“There’s that,” Nicole said.
“Do you have any idea what Ariana is going to do during the off season?”
“I planned to talk to her about that today,” Nicole said. “I feel like I need to be proactive instead of just waiting for someone to find out about us, you know?”
“You’re going to be in different cities for now,” Shealyn said. “Why would someone find out?”
Nicole shrugged and walked out of the bedroom. “I don’t know. The pressure seems to be building and I’m trying to do all I can to keep it off of Ari. I know she worries about what I’m going to do. If I can get a deal done for us going forward then she can concentrate on winning this championship. She has worked so hard and is having such a good season.”
“She is and I think you have a lot to do with that,” Shealyn said. “Before you disagree, I know you’ve helped her with the defenses of the other teams, but you love her and support her. That means something, Nicole.”
“Thanks, Shea, but she supports me, too.” Nicole chuckled. “She tells me all the time that she had this big crush on my voice and commentary before she fell into my lap.”
“Then do it,” Shealyn said. “Talk to Kate and get us a deal. I’m on board; I’ll let my agent know.”
Nicole heard the front door open. “Here she comes now.”
“Go be with your girl and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, bye, Shea.”
Ariana walked into the room and smiled. “Hi, babe.” She kissed Nicole’s cheek. “Were you two planning your week?”
“Something like that. How was practice?”
“It was more like a walk through.” Ariana shrugged.
“Let’s go up on the roof,” Nicole said. “It’s a beautiful day and we can enjoy the sunshine.”
Ariana’s eyes widened. “I’d love that. I can feel the pressure building.”
“Well then, let’s go take it away.”
“I really love it up here,” Ariana said, sitting on the outdoor couch and reaching to pull Nicole to sit next to her. “I wonder why more people in the building don’t take advantage of it.”
Nicole shrugged. “I don’t know. There’s a group that does yoga a few mornings each week, I think.”
Ariana took a deep breath and sighed. Nicole squeezed her hand and looked over at her and smiled. Ariana furrowed her brow and studied Nicole for a moment. “What’s going on with you?”
Nicole’s brows raised and she rubbed her lips together. “I know you worry about what’s next for us. I’m going to ask Kate to negotiate a deal for me and Shealyn to do college basketball. We’d have a chance for a vacation before the season starts in November and you could travel with me.”
Ariana widened her eyes. “Oh, I like that idea. Are you sure?”
Nicole nodded. “You know, the WNBA is on the rise, but women’s college basketball is still more lucrative. It wouldn’t be a step down by any means.”
“Oh, I realize it,” Ariana said. “A lot of the top players make more staying in college than they do coming to the pros.” Shesmiled and gazed into Nicole’s eyes. “Did something happen to make up your mind?”
“Not really,” Nicole said. “I feel the pressure too, babe. If Kate can get a deal done I’m hoping some of it will go away.” She smiled and stroked Ariana’s arm. “From the beginning we had to keep this secret and looked forward to the end of the season. Now that we're so close it feels even more…”
“Scary? Important? Fucking tragic if we get caught now,” Ariana said then chuckled. “That was a little much, but I get it, babe.”
“Ah, you do get it.” Nicole leaned her head on Ariana’s shoulder. “Hey, what are you going to do in the off season?”
“Besides follow you around?”
Nicole chuckled. “Imagine the fun we’d have. You could scout the players Misty needs to draft next year.”
“How does Miami in January sound to you?”
