Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(38)

“So you’re going to sell me out that easy,” I grumble.

“Alright, now we can all open our gifts later. Dinner is getting cold,” Mama announces, rounding up the crew.

She is already too late. Everyone is squealing in appreciation as they open gifts to either sporting events or a spa retreat. Tam nailed it. She found something to make everyone happy and give us time to be a family together. She already fits in perfectly.





Chapter 16


Dinner went better than I could have ever have dreamed. My family took Tam in as if she has been here a million times over the years. Well everyone except Donna, who glared at Tamara throughout dinner. She made a few snide remarks that had my brother hissing in her ear.

For the most part Tam ignored her, as did everyone else. After my mama’s peach cobbler and some homemade ice cream we all retired to the living room. Tam went to sit beside me, but I quickly pulled her into my lap, nuzzling her neck.

“My family loves you,” I murmur against her skin. “I can tell my mama really likes you.”

“I like her too,” Tam chuckles back, “she doesn’t hold anything back does she?”

“Not at all,” I throw my head back and laugh.

“I think I better get Bri ready to go. I have a busy day tomorrow,” Tam informs me.

“I can watch Ellie tomorrow,” I offer.

“I was actually going to take the day off. I have a lot that I have been putting off concerning Bri. I might as well get it all taken care of,” Tam shrugs. “Besides you have practice tomorrow.”

Before I can reply Donna is opening her trap. “I guess snapping up Bradley Monroe is working out well for you. You’ll never have to work again,” Donna sneers.

“Excuse me,” Tamara’s head snaps around to glare at Donna.

“What is it that you said you do again?” Donna says ignoring Tam’s words.

“I didn’t say,” Tam hisses. “But trust me. I have no intensions of living off of Brad and his money so you have no worries there.”

“Oh honey please. You saw a pay day and took it right away. Can you really say for sure that that little girl is Brad’s,” Donna snarls.

“Donna,” my mother growls.

“No please let me,” Tam answers. “It seems that she has had this on her chest all night so let me put her in her place. My family alone nets more than Bradley’s new contract. My trust fund would make you blush and then there is the fact that I am one of the top attorneys in my firm and in line for partnership. Neither my daughter nor I need a dime from Brad, never have and never will.

“As far as Brad being Brielle’s father, I don’t know what kind of woman you are sweetie, but I know who the father of my daughter is without question,” Tam turns to me with her chest heaving. “Brad I have to find my daughter a new school in the morning so I better go.”

“Baby, we will find our daughter a new school in the morning,” I say a little harsher then I mean to. I am not pissed at Tam. I am livid with Donna.

“We are going to be on our way,” Ann says sadly as she glares at Donna. “Tam, Brad the kids have a half day tomorrow it would be no trouble at all if you wanted to let Ellie sleep over at my place. Ellie could spend the morning with me. It would give you and Brad time to take care of things.”

“Thanks Ann, but you don’t have to,” Tam smiles at my sister’s warm offer.

“It would be no trouble at all,” Ann reassures her.

Tam looks at me and chews on her bottom lip. I wrap my arms around her waist pulling her against my chest. “It would help us to get more done. I know you have wanted a sitter for after school we can look into that.”

Tam sighs and rubs her temples.

“Come on Tamara, you are not alone in this. Let us help,” my dad encourages with a broad smile.

“Okay, I guess it couldn’t hurt, but are you sure it will be okay?” Tam relents.

“Sure hon, it will be fine. The kids love her and I will enjoy some company around the house tomorrow,” Ann replies with a wide smile.

“Thanks Ann,” I say as I see Tam mentally caving.

“I always keep an extra set of clothes in the car. Let me get them and see if Bri is okay with the idea,” Tam says totally ignoring the presence of a now huffy Donna.

As soon as Tam steps out of hearing distance I whirl around on Donna. “Don’t you ever disrespect my family again, not my woman, not my daughter or any of my future children. I don’t care who you are married to,” I growl.

“I think it is time for you to leave my home Donna,” my father says calmly. “It would do you some good not to come back here until you learn some manners.”

“Really,” Donna gasps.

“Really,” Trevor snaps. “Mama, dad, I apologize for my wife.”

“Son we know exactly who we raised. This is not on you,” Mama says gently.

“I’ll round up the kids,” Ann says before giving me a hug and exiting the room.

Donna storms out without thought of her children or her husband. Realizing Donna is heading in the same direction Tam has gone I rush out to follow only to find Tam is already helping Ann get the children together to make their way home.

Ellie looks up at me through sleepy eyes with a huge smile on her tired little face. “Daddy, guess what? I get to sleep over at Aunt Ann and Uncle Tom’s house,” Ellie sings tiredly.