Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(13)

“That sounds like a contradiction,” I grumble and step out of the closet. “If they are potential clients then don’t they fall into the same category as all the other men I talk to?”

“Don’t they fall into the same category as all the other men I talk to?” Ellerie mocks. “The point here is that you have spent the last five years doing nothing but taking care of my niece and working like mad to become partner. I am proud of you for finally taking a vacation, but when are you going to find some type of social life. I’m not saying dude needs to move up in here or anything. I just want to see you happy.”

“Who says I’m not happy? And what do you think of this dress? Is it too much,” I ask and spin around as I push my diamond studs into my ears.

I have on a simple black dress that is off the shoulders, fitted in the bodice, flaring out at the waist into a pleated skirt. The insides of the pleats are white with a white petticoat underneath made of organza. The dress falls to just above my knees. It has a classic look to it.

“You’re my sister anything you wear is perfect. And you are not happy,” Ellerie narrows his eyes at me.

“Uncle Eli,” my little monster coos as she runs in the room at the perfect moment and jumps on to the bed lunging at my brother. “Do you like my dress?”

“You look like a princess,” Ellerie beams down at her and strokes her silky curls.

Brielle’s hair is just one of the many things she got from her father. It’s not golden blonde like his but more of a dirty blonde. It’s full and thick like mine, but it is silky like I remember her father’s being when I ran my fingers through it. She has a natural curl that causes her long locks to fall in Shirley temple like curls.

Brielle has her father’s blue eyes, a little version of his nose, his cleft chin and two dimples. Only way you know I had anything to do with her is in the bow shape of her little full lips and the almond shape of her big blue eyes. You can also see me in her thick eyelashes and full brows, despite them being a dirty blonde.

Then there is her complexion, she is not brown like me or tanned like her father. She has a mocha complexion of her own that makes her big blue eyes sparkle something fierce. But make no doubts if you see a picture of her father you would know she’s his little girl.

Brielle bounces off the bed to do a little twirl for her uncle in her little cotton yellow dress with a satin sash at the waist. My family spoils her every chance they get, Stacey included. My parents spend more time traveling the world since my dad retired, not that I blame them. They worked hard raising Ellerie and me and they deserve to enjoy their lives. But when they are home they are usually in town fawning over Brielle.

I named her Brielle after her father and my brother. It was never my plan to find out who he was or his real name. It just sort of happened. For weeks I tried to avoid pro football events and potential clients. I figured if I stuck to entertainment law and other sports for a while I could avoid putting a name to the face.

Unfortunately, I had a complete meltdown during Christmas with my family, when my brother insisted I hang with him, my uncle, and my dad watching the game. There his face was flashing on the screen for a California team, Bradley Monroe, on the offensive line up as the starting quarterback.

I sobbed so hard everyone thought I was losing it because of the pregnancy hormones. I had just told them that I was expecting and there were mixed feelings about it. My mom was excited and welcomed the idea. Both my dad and Ellerie wanted to know who the father was.

I wanted to give my baby one more thing that belonged to her father, so Stacey and I started playing with different girls names. I didn’t like Brandy so I went with a little of Bradley and a little of Ellerie, hence Brielle.

“Uncle Eli, Mommy said you are making new friends and you’re taking us to meet them,” she chirps.

“That’s right beautiful. Some new friends and some old ones,” Ellerie smiles down at her.

“Do you think they will like my dress too?”

“You and your mommy will be the prettiest ones there.”

Brielle giggles and bounces on the balls of her feet. I love this little girl so much. I walk into the closet and slip on a pair of red satin platform peep toe shoes. Stepping over to the mirror I sweep on some red lip gloss and smile. My skin is glowing from two weeks on a Disney cruise with Brielle. I am glad I decided to just do black eyeliner with mascara and a touch of black shadow in the corners. I look refreshed.

I grab my red bag, big enough for Bri’s reader, my reader and some snacks for my picky eater in case she doesn’t like what is served at this thing. She drives me crazy with her picky eating. She’s tall for her age and when she eats she can pack it in but it has to be something she likes.

I don’t know where she gets that from. Sometimes I just want to pull my hair out, but then I remember that I know exactly where she gets it from. I just wouldn’t know him well enough to know for sure that I am right.

“I feel so unprepared,” I complain. “You guys just got a new player and it’s a big deal isn’t it. I should have at least gone online and caught up.”

I had promised myself I would not look at anything sports or entertainment related while on vacation. I only knew about the new player because Ellerie was excited about getting some help finally. This event would be sort of a meet and greet for all the new guys and families to get to know each other.