;distance is just a test to see how far love can travel

It's been one whole week.

Which means in another one whole week, I'll be back in Maddox Hunters big, strong arms.

Not going to lie, it's been a miserable time of it.

Thankfully, I've had Eli, Jason and the girls to keep me distracted long enough that I don't cry - at least during the day, anyway.

It's consisted of one at home game, that we absolutely dominated thanks to my brother picking up his skill in three pointer throws and Jason's stupid - but tactful - attempt to dunk.

I made food twice this week. Mhm. We sat around the table at the baller house and while I love the guys - even Mason, kinda, now - it just wasn't the same without Maddox.

It felt somewhat, hollow and empty.

Even with the various Facetime calls and the sparsely sent texts, nothing felt the same without him.

I was lonely, but not alone. I was happy, but not the fulfilled. I was alive but not living.

Is this how love is meant to make you feel?

Like you're barely surviving if you haven't got that one person with you?

I've never been a needy or clingy kinda girl but I feel like I could 100% take up that role in order to get more attention from Maddox.

The only thing really stopping me is the fact I know this is his dream, before me, before drafts, before his college career - his dream was to become a baller and it's finally happening.

I'm so incredibly proud of him, and genuinely, genuinely happy it's all coming true.

After all his hard work, this is the least he deserves.

And from what he's told me during our calls, he seems to be enjoying it.

And not to mention his team are pretty cool.

We were on Facetime the other day while he was on the court, I couldn't help but fan girl when some of the players came on the camera to say hi to me - literally had to bite my fist to stop from screaming that I loved them.

Tragic, really.

And to think, my boyfriend is now one of them!

I'm praying this week flies by so I can be with him in New York for the drafting ceremony thingy.

I bought my dress yesterday too, told Maddox but stayed strong when he begged me to see it.

I wanted it to be a surprise, but I just know he's gonna love it.

Red floor length, figure hugging, satin textured, spaghetti stringed, deep v neck neckline, with a slit stopping mid thigh.

Yup. Bulls colours as my mom send over my black LB's.

"Hey, Han. Do you still have those black studs I lent you?" I call out as I push open Hannah's bedroom door. "Holy-bro-fuck!" I yelped, stumbling back out her room and quickly closing the door.

WTF!?

I rush into the kitchen and dart into the fridge. Hannah comes tumbling out her room, dressed in a robe and I'm assuming nothing else.

"Tee, fuck." She blurts out, looking flustered and rosy. "I-shit."

I can't help myself, I burst out laughing. Like hysterically laughing.

"Oh, Hannah. Jesus Christ." I say through a laugh.

Poor girl looks confused as hell.

I hold my hands in either side of me. "That was not what I was expecting to walk into."

Damn, this shit was amusing.

"You're-- you're not mad?" she asks warily.

I snort. "Girl, no? Why would I be mad?"

Heavy footsteps sound from the hallway and out comes my brother, shirt over his head and one arm inside the sleeve while the other is hanging free, he's looking down and buttoning up his jeans.

"Jesus, Tee! Couldn't wait ten minutes." He scowls.

"Trust me if I'd have known you were in there getting freaky, I'd of left the apartment and gave you all day, brother." I shot back, slight smirk on my face.

He rolls his eyes as he tucks his other arm is his sleeve.

Hannah looks all kids of embarrassed and flustered. Bless her.

"You're an asshole." He grumbles at me. "And you, I'll call you later." he grins, leaning in from behind and placing a kiss on Hannah's cheek before dashing for the door. "Bye cock block."

"Bye, chicken nuts." I call back.

Hannah slumps into the bar stool at the island and drops her head in her hands. "Oh my god, how fucking embarrassing." she groans.

"Ah, come on, Han. It's not that bad." I assure her, highly amused I must say. "So, I caught you fucking my brother. What's a little lilly got between friends, huh?"

She looks up at me through her lashes with furrowed brows. "Little lilly?"

"Lilly. . . Willy. . . Penis?" I reiterate.

She looks at me dumbfounded before bursting out laughing. "Fucking lilly."

"So you and Eli?"

She nods sheepishly. "Are you mad?"

I give her a screw face. "Hell no, I ain't mad. As long as he's treating you right, and you him. I'm cool with it."

Her hand drops to her heart. "Oh thank god," she sighs in relief. "Because I really like him, Tee."

I give her a small smile, a true, honest, genuine one. "I'm glad it's you and not Steph."

She snorts as she waves her hand out trying to swat me. "Idiot."

I giggle as my phone starts ringing, pulling it out my back pocket I squeal when I see it's my baby Facetiming me.

"Hey!" I beam down the camera.

His brown eyes light like dry mud, his chocolate locks sticking to his forehead, a shade darker due to the sweat, but his smile is bigger and brighter than ever.

God, I miss him.

"There's my gorgeous girl!" he chants. "What you doing?"

I grin, look up at Hannah who has a cautious look on her face, shaking her head no.

"Well, if you'd of called five minutes before that and asked me I'd of told you---"

"NOOO!!" Hannah booms, diving over the island for me but I duck away, giggling like a little girl.

"I'd of told you that I caught--"

"TEE NOO! Please!" Hannah begs and pleads at the top of her voice as she tries to chase me around the island.

"I caught Eli and Hannah!" I rush out through a loud laugh, still running from Hannah.

"You suck!!" Hannah stomped her foot.

"At least I don't suck my brother." I shot back.

"The hell is going on?" Maddox laughs. "Hannah and Eli?"

I look down at him, keeping Hannah in my peripheral in case she charges for me again, and nod while smirking.

Maddox's booming laugh echoes out the speaker, he's practically wheezing!

"No fucking way!" He laughs. "Hannah and Eli, the fuck!"

I look up to Hannah and shoot her a small shrug with a sorry-not-sorry look as she scowls at me crossing her arms over her chest.

"Didn't see that one coming." Maddox grins.

"I legit walked in on them doggying!" I tell him. "How mortifying!"

"You were mortified?!" Hannah exclaimed. "I was fucking mortified!"

Me and Maddox both burst out laughing again as Hannah stomped off back to her room.

"I'd wash those sheets if I were you, Han Han." I call after her, only she ignored me and slammed her door.

"Can't say I'm surprised to be honest." My boyfriends says with a grin.

I shake my head. "Nor me. I kinda hoped they'd get together. She's sweet, he's an asshole who needs a foot up his ass. Sounds perfect to me."

"Well you sound, look, feel, smell and taste perfect to me, Bella." Oo this boys smooth.

"Mhm." I raise a brow, "is that so, Baller?"

"Damn right, baby. I can't wait to see you in New York next week, if you're thinking of leaving that apartment you got another thing coming." he winks down the camera.

I roll my eyes playfully but give him the kissy lips. "I can't wait to see you."

He shoot me a sad smile. "I can't wait to see you, baby. It's been fucking awful going to bed alone."

I snort. "Is that the only time you miss me? When you have to use your right hand instead of my insides?"

He groans dropping his head back. "You gotta say shit like that? I'm a week in the dust and about ready to bust."

A bubble of laughter erupts from me. "You fucking idiot. Who rhymes when talking like that?"

His dark brow flicks up. "Me. That's who."

"Of course." I quip. "Hey, so question."

"I'm listening."

"I was thinking while we're in New York, after the draft, do you maybe, wanna, come with me to drop off a transcript at this agency I spoke to?"

Yes, I'm getting on the ladder to becoming an author.

After Maddox left to fulfil his dreams, I realised it was my time to do something about mine. That's why I got a bunch of emails saved on my Mac book ready to email them my novel, but not until I was with Maddox. I promised we'd do it together, and I don't break promises.

As well as saving all the emails, I called an agency up that was based in NYC - Baker and Brothers - a highly respected publishing company that doesn't take emailed versions but only print outs handed in by the writer themselves.

So, I booked and made an appointment to drop of my novel two days after Maddox's drafting ceremony.

His eyes go wide with excitement. "Of course baby! You're finally doing it?!"

I nod nervously but besides the nerves, I'm excited, and happy Maddox is happy. "Yeah. I was going to do the whole email thing, and I kinda did, but I haven't sent them over yet."

He furrows his brows. "How come?"

I pop a shoulder and quickly avert my eyes. "I was waiting until I was with you." I admit.

His eyes instantly soften and his lips turn up into the biggest smile. "You was? Baby, you're so fucking cute! We'll do it straight after the draft and sex, deal?"

I giggle at my idiot boyfriend. "Deal." I sweetly reply. "Draft, sex, email."

He winks at me. "It was just a quick call while I'm on a break, but I'll call you tonight before bed, yeah? You, me and Eli - Peaky Blinders?"

I nod. "Speak to you tonight, Baller."

"I love you, Bella."

"I love you."

And I miss you.