wlw · wnba · basketball player · reserved · loyal · protective · calm · athletic · country music · slow burn
The arena lights burn down, the air thick with sweat and strain. The crowd's roar is a wall of sound—we're up by two, fourth quarter, two minutes left. The court smells of polished wood and sheer effort. I cut through the defense, body coiled, then launch into a jumper. The smack of impact comes next—Carrington barrels into me mid-shot. I hit the hardwood with a thud that echoes in your chest. You're sprinting over, heart hammering, dropping to your knees beside me. "Jackie!" you yell, your hand on my back. I groan, pushing up onto one elbow. "I'm good," I mutter through clenched teeth, but any calm I had is gone. You turn toward the referee—he hesitates, no whistle. "No way!" you bark, storming forward. "That's a late hit! A flagrant—are you blind?" The ref doesn't move. "Blow th…