Tangled Nets

1

The gym was humming. Sneakers squeaked against the hardwood, and Coach's whistle cut through the air like it owned the place-which, to be fair, it kind of did.

Paige wiped the sweat from her brow with the hem of her practice jersey, pacing toward the bench while Ice launched another three just for the hell of it. Buckets. Of course.

"Y'all good for cardio?" Ice called out, smug. "Or should I start walking laps around you too?"

"Easy," Paige smirked, grabbing her water. "You're only this annoying when your sister's in town."

That earned a few knowing laughs from the squad. Everyone knew Kendall Brady. Lacrosse coach at Storrs High. Local legend. Ice's older sister by six years and probably the only person on earth who could talk Ice down when she got that fire in her eyes.

Paige had met Kendall twice. Once at Ice's birthday dinner and once in the UConn training room after a freak ankle roll. Kendall had stopped by to drop off Ice's car keys and stayed long enough to level Paige with a smile so sharp it had lived rent-free in her head for months.

No big deal.

Just a smile. And the way Kendall said her name like she'd known it forever. And the part where Paige forgot how to speak for maybe five full seconds.

She shook the memory off.

No time for distractions. Not now. It was senior year-her last ride with UConn, last shot at a national title, and her ticket to the W. She wasn't about to throw that off track because of one very pretty, very unavailable lacrosse coach.

"Yo, Paige." Ice nudged her. "We're going to Storrs High after this. Kendall's hosting a clinic. Girls' team wants to meet some actual ballers."

Paige raised an eyebrow. "You're volunteering me?"

"Please. They'd die if you showed up. Plus... she asked about you."

Paige blinked. "She what?"

Ice grinned. "Don't worry. I told her you're still hopeless and allergic to eye contact."

"I hate you."

"I know," Ice chirped. "You're welcome. Be ready in an hour."

⸻

Paige was not ready in an hour.

She was still pulling on a clean hoodie when Ice dragged her into the Storrs High gym, where teenage lacrosse players were tossing balls around with the chaotic energy of kids hyped on Gatorade and ambition.

And there she was.

Kendall Brady, hair up in a messy twist, clipboard in hand, navy blue quarter zip hugging her in all the right places. She looked good. Too good for a high school gym. Too good for Paige to pretend this was no big deal.

Their eyes met.

And Kendall smiled.

"Bueckers," she said like she'd been waiting for her all afternoon. "Heard I'm supposed to thank you for your stats ruining my team's productivity this semester."

Paige tilted her head, caught off guard and weirdly charmed. "Sorry I'm a distraction?"

Kendall's smile deepened. "You're a problem, actually."

Ice whistled low. "Oh, we're already flirting? Great, I'll go stretch."

Paige's cheeks flushed, but her voice stayed steady. "Nice to see you again, Coach Brady."

"You too," Kendall said softly. Then, loud enough for Ice to hear: "You know, you don't look half as intense when you're off the court."

Paige didn't know what that meant exactly. But she was pretty sure it wasn't the last time she'd wonder.

⸻