Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(42)

We are heading back home to set up for the interviews with the sitters. My mind is all over the place and I suddenly feel so overwhelmed. I am staring out of the window lost in thought when Brad’s voice breaks through.

“Are you thinking about the day cares? I really liked the second one. I think Ellie would too,” he muses.

“I actually liked that one too. But that is not what I was thinking about,” I press my lips and rub my temples.

“Talk to me Tam. If we want this to work you have to be willing to talk to me,” Brad peeks over at me quickly before looking back at the road. Concern laces his words and knits his brow.

I think about where to start. There is so much on my mind. I have so much I need to think about. It feels like my whole life is changing so quickly.

“Where do I begin? You know I used to want to make partner. It was all I dreamed about and work toward. But I don’t know what I want anymore,” I relinquish.

“Well, what has changed? I thought you loved your job,” Brad looks over at me again.

“You know I really don’t know. I had a weird conversation with my boss and it got me to thinking about what is more important to me,” I shrug.

Brad lifts a brow. “What was so weird about it?” He asks.

I bite my lip not sure I want to tell him everything that was said. I am still processing it all. I huff in exasperation and decide to bare all. “He was concerned about us. Well about our relationship and how it will affect my career,” I frown at my own words.

“I don’t see how that could be his concern,” Brad says angrily. “And I don’t see how our relationship has any bearing on your career.”

I run my hand through his hair and turn to look at him. “But see that’s the thing. The way Cyrus put it made me think of how much our relationship can affect a lot of things. He wasn’t being negative if that is what you’re thinking. He was being …. I don’t know, proactive. He wants to help me; he and my father are close friends. I think that is why his words are weighing so heavily,” I shake my head.

“Okay, so talk to me. What are you thinking? I mean what do his words have to do with you thinking about not wanting to be partner?”

I pause to see how to state my next words because they are very revealing. “I never thought I would want to change my life for a man, but if I can’t have both I’m not so sure my job would come first anymore,” I say with a blush.

Brad ignores the paparazzi and pulls into my garage. He cuts the car off and turns toward me with the brightest grin I have ever seen. “Although I am so happy to hear that I have moved up on your priority list, I would never ask you to choose. I’m your man, so I will make any sacrifices in this relationship. However Darlin’, I believe that we can take on anything as long as we do it together. I know it is not going to be easy to be in a relationship with me.

“I’ll be gone a lot for games, there will always be some story about my life that they want to know about or that they have made up. I am green on all this being a father stuff and I am learning to understand you and how to be a part of your life. We have a lot on our plates, but I think we can make this work if we do it as a family.

“I want this Tam. I want you. I never want to be apart from my family again. You and Ellie are my everything. I will do whatever I have to make this work,” Bradley says that last part with such conviction I want to believe that we will make it through all of this but, my stomach and the knots in it are telling me it is not going to be that easy.

Just look, they are still camped out in front of my home with cameras. I know I can’t live like this. I have a daughter to think about.

“Tam, baby, I see the wheels turning. I’ve been looking for a place and I was thinking that it would be better if you and Ellie move with me when I find one. It will be more secure and I just really want you with me,” Brad says almost pleadingly.

“This is all so much so fast. I need time to think,” I place my head in my hands.

“You have until I find a place, which is now priority so that I can make my girls safe again,” Brad says firmly before turning and stepping out of the truck.

I am left a little stunned. This wouldn’t be the first time Brad just decided to lay the law down. While at times it can be a turn on, right now it is just serving to piss me off.

I glare at Brad as he rounds the truck to open my door. I am still glaring at him when he opens my door and stands waiting for me to get out. He ducks his head into the truck and pecks my lips.

“I love you and my daughter. I’m going to make this work Tam. I will fix it all, which means I need you safe and by my side,” he says against my lips.

My shoulders sag. I don’t want to fight. Apart of me knows he is right, but I still see red flags all around what we are about to take on and I am not so sure I am going to come out of this unchanged.





Chapter 18


“Aw damn, Tam I have been walking around with that signed contract for days. So much has been going on,” Brad actually blushes.

“It’s not just your contract. My boss wants to meet you and so does my dad. It’s just a little golf,” I stop and shrug. “I wouldn’t mind you handing over that contract though.”

I smile at him looking up through my lashes. My father called me this evening. It was hell answering all his questions about Brad. I felt like a little girl all over again. My mother is being a little more understanding. I know it is going to take some time to work on my dad.