Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(23)

To say I am livid would be an understatement. I am pissed. Thomas has such nerve. To think he can’t even say the damn word right. If he had Brielle sure would have pronounced it right. Brad’s face goes from concerned, to shocked, to absolute rage. In an instant I know what he is going to do and there is nothing I can do about it. I shove my hands in my hair trying to anchor myself for what is coming at me like a speeding bullet.

“Look at me, baby,” Brad’s voice rasps as he cups her little face and my eyes squeeze shut. “You are not a bastard. You have a daddy and he loves you and your mommy very, very much. Your mommy is beautiful and so are you, baby.”

“No I don’t have a daddy,” Bri cries.

“Yes, you do baby,” Brad chokes out.

No, no, no Brad. Don’t do this, not now. I can’t believe this is happening. Somewhere in the back of my mind I am slowly processing he said he loved her and her mommy. I push that aside knowing he is just trying to console a three year old. I open my eyes and see the pain in his face. There is no way to stop him and I am not sure if he is going to fix this or make it worse. He sweeps at her tears and ducks his head to look her in the eyes.

“That’s not true. If I do where is he? Why isn’t he here like Thomas’s daddy,” Brielle sobs.

“It is true.” Brad presses his forehead to hers. “I’m right here, baby, I’m right here. I love you so much, Ellie. I promise you, baby, I love you. I didn’t know. I would have been here but I didn’t know. I’ll never leave you again.”

Brielle’s little mind is amazing. I knew it would take just a word and she would know. She gasps and her head snaps back like his words are a slap. I hold my breath not knowing what is coming. Her tiny hand goes to his face and cups his jaw.

“You’re my daddy,” she says in a little whisper.

“Yeah Ellie, I’m your daddy,” Brad chokes, swallowing pass a lump in his throat.

Brielle wraps her arms around his neck and squeezes so tight I don’t think he can breathe. He is crushing her little body to him rocking from side to side. They stay like that for I don’t know how long.

I want to break down and sob. This is my fault. I should have told him. I caused my baby so much pain and I didn’t even mean to. Brad looks up at me like he is reading my mind and reaches out to pull me into their hug.

“Let’s go home,” I say planting a kiss on Brielle’s head. “Brad, can you take Ellie to the car. I’ll take care of this.”

He presses his lips and glares at me as realization for why this started comes back. I sigh and put my hands on my hips. He starts to say something, but I cut him off.

“Please Bradley, just take her outside. I’ll handle it,” I plead.

He doesn’t look none too pleased, but he nods and bends to pick up the gift bag for Brielle, that he dropped when she charged into his arms. He looks at me long and hard like he is going to change his mind. Then backs away and turns to leave.

I turn and scan the room for Miranda. That Thomas is always up to something. I have no idea why any of the parents still bring their kids to his functions. I started to tell Brielle we weren’t coming to this one but she was so excited.

“Miranda, we need to talk,” I bite out when I storm over to Thomas’s mom.

“Hey Tam, what is it Sugar,” Miranda says with a smile until she looks up at my face.

“It’s Thomas, he just said some things to Bri that I don’t appreciate,” I say then tell her what Brielle told us.

Miranda turns beet red and her jaw flaps like a fish as she tries to find words. I drop my hip and put my fists on my waist. I raise my brow, waiting impatiently for her to get her crap together.

“Tam, I …” she stammers.

“What’s going on Miranda?” Perry, Miranda’s husband drawls.

“Thomas,” she growls. “H-he called Bri a bastard and said her mama ain’t pretty enough to keep her daddy around. Now where would he get something like that from Perry?” Miranda is now fuming at her husband.

Perry snorts as his beady little eyes rake over me. He licks his lips and gives me a smug smile. He is the bastard, he’s asked me to sleep with him more than once.

My body starts that humming and the hairs on my neck are at attention. I groan internally. Brad’s hand splays my belly possessively and draws me back against his chest.

I crane my neck. “I thought I asked you to take Ellie to the car,” I murmur.

“I did but she forgot her shoes, we had to come back,” he explains then looks up at Miranda and Perry.

Perry’s mouth is gaping open as he looks at Brad. Then his eyes flicker between Brad and Brielle in his arms, several times before bouncing to me. Perry swallows then draws a hand over his face. I turn into Brad’s side and sink into his warmth and his arm tightens around me. He looks down at me to search my face then plants a kiss on my forehead.

“Bradley Monroe,” Perry says sounding puzzled and holding out his hand. Brad nods, takes his hand, and squeezes harder than he has to. “C-can we get you something? My boy would love to meet you. It’s his birthday party.”

“We’re actually leaving. I don’t take too kindly to folks making my baby cry. Maybe I’ll meet your boy at Brielle’s princess party when he comes to show he has better manners,” Brad says matter-of-factly.