Thanks!
Nicole smiled and texted her back.
You played a great game! Congrats!
Nicole saw the three bubbles appear and waited.
With your help!
Nicole chuckled. She may have told Ariana what to look for, but it was her skill and talent that made it possible.
Enjoy the win with your team.
Nicole had to admit this interaction with Ariana meant a lot to her. She had taken Nicole’s advice and put it into action. It made her feel appreciated, valued.
A yawn caught Nicole by surprise. She’d worked hard the past several days. Her breaks for exercise energized her at the time, but now she could feel the fatigue settling into her bones. She cleaned up her snacks, turned off the TV, and went to her bedroom.
As she got ready for bed her thoughts were on her conversation with Shealyn. Was there a delighted tone to her voice when she spoke about Ariana? She and Shealyn had been close friends for a long time. They could usually tell each other's moods before either of them said a word. If Shealyn saw or heard something different in Nicole then perhaps she should be careful.
Nicole got into bed and closed her eyes. She saw Ariana’s sparkling eyes and smiling face. The happiness on her face was easy to read. Nicole thought back to the moment Ariana looked into the camera and smiled. Why did it feel like she was smiling at Nicole?
She felt the little tingle flow through her body just as she had several times when she’d been with Ariana. They were becoming friends. That’s all there was to it. Ariana had told her she was single because all she could focus on during the season was basketball. But there were times when Nicole wondered if Ariana was flirting with her. Surely not.
She wasn’t interested in Nicole in that way. Right? Nicole knew all about Ariana’s reputation as a player who loved to party, but she’d seen no evidence of it in the short time they’d spent together.
“Come on, Nic,” she scolded herself and rolled over on her side. She wouldn’t have been having these thoughts if Shealyn hadn’t said anything. Nicole and Ariana knew what this was. A mutual love of basketball and excelling at what they both loved.
Sometime later Nicole was drifting off to sleep when she heard her phone beep. She rolled over and grabbed it off the nightstand. It was a text from Ariana.
I wasn’t sure what time you’re leaving tomorrow and wanted to wish you safe travels. I know you’ll be great. I can’t wait to hear you call the game.
Nicole smiled and started to reply, but instead set her phone back on the nightstand. Maybe she’d text Ariana in the morning or call her on the way to the airport. As excited as she was that day after practice, Nicole knew she must be still soaring with adrenaline after her performance tonight.
She rolled back over and fell asleep with a smile on her face.Good for you, Ari.
Chapter Nine
Ariana groaned. She could hear the song “Red Wine Supernova” and wondered if she was dreaming about Chappell Roan. Then she heard the rumble on her nightstand as her phone vibrated.
“Who would be calling me this early in the morning after an away game,” she grumbled. If she could just silence her phone then maybe she’d fall right back to sleep. Ariana reached behind her without opening her eyes and fumbled around to grasp the offending noise maker.
She opened one eye and could see one word on the screen.Crush.
Her other eye flew open and she hurriedly swiped across the front of the phone, cutting off Chappell and almost dropping her phone in the tangle of her sheet and blanket.
“Hello,” she croaked.
“Good morning, Superwoman.”
Ariana chuckled. “Is it?”
“I’m so sorry,” Nicole said. “You were still asleep.”
“Mmhmm,” Ariana mumbled, rolling over on her back. “But it’s okay.” The fact that she even answered the phone wasn’t loston Ariana. She preferred to text and most of her friends knew this. However, she wanted to talk to Nicole and didn’t mind being roused from her sleep.
“Are you sure? I can call you later,” Nicole said. “I should’ve texted you.”
“No, no,” Ariana said, finding her voice. She wanted to call Nicole last night when she got back from DC, but knew she would already be asleep.
