Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
If Nicole didn’t know better she would’ve thought the network purposely sent them to games further away from New York when they played at home. They called one New York home game in the last two weeks of the season which was unusual and garnered a few comments on social media.
The network was walking a fine line by not suspending Nicole and letting her stay on air, but also keeping her away from any conflict of interest once the news broke about her relationship.
Nicole could feel the pressure building as the playoffs arrived—not only for the teams but for her and Ariana as well.
They were able to see each other when they were both in town.
Nicole did all she could to keep Ariana from worrying about their future and stay focused on basketball.
She never dreamed it would be this hard to be away from Ariana.
They’d been doing this all season, but Nicole looked forward to the day the final game was played and she and Ariana could be together.
No more hiding. No more secrets. Just them and their love.
Of course, the decision on what to do about her career weighed heavy on her shoulders.
She had options thanks to her devotion to her career over the years, which had made her a valuable asset to the network.
Sometimes she thought about trying something else, maybe going the coaching or consulting route; however, she knew her heart.
Right now it was full of love for Ariana Villa and she’d make the best decision for them to live a happy life together.
The past week had been more like how they were accustomed to spending their time.
Ariana had practice most days and came over after she had treatment on her ankle.
She was doing well, but they were being cautious leading up to the playoffs.
She and Nicole had game film to watch and analyze since the first round of the playoffs had been decided.
Nicole was looking through her wardrobe trying to decide what to take on this week’s trip. She and Shealyn were flying to Phoenix the next day for their first round game. The second of the three game series would be played at Golden State. If a third game was necessary they’d go back to Phoenix.
She was excited to get to see her parents and hoped her sister and her family would make the trip to Golden State so she could see them as well. Family time would be a nice distraction from missing Ariana and her first round games against Indiana.
Nicole knew the matchup between Phoenix and Golden State was expected to be more competitive, but she wondered if they would be calling the New York series if the network wasn’t aware of her relationship with Ariana. It didn’t matter now. The assignments had been made.
She sighed as she looked through her closet trying to decide what to pack for the week. Her phone began to play Maroon Five’s “Closer.” Nicole had made it her ringtone after she flew with Ariana and her team and smiled every time she heard it.
“Hey,” she said, connecting the call.
“Hi,” Shealyn said. “I hope I’m not interrupting you and Ariana on your last day before we hit the road.”
Nicole chuckled. “She’ll be here after practice. I’m looking through my closet trying to decide what to bring on the trip this week.”
“Hmm, I know,” Shealyn said. “I expect this one will go three games.”
“Yeah, me too,” Nicole replied. “You never know what’ll happen in the playoffs.”
Shealyn laughed. “You sound like the commercials they’ve been running this week.”
“Hey, I was wondering.” Nicole paused. “What would you think about going back and calling college games full time?”
“Ah, you’re considering what’s next. You don’t want to try coaching?”
“I wouldn’t be coaching,” Nicole said. “Any position would be research or scouting.”
“Maybe, but you’re good at reading people and anticipating their moves,” Shealyn said. “You’d be coaching them what to look for and what to do to counter.”
“I know my heart and I don’t think I’m ready to stop commentating,” Nicole said. “But I really don’t want to work with anyone else but you.”
“I’d say you’ve really messed this up, Neal,” Shealyn said. “We had such a good thing going.”
“I know. I’m sorry I let you down.”
Shealyn laughed. “You haven’t let me down. You’ve found life after basketball and I’m proud of you.”
Nicole sighed with relief. “I never imagined it would work out this way.”
“Hey, we knew this would end some day, but that doesn’t mean it has to be now.
That’s how love goes,” Shealyn said. “The analytical, strategic, ordered Nicole Neal couldn’t plan this one.
But, to answer your question, yes, let’s do college.
It’s where we learned our craft and made a name for ourselves.
That’s why they still have us calling a few games during the season and the tournaments during March Madness. ”
“I was thinking it would be good for you, too,” Nicole said. “You’d have summers off while the girls are out of school.”
“Plus we’d stay together as a team and you and Ariana could be public with your relationship,” Shealyn said.
“There’s that,” Nicole said.
“Do you have any idea what Ariana is going to do during the off season?”
“I planned to talk to her about that today,” Nicole said. “I feel like I need to be proactive instead of just waiting for someone to find out about us, you know?”
“You’re going to be in different cities for now,” Shealyn said. “Why would someone find out?”
Nicole shrugged and walked out of the bedroom.
“I don’t know. The pressure seems to be building and I’m trying to do all I can to keep it off of Ari.
I know she worries about what I’m going to do.
If I can get a deal done for us going forward then she can concentrate on winning this championship.
She has worked so hard and is having such a good season. ”
“She is and I think you have a lot to do with that,” Shealyn said. “Before you disagree, I know you’ve helped her with the defenses of the other teams, but you love her and support her. That means something, Nicole.”
“Thanks, Shea, but she supports me, too.” Nicole chuckled. “She tells me all the time that she had this big crush on my voice and commentary before she fell into my lap.”
“Then do it,” Shealyn said. “Talk to Kate and get us a deal. I’m on board; I’ll let my agent know.”
Nicole heard the front door open. “Here she comes now.”
“Go be with your girl and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, bye, Shea.”
Ariana walked into the room and smiled. “Hi, babe.” She kissed Nicole’s cheek. “Were you two planning your week?”
“Something like that. How was practice?”
“It was more like a walk through.” Ariana shrugged.
“Let’s go up on the roof,” Nicole said. “It’s a beautiful day and we can enjoy the sunshine.”
Ariana’s eyes widened. “I’d love that. I can feel the pressure building.”
“Well then, let’s go take it away.”
“I really love it up here,” Ariana said, sitting on the outdoor couch and reaching to pull Nicole to sit next to her. “I wonder why more people in the building don’t take advantage of it.”
Nicole shrugged. “I don’t know. There’s a group that does yoga a few mornings each week, I think.”
Ariana took a deep breath and sighed. Nicole squeezed her hand and looked over at her and smiled. Ariana furrowed her brow and studied Nicole for a moment. “What’s going on with you?”
Nicole’s brows raised and she rubbed her lips together. “I know you worry about what’s next for us. I’m going to ask Kate to negotiate a deal for me and Shealyn to do college basketball. We’d have a chance for a vacation before the season starts in November and you could travel with me.”
Ariana widened her eyes. “Oh, I like that idea. Are you sure?”
Nicole nodded. “You know, the WNBA is on the rise, but women’s college basketball is still more lucrative. It wouldn’t be a step down by any means.”
“Oh, I realize it,” Ariana said. “A lot of the top players make more staying in college than they do coming to the pros.” She smiled and gazed into Nicole’s eyes. “Did something happen to make up your mind?”
“Not really,” Nicole said. “I feel the pressure too, babe. If Kate can get a deal done I’m hoping some of it will go away.” She smiled and stroked Ariana’s arm. “From the beginning we had to keep this secret and looked forward to the end of the season. Now that we're so close it feels even more…”
“Scary? Important? Fucking tragic if we get caught now,” Ariana said then chuckled. “That was a little much, but I get it, babe.”
“Ah, you do get it.” Nicole leaned her head on Ariana’s shoulder. “Hey, what are you going to do in the off season?”
“Besides follow you around?”
Nicole chuckled. “Imagine the fun we’d have. You could scout the players Misty needs to draft next year.”
“How does Miami in January sound to you?”
“A lot better than frigid New York,” Nicole said. “Are you going to play Unrivaled again?”
Ariana nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I’ve looked into the new Project B league, but I think Unrivaled is a better fit for me. They plan to go to other cities, but still be based in Miami.”
“It won’t be a lot of travel like during the regular season though.”
Ariana turned to face Nicole and took her other hand.
“You know, I’d spend all my free time here with you.
I couldn’t tell you that before without sounding needy or smothering, but when we went to Rhode Island and actually said I love you for the first time everything changed.
I’m not afraid to tell you what I’m feeling.
Love is trust, it’s honesty. I want to travel to your games with you.
I want you to come to Miami with me. That’s our life and what we have to do to be together. ”
“I wish you could stay over here every night,” Nicole said. “There will be even more eyes as the playoffs continue. It won’t be much longer.”
“Dave will help me get in and out of the building without anyone recognizing me.”
Nicole smiled. “He’s the best doorman and friend.”
“I brought him tickets for tomorrow’s game. You should’ve seen his face.” Ariana smiled.
“He’s been good to us. Thank you for doing that.”
Ariana kissed the back of Nicole’s hand.
“How do you feel now? You know what I’m planning to do after the season. You know what you’re going to do in the off season. Does this help with the pressure? Please tell me the only pressure you’re feeling now is about the game tomorrow.”
“When did we become so worrisome? I worry about you, you worry about me.” Ariana shook her head. “Once this secret is out in the open, our worries should be gone.”
“You know, let’s stop the worrying now,” Nicole said. “We have our plan and we’ll put it into action. You are prepared for Indiana, so what’s there to worry about?”
Ariana chuckled. “You are so good at this. You’re right. If you’re prepared there’s nothing to worry about.”
“That’s right.”
“Damn.” Ariana sighed.
“What is it?”
“I was hoping you would take away my stress in another way.” Ariana wiggled her brows.
Nicole chuckled. “I love you.”
Ariana leaned over and kissed her softly. “It’s a good thing because I love you, too.”