Kate shrugged. “I’m sure they’ll be glad to have their number one team doing the big games. Have you thought about howyou’ll answer the questions on why you’re moving to only college games?”
“I thought I’d let them spin it the way that’s best for the network,” Nicole said. “I’m not sure anyone will notice.”
“Yeah, they will. Someone always does.”
“We can discuss that after they agree to let us do it.”
Kate smiled. “Okay. Honestly, it shouldn’t be a problem. Your new season will begin soon after the finals are over.”
“I know.” Nicole sighed. “I’ve thought long and hard about my options. I know my heart and I love commentating, especially with Shealyn. This should work for both of us. She’s on board and letting her agent know.”
“I’ll set up a meeting.”
“Good, I’d like to get this done soon. The pressure of this secret and someone finding out has become intense. To have something in place would be best for everyone, don’t you think?”
“Sure, but why is this suddenly getting to you? You and Ariana have been sneaking around the entire season.”
“I know, but as we get closer and closer to the end…”
“It seems unreal?”
“Kind of.”
“I’ll meet with Laura and Rob this week. Maybe I’ll know something by the time you get back,” Kate said.
Nicole sighed. “That would be great. We have no idea where we’ll be for the next round of the playoffs until the teams are set.”
“Yeah, but New York should win. There were no problems in their game you called leading up to the end of the season. I watched and you and Shealyn were great as usual. There’s a real possibility you’ll be calling their next round.”
“They kept us away from New York and people noticed. I’m sure they don’t want to answer any questions if they can keep from it.”
Kate nodded and jotted down a few notes on the legal pad in front of her. “Anything else?”
Nicole took a deep breath and exhaled. “Now that the business is done, can I talk to you as my best friend?”
Kate smiled and put down her pen. “Always.”
“I am forty-two years old,” Nicole began.
“I’m aware.” Kate chuckled.
“I know my heart or at least I thought I did. All this time I’ve worked towards being the best journalist and sportscaster for women’s basketball because it’s what I love. I put my personal life aside because I couldn’t see how they could coexist. If basketball were to go away I would still want to spend all of my time with Ariana and I’d be happy. I swear I thought I’d been in love before and I thought I knew what it was, but I don’t think I did. She’s the one and I know it. I’m just not sure what to do about it.”
She paused as Kate smiled and listened.
“Yesterday Ariana told me she would spend all her free time with me if she could,” Nicole continued. “Instead of cringing or thinking of ways to run away or being afraid I knew exactly what she meant because I want it too.”
“That’s how it can be when you’re in love.”
“When Ariana fell into my lap that day, I’m telling you, the world stopped,” Nicole said. “The same thing happened for Ariana. From that moment I fought my feelings for her and it was exhausting.”
“That’s because?”
“Because my heart was telling me she’s the one,” Nicole said. “It kept sayingwhy are you fighting this, and of course my thoughts were on my career. But we spent time together, got to know each other, and it only got better.”
“Until you couldn’t fight it any longer,” Kate said.
“More like why? Why are you fighting this?” Nicole replied. “I kept thinking, this is a bad idea, what about my career, but those thoughts started to fade when I realized it didn’t matter. Here I sit asking you to negotiate a deal for me, but none of it matters if I don’t have her.”
