Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Stuart set a frosty glass of beer down in front of Nicole and leaned in. “Sneaking around with your young paramour agrees with you.”
Nicole smirked and took a sip of the beer.
“You are radiant.” He gave her a sly smile. “I imagine the sex is off the fucking charts.”
Nicole raised a brow and nodded slightly before bursting into laughter. “Good God, Stuart. I’ve never had anything like it.”
He raised his brows and leaned in again. “Tell me.”
Nicole hesitated and took another sip of the beer.
“Come on, I’m like your favorite gal pal. You can tell me.”
“I mean, sex is sex, but with”—Nicole paused and looked to her right then left—“her, it feels new and exciting every time.”
“That’s probably because you don’t get to see each other very often.”
Nicole and Ariana had been in the midst of what Nicole imagined as a torrid, forbidden affair.
When apart they would text and call each other until their schedules finally aligned so Ariana could meet Nicole at her apartment.
There had been times when they tried to talk or have a conversation before their clothes would fly off, but it never happened.
Once Ariana walked across the threshold of Nicole’s apartment their hands were reaching, eyes blazing with fire and lips crashing together.
Nicole had even tried preparing a meal and having it ready when Ariana arrived.
But when she opened the door Ariana was standing there in a sleeveless fitted tank top with tight shorts that showed off all her muscles.
Nicole grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her into the apartment.
They ended up on the couch, both naked, breathing hard and giggling like teenagers.
“Something, besides you, smells good,” Ariana commented, tucking a strand of hair behind Nicole’s ear.
“I made us dinner, thinking you’d be hungry.” Nicole chuckled.
“Oh, I was hungry.” Ariana wiggled her brows and pulled Nicole in for another kiss.
Nicole had several memories just like this one and some included the toys she kept in her nightstand.
They still played basketball and tried to outdo each other on the rooftop court. Nicole had notes ready for every opponent Ariana faced as the season continued. At the end of July, New York was leading the standings with Minnesota and Phoenix right behind them.
Over the past two and a half months Nicole and Ariana had been able to meet about once a week at her apartment. Nicole was always excited to get to call Ariana’s games and they now knew where several hidden unoccupied spaces were located at the various away venues in the league.
Nicole wondered if the secrecy and threat of being discovered sometimes added to the desire and passion that erupted between them.
However, she loved spending time with Ariana.
They laughed, they played, they cooked together, enjoyed studying basketball together, and even cried at a sappy movie they’d watched last weekend.
After finding out Ariana was her niece, Livi’s, favorite basketball player Nicole had arranged for a couple of video chats with Ariana.
Livi was a bit shy at first but Nicole marveled at how quickly Ariana made her feel comfortable and even showed her a couple of moves on the rooftop court while Nicole held the phone.
In a couple of weeks Ariana and her team were scheduled for a long road trip. They would be away from home for two weeks playing the teams out west. Nicole hoped to call her game against LA and maybe she could introduce Ariana to her sister and her family.
Nicole knew Ariana wasn’t looking forward to being away from home that long, but the league scheduled this part of the season like this every year for various teams. It took a toll on the team and seemed to always happen as they were making a push towards the playoffs.
They had begun to talk about their families more and Nicole learned that Ariana’s mom and little brothers lived in Portland.
Her mom had raised Ariana alone until she was in high school when she met her husband and had the twins.
Ariana saw them whenever she could. In the past, they would meet Ariana in Seattle when her team played there.
“You have a dreamy look on your face,” Stuart said. “What are you thinking about?”
Nicole brought her focus back to the bar and Stuart. “Sorry, I was just remembering some things. I’d like to do something for Ariana. We always meet at my apartment because…” She shrugged.
“I get it. You have to be careful.”
Nicole nodded. “Yeah, she never complains, but we can’t go out like other people do.”
“Why would she complain?” Stuart said. “She’s having sex with the hottest sportscaster ever. Then she gets to play and talk about her favorite thing. Hmm, maybe you’re turning into her favorite thing.”
Nicole took a sip of her beer. Since Ariana literally fell into her lap months ago Nicole had felt something happening inside her heart.
It wasn’t necessarily a shift, but more like making room.
She looked forward to her time with Ariana and couldn’t wait to speak to her every day whether it was text, a phone call, or, if they were lucky, a rendezvous at her apartment.
There were a few things that Nicole loved in her life and she protected and cherished them.
Her family and friends, of course, but also basketball, which included playing with Ariana.
She loved having brunch takeout from their favorite diner while discussing various defensive strategies; sometimes they agreed and sometimes they didn’t.
A small smile crept onto Nicole’s face as a memory of waking up next to Ariana wafted through her head.
She never knew if she’d wake with her arms around Ariana or if Ariana would have Nicole tucked to her chest. Those quiet intimate moments had snuck into her heart much like how they stole moments together whenever they could.
In reality, Ariana Villa hadn’t only fallen into her lap that day, she’d also jumped into Nicole’s heart and made room for herself. Now Nicole couldn’t imagine a day without her.
“I thought about asking Kate if we could stay at her family’s place in Rhode Island. It’s pretty secluded and we could walk on the beach. Plus they have a couple of cute restaurants.”
“You don’t think you’d be recognized there?”
Nicole shook her head. “No. There’s a break in the schedule in a little over a week. We’ll both be off and a couple of days away, out of my apartment, would be nice. Don’t you think?”
Stuart smiled. “I think Ariana just wants to be where you are. It doesn’t matter to her.”
“Maybe.” Nicole shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m too old or boring for her. She’ll be playing a video game and I'll simply sit next to her and read.”
“Ah, the younger woman. Do you have any idea how proud I am?” He chuckled as Nicole playfully threw a wadded up napkin at him. “You are not too old for her. She tells me about your battles on the court on your roof and how good you are. That’s high praise from a professional baller.”
Nicole smiled and sipped her beer.
“Have you told Kate about…” Stuart pointed at Nicole and then the TV where Ariana’s game was about to start.
“Oh no.” Nicole widened her eyes. “You’re the only one who knows. I’m not telling Kate until I have to.”
“Have to?”
“I’m not sure what Ariana and I have, but for now, we’re both happy.”
“Interesting,” Stuart said, giving Nicole a look.
Nicole furrowed her brow. “What?”
“Don’t you think this could be more than a sweet little fling?”
Nicole raised one shoulder.
“Here comes Kate.” Stuart nodded towards the door.
“Hey, has the game started?” Kate asked, sliding onto the stool next to Nicole.
“You’re just in time.” Stuart motioned with his thumb to the TV behind him. “What are you having?”
“Hmm, I’m thinking a margarita with that special salt blend of yours on the rim.”
“Coming right up,” Stuart replied. He slapped his hand on the bar in front of Nicole and widened his eyes. “Ask her.”
“Ask me what?”
Nicole hesitated then said the words in a rush. “Next week there’s a league-wide pause for a few days. There are no games and the teams can take a breath, reset, and players can recover before the big push to the playoffs.”
“That seems like a good idea.”
“I was wondering if your family’s place in Rhode Island might be available? It won’t be on the weekend, it will be during the week.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Just a couple of nights,” Nicole replied. “Wednesday through Friday?”
“That should work. I’ll check to be sure, but no one uses it during the week.”
Stuart set Kate’s drink down in front of her and rested his arms on the bar.
“Are you going alone?”
Kate’s question hung in the air as Stuart smirked and dipped his head at Nicole. She winced then glanced over at her best friend.
Kate gasped. “You’re taking someone with you!”
“Hold up,” Nicole said, grabbing Kate’s arm. “You’ll be happy to know that I’ve been kind of seeing someone, but I’m not ready to share the details yet.”
Nicole could feel Kate’s stare and see the wheels turning in her head as she took a couple of breaths.
“Okay,” Kate finally said. “I remember our discussion on boundaries, but I am your best friend. Couldn’t you give me a hint?” She held up her hands. “Don’t answer that! I have to be patient. That was our agreement. You will tell me when the time is right."
“Oh, I will.”
“Let’s toast to Nicole having sex!” Stuart said, raising his glass.
Nicole choked on her drink. “Really?”
Kate laughed. “Yes! You’re actually seeing someone during the season. This is big.”
Nicole had to agree. This was big. Thank goodness the game was starting and there wouldn’t be any more questions. Especially since she wasn’t sure about the answers.
They watched and chatted as the first quarter was coming to an end.
“Hey, just a reminder,” Kate said. “We haven’t finalized your contract extension yet.”
Nicole nodded. She’d had a few thoughts about her future lately although most of them involved her and Ariana not getting caught.
“She’s going to shoot,” Stuart said, watching Ariana take the ball from a teammate.
Nicole smiled at his commentary, but then her face fell. She jumped up and gasped as Ariana crumpled to the floor in pain.
“Oh my God!” Kate exclaimed. “Was that Ariana?”
“Yeah,” Stuart said, staring at the TV. “Oh no, she’s not getting up.”
Nicole watched as Ariana grabbed her ankle, her eyes tightly shut and her face grimaced in pain.
Concern and distress, coupled with a moment of panic, coursed through Nicole’s body.
Her eyes were glued to the screen and she took a breath, trying to keep from running out of the bar and hurrying to the arena.
She watched as the trainers and medical staff surrounded Ariana and Cameron kneeled next to her.
“That was a foul, right?” Kate asked.
“Yeah, I think she came down on the other player’s foot,” Stuart said.
Nicole was quiet as they cut to a replay and showed Ariana’s ankle rolling off the defender’s foot. She knew how painful that could be and hoped it wasn’t too serious. When they returned to live action Ariana was sitting up and talking to the trainers.
“The shot went in and a foul was called so Villa will have one free throw,” the commentator said. “If she can take it.”
Nicole still hadn’t said anything when they helped Ariana to her feet and she tried to take a step.
“Ouch,” Kate said. “That doesn’t look good.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Nicole finally murmured.
Ariana hobbled over to the free throw line in an effort to take the shot.
Nicole wasn’t surprised when it went in because Ariana rarely missed a free throw.
They immediately took her out of the game and the camera showed Ariana with her arms around the trainers as they carried her to the dressing room.
There was no way Nicole could show up at the arena. She’d have to wait to hear from Ariana and right now that seemed impossible.
Nicole was thankful that Stuart kept chatting with Kate so she wouldn’t notice how upset Nicole was. She took another deep breath and tried to turn her attention back to the game. When the first quarter ended the commentators shared an injury report that Ariana wouldn’t return.
“I hope she’s okay,” Kate said. “Hey, you can find out how bad it is, can’t you?”
“Yeah, maybe,” Nicole replied.
“Let me know. She’s become a favorite ever since I met her that day she gave you a lap dance.”
Nicole smiled and tried to chuckle. Kate loved to refer to Ariana’s lap dance whenever she got the chance.
Kate stayed until halftime and after she left Stuart came down to Nicole’s end of the bar. He squeezed her hand. “Have you heard anything yet?”
Nicole shook her head. She had sent a text to Ariana, but figured she didn’t have her phone.
“She’ll be okay,” Stuart said. “What are you going to do?”
Nicole raised her brows and sighed.