Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(47)
“Why does he do that,” Reese says, almost in a whisper to herself.
Alee moves in to wrap an arm around Reese. “Because he loves you and it has torn him up watching you go through the same thing over and over. When are you going to accept what you two have? Accept his proposal.” Alee encourages.
“We are not here to talk about me. We are here to have fun and celebrate Brielle,” Reese huffs.
“That may be so, but we are going to talk about the elephant in the room soon,” I say.
“My story will finish itself when it is ready. Now back to you. That man is in love with you. How are things going, you look so happy,” Reese says to me.
“I can’t complain things have been perfect, almost too perfect. I can’t help but think that there is a shoe somewhere waiting to drop,” I bite my lip. “It was such a big step to move in together, but I have never been happier and neither has Brielle. She adores her father. I just don’t want her to get attached and things blow up in her face.”
“Blow up in her face or yours,” Reese asks as she tilts her head at me.
“It sounds to me like you are the one that is afraid to get attached,” Stacey adds in. I knew she wasn’t going to be quiet much longer.
“I think it is a bit late for that,” I groan. “I crave that man something fierce and I would be lying if I said that hasn’t always been the case.”
“Then let yourself be happy for once without looking over your shoulder,” Stacey says wrapping an arm around my shoulders and squeezing. She then looks at Reese. “That goes for you too, because I would f*ck your man in a heartbeat. Phew.”
“Stacey,” Reese draws out. “If I didn’t know you from childhood you would come up missing one of these days.”
“All jokes aside, you know I am right,” Stacey says pointedly.
“Oh don’t worry, if Nico is anything like his brother she is only on borrowed time. He will wait for so much longer before he gives her no way out,” Valentina says with a sly smile on her lips.
“Whatever,” Reese mutters. “Come on Vita. I’ll drive you.”
“Truth hurts,” Alee speaks up.
“I don’t think I can blame her,” I say as I watch my friend walk away.
“Oh no honey, I was talking about you. It hurts to see how much that man really loves you and yet you are still trying to find reasons why you should run,” Alee says knowingly.
“When are you heifers flying out again,” I grumble and head off after Reese and Vita. I can hear them cackling behind me.
Chapter 20
The party was a huge success. I got to spend some time with my girls, my baby had the time of her life, and my man put on display what Brielle and I mean to him for everyone to see. I couldn’t have asked for anything more, but some of the things the girls said have been playing in my head all evening, almost to the point of distraction.
I guess that’s why I have found myself wondering where everyone has gone. One minute the girls were all helping me gather gifts the next I am looking around and everyone is gone. I had been in deep thought about the speech Brad gave as we cut the cake.
“Thank you everyone for coming out to share our little girl’s day. I have come home to Texas to find that my world has been here all along. The things I thought I couldn’t live without are no longer a priority to me, because what I can’t live without are my two girls.
“I find myself to be a lucky man and as soon as she’ll have me I plan to lockdown my future with the woman I love more than life itself. I want to create more beautiful little girls and some handsome boys,” everyone laughs at that last remark and Brad kisses Brielle’s cheek as he holds her in his arms and then pulls me closer to kiss the my top of my head. “So thank you all again for making this a wonderful and special day for my family.”
I was left stunned by his speech. I have gotten over taking things slow with Brad, but that doesn’t mean his words didn’t shock me a little. We have gotten so close in the last few months. He knows me better than most people in my life. It is like our bodies minds and souls have become one and in sync with one another.
Truthfully, these days when I try to find a reason that we shouldn’t be together I come up empty handed. Brad has really stepped things up. He may make little mistakes here and there, like letting Bri manipulate him without checking with me first. But I can’t fault him for that. He spoils us both as much as I will allow him and it comes from his heart.
The man breathes to see us happy. That in itself brings a smile to my face. I never knew I wanted to be cherished this way until Brad started to show me just what I really want in a relationship. I never thought about it before because it wasn’t a priority, now it is like second nature to want to be loved the way I know only Brad can love me.
I look around and wrinkle my brows. How did I not see everyone leave? The lights have even grown dim. Where is everyone? Was I really that deep in thought? I spin in a circle and my brows draw in deeper.
Suddenly, soft pink and red lights come up giving the gardens a soft romantic glow. I laugh to myself. This must be the staff’s way of telling us it is time for us to go. I turn back to the bag of gifts I had been filling, but the air fills with music. I look around confused at first.
When I realize that they are playing a country version of Falling Slowly. I laugh to myself. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a country version of a song I like, since moving here to Texas. I shrug and turn back to the bag once again, but this time I stop as I see Brad standing with a white rose between his teeth and a small white and grey Pitbull in his arms.