She sighed, turned off the TV, and got ready for bed. She had an appearance in the morning and knew she needed to get some sleep.
Ariana crawled into bed and leaned back against the pillows, looking at the ceiling. She’d had a good game. The celebration afterwards was fun and not too over the top. After all, it was their first game. Instead of thinking about the different plays, which usually occupied her mind after a game, she couldn’t keep from thinking about Nicole.
She had been so focused on getting ready for this first game that even having thoughts of another woman were surprising. Ariana had known Nicole since before she was drafted into theleague. She’d had a few interactions with her from time to time and knew she was good at her job.
Why then, tonight, had all that changed?
When she thought about it, Ariana realized it hadn’t changed tonight. Thoughts of Nicole had been drifting in and out of her head since the day she and Cameron watched the preseason game Nicole and Shealyn called in Toronto.
But when she saw her today, dressed up, right before tipoff Ariana’s heart had skipped a beat. At the time she thought it was anticipation and the atmosphere of the game.
As she rolled over and closed her eyes, Ariana wasn’t so sure that Nicole Neal hadn’t caused that momentary flutter in her heart.
Chapter Six
Nicole walked through the gates to the park with a smile on her face. Kids were gathered at each end of the asphalt court, bouncing balls and shooting at the hoops. She loved these neighborhood youth initiatives that the WNBA held around the city from time to time.
She walked over to where the league outreach officials were preparing to begin the event. The woman in charge, Beth, smiled at her. “Nicole, it’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Beth,” she replied. “I’m glad I was in town. You know I love these events. Looks like you have a good turnout.”
“We do,” Beth replied. “You can put your bag here with ours. We’re about to get started.”
Nicole set her bag down with the others and looked around the area. There were smaller kids at one basket who looked to be around eight or nine years old, and the older kids were at the other end of the court. Her attention was drawn to a little girl who was heaving the ball with all her might towards the basket. Nicole smiled as the ball went in and the little girl jumped up and down.
Someone started clapping and Nicole turned to see a smiling Ariana Villa walking towards her.
Nicole gave her a surprised look. “I didn’t know Superwoman came to these things.”
Ariana laughed. “I didn’t know Nicole Neal commentated kids' games.”
Nicole chuckled. “Oh, I’m here to play.”
“Really?”
Before Nicole could reply, Beth gathered them around and the clinic began.
Nicole and Ariana were at the basket with the youngest kids and led them through drills working on dribbling, passing, and shooting. Laughter, screams, and squeals filled the air along with the sounds of balls bouncing. The kids were attentive and most of them recognized Ariana. Nicole enjoyed watching Ariana interact with the kids, giving each one her undivided attention.
They played several different games so the kids could use the skills they’d just learned. Then towards the end of their time they taught them a few simple plays and let each one take the shot.
Ariana was working with the kids on defense and Nicole had been helping with offense. As the kids were walking away to get a drink and snack, Nicole noticed the little girl who grabbed her attention at the beginning of the clinic hadn’t made a basket yet.
She walked over and squatted in front of the girl. “Hi, my name is Nicole. What’s yours?”
“Chloe,” the little girl responded.
“Okay, Chloe, we have time for you to take one more shot,” Nicole said. “Ariana is playing defense, but I’m going to help you by keeping her away. You dribble around me and make the shot. Okay?”
The little girl’s eyes lit up and she nodded.
“Okay, get ready,” Nicole said. She turned to Ariana, who nodded and winked at her.
Nicole turned around with Ariana behind her. She faced the little girl and held her arms out, keeping Ariana back. “Okay, Chloe, I’ve got her. Do your thing.”
Nicole could feel Ariana’s chest bump into her back as she wrapped one arm around her. Chloe bounced the ball around them and with a determined look on her face heaved it toward the basket. It just cleared the rim and went in.
Nicole and Ariana both jumped up and cheered as the smile on Chloe’s face rivaled the brightness of the sun.
