Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(44)

Things haven’t changed much at work for Tamara despite our relationship and her bringing in my contract. So we have really just been settling into our new home and into our relationship. I have fallen more in love with Tam daily.

Now remember that I respect Tam’s father. We get on well, but right now I am nervous to be face to face with the man. Her parents will be staying with us for a few weeks for Brielle’s birthday and her party.

For a little over three months I have fallen more and more in love with Tamara, her laugh, her smile, the cute noises she makes when I come in late at night while she is asleep or when I have to get up before her. It is like my very own greeting or her letting me know she is disappointed that I am leaving.

I love the way she gets lost in thought and when her eyes shine when she gets a great idea. I love that she runs a bath for me after home games and washes my hair and rubs my back. But if Tam did none of this I would still be in love with her, because of the way she takes care of my daughter.

I have seen loving mothers, my own mama and my sister. However, to watch the way Tam is with Ellie makes my heart want to burst with pride. I know I am a lucky man.

Thus the reason I am nervous today. I am not nervous to see Tam’s parents. She has smoothed things over with her dad concerning me. I think our golf outing went a long way to help with that process. He and I have talked a few times since.

I guess it is not so much the face to face with her father that has me on edge. It is what I need to discuss with him that has me sweating like I’m in the fourth quarter with fifty seconds on the clock and one choice to win it all.

I wipe sweaty palms on my jeans as Tamara introduces her parents to mine. I rented this castle for Ellie’s birthday to make my baby happy, but I am now hoping it shows her family how much I love my girls. I am willing to do anything to make them happy.

Tamara’s mother looks around in wonder at all the decorations. There are lights and flowers everywhere. I hired every Disney princess there is. I bought little princess dresses for all of the other little girls to dress up as well. Brielle invited so many of her little friends, from her old school as well as the new one.

I couldn’t leave the boys out, so I had go carts brought in to race through the gardens and I had a little football field set up. A bunch of guys from the team showed up to help drive the kids around in the carts. Some have joined the kids on the little field to throw the ball around.

My little baby looks just like a princess in her tiara and light purple dress. Of course the tiara is sparkling with real diamonds because I just couldn’t help myself. This is only her fourth birthday. I can only imagine the mountains I will move for her wedding day.

“Pop pop,” I hear Ellie squeal as the grands get acquainted.

“There’s my little princess,” Byron Hathaway beams. It is the softest I have seen the man look since meeting him. It gives me hope.

“Oh Tamara, she looks adorable,” Fiona, Tam’s mama, gushes. “And this party, honey you have out done yourself with all of this.”

“Oh don’t look at me,” Tam laughs and points towards me. “This is all Brad. I had a much smaller party planned.”

“My boy loves his girls. Nothing is too big for our Ellie,” My dad beams with pride.

I feel my own pride fill my chest. I love being able to do this for my little girl. The smile on her face alone makes every penny worth it. It doesn’t hurt that Tamara hasn’t been able to stop smiling as well.

“Pop pop, do you see the tiara, my daddy got for me?” Brielle coos happily.

“Yes, I do young lady that is some tiara. Looks like your daddy has been spoiling you,” Byron says good naturedly.

“Has he,” Tamara teases and looks up at me.

I wink at her and then look up at her father. “I have plenty of time to make up for. Though, I think I would spoil my girls regardless,” I reply honestly.

“Vernon, Gloria, you have a fine boy here. I look forward to getting to know him some more,” Byron says, with a firm nod in my direction before turning his attention back to Ellie.

“Well, I’ve just become the happiest woman in the world. All my favorite people in one place,” Stacey squeals as she appears on the patio where food and seating is set up for everyone. She has a few other smiling faces with her.

I haven’t seen Stacey since that night five years ago but she looks pretty much the same. I am surprised when I am the first one she hugs. After an awkward moment I hug her back.

“God, are you a sight for sore eyes,” Stacey grins at me. “She is just so darn stubborn. If she wasn’t my best friend I would have told you a long time ago.”

“Stacey,” Tamara hisses.

“What,” Stacey pouts.

“Brad this is Stacey. My crazy best friend,” Tamara rolls her eyes.

“Yes, I remember her,” I chuckle.

“These are my other good friends from New York,” Tam offers for the other smiling faces. “This is Reese and her boyfriend Nico. This here is Alee. And the tall guy that can’t keep his eyes off the beautiful woman at his side is Uri, Nico’s brother and the beauty he is staring at is Valentina, his wife. Those are their little monsters running for the go carts.”

Valentina and Uri are a beautiful pair. Valentina and their children all have unusual eyes for their coloring. Valentina is chocolate with beautiful blue eyes. Their children are more caramel skinned with blue eyes from what I get a quick glimpse of. I tilt my head to the side as I process their family.