Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(34)

“Oh that’s terrible,” my mama gasps.

“Ellie, how about you join your Papa to watch some T.V. and we let these old folk talk,” my father says to Ellie as he stands. Ellie nods her head happily and my dad helps her down from her stool.

Once they are out of the room the fun starts. My mama and siblings take turns asking questions about what I plan to do with the new turn of events. I spill to them everything I have no answers to. I am still trying to figure this all out, being with Tam, having a family and not messing up with each decision I make.





Chapter 15


Today has been the longest day of my life. When I walk into my house and kick off my shoes I just want to see my baby girl and have a glass of wine. It dawns on me when I notice the house is quiet that Brad and Brielle aren’t here.

I thought Ellerie would have let them in by now. Brad doesn’t have a key to come and go so I am a little freaked out. I fish my phone out of my purse hurriedly.

“Hey Darlin’,” Brad drawls. I can hear laughter and talking in the background.

“Brad, where are you? I thought Ellerie would have let you guys in by now. Did something happen,” I rush.

“I told him not to come. We were across town when he said he was on the way.”

“Bradley, where are you?”

“I’m at my parents’ house, well my house for now until I find a place. I needed to shower and change after I picked Ellie up. Then my mama called the rest of the family over and I sort of lost track of time,” Brad explains.

“Brad,” I groan. “What part of taking things slow don’t you get? I don’t get it. This is just so out of control. Just bring my daughter home, Bradley.”

“Now wait a minute Darlin’, Ellie is safe and happy. She’s playing with her cousins and getting to know her family. I was hoping you would come here and meet my family too. My mama cooked a big spread and she would love to have you here,” Bradley says sounding anxious and frustrated all at once.

I am just pissed. I feel like I am just having things thrown at me left and right and I am not getting a say in any of it. Things haven’t been this out of control in my life in a really long time.

“You know this isn’t fair to me. I just asked you to do one thing and now I’m the bad person if I say no. I’m so tired Brad. I didn’t need this today. I’ve had the day from hell and this is not what I need. I’m not prepared to meet your family, but does that matter to you, no, because you… as always enter my life and turn it upside down and leave me to pick up the pieces.”

Brad sighs heavily into the phone and is quite for a moment. “I’m sorry Tam. We’ll be there in an hour,” he finally says.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and squeeze my eyes shut. “No Brad, text me the address. I’ll come to you,” I say as calmly as I can.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes Brad, it’s best this way.”

B

I curse and bang my head against the wall under the stairs once I hang up the phone and text Tam my parents’ address. That conversation went worse than I thought. Tamara is right. I could have handled this better. I am being unfair to her.

She sounded so pissed off at me. It’s just that watching Ellie with my family has been so great. When Ann and Trevor’s kids got here Ellie was so excited to meet them all. They took right to her.

She’s been locked on Jessica’s hip, my oldest niece, ever since they said hi to each other. Each time they enter the kitchen Ellie is dangling from Jess’s side. Ellie looks so happy. You’d think she grew up with all the rest of the kids. I just want Tam to be a part of this. I didn’t think about how tired and stressed she’d be.

I sigh and shove off the wall to head back into the kitchen with the adults. Ann’s husband, Tom, and Trev’s wife, Donna, have both arrived with the kids. Ann has three kids and Trev has four. Everyone looks up when I reenter the room. I had been so happy when I saw it was Tam calling. Now I look like someone kicked my dog.

“Everything okay,” my mama asks with concern.

“Yeah, Tam just had a long day and I should have considered that,” I huff.

“Oh honey, I can pack a few plates for y’all and you could take her something to eat,” mama offers already moving to get supplies to do so.

“No, she’s on her way already.”

“Well now that she’s snagged a pro football star she won’t have to work so hard,” Donna says smugly.

“Not everyone is out for a paid day to flit around doing what they please,” Ann growls.

Trevor snorts and glares at his wife. I do my best to ignore her, because I am not sure I’ll be able to reign in my temper right now. My mama is trying not to glare and failing horribly, which is out of character for Gloria Monroe. Donna knows how to get under everyone’s skin.

“I’m just saying, what do you know about this woman? Who’s her family? Are you sure that little girl is yours?” Donna snarls.

“I don’t see how any of that is your business,” Trevor snaps, “although, I sure should have asked more of those questions before getting involved with you.”

“Oh please Trevor,” Donna snorts and rolls her eyes. “I mean she’s black right? I think if you were going to experiment with groupies you would have been more careful. Now you have a little half breed. No telling what this mistake could cost you.”