trriviall

[trriviall]

OFFLINE CHAPTER 1

Summary: a 2000's pazzi au where azzi just won a championship and paige is a ceo of a nonprofit and runs downtown LA nightlife

warnings: none

wk: 4.3 k

Azzi is on a high right now.

She might also be high.

But who cares? The locker room is loud, music and screams are bouncing off the walls, champagne is being thrown in the air, and Azzi’s cheeks hurt from her non-stop grinning.

It’s 2001 and the L.A. Sparks have just won the WNBA championships, defeating the Charlotte Sting. And Azzi? Azzi was at the center of it all. Her buzzer beater 3-pointer was what the purple and yellow team needed to win the second game, declaring them rightful champions.

For the Sparks, the first game was fairly easy. The first half was gritty; bodies flying on the floor and arguments exchanged. But by the second half, Azzi’s shots were falling, Dearica’s defense was rock solid, and Cameron was putting up points inside the paint like it was nothing.

The second game looked very different.

At halftime, the Sparks were down by 13. The locker room was silent while Coach spoke. The game didn’t start turning around for the Sparks until the fourth quarter. By then, the Sting had gotten comfortable with their lead and started playing sloppy. And if the Sparks knew how to do one thing, it was to put up a fight.

So fight they did. Every time a cut was too slow, a pass too low, or a rebound gone long, the Sparks were there. And when the clock winded down, they were down by two. So of course Dearica managed to find Cameron in the paint, who managed to find a wide open Azzi Fudd in the corner. Rookie mistake on the Sting's part, really.

So now, press was done, and the team could really celebrate. They were all in various states of undressed, champagne and sweat soaked closed tossed aside. Azzi had lost her jersey and her shoes in the chaos, sauntering around the locker room in her uniform shorts and a champagne bottle, her charming smile displayed on her lips. Cam, miraculously, was still in her jersey, though her shoes and socks were lost. Once the blonde’s eyes landed on Azzi, she stood from her locker and wrapped her slender arms around Azzi’s shorter frame. Cam smelled of sweat, lingering floral body spray, and bubbly champagne. Azzi guessed she smelled just about the same, so she had no room to complain.

“To the people’s princess!” Cam said, raising her arm that wasn’t around Azzi in the air. The rest of the team follow suit with cheers, sticky, half empty champagne bottles being raised in the air. 

“For saving our asses out there,” Dearica said, a full grin on her face. Her championship t-shirt was soaked with champagne. “Still can’t believe they left you wide open.” Azzi blushed, her cheeks flushing.

“I’m surprised it went in,” Azzi replied. Her soft voice a little more hoarse than normal. The combination of being drunk, a little high, and screaming the entire game catching up to her. Beside her, Cam scoffed, shaking her head.

“Ever humble,” Cam grumbled. She turned back to the rest of the team, a sly grin making its way to her face. “I think we should celebrate.”

“I thought that was the plan,” Rae spoke up from her locker, a blunt dangling from her slender fingers. Azzi was amazed that her lashes stayed on throughout the brutal champagne shower. “Go on a little bender. Party tonight, wake up for the parade tomorrow, party after that.”

“Where are we going to go on such short notice?” Azzi said, always the voice of reason. No club would have enough space in their VIP section for an entire team at this time of night. The locker room fell silent, Azzi’s words settling in.

“We could just push it to tomorrow night,” Dearica said, shrugging her shoulders. “I need food before I drink anymore.”

“Nah,” Kelsey said, standing up. Azzi wondered what happened to her uniform, the guard standing in a sports bra and spandex. “Cam’s got connections. She can get us into any club in L.A.. For free.”

The team eagerly turned their heads towards the blonde, who was taking a large sip from her bottle. Azzi subtly rolled her eyes, before turning her attention to her best friend. She too wanted to know what this “connection” Cam had could do for the team.

“Connection?” Cameron asked, sounding as confused as the rest of the team looked. “I don’t have any connections.”

“Cam, your sister runs the downtown nightlife,” Kelsey said. “Give her a call, I bet she can get us a VIP table somewhere nice.”

“Who’s your sister?” Sarah Ashlee-Barker asked. For once, Azzi wasn’t annoyed at her nosy questions and naturally curious vibe. She had been teammates with Cam for two years, and didn’t know who this connection was, or who Cam’s sister was. Cameron shook her head, before pulling away from Azzi. Her arm left a wet feeling on the back of Azzi’s neck, and she couldn’t tell if it was sweat or champagne. She didn’t want to know.

Cameron plopped down in her locker cubby, rummaging around in her locker before pulling out her phone. It was an all black Nokia, one of the newer versions. Azzi wasn’t even sure the model she had was out yet. Come to think of it, Azzi could confidently assume that Cam got it from another connection she had. After the press of a few buttons, Cam put the phone up to her ear, the line ringing. The locker room was silent, every player eager to catch a few words of Cam’s conversation.

Azzi wanted to know who was on the other end of the line, simply because she wanted to know what she was getting herself into. If Cam’s connection was some shady guy who only accepted payments in the form of good deeds, Azzi was more than happy to get take-out on her way home and crash in her apartment.

Azzi didn’t know if it was possible, but the locker room went even quieter when they heard a muffled voice on the other end of the line after the call connected. Azzi couldn’t make out any words, but the voice was deep yet soft at the same time. She figured he was some L.A. playboy, the type MTV wanted for music videos and girls fawned over in rom-coms.

“I need a favor,” Cam said. The room was silent, and Cam made an offended face before speaking up again. “You’re speaking to a champion right now. I just need one favor for tonight so we can all celebrate. We can’t get a good table for the entire team on such short notice, you know this. Help your sister out?”

Azzi smiled to herself when she heard the person on the other end of the line go silent, before they let out a long breath. Thirty seconds later, Cam snapped her phone shut and turned to the team with a wide grin.

“Congrats champs. We just got a VIP table at 5 Nights!”

Azzi wasn’t too sure she knew what 5 Nights was. She wasn’t even sure she had ever even heard of it. Azzi didn’t go out a lot, and never without a reason. When she did, it was mostly to her brothers club just three blocks away from her apartment. That way, if she had one too many drinks, she could stumble the quick walk home. And if she was too far gone, her brother was right there. 

Cam had told the team to put on their sluttiest outfits and meet at her apartment in an hour. Which meant they would be meeting at Azzi’s apartment because Cameron lived right across the hall from Azzi, and always seemed to be over.

Azzi wanted to roll her eyes when Cam walked into her room as she was getting ready, and told her that her outfit was too modest.

“You have an ass and abs babe, show them off,” Cam said, before tearing apart Azzi’s closet. Clothes were spilling out when Cam returned with an outfit for Azzi to wear. Azzi’s jaw dropped, and she immediately shook her head.

“My entire ass will be out, no way.”

“That’s like, the whole point,” Cam said. “Besides, everyone else is bringing their A game. Kelsey called me, she’s wearing leather shorts. Short shorts.”

“This isn’t college,” Azzi said, turning back to her vanity to finish her makeup.

“Exactly. So we can reveal a little more.” Cameron sighed when Azzi didn’t respond. Cam sat down on the end of Azzi’s bed, crossing one leg over the other. Azzi glanced at her through the mirror, her high boots falling just below her knees. Her jean skirt was teetering on the edge of too short, making Azzi have to glance twice to make sure nothing slipped.

“I have a reputation to uphold.” Azzi finally said, turning around on her stool to face the blonde. Cam glanced at her low waisted jeans and full length top, shaking her head.

“It’s like you said, this isn’t college. This is your third year in the league, venture out some more. People aren't going to try to torch you for showing some skin. Besides, who’s going to see?”

“Tabloids?” Azzi said, confused. Cam scoffed, waving a hand in the air.

“Screw the tabloids. Get sexy. Show off that ass and those abs, I beg. Take someone home. You’re a girl with needs, babe.” Azzi rolled her eyes, but there was no heat behind them. Azzi watched as Cam left the room, tugging down her skirt as she went.

Azzi had spent the past season focused on nothing but basketball. The whole team did, really. They knew that this could be their year. So she curved everyone that came her way, and anything else that could be a possible distraction. She turned up the princess charm, throwing charming grins at reporters who doubted her and the team's ability to win it all this year.

Azzi sighed and stood up, having basked in enough silence. Azzi threw on the skirt and top Cam picked out for her, before slipping on white kitten heels. Azzi grabbed a bag and threw her lip gloss and phone inside, as well as some cash before leaving her room, shutting the door behind her.

She was in for a night.

Paige was tired. 5 Nights seemed to be more packed than normal for a Thursday night, even in LA. Paige had already had to deal with an almost fight, a couple hooking up in the bathroom, and a girl crying so hard her tears were coated in her running mascara. Paige was just glad that Cam would be here soon and she could unwind. 

She was also glad that Nika was right by her side, reminding her that despite the current chaos, she did like her job. Sometimes.

“How long?” Nika asked, settling across from Paige in the rounded booth. Paige glanced at her watch, squinting to read the time through the club lights reflecting off the silver.

“Should be any minute,” Paige said. “Cam called almost two hours ago.” Nika nodded before flagging down one of the bottle girls walking around with a tray. Nika grabbed two shots from the tray, before winking at the girl and sending her on her way. Nika placed a shot in Paige’s hands, and they clinked their glasses together before knocking them back in sync.

Nika placed her now empty glass on the table, Paige following suit, before crossing her legs and looking at her best friend. “How do you feel knowing you’re going to be surrounded by hot basketball girls all night?” Paige scoffed, shaking her head at Nika’s words. Nika laughed to herself, a sly smirk on her face.

“I feel indifferent.” Paige said shrugging her shoulders, though Nika saw right through it.

“Indifferent my ass,” Nika scoffed. She leaned forward, crossing her arms over the table. “You’ve been obsessed with Azzi for months now. Honestly? I’m surprised it took you this long to meet her.”

“I have not been obsessed,” Paige tried to defend, but it fell upon deaf ears.

Nika quickly picked up on Paige’s sudden interest in the WNBA over the past few months. Sure Paige had always watched it and kept up with their season considering Cam was her sister. But recently, she wanted to watch a lot more games, forcing Nika to miss her nightly episodes of Temptation Island. It was easy to pick up on Paige’s sudden interest in keeping up with Cam’s teammates stats, something she never cared for in the past.

And it was so easy to pick up on Paige’s sudden interest in the sports section of the newspaper. Nika didn’t read the newspaper, and Paige didn’t care for it, so it typically piled up throughout the week in their mailbox until one of them caved and cleared it. However, Nika has been greeted by the sight of Paige drinking her plain black coffee in the morning while reading the newspaper, instead of arguing with her assistant on many occasions over the summer.

“Paige, you bought season tickets to Sparks games.”

“And?” Paige shrugged. “What’s the harm in supporting my sister?”

Paige could care less about supporting her sister. Well, she could care less about supporting her sister’s team. Paige had kept up with Cam’s stats and how she was doing ever since she entered the league. She knew Cam’s practice schedule, game schedule, helped her with tunnel fits, and even worked out with her sometimes. But Paige never cared to learn Cam’s teammates names, their stats, or anything about them. She had never even met them.

And it wasn’t that Paige didn’t care. It was that she didn’t care enough to work in another social group into her busy life. She had clubs and bars to manage, a company to run, a dog to tend to, and parents to please. She didn’t care to make time.

But that all changed a few months ago ahead of the 2001 season. Paige had been working out with Cam at Paige’s private gym, when Cam mentioned how excited she was for this upcoming season. Particularly, how excited she was for the return of her favorite teammate.

“I’m so excited for Azzi to be back on the court,” Cam had said, making small talk to make the minute plank go by faster. “She looked really good during training camp. Her shots were crisp and falling every time.” Paige really wasn’t paying attention, so Cam kept talking. “We would have gone a lot farther with her last year. But that’s in the past. I can tell she wants to win this year even more than the rest of us.”

Paige glanced at the clock above the door, dropping to the floor. Cam followed suit, groaning loudly and complaining about sore limbs. Paige had rolled her eyes and grabbed a sweat towel and wiped her face down.

“Not to mention she looks great,” Cam continued. “Taking a season off treated her well. She’s all long legs and charming smiles now. The paps love her. She doesn’t have a bad side, I’m telling you.”

“I’m pretty sure if the paparazzi loved her, I’d have seen her by now.” Paige said. With as many high end bars that Paige owned and ran, she had celebrities coming in and out. She liked to keep up with everyone coming in and out of her bars and clubs. And she had never heard of this Azzi girl, so how popular could she really be?

“You better look her up,” Cam had said, standing up. “She is everything everyone wants to be. I’m just glad I don’t have to guard her.”

So Paige had gone home and looked her up. And it’s safe to say that was the day Paige decided she would keep up with the rest of Cam’s team.

Now, sitting in a booth in 5 Nights, Paige was giddy on the inside. Cam was right. Azzi was everything everyone wanted to be. She had a charming smile she knew how to use, kind eyes that caught everyone’s attention, and a clean form that everyone wished they had. Paige hadn’t even met her, and she was ready to risk it all for her.

Paige spotted Cam the moment she walked in the bar. Her tall frame stood out amongst everyone else’s. Paige caught her eyes, and tilted her head, signaling she could come back. The bouncer in front of the VIP section, Morgan, didn’t even stop them. She let them right in, closing the rope behind them. Paige stood to greet Cam, the taller girl wrapping her arms around Paige. Paige could tell Cam was already a little tipsy, if her stumbling over her own feet was anything to go off of.

“Paigey!” Cam said, rocking the pair back and forth. Cam pulled back, a dopey grin on her face. “Thank you so much for getting us in. I seriously owe you.” Paige shook her head, shoving her hands in the pockets of her loose slacks.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Perfect,” Cam grinned. “First round on you then.” Cam patted Paige’s shoulder, before turning towards the booth to greet Nika. Paige rolled her eyes, but gestured for one of the bottle girls to bring a round of shots for everyone.

“Paige, these are my teammates. Everyone say hi,” Cam said, standing behind Paige. “This is her best friend Nika, she’s the nicer one.” Paige rolled her eyes again, something she often found herself doing anytime she was around Cam.

Cam insisted she introduced Paige to everyone. So for the next hour, Cam drunkenly tugged her by the arm so Paige could meet her teammates. Paige was pretty sure almost everyone was very drunk, because most of the conversations consisted of Cam’s high pitched laughter, whichever teammate they were talking to joining in, and Paige staring at them confused. Paige figured she would be the only one to remember these interactions the next day.

That was until Cam pulled her back to the booth two hours later, making Paige sit down next to her. Across from the blonde pair, Nika chatted animatedly with Azzi fudd. Paige had missed her when the team first came in, most likely hiding in the back.

The tabloids didn’t do her justice. No blurry photo online or a colorless printed one in the newspaper could compare to Azzi Fudd’s real life beauty. Her smile was radiant, and her skin was glowing. Something about her was warm, she felt like the type of person anyone would get along with. Her curls, slightly damp from her shower, sat on her shoulders, complimenting her cheekbones. From across the table, Paige admired her white top. It was the kind that was basically a bra with mesh covering the torso. Paige couldn’t see what bottoms she was wearing, but she assumed they were criminal.

“Azzi! This is my sister, Paige,” Cam said, extending her arm across the table to tap Azzi’s arm and grab her attention. Azzi’s eyes bounced from Cam to the figure next to her. Azzi’s expression didn’t change, not allowing Paige to get a read on what she was thinking. Paige extended her hand, holding it out for Azzi to shake. Azzi glanced at it, before extending her own hand.

To Paige’s surprise, Azzi’s hand was soft. Paige figured anyone with handles as good as Azzi’s would spend hours in the gym, making her hands calloused but hardworking.

“This is Paige’s club!” Cam yelled over the music. “She owns this one and a few others downtown.” Azzi glanced at Paige with an impressed expression, one brow raised. Paige blushed and shook her head, offering up an explanation.

“This is the only club I own. Nika helps me run it. Me and Nika just sponsor a lot of bars and clubs downtown.” Azzi nodded her head, picking up her drink and taking a slow sip before responding.

“Sounds like the humble way of saying they aren’t anything without you.” Paige laughed to herself, surprised at Azzi’s ability to be blunt in the softest way possible.

“Pretty much.” Paige replied. Her eyes never left Azzi’s, watching the basketball star examine her. Paige was doing the same thing. Her eyes traced the cure of Azzi’s lips and watched her long lashes flutter every time she blinked.

“What else do you do?” Azzi asked, her soft voice managing to reach Paige over the bass of the music. 

“I’m the CEO of a non-profit.” Paige said.

“What does your company do?” It was a miracle Paige was still talking when Azzi’s velvety smooth voice was practically taunting her.

“We help provide therapy to kids.Especially any kid going through a rough time.” Azzi nodded her head like she approved of Paige’s company. And honestly? Paige was glad. Azzi smiled softly at Paige, before taking another sip of her drink.

“Come dance!” Cam said, scooting all the way around the booth to push Nika and Azzi out on the other side. Nika choked on her drink before stumbling out of the booth. Somehow, Nika’s low waisted pinstripe pants looked perfect for the setting, fitting right in with everyone else’s more skimpy club outfits.

When Azzi stood up, Paige had to do a double take. She wore a mini leather skirt that sat just below a dangly belly ring. Her long legs made the skirt look even shorter than it was. But Paige wasn’t convinced it was very long at all, considering she watched as Azzi tugged it down when she stood up. Cam slid out of the booth next, grabbing Azzi’s free hand that wasn’t holding Nika’s.

“We’ll be back P,” Nika said, before leaving the VIP section to join the rest of the team on the dance floor. Paige shamelessly watched as Azzi’s hips swayed as she walked away, her flip flop heels making her walk look more attractive. When Paige finally tore her eyes away from Azzi, she was met with Cam glancing over her shoulder at her, a sly smirk on her face. Paige knew she was caught. But for some reason she couldn’t care less.

Azzi was at the level of tipsy where you were more loose than normal, able to let go, but you were still conscious enough not to make bad decisions. She knew she was tipsy, which was how she knew she wasn’t drunk enough.

She checked her gold watch as Nika dragged her to the dance floor, making Cam have to raise her hand. It was just after one, which meant Azzi would probably cool it off the drinks. Azzi felt Cam lean closer to her over her shoulder, and something told her Cam wanted to start something.

“What do you think of Paige?” Cam asked.

“She’s cool,” Azzi replied.

“What else? I was catching hella vibes from you two.”

“From what? Our two minute conversation about her job?” Azzi asked with a laugh.

“No, from your intense eye contact and the way she eyed you walking away.” Azzi scoffed, shaking her head.

“As if. Get a grip, Cam.”

“I’m just saying, I caught mad vibes between you two. It wouldn’t hurt to get with a baller.” Azzi glanced over her shoulder with a bored expression.

“Bite me.”

Cam snorted, before Azzi fondly rolled her eyes, no real harm behind her words. Nika stopped, pulling Azzi and Cam closer to her. Azzi vaguely recognized the song being played through the loud speakers, the bass making her head buzz. Even though she was only tipsy, the loud music combined with Cam and Nika’s energy put Azzi in the right mood to let go and truly celebrate.

So when “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot came on, Azzi screamed, turning to Cam with wide eyes.

“Biatch! This is your song!” Cam yelled. Nika, even though she didn’t know what was going on, was matching the two girls' energy. Azzi, with a grin on her face, turned around so her back was pressed to Cam’s front, two two girls moving their hips in sync. Azzi was met with Nika’s front, who was dancing in sync with the two basketball girls.

Going to college in the middle of nowhere, UConn, there wasn’t much else to do besides party when you weren’t in class or at practice. All throughout college, “Baby Got Back” had been Azzi’s anthem. It was what got her going and brought out her best moves. Azzi had lost count on how many people she grinded on when this song started playing. Most of the time, it was her best friend Caroline when they were out celebrating wins.

Azizi felt Cam place her hands on her hips, before she turned Azzi around. Now, Azzi’s back was pressed to Nika’s front. The three girls kept it up, passing Azzi back and forth between the two. Azzi got lost in the music, her skirt riding up slightly, grinding on Nika and Cam. After all, Baby’s got back, right?

From the VIP section, Paige was dying. She had never seen anyone dance like Azzi. With the good girl narrative the tabloids portrayed her as, Paige was one of the imbeciles who fell for it. Never in her life would Paige think she would meet the “people’s princess” and then catch her grinding on two girls in the same night. Azzi carried herself with so much poise that Paige didn’t think it was something the curly haired girl had in her.

Paige quickly looked away when Azzi caught her eye from her position between the two girls, and her full lips curved into a smirk. Paige quietly cursed to herself. Never in her life would she imagine a girl would have her blushing. 

Paige was never the chaser. She was always the chased. The media portrayed her as a playboy who had a different person in her bed every night. And while that was not true, Paige was the one luring in one night stands just to never call them back. People fell at her feet, and she let them. Just because Paige wasn’t picky on who she slept with didn’t mean she was run through. She did have standards. Most of the time, whoever landed at her feet that particular night was disappointed. All Paige really craved was  a good makeout session. Once she got that, she sent the person on their way.

Paige was never the one falling at someone else's feet.

But right now, Paige would happily fall at Azzi’s feet. Heck, she would get on her knees and kiss them if Azzi asked.