Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) Read online

  I pat my queasy stomach and smile. I hadn’t realized how big my support team has grown over the years. I guess that is why what should have been a small intimate wedding still turned out to be over a hundred people. Heck my extended family, through Reese and Nico alone, could have filled an entire section.

  I am grateful to have them all here right now. I think Brielle is overjoyed as well, as all her real cousins and cousins through close parental relationships storm the house with her. I shake my head to think that I am having another little monster. With all these kids here I really think I have gone crazy.

  “Here you look like you could use this,” Stacey runs a hand over my hair and hands me a pack of crackers and some ginger ale.

  “You’re the best,” I smile as I take the crackers and tear into them, “Didn’t think we’d be doing this again.”

  We both fall into a fit of giggles. “Yeah I know, and certainly not with your husband of all people. I’m so happy for you Tamara.”

  “I’m still pinching myself,” I admit as I look around at the people in our home laughing and enjoying themselves.

  “So does that mean you’re finally ready to thank me for making you go out that night,” Stacey says with a toothy grin.

  “No heifer, you left me with a stranger to chase down the D,” I grumble playfully.

  “Ah, oh yes, Troy. I remember that fine man. I still don’t remember why I stopped taking his calls,” Stacey frowns in thought. Blowing out a breath and waving the thought off she moves on. “This has to be bittersweet for you guys. I mean with the team and the drama they tried to cause you guys. This all must suck for Brad.”

  “Yeah, pretty much. He and Ellerie want and deserve a ring, but winning means giving the club a win. What are you going to do,” I shrug.

  This is a thought that has been on my mind, but I would never ask Brad to not play or to not win for his team just to spite a bunch of spiteful people. I guess we have to pick and choose our battles. I won’t lie though, a part of me wishes he and Ellerie gave the team the finger and walked away.

  “Well I’m proud of you for hanging in there. I know this has been tough. Add on the wedding and the baby, I have no idea how you pulled this all off,” Stacey shakes her head.

  “I didn’t do it alone. All of you guys have been so helpful. I just wish Reese were here,” I sigh as I think of my friend.

  Stacey makes a face and starts to fidget in her seat. I narrow my eyes at her. Oh no these heifers don’t. My mouth falls open and I snatch Stacey by the collar pulling her closer to me. “You know where she is,” I hiss in her face.

  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.

  “Tam, when it comes to you Brad will ma
ke anything an option,” Stacey chirps.

  “Yeah, I get that now,” I nod and absently rub my still flat belly. My brother and husband just gave up a chance at winning the super bowl for me.

  ~B~

  “Monroe, I don’t know what the fuck you think you are pulling here,” the GM of the team bellows as he barrels toward me and Ellerie.

  “I’m not pulling anything. I am well within my right not to play tonight. Just like you are well within your right to fine me if you like,” I smile.

  I could give two shits about a fine or about not playing tonight. I have a ring and I know I can make it to the championship again, where I plan on going. Even if I don’t win another one, so be it. I love my wife more than anything and no one is going to get away with hurting her or her career without me having a say.

  Ellerie on the other hand has made a big sacrifice here and as a brother I know I would do the same for Trevor or Ann in a heartbeat. The GM glares at me and then looks at Ellerie. Ellerie just glares back daring him to test him. Ellerie has been known to speak up when he feels something isn’t right or that the team isn’t treating him fair. So I know the GM is not going to willingly go there with him right now.

  “You two are unbelievable. You pick game day to pull this shit,” he growls.

  “You picked weeks before my wedding to demand I not marry the love of my life. You picked the first trimester of my wife’s pregnancy to threaten her clients into leaving her. You picked my engagement party to help my sister in law pay for that plane ticket for my ex to crash the event,” I bellow.

  At his shocked expression I snort. “Yeah, I found out everything. You boys have been very busy. Have a nice game.”

  I shove pass the dick that is standing with his mouth flapping open like a fish out of water. I have a wife to get home to. We have a lot of packing to do.

  Chapte r 27

  Brad text me that he and Ellerie were boarding a flight home. I have been going out of my mind with questions since the press conference. They had the interview playing on repeat during the entire game. Needless to say that Brad was being blamed for his team taking an epic L.

  I was a little shocked at the support that Brad was receiving though. It seems that speculations of Brad wanting to leave the team were already floating around the league. Rumors of the club having it out for Brad had gotten out there, he is receiving support from players, coaches and commentators alike, who have known him and know he is a great guy and dedicated player.

  I was floored and brought to tears when a few of my loyal clients defended Brad. Without giving details they said they understood why Brad did what he did and they would have done the same. Ellerie wasn’t off the hook, they had comments about his refusal to play, but Brad was taking the brunt of it being the team quarter back and captain.

  The family watched more of the news casts on the developments with Brad than the actual game. More than a few of us had questions about what was going on. Once the shock wore off I helped Gloria and my mom get everyone fed and distracted with games and movies.

  I was so grateful to my dad and Vernon when they started to clear people out and guide the remaining guests that were staying at the house to their rooms. Ann was kind enough to take Ellie with her for the night, even though she would be sharing taking care of Ellie for the next two weeks, while Brad and I are away for our honeymoon.

  It is already late and I have been wearing a hole in the floor with Six at my feet. I have to say I have become attached to the little puppy. My head snaps up and I am pulled from my thoughts as I hear heavy foot falls and Six takes off for the bedroom door.

  The doors are pulled open and Brad squats down to rub the top of Six’s head. “Hey buddy, you keeping Mama safe,” he coos to the dog before his bright blue eyes look up at me.

  “I don’t know about safe, but he has been some company while I have been wondering what has been going on,” I say tilting my head at him.

  Brad lifts to his full height, closing the doors behind him and strolls easily over to me. He cups the back of my head and wraps an arm around my waist pulling me in for a hot, possessive kiss. I feel my toes curl in my slippers. My arms go around his neck and I hold on tight.

  “Hello wife,” Brad murmurs against my lips as he breaks the kiss.

  “Hello husband,” I laugh back at him. “Are you going to explain what happened today?”

  “I sure am,” he says while walking me back toward the bed and nuzzling my neck.

  “Will that be before or after you ravish me?” I ask breathlessly with a small laugh on my lips.

  “I would prefer after, but I don’t know if you’ll let me get away with that,” he teases.

  “Nope, not a chance, spill country boy,” I tease back.

  Brad mock sighs and places his forehead to mine. “I love you,” he says as his intense stare send chills through me. I nod because I am becoming too emotional.

  Brad shucks off his suit jacket and tosses it to the chair before sitting at the foot of the bed and pulling me into his lap. “I told you from the beginning I would take care of you and our family. To me that means making sure you are not disrespected or taken advantage of. I was willing to deal with the club when they were just targeting me, but when I found out that they were messing with your career all bets were off.

  “I put it all out there on the field this season. Getting that team to the championships was not easy. For them to think after all of that they could disrespect my woman,” he pauses and frowns, shaking his head. “Not gonna happen Darlin’. Not on my watch. I only signed with the team for a one year contract as you know. I had every intention back then to sign on to a longer contract for next season.

  “Once I really started to dig into things I realized that the team had problems with our relationship for some time. So I had to make a few decisions. When I first started to feel home sick New York was one of the first teams that tried to court me. They actually offered me more than Texas had, but I wanted to come home to be with my family.

  “I made a few calls and they are still interested. When I mentioned that my one condition was that they sign Ellerie as well, since his contract is also up this season, they jumped at it. I’m still young and I want out while I can still play the game with our son,” Brad gives me a sly smile and rubs his hand over my tummy.

  “Even if I signed a longer contract here, I wouldn’t have committed to more than two or three more years. I wanted a family and to settle down. I have that now, so my new contract will be a two contract with a one year option.”

  “Really Brad, I just never thought about you not playing, you love the game. I didn’t think leaving Texas was an option either. Your whole family is here,” I muse out loud in shock.

  “I love the game, but not more than my girls. You and Ellie mean the world to me, which is why I made this choice. I love being here in Texas where my family is but moving to New York doesn’t mean we have to give up our home here. We can come see the family whenever we want. I also want to see you happy. I know your career has been here in Texas so I called in a few favors and I have a surprise for you,” Brad says with a shy smile.

  “Well you are just full of those today,” I laugh.

  “I have movers coming in while we are on our honeymoon to pack this place up. Trevor and the kids are going to move in here for the time being, until he gets things settled with the divorce. I’ve rented a place until we can find something of our own, but we can take our time with that.

  “You are probably going to be pretty busy as one of the new partners at our firm in New York,” he says while watching my eyes closely.

  “What?” I gasp and furrow my brows.

  Brad smiles. “I talked with Cyrus a bit. He told me he has been toying with the idea of a New York office. After talking with Nico at Ellie’s party I realized he might be onto something with wanting to manage other players. Not to mention I got excited talking to Uri about a venture capital group for athletes that want to expand
their portfolios.

  “After having a meeting with them all we came up with a New York Office that you and Nico will run, with Uri and Cyrus’s connections and backing. In a year, Ellerie and I will come on as agents,” he says smiling broadly at his accomplishments.

  “I don’t even know what to say,” I shake my head with a smile on my lips.

  “Say you’ll follow your country boy husband to the big city,” Brad smiles.

  “I will follow your big country ass to the ends of the earth, Bradley Monroe,” I say with a big grin on my face.

  “That’s what I want to hear. Now come give your husband some of that good pussy, Tam. I’m starving for you,” he says huskily.

  So that is exactly what I do. It was my intention to rock Brad’s world, but he flipped mine inside out. I’m sure our guests were ready to make their way home by the morning. In the moment though I didn’t care, Brad and I had been through a lot and we were coming out on the other side together and stronger for it.

  My lesson in all of this was that I don’t have to do it all alone. Brad may be younger, but he is a take charge man. Once he wants something nothing will stop him from having it. I should have known that from the first night I met him. If you would have told me then that I would have taken him home and someday be calling that young rookie my husband, I would have laughed in your face.

  Not so much because he was white, but in truth because I Tamara Monroe used to need to control everything. Now I know how to be a boss, but let my captain steer the ship every once in a while. We both make mistakes but the best part is getting to fix them with the support of one another.

  Epilogue

  I feel when Brad walks up behind me. I sag into his chest as he wraps his arms around me. I have the best husband a woman can ask for. I love my life. It has been almost two years since we got married. So much has changed but our lives could not be happier.

  “They are growing up so fast,” I sigh as I watch the twins roll around with their new puppy. Brielle is laying on her back in the grass giggling, while Six licks all over her face.