ana @paiges-1vur - Tumblr Blog

She Will ~ Paige Bueckers x fem!reader

Warnings: smut, r-receiving, language

Summary: Dallas wings photographer x pb

———————————-

You were finally starting to get the hang of your new job. Maybe you lied on your job application a tiny bit, but doesn’t everybody stretch the truth sometimes? To be fully honest you had absolutely zero experience in sports photography, but you were a determined-and maybe broke- graduate fresh out of college who needed a job. Badly. So obviously you applied for the first job you found that allowed you to keep doing exactly what you loved. Thats how you ended up here, looking up from the lens of your new camera letting your gaze drift across the frame of the Paige Bueckers. You quickly snapped back into reality lifting your camera to capture her. The number one draft pick in the WNBA, just ten feet away. The two of you hadn’t talked yet this season, as she had been busy keeping up with training and taking little time off the court. Despite this you couldn’t help but think that just for a second her gaze flickered to you as she walked toward the bench, her icey blue eyes quickly tracking your frame as she grabbed a Gatorade bottle Nai was handing her. The game had just ended, the Wings finally securing another win. The air seemed to feel lighter, as pride and excitement practically radiated off the team. As you packed up your camera bag, you swore you heard Lyss and Arike joking about getting Paige piss drunk, to celebrate another long awaited win and mess with their rookie.

You sighed and leaned down to pack your camera bag, your work day finally over. The only thing that consumed your thoughts was a good night’s rest in a fancy ass hotel payed for by the team, obviously. You were lucky enough to not have to share a room like the players did but instead to have your own room just a couple doors down from the players. You quietly picked up your camera bag before waving a quick goodbye to the coaching staff, and calling an Uber to the hotel. It took everything in you to not fall asleep from exhaustion as soon as you stepped foot in the Uber, but still you held out until your driver finally made it to the hotel. As you scanned your key card against the door you sighed. And as soon as you opened the door your shoes were kicked off, and your beloved camera bag was forgotten on a nearby table. You wasted no time slipping out of your work clothes and into an old faded tshirt and a pair of pajama shorts, equipped for the best sleep of your life. The bed sheets welcomed you as you slipped into the bed, letting sleep take over your senses almost immediately.

———

You stirred in your sleep, suddenly half awake to the sound of a key card opening the door. Your mind raced, you were the only one who had the key to this room right? The door creaked open and to your surprise a still drunken Paige stumbled into the room. She payed you no mind as she let the door close behind her and she immediately fought to take her shirt off, leaving her in a sports bra and her sweats. She finally turned around and found you-half asleep and horrified- staring at her expressionless.

“How did you even-” you tried to start with Paige but she just laughed lightly. You quickly closed your mouth, letting silence fall over you both for a moment.

“When the lady asked me for my room number,” she giggled to herself “maybe I gave her the wrong one, because I lost my key!” She tries to explain, still clearly not understanding that she needed to find somewhere else to sleep. She also seemed very comfortable and had no problem standing in front of you in just a sports bra and a pair of grey sweats that hung a little too loosely on her hips. You couldn’t speak, let alone try to think of a rational solution to this situation. You turned to look at the clock. You shut your eyes out of frustration. It was 2:00 am and there was no way anyone else would be awake to help sort this out. You quickly got out of bed, the cool air hitting your thighs as you walked towards the girl. “Are any of the other girls awake? Wheres Nalyssa, she’s probably with Dijonai right?”

You suddenly stop talking as you realize the taller blonde isn’t paying attention to what your saying in the slightest. But what she does pay attention to is your bare thighs, and how your nipples hardened under your thin tshirt. Her tongue swipes across her bottom lip quickly, her mind racing. You turn around to face her but are quickly taken aback by how close she is. She steps even closer to you closing the distance completely. “I think their sleeping,” she whispers. “It’s just us” she says, her breath suddenly ghosting your ear. Shivers run down your spine and suddenly your mouth is completely dry. You can’t speak-can barely breathe- as she smirks against your ear. “But that’s okay right?” she says her voice raw and husky, needy almost. She’s begging for it and your so close to giving in. She moves to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear carefully. She licks her bottom lip slow and teasing as she looks you in the eye, waiting for you to do anything. All you can manage is a weak nod, but you both know what it means. She hums with approval “Thought so.” she whispers looking down at your lips, swollen from sleep. “Don’t worry,” she adds, voice raw, practically primal. Her pupils are blown wide as she whispers in your ear “I wont tell anyone.”

Suddenly her hand moves to your waist, pulling you in as your lips meet in a deep and intense kiss. She’s kissing you like your the air she needs to breathe. You whine against her lips, allowing her tongue to slide into your mouth, claiming you. She kisses you like she’s sick and your the only cure. She quickly hooks her hands under your thighs, carrying you toward the bed with ease. She sets you down on the bed, not breaking the kiss the whole time. You give her a quick nod and thats all she needs before she slides your thin shorts past your ankles and throws them somewhere across the room. “Mmm” she groans from the back of her throat, biting her lip. You squirm under her gaze but her hand steadies your thighs. “So fucking pretty. All for me.” She says leaning in to place a kiss on your inner thigh. Your pulse quickens as you lean your head back and try to relax into it. “Lemme know if you need me to stop mama, swear I will” she says looking up at you from in between your legs as she places a kiss right to your clit. Your legs shiver and you can’t help but let out a whimper at the contact. You nod quickly, biting your lip as she ran her fingers through your folds. “So fucking wet for me right now,” she says, not able to look away from her fingers as they run through your folds gently. “Bet you were waiting for me all night,” she moves her fingers to your clit using your gathered wetness to slickly make circles against your sensitive skin. “All wet and needy huh? Waiting for me to take care of you? I got u mama, promise imma make you feel good” she says as she watches your face contort in pleasure, the pressure against your clit increasing as her fingers speed up. You let out a shakey breath followed by a pathetic moan. “Please-“ she only smirks “I know, I know, shh just lay back ma.” Suddenly her fingers are gone, the pressure disappearing. She teases you entrance with her middle finger, dipping it in and sinking into you slowly. She pumps in and out of you a few times to get you used to being full before teasing your entrance again with her ring finger. Your a mess at this point, her name being said like a prayer as you beg for relief. She lets her other finger slide into you and she slowly starts to pump both fingers in and out of you, going deeper and deeper with every thrust. “Shit- Paige please- don’t stop please” you throw your head back as she continues to ram into you her pace increasing, now torturous. “Fuck, you take me so well” she groans as she watches her knuckles stretch you out, her long fingers filling you up as the veins in her hands and forearms flex.

“Wanna make you feel it all.” She moves her free hand to your lower stomach, lifting your excuse of a tshirt. She presses down on your lower stomach lightly, continuing to fuck you at a relentless pace. You can feel every inch of her fingers as she moves in and out of you, fucking you senseless “Holy shit- Paige, Paige please I’m close” you moan out, begging to come undone. “Almost mama, just wait” she says earning a raw and high pitched whine from you. Somehow her pace increases, filthy and wet noises filling the room as her thumb moves to find your clit, circling it as she fucks you. Your vision starts to blur, overwhelmed with pleasure as your legs start to shake. You are chanting her name, voice raw from screaming and begging for more, for all of her. Neither of you had a care in the world who could hear. Right now it was just you and Paige. “Let go for me” she says as your release crashes through you. A wave of pleasure rips through your whole body and you come while screaming her name. As start to come down she works you through it, her fingers slowing before your whining from overstimulation. She slowly moves her fingers from you to her mouth, licking them clean while keeping eye contact. She hums “Fucking delicious” she says, pussy drunk as she pushes you hair out of your face, stuck with sweat.

She shifts from on top of you to lie down next to you pulling the covers over you gently. She climbs under the covers, kicking off her sweats leaving her in just her sports bra and a pair of boxers. “Rest now, we can sort things out in the morning.” She reassures you, placing a soft kiss to your temple before wrapping her arm around your waist and pulling you flush against her. You both drift to sleep with ease holding each other, enjoying your own little world together

serikai-main

OFF THE BALANCE ── COACH P

mean coach paige x reader ─ as a basketball player who struggles with mistakes, your coach, paige seems to be making it more harder every damn time.

matured content— mdni.

"i don’t know, gia." you muttered, keeping your voice low so it wouldn’t carry.

"i feel like she’s always at my ass." your jaw tightened as you watched paige bark at a freshman for a sloppy pass, her voice cutting through the squeak of sneakers like a knife.

"every damn drill, it’s ‘fix your form.’ or ‘you call that hustle?’ like, what’s her deal?"

gia was your teammate, and on days like this, your co conspirator in decoding paige’s bullshit.

"maybe she’s just tryna get your attention, you know." she said with a teasing tone.

she nudged your shoulder, her touch lingering a beat too long.

"you know how she is—pushy, but… kinda hot when she’s all fired up."

you snorted, rolling your eyes to hide the way your pulse kicked up.

"hot? she’s a menace." but your gaze betrayed you, drifting back to paige.

she was crouched now, demonstrating a crossover to the team, her shorts riding up just enough to show the flex of her thighs, you swallowed hard, annoyed at yourself for noticing.

gia caught it, of course, her smirk widened. "uh-huh. keep tellin’ yourself that."

"shut up." you hissed, shoving her playfully, but the truth was, paige had been riding you harder than anyone else lately.

every practice, it was your footwork she criticized, your shots she called out, your effort she questioned.

and yeah, maybe you’d been pushing back, sassing her in front of the team, holding her stare a little too long, but she started it, didn’t she?

“yo, focus!” paige’s voice snapped, sharp, she strode over, all lean muscle and quiet menace, stopping just close enough that you could smell her shampoo.

“you two done gossiping, or do i need to run you till you puke?” gia snorted, unfazed “chill, bueckers, we’re just admiring your leadership. ”paige’s eyes flicked to gia, then settled on you, lingering.

“yeah? well, keep up, or i'll give you something real to complain about.” her voice was low, and the air between you crackled.

you and gia pushed off the wall, your sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, paige’s voice still hung in the air.

you felt her eyes on you, heavy and unyielding, as you moved toward your spot on the court, you glanced back, just for a second, and caught her gaze, those sharp blue eyes locked on you, unflinching, for far too long.

it wasn’t just a coach’s scrutiny or a teammate’s focus, it was something else, something that made your pulse kick up and your skin prickle under your practice jersey.

paige’s lips twitched, not quite a smile, before she finally turned away, barking at another player to tighten their defense.

gia, already jogging to her position, shot you a look over her shoulder, her smirk practically screaming i saw that.

you shook your head, trying to play it cool, but your stomach flipped as you got into your stance, hands up, knees bent, ready for the next drill.

paige’s voice cut through the gym again, sharp and commanding. “let’s move! you’re not here to stand around looking pretty.”

but when her eyes flicked back to you, lingering just a beat longer than necessary, you couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she thought you did look pretty, sweaty, flustered, and all.

the whistle shrieked, and the gym erupted into controlled chaos, you sprinted toward the baseline, your sneakers pounding the hardwood as paige’s voice boomed over the clatter of footsteps.

“faster! you’re not out here for a jog!” her tone was all business, but you could still feel the weight of her earlier stare, like a phantom touch on the back of your neck.

you slid into position for the defensive drill, mirroring gia’s stance across from you, she grinned, her eyes glinting with mischief as she dribbled the ball, faking left before trying to slip past you.

you stayed low, shuffling your feet, and swiped at the ball, barely missing. “too slow,” she teased under her breath, but you weren’t about to let her show you up.

“not today.” you shot back, lunging forward and knocking the ball loose, it skittered across the court, and you dove after it, adrenaline surging.

the other players hooted, and for a split second, you felt unstoppable, until paige’s voice sliced through “hold up!”

she strode over, whistle dangling from her neck, her presence commanding the entire gym to freeze, you straightened, chest heaving, as she stopped just a foot from you.

too close.

her shampoo hit you again, mixing with the faint tang of sweat, and you hated how it made your focus waver. “not bad.” she said, her voice quieter now, meant for you alone.

her eyes raked over you, assessing, lingering on the way your damp hair clung to your forehead. “but you’re dropping your shoulder, leaves you open.”

she stepped closer, her hand brushing your arm as she mimed the correct stance, her touch firm but fleeting.

“like this.” your breath hitched, and you nodded, adjusting your posture, though your mind was screaming she’s too close, she’s too close.

paige’s gaze held yours for another beat, her lips parting like she might say something else, but then she pulled back, blowing the whistle again.

“run it again! let’s go!” you shook yourself out of it, jogging back to your spot, but gia’s knowing smirk was waiting for you.

“dropping your shoulder, huh?” she whispered, dodging your elbow as you shoved her lightly. “shut it” you muttered, but your eyes betrayed you, flicking to paige as she paced the sideline, her focus darting between players but always circling back to you.

the drill resumed, and you poured everything into it, every sprint, every block, every pivot, half to prove yourself, half to shake the electric buzz paige’s attention had left under your skin.

as the ball switched hands and you guarded another teammate, you caught paige watching again, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable but intense.

you gritted your teeth, determined to give her nothing to critique this time, but deep down, a small part of you wondered if she was looking for flaws, or something else entirely.

you were locked in, guarding your teammate, muscles burning as you shuffled to keep up, the ball zipped across the court, and you pivoted hard, eyes tracking its path.

you saw an opening, a chance to intercept, and you went for it, lunging forward with everything you had.

big mistake.

your timing was off, just a split second too late, your outstretched arm collided with the ball handler, sending her stumbling, and the ball ricocheted wildly.

gia, caught off guard, tried to recover it but crashed into another player, the chain reaction was instant bodies tangled, sneakers screeched, and the ball rolled out of bounds as half the team hit the floor in a messy heap.

the gym went silent, save for the heavy breathing of everyone catching their bearings, ypu froze, heart sinking, knowing you’d just blown it.

gia groaned, rubbing her elbow, while the others untangled themselves, shooting you looks that ranged from annoyed to sympathetic.

then came paige’s voice, sharp enough to cut glass “what the fuck was that?!” she stormed over, her sneakers pounding the floor, eyes blazing with a fury you hadn’t seen before.

you straightened, but the weight of her stare made you want to shrink into the hardwood. “you!” she jabbed a finger at you, stopping just short of your personal space.

“what were you thinking? that was reckless, not smart, you didn’t just screw up your play, you took half the team down with you!”

her voice carried, and you felt every pair of eyes in the gym boring into you, paige’s face was all hard lines, her jaw tight, and the intensity radiating off her was suffocating.

“i—i thought i had it..” you stammered, your voice smaller than you meant it to be, your cheeks burned, the sting of her words mixing with the guilt already churning in your gut.

“thought?” paige’s laugh was bitter, more like a scoff. “you don’t think out there, you know, you hesitate like that, you’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting the team.”

she gestured to the others, some still dusting themselves off, and you caught gia’s wince as she flexed her wrist.

paige stepped closer, her voice dropping to a low, seething growl meant just for you. “you wanna play like you belong here? then stop acting like you’re out here alone.”

her eyes searched yours, and for a fleeting moment, beneath the anger, you saw something else disappointment, maybe, or frustration that cut deeper than just this one play.

it stung worse than the yelling, she turned away, blowing the whistle with a sharpness that made everyone flinch.

“line up! we’re running it again, and if i see anyone half assing it, you’re all sprinting till you drop!” her gaze flicked back to you, lingering just long enough to drive the point home.

“fix it.” you nodded, swallowing hard, and jogged back to your position, the weight of her anger and your mistake settling heavy on your shoulders.

gia bumped your arm lightly as she passed, murmuring “shake it off, she’ll cool down.” but as you glanced at paige, her arms crossed and her eyes still burning holes through you, you weren’t so sure.

you were determined to shake it off, to prove you could lock in, but your nerves were frayed, and every move felt like it was under a microscope.

the ball was in play, and you were guarding a teammate, staying low and focused, the pace was relentless, paige wasn’t letting up, her voice a constant bark of commands from the sideline.

“move your feet! close the gaps!” tou tracked the ball as it swung to your side, your teammate faking a drive.

tou shifted to block her path, but your timing was off again, a half step too slow, she slipped past you, an easy layup in sight, and your stomach dropped.

not again, before the ball could kiss the glass, gia surged in from nowhere, her long arm swatting it clean out of the air.

the block was textbook, the gym erupting in a quick cheer as the ball rolled out of bounds, gia landed with a grin, tossing you a quick wink as she jogged back.

“got you.” she mouthed, and you exhaled, relief flooding through you, you glanced at paige, bracing for another tongue lashing, but she was already pacing, her eyes scanning the court.

they landed on you for a split second, narrowing slightly, and you knew she’d clocked your slip up. but instead of calling you out, she clapped her hands sharply.

“nice recovery, gia! rest of you, keep up or we’re running suicides!” her voice was still edged, but the fact that she didn’t single you out felt like a small mercy.

you reset, heart still racing, and gia bumped your shoulder as she passed. “told you, shake it off” she whispered, her tone light but steady. “just stay with me.”

you nodded, grateful for the save and her quiet confidence, though the weight of paige's earlier anger still hung over you.

the drill pushed on, and you poured everything into it, moving sharper, calling out switches, determined not to give paige another reason to tear into you.

every time you glanced her way, she was watching arms crossed, jaw set, her gaze flickering between you and the rest of the team.

as the whistle finally blew to end practice, your muscles ached, and your shirt clung to your skin with sweat.

paige called everyone to the center, her tone clipped but less venomous. “better, but we’re not done, hit the showers, and i expect you all back here tomorrow ready to actually play.”

her eyes swept the group, pausing on you just long enough to make your pulse spike, before she turned and headed for the locker room.

gia slung an arm around your shoulders as you grabbed your water bottle. “you survived” she teased, but her smile was soft, reassuring.

“she’ll get over it, just keep showing up.” you nodded, stealing one last glance at paige’s retreating figure.

──────────────────────────────

yesterday’s mistakes still gnawed at you, but you’d come back determined to prove yourself, paige’s intensity hadn’t let up she’d been prowling the sidelines all practice, her voice a whip cracking through every drill.

you’d been sharper, more focused, but the pressure of her watchful eyes made every move feel like a tightrope walk.

the drill was fast paced, a scrimmage to end the session, you were defending, matched up against a teammate, when the ball swung your way.

you read the play, stepping in to intercept a pass, but your footwork betrayed you, you misjudged the angle, your fingers grazing the ball just enough to tip it straight into the hands of the opposing team.

they capitalized instantly, sinking an easy jumper, the whistle blew, and paige’s voice cut through the gym like a blade.

“are you kidding me?” she stormed onto the court, her blonde ponytail swinging, eyes locked on you with a fury that made your stomach lurch.

the rest of the team stilled, sensing the storm about to break.“you’ve been out here all week, and you’re still pulling this?” paige’s voice was low, venomous, her face inches from yours.

“one mistake, fine, two? sloppy, but three days in a row? that’s not a mistake, that’s a choice.” her words stung, each one landing like a jab, and the gym felt suffocating under the weight of everyone’s stares.

you opened your mouth to respond, but she cut you off, stepping closer. “you think you belong out here? prove it.”

she grabbed a ball from the floor and tossed it to you, hard enough that you had to catch it with both hands. “one-on-one, right now, you and me.”

your heart pounded, a mix of dread and adrenaline “paige, i—”

“no excuses.” she snapped, her blue eyes blazing “you wanna play like you’re part of this team? show me., beat me, or you’re running laps till you can’t breathe.”

she pointed to the top of the key, her stance already shifting into that predatory, coiled energy she brought to every game.

the team parted, forming a loose circle around the court.

gia shot you a look, half encouragement, half good luck, but there was no backing out, you took a deep breath, dribbling the ball to the top of the key, your palms slick with sweat.

paige crouched low, her smirk gone, replaced by a cold, focused intensity that made her look like she was about to eat you alive.

you faked left, then drove right, trying to use your speed to get past her, but paige was faster, her long arms cutting off your path, her body a wall of lean muscle.

you pulled back, resetting, your mind racing, she was relentless, her eyes never leaving yours, reading every twitch of your shoulders.

“come on.” she taunted, her voice low. “show me something.” you gritted your teeth, dribbling low and quick, then spun left, using a hesitation move to create space.

for a split second, you had an opening, and you took the shot, the ball arcing toward the hoop, it grazed the rim and missed.

paige was on it in a flash, snatching the rebound and immediately driving toward the other end of the court.

you chased, lungs burning, and managed to get in front of her, planting your feet, she faked a drive, then pulled up for a jumper, her form flawless.

the ball swished through the net, and she turned, pointing at you. “that’s one, again.” the one-on-one stretched on, brutal and unrelenting.

paige was a machine, every move precise, every block punishing, you scored once, a hard fought layup after a crossover that barely got you past her, but she answered with two more points, her defense suffocating.

by the end, you were gasping, sweat dripping onto the floor, and paige was barely winded, her eyes still burning with that unyielding fire.

she stopped, tossing the ball aside, and stepped close, her voice low enough that only you could hear. “you’ve got heart, i’ll give you that, but heart’s not enough if you keep choking when it counts.”

her gaze softened, just a fraction, but it was enough to make your chest tighten. “figure it out, im not babysitting you forever.” she walked off, leaving you standing there, exhausted but strangely wired, her challenge echoing in your head.

the team dispersed, practice winding down, but you stayed rooted for a moment, replaying every move, every word. paige had pushed you to your limit, and maybe, just maybe, that was her way of saying she believed you could be better.

──────────────────────────────

“fuck!” you slammed your locker shut, the metallic clang echoing in the near empty room, your knuckles stung from the impact, but it was nothing compared to the frustration churning inside you.

you’d held your own out there, barely, but paige had dismantled you like it was nothing, and the weight of your mistakes felt like a noose.

gia, leaning against the bench a few lockers down, looked up from unlacing her sneakers, her dark eyes softened, an apologetic wince crossing her face.

“yo, ease up on the poor locker” she said, her tone light but laced with concern, she stood, tossing her shoes into her bag, and walked over, her ponytail swinging.

“you good?” you exhaled sharply, running a hand through your damp hair, and leaned back against the cool metal.

“am i good? gia, i just got my ass handed to me out there, paige is done with me.” your voice cracked, betraying the mix of anger and embarrassment you couldn’t shake.

“i keep screwing up, and she’s- god, she’s so mean about it.” gia’s lips quirked, not quite a smile, but close.

“mean, huh?” she crossed her arms, leaning beside you. “ or maybe she’s just pushing you ‘cause she knows you can do better.” she tilted her head, studying you.

“you saw how she didn’t go that hard on anyone else, just you, that’s not ‘mean’ that’s attention.” you scoffed, rolling your eyes, though her words sent a flicker of warmth through your chest.

“attention? yeah, right, felt more like she wanted to humiliate me.” you tugged at the hem of your jersey, avoiding her gaze.

the memory of paige’s intense stare, her body inches from yours on the court, flashed through your mind, and you hated how it made your pulse jump even now.

gia shrugged, unzipping her bag to pull out a water bottle. “im just saying, she didn’t have to challenge you to a one-on-one, she could’ve just yelled and moved on, sut she chose to get in your face, make it personal.”

she took a sip, then nudged your arm. “and you held your own out there, by the way, that layup? nassty. even paige couldn’t block it.”

you snorted, the tension in your shoulders loosening just a fraction. “yeah, one point to her, like, ten, real impressive.” but Gia’s words were a lifeline, pulling you back from the edge of self-pity.

you sighed, slumping onto the bench. “ i just… i don’t know how to get her off my back, every time i think i’m doing better, i mess up again.” gia sat beside you, her knee brushing yours.

“look, paige is tough, but she’s not out to get you, she’s hard on you ‘cause she sees something.” she paused, her voice softening.

“and, i mean, you’re not blind, you’ve seen how she looks at you.” your head snapped up, heat creeping up your neck.

“what’s that supposed to mean?” gia’s smirk was back, full force. “oh, come on, those long-ass stares? the way she’s always hovering when you’re running drills? that’s not just ‘coach paige’ being intense. that’s… something else.”

she waggled her brows, and you shoved her shoulder, half-laughing despite yourself. “shut up, you’re delusional.” you muttered, but your mind was already replaying every moment—paige’s hand on your arm yesterday, her low voice in your ear today, the way her eyes seemed to linger even when she was pissed.

you shook your head, trying to clear the thought. “she’s just doing her job, or whatever you call it when you’re not a captain but act like you own the court.” gia chuckled, standing and slinging her bag over her shoulder.

“keep telling yourself that, but when you figure out how to stop tripping over your own feet, maybe you’ll see what’s right in front of you.” she gave you a playful nudge.

“come on, shower up, you stink, and om not letting you mope all day.” you rolled your eyes but managed a small smile, her teasing pulling you out of your spiral.

as you grabbed your towel and headed for the showers, you couldn’t help but glance at the locker room door, half expecting paige to barge in with another lecture.

──────────────────────────────

the locker room was a ghost town by the time you stepped out of the shower, steam still clinging to your skin as you tugged on a hoodie and sweatpants.

the team had bolted after practice, leaving you alone, you zipped up your bag, slung it over your shoulder, and pushed through the gym’s double doors, only to be slapped with a monsoon.

rain crashed down in thick, unrelenting sheets, the sky a moody gray that matched your exhaustion, your sneakers were already soaked from the short walk to the curb, and the street was a blur of puddles and empty sidewalks.

no taxis in sight, of course.

you pulled your hood tighter, cursing under your breath, ready to make a miserable sprint, when a loud beep sliced through the storm.

you turned, wiping rain from your eyes, and saw a black SUV idling a few feet away.

the driver’s window rolled down, and there was paige.

her blonde hair stuffed into a black beanie, one hand on the wheel, her blue eyes cutting through the downpour like a spotlight.

“you trying to catch a cold out there?” she called, her voice sharp but not unkind.

“get in.” you hesitated, rain dripping off your nose.

paige, offering you a ride?

after she’d spent practice dismantling you on the court?

it felt like a trap, but the warmth of her car was too tempting, and your hoodie was already a lost cause.

you jogged over, yanked open the passenger door, and slid into the leather seat, tossing your bag into the back.

the car was a cocoon of heat, smelling faintly of leather and that shampoo you’d clocked on her before—a detail that made your stomach do a weird flip.

“thanks.” you said, pushing your hood back and shaking out your damp hair.

your voice was cautious, braced for her to hit you with a jab about your performance.

but paige just nodded, her eyes flicking to you for a split second before she pulled away from the curb, wipers thrashing against the rain.

“don’t make it a thing.” she muttered, her tone gruff, like she was annoyed at herself for offering.

the heat blasted from the vents, thawing your chilled skin, it wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it wasn’t hostile either, just heavy, like the air before a lightning strike.

you glanced at her, her knuckles flexing on the wheel, her jaw set in that intense way that made her look like she was always calculating something.

you wondered if she was still pissed about your mistakes or if this was just… paige.

your phone buzzed in your pocket, jolting you out of your thoughts.

you fished it out, the screen glowing with your mom’s name.

you answered, holding it to your ear as paige drove, the rain’s steady drumbeat a backdrop to the call.

“hey, sweetheart” your mom’s voice came through, rushed and laced with guilt.

“i am so sorry, but i'm stuck at work—huge project, total chaos, i won’t be home tonight, and i just realized you don’t have your key, can you crash at a friend’s place? maybe Gia’s? i’ll be back tomorrow, i promise.”

your stomach plummeted, the reality hitting like a cold wave, no key, no way into the house, and you were sitting in paige’s car, of all places, with nowhere to go.

you glanced at her, wondering how much she could hear.

her eyes stayed on the road, but her head tilted slightly, like she was tuned in to every word.

“uh, yeah, okay..” you said into the phone, trying to sound like you weren’t panicking.

“i’ll figure it out, gia or… someone, don’t worry about it.”

“love you, gotta go!” your mom said, and the call cut off, leaving you staring at your phone, your mind racing.

gia lived way out in the suburbs, and getting there in this storm would be a nightmare.

calling anyone else felt like a long shot, and you weren’t about to beg for a couch in paige’s front seat.

paige’s voice broke through, low and direct. “your mom’s not home, and you’re locked out?”

she didn’t look at you, but her tone was matter of fact, like she’d already pieced it together from your half of the call.

her fingers tapped the wheel, a restless rhythm that matched the rain.

you nodded, twisting the drawstring of your hoodie.

“yeah, she’s stuck at work, and i don’t have my key, she said to crash at a friend’s, but…”

you trailed off, not wanting to admit how screwed you were.

gia was too far, and you didn’t exactly have a long list of people you could call last minute.

paige exhaled sharply, like she was annoyed at the situation, or maybe at you for not having a plan.

“gia’s place is a haul, and no cab’s coming out in this shit.” she said, flicking on her blinker and making a smooth turn.

“you’re not sleeping on the street, come to my place.” your head snapped up, eyes wide.

“paige, what? no, im good, i can—”

“stop,” she cut you off, her voice firm, leaving no room for debate.

“it’s pouring, you’re soaked, and you’ve got nowhere to go, my place is five minutes away, you crash, you dry off, you sleep, tomorrow, you figure your shit out. done.”

she glanced at you then, her blue eyes catching the dashboard’s glow, and for a second, you saw something softer under the hard edge, like she actually gave a damn.

you swallowed, your pulse doing that annoying jump again, this was paige, the one who’d just schooled you in a one on one and called out every mistake.

now she was offering you a place to stay? it didn’t compute, but the rain hammering the roof and the warmth of her car made it hard to argue.

“okay” you said quietly, sinking back into the seat.

“thanks, seriously.”

“don’t get soft on me,” she muttered, but there was a flicker of a smirk on her lips, like she was fighting it.

she cranked the radio up, the bass vibrating through the car, and the conversation died, but the air felt charged, like the storm had seeped inside.

you watched the city blur past, streetlights smearing into streaks of gold and red, and tried to ignore the way paige’s presence filled the space.

the silence stretched, and you couldn’t help but steal glances at her.

her beanie was slightly askew, a few damp strands of blonde hair escaping, curling against her neck.

her hoodie hugged her frame, the sleeves pushed up to reveal the lean muscles of her forearms, veins standing out as she gripped the wheel.

you’d seen her on the court a thousand times, all power and precision, but here, in the quiet of her car, she was different, still commanding, but human.

vulnerable, in the way she’d offered you a lifeline without hesitating.

your phone buzzed again, a text from gia.

> yo, you good? heard it’s a flood out there.

you typed back a quick

> im fine, with paige.

then hesitated before adding,

>long story.

you hit send, knowing she’d blow up your phone with questions later.

paige must’ve noticed you texting, because she spoke up, her voice cutting through the music.

“gia checking in?”

“yeah.” you said, pocketing your phone.

“just making sure i'm not drowned.” she snorted, a real laugh, quick and low.

“tell her you’re with the lifeguard.” it was the closest thing to a joke she’d made all day, and it caught you off guard, loosening the knot in your chest.

you smirked, despite yourself. “lifeguard, huh? that’s what you’re going with?”

“better than ‘taxi driver’ ” she shot back, her eyes flicking to you, a glint of amusement there before she looked away.

it was small, but it felt like a crack in her armor, a glimpse of the paige who wasn’t just mean coach or court general.

the car rolled into a parking garage, the rain muffled as you entered the concrete structure.

paige cut the engine, the sudden quiet amplifying the storm’s distant roar.

she grabbed her bag from the back, then nodded at you.

“come on, you’re dripping all over my seats.” you followed, your wet sneakers squeaking on the floor, and stepped into the elevator with her.

the ride up was quiet, but you caught her glancing at you in the mirrored walls, her expression unreadable but not cold.

when the doors opened, she led you down a hallway to her apartment, unlocking the door and flicking on the lights.

the place was simple but unmistakably hers, hardwood floors, a gray couch with a throw blanket tossed over it, a few basketball posters taped to the walls.

a pair of worn sneakers sat by the door, next to a basketball that looked like it had seen a hundred pickup games.

a half-empty gatorade bottle and a protein bar wrapper cluttered the kitchen counter.

it was lived in, a little messy, and it made her feel less like the untouchable star you’d built her up to be.

“you can take the couch.” she said, nodding toward it.

“i’ll grab you some dry clothes, bathroom’s down the hall if you wanna change.” she was already heading toward what you assumed was her bedroom, her strides long and purposeful.

“thanks.” you called after her, setting your bag down and peeling off your soaked hoodie.

you stood there, shivering slightly, still processing the fact that you were in paige bueckers’ apartment, about to spend the night.

it was surreal, like stepping into a story you hadn’t written yet.

she reappeared a minute later, tossing you a folded T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

“these should fit, might be big, but they’re dry.” her tone was casual, but her eyes lingered on you for a beat, like she was checking to make sure you were okay.

you caught the clothes, your fingers brushing hers for a split second, and felt that stupid jolt again.

“appreciate it..” you said, heading for the bathroom to change.

the door clicked shut behind you, and you leaned against it, exhaling.

paige’s T-shirt smelled faintly of her, like laundry detergent, and it was too big, the sleeves hitting your elbows, but it was warm and soft.

you pulled on the sweatpants, cinching the drawstring, and caught your reflection in the mirror.

you looked like a mess, hair damp, eyes tired, when you stepped out, paige was in the kitchen, rummaging through a cupboard.

she’d changed into a fresh hoodie and shorts, her hair loose now, falling past her shoulders.

“you hungry?” she asked without turning around “i’ve got… uh, ramen, some protein bars, maybe a frozen pizza if it’s not buried in the freezer.”

you smirked, leaning against the counter. “wow, gourmet.” she glanced over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised.

“keep talking, and you’re getting plain ramen, no flavor packet.” you laughed, the sound surprising you.

“pizza sounds good, if you can find it.” she dug through the freezer, pulling out a slightly frostbitten box with a triumphant.

“ha!” as she preheated the oven, you sat on the couch, tucking your legs under you, the rain battered the windows.

paige joined you a minute later, tossing a gatorade your way.

“hydrate.” she said, like it was an order, but her smirk was playful.

“yes, coach.” you teased, twisting the cap off.

she rolled her eyes but didn’t correct you, just leaned back against the armrest, one leg stretched out, her eyes flicking to you.

“so.” she said after a beat, her voice lower.

“you gonna keep making me drag you through practice, or you planning to step up tomorrow?”

you took a sip of the Gatorade, buying time. “im trying, paige.” you said, meeting her gaze.

“im not out there trying to mess up, you know that, right?” her jaw tightened, but she didn’t snap back.

instead, she leaned forward, elbows on her knees, her eyes searching yours.

“i know.” she said, almost reluctant. “but trying’s not enough if you’re letting the same mistakes slide, you’re better than that, or you could be, if you’d stop second guessing yourself.”

the words hit hard, not because they were harsh, but because they were true, you’d felt it on the court, the hesitation, the split second doubts that threw you off.

and paige had seen it, called it out, pushed you to be better.

it stung, but it also lit something in you, a spark you hadn’t realized was there.

“why do you care so much?” you asked, the question slipping out before you could stop it.

it hung in the air, raw and unguarded, and for a moment, you regretted it.

but you held her gaze, needing to know, paige didn’t flinch, but her eyes flickered, like she was weighing her answer.

“’cause I hate losing.” she said finally, her voice steady.

“and you’re part of the team, you go down, we all do.” vut the way she said it, the way her eyes didn’t leave yours, felt like more than just team loyalty.

it felt personal, like she saw you, not just the player, but you.

you swallowed, the air between you thick with unspoken things.

you swallowed, your pulse racing, the air between you thick with things neither of you had dared to name.

“paige…” you started, but your voice caught, and you didn’t know what you wanted to say, just that you needed to say something, anything, to break the tension or lean into it.

she moved first, slow and deliberate, like she was giving you time to pull away.

her hand slid from her knee to the couch, closing the space between you, and then she was leaning in, her face inches from yours.

her eyes searched yours, a question there, but also a certainty, like she’d been waiting for this moment as long as you had.

the room was so quiet, the rain a distant hum, and all you could hear was the thump of your own heartbeat.

you didn’t pull back, instead, you tilted forward, your lips meeting hers in a kiss that started soft, tentative, like you were both testing the waters.

her lips were warm, tasting faintly of the gatorade she’d been sipping earlier, and the gentleness of it surprised you.

paige, who was all sharp edges on the court, was careful here, her hand brushing your cheek like you might break.

but then you kissed her back, deeper, and something snapped.

the kiss turned heated, fast.

her hand slid to the back of your neck, pulling you closer, and you melted into her, your fingers tangling in the loose strands of her hair.

the space between you vanished as you shifted, half in her lap now, her other hand gripping your waist, steadying you.

it was all instinct, no thought, just the electric pull of her, the way her lips moved against yours, hungry but controlled, like she was holding back just enough to keep from overwhelming you.

she shifted, her knee sliding between your legs, pressing against you in a way that made your breath hitch.

you felt her smirk against your mouth, and then her hand was moving, sliding down your side, over the waistband of the sweatpants she’d lent you.

her fingers brushed your hip, then lower, finding the sensitive spot over your clit through the thin fabric.

she rubbed slow circles, her knee still pressed against you, amplifying every sensation until your head tipped back, a soft gasp escaping.

“paige..” you murmured, half a plea, half a warning, but your hips moved into her touch, chasing the feeling.

her lips grazed your jaw, then your neck, her breath hot against your skin as she pressed harder, the rhythm of her hand syncing with the slow grind of her knee.

it was overwhelming, the heat building fast, and you felt yourself unraveling, your hands clutching her hoodie like a lifeline.

her fingers dipped just under the waistband, teasing the edge of your underwear, and you felt her pause, her lips back on yours, kissing you hard as if asking for permission.

you were about to nod, to pull her closer, when your phone blared from the coffee table, shattering the moment like glass.

you froze, the ringtone jarring, and paige pulled back, her hand stilling but not moving away, you both stared at the phone, the screen flashing gia’s name.

the air turned thick with awkwardness, the heat between you cooling as reality crashed in.

you scrambled off her lap, your face burning, and grabbed the phone, your hands shaking as you answered.

“yo, you good?” gia’s voice was loud, oblivious to the chaos she’d just interrupted.

“i saw your text about being with paige, what’s the deal? you stuck in the storm?”

you cleared your throat, avoiding paige’s eyes as she sat back, her jaw tight, her hands now clasped in her lap like she was trying to erase what had just happened.

“uh, yeah.” you said, your voice unsteady.

“mom’s not home, no key, paige… let me crash at her place.” gia paused, then laughed.

“oh, shit, you’re at paige’s? bet that’s a vibe, she being all intense and coach-y, or what?”

you forced a laugh, your stomach twisting “something like that, im good, though. yalk later?”

“bet, don’t let her make you run drills all night.” gia teased, then hung up.

you set the phone down, the silence deafening, paige was staring at the floor, her elbows on her knees, her fingers laced together so tightly her knuckles were white.

the rain still pounded the windows, but the intimacy of moments ago was gone, replaced by a clumsy, unspoken tension.

“uh…” you tried to start, but your voice felt too loud in the quiet.

“sorry about… that.” paige looked up, her eyes meeting yours.

“yeah, no, it’s… whatever.” she said, her voice flat, like she was trying to convince herself as much as you.

she stood, rubbing the back of her neck, and headed for the kitchen.

“pizza’s probably ready to go in, ill… get it started.”

you nodded, even though the oven hadn’t beeped yet, and watched her retreat, her shoulders tense.

you sank back onto the couch, your heart still racing, the ghost of her touch lingering on your skin.

what had just happened felt like a line crossed, a door half opened, but gia’s call had slammed it shut, leaving you both on opposite sides of an awkward divide.

you weren’t sure how to move forward, or if you even could, with paige now acting like nothing had happened and the storm outside mirroring the one in your chest.

۶ৎ — @addl0vee @mrsarnold @melpthatsme @bellaprintz25 @janaelalfysblunt @ellehoops @belsoulss @apbueckers @uwupaige @janaelalfysloml @azzisbueckers @paigeluvvr @giavonnii @jupitermoonbaby @shootingstarrrrr @dalilahissilly @luldejamleer @d7dream @gabbyygoo @bravemode @latenighttalkinqwp @avvwritesstufff @prettygirl-gabi @yailtsv @bebitts @heartsforari @usuallyshadowybasement @authentic-girl03 @private-but-not-a-secret @evanpeterstoe @destinybueckers44 @youmeandjennessey @starfulani @cherryswisherz @bueckersworld @paiges-1vur

paiges-1vur

i need a pt two now.

im obsessed to say the least. WOW

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

ana