Nicole’s laughter echoed in Ariana’s ear. “It has to be one of the best catches I’ve ever made,” she said.
“One of the best?” Ariana joined her laughter.
“Hmm, well, I can’t think of another time I’ve caught a person who came flying through the air at me,” Nicole said.
Ariana heard a beeping noise indicating Cameron was entering the code into the front door to unlock it.
“Oh no.” Ariana groaned. “They’re back.”
“Okay, you’ve gotta go,” Nicole said.
“I’m so glad we got to watch the game together,” Ariana said hurriedly.
“Me, too,” Nicole replied.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Ariana said.
“Hey, who’s winning?” Cameron asked, walking into the living room.
Ariana hadn’t been paying that much attention to the game in the last few minutes. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she’d quickly set her phone down on the couch. She didn’t want to hang up, but she knew she couldn’t tell Cameron who she was talking to.
“Uh, Dallas. Where’s Nia and Rae?” she asked, changing the subject.
“They went home from the restaurant,” Cameron said, sitting down next to her. “Hey, you’d tell me if there was someone you have your eye on. Right?”
Ariana looked over at Cameron and raised her brows. “What?” she asked nervously.
“Earlier, when you got that text and Rae saw you smiling at your phone,” Cameron said. “Have you met someone?”
“No,” Ariana quickly replied. Maybe partial truths would keep Cameron from discovering her and Nicole’s secret. “Sometimes Nicole Neal texts me. It’s like we’re basketball buddies.”
“Oh yeah?”
“That’s all it is,” Ariana assured her. “You know what a good analyst she is and I enjoy talking basketball with her because sometimes I learn things.”
A sly smile grew on Cameron’s face. She nodded. “Okay, I got you,” she said. “Getting good info and using it.”
“Yeah.” Ariana nodded.
“But she’s still your crush.”
Ariana raised one shoulder. “I love her voice.”
Cameron laughed and got up. She held out her hand to give Ariana a slap as she walked towards the hallway.
“Hey, I couldn’t let Nia and Rae know who I was texting with because Nicole has to be neutral,” Ariana said.
“No worries,” Cameron said. “Like you said, that’s your business.”
Ariana smiled and watched Cameron disappear down the hall. She let out a deep breath. It wasn’t exactly lying to Cameron, but she didn’t tell her the whole truth either. How could she tell her that her crush on Nicole was only growing the more time they spent together? Ariana groaned and fell over onto the couch.What am I going to do?
Nicole sighed as she heard Ariana end the call. It was abrupt, but she knew it had to be that way. So why then did it sting? She should be grateful that Ariana understood and was willing to keep this delicate new friendship under wraps.
Nicole found herself looking forward to the game tomorrow and also to Sunday afternoon when she and Ariana could do what they love together, play basketball.Is that all I’m looking forward to?
“Mmm,” she groaned. “Don’t go there. Nothing can happen anyway.” Maybe not, but she remembered Ariana mentioning their team dinner was at Stuart’s tomorrow night. She smiled as an idea began to form in her head. “Secrets can be fun,” she murmured. Then she reached for her phone to return Shea’s call.
“Hey there,” Shealyn said, answering the call.
