Shealyn chuckled. “I’ve been there. Still am.”
Nicole glanced over at her and smiled.
“You told me she was great with kids,” Chelsea said. “You weren’t exaggerating.”
“We’ve done several WNBA youth events,” Nicole said. “In a way that’s how it all started.”
“Oh no,” Shealyn said. “Catching her as she flew through the air was the beginning.”
Ariana brought Livi back over to them as her teammates came out to shoot.
“Come on, Livi,” Shealyn said. “Let me show you what your aunt and I will be doing during the game.”
Nicole turned to Ariana, grateful for a moment alone with her.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you,” Ariana said softly.
“I know!” Nicole exclaimed. She took a quick look around the arena. “We have to be careful.”
Ariana nodded.
“I can see you have a big game inside you,” Nicole said, staring into Ariana’s eyes. “Go out and play. Stop worrying about us.”
“Wait for me after the game,” Ariana said quickly.
“No, babe,” Nicole said. “There are too many eyes.”
“Okay. Text me where you’re staying.”
Nicole nodded and realized there was no one near them. “I love you, Ari,” she said softly.
Ariana smiled. “I love you, too.” She turned and dribbled towards the basket. Nicole saw her stop, launch a shot from deep in the court, and it flew through the hoop with a swish. Ariana turned around, winked, and was gone.
Chelsea and Livi left to return later with the rest of the family for the game. Shealyn talked to a few of the players on the court while Nicole tried to busy herself at her computer, but she couldn’t keep from gazing up at Ariana. She’d missed calling her games, but was discovering that this might be harder than she thought.
They went back to their dressing room to get ready for the game and fell into their regular routine. Just as Nicole hoped, Ariana had a great game. She played with the joy that Nicole always admired when watching and calling her games.
Nicole’s sister and family were sitting not far behind her and Nicole noticed Ariana pointed at Livi a couple of times as she ran down the court after scoring a basket. She could just imagine her niece’s excitement when she found out Ariana was her girlfriend.
After the game, Nicole and Shealyn made plans to meet Nicole’s sister and family for dinner. As they walked back to their dressing room Nicole couldn’t help but look for Ariana.
“Come on, you’re going to get into trouble,” Shealyn said, opening the door to their dressing room.
Nicole’s phone pinged in her bag and she smiled when she saw a thumbs up from the text she’d sent Ariana with their hotel info. Maybe it was Nicole’s turn to have a groupie show up at her hotel room door. She chuckled at the thought and began to pack up her things.
“What’s amusing?” Shealyn asked, packing her things as well.
“Oh nothing,” Nicole said.
“Mmhmm.”
“I used to tease Ariana about groupies. Maybe I’ll have one of my own tonight.”
“Girl, I know you’re not going to get us fired.”
“I haven’t yet,” Nicole said with a grin.
Shealyn shook her head and smirked. “Let me know if you need any help sneaking her into your room.”
