Shealyn lowered her chin and gave Nicole a look. “You know why! I waited for your wife to finally retire so I could move up and stop traveling.”
Ariana laughed. “Sorry about that, Shealyn. I really thought I had a couple of more years in me, but when Nic almost beat me in one on one I knew it was time to give it up.”
“Hey,” Nicole slapped Ariana on the shoulder. “I can still play.”
“I know you can, honey, but I only spotted you six points that day and you nearly beat me.”
“I was on fire! You should’ve seen it, Shea. Everything I threw up was going in.”
“You’re not going to make me believe that’s the only reason you decided to retire,” Shealyn said.
Ariana sighed and smiled at Nicole. “We got tired of traveling most of the year, what with my season from May to October and Nic’s from November to April. This way we’re traveling together and not all year long.”
“Plus we can celebrate our anniversary wherever we want instead of where I’m calling a game,” Nicole added. “Someone couldn’t wait to get married.”
Ariana grinned and linked her fingers through Nicole’s. “Come on, it was brilliant to get married on New Year’s Eve. Everyone wanted us to have a big party so it was the perfect day.”
“That was some wedding,” Shealyn said. “I’ll always remember it.”
Nicole squeezed Ariana’s hand. “It was everything we wanted and all our friends and family were there.”
“I want to know when you’re going to move out to the suburbs with me,” Shealyn said.
“Why would we move?” Ariana replied. “We have a basketball court on the roof!”
Nicole laughed. “I think she fell in love with me the first time she saw that basketball court.”
“Not true,” Ariana protested. “You know we fell in love right here.” She slid into the chair where she’d be sitting to call New York’s game.
Nicole chuckled then felt herself being pulled into Ariana’s lap. She yelped and started to laugh. One look into Ariana’s eyes and she was taken back to that day. Nicole couldn’t count how many times she’d lost herself in those warm brown eyes.
“That was the best play I ever made,” Ariana said softly.
Nicole smiled and cupped the side of Ariana’s face. She didn’t know how it happened, but every day she woke up more in love with Ariana. The world stood still that day and had several times since, but she’d always remember Ariana flying through the air and catching her so she wouldn’t get hurt.
“Is this how Nicole taught you to call games?” Cameron asked, walking up to the table.
“Hey,” Ariana said with a big smile.
“Let me up, honey,” Nicole said, getting out of Ariana’s lap.
“I can’t believe after all these years you’re making me start the season without you!” Cameron exclaimed.
“I’m right here, Cam,” Ariana said. “I’m with you.”
“Ha ha,” Cameron replied. “I want to know if you’re going to analyze games for me the way Nicole did for you all those years.”
“Come on, I shared all the info with you,” Ariana replied. “You know I’m always on your side.”
“Blah, blah, blah,” Shealyn said, putting her fingers in her ears. “I didn’t hear that. You are now a neutral broadcast commentator, Ariana.”
Nicole laughed. “Yeah, just like you were when your favorite players were on the court.”
“Stop!” Shealyn said. “You’re making us look bad.”
“Oh, you're safe, partner,” Nicole said. “Besides, nothing compares to secretly falling in love and marrying your favorite player. I won the prize for that.”
They all chuckled.
