Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“Your coaches have created an excellent game plan for tomorrow night,” Coach Bell said from the head of the table. “You have practiced hard all week and everyone is prepared. You know your roles and have done the work to get us the win tomorrow night.”
There were several hell yeahs from the players and coaches gathered around the table in the private room at the bar.
“Savor the rest of your meals, relax, and enjoy this time you have together,” Coach Bell said.
“But don’t stay out late,” Coach Li added with a grin. “You have a game to win tomorrow.”
Ariana chuckled as several of her teammates groaned. She liked her coaches, but especially Emerson Li. Coach Li had made her a better defensive player which had also helped her shooting. It was all connected.
The coaches said their goodbyes to give the players time together. There were several conversations going at once as Ariana nudged Cameron with her elbow. “I’m going to the restroom.”
She walked out of the room and turned to go down the hall when Stuart waved to her from the bar.
“Hey,” she said, putting her elbows on the end of the bar. “You were busy when I got here.”
“Oh, I saw you,” Stuart said. “Are you finished with team time?”
Ariana shrugged. “The coaches left and we’re just hanging out for a little longer.”
He nodded and reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “For you.”
Ariana furrowed her brow and looked from the paper to Stuart.
“Just read it,” he said.
She opened the piece of paper and immediately smiled.
10,
A little luck for tomorrow, but you don’t need it with all that confidence, sexy.
Your BB,
C
Ariana looked at Stuart and then gazed around the bar. “Where is she?”
Stuart shook his head. “She’s not here, Ari. She couldn’t be. You know that.”
Ariana smiled at him then reread the note. Her heart was beating with happiness she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Stuart reached out and snatched the paper out of her hands.
“Hey!”
“I’m supposed to tear it up,” Stuart said. “No one else can see it.”
“I promise no one else will,” Ariana said seriously. “What did she tell you?”
Stuart smirked. “I’ll tell you this. For her to come in and leave a note for you means you’re something special.”
“Yeah?” Ariana knew she had the goofiest smile on her face, but she didn’t care.
Stuart nodded. “I’m surprised because she doesn’t take risks like this. Her career is very important to her. I hope you realize that.”
“Oh, I do,” Ariana said. “I don’t want to be a risk.” She never wanted to be a problem for Nicole, but she also wanted to spend time with her. “Damn, she constantly surprises me.”
“Oh yeah? I’d say you surprised her by jumping in her lap.” Stuart chuckled. “I saw the replay.”
Ariana laughed. “You’ll keep our secret?”
Stuart held up his hands. “All I know is that you’re friends and other people don’t need to know about it. I love Ni—her very much. We’ve been friends a long time and I will always protect her.”
Ariana nodded. “I will too. We’re just becoming friends, but I really like her.”
“I can tell by the look on your face,” Stuart said. “Be careful. I happen to love you both.”
“We’ve sort of got a list of things we’re discovering we have in common,” Ariana said. “You’re on the list.”
He nodded and smiled. “I hope this will be good for both of you.”
“It is for me.”
“Okay, you’d better get back to your team.”
“I get to see her tomorrow,” Ariana said. “She’s calling our game.”
“She told me.”
Ariana smiled. She had several questions she’d love to ask Stuart about Nicole, but it felt too soon. What were they? Basketball buddies? Friends? Maybe more? Before walking back to their private room Ariana held out her hand. “Please? I promise.”
Stuart narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay, but your eyes only,” he said, handing the note back to Ariana. “The risk is real, Ariana. Are you worth it?”
“I am,” she stated, slipping the note deep into her pocket. “Thank you.” She walked away then turned around once again to wave at Stuart. He was busy sending a text and Ariana wondered if it was to Nicole.
This had to be the best surprise Ariana had had in a long time. Was this their private little game? Ariana was serious, she would protect their secret because she loved this and didn’t want it to end. But what was this?
“What did Stuart give you?” Cameron asked.
“What?”
“I went to the restroom and saw Stuart hand you something. Was it someone’s phone number?”
“Maybe.” Ariana decided to play along and in hopes Cameron would drop it.
Cameron chuckled. “Too bad for them. They don’t know your no dating during season policy.”
“Who said anything about dating?”
“Oh!” Cameron laughed.
“I’ll be back.” Ariana grinned as she walked down the hall to the restroom.
Whew. They had to be careful. This secret may be harder to keep than she thought.
Nicole followed Shealyn out of their dressing room.
She was glad to stretch her legs after sitting in the car for two and a half hours on the trip from the city to Connecticut.
To say Nicole was looking forward to seeing Ariana was an understatement.
They’d briefly texted after Ariana’s team dinner.
Her secret note had given Ariana a boost. Nicole could tell from Ariana’s excitement even through her texts.
“I see an open basket,” Shealyn said. She turned to Nicole with a crooked smile. “Wanna show these younguns how to shoot?”
Nicole chuckled. “Let’s do it.”
While Shealyn went to get them both a basketball from the rack near midcourt, Nicole’s phone pinged with a text. She saw it was from Ariana and smiled. There was a picture of Ariana slipping the note Nicole had written her into her sock. Good luck charm was written underneath it.
Nicole frowned. Stuart was supposed to tear the note up, but Ariana must have talked him out of it.
If anyone saw it they wouldn’t know who it was from.
That’s why she’d deliberately written with their nicknames, but it still made her nervous.
Of course, there was a little part of her that was thrilled Ariana thought it was special and wanted to keep it.
Shealyn bounced a ball towards Nicole. “I promise there will be no repeat of what happened the other night.”
Nicole smirked and dribbled towards the basket. “You know Maggie’s calling the game tonight.”
Shealyn nodded. “I know. I’ll handle it.”
“Hmm, like you handled it Tuesday night,” Nicole replied, letting the ball go. She was rewarded with the familiar swish as the ball went through the net.
“I deserved that,” Shealyn said, shooting her ball.
“Would you look at this?” Ariana said, walking onto the court. “Are you two suiting up tonight?”
“Ha ha,” Shealyn replied. “You’d better be glad we’re not. Nicole has the perfect jump shot.”
“Oh, I’ve seen Nic’s shot,” Ariana said.
“When?” Cameron asked, joining them.
“Saturday at the youth event,” Ariana explained. “Let me tell you she’s got lockdown defensive skills, too.”
Nicole laughed as she shot the ball again. “She means I fouled her and held on so a little eight-year-old could dribble around her and shoot.”
“And Chloe is now your fan for life,” Ariana said with a grin.
“Don’t look now, but your newest super fan is watching us,” Shealyn said quietly.
Nicole saw Ariana discreetly look towards the scorer’s table where Maggie Patterson was gazing around the court.
“Hey, Ari, I’m wearing a dress tonight so I won’t be able to catch you if you come flying my way,” Nicole teased.
Ariana chuckled. “Oh, Nic, you’d catch me.” She looked over at Shealyn and grinned. “Maybe it’s your turn, Shealyn.”
“Oh no, that’s your thing,” she replied, pointing between the two of them. “Just don’t go flying tonight.”
They all laughed and Cameron said, “Maybe the girl whose number you got at the bar last night will be in the crowd.”
Nicole raised her brows and stared at Ariana. “I didn’t think you dated during the season.”
“Oh, it’s not a date.” Cameron chuckled. “If you know what I mean.”
“Oh!” Shealyn said. “Sounds like hookups are fair game.”
Ariana dribbled towards the basket and took a shot.
Nicole met her gaze and smiled. She knew Cameron was talking about the note Stuart had passed Ariana from her. She tilted her head and suddenly the idea of hookups and non-dating had her attention. She shot one more basket. “We’ll get out of your way. Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks,” Cameron said, rebounding the basketball. “Shealyn’s right, you have a sweet shot, Nicole.”
Nicole smiled and glanced over at Ariana who was closing the distance between them. “Hey, friend,” Ariana said.
“Friend?” Nicole deadpanned, but saw Ariana’s face fall. She reached out and squeezed Ariana’s forearm. “I’m kidding. Of course we’re friends,” she said softly.
Ariana’s face brightened. “I have my good luck charm.”
Nicole widened her eyes. “I saw the picture. Be careful.”
“I will.”
“Hey, they’re going to try and stop you going left,” Nicole said. “Take what they give you.”
Ariana nodded. “Okay. Fake to the right then go left. Thanks.”
“You’ve got this.” Nicole smiled and walked away but not before she saw Maggie staring in her direction. She started to go over to the other woman, but Shealyn intercepted her at the media table.
“Ariana calls you Nic.”
Nicole shrugged and looked down at their setup.
“You don’t let anyone call you Nic.”
What Shealyn said was true, but there was something in the way Ariana said her name. It felt intimate and she said it with affection.
“I know,” Nicole said. “How long has Maggie been watching us?”
“The whole time.”
“Maybe I should go over and say hello. She doesn’t seem near as friendly as she was Tuesday night.”
“Yeah, I noticed, but we need to go get changed first,” Shealyn said.
Nicole led Shealyn onto the court as the fans began to fill the arena. She nodded towards the scorer’s desk and turned to Shealyn. “We’d better check in with Keeley.”
The three officials were standing and talking in front of the table then two of them walked over to each bench.
“Hi Maggie,” Nicole said.
“Hey,” Maggie replied. “I saw you talking to the New York players before the game.”
“And the Connecticut players, too,” Shealyn added. “I go way back with Tanisha.”
“That’s right,” Tanisha Harris said, sneaking up behind Shealyn and putting her arm around her shoulders. “You’d better tell everyone how dangerous we are this year.”
Nicole chuckled. “What happened to not playing favorites?”
“Ah, we all have them. Don’t we?” Maggie commented.
Shealyn looked over at Nicole and furrowed her brow. “I hope you don’t,” she said to Maggie. “That could affect the game. At least Nicole and I aren’t on the court.”
Maggie shrugged and walked away.
“Have a good game,” Shealyn said to Tanisha.
“Thanks, you too.”
Nicole and Shealyn walked across the court to their table. They checked their equipment and did a few tests. Nicole couldn’t keep from looking over to where New York was warming up. She didn’t know how often their schedules would allow her to see Ariana play in person so she planned to enjoy this.
“Maggie was not happy to see us,” Shealyn said. “It’s your fault. You took that phone call and dumped her at the elevator Tuesday.”
“And I’m sure she didn’t appreciate my comments during dinner.” Nicole shrugged. “Oh well, maybe that means she’ll stay out of our way tonight.”
They heard Jeannie in their headsets giving them a countdown to when they’d be live on the air.
“Showtime.” Nicole smiled.
They introduced the game and shared with their viewing audience what to look for from the key players. Moments later the game started.
New York didn’t win the tip and Ariana had to immediately play defense. Connecticut scored and everyone ran down to the other end of the court as Ariana dribbled the ball across the center line.
Nicole watched as the defense did just as she warned Ariana and tried to block her path to her left. Ariana faked to the right and smoothly dribbled into the lane making an easy layup.
A whistle blew, stopping play, as Maggie called an offensive foul on Ariana.
“What the…” Nicole said, confused.
“That wasn’t a foul,” Shealyn told the viewers. “I didn’t see any contact.”
Nicole could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks.
She knew Maggie had called that foul on Ariana simply because they were laughing and talking before the game.
What if Maggie took out her displeasure with Nicole on Ariana and Cameron?
How unfair. Nicole was trying to work through what she should do and who she should contact when Ariana caught her eye.
She smiled at Nicole and shook her head then she gave her a thumb’s up. Nicole knew she was telling her to stay calm because that’s what she was doing. Nicole released a deep breath, trying to tamp down her anger. She caused this and Ariana was paying the price.
“Stop,” Shealyn said. They’d sent the broadcast over to Keeley as she reported from the sideline while listening to the referees discuss the play. “You did not cause this.”
“Yes I did!” Nicole exclaimed. “Fucking Maggie Patterson.”
“It’ll be okay,” Shealyn said. “She got her point across and Ariana knows what to do now.”
“Yeah, but it shouldn’t be like this.”
“But it is and we have to be honest.” Shealyn grinned.
Nicole nodded and when Keeley sent it back to them Nicole said, “I’m not sure what the ref was doing there or what kind of message they’re trying to send.
If you’ll remember last season there was a lot of controversy on how physical the referees allowed the players to get.
I hope that’s not what we’re seeing again this early in the season. ”
The game resumed and no other questionable calls were made. Ariana found her other open teammates and let them do the scoring. Later in the game Ariana lulled Connecticut into thinking she was not shooting and before they tightened up their defense, Ariana scored three three-point baskets in a row.
Nicole and Shealyn were both excited in their commentary, but still remained professional. The game ended and Nicole hoped to talk to Ariana after the game. She watched her run off the court and knew she couldn’t follow her.
“I’ve got this,” Keith said. “You go change.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Keith said. “I’ll give you your laptops at the truck.”
Nicole looked at Shealyn and shrugged. They usually packed up their laptops and left the rest of the equipment for Keith.
As they walked down the hallway to their dressing room, Nicole looked around the corner to the visiting team’s locker room but didn’t see Ariana or any of the other players nearby.
She’d have to wait until tomorrow to talk to Ariana about the game.
Once again she would be apologizing to her.
Nicole sighed because it seemed like she did that often.