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.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ariana was settled on her couch, frowning down at her ankle propped on the table they used for meals, to hold their game controls, and to lazily rest their feet. She’d rolled her ankle before and didn’t think this was serious, but the trainers, out of an abundance of caution, insisted on putting a plastic boot on it.
She sighed as her head fell back against the couch. It had taken her thirty minutes to convince Cameron that she would be just fine here alone. Ariana knew she and Terrance had plans after the game and now that there wouldn’t be a victory celebration since they’d lost, Ariana did not want to be the reason Cameron wasn’t with her boyfriend.
All Ariana really wanted to do was talk to Nicole. When the injury happened and they got her into the treatment room, her panic of being hurt had subsided and her first thought was of Nicole. Ariana knew she would be worried and that led to thoughts of their relationship. What was Nicole? Her girlfriend? That’s how Ariana thought of her, but it was more than that.
Sometimes Ariana had to temper her feelings because their situation was so different from anything she’d ever experienced. Their time together had become Ariana’s favorite parts of theday whether they connected over the phone or were together at Nicole’s apartment.
Nicole was always sensitive to Ariana being the one who had to come to her. It never bothered Ariana; she would gladly spend any days she could at Nicole’s because that’s where she was happiest.
Ariana smiled, thinking about how they would sit on the couch and Nicole’s hand would rest on her thigh, her fingers gently moving in a sweet caress. It was the simple things they did together that Ariana loved the most. They were extremely careful and Ariana didn’t know how this was going to play out, but she hoped they could make it through the season. After that, eyes would no longer be turned to them and maybe they could figure something out.
Ariana couldn’t imagine what that would be because of Nicole’s job, but she was willing to do whatever it took. If they had to continue to sneak around then that was fine with her. She’d never felt anything like this. No one had ever understood her the way Nicole did. She’d never been this close to someone and here she was injured and Nicole is the only one she was thinking about.
When she’d finally gotten her phone from the dressing room, Nicole’s text was the first one she saw. Ariana quickly texted her back and also texted her mom who had been watching the game.
Ariana groaned when she heard the familiar beeping of the lock on the front door. As it opened she raised her voice. “Cam, I told you I would be fine! Terrance is going to be so upset with you and then with me!”
When the door closed Nicole stood there clutching a sack to her chest. “Terrance won’t be upset with you.”
Ariana’s face brightened with the biggest smile. “I knew it was a good idea to give you that key code.”
Nicole chuckled and walked into the kitchen.
They had only been to Ariana’s apartment once when Cameron was out of town for the night. Nicole had given Ariana the code to get in her apartment not long after she’d introduced Ariana to her doorman. When they’d come to Ariana’s apartment that day she’d done the same for Nicole.
Ariana could hear shuffling in the kitchen then Nicole walked back into the living room. She eased down next to Ariana and took her into her arms.
“I’m sorry,” Nicole said. “It’s going to be okay.”
Ariana closed her eyes and held on to Nicole, thinking this might be one of the best moments of her life.
“How bad is it?”
Ariana could feel Nicole’s hand gently smoothing her hair down. “I don’t think it’s serious but they want me to wear a boot for a couple of days.”
“Are you in a lot of pain?”
Ariana chuckled and pulled back to smile at Nicole. “Nope. They shot my ankle up with a pain killer and then gave me something. It doesn’t hurt at all.” She reached for Nicole and tried to pull her into her lap. “Do you know what would make me feel better?”
“Oh no,” Nicole said, taking Ariana’s hands into hers.
“Come on,” Ariana whined. “I love it when you’re on top like this.”
Nicole laughed. “I think you’re a little loopy. It’s a good thing Cameron brought you home.”
Ariana frowned. “I’m not loopy. I promise. I’m trying to take advantage of this lucky yet unlucky break. Yes, I’m hurt, but you’re here with me.”
“I couldn’t stay away,” Nicole said.
