Page 1 of High Baller

Chapter 1

Sky

I can’t believe that I’m here, yet again, having the same goddamn fight. I don’t know how long I can continue having this same argument over and over again.

“We promise this will be the last time, Sky,” my mum almost begs me.

I shake my head at them. I’m sure they said that two weeks ago, but, yet again, here they are, in my house, begging for money.

“You said that two weeks ago, but instead of asking me this time, you went a step further and hacked my account and just took a thousand pounds!” I yell at them.

Parents are meant to look after their kids, support them in following their dreams, but no, my life has been looking after them. I have to admit, I was surprised at this stunt they've pulled. This is definitely a new one for me. I never thought that they'd stoop so low, but I should've known better. I've been in foster care since I was eight, so for thirteen years, they've been coming in and out of my life. The moment I turned sixteen, I got a job, and they started coming over a lot more asking for money. So now, for the last five years, they've been begging me for money. You'd think at twenty-one, I’d just tell them to leave me alone, be the parents and go get a job, or find the cash elsewhere. But, for whatever stupid reason that runs through my head, I still help them when I can; I still fight with them when they ask.

Now it's getting harder for me, they’re robbing me now; not even asking. I think that the only way I can really help, is if I threaten to go to the police—they might leave me alone then. But, they’re my parents. Yes, they’ve treated me like shit, but they’re still my parents, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to them.

"You were out of the country, and we needed—“

“You needed your next fix,” I answer for them. I know what they do with my money, I know where every penny goes—in their veins or killing their liver with all the alcohol they drink. Just my luck that not just one of my parents, but both are complete losers.

“Five hundred—”

“Stop, please stop.” Walking around the kitchen counter.“I can’t keep doing this. With the amount I give you, I just about make my rent.” I start laughing, wondering what joke I'm living in at the moment. "You don't care. All you care about is the money. If I have it or not means nothing to you."

Walking into my room, to get some money for them. Can't wait until we fly out tomorrow. When I'm not here, things work a lot better for me. Heading back out, I give Calvin a smile.

“You’re not giving them more money!” he shouts at me. I turn to face my parents. “You’re gonna leave her with nothing.”

Calvin’s always there for me—my best friend of thirteen years. We met in foster care. He’s two years older than me, and I think he’s more protective than a real brother would be. If I ever need help with money, he’ll help me. There was a month that I had nothing, as they just helped themselves. I learned from that, though, and started sending half of my pay to Calvin to put into his account.

“This will be the last time—”

""Just take the money and leave.” I slap the cash into my dad’s hand and cross my arms over my chest. My lips purse as my temper flares. I don’t even want to look at them right now. I just want them to get the hell out of my house before I say something I might regret later. Getting out my life would be better, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

I walk to the fridge and grab a beer for myself and Calvin. “Why are you still here?”

"They still need more money, why else would they be here?” Calvin starts walking to the door. "You're not getting any more. In fact, don't ever ask again, so just leave her alone.” I open the door for them, and standing still while waiting for them to leave.

I'd be happy if they left me alone permanently, never mind for a week or month. My dad looks back at me as they walk towards the door, but I quickly break eye contact with him. After they leave, Calvin closes the door.

“Don’t start. It’s easier to give them money than having them here every second of the day.”

“Money that you don’t have all the time.” He stops for a moment and just stares at me. He can see that I'm not happy about it and it's upsetting me. "Sorry, I know how hard it is for you with them, and I do agree it’s easier by just giving them the money. But think about it. The more you give, the more they take, and you aren't helping. You're just helping them feed the habit, and that there, in itself, is the problem."

“Yes, I know, but what can I do? I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t, so I can’t win either way,” I say, changing the subject. “So, what are you doing here so early? I thought we were meeting at the restaurant.” Walking over to the living room.

“What, can't I come to see my best friend without there being a reason?"

"You can, but I know you well enough.” Sitting on the couch as I hit play on my phone to contact my Bluetooth, as TLC’s No Scrubs comes on.

“Fine. You thought your day was bad, losing five hundred pounds is nothing to my problem,” he says.

I do love how he jokes around with me about this. If he didn't, I’d be going crazy all the time.

“You think losing five hundred pounds is nothing?” I raise my brows as he shrugs his shoulders. “Fine, what’s your heartbreaking news?” I drink my beer, and watch him looking at me. I have no idea what he’s looking for, but he narrows his eyebrows at me.

“Did you have a one-night-stand last night?” he asks.

I start laughing. “What? No, I wish. I mean, I do need to have sex. Has it changed since I last had it?” I can’t even remember the last time. I want to say it was less than six months ago, but I think that’s more wishful thinking.