Ariana grinned. “‘Fast’ by Demi Lovato. Here.” She handed Cameron one of her earbuds and restarted the song. Cameron’s eyes widened and she started nodding.
“Damn, that’s hot!”
Ariana chuckled. “Yeah, it is.”
“I know what you’ll be doing when Nicole gets back.”
“Shhh!” Ariana looked around to make sure no one overheard them.
“Sorry, I meant your crush.” Cameron grinned.
Ariana smirked. She knew Nicole would always be her crush, but now she was so much more.
After the game Ariana went back to her apartment and waited on the stats to arrive via email from her assistant coach. Her phone began to vibrate on the coffee table and she smiled as she saw Nicole’s smiling face on the screen.
“Hi, babe.”
“Winner, winner!” Nicole exclaimed. “You played such a great game. You were everywhere, honey!”
Ariana chuckled. “It had something to do with the song you sent me.” She could hear Nicole’s sultry chuckle through the phone.
“I thought you might like that,” Nicole said. “It reminded me of us.”
“I liked the part where she sings,I wanna go anywhere, anywhere you are, no matter how close, no matter how far.That’s me, babe.”
“I love the beginning when she says it feels so right and she’s already obsessed.” Nicole giggled. “That’s me. I can admit that to you now, but not back then.”
“Ah, we were obsessed from the start.”
“I think my favorite part is when she singsI just wanna feel your hands all over me?—”
“Right where they wanna be,” Ariana sang into the phone.
“The first time I heard this song I thought of you,” Nicole said.
“I can’t wait for you to get home and we’re listening to this song together.”
“I’ll be ready,” Nicole said. “I got to see part of your game and you really played well. You go to Indiana and end this thing in two.”
“That’s the plan,” Ariana said. “How are your folks? Did they go to the game?”
“No, but I met them after for dinner. I’m just now back in my room,” Nicole replied. “I have some notes to go over and we’ll fly to San Francisco in the morning.”
“How did your appointment with Kate go this morning?”
“She’s going to meet with the network this week,” Nicole replied. “Fingers crossed they go for it and we won’t have to worry about all this secrecy much longer.”
“I know we’re both tired of sneaking around, but I want you to know that I’d do it forever if I had to,” Ariana said. “I love you and I’ll do whatever it takes for us to be together.”
“Me too, babe. Now you’d better get to bed. Rest and recovery,” Nicole said. “I’m so proud of you, Ari. You’ve worked so hard all season long and it’s paying off.”
“Because you’ve given me such great info.”
“I plan to watch the rest of your game tonight,” Nicole said. “If I see something I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, babe. I’ll call you in the morning before we leave.”
“I love you, Ari.”
