Chapter 42: TEXAS

Nika POV

December 3rd, 2023

UConn vs Texas

Tonight was not my night. I wasn’t ready to be out there on the court; I haven’t been in the best headspace. Tate and I haven’t talked in like a week. Honestly, I didn’t try. I didn’t want to overstep anything she might have not wanted me to overstep.

“Dude, twin, you gotta get outta that big head of yours,” The blonde wrapped her arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer, “Tate will come around eventually. You just needa talk to her.” Easier said than done. Her not letting me get a word out the day we stopped talking proved that.

“Paige, she’s done with me. She’s not even gonna come to the game for you or Azzi, and she loves both of you!” I wanted her here; that’s all there was to it. I missed Tate.

Paige chuckled, “Yeah, she loves us a lot more than you right now,” I shoved her off me, slapping her shoulder, “Oww! It was a joke!”

“Not in the mood.”

“Right, right...just don’t think about it, Nik. Let’s just win this game, okay?” She gave me a small smile, not a genuine smile. I knew she knew Tate was all I was thinking about...all I was going to think about.

The game was starting. Paige, Aaliyah, Aubrey, Ice, and I were starters. I glimpsed around the stands, hoping to see the hazel eyes I’ve grown to love.

Nothing.

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COMMENTATOR POV / Tate POV

“And here we are underway at Moody Center, with Texas winning the tip.”

I decided to come, staying away from the usual spots Nika knows I would be.  After falling for the girl I thought loved me, I became a fan of basketball. And with that came knowledge of the better games to look out for. Texas and UConn being a mashup I'd do anything to watch. Even if the girl who managed to break my heart plays on one of the teams.

“Not even two minutes into the game and there’s a turnover for the Huskies, Mühl passing out-of-bounds!”

What was she doing?! She’s never like this, almost never like this. Maybe it was the beginning-of-game jitters?

“Pass from Mühl to Edwards, and the jumper is good!”

“Nice jumper by Mühl!”

Alright…things seem to be heading the right way. Definitely just the pregame nerves getting to her. I didn’t care anyway. I’d spent the last week ignoring her, why would I care.

“Foul committed by Nika, causing another turnover for the UConn Huskies.”

I couldn’t stand watching her down there. It made me feel bad…no. I don’t need to feel bad for anything. She was cheating. Not only cheating, cheating with a man. Ew.

“Subbing Mühl out, subbing Brady in.”

Thank God, I could actually pay attention to the game for a minute.

“And that’s a wrap for the first quarter!”

Welp, if staring straight at the bench was considered watching the game…I would have been the best game watcher ever. Nika on the bench was mesmerizing but something was just off about her tonight. I couldn’t tell what it was, but it was wilting something inside me.

“Subbing out Griffin, subbing in Mühl.”

Hopefully, this quarter will go better. Knowing Nika, whatever is going on in her mind will ease enough for her to play the sport she loves. For the team she loves like family.

“And that’s halftime! The Huskies trailing by 14 going into the second half.”

UConn trailing by 14 wasn’t something I loved, but the second quarter being somewhat quiet for Nika was good for me. I didn't have to hear the commentator yell ‘Muhl’ over the intercom over and over again. The halftime started giving me some time to breathe and start praying for UConn.

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Nika POV

The lockerroom was quiet. The heavy breathing from the players on the court was the only sound in the room other than the thunderous sound of the teams beating hearts. CD walked in head down. That’s just great.

Geno walked in, face stern with emotions we knew as a team a little too well. “What’s going on out there? Please, someone explain.” The sudden softness throwing everyone off, CD even snapping her head up to look at him. “Maybe this is my sign to stop coaching because obviously I can’t get through to y’all.”

And here it comes.

“In my 40 years of coaching, I have never seen such a horrible start for the Huskies! At this point, none of you deserve to be considered Huskies. Whatever is going on in some of y’all’s heads…it needs to become basketball, this game, anything that will save whatever disaster that was in the first half!” His hands ran through his hair, fixing it slightly from the little mess it had become. “CD, takeover please. I can’t stand to try to fix this mess, let alone look at them.”

“Geno..” “CD, I’ll be waiting out here.”

Chris Dailey was amazing, but we all knew that coach was who we needed to fix this. She, herself, knew that. “Guys, I don’t know what to tell you. Get out of your heads, start getting into the game. Stick to the plays we write out, unless you know whatever you have planned is going to work. Paige, start taking to the basket. Nika, pass, and please, pass good. Aalyiah, stay strong in the post. Aubrey, keeping moving off the ball. Ice, get the rebounds, get what you can get. Everyone else, just do what you have to do. Got it?”

“Yes, coach.”

“Alright, let’s get out there and win!” CD’s motivation helped everyone in a way, but getting out of my head was going to be hard. The girl I loved thought I cheated on her…with a gay guy. She didn’t know that information, but that’s what she thought. The game could honestly wait, it was the least of my worries at the moment.

I went to walk out, CD stopping me in my tracks. “You alright, Nika? You seem…off today?”

“Just a lot going on right now.” It wasn’t a lie. Tate wasn’t talking to me. Paige and Azzi definitely have been keeping in touch with her. My parents wouldn’t talk to me. My sister was busy with her own life. I had my teammates, but it was nothing like the comfort from family or even Tate. It just seemed like I kept messing up things before they could even get good.

“Listen, I get things are hard for a student athlete, and I’m sure it’s things beyond that too…but this is a game, you play for UConn. Whatever anger or pent up stress you have, bring it out and use it against this Texas team, alright? I don’t want to add coach Geno to the list of things bothering you, do you?” A small smile reached the older woman’s lips. A small one settling on mine. It couldn’t be that hard to try.

“I’ll try.”

“That’s all I’m asking.”

Now it was time to get back out there, and the Tate stuff could wait til after the game. I hope.

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Commentator pov / Tate POV

The beginning of the second half was getting ready to start. My nerves were everywhere. I felt for Nika. She just seemed so lost. I wonder if she’s been able to talk to anyone. I mean, all that stuff happened to her with her parents and I wasn’t even sure if her sister was on board with it…

She’s gonna be okay, I know she will be.

As the game started back up, Nika’s defense was good. Being the defensive player of the year twice really made sense. Not even two minutes into the quarter, Texas turns the ball over, Aaliyah inbounding the ball. Nika’s eyes wander over the stands, almost as if she was searching for someone. Then her eyes met mine, time froze. Her face fell pale, my skin rose with goosebumps.

“And yet another turnover by Mühl!”

Oh. My. God.

“Nika Mühl turning over the ball once again.”

Was I the reason for her playing like this?

The end of the third couldn’t have come quicker. I felt the sudden urge to run onto the court, wave down Nika, and just hold her in my arms. I couldn’t do that…but I had another plan up my sleeve.

I made my way down the stands, following exactly what Nika had told me before. Stay calm, act like you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, and pull her from the huddle. The only thing I didn’t really know how to do was pulling her from the intense huddle. Geno going over every little mistake they made in the quarter, it was almost like she needed to be there. I tugged on her jersey slightly to get her attention. Her head moving to get a better look at who was pulling at her, her eyes met mine, tears almost brimming underneath her eyes instantly.

“Ta?”

“Niks,” She seemed broken, it hurt me a little.

“I didn’t think you were going to come…I’m so sorry for everything…I-I,” Without another word, I pulled her into a hug.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ll talk about it later, okay?” She nods, her head nuzzled into my neck. Her perfume strong, her hands resting on my back, the slight waver in her breaths. I couldn’t stand seeing her like this…I just couldn’t.

“I’m never going to hide anything from you again, I promise.” Light kisses were placed on my neck, every word she spoke led to a gentle kiss.

“Nika.”

“I’m sorry,” She pulled herself away, gaining back some composure.

“Please, stop saying that,” She fidgeted with her fingers, biting the inside of her lip, “We’ll talk everything out over dinner. Just focus on the game, please?”

Her head whipped up at the mention of dinner, a small spark in her eyes. “That sounds amazing, an-and I’ll focus on the game. Just for you.”

A small smile twitched at my lips, “Alright, Muhl. Let me see that star player I fell in love with.”

A smirk played on hers, “Alright, Davis. Prepare to fall in love once again.”

Before Geno could notice Nika’s absence, I quickly left, finding my seat in the stands. I was hoping the small interaction between Nika and I would help change her game…and I was right.

“Three pointer for Mühl to start the fourth!”

I jumped at the intercom announcement, pride running through my veins. It was small, compared to what the girl usually does, but it was something.

“A layup by Mühl! Huskies behind by 9!”

“Jumper by Samuels, good! Another assist for Nika!”

“Texas winning! 12 point advantage, 80 to 68!”

The ending wasn’t exactly what I had wanted, but knowing Nika got out of her funk before the end of the game was good. I waited for the girl, pausing outside of the lockerroom door, overhearing some of the yelling from Geno; the overly positive outlook from CD; and the quiet arguments between teammates. Hearing the chatter come closer, I moved to the side, allowing the doors to open freely without me getting hit.

The coaches flowed out, followed by staff, then finally the players. Nika being one of the last, I jumped out in front of her, a smile prominent on her face.

“For someone who just got chewed…you seem happy?”

Her eyes glanced over me, head to toe, before meeting mine. “How could I not be happy? The prettiest girl in the world is talking to me.” She went in for a hug, stopping to check it was alright. I nodded. I was a little selfish, I wanted the hug as much as she did. Nika became my person in a matter of weeks. Her comfort, the feeling she provided, nothing matched it. Not the late night talks with Azzi, or the small debriefings with Paige. My sisters never really helped, my parents on the same path. Nika was the only one who truly understood me…that’s why I couldn’t figure out why she did what she did.

“Now,” I pulled away, “Dinner and talking. Right now.”

Without question, Nika led us to her car.

A/N: now did I disappear from this book for a month....yes.

Did I have a lot on my plate....yes

Does that mean I had an excuse....kinda

Anyway....how y'all doing??? Did you miss me? Or at least these updates???

I just wanna say...writing this chapter in 2 hours and it coming out like this....oh I'm happy.

Also...I DID IT! got it out tonight...

Anyways...

Peace y'all, til the next chapter