Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
“Hey, are you still there?” Nicole asked into the phone. She and Ariana had just been laughing and now there was silence.
“I’m still here,” Ariana replied. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the lobby, waiting to go up to my room.”
“Maybe you should wait until tomorrow to talk to Shealyn.”
Nicole furrowed her brow and considered Ariana’s suggestion.
“You’re pretty upset with her and that might not be the best time for a conversation,” Ariana added. “I don’t mean to overstep.”
“You’re not,” Nicole said. “That’s probably a good idea.”
“Come on,” Ariana said. “I’ll ride the elevator with you.”
Nicole chuckled and pressed the button. When the doors opened she walked inside. “Okay, going up.”
“I just realized something, Nic. We were talking about groupies this morning and here you had one during the game!” Ariana exclaimed.
Nicole laughed. “I don’t think Maggie is a groupie.”
“Oh yes she is! Look what she did to get your attention.”
“Is that what happens? Women do things to get your attention?”
“There are those who get in your way during a game, but then there are others who go all out,” Ariana said.
“All out?”
“Yeah, they might do something crazy and end up in your lap during a game.”
Nicole laughed. “Oh my God!”
“Is your anxiety gone?”
Nicole stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall to her room. Ariana had turned this night around and Nicole couldn’t keep from smiling. “You’re something else.”
“I can’t have random women causing my lifesaver problems.”
“So you really are Superwoman.”
Ariana chuckled. “Maybe it depends on who is saving who. Or is it who is saving whom. Whatever! You know what I mean.”
“I guess we’re saving each other,” Nicole said.
“I’m here for it,” Ariana said.
Nicole laid her purse on the table and sat down on the bed. She could see her reflection in the mirror and noticed the smile on her face. Ariana Villa had put it there. It wasn’t just any smile. Nicole could feel it coming from her heart.
“Do you realize we haven’t even talked about the game?”
Nicole shook those thoughts out of her head. “I know! Did you see JJ?”
“Yes, she played great. Cameron and I wish she still played with us.”
“Did you see her fade away jumper?”
“Oh yeah,” Ariana replied. “That’s new. She gets better and better.”
“Just like someone else I know,” Nicole murmured. “Look at you noticing other players' tendencies."
Ariana chuckled. “I’m learning from the best. When can we compare notes?”
Nicole lay back on the bed and sighed. All the problems during the game coupled with the awkwardness of dinner had creeped into Nicole’s bones. She was suddenly very tired.
“You sound done,” Ariana said.
“No, I’m fine,” Nicole said. “What’s your schedule this week? Don’t you have practice?”
“Yes, every day this week and we have a team dinner Friday night,” Ariana said. “Don’t forget our one-on-one game.”
“How could I forget that!” Nicole said. “I’ll be busy until Friday afternoon, too. How about Sunday? I know you’ll want to sleep in, but we could meet in the afternoon. Let me apologize again for waking you up this morning.”
“Stop apologizing," Ariana said. “I got up and Cameron was home. Her boyfriend had to go out of town on business so she’s at the apartment all week. We went out for breakfast to one of my favorite spots and I would’ve never done that if you hadn’t called me. So it was a good thing.”
“That makes me feel better. If I had to be inconsiderate, at least something good came from it.”
Ariana chuckled. “Stop! You’re not inconsiderate. It looks to me like we call each other at the right time.”
“Yeah, I guess we do.”
“I’m surprised I even answered the phone,” Ariana said. “I usually don’t, but when I saw Crush on my screen I had to take it.”
Nicole laughed. “The same for me when I see Ten. I still can’t believe that’s how you put your info in my phone.”
“Okay, well, I guess I won’t see you until Sunday.”
Nicole could hear the disappointment in Ariana’s voice. “What’s wrong? If I come across something that will help you in the game I’ll let you know.”
“Nic, it’s not that. It’s just…”
Nicole raised her brows and waited for Ariana to finish her thought. Does she want to see me? She smiled because she wanted to see Ariana, too. “You’re forgetting you’ll see me Saturday at your game. We should be there for shootaround.”
“I’ll be looking for you.”
Nicole smiled. Ariana did want to see her. “Uh, I need to tell you something.”
“Okay?”
“The other night Shealyn called me during your game,” Nicole explained. “She knows you’re one of my favorite players and that we saw each other at the youth event.”
“Uh huh…”
Nicole groaned. “She made a comment about us and—”
“Your professionalism,” Ariana said.
“Yes, I told her…” Nicole winced.
“Yes?”
“We are basketball buddies.”
“Basketball buddies?” Ariana chuckled. “Well, I guess we are.”
“I know that sounds dumb, but as you pointed out, we don’t always just talk about basketball.”
“Don’t worry, Nic. As far as Shealyn and anyone else goes, we’re basketball buddies,” Ariana said. “It’s our little secret that we’re becoming friends.”
Nicole groaned again. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not,” Ariana said. “There’s something about talking basketball with you that’s different from anyone else.”
“I know!” Nicole exclaimed. “Same for me.”
“Do I need to list the things we have in common?”
Nicole chuckled. “No, I remember. Starting with pretty brown eyes.”
“That’s right. It’s time for your pretty brown eyes to close,” Ariana said. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Nicole sighed. “Thanks again for making tonight so much better than it could’ve been.”
“My pleasure. Bye Nic.”
“Goodnight.”
Nicole closed her eyes and let her arms fall to her sides.
What was this thing with Ariana? A smile always landed on her face when she saw a text or talked with her on the phone.
When she watched her play basketball there was a sense of awe and wonder.
Ariana was a gifted athlete and played with joy.
That’s what had drawn Nicole to her. But now there was more.
She could feel a little flutter inside when she thought about Ariana and that wasn’t good.
Maybe she needed to pull this friendship back before it landed her in trouble. Ariana just assured her that this was their little secret, but secrets had a way of coming out. Didn’t they?
However, Ariana was right. Talking basketball with her was different than talking about it with Shealyn or any of her coworkers. She knew Ariana was always open to talk whereas Shealyn wasn’t always available to discuss such things. She had a work/life balance she was constantly trying to juggle.
Nicole took a deep breath and thought about the conversations she and Ariana had that didn’t include basketball.
Specifically the ones about their dating lives and meddling friends.
Ariana understood Nicole’s hesitancy to date during the season.
She respected her work ethic and decision to remain single. Why couldn’t her friends accept that?
Nicole got up and took a quick shower before getting ready for bed. As she replayed their conversation in her head she grew more and more embarrassed. She had rambled to Ariana about Maggie and their awkward dinner.
“Oh God,” she groaned as she got into bed. “I’ve got to apologize to Ari tomorrow.”
Here she was apologizing to the woman again. What was wrong with her!
“You like Ariana Villa,” she said aloud. Her voice filled the room then there was quiet again. Nicole could hear the AC unit humming in the background as she let her admission fall over her like a weight.
This is not a good idea, she thought.
Nicole had gone to sleep last night ready to walk things back with Ariana. She didn’t want to, but knew it was best. Friendships with players during the season were discouraged and could put her and the network in jeopardy.
She texted Ariana and hoped she would understand.
I apologize for freaking out last night. My anxiety got the best of me and that rarely happens. I’m embarrassed and it won’t happen again.
Nicole figured Ariana was still asleep and was surprised when her phone pinged with a reply so quickly.
No reason to apologize. I understood the situation and know you’d do the same for me. I’m glad I was there for you.
Nicole stared at the phone. Ariana was right.
She did understand the situation. None of Nicole’s other friends would get it except for Shealyn and she was no help.
She thought it was funny and knew that Nicole would cover for them on the air.
I’m glad I was there for you. Nicole reread that again and again.
She was glad Ariana was there, too. She liked talking with Ariana. She liked Ariana! Maybe they could keep this secret, at least for a while.
Nicole’s phone pinged with a message.
Safe travels, basketball buddy.
Nicole smiled and replied.
I’ll let you know when I get back.
Nicole sighed and put her phone away. Just because she liked Ariana didn’t mean anything beyond friendship would happen. They were both adults and professionals. This could work. She’d talk to Ari about it Sunday.
Nicole zipped her suitcase closed and looked around the room one more time to be sure she didn’t leave anything behind. Her phone rang and for a moment she wondered if it was Ariana. She picked it up off the table and saw Kate’s smiling face on the screen.
“Hey there.”
“Hey yourself,” Kate said. “Are you home?”
“No, we stayed over last night and I’m about to leave the hotel for the airport.”
“I watched your game last night,” Kate said. “I want you to know that every time I watch a game you call I always learn something. I’m not one of those basketball fans that knows all, so for you to teach me and make it interesting… Well—you’re very good.”
Nicole chuckled. “Thank you. I guess that’s a good thing since I love it and they pay me to do it.”
“That’s one reason I called,” Kate said. “It’s negotiation time.”
“Already?”
“It’s best to get this done early,” Kate said. “I want you to think about what you want in your next contract. How about we meet for brunch Sunday?”
“That sounds good,” Nicole said. She’d have plenty of time to eat before seeing Ariana that afternoon. Brunch with her best friend was just what she needed.
“We can even go to that favorite diner of yours near your apartment,” Kate said. “Emily and I will meet you there.”
“Do I need to have suggestions for the contract by then?”
“Think about it and we can throw some ideas around and maybe a few numbers,” Kate said. “It’ll be a place to start.”
“Okay,” Nicole said. “It’s been ages since we’ve been to brunch.”
“I know how much you love it,” Kate said. “I’ll text you with details.”
“Thanks Kate,” Nicole said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Hey, are you okay?” Kate asked. “You sound a little distracted.”
Nicole sighed. “I’m about to have a conversation with Shealyn about an incident that happened during the game last night.”
“Oh, are you all right?”
“Yes, but Kate you need to hear this, too,” Nicole said. “I love you and appreciate how much you care about me, but my dating life is just that: mine. I’m asking you to please respect me and my judgement.”
“Okay, I hear you,” Kate said. “Did Shealyn do something?”
“Yes, she tried to set me up with one of the referees in last night’s game,” Nicole explained. “Let’s just say she made it hard to do my job with her distractions.”
“And Shealyn?”
“She thought it was amusing while I tried to cover it with my commentary,” Nicole said. “I know you mean well, but please Kate, let me take care of me. I’m going to tell Shea the same thing.”
“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” Kate said.
“You haven’t lately.” Nicole chuckled. “But I promise I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will,” Kate said. “Have any players fallen into your lap lately?”
Nicole laughed. “No, just Ariana.”
“Okay, this is the last thing I’ll say about your love life,” Kate said. “Maybe you need to ask Ariana out in the off season.”
“What good would it do? Are you going to negotiate a clause in my contract where I can date players and my integrity will not be challenged?”
“Oh, that would be fun,” Kate said. “There are so many players who would want to go out with you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because there’s the forbidden aspect of it. That makes it daring and fun,” Kate said.
“You’ve been reading a romance novel, haven’t you?”
Kate laughed. “Yes I'll share it with you when I finish.”
Nicole laughed. “I’m in between books right now, so I’ll be ready.”
“Consider your boundary set,” Kate said. “I’ll see you Sunday.”
“Bye, Kate. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Nicole smiled and hoped her conversation with Shealyn would go as well as this one had with Kate. She grabbed the handle to her suitcase, shouldered her bag, and headed out the door.