Page 43 of High Baller

“If they do order me one.” I lean back as we watch the others talking about which ones to try. “Order whatever you want, just let me know,” I say, which they seem more than happy about. I turn to Derek.“You and Ariel have been together for, what, four weeks? Should I ask if you’re—”

"I'm not far from it,” he says. “I already hate the thought of next week." I've never been in love before. I'll admit I’ve always thought the idea of it was stupid, but I'm thinking Sky has me falling down that road.

Derek leans over as he grabs the bottle of water."Man, you can see it—the smile is never off your face. The way you look at her, it's like no one else is in the room but her."

He's right. The only one I see is Sky. There isn't anyone else for me. Now all I have to do, is get my Ma to like her.

“I really want to try this one,” Sky says, pointing to the list. “I’ve no idea how to even say the word.” She shows me the name, and even I don't know how to say it. It looks like a strange word, but the fact it says for a romantic date, it wins my vote. "I also want the Pinot Noir, and then Finn has picked a funny named one." She leans closer to me, and starts blowing gently on my neck. “What do you want to drink?”

"You," I whisper back to her as my hand moves up and down her back. I turn to Derek as he whispers something to Ariel. I listen to Sky, Calvin, and Finn laughing about something that happened on a flight for them.

Derek looks over at them. ”How did you two meet?".

"Foster care,” Sky replies. “I was put in the system when I was ten,” Sky tells us. “In the first house, this older boy tried it on with me. Calvin stepped in to help me, but he didn’t need to. I punched the guy instead,"

“A fighter.”

"You have to be in foster care. The older you get, the harder it gets." Sky looks over at Calvin. "Since that day, he hasn't left me—“

"Me? You've never left me." Calvin says, his voice rising, and Sky giggles. "Now fourteen years later, she’s still here."

"Yeah, and you love me."

“I do, best friend, sister, soul mate.”

"You know it.”

Their friendship is as tight as mine and Derek’s. They'll have each other’s back no matter what. You mess with one of them, you mess with both.

Sky leans forward as the wine and cheese board is placed on the table. "I don't think this isn't going to be enough," Sky tells us. I feel Derek’s eyes on me, and I shake my head.

"Maybe not for you, but Finn and I are good.” Calvin laughs.

"Ariel, are you with me?" Sky looks over at her. "I know Trey won't drink too much, Derek doesn't look like he can handle his drink, so what do you say?"

“I can handle my drink,” Derek argues. Sky raises her eyebrow at him. “Trey, tell her. I’m sure that I can drink more than she can.”

I glance at him. "For some reason, I don't think you can, Derek. Sky can drink."

“We’ll see,” Derek says and Sky looks over her shoulder at me. That smile, God, that smile means trouble.

We spend all night talking about when we were kids, how Derek and I used to play ball on the court, which was all broken up, how he used to push me to do school work, how he's my brother, and I'd never be where I am today without him pushing me.

Between the six of us, we went through a lot of wine. Sky was right; it wasn’t enough. She drank more than us, but she's also the only one that can walk in a straight line, too.

While walking toward our bedroom, Sky and Calvin sing a Queen song as they skip in the hallway in the hotel. This is the first time that I’ve had to walk with Finn without those two with me, and I realize he's a nice guy. He’s in love with Calvin; that's why he travels with him when he can. He told me they broke up, which lasted a week because he missed Calvin too much. They were together for a long time before that break, but if you want to be with someone, you'll always make it work.

"Right, big player, I think I'll take my boyfriend back, and you can take your girl back." Calvin pushes Sky into me. “Remember, our room is right in front of yours, so keep the noise down."

“I should be saying that to you.” Sky points her finger at the pair, then quickly grabs my arm as she starts to lose her balance. "I think I need to take these shoes off now."

"I can help you with that.” I scoop her up into my arms, her small frame fitting easily against me. "See you guys in the morning," I tell Calvin and Finn as I swipe the key card and kick the door open.

“What have you got planned, player?" Sky nuzzles at my neck as I walk closer to the bed.

"Oh, some fun for us tonight,” I reply, laying her on the bed.

She props herself on her elbows, and gives me the most seductive stare. Slowly opening her legs, she brings her hands up, and quickly takes her panties off. I can't take my eyes off of her, and I lick my lips as I see her how wet she is for me already.