Page 55 of High Baller

Finn was smiling the whole day, and Calvin kept telling him that he's not that good looking.

“The modeling place he went to the other day, he got it. Next week, he has a shoot to go to so he'll stay here. But he might come to LA with us, as he said he might put his portfolio forward with the agencies there.”

“Look at you, dating a model.” I slide his salad bowl over to him. “Shall we go sit in the sitting room?”

Calvin walks along with me. “I know, and I hope it works out for him because if he’s working, then he can travel on the same flights as me,” he says. I cross my legs on the couch as I start eating. “Is this a homemade dressing?”

"It is, what do you think of it?" I ask as I think it could be a little creamier than it is.

"It's nice, but maybe needs some more mayo in here,” he tells me, and I have to agree with him, but other than that, I'm happy with how it's turned out. You can really taste the herbs in it. "This week has flown by, I think. I mean, we leave in the morning for Chicago."

“I know. I feel like I’ve done nothing at all.” Which is true. I’ve not really been out of the house this week. I’ve done a lot of cooking, and playing around with recipes, FaceTimed Trey a lot, or spent most of the time talking to him the moment he gets back from training. There's still over two weeks until I see him. This is the really hard part, talking and falling more in love with him, but not being able to see him or cuddle up and watch a movie together.

Talking with Trey over the phone has been nice, as I've gotten to know him so much better. The food he likes, what he hates, the colors he likes… There's so much that we have in common too. Films, types of music, he's even started watching some TV shows I love, too, and so far, he likes them. He makes me laugh by saying the smallest thing, but he doesn't think it's funny, but then I say things, and laugh at my own jokes, which he thinks is cute. He calls it my British humor. He’s even been watching all the Arsenal games so that we have something to talk about, but I've also been watching the college basketball games, as he told me that the season had started.

"We leave tomorrow evening, are you going out with Finn tonight?" I ask. I'm trying to get a day to go to LA, even if it means to get there in the afternoon, and leave first thing in the morning. Calvin said that if I make it work, then he'll work the front of the plane and I can work the gallery so I can at least rest a little. I know that it'll take a lot out of me with all the time differences, but I miss Trey so much, and it'll be worth it. I'll do it every time if I can, as this is just killing me.

"Yeah, he wanted to have a nice dinner tonight, so that should be fun.” Calvin turns the volume down a little as they start talking about the basketball player news, who's looking good for the team, which to be on the lookout for. Trey has been mentioned a few times in there now. He seems to be the player to beat for most baskets if I'm following it right.

“Where are you going?”

“There's a new pizza place that Finn wants to try out, and the pasta looks nice too, I'll—” Calvin stops talking, and my hand hangs halfway in the air to my mouth, as I watch the video on the TV screen. "Sky—" I put my hand up for him not to say anything to me. There's nothing that he can say to me right now to make me feel better.

The video goes on repeat, and the report tells the world that Trey King is playing his old games, having a different girl every night at the bar, the video of a girl dancing very close to him, grinding on him. His hand’s on her arm, and the smile on his face, the smile that took my heart, has just broken it.

I’m trying to hold the tears in, but the pain in my chest is roaring, and the beads of water start rolling. Everything around me turns into a blur as I watch the video again.

“Trey’s calling.”

"Leave it," I tell Calvin. Right now, I don't have the strength to talk to him, or listen to what he has to say. "He's going to tell me the same thing he always does. It's all a lie, but,” I stop for a moment as I turn off the TV, "that doesn't look—"

“Hey, I’m here.” Calvin wraps his arms around me and gives me a tight hug as my phone starts to ring again. I circle my arms around Calvin and cry. I let it all out the pain, the hurt, the betrayal. “Wine, we need wine. You won’t let him break you.” Calvin pulls me away from him, and cups my face. He looks at the table as my phone beeps a few times, message after message coming from Trey. He glances back at me. “Everything will be sorted, but today, no talking to Tre. You get to enjoy an evening with your best friend.”

“But Fin—”

“He'll be over too when I tell him. I'll never leave you when you need me the most.” He stops as my phone starts ringing again. “I’m sure—”

“Calvin, at the moment, I just don't want to talk to him," I tell him, and I know that he'll call Calvin sooner or later, and he'll sort it out.

“Let’s get the wine out.” Calvin walks over the kitchen, and I grab my phone.

TREY - I can explain, please pick up the phone.

TREY - It was a party for a teammate, I never touched her.

TREY - Shorty, please, answer the phone.

TREY - I’m not giving up

The messages go on and on, and more are being sent as I read them, and then the phone rings again. Putting it on silent, I take the wine glass from Calvin and drink it all in one go, then put the glass out for him to refill for me.

“Just let me know if you want the hard stuff.” Calvin sits down, and pulls me closer to him and kisses my forehead. “He’s an idiot for doing this.” He takes his phone out as it starts to ring. “It’s Trey.”

Taking the wine bottle from him, I fill my glass up as he answers the phone. “She doesn’t want to talk to you, and I’m not making her… It doesn’t really look good for you… if she wants to talk, then fine, but again, I’m not making her.” Calvin looks at me as I start drinking from the bottle. I think I need the hard stuff now. “Trey, I think you should just leave her tonight… Tomorrow at five in the evening. I'll let you know when we land.” Calvin ends the call, and I can tell that he hung up on Trey while he still wanted to talk. “I think your phone is going to be busy, as Derek is calling you now.” He shows me my phone as I wipe the tears away from my cheek.

Derek - Sky if you can answer your phone, I can explain.

Derek - Trey won't be with me if you answer the phone. I was there that night, and nothing happened.