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"I have a question before you go." Kez stood up from the couch, her phone still in her hand as she lifted it to show the many emails she had gotten. "Do you know why Becky and Nikki keep insisting on me attending a practice?" She questioned.

"Uhh, I don't know, I'm sorry. They haven't said anything to me." Kelsey shrugged her shoulder as she picked walked over to grab the phone. "It's a bit odd. Everyone's been blowing up my phone because of what I said during that interview with Fallon," Kez mumbled, leaning against the couch, still keeping her eye on Kaidyn and Hazel who were putting together a puzzle on the coffee table.

"Well, you did say you were interested in being apart of the league so it's probably that," Kelsey retorts, handing the phone back to her, clearly still salty about Kez claiming her girlfriend was the person holding her back from being apart of the W. She didn't say that directly, but it came off like that. So basically everyone was blaming Kelsey for "holding' Kez back from being a professional WNBA player.

"Baby, come on, you can't still be upset about that. I didn't mean it like that." Kez frowned, moving off the couch to move closer to her. "You shouldn't have said it then. Now everyone is calling me selfish. So if I say no, I'm the jealous girlfriend who's afraid of being overshadowed. And if I say yes, they're gonna say I only did it because I wasn't good enough. I can never win in this scenario." Kelsey expressed, and normally Kez would argue that she shouldn't listen to everyone else but she knew how the media could make you feel so she wasn't going to dismiss her feelings.

"Okay, what do you want me to do? It's not like I actually want to be in the league. They made it seem like that. I just agreed when he said I was good enough to be in the W. And maybe saying the decision was down to you wasn't the proper wording but it's not my fault the media likes to spin things into what it's not. I'm sorry if it's bothering you. Those were not my intentions." Kez expressed calmly, never one to grow angry about stuff that could just be talked about in a mature nature.

"Just, get Kai and Hazel ready and come to practice. See what they want." Kelsey said, really not wanting to go back in forth about something that wasn't as serious as people were making it out to be. "Alright, I'll see you there. Drive safe." Kez mumbled, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Nope, give me a proper kiss. We're not doing that today." Kelsey insisted, pulling her back down to connect their lips. Kez smiled, sliding her hands down her body and bringing her closer.

"Yucky," Hazel grimaced as they pulled away with laughter. "Go get an outfit, both of you. I'll be with you soon," Kez chuckled, ushering them along. Hazel and Kaidyn were quick to get up and run off to their room to pick out an outfit. She was babysitting Hazel for Lewis and Victoria because they were busy with their own schedules and she was the only one with a few days off from her Magic Hour tour. Michael was also filming his new movie so he couldn't watch Kaidyn either.

"See you there. Get them something to eat. I love you!" Kelsey said, dodging Kezie's kiss and picking up her bag and walking to the door. "Hey! Did you just dodge me?! Kelsey! Don't you walk out that door!" Kelsey snickered, quickly running out before Kez could go after her. "I know she didn't just dodge me..."

She huffed, walking down to the kid's room and seeing them sitting down in the closet silently discussing their outfits. "You two kinda freak me out when you talk without talking," Kez comments, sitting down with them to help with their outfits. Hazel picked up her tiny purple hoodie and Kaidyn with his green one, holding them up to Kez for her approval. "I approve. Show me what shoes we're workin' with."

»»

"How's Kez been?"

"She's good, just frustrated with the entirety of the WNBA blowing up her phone asking for her to be a coach or join a team as a player next year. But, they've been doing that for years- and I think she's finally fed up with it." Kelsey answered, knowing that's really what they wanted to know as it's been the only thing everyone's been talking about. Even though it had been a topic since the celebrity games.

"That's honestly crazy how she qualifies as a coach, but I kinda get it. She did coach Kamari and that girl can hoop," Tiffany comments as she was lacing up her shoes.

"If Dawn says she's good enough to be a coach then you know she's even better as a player." A'ja added, having been the one to actually play with Kez on the court before. They had some really crazy moments in the celebrity games. "I know everyone's kinda against it but what's the worst that could happen if she did join the W?" Alysha questioned hypothetically.

"We'd get a few million more fans," Syd said jokingly, not that she was wrong either.

"I don't know why it's a discussion though. She's not actually going to join." Kelsey said, pulling her feet up as she leaned back in her chair. "Why not though?" Chelsea asked, silently wondering if Kelsey was actually the reason she wasn't. "I don't know, maybe 'cause she's literally on tour, owns like five hospitals and is CEO of like five huge different companies? Did I also mention that she's got a kid to raise and one kidney?"

"I mean...technically she's got many people workin' for her to take care of that so she could play," Jackie pointed out, a few nodding in agreement with her.

"It sounds like everyone thinks it's a good idea but me," Kelsey mumbled with a hint of annoyance. "We're just saying it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, KP. That's all." A'ja said. Kelsey shrugged nonchalantly, "It's fine. I have a different perspective 'cause we're dating and I really care about her so..."

"I'd be concerned if you didn't." They all looked up in a flash to see Kez leaning against the wall near the door with a playful grin on her lips. "You droppin' off lunch or somethin'?" Syd joked as Kez shook hands with A'ja. "I am the lunch yoh, what you mean?" Kez shot back with a smirk, shaking hands with Syd who laughed.

"Whoa, let's keep it PG," Kelsey warned even though her teammates just laughed it off.

"I gotta go talk with some people but I just wanted to see you before that cause I need Lysh to babysit." Kez explained, and Alysha smiled brightly, "tonight? Is it date night or something?" Kez pursed her lips, looking towards the door, "Thing 1, Thing 2, please enter the room," she called and the two kids ran in and immediately went to Kelsey.

"Oh, my god, they're so cute with the little matching outfits," A'ja awed, wishing they ran to her instead.

"Can you just keep an eye on them for a hour or two? I don't know how long it's gonna take," Kez requested of Lysh, always trusting her with the kids the most because she was definitely the best at it and wouldn't get them into crazy situations like Syd and KB probably would. "Yo, why can't I be the official babysitter?" Syd complained.

"Maybe because that poor baby almost broke his wrist with you," A'ja shot towards her, using the ASL she knew to call Kaidyn over. "I told him not to catch the ball," Syd defended, frowning when Kaidyn walked over to A'ja. "I gotta go but thanks for the help Lysh," Kez rushed out, glancing at her watch for the time. "They're in good hands. Don't worry at all," Alysha assured, beckoning Hazel over to her.

"Bye everyone." Kez smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to Kelsey's lips before leaving, blowing her kids a kiss as well.

"Oh, my gosh, we should do that tiktok thing where we see who the kid likes the most," Kate input after seeing Hazel go over to Lysh instead of Syd who was trying to get her to come to her instead. "Let's do it," Tiffany said way too excitedly as she grabbed her phone to set it up.

"Just so you're all aware, she'll come to me first," Kelsey stated confidently.

"I don't believe that. Hazel loves me," Lysh replied.

"They sound crazy cause we all know she's comin' to me first," A'ja mumbled, Kaidyn nodding in agreement with her as he examined her golden shoes with curious eyes.

"Wait, y'all gotta ask the mom if you can record and post it," Chelsea pointed out as they got ready to start the video. "Who gots Victoria Monet's number?" Syd questions and they all turn to look at Kelsey. She rolled her eyes, grabbing Kezie's phone that she had taken from her pocket when she turned to leave. Kez knew she did it and she was thankful of that because her phone constantly going off stressed her out.

"So, does she trust you with her phone or did you just take it without her knowing?" Megan questioned, knowing that phone case from anywhere. Everyone knew Kezie's case had a picture of her and Chadwick Boseman that was gifted from a fan at a comic con.

"She trusts me, and no I'm not going through it," Kelsey mumbled, searching for Victoria's contact but Kez always used nicknames for everyone so it was a little confusing to go through her contacts. A lot of the contacts were also in different languages so that didn't help the situation. Syd walked over to peep over her shoulder, squinting as she tried to read some names. "Who's Beetlejuice?"

"Michael Keaton, obviously," Kelsey answered.

"Who's Big Mama?" Syd asked.

"Martin Lawrence!" Tiffany answered, thinking this was some kind of trivia game now. "Wrong. It's actually Latto," Kelsey snickered, scrolling some more. "Who's Karate Kid?" Syd asked, reading that name off a contact. "Jaden Smith!" Megan guessed. "Wrong. Ralph Macchio," Kelsey corrected. "Why does everyone have a nickname?" Kate asked, joining Syd on peeping at the phone.

"Kez really likes nicknames," Kelsey smiled, loving that thing about her girlfriend.

"What's my nickname?" A'ja asked as they all grew a little nosy, wanting to know what their contact names were. Kelsey snickered as she pulled up the teams names. "Some of these are in a different language," Kelsey mumbled. "I'll look up the meaning," Chelsea offered, going on her phone to do so.

"Okay, A'ja is Siphelele. I think that's Xhosa," Kelsey said. "Okay it means it represents strength and resilience in the face of adversity. It serves a reminder of the inner power we possess to overcome obstacles," Chelsea explained, a little impressed at how good Kezie's nicknames were. "That's so sweet, I love that," A'ja expressed. "Why she got a cute lil nickname and I don't?" Syd complained bitterly. "You did get one. It's Annabelle," Kelsey pointed out, not seeing the problem.

"What's that even supposed to mean?" Syd scoffed in offense.

"Cause Annabelle don't be leavin' you alone," A'ja snorts, receiving an offended look from Syd.

"Alright, I found Vic." Kelsey shushed them as she hit the call button, putting it on speaker because her teammates were nosy. "Hey, Kezie. Is everything okay?" Vic spoke, her voice coming through clearly. "It's actually Kelsey, I have Kezie's phone right now," she spoke. "Oh? Is everything okay then?" Vic asked in concern, knowing Kez didn't just give her phone to anyone. "Yeah, it's all good. Kez is in a meeting right now and I'm with my teammates and we're watching the kids so we were wondering if it's okay to do some tiktoks with Hazel."

"That's so adorable. Of course you can. Thank you for asking. Make sure you send them to me, I can't wait to see 'em," Victoria responded kindly.

»»

"I'm not sure how I feel about being tricked," Kez hummed, taking a seat in the chair, staring at the many people of authority in front of her. The same people who had been blowing up her phone. "If you're trying to get on my good side, perhaps using my girlfriend's coach to parent trap me isn't the smartest thing," she added, her voice calm but also intimidating.

"Hear them out, Kez," Becky advised, knowing she'd only really listen to her.

"I don't think I need to, honestly. I don't appreciate the tactics to get me here, especially given I don't have anyone from my team with me like I'd prefer to. I know what this is about. There's a reason I haven't responded to you." Kez spoke, and then noticed Becky's face, which caused her words to sway a bit, "but, because Becky says so, I'll give you a chance to plead your case. Say something that will get me to stay in this chair."

"What if we guarantee your daughter a spot on the Aces in 2026 and as the number one draft pick?" The woman said, and Kez knew she had the most power here. "You lost me. I don't get down like that. I want no part of her career unless it's to help her make better decisions for herself," Kez stated firmly.

"Told you guys," Becky muttered with knowing eyes.

"Just lay the contracts down," Nikki said, seeing Kez wasn't the type to listen to theories and all that unnecessary stuff. She just wanted to get down to business, no dancing around it. "1-year contract to coach Chicago Sky. 1-year contract to play with a team of your choice for the entirety of the 2025 season." A man said, laying down two contracts on the desk with a pen for her to sign if she made her decision quick.

Kez hummed, standing up and picking up each contact, folding them up and tucking it into the pocket of her cardigan. "All right. I'll get back to you. Thanks for coming." She smiled, shaking their hands before walking out. Shortly after Becky caught up to her, sending her an apologetic look. "It's cool, coach," she reassured, understanding it's just business and she probably didn't even have a choice in the matter.

"I don't want to know you're answer, but I just wanna say, if you choose to play, I'd be thrilled to coach you," Becky said. "That's sweet. Thanks," Kez smiled, putting an arm over her shoulder. "You should join us for practice today. Feel it out," she suggested before pushing open the door to the gym and walking in.

Kez smiled as she watched the team help Hazel play the game of basketball. Kaidyn was sitting off to the side with Jackie, both quietly in each other's presence like always. Kelsey noticed her presence and Kez took that to beckon her over. She ran over to her and followed her out to the hall. "Everything okay?"

"I'm gonna ask you something. We don't need to have a debate. It's just a yes or no." Kez spoke, pulling out the two contracts and unfolding them, handing them to her girlfriend. Kelsey's eyes skimmed over them, her expression not revealing anything. It was just blank. She took a deep breath, passing them back to her. "No."

"Okay. It's settled. No more arguing about it, alright?" Kez said, tucking them back into her pocket so she could give them to Neela later. Even if it was a no, Neela still wanted to check over any contract Kez was offered. It was a safety thing.

"I love you," Kelsey smiled, bringing her down for a kiss, glad that she was listening to her. "I love you more," Kez hummed, subconsciously pressing her up against the wall. "You're pressing me to the wall, babe. At work, remember?" Kelsey said, finding it cute how much Kez could get into a moment. She backed up quickly with an awkward smile, "right, sorry. I'll keep my hands to myself."

Kelsey pressed a finger against her lips to stop her from talking, "stop apologizing." Kez nods, not saying anything because she'd end up accidently apologizing for apologizing. "By the way, Lysh offered to babysit tonight so we could have some alone time. How does that sound to you?" Kez eyes brightened as she smirked, "sounds good to me, baby."

"You sound a little too happy," Kelsey chuckled, walking back to the door. "Yeah, and you don't sound happy enough," Kez shot back as she reached for the gum in her pocket. "No, I'm just better at containing my excitement," Kelsey shrugged, walking down to the court.

"I'm great at containing my excitement," Kez scoffed, feigning offense as she plopped down on a chair. "Oh yeah? What's the gum for, babygirl?" Kelsey taunted, shooting the singer a teasing wink. She was silenced.

Just when she thought it couldn't get worse. Syd sat down next to her. "Why you got vampire nails?" She asked, noticing two of Kezie's nails on each hand were shortened down and the others were long and all coloured dark red. "Why you askin' stupid questions you know the answer to?" Kez retorts, still keeping her eyes on Kelsey, not so subtly checking her out. "Fair enough," Syd mumbled.

"Babe, you wanna join us for practice? This is not my idea by the way. All them." Kelsey said, pointing an accusing finger at Chelsea, A'ja, and Jackie.

"Y'all want to work me on my day off?" Kez scoffs, sharing a look of disbelief with Syd. Jackie and Lysh gently pushed Hazel forward, signaling her to do the puppy eyes because if there was anything Kez hated, it was a sad child. "Please?" Hazel sniffled and even Syd was buying into her act. Kez frowned, feeling very conflicted because Hazel genuinely looked like she was on the verge of tears. It was honestly a little impressive. "Uh- I don't have any clothes to wear," she excused.

"That's fine, we'll get you some. Plenty to give," Alysha added.

Kez shared a look with Syd, leaning closer to her to whisper, "I'm not getting out of this, am I?" Syd pursed her lips, shaking her head, "just comply. You don't wanna upset Lysh." She advised, patting her shoulder in a supportive manner. She sighed in defeat, standing to her feet, "fine, someone show me where to change."

"Sit your ass back down, Sydney," Kelsey warned, her teammates laughing as Syd slowly sat back down.

"You got some jealousy issues you needa work out, KP!" Syd shouted as they watched Kelsey follow Kez to the exit.

"As ironic as it is, hypothetically speaking of course, I think Syd would be like my best friend on court," Kez spoke, throwing her arm over her girlfriend's shoulders. "Another reason for saying no," Kelsey smiled tightly. "Aw, you sound jealous, and as cute as it is, I'm not very flattered 'cause it's just Syd. If it was anyone else, I'd find it kinda hot." Kez smirked, sitting down on the chair at Kelsey's locker. She did note the empty one right in between hers and Sydney's that would look pretty good with her name and number, hypothetically of course.

"In that case...am I allowed to flirt with other players?" Kelsey smirked teasingly, always knowing how to get under her girlfriend's skin. She could see it by the way she sucked in a breath, her eyes stopping mid roll to try and appear nonchalant. It could've worked on anyone else but she knew her too well. "You're allowed to do whatever you want. But if you care about their safety then you wouldn't."

"Anyone ever tell you that you're a bit paranoid?" Kelsey deadpanned, gathering some clothes that would actually fit her girlfriend's body. "All the time," Kez smiled brightly, spinning around in the chair.

"Sounds like a sign," Kelsey mumbled under her breath as she walked over to her and dropped the clothes in her lap. "You can borrow my spare shoes," she added. Kez smirked, looking up at her with a knowing look in her eye, "you gonna sit here and watch me change?" Kelsey rolled her eyes, and pulled her out of the chair so she could sit down herself. "Stop messing around. Take off your clothes, Keziyah."

"Ooh, the full name? That's kinda hot. I like it when you're serious." Kez smirked playfully.

"If flirting was a crime, you'd get life." Kelsey mumbled, hooking her fingers in Kezie's belt loop to pull her over. "Surrounded by women til' I die sounds good to me," Kez shrugged, watching as her girlfriend unbuttoned her pants so she didn't hurt any of her nails. "What about me?" Kelsey questioned, pulling the zipper down and leaning back into her chair.

"Hypothetically speaking, of course, I would lure a guard into my cell, kill them or choke 'em out- depends on my mood, take their keys or card, take their clothes to disguise myself, find the nearest escape route, steal a car, and go directly to you." Kez spoke strongly like she had already thought everything out perfectly.

"That's oddly specific."

"Thank you. That's only plan A. I have all of the alphabets." Keziyah smiled proudly, pulling her pants down and off. "That's a little alarming but I see the romance in it and I respect it," Kelsey comments. "And to think they thought I'd be a bad unsub in Criminal Minds," Kez scoffed under her breath, starting to feel offended all over again. She pursed her lips slightly, "to be fair, you could be a serial killer and I'd still ask for your number."

"That's so sweet. Thank you baby." Kez expressed, feeling very satisfied and flattered by the response. "Do you have any compression shirts? I like those," Kez requested, pulling the shorts on and they fit her very nicely. "Uh yeah, we don't really wear them a lot. I'll be right back." She nods, watching as her girlfriend left to grab her one. She came back quickly with a white one that obviously had the Aces logo on it. "This should be the right size."

Kez took it and pulled it on, then put on the shoes to complete the fit. "Okay, how do I look? Cute or sexy? What's it giving?"

"Do a spin," Kelsey requested, and Kez did as so, spinning around even though she knew Kelsey just wanted to see her ass. "You look sexy. I approve," she smiled. "It needs something else though," Kez mumbled, looking around, her eyes landing on Sydney's locker. She smirked, taking one of Syd's headbands and putting it on herself as Kelsey was just trying to fight a laugh. "There we go. Now it is complete."

"You should take off your jewelry," Kelsey advised.

Kez sighed in defeat, holding her hands out and Kelsey pulled off each ring and the bracelets. Then she removed her chains and set them down with her other jewelry. She pulled off her earrings next, only leaving on her nose studs and bellybutton piercing, and obviously the tongue piercing wasn't going anywhere either. "I feel...naked."

"You'll live. Come on." Kelsey took her hand and dragged her out, especially when she seen Kez reaching for one of the rings.

»»

"What do we think of working with Keziyah?"

"Wait- you're considering it now?" Syd questioned back at Kelsey with high hopes. She personally loved the idea of Kez playing for the team. She didn't care what nobody said about it. She was gonna defend that woman with her life. She saw her potential from the beginning.

"She looks really happy when she plays. Who am I to take that smile off her face?" Kelsey answered, and A'ja smiled proudly, glad that she was finally seeing it.

"We all love Kezie, that's incredibly obvious. So, let's just do a vote." Alysha suggested, and they all nodded or voiced some agreement. The coaches all joined them in the locker room and Becky controlled all of the votes. "We gotta hurry before she comes back," Kelsey added, knowing Kez was gonna get a little annoyed of waiting in the car for so long.

"Okay, I went through all of them, and it's a yes. Everyone wants Kez on the team." Becky announced with a grin.

Chelsea points to Kelsey with a grin, "now KP gotta make sure she signs that contract."

"I'll do my best."

» »

"You can join the league."

Kezie's eyes widened and she sat up abruptly, looking down at her girlfriend who was still catching her breath. "I'm sorry- what? Say that again."

"I'm tired," Kelsey turned to her side, burying her head into the pillow.

"No, you can't do that! Say it again!" Kez demanded, pulling on her girlfriend's arm. "If I say it, will you let me sleep?" Kelsey grumbled, turning over tiredly, holding back a smile at her excited face. "I make no promises," Kez shrugged, moving closer. "You can join the league, under one condition," Kelsey began, "you sign with the Aces to become a player, not a coach."

Kez grinned excitedly, immediately pulling her into a hug, "what made you change your mind?"

"I talked with the team after practice and told them about the contracts. We all came to the decision that you'd be really good for our team. So, if you still want to, the answer is a yes." Kelsey explained, trying her best to act nonchalant but she really loved how excited Kez was. "Of course I want to. The main reason was so I could be with you all the time."

"Are you sure it had nothing to do with you stepping down as CEO of Jaguar?" Kelsey deadpanned, and her face dropped. She winced slightly, "uhh, I didn't know you knew about that." Kelsey chuckled lightly, not mad about it because she knew how exhausted the job made Kez. "Your lovely assistant tells me everything."

"Nakila," Kez groaned in annoyance, really wishing Neela would fire her cause she was constantly up in her business. "She's nice," Kelsey said, coming to the girl's defense. "I didn't say she wasn't. I just think she's fucking irritating. She's like a fly at a cookout--just won't leave me the fuck alone, stays buggin' the fuck outta me." She complained, moving to rest her head on her girlfriend's chest.

"You know...you'd look really good in an Aces jersey." Kelsey spoke casually, reaching for the joint and lighter in the bedside table that Kez always stored some weed in. Kez smiled, a memory coming to mind at those words, "I know, you told me when I put yours on after that Liberty game in the hot-"

"Kez- don't ever say that to anyone else, okay?" Kelsey smiled, and Kez nodded shifting her body so she could be under the covers too. "You should have a special nickname for me. Kez is boring. Everyone calls me that. There's no excitement to it." Kelsey nodded, deciding to just go along with it because she knew how important nicknames were to her girlfriend. "What about Z? Or Ziyah? I never heard anyone call you those before." She suggested, passing the joint over to her.

She smiled excitedly, pressing a peck to her cheek. "I love those. Never thought of using 'em before."

"What about your album? Are you gonna push the date back?" Kelsey queried, knowing she planned to release it next year. Kez smiled softly at the concern in her tone. She was always worried about things, especially the music because she knew Kez needed music. "I'll still release it. I just won't be doing lots of media- which is fine because it's gonna be a success anyways. We can use it to promote the season as well. My team will take care of all that once I sign the contract."

"I still can't believe you already finished it," Kelsey mumbled.

"It was easy because I was going back to my roots and there won't be like a million features on it. Just me, Lewis, and a few friends. The only song that took me the longest was yours. I wanted it to be perfect. And it is- perfect, I mean. The whole project is perfect but the song about you specifically- that one is perfect. I'd say it's one of my best works," Kez rambled, pausing when she realized she was probably talking too much.

Kelsey never minded her rambling, she actually found it really cute. "I don't doubt it. But, how can I believe you when you won't let me listen to it?" She frowned, trying to guilt her cause she really desperately wanted to hear the song. Kez tried to make it clear that she could hear it when the album dropped. "Don't do that- I'm not giving in. You can't make me." She replies, stubbornly crossing her arms.

"You're really gonna make your girlfriend wait a year?" Kelsey said pointedly, looking down at Kez who was smiling contently. "Yes. I am."

"Okay, so basically- you enjoy torturing me?" She shot back to guilt trip her, just playfully because she knew Kez would never give in when it came to the aspects of her music. "In different ways- yes." Kez smiled to herself, moving up to put out the joint. She tilted her head with curious eyes, "what ways are those?"

Kez sat up, moving to straddle her lap, "I'll just show you."

"Probably easier."

"Always is."

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"We are not doing this today, no ma'am." Keziyah mumbled under her breath, trying to swipe her card over the scanner so she could enter the facility. She went to the door and tried to pull it open yet it was still locked. "Interesting." She went back to the scanner and swiped her card again, then went back to door to pull it open... still locked. "Why am I getting the Syd treatment?"

"Did they change their minds?" She chuckled to herself, grabbing her other card to swipe and even then the door still didn't open. "Love this for me." She mumbled, grabbing her phone to call her girlfriend. "Hey beautiful, I'm locked out- I swiped the card and it's not working. Could you could down to let me in please?" She requested, holding the phone to her ear. "Wait- no no no, don't send Syd down-" she cut off, the call already dropping by being hung up on.

Her sigh filled with dread upon seeing Syd strut over to the door with a grin. "Well, well, well, look who needs my help!" Kez groaned under her breath as Syd let out an evil-like cackle. "Thank you, Syd." Kez smiled tightly, pulling her bag back over her shoulder. "You're so welcome." Syd grinned, pulling her into a hug that wasn't very reciprocated, Kez just stood there like a statue with 'save me' eyes.

She sighed in relief when Syd let her go. She side-eyed the camera when she realized the cameraman was following her into the facility. "Are you guys just gonna follow me with a camera the whole season or is Syd waiting to prank me?" She asked yet she got no response, though she could see the cameraman was amused.

"Don't worry, that's tomorrow," Syd shrugged nonchalantly.

"Fantastic. Why did I take this job again?" She retorts sarcastically, throwing an arm over the shorter girl's shoulders. "Because you love me, isn't that obvious?" Syd shot back with the same energy. "I'm not so sure about that."

Kez shot Syd a suspicious look before entering the locker room. She seen everyone standing around in a line, blocking her from her locker- or at least where she was told it would be. "What's going on?" She questioned slowly, dropping her bag to the floor. "We have a surprise for you, close your eyes," Alysha spoke excitedly but also demanding at the same time.

"I can do it for you-" Syd offered, moving to cover Kezie's eyes but she quickly moved away from her. "Please don't touch me." She grimaced, shutting her eyes because she wasn't gonna take off her glasses. She didn't have contacts until tomorrow when her assistant picks them up. "Okay, they're closed. Syd- back up." She pushed her arm out to push Syd out of her space.

The girls quickly got into position, moving out of the way for the person who was the surprise. "Okay, open your eyes," Kelsey granted. Kez obeyed, opening her eyes back up, blinking to adjust to the light again. Her eyes landed on the woman they had been hiding and she smiled brightly. She didn't even realize the jersey in her hands. "Hi Mama."

"Been a while, hasn't it?" Kaikara smiled tearfully.

"What are you doing here?" Kez sniffled, walking up to bring her mother into an embrace, still not even processing the jersey. She was just happy to see her mum who had been taking care of Kezie's sick godmother back in South Africa and she hadn't been able to visit with their schedules colliding. Kez was still wrapping everything up to allow her to focus on basketball.

"Well, your team had a gift for you and wanted me to help give it to you." Kez pulled away and Kaikara held the jersey up again so she could actually see it. It had her last name Kumalo and the number she wore in the celebrity games, number 44, and obviously in the Aces colours. They had incorporated the gold back in the jerseys after Kez requested that before signing. "Oh, my gosh. I love it." Kez expressed, taking the jersey with teary eyes, still processing her mother being there and now the jersey.

"Why is everyone standing around? Isn't there supposed to be a group hug?" Kaikara deadpanned. They all laughed lightly and ran in for the group hug, and obviously Syd was the one to full on koala-hug- or well, more like sloth-hug Keziyah if you were thinking of Sid the Sloth. "Syd- I swear to God if you don't get off of me-" A'ja chuckled and helped pry Syd off of the singer. "You need to stop climbin' on her like a damn sloth, Syd."

"Thank you." She sighed in relief and used this to pull her girlfriend in for a hug, knowing she had a lot to do with her mother being there. "I love you." She whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck. "I love you too. I take you like my surprise?" Kelsey smiled. "I love your surprise," Kez grinned, pressing a short kiss to her lips because they were still around people.

"You mean- our, surprise." Syd corrected defensively, pulling Kelsey out of Kezie's grip.

"I need a special taser for you," Kez muttered in displeasure.

She pulled up a chair and climbed on it in dramatic manner. "I would like to thank everyone who followed my journey. This jersey symbolizes hard work. Thank you, my lovely teammates, my second favourite coach, my family, and my future wife. It is an honor to wear this." She spoke in a dramatized English accent, attempting to sound like Thor with a mix of Loki.

Eventually they just bursted out into laughter, and Kez jumped down to the ground with a small snicker. "Thank you, thank you very much," she added in an Elvis accent, throwing her arm around Sydney to make her stumble because of her shortness.

Syd cleared her throat, looking up at her friend, "so...I'm the 'future wife' right?"

"You really know how to ruin a moment, don't you?" Kez retorts, dropping her arm back to her side. Syd held her hands up in surrender, "okay fine, I misread the situation."

"You sure did." Kelsey smiled tightly, patting Sydney's shoulder before pushing her back over to bother A'ja who was talking to Kaikara. "Future wife, huh?" Keziyah smiled nervously, her confidence suddenly disappearing when the fear of rejection became a possibility. "Yeah- I mean if you want that. Totally cool if you don't. I understand completely. Marriage isn't all that cool anyways- you know, unless it's with you," she rambled.

"You're adorable." Kelsey chuckled, leaning up to press a peck to her lips, "but ask me again when you have a ring, okay?"

"Is that like a guaranteed yes?" Kez smirked, but before she could reply, Syd and Chelsea both popped two of those confetti cans to shoot it on top of Keziyah. "Are you kidding me? She still didn't at least flinch?" KB complained, and Kez just rolled her eyes again. "I told you- so many times, that you can't scare her. Stop trying," Kelsey scolded, snatching the can from Sydney's hand.

"Did she say you can't scare her?" Kaikara frowned in confusion and they nodded at her. "Keikei, why are you lying to these girls? You know you're scared of-" Kez cleared her throat extra loud to cut her mom off, chuckling awkwardly as she put her arm around her shoulder. "She's a bit delirious. It's the medicine." She excused.

"Turn that camera off so I can smack her," Kara spoke bitterly.

"She's joking."

"No I am not."

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a/n: bonus chapter like promised 🤩 trust there's gonna be a few more parts to this bc i have a vision and that vision is keziyah as a wnba player 🙏🙏🙏

we shall not acknowledge the playoffs ☺️ (who r we rooting for tho? i gotta go with liberty y'all 😔 sab and stewie r my baes so...)

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