Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Nicole followed Kate into the conference room. Her heart was racing in her chest and she felt Shealyn squeeze her elbow in a show of support.
She’d woken up in the middle of the night with Ariana’s arms draped around her.
As she eased herself onto her back, Nicole gazed at Ariana’s sweet, peaceful face.
She realized then it didn’t really matter what happened in this meeting.
Yes, she’d like to keep commentating, but she and Ariana were in this together now and that made all the difference.
“How much have they offered you?” Rob Daley, asked holding out his hand to Nicole then Shealyn. “We’ll match it.”
“Hold on, Rob,” Laura Roberts said. “They wouldn’t leave us for money.”
Rob Daley was the Executive Vice President of Content while Laura Roberts oversaw Sports Production for the network. Nicole and Shealyn had been working with them for the past ten years and had been through several contract negotiations at this very table.
“Money talks,” Kate said, taking a seat across the table from them.
“But this isn’t about money,” Nicole added, sitting next to her.
Laura furrowed her brow and held out her hands. “Please, enlighten us. You rarely call a meeting right before the playoffs. Is something wrong?”
“We are coming to you in good faith to make you aware of a situation,” Kate began.
“Situation?” Rob said.
Nicole sighed. “It’s not a situation. I’m in a relationship with Ariana Villa. As you both know she plays for New York.”
“Oh,” Laura said, sitting back in her chair.
“I know you’re not going to fire her,” Shealyn said.
Rob looked over at Laura and cleared his throat. “We wouldn’t want to do that, but Nicole, this is not a good look.”
“We’re about to go into the playoffs,” Laura said. “Attendance and viewership are better than it’s ever been so there’s a lot to consider here.”
“I realize that,” Nicole replied. “But you needed to know.”
“I’m here because Nicole and I are your number one team and to do anything to split us up before the end of the season would lead to a lot of questions that I’m sure the network doesn’t want,” Shealyn said.
“Yes, but if anyone else discovers this relationship can you imagine all the questions then?” Rob said. “Does anyone else know?”
Nicole shook her head.
“Before you question our journalistic integrity or make any kind of decision, I ask that you look back over our broadcasts for the season and you’ll find that Nicole has been neutral when it comes to Ariana and her team,” Shealyn said.
“Are you saying you didn’t know about this?” Laura asked.
“Not until recently,” Shealyn replied. “If I couldn’t tell then our audience certainly couldn’t either.”
“But if anyone were to discover this relationship and that we knew about it…” Rob shook his head.
“You know,” Kate said, holding up her hands. “I think Nicole and Shealyn have been honest and forthcoming so really, the rest of this is up to us.”
“There are several different scenarios that come to mind,” Laura said.
“And we can discuss all of them. Negotiations are what we do. Right?” Kate said.
Nicole and Shealyn got up to leave. Kate had already told them this was her strategy. They did not need to be in the room when they began to talk about steps going forward. This was how Kate had handled her contract negotiations in the past and it had always been beneficial to both sides.
As they walked towards the elevator Shealyn put her arm around Nicole and said, “We still have jobs.”
“For now.”
They went back to Nicole’s apartment to wait for Kate. Ariana was there to greet them and Nicole could see the anticipation and fear on her face. “Well?”
Nicole leaned up, cupped the side of her face, and kissed her. “We told them. Now we wait for Kate.”
“Are you this nervous before a game?” Shealyn chuckled.
“No! This is much bigger than a game,” Ariana replied.
“It’ll be okay, babe. It’ll work out,” Nicole said, walking into the kitchen to get them drinks.
“You keep saying that, but it’s your job on the line.”
“Yeah and you put us here, didn’t you,” Shealyn said, walking over to face Ariana.
Nicole saw the surprise on Ariana’s face, but then Shealyn grabbed Ariana’s shoulders. “You’d better take care of my girl.”
“I promise,” Ariana said. “She’s the most important thing in my life.”
Shealyn smiled and let Ariana go. “You know, not everyone likes us,” she said. “Have you thought about the fallout for you when this comes out?”
The look on Ariana’s face made Nicole laugh. “She’s kidding you, Ari. Well, I think she is.”
“Everyone will be jealous,” Ariana said, “because I somehow got the amazing Nicole Neal to love me.”
Nicole smiled. “If only the network execs thought of me the same way.”
Shealyn laughed. “I think they do. We make them a lot of money.”
“So what are the options they’re discussing?” Ariana said.
“Well, I think they will take us off your games,” Nicole said. “At least at first.”
“But as we near the playoffs, they’ll send us to more crucial games for the teams trying to make it in,” Shealyn said. “They’ll want us doing these bigger games with the most impact on the playoffs.”
Nicole saw Ariana’s face fall. “It’s okay, babe. I always watch your games whether I’m there or not.”
“I know, but it’s nice to see you in person before a game.”
“We’ll have to be even more careful,” Nicole said. “If they let me stay on the air no one can find out about us until the season is over.”
Ariana solemnly nodded.
“You know, if they fire me that means I can come to all your games!” Nicole said, trying to make Ariana smile.
Ariana groaned. “How am I supposed to be okay with that? You’re giving up too much.”
Nicole came over to Ariana and led them to sit on the couch. “We’ve talked about this. Sometimes when you give up things you gain even more. That’s what this is. This is a short term hardship for long term happiness.”
“Ugh, I know you’re right, but it feels like you’re doing all the giving,” Ariana said.
“Don’t worry, Ariana,” Shealyn said. “You’re the one who’ll have to take care of Nicole when she’s old. That will be sooner than you think.”
Nicole laughed. “Come on, baby. She’s trying to be funny. These old legs keep up with you just fine when it counts, don’t they?”
Ariana chuckled and pulled Nicole close. “Yeah, they do.”
“Okay, okay. I asked for that. Enough cuteness.” Shealyn smirked and sat in the chair across from them.
A short time later Kate came in with the network’s decision.
“They’re going to keep you on the air, but no New York games for now,” Kate said.
“We looked at the schedule and New York is heading out west so they’ll keep you two on this side of the country.
Depending on how the games shake out in the next couple of weeks they hope to keep you away from New York, but I don’t see how that’s possible. ”
“Yeah, the LA-NY game is always a big one,” Shealyn said.
“My team is going to step it up and win the whole thing so you’ll be calling my games after all,” Ariana stated. “There’s no way they’ll let anyone else call the championship series.”
“That’s my girl.” Nicole grinned. “Keep winning, babe.”
“It’s paramount that this relationship is not discovered, so cool it, you two,” Kate said.
“We’re careful,” Ariana said.
“I mean it,” Kate said. “You’re going away for now, but you two may have to stay apart when she gets back.”
Nicole knew that might be a possibility, but now that Kate said it out loud her heart fell into her stomach. With so much riding on this, how could she not do what was best for them? Nicole sighed, reached for Ariana’s hand, and hoped together they could pull this off.
Ariana looked on as Kate recounted her discussion with the network executives. It felt strange to be in Nicole’s apartment with someone else there. Over the past months it had always been the two of them.
Ariana could see how Kate and Shealyn had Nicole’s back.
It was the same as Cameron and Ariana’s teammates.
She understood why things had to be this way, but Nicole had always acted with integrity and compassion in her job.
Ariana had seen it firsthand when she came into the league.
She knew Nicole Neal was one of the journalists you could trust. It didn’t seem right for her to give up her job, especially how hard she had to work to get where she was.
But Nicole hadn’t batted an eye or wavered once since they’d fallen in love.
She was willing to let her job go so they could be together.
Ariana hoped that some day this would all balance out because right now, she felt like Nicole was making the greatest sacrifice. She was determined to show Nicole how much it meant to her and to do everything she could to make Nicole happy. That was her new priority.
“Hey, you okay?” Nicole asked her quietly.
Ariana nodded and smiled. “I think I’m missing you already.”
Nicole smiled and winked at her. “You’re not gone yet.”
“Okay,” Kate said, standing up. “We’ve gone over everything. If you have any questions let me know.”
“I’m leaving, too,” Shealyn said, following Kate to the front door. She stopped and looked at Nicole and Ariana. “There’s no reason you two can’t have the same happiness that Dewayne and I have. You just have to be smart for another month or so. We have your back.”
“Thanks, Shea,” Nicole said and hugged her.
“Come on,” Shealyn said, holding her arms open to Ariana. “You may as well get used to this. I’m a hugger.”
Ariana stepped into her arms and felt like she’d just made two new friends.
After a quick hug with Kate they both left and Ariana started back towards the living room. Nicole caught her hand and smiled. “Hey, would you like to play a little one on one with me?”
Ariana tilted her head and smiled. She knew Nicole was trying to relieve some of the pressure of the situation, but she had a better idea. “I’d love that, but not on the roof.” She raised her brows and looked down the hall to the bedroom and back at Nicole.
“Oh yeah?”
“If I’m going to be away from you for two weeks and potentially even longer then I want to be close to you for as long as I can.”
Their lips met in a tender kiss. “Just for today, let’s forget about all the drama that’s waiting for us outside this door,” Ariana said when she pulled away.
Nicole began to back down the hall, pulling Ariana with her. She gave her a sexy smile and Ariana could feel the tension leave her body. Nicole had dressed in a suit for the meeting and Ariana was going to enjoy taking it off of her.
Before they made it to the bedroom Ariana had Nicole’s blazer off and gently set it on a chair in the corner. She turned and as she unbuttoned Nicole’s shirt she looked up into her eyes. “Be sure and check the tunnel walks while I’m gone. I’ll wear something just for you.”
“Mmm. I can’t wait.” Nicole raised her arms as Ariana slid the blouse off.
She tossed it towards the chair and pressed her lips to Nicole’s.
Her heart immediately began to speed up and their hands were everywhere.
Clothes came flying off and when Ariana took a breath she found herself on her back on the bed.
Nicole’s sweet lips were kissing a delectable path up Ariana’s neck leaving goosebumps rising on her skin. She took a breath and shuddered as Nicole whispered in her ear. “It doesn’t matter where you are, I’m always in your heart.”
Ariana’s arms tightened around Nicole as those words floated into her heart. She could feel herself melt as the surge of anticipation began to build.
When she looked into Nicole’s eyes they were a rich dark brown she would gladly fall into forever. “I want you to close your eyes and feel my love wrap around you with every touch, every kiss, every taste, and every sound.”
Ariana groaned as the desire, coupled with the promise of what was to come, was palpable in the room.
This wasn’t just sex, relieving pressure, or sharing pleasure.
This was their love, coming together as one, letting it flow, expand, and consume them.
It would protect them, guide them, and always be a part of them.
Ariana had never felt so loved, so close to someone, and when Nicole immersed her in this ultimate realm of pleasure Ariana had never known she had this much love to give. Right then Ariana knew their love would get them through this and whatever else was thrown their way.
As she tried to catch her breath, Ariana held Nicole to her chest. “Love isn’t a big enough word for what I feel inside for you and for us.”
“I know,” Nicole whispered. “I feel it, too.”
Ariana smiled and let her hand softly glide up and down Nicole’s back. Everything would be okay. She knew it now.