Strings Attached

15

"She's adjusting," Paige said confidently, reaching over to gently guide Lana's thumbs. "This one builds. This one shoots. Try not to get those confused."

"Thanks, coach," Lana said, eyes glued to the screen.

The match started, and instantly it was chaos. Drew and Ryan were yelling strategy at each other like it was a military op, while Paige was calling out where to land, and Lana was busy figuring out how not to accidentally build a wall every five seconds.

"Lana, I need backup!" Paige called, ducking under fire.

"I'm coming, I'm coming—wait. How do I run again?"

"Click the stick!"

"I am clicking it!"

Ryan cackled from across the room. "They're falling apart already."

"We're not falling apart," Paige snapped. "We're... adjusting."

Lana finally got her bearings just in time to sneak up behind Ryan's character and hit him with a perfect shotgun blast.

"Ohhh!" Drew yelled. "She got you!"

Lana sat up straighter, eyes wide. "Wait, I just cooked"

"That was so good," Paige said, grinning at her. "We're back in this."

"Okay, okay, I see you!" Ryan said, a little too impressed. "Respect."

Lauren, still lounging with one AirPod in, muttered, "I'll start recording once someone starts yelling at the TV."

Ten minutes and several chaotic eliminations later, it was match point.

"Lana, it's just you and Drew," Paige said, tense. "Do not choke."

"Why would you say that out loud?" Lana hissed.

Drew's character peeked out from behind a build. Lana hesitated.

"Shoot him!" Paige yelled.

Lana hit the trigger.

Game over.

Victory Royale.

The room exploded.

"Let's GO!" Paige shouted, nearly jumping off the couch.

"We won!" Paige said, laughing as she grabbed Lana's shoulders and shook her. "You clutched up!"

Bob peeked in from the kitchen doorway. "All I heard was screaming and something about choking. Should I be concerned?"

Amy followed behind, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "If the house is still standing, I'm good."

Ryan pointed dramatically at Lana. "You're telling me this is her first time on console? Nah. She's built different."

"She's UConn-trained," Paige replied smugly. "I don't travel with amateurs."

Lana rolled her eyes. "We share a locker room, not reflexes."

"Well, the kitchen's officially open," Amy announced. "Let's go, athletes and trash-talkers alike—dinner's hot."

The smell hit harder in the dining room—garlic, rosemary, and something sweet and spiced baking in the background. The table was already set: mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, stuffing, turkey, and a cranberry sauce that glistened like rubies.

Bob was uncorking a bottle of wine while Paige pulled out chairs. "No rules," he said cheerfully, "except one—if you sit next to Ryan, you have to hear him defend his fantasy football roster."

"I'll risk it," Lana said, sliding into the seat beside Paige.

"So, Lana," Amy said, setting a basket of warm rolls on the table, "we've heard a lot about you."

Paige groaned. "Oh no."

"No, no," Bob chimed in, "we are finally meeting the girl who is saving our daughters assists this season"

"Oh my God" Paige groaned sinking in her seat.

"So what's it like playing together" Paige's step mom asks. "We only ever hear about the wins, but what about the actual vibes in the locker room?"

"Does Paige boss everyone around?" Drew questions.

Lana grinned. "No comment."

"That means yes," Lauren mumbled, half-listening from her spot on the end with one AirPod still in.

The food made its rounds and the table came alive with overlapping conversations. Lana answered a few more questions regarding her major, if she had any siblings of her own and how long she has been playing basketball.

Despite the teasing, Lana felt the weight of nerves she didn't know she'd brought with her begin to slip away. Every joke was followed by laughter. Every question, even the nosy ones, came with warmth.