Nicole laughed as Ariana got up.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ariana asked.
Nicole nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Thanks for catching me,” Ariana said. “But I’ve gotta go.”
Nicole laughed again as Shealyn described the scene. The trainers checked Ariana out and determined she came out of the self-inflicted crash unscathed.
“Wow, Nicole,” Shealyn said. “We’ve nearly been hit by flying balls, but we’ve never had a player end up on our side of the desk.”
“I do remember a mascot occasionally joining us when we’re on camera. I’m just glad she’s not hurt,” Nicole said.
“Thanks to your quick thinking and cushioning her fall.”
“I don’t think I could’ve gotten out of the way.” Nicole chuckled. “In an instant, here she was.”
Shealyn laughed. “Well, that should make tonight’s highlight reel.”
“As I was saying before Villa decided to become superwoman, she has hustled after every loose ball this afternoon and it’s made a difference,” Nicole said.
“It sure has. We’ll take a quick time out with two minutes to play,” Shealyn said. “New York leads by fourteen.”
Once they were off the air Shealyn turned to Nicole. “Are you all right?”
Nicole nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She thought back to the moment when she and Ariana shared that intimate look and wondered if she imagined it.
“We’re back on in thirty,” Jeannie said into their headsets.
Nicole gazed over at the New York bench. The players were huddled around the coaches as they gave instructions and she saw Ariana glance her way. She gave her a small smile and raised one shoulder. Nicole returned her smile and nodded.
“Three, two, one,” Jeannie counted them down.
“We’re back for the end of this opening game of the season,” Shealyn said. “We’ve seen quite a game today.”
“Yes, but New York has pulled away with their shutdown defense in this second half,” Nicole added. “They have definitely upped their game this season with the added points Ariana Villa has supplied along with the crisp passes she’s known for.”
“The chemistry between her and Cameron Benson does not seem to have wavered at all over the off season.”
The whistle blew and the game resumed. New York took command much like they had for the entire second half and the game ended with them winning by ten points.
“Let’s go to Keeley who is with Nia Stevens,” Shealyn said. “She poured in twenty-eight points this afternoon.”
Nicole made a few notes in her notebook before closing it and reaching for her bag. When Keeley threw it back to them Shealyn signed them off with information about the next game.
“Game one is in the books,” Shealyn said to Nicole.
“Good job, partner,” Nicole replied. “I’m meeting Kate at Stuart’s bar after the game.”
“Oh, I haven’t seen her in so long,” Shealyn said.
Kate Bradley was Nicole’s longtime friend and agent. They’d met when Nicole was in college and Kate was in law school. It didn’t take long before the two became best friends and as Nicole’s career took off she enlisted Kate as her agent and contract negotiator.
“She’s hoping you’d join us.”
Shealyn sighed. “I can catch the train and be home in time to have dinner with the girls,” she said. “It won’t always be like this. I promise to go with you next time.”
Nicole smiled. “I get it. You no longer live in the city and the commute home is a little longer. Next time!”
