you’re mic’d, you know that right? (III)
Description: Everyone else starts noticing the way KK and Kayleigh act, even if they won’t admit anything themselves.
Post-game interviews are usually easy.
Routine.
The same folding table. The same row of microphones lined up too close together, cords tangled like nobody ever bothers to fix them. The same bright lights that make everything feel a little warmer than it should be, a little too exposed.
Same questions.
Same answers.
Nothing crazy.
Today feels different the second KK sits down.
She notices it before anything even starts.
Too many smiles.
Too many looks being exchanged between reporters like they are all in on something she has not been told yet. The low murmur in the room feels lighter, sharper, like it is waiting for something instead of just recording it.
Kayleigh, sitting a few seats down, notices it too.
Of course she does.
Her posture stiffens slightly, shoulders pulling in just a bit, eyes flicking across the room like she is trying to figure out what changed.
“…don’t,” she mutters under her breath.
KK glances at her immediately, turning her head just enough to catch her profile.
“…don’t what?”
Kayleigh doesn’t look at her. Her gaze stays forward, fixed somewhere above the cameras.
“…just don’t.”
KK’s mouth tilts into a small smirk, the kind she cannot help.
“…I didn’t even do anything.”
Kayleigh finally turns her head, giving her a look that says otherwise.
“…you did a lot.”
KK shrugs, leaning back slightly in her chair, completely unbothered.
“…allegedly.”
Kayleigh presses her lips together, trying not to react.
Trying not to smile.
It still slips through a little, the corner of her mouth betraying her for half a second before she looks away again.
The first few questions are normal.
Game stats.
Defense rotations.
Energy on the court.
Team chemistry.
Safe.
Too safe.
It almost feels like a buildup.
Then one of the reporters leans forward slightly, adjusting their mic.
“…KK, there’s been a lot of attention on some of the on-court audio today.”
There it is.
KK nods once, like she expected it. “…okay.”
Kayleigh closes her eyes briefly, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table.
“…KK,” she mutters, quieter this time.
KK ignores her.
Of course she does.
The reporter continues, voice careful but curious.
“…care to comment on what seemed like a lot of personal conversation during gameplay?”
The room shifts.
Not fully silent.
But close enough that every small sound feels louder, the click of a camera, the shuffle of paper, the faint buzz of the lights overhead.
KK leans back slightly, like she is thinking about it.
She is not.
“…I talk a lot.”
A few reporters laugh, the tension breaking just enough.
Kayleigh drops her head for a second, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.
“…oh my god,” she whispers.
Another reporter jumps in quickly, sensing it.
“…was that directed at a specific player?”
KK glances sideways.
Just for a second.
At Kayleigh.
That is all it takes.
The room catches it immediately, like a spark.
Kayleigh freezes, her shoulders going still, her breath catching just slightly.
“…don’t,” she whispers again.
KK looks forward, like nothing happened.
“…maybe.”
The reaction is instant.
More movement.
More voices overlapping.
More attention snapping directly toward them.
Kayleigh leans closer now, her voice low, controlled but urgent.
“…KK, I’m serious.”
KK tilts her head slightly toward her, not fully turning, just enough to hear.
“…what?”
“…stop.”
KK smiles again, smaller this time, almost softer.
“…relax.”
Kayleigh stares at her, disbelief mixing with something else.
“…you told me that already.”
“…and you’re still here.”
Kayleigh exhales slowly, trying to steady herself, trying to push everything back into something manageable.
It does not fully work.
Another reporter turns toward her.
“…Kayleigh, do you have anything to add?”
Kayleigh looks up instantly.
Composed.
Calm.
Like none of that just happened.
“…no.”
A pause.
Then, more firmly.
“…no comment.”
KK lets out a quiet laugh beside her, barely contained.
Kayleigh elbows her lightly under the table, quick and sharp.
“…stop.”
The reporter presses, sensing the shift.
“…nothing at all?”
Kayleigh shakes her head, steady.
“…nothing.”
Then, quieter, slipping out before she can stop it.
“…she talks too much.”
The room reacts again, a ripple of laughter and interest.
KK turns toward her immediately.
“…oh, I talk too much?”
Kayleigh’s eyes widen slightly, realizing what she just did.
“…I didn’t mean—”
KK leans in a little, closing the space just enough that it feels intentional.
“…nah, say it again.”
Kayleigh glares at her, heat rising to her face.
“…not here.”
KK’s grin widens.
“…where then?”
Kayleigh’s breath catches for a second.
“…KK.”
Another reporter cuts in, voice sharper now.
“…so there’s no confirmation of anything between you two?”
Kayleigh opens her mouth.
KK answers first.
“…we play basketball together.”
Kayleigh turns to her, incredulous.
“…that’s your answer?”
KK shrugs lightly, like it is the most obvious thing in the world.
“…it’s true.”
Kayleigh stares at her for a second longer, something unreadable flickering across her face.
Then—
“…you’re unbelievable.”
KK glances at her again.
Softer this time.
Less teasing.
“…you knew that.”
That stops her.
Just for a second.
Kayleigh looks forward again, straightening slightly.
“…next question.”
Trying to move it along.
Trying to act normal.
It almost works.
Until KK leans slightly closer again, just enough that no one else can hear, her voice dropping low.
“…you didn’t deny it.”
Kayleigh freezes.
Her fingers tighten slightly against the table.
“…KK.”
“…what?”
“…we’re in a press conference.”
KK nods once, like she understands.
“…and?”
Kayleigh exhales, shaking her head slightly.
“…you’re the worst.”
KK smiles, small and satisfied.
“…yeah.”
A small pause.
Then softer, quieter, meant only for her.
“…but you still didn’t deny it.”
Kayleigh glances at her.
Quick.
Like she cannot help it.
“…no comment.”
KK leans back in her chair, settling in like she just proved something.
“…that’s what I thought.”
Kayleigh shakes her head, trying to look annoyed.
Trying not to react.
But her lips betray her again.
Just a little.
A small, soft smile she cannot quite hide.
And the cameras
Yeah.
They definitely catch that.