Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(12)
So for five years I have just managed to exist. I tried a long term relationship thinking that would help. Tiffany was a nice girl she just wasn’t her. I hated the way she laughed and she pushed too much. Wanting to meet my family, wanting to move into my place, wanting to be on my arm when I had to show up at events; I guess for a girlfriend all that wasn’t a lot to ask. Six months passed and I wasn’t in love with her. I was barely tolerating her.
I hated how she would show up at my place and leave things around trying to mark her territory. I’d find strands of her bleached blonde hair in my sink after I cleaned the sink out. Her underclothes would be in random places and my housekeeper would find them. I just had to end things and that was true for so many things. I wanted out. So as soon as an offer came my way to go home and play in Texas I jumped on it.
I shocked everyone. My GM didn’t see it coming, my coach didn’t have a clue, and even my agent was stunned that I wanted to take the offer and leave. I just needed to go home, find myself, and be with my family. I needed to be surrounded by people that really care about me.
It feels good to be in my parents’ home surrounded by laughter and home cooking. I see my dad relaxing and enjoying just kicking back and not worrying about the ranch or drilling sites for once. That is my cousin’s responsibility now. My parents bought a great place with plenty of space for them and the grandkids.
I love my nieces and nephews. Watching my brother and sister with their families makes me wonder if I’m missing something. I watched the guys on the team that would rush home from games to be with their kids, especially on holidays. At twenty-eight I want more and I see how happy it makes my parents to have a full house.
“I am so happy you are home honey,” my mother coos as she enters the kitchen. I have been sitting at the kitchen island on a stool looking at houses on my mobile device.
“I’m glad I’m here too,” I say with a genuine smile. It does feel good to be home.
“I hope whatever has been bothering you can be solved with family and love,” my mother says knowingly.
Leave it to my mother to get right to the point. This is why I have stayed away for so long. My parents have had that look on their face from the first day I got here. They know something is really eating at me.
“I hope so Mama,” I sigh.
“Your brother wanted to come by but something came up with Donna and the kids. Ann said she and the kids would stop by a little later,” she informs me with a warm smile, as if she had been reading my earlier thoughts. “So you think you’ll be able to find a house close by? You know you are welcome to stay here as long as you like or go to the ranch and stay there if you like.”
My mom is great at multitasking. She is preparing dinner for the family, getting games and movies out for the grandkids and tending to me and my issues. I miss being pampered and fussed over as the baby in the family.
“I plan to look at a couple of places tomorrow. Hopefully there is something promising with those. Things are going to get busy soon. If I can find something early this week it would be best,” I sigh and draw my hands down my face.
I have been looking at houses for a few days but the problem is that I’m not sure what I want. I know I’ll know it when I see it. I wouldn’t mind being closer to my parents. I also think I need something that I am going to make permanent.
“Well just remember not to rush into anything hon’,” she says gently sharing her wisdom. “You’re home now, you can take time and fix everything that needs fixing.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Now I got all that organic stuff you’ve been eating and I changed out the pantry so you can be comfortable while you’re here. I want you to always feel welcome without worrying about what you’re going to eat,” she stirs something in a pot then covers it and goes to retrieve a bottle of water. Placing it in front of me she takes away the empty bottle.
“I really appreciate it all Mama.”
“You’re my baby, it’s not a problem at all,” she stops and looks me square in the eyes. “Whoever she is, if she is the one you’ll find your way back to her. If she’s not the one you will learn to let go.”
I am speechless. I blink back the tears and rest my head in my palms. It’s good to be home, this is what I needed.
Chapter 5
“Come on Tam just pick a dress already and put it on,” my brother calls from his perch on my bed while I stand in my closet trying to figure out what to wear.
“Ellerie, don’t rush me. I don’t want to go to this in the first place.”
According to my brother I need to start dating. So his bright idea for the day is to take me to some family and team function at the stadium. He was blessed to have signed a contract three years ago. When the offer came and he saw the opportunity to play, move to Texas, and be able to look after me and my daughter. So he jumped on it.
He is in great shape these days and he has always had the talent. His team just hasn’t had the right pieces to bring home the championship. I worry about him sometimes because the clock is ticking and the chips seem to be getting further and further away. I know he has done everything he can to stay in Texas because of us but I want him to go where he will be happy.
“That’s exactly why you are going. Just think all that potential money under one roof and the opportunity to talk to some adult men that are not your clients,” Ellerie croons.