Page 47 of High Baller

"Thank you, I guess," I reply, giving her a smile. This is going to be new to me. I get that I'm going to have to spend time with his teammates' girlfriends, so this should be interesting.

***

Trey sits me down and hands me a big bowl of ice cream. "Have you got your schedule for next month?"

I'm not worried about next month, I'm worried about October when his season starts. How are we going to work on seeing each other when he's bouncing from one state to the other?

"Just got it. Monday, I fly out to New York, fly back to England on Friday. Chicago in September, then LA,” I tell him. I might even be in town for his first game. I've been watching a few games with him this week so he could tell me how it all works. I have a better understanding of the scoring system now, which was confusing me the most. He told me that's really all I need to know, but I like watching the game. It's interesting to see how things can change so fast. The one thing I do like about the game is how close supporters can sit to the court.

“So, that's three weeks before you come back here," Trey asks, and I look over at him.

I've been thinking that since the moment I got the email. Three weeks of not seeing him, I can't even think about coming here when I'm in Chicago or New York. By the time I get here, I’d have to leave that day. Then flying back to England, I’d be too tired to even do anything.

“I know, don’t you think that—”

“We'll make it work, so don't think about breaking up with me just to take the easy way out. I'm in it for the long haul, are you?"

"I am. I just think it's going to be more long-distance than I thought." I turn to face him. "I've really enjoyed these two weeks. I'm just a little upset that it's come to an end, that's all." I'm holding back the tears that are building up, and my stomach feels horrible.

“We'll make this work, I'll make this work.” Trey cups my face, and brings it closer to his. “You know why it'll work?” he asks, and I shake my head. “Because for the first time, I think I’ve fallen in love, and—”

"I love you too." The words just escape my mouth—I didn't even think twice about it. His eyes lock with mine. Did I just fuck up here? “Trey, don't say it just because I said it. I want you to say it because you mean it."

“Shorty, you’re the first girl that I’ve told that I think I’m falling in love with her, so for me that—”

"I know. For me, that's everything."

Trey kisses me hard, and with so much passion and a chill runs down my spine. He takes the bowl off me and places it on the table, and I slowly starting lying back on the couch.

"Hey, thought we would pop in to say bye to Sky,” Derek says behind us. Trey falls on top of me and lets out a sigh of annoyance, making me laugh. "Did we interrupt something?"

“Yes,” Trey says at the same time I say, “No.”

Trey gives me a look, and I shake my head. "Nice of you guys to come over," I say, trying to push Trey off me, but he's not moving.

Trey looks over at them as they sit on the couch in front of us. "Come on, man, it’s her last day here. Do you think I want to spend it with you here?”

"I'm sure you’ll pick up from where you left off the second we leave.” Derek looks over at me and gives me a wink, making me smile. Normally, things like this make me blush, but not so much when they're like this all the time.

“Want a drink?” Trey gets up and walks over to the kitchen and Derek follows.

"It's nice of you to come over," I tell Ariel.

“We wanted to. Over these past two weeks, I consider you a friend.” She comes over and sits next to me. “When are you back then?”

“Three weeks, which sucks.”

“That’s a long time. I’m not sure I could do it with Derek.”

“How are you two working when the season starts?” I ask her. I know she works most days.

“The amount of game Trey will have here, I'll still see him about the same amount as I do now.” She looks over at them both walking over to us. “Derek said to let you know that he’s got your back and will watch Trey.”

I shake my head because that's not what I want. "Derek, can I talk to you please?” I stand up and walk toward the garden.

Derek closes the door behind him. “You okay?”

“Yes and no. Ariel said that you'll watch Trey’s back when I’m not here. Are you serious?” I stare at him, wondering what the fuck is going on.