Ariana felt Nicole’s lips crash into hers as she landed on her back in a heap. Nicole held her hands pinned on either side of her head and Ariana raised a brow. “Take your shot, babe.”
They had had sex more times than Ariana could count, but this was making love uninhibited with no thoughts of anything but pleasure, desire, and the joy of being together.
Chapter Thirty-Four
If Nicole didn’t know better she would’ve thought the network purposely sent them to games further away from New York when they played at home. They called one New York home game in the last two weeks of the season which was unusual and garnered a few comments on social media.
The network was walking a fine line by not suspending Nicole and letting her stay on air, but also keeping her away from any conflict of interest once the news broke about her relationship. Nicole could feel the pressure building as the playoffs arrived—not only for the teams but for her and Ariana as well.
They were able to see each other when they were both in town. Nicole did all she could to keep Ariana from worrying about their future and stay focused on basketball. She never dreamed it would be this hard to be away from Ariana. They’d been doing this all season, but Nicole looked forward to the day the final game was played and she and Ariana could be together. No more hiding. No more secrets. Just them and their love.
Of course, the decision on what to do about her career weighed heavy on her shoulders. She had options thanks toher devotion to her career over the years, which had made her a valuable asset to the network. Sometimes she thought about trying something else, maybe going the coaching or consulting route; however, she knew her heart. Right now it was full of love for Ariana Villa and she’d make the best decision for them to live a happy life together.
The past week had been more like how they were accustomed to spending their time. Ariana had practice most days and came over after she had treatment on her ankle. She was doing well, but they were being cautious leading up to the playoffs. She and Nicole had game film to watch and analyze since the first round of the playoffs had been decided.
Nicole was looking through her wardrobe trying to decide what to take on this week’s trip. She and Shealyn were flying to Phoenix the next day for their first round game. The second of the three game series would be played at Golden State. If a third game was necessary they’d go back to Phoenix.
She was excited to get to see her parents and hoped her sister and her family would make the trip to Golden State so she could see them as well. Family time would be a nice distraction from missing Ariana and her first round games against Indiana.
Nicole knew the matchup between Phoenix and Golden State was expected to be more competitive, but she wondered if they would be calling the New York series if the network wasn’t aware of her relationship with Ariana. It didn’t matter now. The assignments had been made.
She sighed as she looked through her closet trying to decide what to pack for the week. Her phone began to play Maroon Five’s “Closer.” Nicole had made it her ringtone after she flew with Ariana and her team and smiled every time she heard it.
“Hey,” she said, connecting the call.
“Hi,” Shealyn said. “I hope I’m not interrupting you and Ariana on your last day before we hit the road.”
Nicole chuckled. “She’ll be here after practice. I’m looking through my closet trying to decide what to bring on the trip this week.”
“Hmm, I know,” Shealyn said. “I expect this one will go three games.”
“Yeah, me too,” Nicole replied. “You never know what’ll happen in the playoffs.”
Shealyn laughed. “You sound like the commercials they’ve been running this week.”
“Hey, I was wondering.” Nicole paused. “What would you think about going back and calling college games full time?”
“Ah, you’re considering what’s next. You don’t want to try coaching?”
“I wouldn’t be coaching,” Nicole said. “Any position would be research or scouting.”
“Maybe, but you’re good at reading people and anticipating their moves,” Shealyn said. “You’d be coaching them what to look for and what to do to counter.”
“I know my heart and I don’t think I’m ready to stop commentating,” Nicole said. “But I really don’t want to work with anyone else but you.”
“I’d say you’ve really messed this up, Neal,” Shealyn said. “We had such a good thing going.”
“I know. I’m sorry I let you down.”
Shealyn laughed. “You haven’t let me down. You’ve found life after basketball and I’m proud of you.”
Nicole sighed with relief. “I never imagined it would work out this way.”
“Hey, we knew this would end some day, but that doesn’t mean it has to be now. That’s how love goes,” Shealyn said. “The analytical, strategic, ordered Nicole Neal couldn’t plan this one. But, to answer your question, yes, let’s do college. It’s where we learned our craft and made a name for ourselves. That’s whythey still have us calling a few games during the season and the tournaments during March Madness.”
“I was thinking it would be good for you, too,” Nicole said. “You’d have summers off while the girls are out of school.”
“Plus we’d stay together as a team and you and Ariana could be public with your relationship,” Shealyn said.
