“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 friendshipandtheir 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?”
