Chapter Eleven

A'ja Wilson

"A'ja, you've got to see this!" Jordyn called out from the living room, her voice carrying through our Vegas home. I was in the middle of my morning stretches, trying to get loose before practice, but something in her tone made me pause.

I padded into the living room, still in my workout clothes, to find her staring at her phone with the biggest grin. "What's up, baby?"

She turned the screen toward me, showing Angel's latest Instagram story – a subtle but telling photo of tangled sheets and two coffee cups on a bedside table. The timestamp showed it was from this morning.

"Isn't that Paige's Stanley cup?" Jordyn asked, zooming in on the distinctive coral-colored tumbler.

"Hold up," I said, immediately grabbing my phone to FaceTime Angel. It rang several times before she finally answered, her face slightly flushed and her hair messier than usual.

"Hey A," she said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

"Don't 'Hey A' me. What's going on? And don't even try to lie because I know that's Paige's cup in your story."

Angel bit her lip, glancing off-screen for a moment. "Can we meet for lunch? There's... a lot to talk about."

"Girl, you better believe we're meeting for lunch. Cafe Lola in an hour?"

After hanging up, I turned to Jordyn, who was already smirking. "Go," she said, pushing me toward our bedroom. "Get dressed and go get all the tea. I've got some work to catch up on anyway."

An hour later, I was sliding into a booth at Cafe Lola, our favorite spot for girl talk. Angel was already there, fidgeting with her phone and looking both nervous and excited – a combination I knew all too well.

"Alright, spill everything," I said as soon as I sat down. "And I mean everything."

Angel took a deep breath, running her fingers through her hair. "Okay, so you remember that first time, after the game in New York?"

I nodded, thinking back to when she'd first told me about hooking up with Paige. It had seemed like a one-time thing then, just two players blowing off steam after an intense game.

"Well, it wasn't just physical, A. Even then, there was something different about it. The way she looked at me afterward, how we talked for hours before anything even happened..." Angel paused as our waiter approached. We quickly ordered – avocado toast for her, chicken and waffles for me – before she continued.

"But then we both got weird about it. Like, we'd see each other at games and barely make eye contact. Text conversations would start and just fade out. I tried to convince myself it was nothing, that it was better that way."

"But clearly something changed," I prompted, watching her face light up slightly.

"Yeah, so after the game last week, she DM'd me asking if we could talk. Said she was going to be in Vegas for some sponsorship thing. I figured, why not? Clear the air, you know?"

I raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"She came over, and at first it was awkward as hell. We're sitting there on my couch, both trying to figure out what to say. Then she just... she looked at me and said, 'I can't stop thinking about you.'"

Our food arrived, and I watched as Angel pushed her avocado toast around the plate, lost in the memory.

"Next thing I know, we're kissing, and it's like draft night all over again, but different too. More intense, more real. We spent the whole night just talking and..." she trailed off, blushing.

"And?" I teased, making her roll her eyes.

"And other things. But mostly talking. About everything – basketball, Halo, our families . She opened up about feeling pressure to be perfect all the time, about struggling with her identity. And I told her things I've never told anyone else."

I nodded, understanding completely. "That's how it was with Jordyn and me. When you find someone who gets it, who understands this life we live..."

"Exactly," Angel said softly. "She gets it. The pressure, the spotlight, all of it. And A'ja..." she looked up at me, vulnerability clear in her eyes, "I think I'm falling for her."

"I know, baby girl," I reached across the table to squeeze her hand. "I could tell from that first time you told me about her. The way your whole face changed when you said her name."

"But what do I do now? We're on different teams, the media's gonna be crazy, then the whole situation with Jalen and Halo , and—"

"And none of that matters if she makes you happy," I cut in. "Look at me and Jordyn. Yeah, it's not always easy, but when it's right? It's worth everything. And don't try to use halo cause she loves that girl and halo loves her too.!

Angel nodded, taking a bite of her toast finally. "She's still here, you know. In Vegas. She extended her trip."

"Oh really?" I smirked. "That's why you were looking like that this morning?"

"A'ja!" she laughed, throwing a napkin at me. "But yes. She's been at my place since that night. We've just been in our own little bubble, ordering takeout, watching movies, talking. Last night she beat me at UNO and wouldn't stop bragging about it."

"Sounds serious," I teased. "Letting her win at UNO?"

"I did not let her win! She's just... surprisingly good at card games."

We spent the next hour talking through everything – how they planned to handle the distance during the season, whether they wanted to go public, and all the little moments that had led them here.

"You know what's funny?" Angel said as we were finishing up. "Remember when you first started mentoring me, and you told me that sometimes the best things in life come when you least expect them?"

"Look at you, actually listening to my wisdom," I grinned.

"Yeah, well, don't let it go to your head. Those ESPYs already got you feeling yourself."

I laughed, signaling for the check. "Anyways, I'm finna run to target. But I'll see you at practice. Or are you gone be busy with Paige?" I teased.

"She's actually coming to watch," Angel admitted, her cheeks flushing again. "Said she wants to support me."

"Oh, it's like that?" I raised my eyebrows. "Bringing her to practice already?"

"Says the woman who had Jordyn courtside like two weeks after y'all started dating."

"Touché," I conceded, standing up. "Come on, let's go show your girl what the Aces are all about."

As we walked to our cars, Angel suddenly stopped. "Hey A?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For everything. For being someone I can talk to about this stuff, for understanding..."

I pulled her into a tight hug. "Always, mini me. That's what big sisters are for."

Driving to practice, I couldn't help but smile. Seeing Angel this happy, this open about her feelings, reminded me of my own journey. How scary it had been at first, falling for Jordyn, navigating what it meant to be out in this sport we loved.

I pulled into the practice facility parking lot just as my phone buzzed with a text from Jordyn.

Jordy: How's our girl? Got all the tea? 👀

Baby: She's in deep...Paige is coming to practice 😭

Jordy: Oh damn. Want me to come too? Show her the Aces WAGs are a package deal lmao

I laughed out loud. She could never take anything serious.

Baby: Get your ass down here. Practice, then dinner? Angel said Paige makes amazing pasta.

Jordy: omw Love you superstar

Baby: Love you more baby, drive safe 🫶🏽

Walking into practice, I felt that familiar surge of joy. My team, my fiancée, my chosen family – all coming together. And now Angel, my mini me, finding her own happiness.

As I pushed through the doors, I could hear Chelsea's laugh echoing through the gym, probably roasting someone as usual. Jackie was already on the court, putting up threes with that laser focus of hers. And somewhere in the stands, two young players were probably sitting close together, stealing glances when they thought no one was looking.

Excuse all errors Ajah 🩷