Page 64 of High Baller

We have our beer, and that’s all I really need. With all the books that I’ve read on the sport, and all the matches I’ve watched, I should know what's happening. Derek did say that things happen a lot faster at the court, so I might not be able to focus as well.

I stop by the seats that match our tickets. “We’re here,” I tell him. I look around and see the other seats quickly filling. I'm excited to be here. On TV, it looks like so much fun.

“Trey said that there's a party at his house tonight—first game of the season, Calvin says.” He looks across to Trey’s family as they all look at me. Jade and Tracy smile at me and I return it.

“Yeah, he said every year, one of the players has to throw a party, and this is his year, so it'll be fun if they win.” I look over at the court as the players warm up and talk to the reporters.

“They'll win.” Calvin moves closer to me. “Your boyfriend's a player, you have to support him,” he whispers so that no one else can hear him.

I nod. “What have you got planned when we get back home?” I asked him to help me look for a new place. I love where I live right now, but my parents are there all the time. If I can move, I hope they won’t be able to find where I live.

The police have said because my parents are not breaking any law by being in contact with me without any kind of order against them, there's nothing I can do. They keep telling the police that they're trying to build a relationship with me, and they don’t want to hurt me.

“No, Finn has a few things planned, but I told him that we're going to look at some places. He’s excited, but I'm warning you, he'll be going through countless color schemes, and showing you what to buy for every room.” He bursts out laughing, and I shake my head while grinning.

The players start walking onto the court and I look at the time. The game will be starting soon. “I thought I had good taste,” I say.

“You do,” Calvin replies. “You have the vintage vibe and I like it. So does Finn, but that won’t stop him.” I look over at Ariel as she sits down next to Calvin.

“Looks like it’s going to be a good game,” she says. Derek told her that she needed to sit with us, but act like she doesn't know us either.

“It does,” I look at Derek, who’s standing at the end of the row, and he jerks his chin for me to follow him.

Why does he want me to follow him? This was not part of the agreement for come to the game, but he stands there waiting for me.

“Just going to get another beer, want one?” I ask Calvin as I get up.

“No, thanks, ” he answers and I give him a nod.

I look to see where Derek went, and I see him standing by a door. As soon as I reach him, he says nothing, but opens the door for me to go through. As soon as I do, it closes behind me, and I look around the room.

“Hey, shorty.” Trey says, and I quickly turn to see him walking over to me with a smile. “New season, shorty. When you come to a game, I get a good luck kiss. When you’re not able to be here, I'll call you. But, when you are, we talk before every game.” He grips my waist and pulls me closer to him. “So, my good luck kiss…”

I jump a little when Trey lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him. “I do like this kiss before a game.” I slide my arms around his neck, and I slowly run my tongue across his lower lips.

“Just a kiss, shorty, I don’t want to be hard for a game,” he growls.

I burst out laughing. “Sorry. Your kiss, Mr. King,” I say, then press my lips to his.

“Enjoy the game, shorty. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He gives me one more kiss before lowering me to the floor, then walks out of the room the same way he came in. I walk back over to the door where I entered, and meet with Derek. “Your beer.”

I can’t help but smile at him. “I knew you always liked me,” I tell him.

“I do.” He peeks around the corridor. “See you later Sky.”

While I walk back to Calvin, the crowd starts cheering as the players run onto the court. I watch as the all players grab a ball and throw it in the hoop. The grin on Calvin’s face is so big right now. The light are flashing, and I have to smile too as this is amazing.

I had to look up at the scoreboard a few times to make sure that I was following the game correctly, and so far, I’m doing well. Trey’s team's winning. They were losing at first, but seem to be ahead now. Derek's been shouting through the whole game, which is quite entertaining to listen to.

“The kiss cam.” Calvin points to the screens as the camera moves around, then stops at a couple, and the crowd starts cheering as they kiss.

“Ladies and gentleman, I have just been given some exciting news! Our very own Trey King”—the camera stops on him as he drinks water, and my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest—“has a girlfriend, and she's here!” Another camera moves around the crowd stopping at different girls. I look over at Madison, who’s smiling wickedly at me. “Come on, King, let’s give the crowd what they want.” Trey shakes his head saying no, and Calvin holds my hand. “We'll be back.”

The camera moves to another couple as the players get ready to play again, and I see Trey looking over at Derek, who's up and walking away.