meet you anyways."

"Cool." Kelsey smiled, picking up her stuff and sharing a goodbye with a smirking Dearica before joining y/n. She rented a car and they even stopped at a store to pickup some snacks and flowers for her mom.

She parked in the front of her mom's house and they got out. She grabbed the duffle bag that had a couple gifts for her family as Kelsey held the bouquet of flowers. She walked over to the gate and lifted the latch before pushing it open and letting Kelsey step into the front yard first before she did, closing the gate after her.

She opened the screen door first and knocked on the next one 'cause their doorbell hadn't worked in years. It took a minute, but her mom pulled open the door and jumped in shock. "Sorry ma, didn't mean to scare you," y/n chuckled. "You were supposed to call me when you landed!" She scolded, bringing her into a hug, and she was quite short so y/n had to lean down a bit.

"I know. I wanted to surprise you."

"It's so hot out here, come on inside. Oh- wait, you brought a guest. Move out the way." She pushed y/n inside and excitedly brought Kelsey into a hug. "I heard you been takin' care of my y/n over there. And I wanna tell you how grateful I am for that. I know she can be a handful." She continued, putting an arm around her as she led her inside the house.

"It's no problem at all, Ms. y/l/n. She's apart of the family." Kelsey assured, and y/n took the flowers from her hand, looking around for a vase. "Momma, you got a vase 'round here?" She asked. "In the kitchen, baby. How you know I needed flowers?"

"I didn't. I just wanted to get you some followers," y/n replied, grabbing a red vase and filling it with some water before setting the roses inside.

When she returned to the living room, her mom had pulled out the photo album and was showing Kelsey a ton of baby pictures of her. "Momma!" She groaned out in embarrassment. "What? You were such a cute baby! Look at this one! You're first talent show!" She awed, and Kelsey chuckled softly at the pictures. "You got Minnie mouse shoes on."

"Those were cool back then," y/n mumbled, knowing exactly what pictures they were looking at.

"I'ma go grab my stuff." She mumbled, not that they were paying attention. She walked out and grabbed her suitcase from the car and brought it inside, carrying it down the hall to her bedroom. It still looked the same, just how she left it. The whole room was basketball themed...even the bedsheets. It was like walking back in time. She could tell her mom went in there often by how clean it was...given she kinda left it in a mess.

Hearing the front doors open, she heard her loud ass little brother Samuel and his friends, Jayvon and Marcus. "Your sister brought a girlfriend?" Jayvon asked, raising a brow at the woman sitting next to his friend's mom. "Bro- that's Kelsey Plum. If you paid attention to the players and not my sister you would know that," Sam retorts.

"Nah, I rather check out your sister." Jayvon smirked, and Marcus grinned, nodding in agreement.

"I see y'all still ain't got girlfriends," y/n comments, walking into the living room and the two boys froze at the sight of her. "Sis!" Sam dropped his basketball and ran over, and she smiled, holding her hands out for his embrace. "When's the last time you showered?" Y/n questioned, grimacing at his body odor as his friends laughed. "Man, shut up! Y'all stink too," Sam scowled.

"What's up, y/n? You still single?" Jayvon greeted with a smirk, looking her up and down as she just returned a blank stare. "You know I like ladies, right?"

"I can change your mind." He grinned, gesturing to his 14 year old body thinking he was really doing something.

"Stop hittin' on my sister, Von! She don't want you." Sam argued, and he scoffed, "yes, she do!"

"Alright, y'all need to get on home before yo' mom start callin' my phone. Say goodbye, Samuel," their mom spoke, cutting them off before they started arguing about this again. He said goodbye with his friends and Jayvon blew a kiss to y/n, "I see you later hot stuff!"

"Don't let that door hit you on the way out," y/n retorts, waving her fingers in a sarcastic goodbye. "Go take a shower," she ordered, her brother letting out a groan. "Fine."

"I'ma get started on dinner. Y'all go settle in. Kelsey, you're stayin' the night." Her mom stated, getting up to go to kitchen.

Kels and y/n had not at all discussed staying the night but by the way her mom stated it, they were not going to correct her. Y/n awkwardly showed Kels to her room. The house was only a three bedroom and she had a twin bed. Kelsey cracked a little laugh, her eyes peering over the bedroom. "You'd never know you liked basketball walkin' in here," she joked.

"Alright- not too much on me. I was a passionate kid." She defends playfully, sitting down on the bed.

Kelsey walked over to her desk where she seen a box of mixtapes sitting on the floor. She leaned down to pick one out. "What's up with the mixtapes?" She glanced over her shoulder to see y/n's eyes widened. She quickly got up to snatch it from her hand. "That's um- it was a phase. I wanted to be a rapper at one point." She picked up the box to shove it in the back of her closet.

"Can you drop some bars right now?" Kelsey asked, sitting on the desk chair that was actually quite comfortable.

Y/n gulped nervously, fiddling with the rings on her fingers. "You see- I would, but everytime I try to rap in front of a pretty girl, I choke."

Kelsey smiled, her cheeks instantly growing a bright red. "You're not just sayin' that avoid rapping for me?"

She ducked her head in embarrassment. "I wish. There's unfortunately real proof of me literally chokin' mid rap in front of this girl I had a crush on. It went viral and I quit music after that. Thankfully I was pretty ugly in highschool so nobody recognizes me now." Kelsey laughed, somehow the story was very believable and that made it so much better.

"Oh, come on, I'm sure you didn't look that bad."

She pursed her lips awkwardly, reaching for the picture frame hidden away in a drawer. She handed it to Kelsey. Immediately did the woman struggle to say anything nice. "Yeah. Freshman year was...somethin'. They made 'choked up' jokes for a good year. It stopped when I came back from summer break and looked like a whole different person. Everyone just assumed I moved away."

"That...sucks. But, I somewhat can relate. I was bullied a lot as kid." Kelsey set the picture down, holding a sympathetic smile for the rookie. She reached for y/n's hand, features softening, "if it makes you feel better, I would never have bullied you."

Y/n did her best to hide how flustered that made her. But the way Kelsey was looking up at her...and just her touch, was driving her crazy. "It does. It does make me feel better. And I would never have bullied you either."

"Well, with those pimples, I don't think you could've said much to me," Kelsey joked.

Y/n laughed loudly, nodding her head, "okay, got me there. Fair enough."

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Y/n rubbed her neck with a small groan, causing Kelsey to look over at her. "I told you not to sleep on that couch."

She shrugs a shoulder nonchalantly, "it's cool. Ain't nothin' a little icy hot can't fix."

When Kelsey walked away, A'ja turned to look at the rookie, a disappointed frown etched on her lips. "You really got no game." She just sighed, also disappointed in herself. "Yeah. It's one of my unfortunate flaws..." A'ja patted her shoulder sympathetically, "it's okay. You're just terrible at picking up signals. I've been there. You'll get better."

"Really? It don't feel like she givin' me any."

A'ja resisted the urge to facepalm, "okay, I'm gonna pretend you're not that slow for both of our sakes. Um, how do I word this...oh yeah, Kelsey likes you." She deadpanned, receiving a conflicted look from the rookie. "Why do you think she still let's you live in her house? And why do you think she asked to meet your family? She could be enjoying her free time in LA but no, she wants to spend her time with you."

"Why she don't make a move then?"

A'ja groaned, throwing her head back in exasperation. Did she have to explain everything? "If I know anything about KP, it's that she will speak her mind, and ever since she met you, she's been unable to do that. She's holding back her obvious feelings for you because she's scared you won't feel the same way. That's why she's waiting for you to make a move."

"So..basically, I'm just slow as fuck?"

"Yes."

»»

They had won the game, successfully beating the Sparks and y/n had her first triple double of her rookie season. The team was really happy for her. They all went out to dinner to celebrate, also giving the team a chance to finally meet y/n's mom and brother.

"And he's out." Kelsey chuckled softly, the boy falling limp in his seat, snores leaving his mouth. Y/n glanced in the mirror to see and he was indeed out. "And to think he was talkin' bout pullin' an all nighter."

She parked the car in front of the house and climbed out. Her mom went to unlock the door as she opened the backseat up to grab her brother. Kelsey unbuckled his seat belt and y/n scooped him up, slinging him over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Damn, he been eatin' good. Ion remember him bein' this heavy," she comments.

Kelsey chuckled, getting out and shutting the door. "Or you just need to put some more muscle on."

Y/n frowned, glancing down at her biceps, they were tiny compared to Kelsey's. "Okay, chill on my baby biceps. They still growin'."

She carried him inside and set him down on his bed. Kelsey wasn't at all surprised to see a ton of basketball stuff all over his room. She tucked him in and made sure the air conditioner was on before they stepped out. "It's time for me to go to sleep. Y'all don't stay up too late now. You got a flight to catch tomorrow." Her mom spoke.

"Okay. Goodnight, Momma." She pulled her into a quick hug.

They soon stepped into y/n's room and she went into the closet to grab a blanket cause she was going to sleep on the couch again. That was until Kelsey shut the door and locked it. "You're not sleeping on the couch again."

Y/n nods and lays the blanket on the floor, "okay, floor it is."

Kelsey rolled her eyes and grabbed her hands, tugging her back up. "Damn you strong-" she pushed her onto the bed and climbed on top of her. Without wasting another second, she leaned down and closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a breathless kiss.

Pulling away for air, she stared up at her in shock, trying to find words for what just happened. "I was supposed to make the first move-"

Kelsey chuckled shyly, tucking her hair behind her ear, "sorry, I got impatient."

"No, no, it's okay. Don't apologize. That was...that was really good. You're a really good kisser. Can we do it again?" Kelsey smiled, loving how desperate she always was around her. It was nice to feel yearned for. "We can do whatever you want, baby."

"Thank you, Lord," she whispered under her breath.

She chuckled in amusement, "that's certainly a first." She took her hands to guide them to her waist before bringing y/n's lips back to hers. She kissed her slowly but deeply, leaving every bit of emotion in it.

She pulled away to meet her eyes, a small smile etched at the corner of her lips. "I guess I finally proved I'm good enough, huh?"

Kelsey hummed softly, trailing the tip of her finger down her jawline. "Triple double kinda did it for me." She broke eye contact, anything Kelsey said to her when she literally on top of her looking that good was bound to make her flustered.

She chuckled nervously, and Kelsey nudged her chin to bring her eyes back on her. "Don't get all shy now. You've been flirting with me all season, rook."

"Kiss me again, real quick."

Kelsey was confused about the ask but she didn't question it. She pressed their lips together again, a little gasp leaving her mouth when y/n flipped them over. She grabbed the hairtie around her wrist and pulled her braids up into a bun so they were out of the way. She pushed her legs apart to settle between them, a rush of confidence finding her. "You ready to stay up late?"

"You're gettin' cocky again, rook."

"That's what happens when I have a pretty girl under me."

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