Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ariana walked onto the court and grabbed a basketball. She looked around the arena and saw several Washington players warming up on the other end of the court. The officials at the scorer’s table were getting their equipment ready and a few random fans were sitting in the stands.
Her heart dropped and she sighed. She was hoping Nicole would come to shootaround and they could steal a few minutes together before she had to change for the game.
She noticed movement across the court and saw the tech people for Nicole’s network preparing their monitors and such.
Just then Shealyn walked up and exchanged a few words with her coworkers.
Ariana wanted to ask about Nicole, but that might alert Shealyn that there was something going on between them. Wow, was there ever. She couldn’t get Sunday out of her head. Kissing Nicole had now become one of her favorite things. Ariana dreamed of kissing those soft lips again.
“Hey,” she called to Shealyn. “Are you taking a few shots with us today?”
Shealyn smiled and walked towards Ariana. “I don’t want to get in your way. Besides, my partner is the one who likes to show off her jump shot.”
Ariana chuckled. “She does have a nice shot.” She looked around and turned back to Shealyn. “Is she not joining you?”
“She’ll be here soon,” Shealyn replied. “She was visiting her folks and her flight was late. Don’t you worry, your favorite sportscaster will be here.”
Ariana scoffed. “What makes you think you’re not my favorite?”
“You didn’t fall into my lap.”
Ariana smirked. “Like I planned that.”
Shealyn chuckled. “Have a good game, Ariana. You’re killing it. Keep up the good work.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll tell Nicole you were asking about her because you needed a soft spot to land.”
Ariana laughed. If she only knew. That may well turn out to be the best play she made all year.
Her teammates joined her and Ariana went through her warm-ups.
At least she knew Nicole was okay. The last text she received from her was this morning from the airport.
They’d talked on the phone for quite a while last night.
Nicole told her a few things about her visit with her parents along with the big news that Ariana was now her niece’s favorite player.
It had been nice to hear Nicole share parts of her day and her life with her family. Ariana didn’t know how this thing between them could be anything but a fling; however, every time they talked or texted it felt like more than that.
Ariana had been on edge all day, knowing she’d be able to once again look into those pretty brown eyes.
It had surprised her how much she was looking forward to seeing Nicole.
They’d talked more this week than they had in the past, yet that seemed to only make Ariana want to see her more.
This wasn’t the first game of hers that Nicole had called since they’d become friends, but it felt different.
She finished with her routine and started back to the dressing room to change into her uniform.
As she walked down the wide hallway she saw a few support staff wheeling equipment in the other direction.
She was about to pass the door to the dressing room when suddenly she was grabbed by the wrist and pulled into an opened doorway.
The door closed behind her and Nicole’s hands were on Ariana’s cheeks before she could take a breath.
“Hey,” Nicole said with a wicked grin.
Ariana gasped, grabbed Nicole’s hips, and pulled her in for a hungry kiss.
“Mmm,” Nicole moaned, sliding her arms around Ariana’s neck. “A kiss like that could make a girl think she was missed.”
Ariana chuckled. “You were.”
Their lips met again in a softer, more thoughtful kiss.
Ariana leaned her forehead to Nicole’s and smiled. I can breathe again, she thought. “Wait a minute. Should we be doing this?”
“Maybe not, but we are.” Nicole giggled. “One more kiss then you have to get ready to play.”
Ariana gazed into those soft brown eyes then hers fluttered closed as she met Nicole’s lips for another passionate kiss. Yep, this was her new favorite thing.
“Okay, I’ll see you on the court,” Nicole said.
Ariana took a deep breath then slowly let it out. “I guess if I run up and kiss you after making a basket that wouldn’t be a good look.”
Nicole smirked. “I mean, I would like it, but it would probably be the last game I get to call.”
Ariana huffed out a breath with faux exasperation. “Okay. I’ll keep my lips to myself.”
“Until you come over to my place tomorrow.”
The smile that grew on Ariana’s face lit up the small room.
“Wait,” Nicole said.
Ariana felt Nicole’s fingers push an errant strand of hair back into her bun.
“You’re wearing a bun instead of your usual ponytail.”
Ariana grinned. “I did it for you.”
Nicole’s eyes widened.
“I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.”
Nicole tilted her head and Ariana felt her soft lips on hers once again.
“Okay, take a peek both ways before you leave,” Nicole said.
Ariana did as she was told, but not before pecking Nicole’s lips one more time. She hurried the few steps down the hall into the dressing room, stopping in front of her locker.
“Hey, where’d you go?” Cameron asked, changing next to her. “You left the court long before I did.”
“Oh, I walked down a little further,” Ariana lied. “I thought I might give JJ a hug.” She pulled her shirt over her head and smiled to herself. Sneaking kisses with Nicole Neal might be risky, but it sure was fun.
Nicole followed Shealyn through the entrance to the gym floor. The arena was buzzing with excitement as fans found their seats, players warmed up, and their network team prepared for the broadcast.
“I forgot to tell you that your girl asked about you,” Shealyn said over her shoulder.
“Which one?” Nicole replied, knowing she was referring to Ariana.
Shealyn stopped and turned around. “Okay, I see you,” she said with a chuckle. “Ariana Villa.”
“Ah.” Nicole nodded nonchalantly. “I’m sure she’s ready for another big game.”
As they neared the broadcast desk Nicole gazed around the gym searching for Ariana. When her eyes landed on her, Ariana was standing with a basketball in her hand staring at Nicole, her mouth slightly agape.
Nicole grinned. She remembered how much Ariana liked her pants and vest outfit from opening day, so she’d paired another fitted vest with sleek pants, this time in cobalt blue.
She chose not to wear a shirt under the vest and added high-heeled boots to complete her look.
Yes, she’d been thinking of Ariana when she chose the outfit and by the look on Ariana’s face she knew it, too.
Ariana regained her composure and smirked at Nicole, giving her a quick nod of approval.
Nicole sat down, opened her laptop, and prepared to go live for the pregame, wearing a pleased look the entire time. She didn’t dare glance back at Ariana, afraid her reaction would give them away.
She and Shealyn smiled for the camera and summarized what they expected to see between New York and Washington this afternoon. The camera cut to highlights of several players from both teams while Shealyn listed their stats and Nicole commented on their past games.
“We’re ready for tip-off,” Shealyn said as the players gathered around the center circle. “Nia Stevens wins the jump and tips it to Ariana Villa. She dribbles to the three-point line and takes the shot.”
“It goes in,” Nicole said as Ariana backpedaled to the other end of the court, but not before glancing her way and giving Nicole a wink. Nicole chuckled. “No surprise there. Villa has come out with her signature ton of confidence.”
“And she steals the ball, dribbles toward her basket,” Shealyn said with excitement. “There’s a pass to Benson and back to Villa for an easy layup. Those two have been doing this for years. What team work.”
“New York has come out and set the tone,” Nicole said.
“Here we go,” Shealyn added.
The game was back and forth for most of the first half. Ariana had played tough defense and let Cameron shine on the offensive end of the floor. Nicole was able to control her desire to cheer for Ariana and had exchanged a smile or two when she came back on the floor after halftime.
The second half was no different, but in the last two minutes Ariana was able to hit two three-point shots that gave New York a four point lead. The game ended with New York securing the win.
Nicole and Shealyn finished their commentary, sending the broadcast back to the studio. As they closed their laptops Nicole gazed over to where the players were mingling and exiting the gym. She spotted Ariana and smiled at her just before she left the court.
“We have a problem,” Keith said as they put their equipment away.
Shealyn and Nicole looked at him and waited.
“Something happened to our plane and they’re trying to make other arrangements.” He shrugged.
“I’m supposed to be home for my kid’s school fair,” Shealyn said. “She’s been working on this for weeks.”
“Can’t we fly commercial?” Nicole said. “Surely they have flights going to New York. It’s Saturday.”
“Talk to Jeannie,” Keith said. “She’s in the truck.”
“I will!” Shealyn exclaimed.
“I’ll bring your stuff. Go.” Nicole shouldered both computer bags then headed for the exit which would lead her to the dressing room. As she entered the hallway Nicole was surprised to see Ariana walking her way.
“You played another great game,” Nicole said, trying to sound professional.
“Thank you,” Ariana replied. “I’m sure you and Shealyn called another extraordinary game. Let me help you.”
Nicole gave one of the bags to Ariana. As their hands brushed their eyes met and Nicole could feel her heart leap in her chest. They started towards the dressing room, neither of them speaking for a moment.
“I wanted to compliment your outfit,” Ariana said with a sly grin.
“Oh, do you like it?”
Ariana chuckled then said quietly, “You knew I would.”
Nicole stole a glance towards her and replied softly, “I hoped so.”
“I’ll call you when I get home.”
“Okay.” Nicole smiled then remembered their flight problems. “Oh.” She stopped and turned to Ariana. “There’s some problem with our plane. I’ll text you.”
“Oh no?” Ariana frowned. “Maybe I can give you a ride back to New York. I’m sure we have room on our plane.”
Nicole smiled and raised a brow. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”
“Oh, come on. I can keep my hands off of you.”
Nicole took a deep breath and leaned in. “That doesn’t mean I can.”
Ariana’s eyes smoldered a very dark brown. Nicole chuckled and looked around them as a few people walked by, but no one seemed to notice them.
“Here, you’d better give me that and get changed,” Nicole said, taking Shealyn’s bag from Ariana. “Thanks for the assist.”
Ariana smiled. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“Me too.”
They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment then Ariana was gone.
Nicole smiled and took a deep breath. She had been reckless today and their secret wouldn’t survive if they weren’t more careful.
Tomorrow, she and Ariana would have to talk about their behavior when she called her games.
This was all new and exciting, and she knew one thing for sure, she didn’t want it to end anytime soon.
Nicole walked into their dressing room and dropped their bags on a table.
“Hey! I found us a ride!” Shealyn said, hurrying into the room.
“Us?”
“Yep, our team is waiting on a plane coming in from Charlotte. They’ll catch a ride with another crew back to New York.”
“What about you and me?”
“You’re gonna love this.”