Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(37)

Tamara giggles. “Brielle have you been driving your father crazy all day.”

“No,” Ellie replies with a little frown.

“Well, me and your daddy will talk about your pony and your lessons. From what I remember your daddy said your Papa is great with horses,” Tam beams at Ellie.

Tam is taking the pony situation a lot better than I thought she would. I guess she is just really happy to see Brielle safe and happy. Ellie hugs her tightly around the neck and places her head on her shoulder.

“Come on you two,” I beam pushing Tam forward into the house.

Mama and daddy back up to give us some room to enter the house. Everyone else is packed into the foyer behind them. I feel my chest swell with pride as I walk in the door with my girls.

“Mama, Daddy, this is Tamara. Tamara this is my mama, Gloria Monroe and my daddy, Vernon Monroe,” I start the introductions.

“Hello, it so nice to meet you,” Tamara says nervously as she plays with her fingers.

“Honey, you are just the cutest thing ever. I see why my son is so taken with you,” my mama coos as she engulfs Tam in a big hug.

“Thank you, Mrs. Monroe,” Tam smiles.

“Oh, you stop that. Call me Gloria. I’m so happy to finally get to meet you and Ellie. I won’t dare have you getting all formal on me. We’re all family here.”

“It’s so good to meet you Tamara. Sorry about the pony Darlin’,” my father blushes as he rubs the back of his neck. “I give one to all the grands. I already have hers picked out for her, but her lessons are up to you. She can go to the ranch and just pet her pony any time.”

“It’s fine Mr. Monroe. I loved horseback riding when I was a little girl. Brielle is a lucky little girl to get her very own pony,” Tam says with a big smile.

“Vernon, call me Vernon or you can call me Papa like Ellie here.”

“Okay,” Tam laughs.

“So does that mean I can talk you into going riding with me,” I lean into Tam’s ear to whisper.

“Maybe,” she looks up at me and replies. Tamara reaches into the box I am holding and pulls out one gift basket and two envelopes. “Vernon, Gloria, thank you for having me in your home. This isn’t much, I wish I had better notice.” Tamara looks over at me and narrows her eyes.

“Oh honey, you didn’t have to do this,” my mother coos. “Thank you so much.”

“Okay Mama, let the rest of us get a turn,” Ann teases, bouncing over to Tamara and pulling her into a hug. “I’m Ann, Bradley’s twin sister.”

“Oh my God, you’re a twin,” Tamara says in shock looking back and forth between me and Ann.

“Runs in the family, hon,” Ann laughs waving over her family. “These are my twins, George and Melissa, my baby Amy and my husband Tom.”

“It’s so nice to meet you all,” Tamara says giving a nervous smile and turning to the box again. “Um, I have something for the kids too. I was hoping I got this right. Brad said he had four nieces and three nephews.”

Tamara hands George a blue envelope that looks like it holds a card. She then turns to the girls handing them both a large envelope in pink for each of them. The kids beam at her as they each accept their gifts, murmuring and exclaiming, ‘thanks ma’am’ and ‘thank you Miss. Tamara.’

“You’re all very welcome and you can call me Tam.” Reaching back in the box she pulls out a large gift bag and two more envelops handing them to Ann and Tom.

“Oh Tam, you really shouldn’t have,” Ann says.

“Well, let me get a good look first and then we’ll say whether or not she shouldn’t have,” Tom teases with a warm smile for Tam.

“Ha, I may not have had much time or warning but I think I did okay,” Tam laughs at Tom.

“Well, I like you without the gifts already,” Ann beams.

“Next,” Trev booms and nudges Ann aside. I chuckle and shake my head at my siblings.

“This is my older brother Trevor and his family. Jessica is the oldest – ,” I start.

“Jess is my new best friend,” Ellie breaks in beaming at her cousin. Jess laughs and strokes Ellie’s hair.

“It is great to meet you Jess,” Tamara laughs reaching in the box for a pink envelope and whispering in Ellie’s ear before turning to the box and pulling out the last gift bag handing it to Trev. “Nice to meet you as well, Trevor.”

“Great to put a face to the name, this is my wife Donna, my twins, Toby and Paige and my youngest Jonathan,” Trevor finishes the introductions, while I took the last of the envelopes from the box and help Tam place one in everyone’s hand. “What do you say kids?”

“Thanks Tam,” the kids chime in unison.

“You’re all very welcome,” Tamara beams.

I had two extra envelopes still in my hands. I look at Tam and raise a brow at her. She smiles plucking the pink envelope from my hand. “You didn’t think I’d leave you out did you?”

I nuzzle her neck. “You’re what I really want right now,” I whisper in her ear. “You’re so adorable all nervous.”

“Wow, Uncle Brad she gave us tickets to see the Rangers, Astros, Rockets, Spurs, Cowboys and Texans. Dude you never did anything this cool,” Toby croons.