Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Nicole smiled as she watched Ariana sleep.
She was finally able to take a deep breath.
It seemed like she’d been holding her breath for weeks just waiting for their secret to be discovered or the network to change their minds about leaving her on the air.
Amidst the uncertainty she had continued to do her job to the best of her ability and supported Ariana in her quest to win another championship.
Here, in her apartment, nestled together in her bed was where they could let all the drama and noise that had become their life go. In each other’s arms was where they felt safe, content, and able to recharge for another round.
Ariana and her team had gone to Indiana and won, ending their opening series in two games.
Phoenix and Golden State had played all three games with Phoenix punching their ticket to the next round.
A memory of Ariana waiting for her in the bedroom when she returned from Phoenix made her heart skip a beat.
Ariana had Demi Lovato’s song “Fast” playing on repeat and they came together like they’d been separated for months.
New York was set to play the best of five-game series against Dallas in the semifinals.
They had upset Minnesota in a three game battle that folks were still talking about.
The other semifinal matched the number one seed, Las Vegas, against Phoenix.
Nicole and Shealyn thought the network would more than likely leave them out west, but instead chose to have them cover the New York and Dallas series with the David versus Goliath scenario.
Nicole and Ariana were thrilled and during the first two games which were played in New York they stayed away from each other while at the arena, knowing Ariana would be spending her nights at Nicole’s.
Ariana continued to play well and New York won the first two games, and now they were set to travel to Dallas for the next two.
Being at home for games made it easier to see each other, but the real reason for Nicole’s relief was thanks to the network.
They had agreed to keep Nicole and Shealyn together and move them to call college games.
Everyone was still a little nervous about keeping Nicole on the air, but trusted she and Ariana would remain discreet and no one would find out.
Honestly, Nicole suspected if they wouldn’t have had a mess to explain and try to clean up, the network would’ve probably let her go that day she told them the truth. But optics and perception were everything in this business.
She and Shealyn were set to go by and sign their new contract before they left for Dallas. Nicole felt like she could actually see a light at the end of the tunnel. She could visibly see the stress leave Ariana as things began to fall into place.
Nicole gently brushed a strand of dark hair off Ariana’s forehead and smiled. “All you have to do is play, baby,” she said softly.
“Mmm,” Ariana groaned. She captured Nicole’s hand and brought it to her lips.
Nicole was sure Ariana had the softest, warmest, most luscious lips in the world. They were the only lips she wanted to kiss and had no plans of ever stopping.
She watched Ariana slowly open her eyes and blink several times. “Good morning, love.”
A sweet smile crossed Ariana’s face. “Mmm, mornin’.” She snaked an arm around Nicole and pulled her closer. “I want to wake up like this every morning.”
Nicole smiled. “You’re going to finish off Dallas this week and then it’s on to the finals. It won’t be long now.”
“You look very relaxed and…” Ariana gazed into Nicole’s eyes for a moment. “Happy.”
“How could I not be happy waking up with you?”
Ariana moaned and nuzzled Nicole’s neck. “I know, but we have to leave for Dallas today.”
“I made a few notes while I was waiting for you to come home after the game last night.” Nicole widened her eyes when she realized she’d called her apartment their home.
Ariana simply smiled. “I just wanted to celebrate with you when I got here last night.”
Nicole giggled. “Here. Home. Wherever we’re together.”
Ariana chuckled and kissed Nicole on the cheek. “I wanna go anywhere you are, no matter how close, no matter how far.” She sang the lines from the Demi Lovato song.
“Since you have an away game that means I’ll send you a new song,” Nicole said.
“I can’t wait,” Ariana said. “Maybe I’ll only need one song. If we can win the first game in Dallas we won’t have to play the second one. I hope we win!”
“Shh, I have to stay neutral, but I hope you do, too. Don’t tell anyone,” Nicole whispered.
“I’m good at keeping secrets.”
“Mmm, yes you are,” Nicole said. She leaned over and kissed Ariana tenderly on the lips. “I’m going to get up and make you a big breakfast before we have to leave.” She kissed her again and turned to get out of the bed when she felt Ariana grab her wrist.
“We don’t have to get up just yet.”
Nicole let Ariana pull her back down as their lips met in a passionate kiss.
“Mmm, this is so good,” Ariana said, swirling a bite of waffle in the syrup pooling on her plate.
“I know how much you like waffles, babe. You’re recharging before tomorrow’s game.”
“You take such good care of me.”
Nicole chuckled and sat down next to her. “I’d say you took pretty good care of me this morning.”
Ariana giggled. “You are just too sexy. I couldn’t help myself.”
“Uh huh,” Nicole said. She opened her notebook and pointed to the page. “Watch for this formation when you bring the ball down. Fake going left which should open a lane here then you can dribble to the basket.”
“Yeah, that will work unless they close down from here.” Ariana took the pencil and drew a line.
“If they do that more than likely they’ll foul you.”
“Maybe,” Ariana said. “The refs have been letting a lot go this series.”
“Has Maggie said anything to you during the first two games?”
“No.” Ariana furrowed her brow. Since the beginning of the season Maggie had officiated a few of Ariana’s games and hadn’t called any bogus fouls on her like she did that first night. If anything, she’d been fair and professional.
“The officials are taking a lot of heat and letting a lot go,” Nicole said. “Maggie hasn’t said anything to us and I wondered how she’d been on the court.”
“She’s been professional, but they’re all letting a lot go. It’s getting kind of rough out there.”
“Yeah, the same thing is happening in the other series,” Nicole said. “I was a little surprised to see Maggie's crew calling a semi-final series. It’s quite a step up for them.”
Ariana shrugged. “I don’t let the refs bother me. It’s out of my control. However, Maggie hasn’t tried to ask you out again, has she?”
Nicole chuckled. “You know she hasn’t.”
“I’m just making sure.” Ariana smirked. “I don’t want anyone messing with my girl.”
“Don’t you worry, honey. I only have eyes for you.”
Ariana leaned over and rested her head on Nicole’s shoulder. “Mmm, I love you.”
“I love you, too, babe.”
Ariana would miss playing on her home court in front of their fans, but she’d especially miss coming to Nicole’s after the game.
At least Nicole and Shealyn were calling the game so Ariana would be able to see her.
She knew it wasn’t necessarily true, but Ariana felt like she played better when Nicole called her games.
There was just something about Nicole being there, looking on, and Ariana knew she was supporting her in her heart.
“Villa puts up a three-point shot that beats the buzzer,” Shealyn said with the loud sound ending the game echoing around the arena.
“It’s too little too late,” Nicole said. “Dallas has won the game and the series now stands at two to one. Dallas is making this series interesting after all. They couldn’t keep up in New York, but here on their home court it’s been a different story, Shealyn.”
“I’ll say,” Shealyn replied. “They came out aggressive and kept it up the entire game. Let’s go to Keely with the players of the game then we’ll send it back to the studio for highlights.”
Nicole slipped her computer into her bag and zipped it up.
“Ariana played well, but her supporting cast was not up to the task tonight,” Shealyn said.
“Yeah, she’ll be upset with the loss,” Nicole replied. “She’s supposed to call me tonight when she gets back to the hotel.”
“I’m glad to see you both being careful,” Shealyn said. “You’re so close to the finish line.”
“Let’s go change and have dinner,” Nicole said. “I want to get back to the room to look at the replay. Maybe I can find something to help Ariana.”
As the crowd began to thin they made their way back to the dressing room. Nicole quickly changed and as she was gathering her things she realized she’d left her computer at the media table.
“Hey, I’ve got to run back to the floor. I left my computer there,” she told Shealyn. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you here.”
Nicole hurried back to the table and found her computer bag in her chair.
She grabbed it and walked back through the empty hallway to her dressing room.
It always amazed her how quickly the players and support staff exited the arena.
Up ahead she saw someone familiar bending down to tie her shoe.
Nicole looked around and saw no one else in that part of the hallway and stopped.
“Hey, honey.”
Ariana stood up and gave her a welcome smile. “I’ll be listening to that song all night.”
Nicole smiled. “I thought you might like that Taylor Swift song.”
“I like it when you call me honey.”
“You played a great game,” Nicole said. “It’ll be okay.”
Ariana sighed, looked up and down the hall then smiled.
“When I was growing up it was just me and my mom and she was at all my games. After she remarried and I went so far away for college it was just me. From then on it never really mattered who was in the stands. But now it does. I can feel you cheering me on in your heart.” She leaned a little closer.
“Because we know you have to stay neutral.”
Nicole chuckled. “I’m always cheering for you, honey.” She reached out and slipped her hand into Ariana’s and squeezed. “I’ll always be here.”
“I know and that makes all the difference.”
“You’d better hurry and get changed,” Nicole said. She could feel that tingling in her body that reminded her that they should not be doing this.
“I’ll call you later, honey.” Ariana smiled and walked out of sight.
Nicole turned towards her dressing room and stopped in her tracks.
“Hello, Nicole,” Maggie said.
Nicole quickly regained her balance from the shock of seeing Maggie. “Hi, Maggie. Good game.”
“Yeah, if you’re a Dallas fan,” Maggie said, raising an eyebrow. “That certainly looked intimate.”
Nicole’s heart began to bang in her chest. She smiled and before she could say anything Maggie continued.
“How long has this been going on? I’m guessing the network doesn’t know or you wouldn’t still be commentating.” Maggie smirked.
Nicole stood a little taller. “No one knows.”
“Hmm, should I keep this little secret for you?” Maggie gave her a sarcastic smile. “Let me ask you, Nicole, is this why you wouldn’t have dinner with me earlier in the season? Have you and Ariana been sneaking around all this time?”
“No, Maggie. Nothing was going on then,” Nicole said. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything.”
Maggie scoffed. “I’m sure you would.”
“Just like I haven’t said anything about how you like to control games by calling unnecessary fouls,” Nicole replied. “You do remember that conversation.”
Maggie smirked. “I remember.”
“You know, you’re a good official, Maggie. You’re taking a lot of heat right now because you’re not calling fouls. That has to go against how you like to call games.”
“Every game is different.” Maggie shrugged. “I won’t say anything, Nicole.”
“I wish I could believe you.” Nicole forced a smile. If she could so easily change the way she officiated games then how could Nicole trust her not to say anything about her relationship with Ariana if it could benefit her in some way?
“See you around.”
As Maggie walked away Nicole could feel the pounding of her heart and the sick feeling in her stomach.