Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Ariana danced and celebrated their opening day win with her teammates. She only had one beer because she was anxious to get home and see how the team looked on the replay of the game.
One of the team’s assistant coaches would have already emailed Ariana the stats for the game. She liked to look at them as she watched the replay. In the morning another assistant coach would email her the team’s official film of the game.
It was no surprise that Ariana loved the game of basketball.
She loved everything about it and in reality was a student of the game, not just a player.
Her interest was in trends and the numbers.
She was always looking to see what the team could improve.
Some of those minute stats could give her insight that would help the team score a few more baskets during the game or prevent the other team from scoring.
Once Ariana got home, she changed into her favorite comfy shorts and a T-shirt.
She took a bottle of water out of the fridge, grabbed her laptop, and settled on the couch.
Before turning the TV on she thought back to running into Nicole Neal at the bar.
She’d looked for her after the game, but when she went to the commentators’ dressing room she and Shealyn were already gone.
Ariana’s fall onto the media table had been playing over and over in her head.
When her momentum stopped she felt no pain.
She opened her eyes and all she could see was Nicole.
More specifically, she looked into Nicole’s caramel brown eyes and felt herself falling into the warm, soft expanse.
For a moment Ariana thought she must have hit her head and was dreaming because the only sound she could hear was the beating of her own heart.
Then she felt Nicole’s hand firmly holding her head in place and she knew she must not be hurt.
Suddenly that quiet moment of peace ended and she was right back in the arena.
She couldn’t believe she landed in Nicole’s lap and was afraid she’d hurt her.
Nicole’s concern was for Ariana and instead of thanking her, Ariana acted like an idiot with a wisecrack about retiring.
She shook her head at the memory. Sometimes Ariana handled pressure with humor and in this instance she wished she would’ve simply thanked Nicole for catching her.
When she ran into Nicole in the bar, Ariana took the opportunity to make sure Nicole was okay. Ariana chuckled as she thought about Nicole’s friend’s quip about a lap dance.
She turned the TV on but couldn’t stop thinking about that moment when she opened her eyes and stared into Nicole’s.
Ariana felt something shift inside her. She’d always guarded her heart because basketball was her focus and she couldn’t let anything get in the way.
That’s why she didn’t have a girlfriend.
It didn’t mean she didn’t occasionally go out after the game and end up celebrating with a beautiful woman.
But landing in Nicole’s lap and staring into her beautiful eyes extinguished any fear she had from the fall. Those eyes broke through and Ariana felt like her heart was gaping open, inviting Nicole to come inside.
“Whew!” Ariana shook her head. “What is wrong with me? Nicole Neal is way out of my league.”
She started the playback of the game and listened as Shealyn and Nicole welcomed everyone to the new season of the WNBA. A pleased smile grew on Ariana’s face as Nicole told the listeners what she’d be looking for on New York’s team and named Ariana.
The game began and Ariana relived the tip-off where she went down the court and surprised everyone with a three-point basket to begin the game. The camera did a close-up of her as she high-fived her teammates and winked at Cameron.
Ariana didn’t know how many times she’d listened to Nicole commentate a game, but it was different tonight. It felt like Nicole was talking directly to her, appreciating good plays and waiting for what Ariana would do next.
“Maybe I did hit my head,” Ariana grumbled. She reached for her phone and pulled up Nicole’s number. She hesitated then sent a one-word text.
Thanks.
Three little bubbles appeared and Ariana smiled at Nicole’s quick response.
***
Ariana replied:
You said nice things about me.
The bubbles once again appeared.
I try to say nice things about everyone. You know you’re one of the best point guards in the league.
Ariana chuckled and decided to reply the same way Nicole did when she’d complimented her earlier that evening.
I wasn’t aware.
This is fun, Ariana thought as she waited for Nicole’s reply.
Hahahaha, yes you are!
Ariana laughed and sent another text.
I’m just now watching the first half. I’m enjoying the commentary. You and Shealyn really are the best.
Thank you. We work hard to bring the game to the viewers.
She was a little surprised Nicole had responded in the first place, so she decided to push her luck.
Once I get to the second half and my flying leap, I may want to ask you a few questions. Is that all right?
The bubbles once again appeared as she stared at her phone and smiled.
It’s okay. I’ll be up for a while.
Ariana gave her a thumbs up and put down her phone. She looked back at the TV and as the game continued she kept thinking about Nicole. Was she sitting on her couch watching TV, too? Why am I enjoying this playful banter so much?
The halftime whistle blew and her attention was drawn to her face on the screen. She listened to the quick interview Keeley did with her and paused the game when she walked off the court.
Ariana took a short break and went to the kitchen. She pulled a Diet Coke out of the fridge and opened it. She was serious about her nutrition and fitness, but they’d won tonight and she decided the small indulgence was warranted.
Ariana settled back on the couch and started the second half. She was pleased to see better defense by her team as the game continued. After checking the stats and rewinding a few plays here and there, she reached the place in the game where she dove for the ball.
The first time watching it through she decided she was lucky she didn’t get hurt.
But as she replayed it several times she noticed the reason why.
Nicole hadn’t tried to back away as the other people at the media table had.
Instead, she reached out and caught Ariana’s head as her body twisted so she’d land on her back.
She literally fell into Nicole’s lap! The surprise on Nicole’s face quickly turned to concern as she looked down at Ariana. The camera zoomed in as Ariana and Nicole stared at each other for a moment. There it was. The moment.
Shealyn entered the picture, helping Ariana swing her legs around until Ariana was sitting in her chair. Ariana knew that’s when she made the quip about the view and retiring then she hopped up and ran back onto the court.
She listened to Shealyn and Nicole describe the incident then they were back doing their regular commentary for the viewers.
Ariana sighed. If Nicole hadn’t held her head the way she had, Ariana was sure she would’ve been injured. Just as Shealyn said on the broadcast, Nicole acted courageously.
Ariana knew it was late, but she picked up her phone anyway and sent Nicole a text.
Thanks for catching me and saving me. I could’ve really gotten hurt.
She stared at her phone and waited. Several moments later the familiar bubbles appeared.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re okay.
Ariana smiled.
I’m obviously no Superwoman since I didn’t know how to land!
She waited for Nicole’s reply.
I don’t know about that. You were pretty awesome on the court tonight. I’m not sure Superwoman could play basketball as well as you do.
Ariana smiled at the compliment then took a deep breath and decided to share her view with Nicole.
I remember after I batted the ball, all I could think was: this is going to hurt. When I opened my eyes, all I saw was you. Do you know that you have beautiful brown eyes?
Ariana paused before sending the text. She didn’t want to make things awkward between them, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Nicole’s eyes. She hit send and waited. The bubbles appeared then they were gone. A moment passed and they appeared again. Hmm, interesting.
I saw fear in your eyes for a flash then it was gone. I’m not the only one with pretty brown eyes.
Ariana smiled. “Pretty brown eyes,” she muttered. “Yes! She felt it too.” She bit her bottom lip and held the phone in her hand. “Now what do I do?”
Several moments passed then Ariana saw the bubbles once again.
Did you learn anything from the replay?
“Did I learn anything,” Ariana said, staring at her phone. “I learned that there’s more to Nicole Neal than her pleasing voice and I’d love to discover it all.”
Ariana knew she couldn’t text those thoughts to Nicole so instead she began to type.
I learned that I’m not going after a ball like that unless you’re commentating the game.
She waited.
Hahaha. I’ll get to call another one of yours soon. In the meantime maybe you should practice your landings, Superwoman.
She chuckled.
Thanks again for catching me.
Ariana got an immediate response.
Anytime.
She smiled and watched the rest of the game. She looked over the stats once again, but she wasn’t really seeing the numbers. All she could see were Nicole’s soft brown eyes and wondered how they sparkled when she laughed or did other things.
She sighed, turned off the TV, and got ready for bed. She had an appearance in the morning and knew she needed to get some sleep.
Ariana crawled into bed and leaned back against the pillows, looking at the ceiling.
She’d had a good game. The celebration afterwards was fun and not too over the top.
After all, it was their first game. Instead of thinking about the different plays, which usually occupied her mind after a game, she couldn’t keep from thinking about Nicole.
She had been so focused on getting ready for this first game that even having thoughts of another woman were surprising. Ariana had known Nicole since before she was drafted into the league. She’d had a few interactions with her from time to time and knew she was good at her job.
Why then, tonight, had all that changed?
When she thought about it, Ariana realized it hadn’t changed tonight. Thoughts of Nicole had been drifting in and out of her head since the day she and Cameron watched the preseason game Nicole and Shealyn called in Toronto.
But when she saw her today, dressed up, right before tipoff Ariana’s heart had skipped a beat. At the time she thought it was anticipation and the atmosphere of the game.
As she rolled over and closed her eyes, Ariana wasn’t so sure that Nicole Neal hadn’t caused that momentary flutter in her heart.