“It is for me.”
“Okay, you’d better get back to your team.”
“I get to see her tomorrow,” Ariana said. “She’s calling our game.”
“She told me.”
Ariana smiled. She had several questions she’d love to ask Stuart about Nicole, but it felt too soon. What were they? Basketball buddies? Friends? Maybe more? Before walking backto their private room Ariana held out her hand. “Please? I promise.”
Stuart narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay, but your eyes only,” he said, handing the note back to Ariana. “The risk is real, Ariana. Are you worth it?”
“I am,” she stated, slipping the note deep into her pocket. “Thank you.” She walked away then turned around once again to wave at Stuart. He was busy sending a text and Ariana wondered if it was to Nicole.
This had to be the best surprise Ariana had had in a long time. Was this their private little game? Ariana was serious, she would protect their secret because she loved this and didn’t want it to end. But what wasthis?
“What did Stuart give you?” Cameron asked.
“What?”
“I went to the restroom and saw Stuart hand you something. Was it someone’s phone number?”
“Maybe.” Ariana decided to play along and in hopes Cameron would drop it.
Cameron chuckled. “Too bad for them. They don’t know your no dating during season policy.”
“Who said anything about dating?”
“Oh!” Cameron laughed.
“I’ll be back.” Ariana grinned as she walked down the hall to the restroom.
Whew.They had to be careful. This secret may be harder to keep than she thought.
Nicole followed Shealyn out of their dressing room. She was glad to stretch her legs after sitting in the car for two and a halfhours on the trip from the city to Connecticut. To say Nicole was looking forward to seeing Ariana was an understatement. They’d briefly texted after Ariana’s team dinner. Her secret note had given Ariana a boost. Nicole could tell from Ariana’s excitement even through her texts.
“I see an open basket,” Shealyn said. She turned to Nicole with a crooked smile. “Wanna show these younguns how to shoot?”
Nicole chuckled. “Let’s do it.”
While Shealyn went to get them both a basketball from the rack near midcourt, Nicole’s phone pinged with a text. She saw it was from Ariana and smiled. There was a picture of Ariana slipping the note Nicole had written her into her sock.Good luck charmwas written underneath it.
Nicole frowned. Stuart was supposed to tear the note up, but Ariana must have talked him out of it. If anyone saw it they wouldn’t know who it was from. That’s why she’d deliberately written with their nicknames, but it still made her nervous. Of course, there was a little part of her that was thrilled Ariana thought it was special and wanted to keep it.
Shealyn bounced a ball towards Nicole. “I promise there will be no repeat of what happened the other night.”
Nicole smirked and dribbled towards the basket. “You know Maggie’s calling the game tonight.”
Shealyn nodded. “I know. I’ll handle it.”
“Hmm, like you handled it Tuesday night,” Nicole replied, letting the ball go. She was rewarded with the familiarswishas the ball went through the net.
“I deserved that,” Shealyn said, shooting her ball.
“Would you look at this?” Ariana said, walking onto the court. “Are you two suiting up tonight?”
“Ha ha,” Shealyn replied. “You’d better be glad we’re not. Nicole has the perfect jump shot.”
“Oh, I’ve seen Nic’s shot,” Ariana said.
