worksbykai

[worksbykai]

ouuu i gotta bed time story

ONE SHOT: EXIT 42 PART 2

paige x azzi

word count: 19k

a/n: i don't know why I wrote part one thinking my anons would let me get away with only writing one part. here's the heavily requested part two of the random au i came up with. i need a heavy dose of affirmation these days so i'd be extremely grateful if i could get some thoughts and a few live reacts on this one. i hope i didn't disappoint with part two 🫶🏼 feel free to let me know if there's typos!

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For two months, Azzi and Paige made a rhythm out of distance.

Azzi texted more often than she ever had with anyone and found herself smiling at her phone more than she wanted to admit. She’d text little random things, updates about her day. Sometimes it was full paragraphs when she had a lot on her mind and she knew she didn’t have to pretend to be anything she wasn’t with Paige.

Paige usually took her time to reply because it took her more of a conscious effort to remember her phone existed. Initially Azzi flinched at the lull in responses, checking their message thread often like she was owed urgency. Eventually she started to connect the dots that would always respond. 

Usually it was at the end of the day. She would make her appearance  in the thread with a picture from her day. Once a dusky sky leaking a beautiful lavender behind a slatted fence, another time it was the horses under a large Texas ash tree while the dogs were asleep on their backs. She’d always respond with a string of her messages responding to everything Azzi sent before sending her own thoughts about the day. 

"Mrs. Emory asked about you again today."

"I think Stew misses you. Keeps on running to the guest room.”

"Too hot to wear black out here today. Even my boots were sweating."

Each message made Azzi ache in a strange, shapeless way that longing for another person does.

Azzi likes that Paige never pries her for information. Even when Azzi’s messages showed signs of her lifestyle: the glam team tending to her when she sent a selfie, tired replies at odd hours. It was a quiet agreement they easily fell into; if Paige didn’t ask, Azzi didn’t have to lie or dodge.

They also had a few FaceTimes here and there. The calls were usually late with Paige already under her covers and the dogs laying close by on their dog beds. Every time they spoke her voice was always hoarse, like her long day hadn’t let go of her yet.

“Was just about to call it a night,” she’d say, but each time she followed up with a grin that showed she was waiting for Azzi to call.

Azzi was usually just getting home and as she threw her keys on the island she’d say, “Sure you were.”

Because they were both tired from their days the conversations were never too long and they always ended slower than they started. Paige had a way of making even a goodbye stretch with how calm she was. 

“Alright then, goodnight sweetheart”, her finger nowhere near the end call button. Words like that always got to Azzi because Paige’s Southern cadence made everything sound like she was flirting. Azzi swears she tried not to read too far into it…Keywords tried because unfortunately for her most days she failed

Because sometimes Paige would say something simple like, “That color looks amazing on you,” without second guessing how it came off. Azzi lost count of the times she heard Paige say “Wish you could sit with me to watch this sunset,” and mean it so plainly it reminded Azzi of a white bare room that she could paint pastels into.

The only problem is Paige would toss in a “ma’am” just to tease her but on her end Azzi was left wondering how she meant it. She didn’t know if it was from Paige being raised by her grandmother or if there was something more threading through the seams.

However Paige felt, whether she felt anything for Azzi at all, no one could deny that there was  something growing like kudzu between their words.

On a specific occasion during one of their later calls Paige was stuck between sleep and conciseness while Azzi was still fully dressed, streetlight’s eclipsing her living room in amber.

“I want to see you,” Azzi said, as she moved around her kitchen to go to the couch. “In person I mean.”

Paige blinked her eyes open slowly, voice honeyed from sleep. “Yeah?” 

Azzi nodded, pushing her knees up on the couch to get more comfortable. “You let me be a part of your world for a weekend. I feel like it might be time for you to come see mine.”

Paige grinned against her pillows, the apples of her cheeks getting a little rosie. “You plannin on getting me lost in a city?”

Azzi grinned. “You wouldn’t last five minutes without me, country girl.”

“Mmm,” Paige hummed, rolling onto her back. “Bet I’d last six.”

What surprised Azzi after that call was that Paige didn’t need much convincing. There was no hemming and hawing, just Paige mumbling, “lemme figure a few things out darlin” and a promise to have an update for her soon.

Over the next few days, Paige tied up her responsibilities to make sure everything was in place for the weekend. She called one of her good friends Ashlynn to stay at the house and tend to the animals, made sure she separated Mrs. Emory's meds after mowing the lawn, and fixed the Langston's broken water heater and got them groceries.

The last thing she did was swap her truck for her friend’s Ford F-150 Raptor. “So you don’t rattle the doors off your beauty on I-35,” Jeff teased as he tossed her the keys that morning.

…

By the time Paige rolled into Dallas, the sky was yawning pink behind her. The city bloomed alive in front of her. Instead of soft trees melting into the sky, buildings rose sharply against the horizon, their glass facades catching the last of the sunlight like magnifying glasses, casting heat in every angled direction. It was louder here. Not even in just volume, the energy felt more frenzied. Everything felt like it was buzzing. People moved impatiently, everyone caught up in their own stories.

Azzi's high rise apartment was taller than the rest of the buildings, planted right in the heart of the city where someone of her caliber belonged. Paige followed the instructions Azzi sent her that morning to get into the garage. 

She circled around the maze until she got to the level that belonged to Azzi and pulled the Raptor right next to her pink coupe. The engine rumbled to a stop and Paige just sat there for a few moments to take a breather. One of her hands was still on the gear shift, while she rubbed the back of her neck with the other one. Eventually she let out a long breath and picked up her phone to call Azzi.

It rang once before she heard Azzi answer. “I’m in your garage, sweetheart.”

She could hear Azzi’s smile through the phone. “Stay there, I’m coming down.”

By the time Paige got out of the truck and got her duffle bag from the backseat elevator doors across the garage were sliding open.

When Azzi stepped out of the elevator the fluorescent lights in the ceiling caught the silver hoops in her ears and the waist chain peeking out from underneath her cropped hoodie. Her hair was pulled up, curls piled high with a few tendrils purposefully left out to frame her features. When she got close enough, Paige caught on to the smell of jasmine and vanilla radiating from her skin. Warm and sweet just like she remembered.

Paige was standing next to the truck, watching her with a softened look. Appreciative of her but never greedy, never ill-mannered. Azzi was doing her own version of the same thing. Her eyes drifted from the worn blue jeans, to the white t-shirt underneath the open blue flannel that brought out the color in her eyes even under the garage lights. A silver cross chain resting just above her collarbone.

Azzi’s lips parted in an unintentional smile before she spoke. “Hi.”

Paige’s grin mirrored hers as soon as she heard Azzi’s voice. “Hi, sweetheart.”

The words landed a little differently in person. Azzi felt them wrap around her chest like a honey dipper dunked deeply into a pit of honey, coming out golden. The warmth of it coated her ribs, drizzled down and settled somewhere behind her sternum. “I missed hearing that,” she said, a little bashfully.

Paige gave her another crooked grin, saying everything with her eyes. When Azzi reached for her bag, Paige tightened her hand around the leather, shaking her head no like Azzi should know better. Azzi sighed before they walked beside each other as they made their way to the private elevator.

The ride was quick and pretty quiet the entire time. Paige all of a sudden felt a little shy.

When the elevator doors opened into Azzi’s apartment Paige stepped out first.

Just off the initial view alone it was apparent how expansive the space was. The ceilings were high enough to have another floor and light wood stretched across the open floor plan, all bathed in natural light. Floor to ceiling windows wrapped around almost every wall, offering a full view of the Dallas skyline.

It felt like the complete opposite of the farmhouse. There were no creaky floors, or the sound of animals just outside the back door. The clutter was minimal and Azzi had an earth toned throw blanket over the couch. The house was completely modernized but there were small sprinkles of Azzi throughout that Paige wanted to help her expand on. 

Paige set her bag down on a wooden bench near the elevator, sliding her boots off as her eyes moved around the space.

Azzi watched her take it in. Observing her reaction to the quiet luxury of the place, but the more she watched the more indifferent Paige seemed which made her heart swell a little before she decided to just outwardly ask. “You good?”

Paige nodded once, slowly. “Yup,” she said. “Just…big.”

Azzi laughed. “It’s not that big.”

Paige glanced at her before her eyes drifted toward the windows again. “Darlin, I can see the clouds through your windows.”

Before Azzi could tease her about it, a voice called her name. “Azzi.”

Azzi’s eyebrows lifted, completely forgetting people were still there. “Oh right,” she mumbled under her breath, then cleared her throat and walked toward the kitchen, grabbing Paige’s attention to tell her to follow.

They walked in to see two people standing near the oversized kitchen island. Katie, Azzi’s mother,and  Azzi’s manager, were mid conversation, when they walked in but stopped when they saw Paige walking in with Azzi.

“This is my mom,” Azzi said, one hand brushing Paige’s lower back as she stepped forward to introduce them.

Katie offered Paige her hand, making sure to give her a kind smile as she did. Paige shook Katie’s hand, her own natural grin sliding into place. “It’s really nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Katie tilted her head, already charmed into giving her a genuine smile. “Oh, you don’t have to call me that. Katie’s just fine.”

Paige’s grin widened. “If I did that ma’am, my grandmother would haunt my dreams,” she said, letting out a short laugh.

That made both Fudd women laugh. Katie’s a little fuller, while Azzi’s was softer but a little more affected.

“And this is my manager, Skye,” Azzi added, glancing over at the young woman beside her mother, who had been watching Paige and Azzi both with interest.

Paige turned and extended her hand again. “Nice to meet you, as well,” she said, just as respectfully.

Skye shook her hand with a slight smile in Azzi’s direction. “You’ve got manners, I’ll give you that.”

Paige tipped her chin in modest agreement and a silent thank you.

Katie looked between Azzi and Paige as she threw her hair into a ponytail. “So Azzi told me about the little car situation,” she said, laughing a little. “That she ended up staying on your farm for a few days?”

Paige nodded. Her posture was much more relaxed than everyone else, like she was still standing on open land instead of expensive wooden floors. “Yes ma’am that’s right,” she said, glancing toward Azzi. “Had to make sure she didn’t try to ride the tractor out of there,” she added charmingly.

Azzi rolled her eyes, but Paige kept going. “She was a natural on a horse, though.”

Katie raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. “Is that so?”

Azzi shrugged, pretending not to smile. “I held on and didn’t fall. That counts for something.”

“She did a lot more than that. Everything counts for a lot when it comes to ridin Rosie,” Paige said, the natural flirtatious drawl she has with Azzi forming on the edges of her words.

Skye noticed something more than just Paige complimenting horseback riding and looked at Azzi with one of her eyebrows raised.

Azzi ignored it.

Behind them, Paige had drifted toward the windows, soaking in the view in front of her.

Katie and Skye started gathering their things, sensing that Azzi most likely wanted to be alone.

“Alright,” Katie said, scrolling through her calendar app. “Your car service for the morning will be downstairs by four thirty, glam’s at five. It’ll be the same team as always.”

Azzi nodded, listening but watching Paige lean her forehead closer to the window to see the lines of traffic two dozen floors below.

Skye added, “I’ll meet you at the Dallas News studio to record the GMA segment and then we may or may not have to stop by the arena for—”

Azzi cut in smoothly, “Actually, can you just text me everything?”

Skye blinked in slight shock, caught mid sentence. “Uh yeah, sure of course.”

Katie, who was a little oblivious, kept going. “Just make sure you stretch tonight honey. You’re not gonna want to be stiff tomorrow morning after all the drills you—”

Azzi’s voice cut in again casually. “I know mom, I got it.” Azzi looked toward Paige and she was still seemingly entertained by the windows, not caring about the conversation going on behind her. Azzi silently thanked the universe that Paige wasn’t nosey. 

“Ok we’ll get out of your hair. Call if you need anything,” Katie said.

Azzi nodded, leaning down to give her mom a hug. Katie kissed her cheek, then turned to Paige. “It was really nice meeting you, Paige.”

Paige turned around, the city still glittering behind her. “Pleasure’s mine, ma’am.”

Katie gave her a warm smile before stepping toward the elevator with Skye. When the two of them left it left the apartment quieter and the energy a little lighter.

“You want something to drink?”

Paige wandered back toward the island. “Some cold water would be amazing.”

Azzi pulled a glass from the cabinet and walked to the refrigerator to fill it with cold water. Her back was to Paige but her awareness was trained entirely on her presence. The air felt different with Paige in her space. 

When she turned around and held the glass out, Paige took it saying, “Thank you,” their fingers brushing in the exchange.

Azzi watched as Paige brought the glass to her lips, tilted her head back slightly, throat bobbing as she drank. Her lashes fluttered before they settled and when she lowered the glass her eyes flicked toward Azzi.

“You alright?” Paige asked when she noticed Azzi looking.

Azzi blinked, realizing she’d been caught staring and all of a sudden she felt more like a schoolgirl with a crush than the 24 year old millionaire she was. “Yeah,” she said, trying to shake off the giddy feeling, adding a joke to mask the truth, “you just drink water a little dramatically, didn’t realize that was a thing.”

Paige grinned. “Is that so?”

Azzi shrugged as she moved to one of the seats at the island, adding some space to calm her chest but not too much. Her smile stayed put even as she looked down at the smooth marble countertop. “Apparently so.”

The space got quiet again, but it wasn’t empty. Their energy, whatever it was, hung between them. Azzi’s apartment, typically completely spacious and serene, suddenly felt smaller, cozier.

Paige watched Azzi in a way that made the younger girl more aware of herself. Her hands, her breathing, the way her foot tapped against the footrest of the stool. After a few seconds, Paige noticed her fidgeting a little so she asked, “Am I making you uncomfortable, sweetheart?”

Azzi’s eyes flew up. “No,” she said, maybe too quickly. Then she calmed her voice. “No, not at all.”

Paige continued to study her, patience in her eyes. “What is it then?”

Azzi rested her chin on the palm of her hand, fingers curled under her jaw. “You just have a…presence.” 

Paige nodded.

Azzi’s gaze dropped, then moved back up. She looked a little embarrassed, like even trying to explain was making her feel more than she wanted to. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Everything on the farm felt natural. Like I knew how to just be around you there. Now you’re here, in my space, and it’s different because I’m different here. It’s not bad just—” she let out a long breath. “I don’t fully remember how we moved around each other but I want to. I’ve been excited about this. I just guess I’m a little in my head.”

Paige’s eyes softened at her in a way that made Azzi’s chest ache again. “There’s no right or wrong way to act around me, sweetheart,” she said. “You don’t gotta perform or be anything you don’t wanna be. Just tell me what you need.”

“I kinda wanted a hug when you got here.”

Paige set her glass down on the counter before walking around the island. Azzi stood up when she got close, like her body had been waiting for an excuse to move toward Paige.

She relaxed into Paige arms like warm tea meeting the base of a hoarse sore throat. Soothing in a way that felt necessary for her survival. The cool air conditioning whispering through the apartment highlighted just how warm Paige’s body was against hers. Azzi closed her eyes and let her head rest on Paige’s shoulder.

Paige kept her hands in the middle of Azzi’s back, rubbing her thumb between her shoulder blades. “We gotta get you to slow down in the city too, darlin’,” she whispered, her voice close enough to Azzi’s ear to vibrate through her chest.

Azzi smiled into the hug. “Think I might need you to teach me how.”

Paige chuckled under her breath. “First step’s already done.” 

Azzi gave Paige a quick squeeze before pulling back, her hands trailing down Paige’s arms before falling to her own sides. She took a step back, eyes skimming over Paige again with a small grin. “So this is your version of dressing up, hm?” she teased. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything besides a white tee or a tank top. The flannel’s definitely a nice surprise.”

“That’s ‘cause 85% of my closet is plain tees. The other 15% is…flannels and other shirts I wear when someone fancy invites me to the city.”

Azzi laughed at the concept of being fancy. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Still charming,” Paige said, with a grin.

Azzi didn’t bother denying it as she moved back to her seat at the island, gesturing for Paige to do the same. “Unfortunately we picked a weekend that’s a little packed for me tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I heard. Seems you’re a busy woman darlin’.”

Azzi laughed, the sound angelic to Paige’s ears. “If it’s okay with you, I want you to come with me tomorrow. See what my day to day looks like.”

There was a very brief Paise before Paige asked, “Is that something you’d want?”

Azzi looked at her understanding the question wasn’t as surface level as it seemed. Paige didn’t care for the logistics of the whole thing. She wanted to know if Azzi was ready to open her up to that part of her life. 

Azzi’s tone was more curious than accusatory when she asked, “Why haven’t you ever asked me what I do? Or looked into it for that matter.”

“Because if it was somethin you wanted to dictate how we interacted you’d tell me on your own accord.”

“I play basketball,” Azzi said plainly. “Professionally I mean.”

Paige nodded, storing that fact about Azzi with the rest of them. Azzi kept going. “I’m in the WNBA, which I’m sure you probably don’t care about but my first season ended not too long ago. Right before I ended up on the farm actually.”

Paige grinned at Azzi’s small ramble before offering a simple, “That’s amazing Azzi.”

Azzi nodded once, but her smile didn’t come and she kept rambling a little. “It is and it isn’t. It’s been my dream my entire life. But it’s also been a little exhausting. Like, for the past year every part of me has been stretched thin. My body, mind, everything.”

She squeezed the bridge of her nose with two fingers to calm herself down. “The travel, the overnight change in the life and people I’ve known since I was 18, the spotlight, expecting to save a franchise overnight…all of it just moves so fast. Sometimes it feels like I don’t even get to just be in the life I worked so hard for. I’m just constantly managing it. Trying to stay afloat so my name isn’t in headlines for not living up to expectations.”

Paige leaned back in the chair to keep her posture open. “Is that why you’ve been avoidin it with me?”

Azzi nodded. “Part of it is just—” She paused, trying to figure out what she wanted to say fully. “I wanted to experience being with someone who didn’t know anything about that version of me. I just wanted to be Azzi with you. Doing that has given me some of the best days I’ve had in a really long time.”

Paige smiled at her, wanting to reach out to touch her but deciding to keep her hands to herself. “Then you’ll always just be Azzi with me, yeah?”

Azzi’s smile came slowly when she heard Paige say that, like it had to let the seed be planted and bloom through her chest before she fully processed it. 

“You successfully ridin Rosie is probably more impressive than anything else in my book anyway,” Paige added to lighten Azzi’s eyes.

That made Azzi snort which caused a loud laugh to burst from her chest as she exhaled the tension she was holding in her shoulders.

Azzi leaned back against her chair, warmth pooling in her brown eyes. “Are you hungry? I can cook for you.”

Paige smiled at the offer. “How about you go get a little comfortable first?”

Azzi raised an eyebrow, pushing herself upright as her hoops shimmered under the kitchen lights. “What, you don’t like me in this?”

Paige caught the bait easily, but she didn’t play into it the way she knew Azzi. Instead, she softened her voice, intending to make her words sound as genuine as possible as she looked at Azzi.  “You’d look lovely in anything, beautiful. I just want you to be comfortable in your own home before you start tendin’ to me is all.”

The words made Azzi go still for a second. Before her fingers started playing with the strings of the cropped hoodie a little nervously her smile bashful now that Paige moved past every version of flirting she knew hot to deflect. She bit her bottom lip before whispering, “I’ll be right back.”

When Azzi came back to the kitchen her curls were looser and her skin was bare skin bare. She had on a slightly oversized t-shirt and short cotton shorts. Her face showed her youth without the makeup.

Paige was sitting on the couch, her body angled toward the melting skyline. The city shimmered through the windows, soft purples and deepening blue streaked with gold as the sun dipped lower behind the other buildings.

Azzi’s voice traveled from behind her. “You like the view?”

Paige smiled at the glass before she turned her head. “I do now.”

Azzi flushed just enough to notice it, brushing past it huffing as she walked into the kitchen. She washed her hands under the faucet, drying them before opening the fridge and scanning the shelves.

By the time she stood back up with a few ingredients in her hand, Paige had moved from the couch to the kitchen, rolling her sleeves up.

“What are you doing?”

Paige was at the sink washing her hands. “I’m helpin’ you cook.”

Azzi was already shaking her head no. “You don’t need to do that.”

“You wanna cook alone while I just sit around in your apartment, sweetheart?” Paige said. Her voice had that familiar southern twang that made Azzi feel like she was standing in a field somewhere rather than in the middle of a luxury high rise. Paige dried her hands casually, keeping her eyes on Azzi. “Doesn’t feel right to me.”

Azzi crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “If I remember that’s exactly what you made me do at the farm.”

Paige tilted her head, grinning. “That was different.”

“Was it?”

“Yes ma’am I was lettin’ you show off those fine manners of yours sitting at my table.”

Azzi squinted her eyes, giving Paige a skeptical look before she handed her a cutting board. “Mmm I see. Well we’re making tomato sauce, so…” She gestured vaguely toward Paige’s chest. “You might wanna lose the shirt.” 

Both of Paige’s eyebrows lifted in shock. But she was always one to follow directions so she stepped toward the island and turned away, tugging the flannel off first, before she pulled the white tee over her head. That left her in a black sports bra, and her jeans that were low enough to show the band of her Calvin’s at her waist.

Azzi looked away immediately, staring a little too hard at the tomatoes on the counter. Suddenly peeling garlic was the most important thing in the world.

“You alright over there?”

Azzi nodded, still not looking up. “Yeah, fine. Just don’t blame me if you get splashed in the stomach.”

Paige laughed, stepping next to her and picking up the knife. “Yes ma’am.”

Azzi rolled her eyes, “Stop calling me that.”

Paige chuckled.

As they cooked they fell into an easy flow without needing to speak too much. Azzi handed Paige things she needed chopped and Paige picked up on Azzi’s movements and what she needed like she’d watch her move around a kitchen in a thousand lifetimes. 

There was fresh pasta dough resting under a cloth and when it was ready Azzi rolled it out on the floured counter while Paige shaped the turkey meatballs. Early on Azzi realized she needed to be slick when it came to handing Paige the vegetables after sliding her zucchini and putting spinach in the pot. 

Paige had suspiciously eyed the growing pile of greens. “How many vegetables you plan on sliding to me?”

Azzi smirked, not looking up. “You’re not getting out of it so just go ahead and cut them.”

Paige grinned. “You gonna tell me you’re putting kale in there too?”

Azzi didn’t answer, just added another handful of spinach into the sauce with a smile on her face.

While the meatballs were browning in the pan, Azzi reached for her phone to put on some music, soft R&B floating through her built-in speakers throughout the apartment.

Azzi started to hum under her breath while Paige wiped her hands on a towel and leaned against the counter to watch Azzi slot the pasta through the machine.

When Azzi turned around to stir the sauce she took note of Paige looking at her. “You’ve done this before,” Azzi said, glancing at the uniform shape of the meatballs sizzling in a pan.

Paige shrugged modestly. “Used to help my grandma make fresh pasta every few Sundays. We didn’t do turkey though, that’s all you.”

Azzi smiled, her eyes softening as she glanced over at Paige. “Did she teach you everything?”

“Yeah mostly,” Paige said quietly. “Taught me a lot of what I know. Being kind, respectful, takin’ care of folks who need takin’ care of.”

Azzi nodded, making sure she kept her eyes on Paige to let her know she was listening. “I wish I could’ve met her.”

Paige’s smile was faint. “I’m sure she would’ve loved you. Tell you all about how amazing you are every chance she’d get.”

After Paige said that a moment lingered between them. It was a little more taut than usual and neither one of them wanted to be the one to break it. There was something comforting about the moment, in the way both of them just wanted to exist in it.

But then a bit of sauce splattered up from the pot and landed on Paige’s stomach making her flinch at the stinging sensation.

Azzi laughed as she pointed at Paige. “See?! Your shirt would’ve been ruined.”

Paige chuckled, wiping the spot with a napkin “Might’ve been worth it over getting popped.”

Azzi grabbed the bundle of pasta and dropped it into the pot of boiling water, the steam rising and curling around her jawline. “Fresh pasta only takes a few minutes,” she said to Paige. “So it should be done soon.”

Paige reached into a cabinet and pulled out two plates. “These okay?”

“Perfect.”

Azzi turned off the heat and wiped her hands on a towel. “Go sit,” she said, nodding toward the general direction of her table.

Paige nodded before going to discover the dining area.

When she found it the table was the perfect size for maybe six people and she could tell it was made of rich dark wood. There was a muted olive runner that went across the middle and overhead there was a glass chandelier that spilled down from the ceiling.

The artwork on the walls was a mix of aesthetic memories. There were a few framed black and white pictures of what looked like memories. Azzi with friends, family, teammates. The apartment’s wide windows allowed for light to stretch into this portion of the house, letting in the last of the sky's watercolor hues.

Paige was still taking everything in when Azzi walked over holding two plates and a bottle. Azzi put the plate in front of Paige first, then set down a cold Lone Star next to it.

Paige’s eyes flicked to the bottle, then up to Azzi’s face. “You got beer for me?”

Azzi shrugged, trying not to put too much attention on the fact. “Figured I should have something for you to drink besides water.”

Paige leaned back in her chair to stretch her arms above her head, unable to hide her smile. “That’s real thoughtful of you. Thank you, sweetheart.”

Azzi sat down across from her, reaching for her fork. “Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t tasted the food yet.”

Paige kept her eyes on Azzi as she picked up her fork. “I got the strange feelin’ that I’m gonna like everything you feed me.”

Azzi’s cheeks warmed at where her brain went before she took her first bite to distract herself, letting the silence settle between them. 

For the most part dinner wasn’t too eventful. They talked about Azzi’s day before Paige got there and Paige’s drive to the city. When that was done they talked about whatever came to mind, just basking in the presence of one another again. When they were eating Azzi stood up first and grabbed their plates. 

“Let me take that,” Paige offered. 

Azzi shook her head no.

“You sure?”

Azzi smiled. “Yes I’m sure. Go take a shower and wind down. I put towels in the guest room for you.”

Paige squinted at her, about to say something but Azzi spoke before she could. “Don’t be hard headed.” 

Paige grinned, deciding not to fight Azzi on it anymore as she pushed her chair back. “Alright then, yes ma’am.” Azzi threw a napkin at her back as she walked away, making Paige laugh.

Azzi walked toward the kitchen to start cleaning up. She rinsed everything in the sink before sliding them into the dishwasher. When she turned around to wipe off the counters, she saw Paige’s shoes by the elevator and her shirts draped over one of the island chairs. The simpleness of it all made her smile. The small evidence that Paige was here in her space. 

The dishwasher hummed lowly, the only rhythm inside the quiet home. Most of the lights were off, except for the lamp next to the couch that gave the living room a soft pool of light. Azzi was curled into the corner of the large sectional as she read. It was a book she’d read before but she kept returning to it, finding something new to love about it each time.

The city outside the windows was quieter now, distant headlights flickering like fireflies instead of angry wasps in traffic. 

She heard the door to the guest room open before Paige made her way toward the living room. Azzi glanced up from the book when Paige came into view towel drying her hair the smell of eucalyptus drifting behind her.

“Hey,” Paige said quietly, coming around the couch.

Azzi dog eared her page. “Hey.”

“Just comin to say goodnight.” Paige hovered for a second before sitting on the couch next to Azzi, leaving a respectful amount of space between them.

Azzi smiled gently. “The shower was alright?”

“Fresh as I’ll ever be.” Paige nodded toward the book in her lap. “What’re you readin’?”

Azzi held it up for her to see.

Paige squinted at the cover before grinning. “Is that the one you said makes you cry every time you read it?”

Azzi laughed through her nose. “Maybe.”

Paige hummed and leaned back, looking toward the windows.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Azzi said, almost out of nowhere.

Paige looked at her, memorizing the way she looked under the warm glow of the lamp. Then she smiled. “I am too.” She stood up after that, stretching her arms back again. “I’ll get outta your way. Long day tomorrow, right?”

Azzi nodded. “Yeah.”

“Sleep well, sweetheart.”

“You too, Paige.”

Azzi watched until Paige disappeared down the hall, the sound of the door closing behind her. She sat there for a few more minutes, letting her heart move slow without any interruptions. Eventually, she turned off the lamp and walked toward her room, ready to call it a night.

…

It was around 11:30PM, but Paige still couldn’t fall asleep.

She was laying on her back in the guest room, eyes tracing the lights that bled through the windows. The blinds were drawn, but they weren’t blackout so the slats could only do so much to dim the city lights. A car horn blared in the distance, and Paige’s eyebrows furrowed. She rolled onto her side and pulled the covers tighter around herself. Then she rolled onto her back again. Then her other side.

Paige was used to complete darkness and silence so full if you listened close enough you could hear the insects breathing. Even the air was different in the city; a lot less still, wired by electricity.

She let out a long exhale and stared at the ceiling for a few more minutes. Eventually, the restlessness won and she slipped out of bed. Her bare feet padded across the cool floors as she walked to the kitchen for some water, hoping to find peace in another area of the apartment.

Paige was surprised when she saw that Azzi was still awake. The living room light was off, but the glow from the kitchen under cabinet lights spilled out to outline her silhouette. Azzi was curled into the same corner of the couch with a cup cradled in her hands. Her gaze was distant until she noticed Paige step into view.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

Paige offered her a sheepish grin. “Didn’t realize how loud the world can be when you’re used to only hearin’ crickets.”

Azzi nodded. “I get that.”

Paige’s eyes moved over Azzi slowly before glancing down at herself in just a sports bra and boxers. “I’m sorry. If I knew you were still up, I would’ve put more on,” she said, brushing a hand across her arm, suddenly aware of how bare she was.

Azzi waved her off. “You’re fine. It’s your house too this weekend.”

Paige smiled at that and sat down, keeping a few inches of cushion between them. “What’s goin’ on with you, sweetheart?”

Azzi hesitated before offering a shrug. “Just cold by myself in my room. Trying to warm up.”

The answer felt simple but the way Azzi said it hinted at a different meaning so Paige didn’t push. She just nodded, letting the silence hold what didn’t need to be said out loud.

She tilted her chin toward the mug in Azzi’s hands. “That’s the yerbamante you always drinking?” Her accent curled around the words making Azzi laugh and lean her head back against the couch. 

“Yerba Mate,” Azzi corrected. “And no, it’s not, thank you very much. This is just chamomile.”

Paige grinned at her, swiping her tongue across her bottom lip.

Azzi turned to look at her as she sipped from her cup. “You want me to make you some? It’ll help you sleep.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Paige said, her tone reflecting her gratitude.

Azzi gave her a soft smile and pushed herself up from the couch. She moved through the kitchen to pull down a second mug before pouring warm water into it from the kettle. She glanced over her shoulder. “You want anything in it? Honey, lemon, agave?”

Paige looked at her from the couch. “No need for all that extra stuff ’M sure the way you made it is perfect.”

Azzi finished steeping the tea with a smile on her face that she failed to hide. Once she was done she brought the second mug over, handing it to Paige with both hands.

“Thank you darlin,” Paige whispered.

Azzi sat down a little closer this time making their knees bump a little when she got comfortable. 

Paige lifted the mug to take a sip and Azzi’s eyes lingered on her, catching something beneath the hem of her sports bra right near her ribs. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo,” Azzi said.

Paige looked down, usually forgetting it was there. “Matthew 25:35–40,” she answered, putting her mug down for a second on the table. She lifted the band of her sports bra for Azzi to see the delicate cursive along her skin.

Azzi’s eyes traced the verse. “What does it mean?”

“ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Azzi looked at her for a while like something clicked into place for her at that moment. Instead of voicing her own thoughts she said, “I’ve noticed religion’s important to you.”

“It’s helped me with a lot,” Paige said. “Part of how I was raised with my grandmother. I feel like a lot of religion is just helpin’ people, being honest and livin with the right intentions. I live by those things more than anything. Try to, anyway I mean.”

Azzi’s eyes didn’t leave her. “I can tell,” she said softly.

Paige grinned while a faint blush rose up her neck. “You’re flatterin’ me.”

“I’m not.”

Paige noticed their lingering gazes becoming more common but she held it before she looked away, just from needing a second to breathe. They both sipped their tea, not bothered by the silence as they looked out the window.

After about five minutes or so Azzi spoke first. “Have you ever had a serious relationship?”

Paige shifted to get more comfortable causing them to get a little closer as she subtly leaned toward Azzi.

“I fell for the whole high school sweetheart thing,” Paige said, laughing a little. “Y’know the way everybody likes to do in the South. We were friends first, grew up together. I asked her to homecomin my sophomore year.”

Azzi sipped her tea as she listened.

“Stayed together all through high school and most of my first year of college. At that point we were together for the comfort of knowin somebody and we both realized it. Ended things before it could get messy.”

Paige reached for her mug again, taking a sip before she kept going. “Never really met anyone after that cause of the whole college scene.”

“Too many keg stands?” Azzi asked, leaning her head back on the back of the couch but turning to look at Paige.

Paige grinned at her. “Something like that. I just respected women too much to pretend I didn’t care about ‘em for a night. That whole scene never sat right with me.”

Azzi let out a quiet snort. “You’re a rare one.”

Paige shrugged like she didn’t think it was much. “Once I got settled on the farm, all the elders made it their personal goal to marry me off. Mrs. Emory swore up and down she had the perfect girl for me.”

Azzi raised her eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What happened with that one?”

Paige chuckled, shaking her head. “Never got around to meetin’ her.” Paige leaned back against the couch and turned her head sideways at Azzi. Their positions mirrored each other before she kept going. “Then this brown eyed girl from Dallas got stuck in the country and changed her mind.”

Azzi blinked, a smile pulling at her muscles before Paige finished the sentence.

“Said I should focus on gettin’ to know her instead.”

Azzi’s smile came slowly. Something flickering in her eyes as Paige’s words took shape behind them. “And what do you think about that?”

Paige didn’t rush to answer. Opting to look at Azzi from this new angle instead. The curve of her cheekbone in the low lighting, the faint crease between her eyebrows that always showed when she was trying to hold herself still. Paige gave her a small smile when she was done, meeting her gaze. “I think I’m way outta my league but everything I’ve gotten to know about her so far has shown me how incredible she is.”

“I don’t think anybody could be out of your league,” Azzi said, eyes locked on Paige like she couldn’t look away if she wanted to.

They sat in that mirrored position for a while just watching one another, a silent conversation passing between them. Azzi’s eyes dipped to Paige’s lips before immediately coming back up, just in time to catch the way Paige’s gaze softened.

Their bodies leaned in by muscle memory alone before Paige paused. She whispered considering how close Azzi’s face was to hers. “I can’t kiss you, darlin’.”

Azzi’s eyebrows lifted, her tone matching the furrow between them. “Why not?”

Paige took in a slow breath. “’Cause I was raised with manners and because I respect you.”

Azzi tilted her head closer, grinning as she whispered, “I think kissing me is probably the most respectful thing you could do right now.”

That pulled a laugh from the back of Paige’s throat. She reached out, brushing her fingers against Azzi’s temple to tuck a loose curl behind her ear.

Azzi closed her eyes for just a second, leaning into the touch without thinking. That small motion made Paige’s fingers linger longer than she needed to. The softness of Azzi’s skin, the warmth now radiating off of her grounded Paige, held her there for a few extra heartbeats. “You should get some rest,” she murmured, almost like she didn’t fully want to say it. “Long day tomorrow, right?”

Azzi opened her eyes and gave the smallest nod, keeping her gaze on Paige as she pulled her hand away.

Paige gave her a gentle smile before she got up from the couch. She leaned down to press a tender kiss to the area right where Azzi’s hairline met her forehead. When Paige straightened her posture she picked up both of their mugs with one hand and carried them to the kitchen. 

When she got back she paused at the edge of the couch. “Good night.” 

Azzi’s voice met hers like a whisper on a still lake. “Good night, Paige.”

…

A few hours later, the world was cloaked in early morning fog when Paige stepped out of the guest room. She had on washed Abercrombie & Fitch camo pants and of course a plain white tee shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a low, messy bun and she’d thrown a trucker hat over it. Her glasses in place instead of her usual contacts with how early it was.

Azzi was barefoot in the kitchen with sweatpants and a cropped shirt on. Her face bare and somehow more beautiful in the early morning.

They met each other’s eyes across the open space, both of them wearing a sleepy smile, reserved for people who felt good in each other’s presence before words left their mouths.

Paige’s voice was a little horse still when she said, “Good mornin’ sweetheart.”

Azzi handed her a tall glass as soon as she was close enough. “Morning.” 

Paige took the green smoothie, holding it at eye level as she inspected it.

Azzi laughed when she saw what Paige was doing. “Don’t start,” she warned. “Just drink it.”

Paige side eyed her a little, but the corners of her mouth twitched as she brought the glass to her lips taking a cautious sip of the smoothie. When it landed on her tongue she pulled the glass away squinting at it again. “You put kale in this?”

“I did.”

Paige sighed dramatically, sitting down at one of the island stools. “Figures.”

Azzi leaned back against the counter, watching Paige take another sip despite herself.

“What’s on the agenda today?” Paige asked.

“I have a small recorded segment for GMA at the Dallas News Studio” she said, ticking it off on her fingers. “Might have to do a shoot for next season’s jerseys but that’s still up in the air. Then just a few quick endorsement videos for a skincare brand, and I think that’s it. Unless Skye decides to slide something else on my calendar last minute like she loves to do.”

“You said ‘I think that’s it’ like that’s not already a full day.”

Azzi shrugged, picking up her own smoothie to finish it. “I’m used to it.”

When she was done she placed the glass in the sink. “By the way, they had to schedule a car to pick us up. I still haven’t gotten the oil changed on mine.”

Paige raised her eyebrow. “The oil I told you to change two weeks ago?”

“I’m just a girl,” Azzi said, smiling to flash her dimples.

Paige hummed. “You are. But we can just take the truck.”

Azzi opened her mouth to object, but Paige kept going. “If we’ve got time later, I’ll change your oil for you and rotate your tires.”

“You don’t have to do all that. I can just hire someone like I was supposed to.”

“I know you can,” Paige said, standing up to rinse her glass. “But I’m here so I can do it.”

It was too early for Azzi to argue so she just agreed for the sake of seeing Paige fixing her car again. Azzi canceled the chauffeur for the morning and they stepped into the elevator. Azzi leaned against the wall, scrolling on her phone while Paige stood next to her with her hands in her pockets.

When they got off Paige walked ahead of Azzi slightly, unlocking the truck as she walked toward the passenger side. She pulled the door open and offered Azzi her hand. Azzi smiled at the gesture, slipping her hand into Paige’s, letting her help her step up into the truck. Once Azzi was settled, Paige shut the door and walked toward the driver's side.

…

After about 20 minutes of driving Paige eased the truck to a stop in front of the valet stand. Before the attendant could come out of the building, she was getting out and walking around to open the door for Azzi again.

Azzi looked down at her with a smile when she saw Paige offer her hand again. “You know I can get out of a truck by myself, right?”

Paige grinned at her. “I’m sure you can but that’s not the point.”

Azzi just slipped her hand into Paige’s and let her help her down.

Inside the building, Skye was waiting near the elevator, scrolling through something on her phone with her planner tucked under one arm. She looked up when she heard Azzi walk in. 

“You’re late,” she said in a tone that was more of a reflex than real annoyance. “Morning.”

Azzi was used to her friend's rigidness when it came to scheduling. “Good morning.”

Paige slowed down to greet her properly, her manners showing despite everyone else being in a bit of a frenzy. “Good mornin.’ How are you?”

Skye glanced back, momentarily surprised by the courtesy. “I’m good, thanks. Hope y’all got some sleep.”

All three of them stepped into the elevator. Paige stood near the back with her hands in her pockets watching the floor numbers tick up. Azzi was standing right in front of her toward the side a little bit as her fingers flew across her phone screen as she responded to texts. It wasn’t intentional, but the space between her and Paige was pretty narrow and Azzi barely noticed how every time she sent a message her arm brushed against Paige’s chest. 

Azzi glanced up from her phone to see Skye shooting her a subtle look. She had one eyebrow raised and her eyes flicked from Paige to Azzi for emphasis. Azzi blinked at her waiting for her to say something, but she never said anything, just went back to her own phone.

The elevator opened and as soon the three of them walked to Azzi’s glam room it was filled with energy. Hair and makeup were already there with their carts turning on vanity lights. Her stylist was unzipping garment bags and putting pieces on racks and there were a couple of BTS cameras already stationed throughout the room. 

Azzi stepped in first, offering a few good mornings to all the familiar faces. She made her way to the chair centered in front of the vanity and set her bag down on the table.

Behind her Paige moved a lot slower as her eyes scanned the room as she tried to make sense of a world that moved a few clicks faster than what she was used to. She didn’t seem in the midst of it all but anyone looking from the outside could see the contrast in her calm presence versus the fury of the room around her.

Azzi turned around and saw Paige looking around. She smiled at her before calling her name to get her attention. “You can sit here,” she said, gesturing to the seat next to hers.

Before Azzi could say more, Skye walked up to her, tilting her head to a quieter part of the room. “Let me talk to you real quick.” Azzi looked confused but followed her anyway. 

Skye lowered her voice to keep what she needed to say between them. “What’s going on there?” she asked, referring to Paige, who had just picked up a newspaper that was sitting on the table.

Azzi kept her expression neutral for once. “Nothing.”

“Uh huh. Do we need an NDA?”

“No.”

Skye looked slightly unconvinced. “Are you sure? We’re going to be doing a lot that’s not necessarily public today. You trust the extra eyes one hundred percent?”

Azzi turned her head and couldn’t help the big grin that pulled at her face when she saw Paige reading the comic section of the paper. “Paige?”

Paige perked up when she heard Azzi call her name. “Yeah?”

“Where’s your phone?”

Paige patted her pockets with both hands, narrowing her eyes when she didn’t feel it. She looked back at Azzi with a sheepish grin. “I might’ve left it at your place. Too busy drinkin that kale.”

Azzi laughed telling her it was fine before she turned back toward Skye. “See? No NDA necessary. In case you can’t tell she’s more of the off the grid type.”

After Skye was satisfied Azzi went back to sit in her chair as the glam team got to work. One of them started sectioning off her curls while the makeup artist patted moisturizer into her skin. A mellow playlist was playing from someone’s speaker to fill the space.

For the first thirty minutes or so no one really spoke considering how early it was. Azzi scrolled through her phone absently while Paige read through each section of the newspaper. She was such a stark contrast to everything around them that Azzi had to sneak a picture. When she was done she put her phone on her lap before getting Paige’s attention. “You’re such an old man.”

Paige looked up from the paper smiling at Azzi. “How else am I supposed to keep up with what’s goin’ on in the world?”

“I don’t know, maybe joining the 21st century like everybody else?”

Paige leaned back in the chair, shaking her head. “Old fashioned way’s always better. Doesn’t have a phone yellin’ in my pocket every five minutes.”

Azzi was about to tell Paige about DND when her stylist came over holding a binder full of wardrobe options. “Pick a few of your favorites for today.” 

Azzi took it and flipped through it slowly. She looked at a couple of the options closer than others before she turned the binder toward Skye. “What’s your favorite?”

Skye didn’t even need to look up from her phone, already knowing the options. “The fitted cream jacket, page nine.”

Azzi flipped to it and nodded. Then she turned toward Paige and swiveled the binder in her direction. “Alright, your turn. Which one do you like?”

Paige gave her a charming smile. “I like whichever one you like.”

Azzi narrowed her eyes. “That’s not what I asked you.”

Paige shrugged, folding the newspaper in half and putting it on her lap. “Which one do you like?”

Azzi flipped through a few pages before she landed on the one that caught her attention.  “This one. The pastel blue vest is nice.”

Paige leaned forward, taking another look. “Alright let me see it again.”

Azzi turned the binder back toward her and Paige pointed at the same light blue vest she had chosen two seconds ago. “I love this one,” she said grinning.

“You’re just picking that one because I did.”

Paige didn’t have any reason to deny it as she nodded. “You’re the one wearin’ it. If you like it I love it and that’s what you should put on.”

Azzi bit her bottom lip hard, fighting off the smile that tried to bloom. Her brown eyes stayed on Paige until her head was turned by her hairstylist.

“I want the cream pants and the light blue tweed vest,” she called out to her stylist.

Even though Azzi couldn’t see the stylist nod she was already pulling the pieces off the rack. Once she saw how the two pieces complemented one another she started laying out jewelry to add to the look.

Azzi snuck a quick glance to Paige as she went back to the paper in her lap.

Once Azzi’s glam was fully done a production assistant approached her with a black mic pack that they clipped to the back of her pants. 

“Are you nervous?” Paige asked from behind Azzi’s chair, sipping on a bottle of water. 

Azzi glanced at her through the mirror. “For what?”

Paige shrugged. “I don’t know sweetheart. All the cameras, random questions, all these people buzzin’ around you like bees in a jar.”

Azzi chuckled under her breath, eyes softening a little at Paige’s innocence about it all. “I’m used to it at this point. But I don’t hate having you here to calm my nerves.”

That made Paige smile like a kid on Christmas morning. 

In the middle of the conversation a stylist approached with some heels in her hand ready to bend down to put them on for Azzi. “You want me to—”

“I can do it,” Paige interrupted politely, already moving in front of Azzi who had stood up to put them on herself. Azzi closed her eyes to stop her reeling brain when she saw Paige kneel in front of her, pulling the stuffing paper out of the heels. Azzi opened her mouth to say something but her voice had gone quiet so she just closed it. 

Paige held Azzi’s calf softly as she slid on the first heel, Azzi’s hand coming to rest on Paige’s shoulder to keep her balance. Her fingertips curled into the cotton of Paige’s shirt as she held on.

Once both heels were on, Paige looked up from where she was kneeled and found Azzi’s eyes already on her. Azzi’s hand was still holding onto her shoulder even though both legs were even now and the physical touch along with the positioning made the air between them a little tense.

Skye cleared her throat from the other side of the room silently reminding Azzi that there were people not a part of her personal team moving around the area.

Azzi blinked and broke the stare before she straightened her posture and took a small step back, rubbing her palms on her thighs as she did. Paige stood up next, stepping back to give her more space.

Azzi turned on her heel, doing a slow spin in place, a grin forming as she looked over her shoulder. “Well how do I look?”

Paige grinned, tilting her head as she "assessed" Azzi’s outfit. “Folks at GMA don’t know their mornin’s about to be graced by an angel.”

Azzi’s face and neck warmed as she dropped her chin, trying to hide her smile behind her hand. “Stop,” she mumbled under her breath, laughing as she turned away from Paige. 

“I’m serious.”

“Azzi, cameras are ready,” Skye said as she ran through a list in her head before Azzi walked out. 

Azzi nodded as she started walking to the door but she realized halfway there her phone was still in her hand. She turned around and took a few quick steps back to Paige. “Can you hold this for me please?”

Paige took and slid it into her pocket. “Good luck out there.”

Azzi smiled and gave Paige a quick wink before she was turning around and walking through the door. Rolling her shoulders back as she got herself ready to be in front of a camera. 

As soon as Azzi’s segment started it was clear she was someone born to be in front of a camera. She was a natural in every sense; poised without being stiff and full of charisma that made even the scripted moments feel personal. Her energy was just always contagious, allowing her to make the most polished sets feel warm and personal.

One of the hosts smiled, turning toward her. “So, first of all, Azzi, what a season. You’ve been everywhere lately, and your rookie season was just absolutely incredible. What’s been the biggest lesson or takeaway for you this year?”

Azzi nodded as she listened, her fingers laced in her lap. “Honestly…I think this season just taught me how to lead in a new way. Not just on the court, but off of it. I’m not the loudest in a room but there were moments where I had to trust my voice more, learn how to balance being present for my team while also protecting myself and what I needed.”

The other host chimed in, “And physically, I mean wow, you looked stronger than ever. As a rookie you were out there giving vets what you guys like to call, ‘welcome to the league moments.’ How are you feeling now?”

Azzi chuckled. “I feel good. Tired but in the best way. I gave everything I had to the season because that’s really the only way I know how to play.”

“Fair enough,” the host said. “So how did you wind down after it was all wrapped up? We see you everywhere these days doing events left and right. How do you recharge?”

Azzi’s smile was completely genuine and natural from this question. “I actually spent some time out of the city,” she said “It was amazing…a sort of reset from the rest of the world. Definitely something I’m going to try to do more often.”

“Oh? What was your favorite part?”

There was a pause before she answered, her brain naturally going one direction before she had to pivot to a PR response. “I, uh…I learned I’m actually kind of good at riding a horse,” she said, laughing a little. “So that’s definitely something I plan on doing again.”

Behind the cameras, Paige leaned against a wall with her arms crossed. When Azzi said that she grinned a little from the corner of her mouth, as she stored that new information away. Skye, who was standing nearby glanced at Paige but didn’t say anything.

The segment wrapped with a few more light questions. Azzi talked about how the fans in Dallas had immediately shown up for her, how the city had embraced her like one of its own. They touched on the community, the culture, the energy on game days and the new facility. She grinned when one of the anchors joked about the crowd chanting her name.

“We hear them every game,” Azzi said. “And I hear them. I really do. That kind of love sticks with you.”

“Clearly, Dallas is lucky to have you,” the host said as the segment began to fade out. “We’ll all be watching next season. Don’t keep us waiting too long.” Azzi gave the camera a smile and wave until they cut to another segment.

She stepped out of frame, relaxing her posture now that she was off air. Azzi saw Paige standing near the walk and started walking toward her.

Paige grinned and opened her mouth and Azzi just knew she was about to say something charming but she had to reach her hand out quickly to pause her.

“Wait hold on,” Azzi said, brushing her fingers over the mic still clipped to her vest. She turned toward one of the crew members nearby and pointed at the mic with an apologetic smile. “Can you take this off for me?”

They nodded, stepping forward to unclip the mic for her, coiling the wire and grabbing the transmitter. Once it was off Azzi turned back toward Paige and guided her back toward her glam room away from the buzz of the set.

She shut the door behind them and as soon as she sat on the couch she was pulling off her heels.  Paige sat in the armchair across from spreading her legs to get comfortable. When she smiled at Azzi, Azzi’s face mirrored herself immediately. “Can I flirt with you now?”

The door cracked open again and Skye slipped in. Her expression said enough for Azzi before she even spoke.

Azzi groaned and tipped her head back in frustration. Not only from interruption but whatever she knew was about to come out of Skye’s mouth. “What is it,” she said flatly.

“I moved around the shoot for the new jerseys and your endorsement recordings,” Skye said, walking further into the room.

“But…?”

Skye gave her a look that just almost passed for apologetic if Azzi hadn’t known her since college. “But you’re going to have to take Aziaha’s place at the event tonight. She can’t make it, and they need someone from the team to show face.”

Azzi rubbed her temples. “What kind of event?”

“Some league dinner thing. Media, sponsors, donors. Just the usual buttoned up crowd. You won’t have to stay long. Literally just wave at the camera when they mention the Wings, eat dinner and you can go. They just need someone there.” She paused, then added, “Preferably someone who didn’t have a negative plus minus this season, so...”

Azzi laughed under her breath. “You’re shady.”

Skye lifted her hands. “Just the messenger.”

Azzi sighed, leaning further into the couch like the weight of her day was starting to press on her like always. “What time is the event?”

“Carpet starts around 7:30. You don’t need to show up until eight,” Skye said, flipping to a page in her planner. “I’ll have glam come to your place around six-thirty so you don’t have to travel.”

Azzi nodded, already mentally shifting her schedule. “Paige needs styling.”

Paige looked completely caught off guard. “Wait, excuse me darlin’?”

Azzi turned to her. “You’re coming with me to the event.”

Paige sat up a little straighter, the corners of her mouth twitching because she wasn’t sure if she wanted to argue or smile. “You don’t need to worry about puttin’ clothes on me.”

Azzi tilted her head playfully. “Paige you didn’t bring anything other than flannels, carhartt shirts, and white tees.”

Paige grinned as she thought about it. “Ok that’s fair.”

Skye stopped herself from laughing, tapping a note into her phone. “I’ll make sure styling brings some options for her. Paige, how tall are you?”

Paige glanced at her. “’Round 6'1.”

Skye didn’t look up from her planner as she said, “Mmm. 6’1s tall.” She looked up pointedly at Azzi.

Azzi rolled her eyes, catching the implication but choosing not to dignify it.

“Alright like I said, I’ll have glam come to the loft around six-thirty. Actually I’m going to do six to give them some extra time. The car will be there by seven thirty, seven fourty-ish to give you time to pull up right at eight.” As she started heading for the door Skye added one more thing, “And Azzi don’t disappear before then. They already have your name on the lineup.”

Azzi waved her hand. “Yeah alright I’m not going anywhere.”

“Alright,” Skye said, halfway out the door. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”

Once the door shut behind her, Azzi let her head fall back against the couch and she let out a long sigh. Paige reached over and tapped her knee gently. “Still glad you brought me along?” 

Azzi cracked one of her eyes open, grinning despite her slight frustration. “Ask me again after I see what they dress you in.”

When Paige and Azzi stepped outside, Texas was starting to warm the pavement. The front of the studio had a small group of fans gathered behind a yellow tape barrier, a few holding signs while others started recording as soon as they saw Azzi.

Azzi paused next to Paige nodding toward them. “I’m just gonna go sign a few things.”

“Go ahead. I’ll get the truck.”

Paige walked off with Azzi’s bag just as the valet pulled up with the truck. The fans’ eyes briefly followed her before they returned their attention to Azzi.

As Azzi started signing things and taking pictures Paige leaned against the passenger door with her arms crossed. She looked up toward the sky trying to get some of the sun she’d been missing, content when she felt it warming her face.  

A few fans caught onto her being there with Azzi and discreetly angled their phones toward her. When Azzi finished speaking to everyone she gave the group a quick wave before she walked toward the truck. Paige opened the door for her, of course holding out her hand to help her get in. Azzi took it and stepped in mumbled a shy, “thank you,” holding Paige’s arm for balance. 

By the time the truck pulled off, the internet and fans had already done what they do best.

[X/Twitter Post - @/hoopstarzdaily] 📹| Azzi Fudd stopped to sign for fans outside the Dallas News studio this morning but who's that mystery girl helping her get in the truck? 👀🐎

💬 @/depressedwingsfan what’s the saying…save a horse, ride a cowboy 😭

💬 @/azfuddfan35 hold onnnn wasn’t she just on live TV talking about how she just learned how to ride a horse?? let me find out 👀

Inside the truck, Paige had one hand loosely on the wheel as they pulled away from the studio. “You gonna let me put some food in your stomach, sweetheart?”

Azzi turned to look at Paige. “You feeding me now?”

“I mean,” Paige shrugged, grinning, “I did just wake up at 4AM for you. Feels like the least you could do is let me feed you.”

“That logic’s questionable but ok.” After scrolling for a few minutes Azzi tapped on a spot and the car's map rerouted. “I’ve been craving this place.”

Paige checked the screen and nodded.

It only took a few more minutes before Paige was pulling into a small local spot with an outdoor walk up window. When they got their food in to-go containers Paige turned toward Azzi. “You mind if we eat out back?” she asked, nodding toward the truck bed. “Kinda miss bein’ out in the sun.”

Azzi looked amused at the concept of missing the Texas sun. “Yeah of course but you say that like you’ve been trapped underground for six years.”

Paige just grinned and popped the tailgate open. “Not underground. Just inside too long.”

She hopped into the trunk bed first putting the food down before she turned around to help Azzi step up. Azzi hesitated for a quick second, feeling like a damsel in Paige’s presence before remembering she was an athlete. She grabbed Paige’s hand and let her guide her up before settling next to her to open their food containers. 

The bed of the truck was warm underneath them after being hit by the Texas sun. The two of them always started in a quiet limbo so Azzi leaned back as she ate, enjoying the warmth hitting her skin. Paige was next to her with her shoes off and her long legs stretched out. She was as comfortable here as she’d be anywhere.

The city rarely let Azzi breathe. Being here usually meant constant movement for her. Always somewhere to be, someone to call, things to check off. Her days sped by her in 2x speed, her life pulled along by a current whether she was ready or not. But sitting in the back of the pickup truck with Paige next to her made everything feel still. Like the city had pressed pause for her so she could take a breath. So she could glide with the current instead of being consumed by it. 

Azzi didn’t know how Paige did it. How she made her feel so calm, subtly anchoring her to moments without being obvious about it. Azzi hadn’t even realized how tense she’d been until her shoulders relaxed when she felt the sun, how tight her chest felt until it eased open just from being around Paige.

The thought that Paige would be gone soon drifted to her consciousness. That she’d be right back to being everywhere and nowhere at once. Azzi shoved the thought aside before it could take shape.

She took another bite of her food before she glanced sideways. “So…” she said, casually, “is this a date?”

Paige turned her head toward Azzi grinning at the question as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “You think I’d take you on a date and make you eat in the back of a pickup truck?”

Azzi laughed. “I mean you did pay for both of us.”

“That’s just manners.” Paige said, leaning back on her palms. “If this were a date, I’d be a whole lot more respectful.”

Azzi’s eyebrow arched, a little curious now. “Respectful?”

“Yeah. I’d pick you up properly, have some nice flowers for you, take you somewhere nice.”

“Ohh, so flowers are mandatory for our first date?”

“Absolutely,” Paige said, with a smile on her face at Azzi’s implication of their absolutely being a first date. “Big, bright ones too. Not those sad grocery store bouquets.”

Azzi laughed quietly as she went back to eating. Paige had finished already but she waited patiently for Azzi to finish her food.

When Azzi was done she wiped her hands before laying her head on Paige’s shoulder. “Is this okay?” Azzi asked softly. Her tone was a little unsure.

Paige angled her head toward Azzi. “’Course it is, sweetheart.”

They sat like that for a while, letting the sun warm their skin as the occasional car flew past. The moment felt like being outside of time, the world continuing on without them.

“Can I be honest with you?”

Paige nodded once. “Always.”

Azzi hesitated before just deciding to be honest, realizing there was no need to be overly polished. “I have feelings for you.”

“It’s weird,” she added quickly, not looking at Paige yet. “I mean I know we talk a lot but we’ve physically spent less than a week together. That’s not usually how I operate. I don’t do fast or feelings really…”

Paige looked down at her. “You’re not the only one feelin’ it. You know how I am. I take my time, move slow and let the world move around me.” She smiled in the middle of her words. “But you make my heart race like nobody’s business.”

Azzi let out a short laugh, the slight weight of the moment breaking to let some light in. “You’re such an old lady,” she teased, bumping her shoulder against Paige’s.

Paige laughed too, making her head tip back. “Excuse me for bein’ old school. What ya’ll like to say these days? You want me to have some more rizz?”

Azzi burst out laughing. “You have plenty, no need to ever say that again.”

Paige grinned. “What? You don’t like it?”

“Not even a little bit,” Azzi teased, still laughing.

“Tough crowd.” Paige said, chuckling as she took a sip of her water.

They talked a little longer the conversation wondering to random topics until Paige stretched out her legs and looked over at Azzi again. “C’mon,” she said gently, nudging her knee. “We should head back. I gotta take care of your car before it gets too late.”

Azzi stood up with her cup in her hand. She sipped from her straw as she said, “You sure you don’t wanna let a real mechanic handle it?”

“I am a real mechanic, sweetheart. Just don’t charge you hourly.”

Azzi shook her head, smiling as she let Paige help her down.

They made a quick stop at an AutoZone on the way back to Azzi’s place so Paige could grab a few things she needed. When they got back to Azzi’s building, Paige didn’t bother heading upstairs. She pulled into one of Azzi's designated garage spots and turned off the engine.

“You don’t want to change first?” Azzi asked as she stepped out of the truck.

Paige shut her door and moved to the truck bed to grab the toolbox and two jacks tucked in the weatherproof container. “I get the feeling if I go up there, I’ll get distracted.”

Azzi crossed her arms, leaning against the truck. “So I’ll just stand here quietly then.”

Paige smirked, shaking her head as she circled back to the driver’s side. She pulled the door open and leaned in to turn the truck back on. “You can sit in there looking pretty and play some nice music for us,” she offered over her shoulder.

Paige stepped back from the truck and peeled off her white tee leaving her in a tank top. She held the shirt out toward Azzi who had just gotten settled into the driver’s seat. “And you can hold this for safekeepin’ too.”

Azzi took it from her with a smirk. “Mmm. You just like having me hold your stuff.”

“Can’t think of anyone better.”

Paige jacked up the car before sliding jack stands in place for support. She grabbed the closed lid pan and slid underneath the car to unbolt the drain plug letting the old oil stream out.

Azzi had her legs crossed in the driver’s seat, watching Paige with satisfaction even though she had no idea what was being done underneath the car. 

“You know sweetheart,” Paige’s voice echoed under the car, “there’s somethin’ I could use some help with.”

“Oh? You want me to get under there with you? Risk my whole outfit?”

There was a laugh from underneath the car before Paige’s voice came again. “Just need you to hand me that new oil filter I got at the store.”

Azzi hopped out of the truck and grabbed the new oil filter, crouching down to pass it to her. Paige’s fingers brushed Azzi’s as she took it making sure she didn’t get any oil on her. When she slid from under the car, she had a streak of grime on her forearm and a light sheen of sweat across her collarbone.

Azzi blinked a few times. Paige wiped her hands on a rag without looking up. “You’re starin’,” she said, not needing to see the expression on Azzi’s face to know it. Azzi folded her arms, trying to play it off. “I’m just making sure you did it right.”

“Ss that what you’re callin’ it?” Paige grinned, tossing the rag down before she picked up the fresh oil to refill it. “‘M just sayin. Ain’t nobody ever looked at me changin’ oil like I was out here modeling for one of your magazines.”

“Now that you mention it, I’d probably thoroughly enjoy that.”

Paige paused when she processed what Azzi meant. She couldn’t do anything but shake her head as she capped the oil and moved on to the tires.

She made quick work of loosening the lugs and getting the tires rotated. Instead of getting back in the driver’s seat Azzi was leaning on the truck and she caught herself chewing on her bottom lip as she watched more often than not.

By the time Paige lowered the car back down and stood up, brushing her hands on her pants, Azzi’s eyes were a little dazed.

“You alright over there, sweetheart?”

Azzi smiled as she trailed her eyes up to meet Paige’s. “I’m definitely more than alright.”

Paige turned around to hide the heat rising to her cheeks as she leaned down to grab the new windshield wipers she got. Once she got the color of her cheeks back to normal she said, “C’mere,” nodding toward the front of the car. “Wanna show you how to do this part.”

Azzi pushed off the truck and walked over, standing next to Paige as she pulled the blade so it sat straight up.

“So,” Paige said, motioning toward the hook and latch setup, “this part right here? That’s what locks the blade onto the arm. All you really gotta do is pull down gently and it’ll slide right odd.” She demonstrated slowly, releasing the clip with her thumb and sliding the old blade off. Azzi watched before Paige gestured to the other side.

“Alright. Your turn.”

Azzi stepped around to the other side, carefully lifting the arm of the other wiper. She copied what Paige did, pressing the latch, but the blade didn’t budge. “It’s stuck,” she mumbled.

Paige came up next to her to fold her warm over Azzi’s. “Here,” she said, guiding her fingers down a little lower. “You gotta press right here. Feel that little give when you press in?”

Azzi nodded and with Paige’s help, the old blade slipped free.

Paige grinned. “You’re a natural.” She handed her the new blade. “Slide it up this time, put it under the hook first, just like I showed you and you’ll hear it click into place.”

Azzi lined it up and pushed up gently. It resisted for a second before she used a little more force and it clicked into place.

“There you go.” Paige tapped the hood of the car. “Wipers are officially brand new.”

Paige put everything away before they headed upstairs. The elevator barely closed behind them in the apartment when Azzi heard Paige say something about needing a shower as she headed toward the guest room. Azzi smiled to herself, still faintly buzzed off the sight of Paige under her car.

Azzi was getting water from the kitchen when she heard someone knock on her door. Azzi was confused as she walked to the door and looked through the peephole. “What the hell.” She pulled the door open to see Caroline standing there. 

Caroline stepped into the apartment, “I was in the neighborhood and I figured we could go get drinks or something. I’ve been so bored.”

Azzi forced a smile, stepping aside to let her in. “Yeah, um…you could’ve texted.”

Caroline dropped her bag on the island, but her movements slowed down the more her eyes scanned the room making her eyebrows crease. She saw Paige’s white tee and flannel from last night thrown over the back of the chair. Her gaze shifted again and paused when she saw another white tee on the island, Paige’s Von Dutch hat on top of it. Then she processed the sound of the water coming from the guest bathroom. She looked back at Azzi slowly. “Do you have company?”

Azzi blinked. “What? No..I mean…yes, but—” She cleared her throat, trying to make it sound light. “Yeah. Just Paige.”

Both of Caroline's eyebrows shot up. “Like blonde country girl with the farm? That Paige?”

Azzi gave a small nod, hoping her expression stayed unreadable. “Yeah. She’s visiting for the weekend.”

“I didn’t know y’all kept in touch,” Caroline said.

“We did,” Azzi said, then added a little quickly, “I mean we do. Just here and there, you know.”

Caroline hummed, still not moving. “Rightt.”

Azzi glanced down the hall, pulse skipping a little at the thought of Paige stepping out of the guest room unaware that Azzi had company. She turned back to Caroline, suddenly very antsy.

“Listen, I would love to catch up Car,” she said, walking toward the front door, “but we’re probably about to just take a nap. It’s been a long day and I have an event later.”

“Y’all already ate?”

“Yeah,” Azzi said, hand already holding the doorknob. “And you know how she is, early riser, early sleeper. Farmer stuff. Probably needs a nap before later.”

Caroline laughed under her breath. “Mmhm. Right farmer stuff.”

Azzi held the door open, giving her the most gracious please-please-leave-before-she-walks-out-in-a-towel look she could muster.

Caroline grabbed her bag. “Well, alright then. Tell Farmer Paige I said hi.”

“I will,” Azzi said, gently nudging her out.

“And maybe next time I’ll text first. Seems you’ll be a little more private these days,” Caroline said, stepping into the hallway.

“Maybe. I love you, I’ll call you tomorrow," Azzi said, closing the door the moment Caroline was out of sight.

About five minutes later Paige stepped out of the guest room, tugging on a fresh shirt when she saw Azzi scrolling through movie options on the TV. 

“You don’t even like romcoms,” Paige said as she walked toward the couch.

“I never said that.”

“You implied it. Twice. Just last week actually.”

Azzi shrugged. “Maybe I was lying to save face.”

Paige sat down as they tried to find a movie to turn on. It only took a few minutes, and Azzi pouting at Paige for the first time for the blonde to cave and let Azzi pick some cheesy movie. 

They ended up laying on the couch, with the lights turned off and a soft throw blanket spread across both of their laps. They weren’t cuddling, exactly but they weren’t far from it either.

When a particularly cheesy scene played, Azzi turned her head to catch Paige trying not to laugh.

“You’re not gonna cry, are you?” Azzi teased.

“Not unless the dog dies.”

“Mm. You sure? Thought I saw a little lip quiver over there.”

“I’ll throw this pillow at you sweetheart.”

Azzi smirked. “No you wouldn’t.”

The banter faded as their attention went back to the movie, a shared smile spreading between them. Azzi fell asleep for maybe twenty minutes at one point during the movie and when she woke up the movie’s final act was picking up. Azzi’s fingers found a loose thread on the throw blanket and absentmindedly twisted it between her fingers to keep herself awake, occasionally brushing against Paige’s knee. 

Paige looked down when she noticed her moving and whispering, “Hey sleepy head.”

Azzi smiled to herself but didn’t say anything.

As soon as the credits rolled there was a gentle knock on Azzi’s door. 

Azzi pushed herself upright to turn on the light. “That’s probably glam.”

Paige stayed reclined with her arms crossed behind her head as Azzi walked off to open the door. 

…

When everything was up and running the room smelled like setting spray and the flat irons as  R&B music filtering through the room. Azzi was sitting comfortably in one of her chairs with her phone in one hand as she scrolled through instagram as a stylist carefully straightened her edges.

She didn’t look up until one of the stylists helping Paige came around the corner and called out playfully, “Your blondie’s hard to please Azzi.”

Azzi looked up from her phone with a smile. “What’s wrong?”

“She thinks all the tailored pants are ‘too tight,’” the stylist said, laughing a little. “Like, ma’am. That’s what tailored pants are supposed to do.”

Azzi laughed, putting her phone down for a second as she turned her attention to the rolling rack nearby. “Let me see the options.”

The stylist started showing her a few pants she was considering and when she was done Azzi said, “Let me see those black Louis Vuitton ones. Third hanger in.”

The stylist passed them to her and Azzi held them up by the waistband, folding them to inspect the ankles before saying, “She should be fine with these.”

The stylist took them from her. “That’s what you think.”

Azzi laughed. “Just tell her I like them if she argues.”

The stylist was walking back around the corner. “Oop. Say less.”

Azzi leaned back in her chair as the makeup artist started on her eyeliner, a small grin still on her face as she imagined Paige standing in the other room probably judging the pants for being two centimeters too short. Somehow, it only made Azzi more endeared.

As glam was wrapping up Azzi was standing up as the stylists were making small final tweaks to her black dress. She adjusted the delicate drape across her chest so enough cleavage showed without doing too much. Her straightened hair was swept to one side so they could put a simple tennis necklace around her neck to rest against her collarbone.

When they were done Azzi glanced in the mirror and gave a satisfied nod.

A few steps behind her, the sound of shoes echoed against the floor.

Paige was walking around the corner with the black Louis Vuitton, a button up tucked in neatly, the first two buttons left open. Her hair was down in natural waves, and a tennis necklace also rested around her neck. She tugged at one of the sleeve cuffs as she walked in, adjusting it distractedly until her eyes landed on Azzi.

She froze for a second. Blinked once a little quickly. Then again, slower.

“Well, damn…” Paige said under her breath, catching herself and standing up a little straighter, clearing her throat. “I mean—sorry. Um. You look…wow.”

Azzi didn’t turn around from the mirror right away. She just smirked faintly at her through the mirror. “You like?”

Paige laughed, hand rubbing the back of her neck as she stepped closer. “Sweetheart, I’m tryin’ real hard to be respectful right now, but you’re makin’ it near impossible.”

Azzi turned around after hearing that, deeply enjoying the effect she was having on her. Paige’s eyes were locked on her face and only her face as if that was the only safe place for her to look. Even then, Azzi caught the subtle dilation in Paige’s blue eyes, that faint darkness around the iris that gave her away. The corner of Azzi’s mouth twitched as she took a step closer.

Paige held her ground but her eyes fluttered closed when Azzi’s perfume consumed her space.

Azzi reached up to “fix” Paige’s collar. Making sure she didn’t break eye contact as she did it, her makeup casting a soft smokiness over her eyes, making them look deeper. Paige took a deep breath as her eyes finally swept down Azzi’s figure before snapping back up to look somewhere over Azzi’s shoulder, trying to pretend she wasn’t spiraling a little.

“You smell amazing, darlin’,” Paige murmured.

Azzi smiled at the compliment before she mercifully took a step back, easing the tension for both of them. Her eyes dropped as she let herself take in Paige’s full look. The black Louis Vuitton fit her just right, and the hem of the pants sat perfectly over the Prada shoes that gave Paige a few extra inches, still leaving her taller than Azzi even with heels on.

“You clean up nice, country girl,” she said as she walked away to grab her clutch off the island.

Paige blinked and her eyes couldn’t help but trail after her, and when Azzi turned around again, she caught her. Paige tried to look away, but it was too late.

Azzi stopped herself from grinning, the tip of her tongue brushing the inside of her cheek. “You gonna make it through the night?”

Paige let out a breathy laugh and exhaled hard. “I’m sorry sweetheart,” she said genuinely, a little embarrassed. “I really am tryin’ to be respectful.”

Azzi crossed the short distance between them. “It’s fine,” she clarified, dropping her gaze to Paige’s lips for a second. “I like it.”

Paige stood still like Azzi had just flipped the table on her and she had no idea what to do with her hands so she put them in her pockets.

Somewhere down the hall, someone called out to let Azzi know the car was here for them.

Azzi walked ahead of Paige, swaying her hips a little more than usual. Paige swallowed harshly, shaking her head to herself as she mumbled, “Lord please have mercy.”

…

Luckily for Azzi, Skye hadn’t exaggerated. It really was just a league dinner. Azzi didn’t have to give any speeches or red carpet interviews, just smile for the usual cameras.

Azzi stepped out of the black SUV by herself, pausing at the designated photo line. The lights flashed like usual, the photographers called her name, and she smiled just enough to get through it without looking bored before she was able to duck past the ropes.

Someone from the venue had already come to escort Paige to the ballroom when they got there. Paige didn’t look like she belonged in an event like this. She was too composed for such a high networking event that had everyone else a little on edge, but at the same time, she looked good amongst everyone. So good that occasionally people walking past did a double take.

By the time Azzi made it to the ballroom, Paige was already at their table, observing the people around the room.

When Paige saw Azzi approaching the table she stood up to pull Azzi’s chair out for her. 

Azzi smiled and said, “Thank you.” Smoothing out the front of her dress before sitting down.

Paige helped slide her chair in before she moved to sit back in her own chair.

Across from them Curt and the new head coach of the Wings were talking. Azzi’s smile thinned slightly as she acknowledged them with a nod making sure she offered enough to seem polite—but not enough to invite real conversation. She could feel Paige glance at her, picking up on the shift in her energy.

Once the quick greetings were over and Azzi had given the required “It’s good to see you again,” Azzi turned her attention back to Paige.

She leaned a little closer toward her so nobody else could hear. “Please tell me you already figured out the sweet treats they have.”

Paige grinned, dipping her head toward Azzi’s ear. “There’s a chocolate mousse situation on the corner table. I even saw they had some nutella for your strawberries.”

Azzi laughed, easing back in her seat. “See, that’s why I brought you.”

Paige got a little closer, lips barely brushing the shell of Azzi’s ear. “That the only reason?”

Azzi raised an eyebrow at the comment, turning to look at Paige closely. “For now.”

Paige tapped her finger against the table, trying to look unaffected. “I’ll take that.”

“Good evening, everyone,” someone greeted through the mic with a polished voice. “We’re honored to be joined tonight by some of Dallas’ finest across leagues, sports, and generations.”

A few polite claps followed as he began listing notable attendees. “Representing FC Dallas, we have Luciana Acosta,” the list went on with cameras panning to different tables, each athlete smiling like they were supposed to.

When the camera shifted towards the Wings table, the host’s voice got a little more upbeat. “And gracing us tonight with her presence tonight, fresh off an incredible season, we have the lovely Rookie of the Year from the Dallas Wings Azzi Fudd.”

Azzi’s expression didn’t falter at the compliment. She offered a dimpled smile and a quick wave to the nearest camera lens, the room’s applause getting a little louder for her. The camera lingered before panning away to another table.

“You always make it look easy,” Paige whispered so she didn’t interrupt the evening.

Azzi smiled. “Someone has to.”

Not long after the host spoke, waitstaff started gliding between tables, with trays of red and white wine, champagne, or sparkling water for guests.

One of them stepped toward their table, offering Paige a glass of white wine. She reached for it out of politeness, but Azzi caught the server’s attention  politely.

“Would it be possible to swap that for a beer?” Azzi asked with a warm smile.

The waiter nodded. “Of course. Do you have a preference?”

“Do you have Lone Star?”

The server gave an apologetic shake of his head. “No ma’am, but we do have Shiner Bock, Modelo, and Stella.”

Azzi nodded once. “Umm let’s go with a Shiner Bock please.”

“Coming right up,” he said, disappearing with Paige’s untouched wine.

Paige leaned back in her chair, doing an awful job at hiding her grin. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” Azzi said casually, nudging a piece of unseasoned carrot with her fork.

Paige leaned in to whisper. “Promise I’ll take you to get some real food after this.”

That got a quiet laugh from Azzi as the server returned, setting the cold beer in front of Paige. Paige gave him a small nod. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

She took a swig of it before tilting it toward Azzi. Azzi gave her a look shaking her head no. 

 “You sure? This one’s a little sweeter. Has a small taste of caramel you’d like.”

“We’ve been over this.”

Paige gave her a boyish grin, that was a little too charming to say no to. “This one’s different, I swear.”

“Paige,” Azzi warned with no real backbone.

Paige’s blue eyes sparkled as she said, “Yes, darlin’?”

Azzi rolled her eyes but reached for the bottle anyway. She took a small skeptical sip. When the taste hit her tongue it was more gentle than she expected and for once she didn’t make a face. She passed it back. “Okay. That one wasn’t that bad.”

Paige grinned like she won a bet. “Knew you had a little Texas in you.”

Azzi snorted. “You’re so lucky you’re on my good side.”

Paige lifted the beer in a toast to herself. “To luck, then.”

Azzi glanced around, noticing the shift in the environment as guests started mingling with each other with the cocktail hour. “You wanna do the whole schmooze and smile thing?” she asked.

Paige stood up, offering her hand to help Azzi stand. “Not even a little.”

“Good. Let’s go before somebody tries to corner me into talking about sponsoring the team.”

“Too late,” Paige mumbled, subtly tilting her head toward a man in a navy suit who was eyeing them from his table across the room.

Azzi followed her gaze and unfortunately made direct eye contact with him. She snapped her attention away as soon as she saw him and wrapped her fingers tighter around Paige’s. “Alright we’re leaving,” she said as they slipped toward the exit. 

When they got back to Azzi’s place, Azzi barely had time to take off her heels before Paige was grabbing the truck keys off the counter so they could go get some food. Azzi smiled and let Paige carry her to the truck after insisting they didn’t have time for Azzi to put on her shoes until she got in the car.  

They pulled into a late night fast food spot with a glowing sign and no line. Azzi wanted to eat in the truck bed again so Paige laid down a blanket that was kept tucked behind the seat considering the cost of the clothes they had on.

They ate out of the paper bags and laughed at shit that wasn’t even funny.  Occasionally Paige would have to reach over and push Azzi’s hair out of her face when a warm breeze would push past them.

Once the food was gone and the night was starting to get a little cooler, they climbed down and drove back to Azzi’s apartment in silence. Azzi leaned on Paige the entire drive back as she watched the city speed by.

When they got back the apartment was dim, the evening winding down naturally.

“Goodnight,” Paige said at the guestroom hall, already unbuttoning her shirt.

Azzi smiled at her as she walked toward her room. “Goodnight, P.”

Paige disappeared into the guest room and Azzi into hers. They both showered, slipped into something softer, and fell into their beds. They were exhausted in that oddly peaceful way.

Azzi laid on her back with one arm folded under her head, eyes wide open in the dark.

It had been maybe 45 minutes but the room felt too quiet. The noise of the day had faded into silence. No more laughter echoing around them from the truck bed, no Paige teasing her over trying to steal her last fry when in reality Azzi could’ve just taken it. Just complete stillness. The kind of stillness Azzi would’ve killed for any other day but today it felt like a hole that Paige had carved only for her to fill.

Azzi turned, letting the cool sheets brush over her skin like they always did. But they felt colder tonight so she forced herself to stop moving and closed her eyes. The day played on a loop behind her eyelids, warming her up from the inside. 

It had been a long time since Azzi felt this warm. She felt it lingering her chest, replacing the parts of her where things tended to stay locked up, shelved behind sarcasm and distractions. She looked over at the pillow next to her. It laid flat and undisturbed like always. She exhaled through her nose and turned onto her side, curling into herself like she could make the space feel smaller.

The longer she laid there, the more she realized she didn’t want the night to end like this. Not with her here and Paige just across the hall. Not with all these feelings left suspended between them.

She was about to get up when she heard a soft knock at her door. She slid out of bed faster than she could think, her feet hitting the floor before her brain processed the sound. When she pulled it open she saw Paige standing there looking a little unsure. There was something hesitant about her posture, the way her weight shifted on her feet like she was second guessing herself in real time.

Azzi saw the uncertainty and decided to speak first. “Hey. You okay?”

“Yeah, I just—” Her voice caught, and she stopped speaking all together, eyes flicking toward the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb your sleep, sweetheart.” She turned around like she planned to walk away, but Azzi’s hand reached to catch her wrist. Paige stopped moving when she felt Azzi grab her and turned back around letting out a sigh. “Hey,” she tried again.

Azzi smiled at her. “Hi.”

Paige glanced at her, then dropped her gaze. “I couldn’t sleep again,” she admitted. “I was hopin’ you’d be on the couch again but you weren’t.”

“I wasn’t,” Azzi replied softly, still holding her hand.

Paige nodded like she understood, but then added, “I just…I remembered how you like to talk at night. How that one time you made me stay on the phone with you for hours ‘cause you didn’t wanna be alone.”

Azzi tilted her head slightly, biting her cheek so she didn’t smile. “You came to my room at one in the morning just to talk?”

There was a pause, filled with the tension that had been hovering between something old and something dangerously close to new. Paige grinned, as she said, “I promise that’s all it is.”

“That’s the problem,” Azzi teased, before interlacing her fingers with Paige’s and gently pulling her into the room. She shut the door behind them and led her toward the bed, the ambient light spilling through the windows brushing her tan skin in gold and shadows. Paige looked around like she needed something to focus on, “This feels a little more tense than just talkin’, darlin’.”

“That’s because your head’s in the gutter,” Azzi said without looking toward her.

That earned her a crooked smile from Paige, who said nothing as Azzi climbed into the bed first, settling on her side. Paige followed her lead, lying on her back next to her with both hands tucked behind her head.

There was a few minutes of comfortable silence between them; comfortable, warm even. Azzi's gaze wandered across the angles of Paige’s face, the way the light danced over her sharp jaw, the slight part in her lips, the rise and fall of her chest. Paige’s eyes flicked toward her, a small smile twitching at her lips when she caught her looking.

“So what do you wanna talk about?” Paige asked.

Azzi, making a habit of not answering Paige’s questions, just kept looking at her. Like she was trying to configure if Paige being here was real or some scene she was drawing up from her imagination. But then their eyes locked again, and the moment bent a little in her chest letting her know it was in fact real. .

“Maybe let’s talk about what you lookin’ at me like that means,” Paige added.

Azzi's voice was quiet when she answered. “It means what I’ve been telling you all weekend.”

Paige shifted her arm and brought her hand up to gently brush the side of Azzi’s face, keeping her fingertips gentle against her delicate skin, reverent in the way she traced the line of her cheek. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on, Azzi.”

“You can’t say things like that to a woman you’re refusing to kiss.”

Paige’s thumb paused at her jaw, her smile tugging back in. “I’m not refusin’,” she whispered. “I’m just tryin’ to make sure when I do it, it’s not ‘cause you’re tired, or lonely, or layin’ in the dark. I want it to count for somethin’ more than that.”

Azzi stared at her, struck by the softness in Paige’s voice. “I want it to be somethin’ you want all the time and not just sometimes sweetheart.”

They were simple words. Not overly poetic or dressed up in metaphors and similes like writers like to do. Just simple words that she wanted Azzi to understand.

Yet, they made Azzi feel like her whole body was slowly being set alight. Her skin prickled with awareness, a hum starting deep in her core and rising like static to her chest, her neck, the tips of her fingers. It was the warmth she’d been craving for years and when she found it there was tension under it, that craved her just as much..

Paige wasn’t just saying she wanted to kiss her. She was telling Azzi she could, right now, easily. But she wouldn’t until Azzi was sure. It was juvenile, in theory. The idea of aching just to be kissed. But Azzi couldn’t remember the last time something as simple as anticipation made her feel this shaken.

She could feel her heart pounding not just in her chest, but in her throat, behind her knees, between her legs. Her whole body was suddenly aware of Paige. How she sounded, smelled, the heat always radiating off of her like temptation. LIke the apple from the Garden of Eden.

Azzi swallowed, keeping her gaze on those damn blue eyes that never stopped looking at her like she was it. With a voice barely an octave above a breath, she whispered, “I need you to stop talking.”

Paige took in her appearance, the dilation in her eyes, being so in tune with the moment that she felt like she could see the nerves radiating off of Azz’s skin. “Maybe we should go to bed,” she whispered.

Azzi nodded slowly.

Paige leaned in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “Goodnight, love.” 

She started to shift, getting ready to push herself up from the bed, but Azzi caught her wrist gently.

“Stay?” she asked.

Paige looked down at her wordlessly asking if that was a good idea.

Azzi met her gaze and said quietly, “I don’t want to be cold.” Then added quickly, “I just want to be close to you.”

Paige nodded and settled back into the bed.

“Can you hold me?” Azzi asked, more tentative than she meant to sound.

“We can lay however you need.”

Azzi shifted closer until her head rested on Paige’s chest, the steady beat of her heart beneath her. She slipped one leg over Paige’s and winded her arm around her waist. Paige’s hand found a respectful place at Azzi’s hip, the warmth of her palm felt through the cotton of Azzi’s shirt. “That okay?” Paige asked, referring to her hand placement.

Azzi nodded into her chest. “Yes,” she whispered. “Goodnight.”

Paige smiled, brushing her thumb gently along Azzi’s side. “Goodnight, Azzi.”

With the rhythm of Paige’s heartbeat beating calmly under her ear, Azzi let her body soften. The tightness in her chest uncoiled, thoughts quieted. 

…

Azzi woke up draped fully across Paige, both of her legs tangled around her waist and her face tucked into the curve of Paige’s neck. 

The buzzing of Azzi’s phone was a little insistent rattling against the nightstand. Paige stirred from the sound first. “Sweetheart your phone’s ringing,” she mumbled, the rasp in her voice sending a quiet thrill through Azzi even before she was fully awake.

Azzi groaned into Paige’s neck, reaching out blindly and fumbled for the phone. She swiped to answer without looking to see who it was.

“Azzi,” Skye’s voice traveled through the speaker sharply and way too awake for Azzi’s liking, “you’re supposed to be at the jersey shoot in an hour. Please don’t stress me out.”

Azzi blinked once, still half asleep. “Okay,” she said simply and hung up.

Calmness settled around the room again. Azzi whispered into Paige’s skin, “We should run away. Leave my phone behind.”

Paige let out a sleepy laugh that vibrated through her chest, arms still cradling Azzi in position. Azzi closed her eyes again, breathing in the sound of Paige’s laugh, how she felt wrapped in her arms, how it felt to be wrapped around her scent in her own bed. Azzi silently told herself that sound was her favorite thing to hear first thing in the morning. That beautiful laugh that made her chest flutter. 

Eventually, she sighed and reluctantly pulled herself out of the warmth they’d made. She made sure she looked over her shoulder when she got out of bed. Paige still stretched out in her sheets, blonde hair a mess against the pillows, with an arm flung above her head shielding her blue eyes from the morning light.

Azzi took the mental picture and tucked it away somewhere private just for her.

They moved through their morning in parallel. Paige folded clothes into her duffle bag methodically, like dragging it out could delay the inevitable. Azzi blended up her smoothie in the kitchen, then made a second one, pouring it into a to-go cup Paige could take on the road.

They didn’t say much as they made their way to the garage. There wasn’t anything either of them knew how to say that wouldn’t make it harder.

In the garage, Paige tossed her bag in the backseat of the truck before walking Azzi to her car. Azzi stood by the driver’s side with her keys in hand, chewing the inside of her cheek like she didn’t trust herself to speak first.

Paige noticed like always. “Can I give you a hug?”

As soon as Azzi nodded Paige stepped into her space and wrapped her arms around her. Azzi let herself melt into it, let her face press into Paige’s shoulder, curling her arms tight around her shoulders like she could hold time in place if she tried hard enough. 

“You okay?”

Azzi nodded but it was the nod you gave when you were trying to lie to yourself to feel better in a moment that felt like hell.

Paige’s eyebrows pulled together in that gentle way she always looked at Azzi. “What can I do?”

“I’m not tired. Or lonely. Or laying in the dark.”

It took Paige a second to register her own words being echoed back to her but when she did she smiled. “Are you sure?”

Azzi nodded. “I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t.”

Paige tilted her head, studying her features. “You askin’ me to kiss you?”

Azzi gave the smallest smile. “I think I’ve been asking all weekend.”

That made Paige laugh under her breath. “Damn. I’ve been tryin’ to be the good guy all weekend.”

“You still are,” Azzi said. “But if you don’t kiss me now, I’m gonna think you don’t want to.”

Paige’s expression shifted into surprise, like the idea had never even crossed her mind. “Sweetheart, I’ve wanted to kiss you since you walked out of that elevator with that gorgeous smile of yours when I first got here.”

“Please just do it before I lose my mind then.”

For a second, neither of them moved as Paige assessed the situation. The garage around them was quiet and Azzi could hear the sound of Dallas waking up outside. It made the moment feel suspended.

Paige leaned in slowly, giving Azzi every chance she possibly could to pull back. When their lips connected there weren’t sparks but they fit perfectly.

Their lips found each other like it was something they'd done in a thousand lifetimes before this one. Azzi’s mouth was warm, pliant. Paige's lips tasted faintly of the smoothie Azzi had made her that morning. Sweet with cool berries and a trace of mint instead of kale. Azzi could taste the berries faintly on Paige’s tongue when they lingered longer than planned.

Paige led the kiss while somehow letting Azzi lead. Like she was reading her in real time, adapting to her reactions and what she wanted, offering without pressing. Azzi sighed into her mouth and the kiss deepened slightly, both of them tilting their heads and swelling their tongues gently together, a moment of softness melting into the sincere ache that they each were feeling before they pulled apart.

When they separated, Paige looked at Azzi and said, “Well there goes my whole bein’ respectful plan.”

Azzi laughed under her breath. “That was respectful,” she whispered.

“You sure?”

Azzi leaned in again, pressing a kiss to the corner of Paige’s mouth this time. “Positive.”

Paige grinned at the gesture. “I’m glad you opened the door last night.”

“I’m glad you knocked.”

Neither moved for a moment. Then Azzi’s phone buzzed again loudly against the calmness radiating between them. It rattled against her palm reminding her of everything outside of this little bubble. Azzi silenced it without checking the screen.

They shared one more hug, longer this time before Paige opened Azzi’s car door for her. Azzi gave her a soft look as she climbed in, rolling down the window.

“I’ll call you tonight?” she said, like she already missed her.

Paige leaned down putting her hand on the roof of the car and gave her that easy grin. She grabbed Azzi’s jaw gently kissing her one more time. “I’ll call you tonight, sweetheart.’” she said, blue eyes sparkling.

Azzi blushed as she nodded. 

Paige winked at her and tapped the roof twice before she turned toward her truck. Azzi watched her climb in, start the engine, and drive off leaving the garage a little quieter, and Azzi’s heart a little louder.

[worksbykai]

alright then

#wingsup

[worksbykai]

happy for them everyday 🥹🥹

[worksbykai]

paige.. if you can hear me, bring this hairstyle back for science please

[worksbykai]

paige to angell🥹 I really don’t want this to end

[worksbykai]

Dijonai and Paige😭😭😭 your honor, I love them

[worksbykai]

i just teared up, THE BLACK LACE BRA????? smb make sure paige isn’t layed flat out on the court

[worksbykai]

where are yall watching the all star game?

[worksbykai]

froot loops

[worksbykai]

Paige on studbudz !!

[worksbykai]

now we wait..

now i’m js waiting for the post game pics 🙂

[worksbykai]

imma just sigh and nod

[worksbykai]

VERY interesting

[worksbykai]

oh hey bae

[worksbykai]

wait. PAIGE??? A technical????

[worksbykai]

What is going onnn…