Page 11 of High Baller

“It’s not every day that a girl says no to him, so what’s the reason?” Derek asks. “The ‘no pictures’ is a very interesting thing, would you like to explain? Are you on the run or something?”

I can’t help but smile as that question. “What’s it to you?”

“I’m his manger. But before that, I’m his friend, and he’s taken a very hard liking to you. Trey’s a man that gets what he wants, and right now, he wants you.”

“So, do you chat up all the girls he likes for him or what?” I ask. “Do you think I should sleep with him so he can get it out of his system?” I’m sure Trey’s more than capable of picking up his own girls.

He laughs as I look over at Calvin chatting to a few guys.

“No, I don’t think you should. Well, not yet anyway. He just wants dinner with you. Have dinner with him tonight.” Derek takes his phone out and just holds it so I can see what he’s doing. I watch as he opens up the contacts, ready to get my number; he’s not getting it.

I shake my head.“No. Listen, he’s very good looking, and if he was just a normal guy walking the street, then yes, I'd most likely go out with him tonight, but as you can see”—I point to him—“everyone takes his picture—pictures that end up on the internet—”

“And again, every girl that looks at him, wants that. They want their five minutes of fame, so what’s the problem? Who you hiding from?” he asks.

“I don’t want a second of his fame, I want nothing from him,” I snap. “And maybe I am hiding from someone, but that’s none of your business.” I walk away. I don’t need to tell them anything about me. After today, I won’t have to see them again. Trey’s just a little boy crying because he can’t get what he wants, when he wants it.

I go inside, and walk around the house. It’s so enormous that there’s so much of it that I still haven’t seen.

The kitchen is massive, and I bet an entire football team could fit in here with room to spare. It’d be a dream come true to cook a meal in here. I love creating recipes, and Calvin is always my guinea pig when I make something new. From making huge breakfasts to extravagant desserts, it would be amazing to have full use of the open space in this kitchen.

As I make my way down the hallway, I stop at the indoor pool. Wow, he has two pools. Now, I can swim in this one, no one is here, no pictures will be taken… This is perfect. My lips curl up as I open the door, and the heat hits me.

I pull my dress over my head, then dive into the pool, skimming the bottom as the warm water hits my skin. I swim to the surface, then swim a few laps.

I stop when I feel a hand stroke over my leg. I turn my head to see Trey, raising my arm over my head as I swim to the other side. My heart is racing so fast right now because Trey King is in the pool with me—alone.

“This is a private swimming pool,” Trey says as he swims a little closer toward me, but I glide away from him. “If it’s a private pool party you want, I can make that happen.”

I stay in the place, treading water to keep me afloat.

Trey looks around as if to prove something. “No cameras in here, so…”

“I think it’s best if we—”

“Kiss, I know,” Trey says, cutting me off.

I press my lips together, holding back the smile from his cute comeback.

Trey reaches for me, but I push my hands through the water and scoot backward before he can touch me. “Hiding from someone? I’ll keep you hidden. One dinner, that’s all I ask. You never know, you might even like what’s on the inside, as I know you definitely like what’s on the outside.” Trey smiles as he chases me around the swimming pool. “Can you do me a favor, and just stay still? Or, get out of the pool for a second so I can get a better look at your sexy body. You’ve seen mine, it’s only fair I get to see yours.”

“That would be teasing. You get to look at me, but you can’t touch me. Now, I’m not that mean,” I purr. If he wants to play this game, I can play along. “So, this dinner, where would we be going?”

I like looking at his silver-blue eyes, they have that cheekiness to them, when he smiles it goes to his eyes, and I like that.

“Well, as you don’t like your picture taken, dinner will be here. What would you be wearing?” Trey asks as he floats in the water.

“Well, you asked me to dinner, what’s the dress code?”

We both tread the water in circles around each other. My legs are growing tired and I don’t know how much longer I can last.

“Something sexy,” he says, his eyes roaming over the parts of me above the water. “A body like yours needs to be shown off. So, a sexy dress, nothing too short—you don’t need to be that girl that thinks the shorter the better.”

He's surprising me. I thought he'd want me to show off all my goods, but he wants me to look good for him, not others.

“And what are you wearing?” I ask, licking my bottom lip as my eyes roam his face.

“It’s a first date, so something that'll make you happy. I’m guessing you like a smart man on the first date—”