Page 83 of High Baller

"Well, I'll have to buy you a game so you can practice."

"Or I can buy Fifa, and I can win on there," I tell him, and grab the rest of my pretzel. Trey sits down next to me and pulls me in closer. "What would you like for dinner?"

His hand rests on my back, and I got my answer. I glance over my shoulder. "Family dinner?” I ask nervously.

"Family dinner."

"Don't worry, I'm coming too," Derek tells me as he nudges me to look at the screen.

"I'm not worried, but they might not like me after tonight for a whole new reason," I say, not able to look at either one of them. Instead, I continue pressing the buttons on the controller. Tonight's family dinner is going to be interesting, because Madison has to do something before I forgive any of them, including his mother.

Derek takes the controller from me and sighs. “You're just embarrassing yourself.” He takes over my game against the console.

I shake my head and I lean back into the couch as Trey's arm snakes around me. “Did you have your lunch?" I ask him as I take another pretzel from my bag.

"Yeah, thanks for making it for me.”

I made Trey a pasta lunch before I left, and didn't want him to wait for me to eat.

"What time would you like to leave?"

"About five,” he replies. “I haven't told them you came back yet, so it should be interesting.” He leans down and gives me a kiss on the head.

Yes, this is going to be interesting. I know his mum will be happy to see me,—Madison not so much, and I don't think having his family's blessing is going to improve anything.

***

I get ready for a fun evening when we park outside Trey's mum's house. I made an apple pie before we left, as I promised Tracy that I'd bake one for him next time I see him.

We walk straight into the house, and Trey takes my hand in his so that I follow him into the kitchen with Derek behind us.

"Ma, I'm here,” he says as we stop by the counter, and she turns around.

Our eyes lock for a moment, and I'm not sure if she's happy or pissed off that I'm here.

She looks over at Trey and smiles. “I’m so happy that you've decided to give Trey another chance." She walks around the counter and gives me a hug, one very long hug. She pulls away from me, then hugs Trey. "She makes you happy, and that's all I ever wanted."

"She does make me happy." Trey leans down and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

“Sky.,” Tracy says, and I look behind me as he walks over to me. “I’m so happy you’re back with Trey.” He stops before giving me a hug. "Is that for me?" He points to the apple pie behind me on the counter.

"Yes, it is, and before you get to eat it, how was the test?" He called me a few times to ask for help on his math work, and I know that he wants to do good this year.

"I got an A."

I beam and throw my arms around him. ”Well done! I told you, you could do it."

"What's all the…?” Madison stops when she sees me, then back to her mum. "What's she doing here?” she snaps.

"I invited her, so you can either like it or take your attitude elsewhere," Trey tells her, then walks away. I just stare at her. I never thought that I could hate someone but, God, I do.

“Dinner's ready," Trey's mum tells us, and I walk over to Trey as he pulls out a chair for me. "When did you get back, Sky?” she asks me as everyone sits down.

“Yesterday,” I reply. “You gave me a lot to think about.” If she didn't come to my house, I don't think that I'd be sitting here today. I cancel the call that's coming through my phone, and glance over at Madison giving me the evil eye.

“So, are you back to stay?" Tracy asks.

"That depends—"