“Why are you behind the mike?” Ariana asked Nicole and Shealyn. “You both could be coaching a team.”
“Oh no,” Nicole protested. “I’d much rather talk about what the coaches should be doing.”
Shealyn laughed. “Just imagine, Nicole, we could take one of the new expansion teams, choose the players we know who would work well together, and show all these teams how to play.”
“Okay, okay,” Coach Bell said. “You two need to stay where you are. We have enough competition as it is!”
Ariana watched Nicole and Shealyn exchange an amused look.
“I know the point guard we’d choose first,” Shealyn said.
Ariana met Shealyn’s gaze and raised her brows.
Nicole bumped her shoulder into Ariana and grinned. “See, I’m not your only fan.”
“You two get your greedy eyes off my point guard,” Coach Bell said. “She won’t be going anywhere.”
Ariana smiled and let her head fall back against the seat. This was fun. She didn’t need all the attention, but it was nice sitting with these accomplished women, talking as friends about her favorite subject: basketball.
“It’s a shame you can’t fly with us more often,” Ariana said with a smile. “I've learned all kinds of things.”
“That’s what we try to do for our audiences,” Shealyn said. “You’re one of the few players who actually respect our opinions.”
“I may not agree with all of them, but that doesn’t mean they won’t work,” Ariana said.
“I know someone else who could be a coach one day,” Coach Bell smiled at Ariana.
They prepared to land and shortly they were back on the ground. As the plane came to a stop Coach Bell got everyone’s attention for a quick word before deplaning.
“Tomorrow is for rest and recovery,” Coach Bell said. “You all know what that means. I’ll see you Monday morning. Congrats on another win. Isn’t it amazing the things that can happen when you execute the game plan?”
Several people whooped in response along with a smattering of applause. Everyone gathered their things as the doors opened to exit the plane.
“Thanks for tolerating us,” Shealyn said to Ariana.
“It was my pleasure,” Ariana said, giving Nicole a quick glance.
“Come on, ladies,” Coach Bell said. “We have cars waiting for the players and staff. Let’s get you a ride home.”
Ariana smiled as Nicole turned to give her one last look before leaving the plane.
She followed them down the stairs and watched Coach Bell lead them to a line of waiting cars. Ariana went to the end of the row and climbed into a car.
“I heard you won again. Congrats,” the driver said to Ariana as she buckled her seat belt.
“We did, thanks.”
Ariana was about to give the driver her address when the other door opened and Nicole slid into the seat next to her.
“Give me a ride home?” she asked with a sly smile.
Ariana’s face lit up with delight. “I’d love to.”
“Where to?” the driver asked.
Nicole gave him her address and as they pulled away Ariana felt Nicole’s fingers slide into her hand. They didn’t say much on the ride to Nicole’s apartment, but the anticipation was growing inside Ariana with each block they traveled. She stroked Nicole’s hand with her thumb as a smile stayed on her face.
“Was there anything else about the game you wanted to talk about?” Nicole asked.
