Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(61)

I have felt so bad for Nico. I can’t believe Stacey knows where she is and hasn’t said anything. I want to strangle her.

“Relax,” Stacey whispers looking around as she pries my fingers from her blouse. “I don’t know where she is. She won’t give me a location, but I know that she is okay. She had me stream the wedding to her through my phone.”

“What?” I ask in confusion.

“You know you are her girl. She feels terrible about not making the wedding, but she wanted to be there. I told Brad some lame story about my grandma not being able to make it, but wanting to stream it and he had it set up for me,” she goes on to explain.

“And why the hell has she been in contact with you and not me,” I pout.

Stacey shrugs. “She knows you and Val have become close. If Uri gets wind that any of us knows a thing, he is going to help Nico drag her ass back her.”

“Well it is where she belongs,” I huff. “He loves her. I can’t believe she is doing this.”

“It is deeper than that and you know it. I think I can understand what she is doing. I may not agree but I understand. I haven’t said anything because I think it will all work itself out just like with you and Brad,” Stacey says wistfully.

I go to interrogate Stacey further but Brielle comes running in the room. “Mommy, Pop pop said to tell you come here, now! Daddy is on TV,” Bri says as she tries to catch her breath.

That feeling in my gut squeezes at me again. I rush to the family room where my mom and Gloria have been setting up for the game. When I make it to the room it seems like everyone is already piled in with their eyes glued to the TV.

I look at the screen and Brad and Ellerie are sitting in a press conference. I know right away something isn’t right. Someone turns the TV volume up and I try to force the panic back so that I can focus on their words.

“Bradley, is it true you will not be playing today in the super bowl championship game,” a reporter calls out on the screen.

“Yes, that is true. I have decided that I want to sit out the rest of the season,” Brad replies.

“Ellerie, you too won’t be playing,” another reporter asks sounding confused.

“Nope, I will not be playing either for personal reasons,” Ellerie smiles into the camera.

“But you two are an intricate part to this organization. It can be said that you two are the reason this team is in the super bowl at all,” yet another voice says.

Brad leans forward into the mic. “I believe the organization will be fine without our help today,” Brad says slyly.

“Bradley, Brad. I have just heard a rumor that you are considering signing a new contract with New York,” a reporter bursts above the other voices.

“Rumors are rumors, you guys know that,” Brad says with a devilish smile that makes me gasp. I have no idea what is going on. “However, my contract here was only for a year, so my options are open.”

“Ellerie you are going to be a free agent as well aren’t you? My sources say that New York may be courting you guys as a package deal.”

“Even if such talk was going on in the background I don’t kiss and tell guys. I can tell you this. I just want to take this time to be as healthy as possible for next season. Retirement will be looking good soon and I just want to end my career healthy and happy,” Ellerie says smoothly.

“Does this have anything to do with you getting married this past week, Bradley?”

“No, my wife is back home finding out about all this along with you guys. She is probably just as shocked,” Brad chuckles. “I won’t lie. I can’t wait to get back home to her and my family. Tamara Monroe is my world. Recent events have put this fact to the test and I hope that everyone has gotten the message, but I am making this decision for me. A man has to know when to be a man.”

“That sounds really personal, Brad. What is really happening in the camp to cause this upset,” one of the reporters pounce.

Brad shrugs and sits back in his seat. “I came home to find myself. This is me, has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“I’m not buying that,” one of the reporters snorts. “Ellerie, Tamara is your sister, isn’t she? You are both choosing not to play. I don’t think it is a coincidence.”

“Believe what you want,” Ellerie shrugs. “Bottom line is we are not playing. We wish our teammates well and know that they for the most part understand.”

“We have a plane to catch guys. Thank you so much,” Brad says and stands to leave as the reports frantically call out more questions. My husband walks off camera like a boss, my brother doing the same and both look damn good doing it.

The commentators on the sports channel come back on and start to speculate on why the guys won’t be playing. They are excitedly talking about the rumors that both Brad and Ellerie will be signing to a New York team. My heart is pounding and my head is spinning.

I haven’t asked Brad about what we were going to do about all of this since the afternoon he found me in bed crying. I decided to let him handle it and I have been focused on the wedding. I still don’t know what all this means. I stumble to the nearest chair and have a seat.

“Looks like we’re all going home,” Stacey says with a dubious smile.

I look at her and blink. “I never knew leaving Texas was an option,” I say in almost a whisper.