Caitlin's phone buzzed on the locker room bench just as she finished putting on her practice gear. She picked it up, smiling at the message from Sam: "I'm about to board my flight. Can't wait to see you."

Her fingers flew over the screen as she replied: "Can't wait either! Steve will pick you up at the airport and take you to my house. I should be getting out of practice when you land."

She hit send, her excitement growing with every second. It  felt like it had been too long since she'd seen Sam, and the anticipation made it hard to focus on anything else.

Caitlin tried to push thoughts of Sam aside as she headed to the court, but it was no use. During warm-ups, her mind wandered to the last time they were together and happy, the way Sam laughed, how she made Caitlin feel comfortable and understood. Even as she ran drills, her focus faltered, her mind replaying memories of late-night talks and shared glances.

Coach called for a scrimmage, and Caitlin tried to lock in, but every time the ball was in her hands, she hesitated for a split second, wondering what Sam was doing, how she was feeling. She missed a pass, something that rarely happened, and Coach called her out on it.

"Come on, Clark, focus!" Coach's voice snapped her back to the present.

Caitlin shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. But it was like trying to keep water from slipping through her fingers. The excitement of seeing Sam again was too strong to ignore.

Finally, practice ended. Caitlin hurried to get dressed, her thoughts still on Sam. Her teammates Aliyah and Nalyssa were lingering in the locker room, goofing around and laughing about something from practice.

"You in a rush, Cait?" Aliyah teased, nudging her playfully.

Caitlin grinned, tugging on her sneakers. "As much as I love you guys, I gotta go."

Nalyssa smirked, leaning against the locker. "Why? You got a hot date?"

Aliyah chimed in with a laugh, "Yeah, with her sofa!"

Caitlin rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the laugh that escaped. "Whatever," she said, grabbing her bag. "See you guys tomorrow!"

As she left the locker room, Caitlin's thoughts were all about Sam. The ride home felt longer than usual, her mind running through what it would be like to have Sam there, in her space. They'd shared so much in college, but this was different—this was her life now, and she was eager to share it with Sam.

Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She saw Sam's name on the screen and answered immediately.

"Hey," Sam's voice came through, warm and familiar. "Steve and I just got to your house. How far are you?"

"Not that far," Caitlin replied, glancing at the time. "I can give you the code if you want to go inside."

"That'd be great," Sam said. "I don't want Steve to have to wait around. And hurry, but be safe, okay?"

Caitlin smiled at the concern in Sam's voice. "I will. See you soon!"

After hanging up, Caitlin sent Sam the code, her excitement bubbling over. The whole ride home, she couldn't stop thinking about how it would feel to see Sam, to have her there in her space, to talk without any screens or miles between them. The idea of it filled her with a sense of warmth she hadn't felt in a while.

As Caitlin finally pulled up to her house, she spotted Sam waiting inside, standing in the living room with a small suitcase beside her. Sam waved as soon as she saw Caitlin, and in that moment, all of Caitlin's nerves and worries melted away. She parked quickly and stepped inside, her heart racing as she approached Sam.

The two shared a long, tight hug, the kind that spoke volumes without needing words. When they finally pulled apart, Caitlin couldn't help but smile, feeling more at ease than she had in weeks.

"It's so good to see you," Caitlin said, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.

"You too," Sam replied, her eyes shining with the same emotion. "I've missed this."

They stood there for a moment, soaking in the comfort of each other's presence. But then Caitlin pulled back slightly and sniffed the air, making a face. "Ugh, I smell like a wet dog," she said, laughing as she took a step back. "I need to shower before anything else."

Sam grinned, shaking her head. "Go ahead. I'll wait."

Caitlin grabbed her gym bag and headed toward the bathroom, pausing in the doorway. "You should get ready too," she called back over her shoulder. "We're going out to dinner tonight."

Sam blinked, surprised. "You mean, like, at a restaurant?"

Caitlin turned around, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's usually where you have dinner."

"I know," Sam said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But it's public?"

Caitlin shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant even though her heart sped up a little. "We're just friends, right? No harm done."

Sam hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Right. No harm done."

Caitlin gave her a quick, reassuring smile before disappearing into the bathroom. As the water ran, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Going out in public together was a big step, but she was determined to make it work. After all, they were just friends—at least, that's what everyone else would see.

The restaurant was cozy, with warm lighting that created an intimate atmosphere. Caitlin and Sam sat across from each other in a booth near the back, the quiet hum of conversation around them blending with soft background music. The tension that had lingered earlier seemed to melt away as they talked, their laughter bubbling up between bites of food.

Sam grinned as she sipped her drink, leaning back in her seat. "Remember when you tried to run through a wall?"

Caitlin raised an eyebrow, laughing. "What are you talking about?"

"During your game against the Liberty? You ran right into Breanna Stewart's screen," Sam said, trying to contain her laughter. "The way you just fell to the ground..."

Caitlin's eyes widened in mock indignation, but she couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face. "Wow, that was not funny. It hurt! I'm pretty sure I ruptured my eardrum from that."

Sam burst out laughing, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, babe, you're right. It's not funny."

The laughter died down quickly, and a sudden silence fell over the table. They both froze, the word "babe" hanging in the air between them. Sam's eyes widened slightly as she realized what she had said, her face softening into an expression of regret mixed with something else—something deeper.

Caitlin looked down at her plate, her smile fading as the weight of the moment settled over them. The word carried so much history, so much emotion, and now it felt like a fragile thread connecting them to the past.

Sam cleared her throat, trying to break the tension. "I didn't mean to... I mean, I just... force of habit, I guess."

Caitlin nodded slowly, her mind racing with thoughts she didn't know how to express. "Yeah, I get it."

The silence stretched on, both of them searching for something to say but finding nothing that felt right. The playful mood from earlier had shifted, replaced by the unspoken feelings that had been bubbling beneath the surface since the moment they saw each other again.

 As the silence between them deepened, Caitlin's phone buzzed on the table, breaking the tension. She glanced at the screen and saw Aliyah's name.

"Hey, Aliyah," Caitlin answered, trying to shake off the awkwardness from moments before.

"Hey, Cait! The team's going bowling tonight. You in?"

Caitlin hesitated, glancing at Sam. "Uh, hold on a sec." She covered the phone and turned to Sam. "Do you want to go? Aliyah and the team are going bowling."

Sam looked uncertain. "Are you sure? I mean, it's your team..."

"Yeah, I'm sure. But only if you want to go."

Sam smiled softly, nodding. "Okay. Let's do it."

Caitlin returned to the phone, her voice more confident now. "I'll be there, Aliyah. And is it cool if I bring a friend?"

"Of course! See you there!"

Caitlin hung up, giving Sam a reassuring smile. "Let's go have some fun."

Sam's smile grew, and for a moment, the tension between them seemed to ease, replaced by the prospect of a carefree evening with friends.

The next morning, Caitlin slipped quietly out of bed, careful not to wake Sam. She scribbled a quick note and left it on the kitchen counter:

"Morning, Sam! Headed to practice—I'll be back around noon. Help yourself to anything around the house. See you soon!"

Caitlin grabbed her gear and headed out, her mind already shifting to the day ahead.

At practice, as the team started warming up, Nalyssa jogged over, a curious look on her face. "So, Cait... about that 'friend' you brought to bowling last night. Who is she?"

Caitlin hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, just a close friend from college. We've known each other for years."

Nalyssa raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Just a friend, huh? You two seemed pretty close."

Caitlin shrugged, trying to keep her tone casual. "Yeah, we are. We've been through a lot together."

Nalyssa studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright, just curious. But hey, you know you can talk to me, right?"

Caitlin smiled, appreciating the offer. "I know. Thanks, Nalyssa."

Back at Caitlin's house, Sam woke up and decided to make herself some coffee. As she waited for the coffee to brew, she absentmindedly scrolled through her social media. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat when she stumbled upon a post that featured pictures from the previous night.

One image was from bowling with the team, and another showed her and Caitlin laughing at dinner. The caption read, "Many are wondering who the girl that's been hanging out with Caitlin Clark is."

Panic set in as Sam stared at the screen, her mind racing with worry. She wasn't sure how Caitlin would react when she saw it, and the uncertainty gnawed at her. Sam felt her hands shake slightly, and she bit her lip, trying to figure out what to do next. Should she tell Caitlin? Or wait and see if she noticed on her own?

Her thoughts spun, and she felt the familiar dread of their private world being dragged into the public eye.

When Caitlin got home, she brought lunch and greeted Sam with a smile, chatting casually as they started to eat. As they settled in, Sam hesitated before asking, "Caitlin, have you been on your phone?"

Caitlin shook her head, still focused on unpacking the food. "No, why?"

Sam took a deep breath and showed her the post. Caitlin's eyes scanned the screen, but she did her best to stay calm. "The girl that's been hanging out with me is Sam, my best friend. That's all," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Sam studied Caitlin's face, looking for any sign of distress. But Caitlin maintained her composure, though her mind was racing. She could feel Sam's unease and wanted to reassure her, but she also knew this was exactly the kind of attention she'd been trying to avoid.

"Are you okay with this?" Sam asked cautiously, searching Caitlin's eyes for the truth.

Caitlin forced a smile. "I'm fine. Really. It's just... people speculating, right? They can think whatever they want, but they don't know us." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her true feelings.

Sam nodded, but she wasn't entirely convinced. "I just don't want you to feel pressured or like you're being forced into anything."

Caitlin reached across the table, giving Sam's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I appreciate that. But right now, let's just enjoy our lunch, okay? It's our last full day together before you leave. We'll figure the rest out later."

They both tried to focus on the meal, but the weight of the situation hung in the air, unspoken but very present.

They decided to stay in for the night, so Caitlin could rest before her game the next day. Caitlin and Sam were cuddled together on the couch, the soft glow of the television washing over them as a movie played in the background. Caitlin found herself sinking into the warmth of the moment, her head resting on Sam's shoulder, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on Sam's arm. It felt familiar, comforting, like slipping back into a life she had missed more than she was willing to admit.

As the movie went on, Caitlin's mind wandered. She thought about how much she had missed this—missed Sam. The ease of being together, the unspoken connection that always seemed to linger between them. But alongside that comfort, there was a tension, a lingering unease she couldn't quite shake.

"Hey," Sam's voice broke through her thoughts, gentle but expectant. "You got me a ticket for your game tomorrow, right?"

Caitlin froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. She had indeed gotten Sam a ticket, but now, faced with the reality of Sam being there, doubt crept in. "Yeah, I did..." Caitlin started, her voice trailing off.

"But...?" Sam's tone shifted, sensing the hesitation. "You don't want me to go anymore, do you?"

Caitlin sat up slightly, her thoughts scrambling to find the right words. "It's not that I don't want you there, Sam, it's just... I'm not sure it's a good idea. After that post about the article."

Sam pulled away, sitting up fully now, her expression growing serious. "I knew it. At lunch, you were just trying to act like it didn't bother you, but it does. It bothers you that people might think there's more to us than just friendship. You said it yourself, we are just friends. So what's the problem?"

Caitlin could feel the tension rising, the moment of peace slipping away. "You know how it is. People will talk. They'll assume things, make it a bigger deal than it is."

Sam's eyes flashed with frustration. "So what if they do? Why should that matter?"

"Because it does matter!" Caitlin's voice was sharper than she intended. "My career, my image—those things matter, Sam. I can't just ignore that."

Sam shook her head, her frustration evident. "So, what? You're just going to keep pretending? Keep hiding who you are because you're scared of what people might say?"

"It's not that simple!" Caitlin shot back, her emotions bubbling over. "You don't understand what it's like to have everything you do be analyzed and picked apart. One wrong move, one misunderstanding, and it could all fall apart."

Sam's expression softened, but there was still hurt in her eyes. "I do understand, Caitlin. But at some point, you have to decide what's more important—your career or being true to yourself."

Caitlin looked down, the weight of Sam's words settling heavily on her. "I'm trying, Sam. I really am. But I'm just... not ready."

Sam stood up, heading towards Caitlin's guest room before turning back to Caitlin, her voice shook with restrained emotion. "Do you get how hard this is for me, Caitlin? To not be able to love you out loud and proud? To have you shove me back in the closet with you?"

Caitlin said nothing, staring at the ground, her silence speaking volumes.

Sam leaned back, running a hand through her hair, the exhaustion evident in her posture. "I love you, Caitlin. And I'm not asking you to make a big announcement or anything, but I can't keep being your secret. I won't."

Caitlin's chest tightened as she processed Sam's words. "Then why are you here? You're the one who reached out to me after you broke it off. Why come all the way out here if it's so hard?"

Sam's eyes widened, the pain of Caitlin's words clear in her expression. "Because I miss you," Sam replied, her voice thick with emotion. "I miss us. And I needed to know if anything had changed. If it ever will change."

Caitlin's breath hitched as she looked at Sam, tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm not trying to make you feel like a secret," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then why does it feel like that?" Sam's voice cracked, revealing the hurt beneath her frustration. "Every time we're together, I feel like we're doing something wrong, like we have to hide."

Caitlin's eyes welled up, the weight of Sam's words pressing down on her. "I just don't want to lose everything I've worked for."

"And I don't want to lose you." Sam replied, as she walked to the guest room.

The room fell into a heavy silence, both of them feeling the weight of what had just been said. Caitlin knew deep down that Sam was right, but the fear of what might happen if she took that step was overwhelming. She wasn't ready to face the truth—not yet. But in not facing it, she realized, she was losing something even more important.

The next morning, Sam woke up in the guest room.. She had spent the night tossing and turning, the ache in her chest making sleep impossible. The decision she'd made was final, and now all that was left was to say goodbye.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the blank sheet of paper in front of her, trying to find the right words. The quiet hum of the night only made her thoughts louder, each one more painful than the last. With a deep breath, Sam began to write, pouring out everything she had kept inside for so long.

Caitlin,

I don't trust myself enough to say this in person, so I'm writing it down instead. I love you, but I can't keep doing this. I know when we broke up I said I would still be here for you, but I can't anymore, it hurts too much. I hope one day you can embrace who you are, and when that day comes, I hope you find happiness. But I can't wait for you anymore. I got an earlier flight out, and I need time and space to heal. Goodbye, Cait. Take care of yourself.

- Sam

Her hand trembled slightly as she folded the note, placing it on the kitchen counter where Caitlin was sure to find it. The house was eerily silent as she took one last look around, memories flooding back with every step. She wanted to cry, to scream, but all she felt was a numb ache in her chest.

Caitlin woke up alone, the events of the previous night rushing back to her. Her heart sank as she walked past the empty guest room. She hoped to find Sam in the kitchen or maybe in the living room, but as she walked through the house, a sense of dread began to build It wasn't until she reached the kitchen that she saw the note on the counter. Her heart raced as she unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the words.

By the time she finished reading, her hands were shaking, tears blurring the words. Sam was gone. Caitlin gripped the edge of the counter, feeling like the ground had been ripped out from under her. She wanted to run after her, to call her and beg her to come back, but deep down, she knew Sam was right.

Caitlin felt like her world was crumbling, but there was no time to dwell on it. She had a game that day, and she couldn't afford to lose focus. Basketball had always been her escape, her way to block out the noise of everything else. She wiped her eyes, forcing herself to push the pain aside. There would be time to deal with it later—after the game, after she'd given everything she had on the court.

She arrived at the gym early, hoping to drown her thoughts in the sound of bouncing balls and squeaking sneakers. As soon as she stepped onto the court, the world outside seemed to disappear. She threw herself into practice, each shot and drill a way to keep her mind off Sam.

But no matter how hard she tried, the ache in her chest wouldn't go away. Even as she led her team through warm-ups, her thoughts kept drifting back to the note, to Sam's hurt expression the last time they spoke. Caitlin felt like she was