22

Steam still lingered in the air by the time they stepped out of the bathroom. skin soft, hair damp, laughter still low in their throats. Jackie handed Angel a shirt and a pair of shorts, both a little too big but clean and warm from the dryer.

"Guest bedroom's ready if you want it," Jackie said lightly, toweling off her body.

Angel smirked as she slipped into the oversized shirt, neglecting the shorts. "You know," she began, glancing at her through the mirror, "we really gotta stop offering each other the guest room when we both know damn well how this night ends."

Jackie turned, biting back a grin. "And how's that, exactly?"

Angel gave her a look, the kind that was equal parts teasing and true. "With me ending up in your bed."

Jackie chuckled under her breath, shaking her head as she flicked the bathroom light off. "Can you blame me? You're a great cuddler by the way."

By the time they reached the bed, neither of them was in a hurry. Jackie grabbed the remote, flipping through channels until the familiar opening chords of Law & Order: SVU filled the room.

"Comfort show?" Angel asked, sliding under the covers beside her.

"Background noise," Jackie murmured, settling in and pulling the blanket up. "But yeah, I guess you can say that ."

Angel nodded, curling closer, resting her head against Jackie's shoulder. "You're kinda growing on me, you know that?"

Jackie smirked faintly, eyes still on the screen. "Kinda? Girl bye you like me."

Angel laughed softly. "Don't get cocky."

"Too late."

Their banter faded into the hum of the TV, the rhythm of the show blending with the steady beat of Jackie's heart beneath Angel's cheek as she gently rubbed angels back. It didn't take long before both of them drifted off, tangled together, soft breaths syncing without trying.

The next morning came slow.  sunlight cutting through the blinds, the air thick with that post-sleep quiet. Jackie was the first to stir, brushing a strand of hair from Angel's face before slipping out of bed to feed Koda.

When Angel finally woke, she stretched, blinking against the light before sitting up and checking her phone. The date caught her attention. Ther were four days until the Sparks' next home game. Which meant practice tomorrow afternoon.

"Damn," she murmured under her breath.

Jackie looked up from the kitchen. "What's wrong pretty ?"

Angel pouts, running a hand over her face. "Forgot we got practice tomorrow. I gotta head home tonight if I want to be functional."

Jackie's shoulders dropped a little, even if she tried to hide it. "You already booked it?"

"About to," Angel said, tapping through flight options. "There's one in a few hours."

Jackie nodded slowly, forcing a smile. "You'll be fine. Gotta face reality ma'."

Angel looked up at her, that hint of guilt flickering in her eyes. "I'd stay if I could."

"I know," Jackie said simply, coming over to sit beside her. "You've got a whole life back in LA Angel. Trust me I understand. Plus I'm pretty sure my friend misses her mommy."

Angel chuckled and reached over, lacing their fingers together. "You sure?"

Jackie squeezed her hand, meeting her gaze with that calm steadiness that always made it hard to leave. "Yes. And next time, it's my turn. I'll come see yall."

Angel smiled, soft but genuine. "You promise?"

Jackie nodded. "Promise."

They sat like that for a few moments longer,  the quiet settling around them again, familiar and easy.

When Angel finally stood to grab her bag, Jackie walked her to the door. There wasn't a big goodbye just a long hug, a kiss pressed to her temple, and that quiet understanding that this wasn't the end of anything.

If anything, it was the start of something neither of them planned but both were starting to want.

⸻

By the time my flight touched down at LAX, I felt that particular kind of tired that only came from equal parts lack of sleep and emotional overload. The Vegas weekend had been... a lot. In the best way.

The second I got off the plane, I slipped my shades on, hoodie up, and navigated through the terminal toward airport parking. The air hit different out here.  California sun, early afternoon heat, palm trees waving like nothing in the world had changed.

I found my truck exactly where I left it, unlocked it, and dropped my carry-on in the backseat before collapsing into the driver's seat.

"Back to reality," I muttered, starting the engine.

My stomach growled, but my brain said caffeine. So I swung through a Starbucks drive-through, ordering my usual: venti iced matcha latte with oat milk and two pumps of vanilla. The first sip made me sigh like it was therapy.

But before I could even pull out of the lot, it hit me — my baby girl.

Arayah would never forgive me if I showed up empty-handed after being gone all weekend.

I reversed right back into the line, shaking my head with a little laugh. When I pulled up to the window again, the barista gave me a look like I was déjà vu.

"Forgot something?"

"Yeah," I said, grinning. "Can I get one birthday cake pop? Actually, make it two. she always drops the first one."

Ten minutes later, I was back on the road, matcha in one hand, cake pops in the cup holder, the GPS guiding me toward Hidden Hills.

Rickea lived in one of those laid-back, sunshine-soaked homes that looked straight out of a lifestyle magazine — big backyard, sliding glass doors, and the faint smell of cocoa butter and laundry detergent.

When she opened the door, she was already laughing. "Well look who it is! Back from your lil romantic  weekend."

"Don't start," I said, rolling my eyes as she stepped aside to let me in.

Arayah came running the second she saw me, curls bouncing, little arms wide. "Mommy!"

"Ray rayyy,"I crouched down just in time for her to crash into me, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "You left me out. Not nice!"

My heart melted. "I know, baby, but I brought peace offerings." I held up the cake pops, and instantly her frown disappeared. "I got two?" she gasped.

"She knows you," Rickea said, snickering as she leaned against the counter.

Once Ray was occupied with her snack, Rickea folded her arms. "So? How was it?"

I smirked, shaking my head. "It was... good. Chill. Much needed."

"'Chill' huh?" she teased, grinning. "You mean Jackie Young in Vegas chill?"

I laughed, shoving her shoulder lightly. "You nosy as hell."

"You glowed up since Friday, girl," she said, narrowing her eyes like she was reading my energy. "So either you got sun or you got somebody smiling at you real nice."

I just sipped my matcha, refusing to feed her curiosity. "A little of both."

Rickea squealed, throwing her hands up. "Mmhm. Yeah probably already been dating ."

"Don't start rumors," I playfully warned, but I was smiling too.

We talked for a few minutes,  about Ray's trip to Disneyland ("She cried on every rollercoaster," Rickea confessed between laughs), about her upcoming training schedule, and about how fast the season had gone.

Eventually, I scooped Ray up, kissed Rickea's cheek, and promised a proper catch-up soon.

The drive home was peaceful. soft music playing, Ray humming along in her car seat, the California sun dipping low.

When we pulled into the driveway, Ray was already half-asleep, clutching her second cake pop. I carried her inside, changed her into pajamas, and let her curl up against me on the couch.

"Mommy?" she mumbled, eyes heavy.

"Yeah, baby?"

"We watch Bruno  and eat pizza?" She asked, referring to the movie encanto.

I smiled, brushing her curls from her face. "Whatever you want."

She lit up instantly, bouncing to grab the remote while I ordered a pepperoni and cheese from our favorite spot.

Before long, the apartment smelled like pizza and home again. Ray was snuggled under one of my hoodies, eyes glued to the TV, tiny hand resting over mine.

And as I watched her sing along , off-key and way too loud.I felt it again. That quiet gratitude. That pull between what I wanted for myself and what I had right here.

Vegas had been everything I didn't know I needed.But this was everything that kept me grounded.

Excuse all errorsAjah