“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.”
