Unexpected

Kate (@katemartin03) added to their story

"KK pause the TV for a minute." Nika's eyes were glued to her phone as she continuously stared at the picture Kate added to her Instagram story. KK immediately paused the TV as quickly as possible so Nika wouldn't have to ask her again, raising her voice.

"Why? What's wrong?" KK's eyebrows furrowed, confused as to what was more important than watching her favorite Spanish show but KK wasn't going to argue. She was intimidated by the Croatian. Now KK wanted to figure out what's wrong.

"Go look at Kate's story."

KK's eyes widened as both of her hand's hit the couch. "What?! You still follow Ka-" KK earned vicious eyes from Nika, realizing she probably overstepped her boundaries of what she could say. Still, KK went to Kate's story to see what Nika was so shocked about. "Uhm. What the fuck..."

The AC was ringing through the apartment as both girls sat there in silence, looking at the same photo. Nika's face of shock was quickly replaced with fury and anger. "'Ice out here being cold' with cold emojis? 'This was from a few months ago but I don't care she deserves an appreciation post' with two fucking kissy emojis?! I swear I'm going to kill Ice and fly out to Iowa and confront Kate."

Nika was not one to feel hurt. She dealt with the pain, if she had any. And never showed signs of weakness. To say that all of that changed here and that she felt gut wrenched, then that would be an understatement. Kate knew that Nika would see this post. Still, she had the audacity to hover her thumb over the 'add to story' button and send it.

Since when did the two girls become so close? It obviously had to be a while ago because that was when that photo was from, but Nika couldn't ever recall Kate and Ice hanging out alone while they were together. Everything just seemed to be happening so fast, one minute it seemed like Kate and Ice barely knew the other one existed, the next moment they seem like they can't keep their eyes off of each other.

Suddenly, a theory popped up in Nika's head which made her go into a spiral. Was Kate getting revenge on Nika this whole time dating her and making her fall in love with her, while the whole time she was in love with Ice? Nika quickly rebutted this theory though when she realized she was the one who broke up with the blonde. Still though, it was definitely a possible theory.

KK jumped off from the couch she was sitting on, her arms making an 'X' as she sprinted over next to Nika. "No no no Nika! don't do anything! Don't kill your bestie boo Ice because we all know deep inside you love her and I know for a fact that if you killed girly pop, Kate would not like you anymore."

Nika glanced at her phone one more time before turning it off and throwing it to the side. "I just don't understand any of this shit. I thought me and Kate were making progress but here she is posting all about Ice. Like what the fuck."

For once, KK felt like she had more power against Nika. And to be honest, it was a bizarre feeling for her. It amazed the freshmen just how fast Nika could go from a fierce Croatian to vulnerable.

"Friend, it's okay, everything is going to be okay. I love my bestie Ice but she is 100% just Kate's rebound. There is no one like Nika Mühl. You're one in a million. You have a whole plan to get Kate back. Just wait a few weeks or months and she will be yours again."

Nika huffed as she curled her fingers and her knuckles grew white. She shook her head side and side as she began to stand up. "Nope. Fuck a few months and fuck the plan. I'm going to Iowa, and I'm going there now."

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Iowa City, Iowa

It has been roughly a week since the Hawkeyes defeated the Huskies on their own court. Not just Caitlin, but other Hawkeyes have been getting a lot of publicity ever since they got the dub, including Kate. The last quarter of the game is what really shocked people, only holding UConn to 13 points while Iowa had 27. A fire started inside Hannah and Kate alongside Caitlin, which made them unstoppable.

As the Hawkeyes grew more fans, so did Kate. The new fans began deep diving into Kate's life and finding out about her relationship with Nika. Most new fans didn't know about their relationship beforehand because they either watched just to watch, or they never knew of any other Hawkeyes besides Caitlin Clark.

Kate has been feeling so paranoid though because as time went on, more people kept commenting on her posts about Nika. She tried to ignore them but it got to a point where Caitlin or Gabbie had to check all of her social media before she could go on it. However, Ice was always there to comfort her, in what she believed, a friendly matter.

It was currently evening and all of the girls were in the locker room after a long, excruciating, three and a half hour workout. Kate felt sweaty, felt her clothes stick to her body, and all she wanted to do was get in a nice cold shower.

The locker room was loud with music filling the air, but even that didn't stop Kate from hearing the notification on her phone. As soon as she saw who texted her, her eyes lit up immediately.

IceIce Baby

Gooood evening Miss Martin

How was ur practice 😊

MoneyMartin

long and dreadful but

u texting me made me feel

much better

IceIceBaby

Im flattered I have that much

of an impact on you 😘

Anyways...just wanted to

see how ur feeling and stuff

MoneyMartin

well I was wondering

when I would see u again

IceIceBaby

Miss me that much

already???

MoneyMartin

maybeee..

IceIceBaby

I'll see you soon love

MoneyMartin

soon is too longggg

IceIceBaby

😉

Bye Katie

MoneyMartin

bye Ice 😚

"Damnnnn K who got you smiling like that??" Kate turned to her left seeing Caitlin intensely staring at the text messages that were sent between Ice and Kate. Kate shoved Caitlin, only getting a laugh in return.

"Holy shit Clark mind your own fucking business. Jesus don't you have better things to do in your life then to step into other people's business?! Find yourself your own girlfriend."

"I just can't help it. I'm so happy that my baby K finally found someone who makes her smile again." Caitlin bear hugged Kate, their cheeks against one another as Kate rolled her eyes. "You seem to really like her K."

The red blush on Kate's cheeks answered Caitlin. Kate smiled at Caitlin right before Caitlin stood up. The blonde went back to her phone texting Ice again.

MoneyMartin

we're good

IceIceBaby

👍👍

Kate let out a large sigh before quickly changing into a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Normally after practice her, Caitlin, Gabbie, and Jada, would go to Estela's for dinner, but they were all too exhausted to go and decided that the leftover hamburgers from the other night were the next best thing.

The three girls all drove together today. Normally they would drive in separate cars because Gabbie would go back to the apartment while Caitlin stayed at the facility for a little longer and Kate would hit the weight room. But they knew they wouldn't have any energy left after this practice so they all decided to just drive together.

It felt so much later than it already was because it was winter time. While most people hated when it got dark out earlier, Kate loved it. She felt like she was living in Alaska where they only have 3 hours of sunlight sometimes.

"Isn't it crazy how it always seems to lead back to us 3 in the car?" Caitlin's eyes flickered between Gabbie and Kate as she smirked.

"Well considering you always beg me to take my car and drive wherever we go while you beg to be a passenger princess, not really." Gabbie received a slight chuckle from Kate and a frown from Caitlin. It was true though. It was always them three in the car, sometimes with Hannah or Jada, living every single emotion one could have.

"Okay but like we always base our mood based on how Kate feels. So what's your mood right now K? In loveee with Ice?"

"Shut the fuck up Clark. Me and Ice are nothing more than friends and weren't you the one who was practically crying when you found out that me and that brunette girl from Croatia were done for?"

Caitlin waved Kate off as if she had no idea what the blonde was talking about. It might seem like a joke or she may never admit it but, Caitlin was severely devastated when she found out Nika broke up with Kate. Caitlin was so happy to see her best friend finally be happy and get the love that she deserved. Nika seemed to treat her so well and actually made Kate worth something. But to then find out Nika was like all the other girls Kate has talked to or dated, Caitlin definitely didn't take it easy.

They finally arrived at their apartment at about 8 PM. Sitting in the heated car was a super nice break from there restless movement of almost four hours. The three girls decided to take the elevator up to their apartment even though they lived on the third floor. They were all big fans of exercises and getting their steps in but not right now.

As soon as they opened their door and turned on the lights, in synchronicity, the three of them fell back on their couch.

"Holy shit I'm never standing up from this couch, I love you." Caitlin was currently caressing the couch like it was the love of her life. To be fair, a couch will always have your back and will be there whenever you needed it most. It would always support you whenever you needed to cry.

"Caitlin stop making out with the couch and shower. You stink." Gabbie quickly got up from the couch and went to her room. She used her time wisely as right now both showers in the apartment were unoccupied.

"So...do you want to know a secret K?"

"I love secrets, Clark. But when they come from you, I miss the person I was seconds before."

Caitlin waved her hands up in defense although Kate spoke some truth. "Bro stop hating on me come on this secrets not bad. It's actually good. Don't tell anyone this but Paige is staying for another year."

"You're acting like I don't already know that." Before Kate could even attempt to get another word out, Caitlin spoke again.

"No that's not what I'm talking about K. Paige is staying for another year which means she's going on the annual monthly trip with the returning Hawkeyes and Huskies. And just this morning Paige told me that they all did a secret poll of all places that were brought up for potential spots."

Caitlin looked up at Kate who was signaling for her to speed up to the part of the story thats actually important. "Anyway, she's going to announce to them this weekend but the place they're going to is Vancouver."

The first thing that popped into Kate's head was 'damn that NIL money really got Paige loaded.' but then her second thought was 'why Vancouver?' "Sorry but what made them all decide on Vancouver? What choices did they have that made them decide of Vancouver? No offense but what is there to even do there?"

Caitlin just shrugged in response. "I have no idea. Maybe they want to see the mountains or something. Like those TikToks of Canada that show the mountains and are like 'This is your sign to come to Canada.' Caitlin paused for a moment thinking if there was anything else she needed to bring up. "Oh yea and I'm positive they're doing a road trip across America to get there as well."

Kate looked down at her nails that she was picking. "Kinda bummed they didn't invite me you know? Considering I'm not getting into the W."

"K, if you say that one more time I swear I'm going to bitch slap you so hard. You're getting drafted and you know it."

All Kate really needed was encouragement and reassurance. There were days where she thought her getting drafted was possible, and other days where she thought why did she play basketball in the first place and waste so many years of her life playing it when she could've been doing things to achieve more 'realistic' goals.

"Thanks Caitlin. Now shoo, you do stink." Caitlin got up from the couch making her way to her room as Kate was left there smiling. Kate looked out the window and could see that it was raining outside because of it shining from the headlights. Besides snow, rain was Kate's favorite type of weather. Besides her legs being in pain, Kate thought this to be such a perfect ending to a day.

Kate decided to turn on the TV and find a TV show or movie to watch. She would always pick out what she wanted in advance before getting her food because doing it the other way around seemed like a curse. Whenever Kate got her food before she decided on what to watch, everything on TV suddenly disappeared and by time she found something somewhat interesting, her food was either all eaten or cold.

She decided on watching Jessie and went to the kitchen to heat up her leftover burger before she pressed play. By this time Gabbie had already gotten out of the shower and decided to join her on watching Jessie on the couch.

As soon as they finished one episode, both girls on the couch jumped when they heard a knock on the door. If it was one of their friends they would've just barged in.

Kate was always the one to take one for the team. If they were walking a dark path she would go first, no catch involved. She made her way to the door, unlocking it and opening it up and-

"Nika?! What're you doing here?" There she was. The beautiful Croatian standing right in front of Kate, soaking wet. Gabbie's full attention was towards the door hearing the name of the Croatian.

"I-I came to see you." Nika shrugged as she was shivering uncontrollably this entire time.

"No like seriously what the fuck are you doing here?! Shouldn't you be in Connecticut right now. You have no reason to be here."

"Jesus Kate I just told you I'm here to see you. Please give me a chance and explain why I'm here." As much as Kate wanted to say no, she felt guilty seeing the poor girl look like she was freezing to death.

"Fine. Come in Nika, I'll give you a pair of Gabbie's clothes."

"Uhm no Kate my clothes don't fit on Nika and nor do Caitlin's so she's stuck with yours." Gabbie had a devilish smile on her face seeing the frustration on Kate's face.

"Ugh fine. Nika follow me."

They made their way to Kate's bedroom as Kate held the door open for the both of them.

"This is a really nice room Kate." And then it hit. Nika has never been to Kate's apartment before. This was her first time here and it was when they weren't together.

Kate mumbled a small 'thanks' as she handed Nika the first pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt she could find. Nika didn't deserve Kate's time being wasted on her looking for clothing. At least not yet. As much as Kate hated to admit it, she secretly stared intensely watching Nika strip the wet clothes off of her body where her toned abdomen and arms were exposed before putting the sweatshirt on.

Kate sat on her bed while Nika stood up. Nika wanted to be as close to Kate as she could but knew the girl needed her personal space and time to gather her thoughts.

"I saw your story Kate. You know, the one with Ice. How the fuck could you post that knowing that I'd see it?!"

Kate scoffed. "So what you're telling me is you flew halfway across the country because of something I posted on my story?! Nobody is asking for you to look at my story. I'm single! What I post on my story is none of your concern."

"She's my fucking friend Kate! And you fucking lied to me." It was painful for Nika to be raising her voice as frequently as she has with Kate. She would never want to speak to Kate like this. But what was she supposed to do? Just let Kate walk all over her? "When we were at dinner you said that there was no one. And this whole time you were with Ice behind my back?!"

"Come here Nika."

"What?" Nika was taken a step back by the softness in Kate's voice and her telling Nika to come next to her.

"Come over here." Kate patted the spot right next to her on the bed for Nika to sit. "Nika, you hurt me and I know that you know that. I do know how sorry you are and I know that you realize your mistakes. My wound was healing but it never really covered up. I don't think it ever healed up because my feelings for you never left."

Nika looked up from the ground, making eye contact with Kate. Nika was speechless, she had no idea what to say.

"To be honest I haven't been fully honest with you. Just promise me that you won't hurt me or Ice, okay?"

Nika nodded rapidly. "I will never do anything to hurt you ever again. I suppose I won't hurt Ice either."

"Okay." Kate put her hands on top of Nika's and the contact sent a chill down both of their backs. So long the two girls have gone without the other's physical contact. The touch of Kate felt brand new to Nika but also brought back memories.

Nika was about to pull her hands away in case Kate accidentally put hers there, but her hands were pinned more to the bed when she felt the grip of Kate's hand grow stronger.

"Me and Ice, there never was a me and Ice, and there never will be a me and Ice. Yes I did sleep in Ice's bed with her but it was only because I lost my blanket. Truth is, this whole time I was trying to get my revenge back on you. And what better way to do it then with your own teammate? Me and Ice were the duo that no one in the world could've thought of. And the people bought into it. Especially our friends who have no idea about this."

Nika felt paralyzed, her body froze and she didn't know if she would be able to move it. "The people saw how close me and Ice were getting and we both came up with the idea one day to pretend to be in a talking stage so it would stop people mentioning you in my comments and to make you jealous. It was a mutual agreement and it worked. I know it sounds stupid but it was the first thing we thought of."

"I..wow. I have so many thoughts on this."

Kate's eyes grew worried. "So you're not going to kill me or Ice right?"

Nika slightly laughed. "No Kate I'm not going to kill anyone. I do feel betrayed and lied to but I know I hurt you much worse so I'm going to let this slide."

"We can talk about it if you want. Or, you seem a little tired and we can talk about it tomorrow."

At that same moment Nika yawned. "Yea lets talk about it tomorrow. I'm fucking exhausted. And I'll pay for coffee or whatever you need tomorrow morning."

"No Nika enough treating me. You flew all the way over here I'm paying this time." Kate stood up from her bed going towards the door. "Now you get some rest in here and I'll lay on the couch."

"I can't go through with that deal. I'll stay on the couch." Kate was quick to give in knowing that the Croatian would keep fighting until she won. Kate grabbed a few blankets from one of the closets and brought it into the living room where Nika was laying next to a sitting Gabbie, and a shocked, jaw-dropped Caitlin standing outside her bedroom door.

"Goodnight Nika."

"Goodnight Kate."

Authors Note:

Forgot to write last chapter but hope yall enjoyed that more Nika focused chapter

Also I was to lazy to write more this chapter sorry it sucks. My break is soon so hopefully I'm locked in then

ALso my wifi is so ass rnnnn.

Sry if u thought the Ice x Kate revenge was dumb I think it lowk is to cuz I literally just thought of it as I typed along but oh well

Once agian hope yall enjoyed