Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(35)
I feel myself growl all the way from my toes and just barely realized my brother is doing the same. We are like to over grown bears in the middle of my mama’s kitchen. Ann’s face is bright red and she is clenching her fists, but it is my mama that speaks first.
“Donna, I have not raised my children that way. Brielle is no different from any of my other grandchildren no matter who her mother is. Tamara has done an amazing job with Ellie and she has made my son happier than I have seen him in a very long time. I think it best if you keep your opinions to yourself Donna. I don’t want them breathed in my home,” my mama’s chest is practically heaving when she is done.
“My daughter is no mistake,” I bite out. “Tam is not some money hungry groupie, she’s the woman I plan to marry and have more children with.”
“Oh,” Donna gasps as her head snaps back like she’s been slapped. “I hope she’s worth it.” She murmurs with a sour face.
“I think I need a beer, come on bro,” Trevor grunts.
“I think I’ll join you guys,” Ann’s husband says clearing his throat. “Try to behave.” It is a whisper meant for Ann before we all head for the garage.
Mama and daddy have kept an old sofa out in the garage for us since we were teens. I guess the tradition followed from the ranch. Trev pulls three beers from the cooler and flops down between Tom and me.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. She’s the mother of my kids but that’s about it, I don’t love her. Hell, I don’t think she even cares about any of us. I don’t even know who she is. You do know none of us feel that way? The things she said in there. We haven’t even met the girl yet. But from what you tell us she sounds a hell of a lot better than what I tied myself to,” Trevor sighs heavily and downs his whole beer.
“Trev, we come from the same mama and daddy. I know you wouldn’t think half of the things Donna says out loud. She has never known how to keep her trap shut. I wouldn’t have let it get to me in the first place if I wasn’t already on edge,” I reassure him.
“Donna hates herself buddy, it has nothing to do with you or the kids. You’re doing a great job with the kids and you know Ann and I are always ready to help, anytime,” Tom says sympathetically.
“Something has to change soon. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep pretending that she’s not spending way too much or that it isn’t a big deal when she is supposed to be taking care of the kids and I get called away from a job to cover for her. You haven’t been home Brad. You haven’t seen how bad she can really be. She actually mouthed off to daddy for not giving the ranch or the CEO position of Monroe Oil over to me.”
“Wow Trev, I knew things were tense. TAB Construction has been a great success. We all invested a lot into it and you’ve delivered big time. Daddy knows your heart is in building. We’ve known for years he was going to hand things over to Cousin Cliff,” I rumble out loud.
“Yeah, well that greedy bitch thinks all the money comes from daddy, the ranch and the oil.” Trevor sighs. “I don’t know, after she got pregnant with Jess I had this gut feeling I shouldn’t let on that I planned to build TAB. That’s why I’ve had Tom as my front man all this time. Keeping her thinking I work for my best friend and brother in law has been for the best.
“She doesn’t know about the books and things like that, she’d just spend it all. To this day she still doesn’t know TAB stands for Trevor, Ann and Brad. Once daddy put everything in place for me to get started and you guys fronted me the money mom helped with the books when I needed it.
“Now Ann makes sure you guys get your checks and the guys get paid. If Donna really knew how much money was really circulating around here she’d drain every dime. Only thing that keeps her off sites is that she doesn’t want to get dirty, otherwise she may have figured it out by now.” Trevor chuckles and shakes his head getting up to get another beer.
I just let my brother vent. Through talking to Ann I already knew some of this. Trevor and I are close, but Ann and I are a lot closer for several reasons. Trevor, being ten years older, never leans on us as much as we lean on him. He started his construction company when Ann and I graduated high school. Since Ann and I were finally old enough to touch our funds, the whole family chipped in to help out.
Jess was six at the time. Things weren’t great with Donna then but Trev was in love with Jess and Toby and Paige were soon to follow. To be honest I think Donna got pregnant with the twins because Trevor was talking about taking Jessica and leaving. Same thing when they had Jonathan. Trevor met Donna when he was in college. Mama never was too keen on her, but then she got pregnant and the rest is history.
“Things will work themselves out,” Tom sighs.
“Yeah, like they worked out with you marrying our sister?” Trev snorts.
“Buddy, it’s been nine years now and you know how much I love Ann,” Tom shakes his head and takes a sip of his beer.
“Bro, she’s my baby sister and you are my best friend, who happens to be ten years older than she is. I’m going to give you shit ‘til we’re old and grey,” Trev says smugly.
I’m happy they can joke about this now, because it was pretty ugly when everyone figured out that Tom and Ann were seeing each other. I remember it being a little weird at first to see the two of them together, but Tom really does love my sister. The ten year age difference has never been a problem for the two of them. Tom says Ann keeps him young.