They had been best friends since they joined the New York Liberty at the same time. They were entering their eighth season and had made the playoffs all seven years, finally coming away with the championship two years ago. Their bid to become back-to-back champions had fallen short in the finals last season. It still stung when Ariana thought about that last loss.
When Ariana heard the commentator’s voice she froze. “Oh, that’s Nicole Neal. I love her voice!” She jumped over the back of the couch and plopped down next to Cameron.
“Gotta little crush going on there?”
Ariana scoffed. “No, but just listen to her. She has such insight and her voice is so smooth. I swear she could be giving directions and it would sound sexy—wait, I wonder if I could get her voice on my Maps app?”
Cameron laughed. “No, you don’t have a crush.”
As they watched the game end Ariana said, “Wow, Toronto kept that close. Nicole’s right. We need to remember Miller on the inside. She’s a blocking machine.”
“Listen,” Cameron said, turning up the volume. “She’s talking about us.”
They both focused on the TV as Nicole spoke.
“Did you hear that?” Cameron said. “She said you’re one of the best point guards in the league. She’s not wrong.”
Ariana smiled as Nicole continued to give her preview of their opening game.
“So, you have all these weapons and Nicole Neal will be there watching and commentating,” Cameron said. “Thank goodness you won’t be able to hear her during the game.”
“What?” Ariana furrowed her brow. “Why?”
“You’d be listening to her and not doing your job!”
Ariana smirked. “You know exactly where my focus will be.”
“You never know, maybe she has a crush on you. Did you hear what she said?”
“Yes, Cam,” Ariana replied. “I heard her. Come on, don’t you think she’s good?”
Cameron smiled. “I’m just messing with you. Yes, Nicole Neal and Shealyn Jackson are the best in the business. I hope they do lots of our games this season.”
“I know we’ve seen LA’s preseason games, but I wish we knew what Nicole Neal was thinking,” Ariana said. “She knows basketball.”
“Duh, you do, too,” Cameron said. “Do you really think she could tell you anything that we don’t already know?”
Ariana shrugged. “The more we know, the better we’ll be able to shut them down.”
Cameron nodded. “You’ve got this. You always do.”
“Thanks, bud. I don’t need a confidence boost, but it’s nice to hear that my teammates have faith in me.”
“Girl, you know we do,” Cameron said.
“Okay, what are we watching?”
“Mmm, I don’t know,” Cameron murmured. “Murder and mayhem? Or do we want to laugh?”
“You choose.” Ariana grinned. “I have faith in you, too.”
Cameron laughed and began to scroll through the guide on the TV.
Ariana leaned her head against the back of the couch and thought back to what Cameron had said. Did she have a crush on Nicole Neal? Ariana couldn’t take her eyes off of her when the camera zoomed in after the game. She shook her head. Nah, she didn’t have a crush. She simply appreciated Nicole’s knowledge of the game. Buther voice.
Chapter Two
Ariana was always early on game days. She went into the quiet dressing room and stopped at her locker. Hanging there was her game jersey as well as her uniform shorts. She reached into the closed compartment and took out her warm-up shirt and shorts. Once she changed she sat down and pulled on her new game-day shoes. She had already practiced in the new shoes several times to make sure they wouldn’t cause any blisters or discomfort.
