19

Angel Reese

It started with a phone call from Rickea.

"Yo, Ang," she said, her voice buzzing through the line like she was already up to something. "You think I can steal my baby niece for the weekend? Disney calling my name, and I need a partner in crime."

I looked over at Arayah, who was in the middle of a Moana concert for her stuffed animals. "You sure you want her the whole weekend, Kea?"

Rickea laughed. "I done survived you on back-to-back game days. I can handle a three-year-old. I'll send you pictures and everything."

After a few seconds of pretending to think it over, I sighed. "Alright. But keep her routine the same — bedtime, snacks, all that."

"Bet. I got her."

And just like that, I was kid-free for the first time in... God, I couldn't even remember how long.

The quiet in my apartment was too loud. I cleaned, scrolled my phone, started a show, then stopped it five minutes in. That's when I saw the WNBA notification light up my screen — Las Vegas vs. Seattle, Game 1 of the semifinals.

Jackie's team.

I checked the time: 3:42 p.m. The game tipped at 7:10.

My first thought was no way I can make it in time. My second thought — and the one that won — was bet me.

Within twenty minutes, I had a carry-on bag packed, hair pulled back into a bun, and my laptop shoved inside. I hit the airport like I was running point, heart pounding as TSA called for final boarding. I made it onto that plane with four minutes to spare, breathless and grinning like a maniac.

While we were taxiing, I opened Instagram and went straight to A'ja's DMs.

angelreese5: hey sis you got a family & friends ticket for tonight angelreese5: also don't tell nobody I'm coming. especially her lol

Her reply came quick.

Aja22wilson: ohhhh shit. say less. I got you

By the time the plane landed, my stomach was full of nerves and iced coffee. I changed into a cropped hoodie and sweats in the bathroom at the airport, grabbed my rental, and sped toward Michelob ULTRA Arena.

The game was packed. I kept my mask on, hat low, tucked away in one of the private suites A'ja hooked me up with.

Jackie was locked in.Focused. Sharp. Every move looked effortless — like the court was hers and everyone else was just visiting. I caught myself smiling more than cheering, just watching her do what she loved.

Vegas pulled out the win, and before I knew it, confetti was falling, fans were screaming, and I was quietly slipping out of the suite before anyone noticed me.

I texted A'ja as I walked to the players' lot:

angelreese5: you still around?Aja22wilson: yeah. I told Jackie to walk me to my car. 👀angelreese5: you didn't tell her right? Aja22wilson: relax. I didn't snitch. just be ready.

So, I sat in my rental, parked toward the back of the lot and waited. Shortly after I saw A'ja and Jackie, walking side by side under the parking lot lights. Jackie's hair was damp, curls pulled back, game bag slung over her shoulder. She still had that post-game glow — the kind that only came after a win and a shower. A'ja was saying something animated, waving her hands around until she "accidentally" led them right toward my car.

Jackie frowned when she noticed the unfamiliar SUV. "Uh, A', your car's the other way?"

A'ja smirked. "Yeah, I know. But this car got somethin' better than mine." She gave me a sly look through the windshield before patting Jackie's shoulder. "Have fun,," she said, backing away before Jackie could process anything.

Jackie's face went from confusion to complete shock when I rolled the window down. "Angel?"

I grinned, leaning against the headrest. "Surprise."

She blinked a few times like she wasn't sure if I was real, then broke into that slow, dimpled smile that always got me. "You're kidding. You flew out here?"

"Caught a flight like four hours ago," I said, opening the passenger door. "You gon' stand there or give me a hug?"

Jackie didn't need another invitation. She jogged around and pulled me into her arms, the scent of her coconut conditioner still fresh from the locker room.

"Damn," she murmured against my shoulder. "You really did all this?"

"Missed you," I said simply.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes softened. "How long you staying?"

I shrugged. "Honestly? No idea. Bought a one-way, left the baby with Rickea for the weekend. Guess until you're tired of me."

Jackie chuckled, unlocking the car door fully and sliding into the passenger seat. "You should be careful saying that," she teased, looking over at me. "'Cause that might never happen."

We ended up talking in that car for almost an hour — about her game, my off-season plans, random nonsense that made us both laugh. Every so often, she'd glance at me like she still couldn't believe I was there.

Eventually her stomach growled loud enough to make us both laugh again.

"Okay," I said, grabbing the keys. "That your cue. We getting food."

"Where to?"

"Somewhere greasy. I'm not dressed for five stars."

We found a little 24-hour burger spot off the Strip, still half in our game and travel clothes. No cameras, no pressure, just fries, milkshakes, and that easy comfort that always came with her.

Afterward, I drove her back to Michelob to pick up her truck. She lingered at my window, looking down at me like she was debating something.

"You, uh... got a hotel?"

I nodded toward my phone on the dash. "Booked one while we were eating."

She hesitated, fingers drumming against her thigh. "You don't have to," she said softly. "You can stay with me. My guest room's open."

I raised a brow, pretending to think about it. "Guest room, huh?"

She smirked. "For now."

That made me laugh — low and knowing. "You sure?"

Jackie leaned in through the open window, her voice low. "I wouldn't offer if I wasn't."

So, I followed her. Through the Vegas lights, down the near-empty highway, to her apartment overlooking the Strip. She carried my small duffel inside and tossed it on the couch, then turned to face me with that same smile that'd been haunting me since June.

It hit me then — right there in her living room — that I wasn't going to be able to keep pretending. Not with Kaylen. Not with myself.

Because no matter how much I tried to downplay it... Jackie had me.

And deep down, I think she knew it too.

Excuse all errorsAjah