Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hey, are you ready Soph?” 

“Yeah” Sophie said as she headed down stairs, “did Kelly say how far away she was?” 

“She said she was five minutes away” Jordan replied

Sophie and  her sister Jordan were going to a WNBA Game with Sophie’s best friend Kelly. They were going to see the Gotham Gargoyles. Sophie didn’t know much about the team or let alone the sport, she was more of a soccer fan, she had heard that the Gargoyles team was amazingly talented. When Kelly said she had three tickets and wanted to invite her and Jordan, they both said yes excitedly. Though basketball wasn’t much of Sophie’s thing, she was always down for a night out with her best friend and sister. Plus, she wants to see the player that she knows Kelly has a crush on. 

“I’m here!” Kelly texted Sophie

“Kelly is here, let’s go” Sophie said out loud 

As Sophie and Jordan entered the car, they laughed at the fact Kelly was playing the High School Musical soundtrack. 

“Really Kel?” Sophie said amusingly 

“We’re going to a basketball game, it fit the theme.” Kelly replied

“Yes, because ‘Bop to the Top’ screams WNBA” Jordan laugh

“Shut up you two” Kelly laughed, “let’s get going”

——————————————————————

“So, which player is it that you like?” Sophie asked with an evil smirk

The three ladies had just arrived at the arena. Because Sophie and Kelly were well known Supermodels, they got to be close to the floor. Sophie was already enjoying the environment even though the teams were just warming up. 

“Oh my God” Kelly rolled her eyes, “if you must know, number 28. Anissa Pierce.”

Sophie and Jordan looked, she was definitely beautiful. Sophie was going to comment on Kelly’s great taste when another player caught her eye. She was shorter than the other players but she played like she was Titan. Sophie could see how seriously she took the game, even during the warm up. She had beautiful dark skin, Jet black hair, and when she looked up for just a split second, Sophie saw beautiful brown eyes. 

“I see Kelly isn’t the only one that has a basketball crush” Jordan said teasingly

“I do not have a crush, I was just intrigued by number 30. She seems…badass.” Sophie replied

“Ooooo, you’re talking about Ryan Wilder” Kelly said

“Why do I recognize that name?” Jordan asked

“Because she is always in the media. They call her the WNBA’s Bad Girl. She is a talented point guard, crazy on the offense, she has a street ball way of playing. But when she’s on defense, don’t let the lack of height full you, girl is bad. Sometimes she can be confrontational, she don’t mind fouling, and she talks mad shit but she backs it up. But that is only half the reason for the nickname.” Kelly said

“Well, what’s the other half?” Jordan asked, wanting all the tea.

“Ryan doesn’t do media or the paparazzi and isn’t afraid to let it be known. And she talks her mess not only on the court but off the court too. She even goes toe to toe with rude and disrespectful fans. Ryan isn’t scared. And you know how many don’t like a confident outspoken black woman.” Kelly said 

Both Sophie and Jordan replied with a “mmmhmm.” Sophie understood well being a model in the industry. Even though she had the “perfect” image, she still couldn’t even show the slightest irritation or people would run with the “angry black woman” narrative. She hates it but sadly it is the reality for many women of color in the industry.

Sophie looked back at Ryan. Just the few things she now knows about Ryan still has her intrigued. 

Jordan and Kelly shared a look. Yep, Sophie was totally gone, Ryan has her attention now.

——————————————————————

The game was going great, they were now in the fourth quarter. Ryan dominated on the court. It was like she was born to play basketball. Sophie was impressed.

The other team had just tied up with the Gargoyles. The game had Sophie on the edge of her seat. She could hear Ryan talking shit as she dribbled down the court. She was fascinating. As the shot clock began to go down and close to the buzzer, Sophie noticed a smirk on Ryan’s face after her opponent forced her to make a three point shot. The buzzer went off and the ball made it in the net. Everyone cheered and screamed but Sophie looked at Ryan with her jaw dropping. Ryan was all smiles. She turned and caught Sophie’s eye. They held a stare before one of Ryan’s teammates pulled her aside. 

“Hey Soph, a friend of mine invited us to a party at a nightclub not far from here, do you want to go?” Kelly asked

“Yeah, let’s go” Sophie replied, a little sad she didn’t speak to Ryan.

——————————————————————

When Ryan looked back over to the courtside seats, she didn’t see the woman with the beautiful eyes. The woman had Ryan’s attention the whole time. Since the moment she sat in her seat. She wanted to say hi but the reporter wanted to talk to her and Iris, now she felt she missed her chance. 

Ryan figured she had to be someone of importance with the seats she had. As she was heading back to her hotel room, she got on Instagram and saw a WNBA post of the woman with the beautiful eyes.

It was a picture of her smiling with two other women. The caption read

Supermodel and America’s Sweetheart Sophie Moore at the Gotham Gargoyle game with her best friend, supermodel Kelly Olsen and her sister, actress Jordan Moore.

Ryan smirked, of course someone as beautiful as Sophie was a supermodel. She clicked on Sophie’s IG name and started scrolling through her account. 

Sophie was beautiful and it was obvious that not only was she beautiful on the outside, she was beautiful on the inside as well just from her post. Ryan could also see Sophie loved her sister. 

Ryan, always the confident one, followed Sophie’s account and then DM’d her.

“Hey Sophie, glad you could come to our game.  I think you may be my lucky charm.”

Right after Ryan sent the message. She got a text from Anissa.

“Get your ass dressed and come outside!” Anissa then sent a picture of her and Iris at a club. 

Ryan just chuckled and then replied “ send the addy”

——————————————————————-

Sophie was enjoying the party. The music was great, she had a couple of shots, and she saw some of her favorite celebrities there too. She picked up her phone to take a video of her, Kelly, and Jordan when she saw Instagram notifications. 

“Oh. My. God.” Sophie said dramatically 

“What?” Jordan asked

“She followed and DM’d me on the gram” 

“Who?” Kelly and Jordan asked in unison

“Ryan Wilder”

“Oh shit,” Jordan said excitedly, “what she say?”

“She…she said I’m her lucky charm” Sophie blushed 

“Did Ryan Wilder just shoot her shot with you?” Jordan asked

“Not you getting a love and basketball romance. Reply back.” Kelly said

“I don’t know what to say” Sophie was nervous, she’s used to women shooting their shot with her, especially in her DM’s but Ryan is the first woman she actually is interested in that has messaged her. 

“Maybe you don’t have to reply” Jordan said

“What do you mean?” Sophie asked

“Because she just walked through the front door” Jordan said

Sophie looked over and saw Ryan run up to Anissa. Her crush was here. In the same room. Just when she was about to look away, Ryan looked up and caught her eye. She could tell Ryan was shocked to see her. She quickly turns her shocked impression into a flirtatious smirk. She winked at Sophie and Sophie couldn’t help but to smile widely. She took her shot and turned to Jordan and Kelly.

“I’ll be back” was all she said as she walked towards Ryan.

Chapter Text

“You know, you didn’t have to turn to stalking. I was going to reply to you.” Sophie said with a smile as she reached Ryan

“Ha ha…I am not stalking you.” Ryan responded, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Yeah, my best friend brought me and my sister along.”

“My best friend invited me as well.” Ryan looked Sophie over. “You looking amazing Sophie Moore”

“Thank you” Sophie blushed. “You were amazing on the court. Quite the player.”

“Thanks”

“So…I’m your lucky charm” Sophie smirked

“You’re gonna let that go to your head” Ryan laughed wholeheartedly 

“Just a lil bit”

Ryan and Sophie sat in the corner of the club just talking. It felt like they were in their own world. Their conversation ranged from everything, from favorite color to their demanding careers.

“I do enjoy going to Milan for fashion week. My favorite city to visit. So, it never feels like work when I’m there ” Sophie said

“That’s how I feel whenever we play in Vegas. Don’t get me wrong, playing against the Aces is work, they’re some damn good players but I enjoy the city every time I go.” Ryan said

“What got you into Basketball?” Sophie asked, curious to know more about Ryan and wanting to spend more time with her.

“My brother” Ryan began to smile, “I was somewhat of a lonely child growing up. Marquis was hanging with his best friend Jax and his girlfriend at the time when he saw me on the blacktop playing by myself. He convinced me to come play basketball with them. I ended up having fun and he discovered my natural talent. After that, he convinced me to try out for our school’s team.”

“That’s very sweet of him” 

“Yeah, that idiot can be sweet at times” Ryan laughed. “So, how did you get into modeling?”

Sophie smirked at the question being turned on her.

“Well, I was somewhat already in the industry before I became a model. My mom had put me in commercials as a baby and then she had me doing pageants. As I got older, I became a brand ambassador and was modeling in small fashion shows. When I turned eighteen, a big modeling agency offered to sign me and I accepted. The rest is history”

“If they hadn’t offered to sign you, what would you have done? If you don’t mind me asking” Ryan said

“Truthfully, I would’ve probably tried to go to college. I love modeling but I also love fashion and designing. Maybe one day I can fulfill that dream.”

“You will and I’ll be right there supporting you”

Sophie and Ryan stared into each other's eyes. They began to lean in closer when they were interrupted.

“Hey Ry-

Anissa cut herself off when she saw how close Ryan was to Sophie. She began to smirk, evilly if you ask Ryan.

“Mmm I see you Ryan” Anissa winked

Sophie blushed as Ryan glared at her friend and teammate. 

“Anissa,” Ryan began, “you came over here because…?”

“Oh yeah” Anissa said like she suddenly remembered “The Blonde Boss found out we’re out pass curfew”

“Oh shit!” Ryan said as she jumped out. She quickly turned to Sophie “I really hate to cut this short but I really have to get back.” 

“I totally understand,” Sophie said. She did truly understand but she didn’t want to stop talking to Ryan.

“Do you think it’s possible if I can have your number?” Ryan asked sweetly

“Yeah” Sophie smiled

The very smitten ladies exchanged numbers. Right before she turned to leave, Ryan stepped up and kissed Sophie on the cheek leaving Sophie with blushing cheeks. She and Anissa headed out the door when they came face to face with Ryan’s ex-girlfriend Imani. 

“Imani…hey” Ryan said trying to be cordial

“Hey Ryan” Imani responded, she looked at Anissa “Anissa”

“…hi” Anissa replied, struggling to be cordial

Before anything else could be said, Ryan and Anissa’s former teammate TK walks up to Imani, purposely passing through both Ryan and Anissa.

“Hey baby” TK says as she sloppily kisses Imani in front of them

Everyone in the club turns to the scene. Everyone begins whispering, flashes from phones began to show. People was recording this interaction. 

“Okay Ry, we need to leave” Anissa whispers to Ryan

TK turns to Ryan and Anissa. “Oh hey Ryan, I didn’t see your short ass.” TK said with an evil smirk

Ryan wanted to punch that smug smile off her face but too many cameras were on her. She knew if she did something, it would be a PR nightmare plus she’s already in trouble with her coach.

“Ry, let’s go” Anissa says again. This time Ryan listens. They exit out the door as TK laugh can be heard. 

Everyone in the club begins gossiping and quickly posting pics and videos on every social media. It was already trending.

Sophie returned to Kelly and Jordan after leaving Ryan then running to the restroom. She is hearing whispers but confused on whatever she just missed.

“I’m gon for five minutes and this club looks like teenagers gossiping in a high school hallway. What did I miss?” Sophie asked

“Girrrllll, Ryan’s ex girlfriend” Jordan said

“And her ex teammate” Kelly added as they all began to get up to leave the club as well.

Sophie looked at them both with a mix of shock and confusion because obviously there is more to the story. 

——————————————————————

Ryan was quiet the whole ride back. Anissa knew better than Ryan when she was in her head. They had arrived at the hotel, faster than they expected. If Ryan had to guess, the driver either knew what went down and wanted to hurry to hide Ryan from the embarrassment or their Coach put a rush on this ride. 

“Goodnight Ry” Anissa said as she walked towards her hotel room. Ryan just nodded. 

Ryan entered her room and turned on the light when she damn near jumped out of her own skin.

“Shit! Sara” Ryan said frightened

“I was all for yelling at your ass for missing curfew but I got some notifications from social media and figured I will table being Coach Lance for now and just be Sara, your big sister.” Sara said as she stepped closer to Ryan. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m really glad my sister is here” Ryan replied as she hugged Sara.