Twenty Six

Game days always had their own electricity, a mix of nervous energy and outright excitement that you could feel as soon as you stepped into the gym. But today? Today was something else entirely.

The players were locked in, sharp and focused as they arrived for the pregame walkthrough. Even the staff seemed to be walking with more purpose. I was in my usual spot, just off to the side of the court, camera in hand, documenting every moment I could. But my mind kept drifting to last night. To Paige. To her words.

To her kiss.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. Paige had sent me a good morning text earlier—simple, sweet, but it made my heart race anyway. Good morning, baby girl. Game day. You ready for us to give you some magic to capture? How was I supposed to focus after that?

The team's pregame routine was in full swing. Azzi was stretching with Ice and Caroline, the three of them chatting quietly. Azzi always had this calm intensity before a game, a sharp contrast to Ice, who was hyping up anyone who would listen.

"Inds, you better have your camera ready for my threes today," Ice called over, a confident grin lighting up her face.

I smirked. "I've been ready since day one. Just don't brick them."

Azzi laughed at that, and Ice shot me a mock glare. "Oh, it's like that? You'll see, India. I'm going to make you eat those words."

"Please," I shot back. "Make them, and I'll consider it."

The banter was helping. It grounded me in the rhythm of the team, reminded me why I loved being here. This wasn't just a job—it was a family, a group of people who knew how to push each other to be their best.

Paige was across the court, talking to Coach. She had her usual game face on, but when our eyes met, the corner of her mouth tugged up just a little. It was quick, subtle, but it was enough to send a shiver through me. She was focused on the game, but she still saw me.

By the time the stands started filling up, the energy was palpable. Fans in UConn blue and white were everywhere, cheering and chanting even before the tip-off. The players were doing their final warm-ups, and I moved around the court, snapping photos of them stretching, laughing, and getting locked in.

"Inds," Nika called out as I crouched by the sideline. "Get my good side, okay?"

"You don't have a bad side," I quipped, earning a grin from her.

"Facts," she said, striking a ridiculous pose before jogging off to join the others.

When the starting lineup was announced, the arena exploded. The roar of the crowd was deafening as Paige, Azzi, Ice, Aaliyah, and Nika took the floor. I couldn't help but smile as I captured the moment. The way Paige looked as she walked to center court for the tip-off—confident, poised, every bit the leader—made my heart flutter.

Focus, India, I reminded myself. I had a job to do.

The game started fast and furious. The other team came out swinging, but UConn held their ground, matching them shot for shot. Paige was on fire, running the offense with precision and hitting clutch shots when the team needed her most. Azzi was drilling threes like it was second nature, and Ice was relentless on defense, diving for loose balls and firing up the crowd.

I moved around the sidelines, capturing everything. The determination on Aaliyah's face as she fought for a rebound. The way Nika hyped up the bench after a big play. The teamwork, the chemistry, the sheer joy they played with—it was all there, and I was in my element, freezing those moments in time.

During a timeout, Paige walked over to the bench, towel draped around her neck. She glanced my way, her eyes locking on mine for just a second before she smirked. "You getting all this, baby girl?" she mouthed, subtle enough that no one else would notice.

I felt my cheeks heat up but managed a nod. She chuckled, turning back to the huddle, and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself. She knew exactly what she was doing.

The game was close, but in the final minutes, UConn pulled away. Paige hit a step-back three that brought the crowd to their feet, and Ice sealed the win with a pair of free throws. When the final buzzer sounded, the team erupted in celebration, hugging and high-fiving as the crowd roared around them.

I kept shooting, capturing the joy and relief on their faces. Paige was in the middle of it all, her arms around Azzi and Nika, laughing and shouting. She glanced over at me again, her smile softening for just a moment before she turned back to her teammates.

In the locker room after the game, the energy was still high. Music was blasting, and the girls were dancing and laughing, replaying the highlights of the game. I hung back, snapping candid shots and trying to stay out of the way.

"Inds, you gotta dance with us!" Nika called, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the group.

"I don't dance," I protested, laughing as she tried to spin me around.

"Everyone dances on game day," Ice said, joining in.

"I think I'll stick to the camera," I said, holding it up like a shield.

"Boring!" Nika declared, but she let me go, turning her attention back to her impromptu dance battle with Aaliyah.

As things started winding down, Paige found me by the door. Her hair was still damp from her post-game shower, and she had that relaxed, satisfied look she always got after a win.

"Good game, mama," I said softly, the nickname slipping out before I could stop it.

She grinned, leaning against the doorframe. "You liked it?"

"Loved it," I admitted. "You were amazing out there."

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of us in the room. "Thanks, baby girl. It's easier to play like that knowing you're here."

I felt my breath catch, the weight of her words settling over me. She wasn't just talking about the game anymore.

"Come on," she said, holding out her hand. "Let's get out of here."

I hesitated, glancing back at the team, who were still celebrating. But then I looked at her—at the quiet confidence in her eyes, the way she was waiting for me—and I knew I couldn't say no.

"Okay," I said, slipping my hand into hers.

As we walked out together, I couldn't help but smile. Whatever was coming next, I was ready. As long as it was with her.