Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Ariana had been on lots of getaways with beautiful women since becoming a professional athlete. Most were fun-filled days with friends or her girlfriend at the time, but none compared to the two days she’d just spent with Nicole. Ariana suspected being in love had a lot to do with it.
It wasn’t that Ariana hadn’t been in love before. She had, but none of those times felt like this.
“Something’s going on in that beautiful head of yours,” Nicole said as she sprinkled feta cheese on their avocado toast.
Ariana smiled and took a bite of the breakfast Nicole had prepared. “Mmm,” she murmured, then swallowed. “This is really good. It’s better than the diner’s.”
“How would you know?” Nicole furrowed her brows. “You always order pancakes or waffles.”
“I’ll have you know that I was there by myself and decided to try the avocado toast because you raved about it,” Ariana explained.
“Uh huh,” Nicole said, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “You weren’t thinking about avocado toast just then.”
Ariana smiled and took a sip of her coffee. She reached over and linked her little finger with Nicole’s. “I was thinking about the last couple of days, professing my love to you, and how I’ve never felt like this before. We aren’t just basketball buddies with benefits.”
Nicole chuckled. “We were trying so hard not to fall in love.”
“This is it for me, Nic. I’ve never been able to look to the future and see myself with anyone, but I do with you.” She interlaced her fingers through Nicole’s and gazed into her eyes. “This is more than careers and making it to the end of the season. It’s making a life together.”
“I wouldn't be risking my career if I didn’t think this was forever.”
“I know.” Ariana nodded and narrowed her eyes at Nicole. “We’ve known each other for years. Why now?”
Nicole squeezed Ariana’s hand and smiled. “We were ready to actually see each other. I talked about not dating during the season because no one understood the travel and focus it takes, then you said the same thing.”
“I don’t know how it happened, but staring into your eyes that day—”
“With my hand cradling your head—”
“Our hearts started talking to each other.”
“You know how I’m always telling you to take the shot?” Nicole reached over and took Ariana’s chin between her fingers and thumb. “I’m taking my shot with you.”
Ariana could feel Nicole’s love wrapping around her heart. If there was such a thing as a championship as far as relationships go, Ariana felt like she’d just won it all.
“I think we have just enough time before we have to catch the ferry,” Ariana said, getting up, taking Nicole’s hand, and hurrying to the bedroom with Nicole’s laughter following in their wake.
Once they’d made the trek back to New York they dropped their bags at Nicole’s apartment and headed out to Stuart’s bar.
“How’s your ankle?” Nicole asked as their ride share pulled away from the curb. “It’s not as puffy and the bruise is fading.”
“It’s fine,” Ariana said. “I’ve done everything they asked me to do. Maybe after we meet Kate we could come back here and shoot a few baskets on the roof.”
“You can test it out tomorrow at practice,” Nicole said. “I am not going to be responsible for reinjuring your ankle.”
“Okay, okay,” Ariana said. “You didn’t tell Kate you were bringing anyone with you?”
“No, but I did ask Stuart to have a table available away from the rest of the bar. Kate’s wife, Emily, may be with her,” Nicole said. “We sometimes meet for a drink after work on Fridays. I told Kate I would give the key back to her.”
“Do you think she’s going to be mad?”
Ariana felt Nicole’s hand slip into hers. “No. After the surprise, she’ll be happy for me. She told me to go for it, remember?”
Ariana chuckled. “Yeah, it’s all her fault.”
“And yours, for the lap dance.” They laughed as the car pulled over in front of Stuart’s bar.
Once inside Stuart gave them both big hugs and led them to a table in the back.
“I can see you had a good time.” He grinned. “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
Ariana smiled at Nicole and was about to reach for her hand when she stopped herself. “Ugh, we’re back in the real world.”
“It’s okay. You’re coming home with me tonight.”
“Hey,” Kate said, walking up to the table. “The lap dancer is joining us for drinks?” She laughed and was about to introduce Emily when her face lit up in surprise. “Oh my God! Ariana went away with you!”
“Could you please sit down and I’ll tell you all about it,” Nicole said through clenched teeth.
Ariana gazed around the bar, but no one was staring at them.
“Ari, this is Emily—” Nicole started.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Kate said, putting her arm on the back of Emily’s chair. “Yes, this is my wife, Emily. Babe, meet Ariana Villa.”
“Hi Ariana, it’s nice to meet you,” Emily said with a smile.
Ariana returned her smile and nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“So,” Nicole said, gazing over at Ariana then at Kate. “About my contract negotiations.”
Kate’s brows flew up her forehead. “Please don’t tell me you want me to negotiate a clause that lets you date players?”
“No.” Nicole grinned. “Just one player.”
Ariana chuckled. If the risk wasn’t so high in their current situation then this back and forth would be entertaining.
Kate shook her head. “I’m guessing you want to meet and disclose your relationship with management.”
Nicole nodded. “I want to be forthcoming and get ahead of it. No secrets.”
“No secrets? I’d say you two have been keeping a big secret!”
Ariana looked over at Nicole. She desperately wanted to hold her hand or something to give her support.
“They could easily fire you,” Kate went on.
“Well, that would be dumb,” Emily said.
All eyes turned towards her.
“You could walk down the street to another network, sign on with them, and give them a big boost in this booming market,” Emily explained. “I may not know a lot about basketball, but I do know about business.”
“You don’t like sports in general,” Nicole said.
Ariana noticed Nicole gave Emily a funny look.
“Ariana,” Emily said, “long, long ago Nicole and I went on a terrible date.”
“It wasn’t terrible!”
“Well, it certainly wasn’t good.” Emily looked back at Ariana.
“Anyway, we didn’t have much in common, but she introduced me to her best friend Kate and here we are twenty years later living our happily ever after.
Nicole is right, I’m not much on sports, but my wife is involved in the business side and that interests me.
” She looked at Nicole and smiled. “We were at different places in our lives at that time.”
“Yeah, I was focused on my career. You were already successful and ready for a partner,” Nicole said.
“That seems to have changed for you,” Kate said.
Ariana felt Nicole’s arm slide through hers. She widened her eyes, but tried to stay calm.
“I’ve found something that is bigger, better, and I love more than basketball.”
Ariana met Nicole’s gaze and smiled. She didn’t think anything could take her focus away from basketball. She had always imagined her partner and basketball would coexist side by side. Wow, was she ever wrong. This was, like Nicole said, bigger and better than anything Ariana had ever felt.
“Okay, we’ll figure this out,” Kate said. “Let me think about it. We have options. Let’s discuss them and then I’ll set up a meeting with the network.”
“Then you’re not mad at us?” Ariana asked.
Kate narrowed her brow at them both. “I am Nicole’s best friend and would’ve loved to know, but I understand why you couldn’t tell me.”
“You did suggest that I hook up with Ari,” Nicole said playfully.
“After the season is over!” Kate exclaimed.
Stuart came over with a tray of drinks and set them on the table. “I could see smiles so I knew everything was okay. Let’s toast the happy couple. This is going to be a fun ride.”
Ariana looked at Nicole and widened her eyes. She didn’t know what would come next, but as long as she and Nicole were together Ariana knew everything would be okay.
Nicole watched the city fly by from her seat on the train.
While Ariana was at practice Nicole knew it was time to tell Shealyn about their relationship.
The commute to Shealyn’s gave her the opportunity to gather her thoughts, but she’d been thinking about this conversation almost from the beginning with Ariana.
Since the first youth event Nicole did with Ariana she knew they were going to be friends.
That was all she’d allow herself at the time, but deep down her heart knew it was going to be more.
To some people a secret relationship would seem fun and exciting, but not to Nicole when she knew this could affect Shealyn’s career as well as her own.
Sure, Shealyn could find a new broadcast partner, but it took time to build the rapport and chemistry that they had together.
Plus, they were good friends and that translated to the broadcast. It was appealing to their fans and audience.
Nicole knew Shealyn would be supportive, but this was asking a lot of their friendship and their professional relationship.
She took a car to Shealyn’s house from the train station and could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she waited at the front door.
“What a surprise,” Shealyn said. “I’m glad we didn’t have plans when you asked to come out.”
Nicole smiled. “Did you enjoy your time off?”
“I did, but I have a feeling you’re here to share about your time off.”
Nicole raised a shoulder as the girls ran in excitedly and grabbed Nicole’s hands to show her their rooms. She’d been out here right after they moved in and the girls hadn’t finished decorating their rooms yet.
A short time later Dewayne came in and rescued Nicole from the girls. He gave her a big hug and looked down at the girls.
“Come on, girls,” he said. “We have to give your mama and Nicole a little time together. Let’s go outside and swim, they can join us later.”
The girls immediately went to the bathroom to change into their swimsuits while Nicole found Shealyn in the kitchen. She slid a glass of iced tea in front of Nicole and smiled.
“You’ve had me drinking peach iced tea all summer,” Shealyn said. “Dewayne even likes it.”
Nicole took a sip from her glass and followed Shealyn over to the kitchen table.
She gazed at Shealyn, who smiled as she waited patiently. Nicole wasn’t sure how to begin. She’d played this scenario over in her head so many times.
“I’m in love with Ariana Villa and she’s in love with me,” Nicole blurted.
Shealyn took a sip of her iced tea and set her glass back on the table with intention. “I’m not surprised. I knew there was someone because you have been far too happy one minute, then on edge the next. This hasn’t been your usual intense behavior through the season. How long has it been going on?”
“You don’t really want to know that.”
Shealyn’s brows rose up her forehead and she nodded. “What are you going to do?”
“That’s one reason I’m here. Kate and I are meeting with the network. I want to be upfront about it in hopes of saving my career.”
“Are you sure?” Shealyn asked. “You know I think Ariana is a good person and I want this for you, but are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I love her, Shea. I want a life with her.”
“So, I guess I was wrong,” Shealyn said. “Someone can fall into your lap and be the one.”
Nicole chuckled. “It all started with basketball.”
“You were giving her tips, weren’t you?”
Nicole nodded. “Yeah, but she’s smart and caught on quickly.”
“You’d meet for these basketball tip sessions?”
“Then we’d go up on the roof and play basketball,” Nicole said. “I can’t tell you how much joy I get from talking basketball and playing basketball with someone who understands what it means to me.”
“I know I don’t love it like you do. All the strategies aren’t my thing. So what’s the plan?”
“Kate’s getting us a meeting.”
“I’ll be there with you,” Shealyn said.
“What?”
“I’m going to this meeting with you. It doesn’t just affect you. Besides, you’ve stood with me through my marriage to Dewayne and having both girls. You kept our team relevant. You wouldn’t let them sideline us. I’m not losing my partner just because she fell in love.”
“I don’t want to lose you either, but you have to do what’s best for you. I can’t imagine they’ll let me call Ari’s games now.”
“That’s why I’m going with you,” Shealyn said. “They don’t know what they have.”
“Okay, I’ll tell Kate.”
Shealyn got up and held her arms out. Nicole walked into a bear hug she didn’t realize how much she needed.
“Okay,” Shealyn said, letting her go. “Now tell me all about the good parts.”
Nicole laughed. “Well…” She smacked Shealyn on the arm. “I’m not going to kiss and tell.”
“Nicole!” Shealyn exclaimed. “That girl is hot, pretty, and has all those strong muscles. Plus she’s younger!”
“It’s funny,” Nicole said. “I never notice our age difference unless we’re playing basketball. I’m old and slow now, Shea. When did that happen?”
Shealyn laughed. “Ariana ain’t looking at your age.”
Nicole chuckled and was glad Shealyn would be with her at the meeting. They were still a team.