Page 8 of High Baller

Oh, look at that ass moving to the music, her hips swaying side to side as she goes under some bloke’s arms. She knows how to move to the beat.

The girl in the VIP area dances against me again.

“I have to go,” I tell her as I make my way down the stairs. I’m hoping that the guy is a friend. They aren’t really dancing like they’re a couple.

As I move along the dance floor towards them, the guy she’s dancing with looks up at me. When I come to stand behind her, he moves away a little, making me think that they aren’t together. His body doesn’t give out that protective bodyguard vibe, and the fact he just walked away is enough to say he probably knows who I am.

I place my hands on her hips and lean down to her ear. “Hey, shorty.”

She turns around so she’s facing me, holds my gaze for a few seconds, then looks over my shoulder. “I think your girlfriend is waiting for you.” She points behind me, then turns back to her friend, but I stop from her turning around all the way.

Not even looking behind me, I already know who she’s pointing at. “She’s not my girlfriend,” I tell her, letting go of her hand. She nods as she smiles, then walks away. I wonder if she knows who I am, or does she have no idea?

I watch her leaning over the bar so the bartender can hear her order. The guy looks over at me, then whispers in her ear.

Derek hands me a beer. “Who’re you looking at?”

“Find out who she is.” I nod at shorty as she looks over her shoulder at me, then back to her friend. “Also, get her to the party tomorrow,” I tell him as I make my way back up to the VIP area.

Well, it looks like she won’t be talking to me tonight, but I’m damn sure I’m going see her again. I’ve got every ounce of faith in Derek that he can find out who she is, and when he does, I’m going to come up with a plan to win her over.

I’m not sure why, but just a few seconds with this woman has me wanting more.

Chapter 3

Sky

I sit with Calvin in the hotel restaurant for breakfast. I had a little too much to drink last night, and I have a headache just wanted to chill for the morning by the pool while everyone else went out for the day.

“You need to listen to me. Just shut up and come to the pool party with me,” Calvin whines. I heard it nonstop last night on the way back to the hotel, and then again this morning while I was having a shower, and now he’s started again. I’ve not even had my first cup of tea yet, and he's annoying me about it.

“You can go—I’m not stopping you.” I try to fight my case, but I feel like I’m repeating myself.

It didn’t take long for Calvin to tell me who the guy from last night was. Trey King, legendary basketball player. He mentioned a few other things, but I didn’t hear much for two reasons.

One, I had too much to drink, and two, the moment he said NBA player, I knew that I needed to stay away from him.

“Sky, Trey did not take his eyes off you the whole night—”

“I know. I felt his eyes on me and saw him looking, but the answer is still no.” I’m not saying no because he’s ugly—far from it.

I could have stared at his bright smile all night. He had a Trey Songz look about him, but had heartbreaker written all over him, too. I’m not looking for a relationship, I’m just looking to hook up with someone and leave it at that. I don’t think that would work with him so much. I bet my face would be all over the papers the next day, and that’s the last thing I want.

“Why are you saying no?” Calvin asks, placing his hands on the table like he's about to list every reason I should be going.

“You know why. My parents only need one picture of me with him, and I'll be fucked, you know that. They’ll be at my house knocking on the door every day.” That’s the last thing I need in my life right now.

“They do that now,” Calvin replies as he leans back in the chair.

I don’t reply to him, as I have nothing to say.

I thank the waiter for my breakfast, and look over at Calvin as he gives me one of his looks, a look which I know all too well. ‘Tell your parents to fuck off and leave you alone,’ look.

“Excuse me, are you Miss. Foster? The receptionist directed me to you.” Calvin and I look up at the lady standing by the table with a large bouquet.

“Yes, she is,” Calvin answers, taking the flowers from her and reads the card. “Looking forward to seeing you in the pool, shorty. T.” He hands me the card. It’s handwritten, but by who? Him or the guy that kept talking to Calvin last night? “I like the nickname he has for you.” Calvin places the flowers to the side on the table. “You’re smiling.”

“I’ve not had flowers delivered in forever.” So. yes, I’m smiling because they’re beautiful. They must’ve cost a small fortune. They’re so beautiful. Mini-sunflowers, white daisies, and beautiful purple asters.