Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) (11 page)

I am annoyed that he is implying I need to be attached to make partner but I know it is a part of the game. It is one of the reasons I had tried dating Mike. He plays basketball here in Texas and is a friend of Ellerie’s. We have some mutual friends back home as well. He would have liked for things to go further but I just couldn’t give the relationship what it needed.

As I try to figure out my jumbled feelings and thoughts, a knock comes at the door, which is odd. Cyrus assistant Melanie is efficient she would have buzzed to inform Cyrus of another guest.

“Come in,” Cyrus’s voice cracks through the room.

“Excuse me Mr. Pierson, Miss. Hathaway,” my assistant says as she rushes in the room holding my cellphone. “I know you said hold your calls, but it is Brielle’s day care there is an emergency.”

I jump from my seat and grab the phone forgetting everything else including where I am. “Hello,” I rush into the phone when I take it off mute.

“Hi Tamara, this is Cynthia. Um, we had a bit of an incident this morning,” the coordinator of Brielle’s day care says into the phone. “The children were in the yard for morning activities and there were tons of photographers and reporters outside the playground gates. They were screaming for Brielle and calling out questions to her and the staff. Brielle is still pretty upset and the reporters are still milling around the area. I think maybe it would be best if you come to get her.”

I can hear the nerves in Cynthia’s voice. My brain is racing. This day is trying to kill me. I have to act fast.

“Oh my God, is she okay,” I ask with concern.

“She is shaken up, but physically okay.”

“Cynthia, I have to be in a meeting in the next hour. My brother has a mandatory training and therapy session scheduled today. Stacey is out of town,” I am really thinking out loud. “Listen, I can see if her father can come. He is not on the emergency contact card, but I can fax you permission to release her to him if that will work.”

“Under these circumstances you can just give me a name and he will need to have ID for us to photocopy. He can then just sign her out,” Cynthia replies.

“His name is Bradley Monroe,” I say.

I hear her suck in a breath on the other end and go completely quiet. I don’t have time for this. Cynthia is the epitome of star struck when it comes to celebrities. She still can’t pull it together when Ellerie or Stacey go to the school for anything.

“Breathe Cynthia,” I snap.

“Sorry Tamara,” she breathes.

“I’ll call Brad to see if he can get there. If he can, my assistant will call you back to confirm, if anything changes call right away. If he can’t come I will figure things out and get back to you myself,” I ramble.

“Okay,” Cynthia replies and I end the call dialing Brad right away.

I still hadn’t taken note of the fact that I am pacing my boss’s office. All I know is my baby needs to be protected. Someone needs to get to her.
Please answer Brad, please answer.

“Hey Darlin’,” Brad answers the phone. “I thought you would be in your meeting by now.”

“Brad it’s Bri,” I rush. “Reporters and photographers are all over her school. Did you see the paper yet? There are so many pictures of us from yesterday. Babe, I need you to get to Bri. Her day care wants someone to pick her up and I can’t get there and back in time.”

“Shit,” Brad growls. I can hear weights clinking in the background. “Calm down, Baby. I’ll take care of it. I just found out about the pictures before you called. Sorry Tam, I should have seen this, I’ll fix it, I promise.”

“Okay, I’ll text you the address of the day care. You need to have your ID and you’ll have to sign her out. Babe, she is upset.”

“I’m already halfway to my truck, Tam,” Brad reassures me.

“Okay, I’m hanging up to text you.”

“I love you, Baby.”

“I know. Please text me as soon as she is safe.”

I cut the call and text the address right away. I stop pacing and whip around to face my assistant ready to do damage control. Reality is setting back in.

“Maryann, call the day care back and let them know Brad is on the way. Screen my calls, if the day care calls forward those to Bradley Monroe. His number is in my phone. When the papers start calling I have absolutely no comment. And Maryann, forget everything you just heard in this room,” I say sternly.

“Yes, Miss. Hathaway,” Maryann nods.

I straighten my jacket and go to take my seat again as if nothing happened. Cyrus raises a brow at me then chuckles and sits back in his seat. “You always think on your toes Tamara. It’s what makes you great at what you do. Don’t lose that. I think we are done here.”

“Thank you.”

Chapter 13

I punch the roof of my truck when I pull into a parking space in front of the day care. I can see the vultures surrounding the place. I called my security team and had them rush right over to make sure no one tried to get to Ellie. My one job is to keep my girls safe and happy.

Right now I suck at both. Tamara is pissed at me right now for more reasons than I can count. Now I’ve let them both down by not thinking about what our little shopping trip would do. Being back home and being with my girls has me feeling like myself so much that I forgot all about being a football star.

I can’t blame Tamara for not saying she loves me back. I haven’t shown her that I have a right to her love. I keep messing things up.

I rushed out of the weight room as soon as Tamara told me what was going on. I didn’t stop to shower or change. Meaning I’m pissed, I smell, and I have on workout gear. I never thought I could be more pissed than when my baby cried in my arms because that little snot nose kid called her a name. This tops that ten times over.

I tug on my baseball cap and throw on a pair of shades and jump out of my truck. When my security guys spot me they rush to usher me into the school. When we step inside there is a little redhead standing in front of the receptionist desk. She is patting her hair and fidgeting with her clothes.

“Hello, Mr. Monroe. I’m Daly Cynthia,” she blushes ten shades of red. Her eyes pinch shut and she brushes her hands down the sides of her jeans. She clears her throat and holds her hand out. “Excuse me; I’m Cynthia Daly the program coordinator. I have Brielle in my office with one of the teacher’s assistants. She is still quite upset.”

It is clear that she is nervous and possibly a fan, but I need to get to my little girl. I nod at her curtly and she turns on her heels to lead the way to her office. When she opens the door I spot Ellie right away in the arms of a woman that is trying hard to sooth her with no success. Ellie peeks up through her tear soaked lashes and jumps from the woman’s arms.

I catch her as she leaps in the air toward me locking her in my arms where I know she is safe. Her little body is shaking in my arms, tearing at my heart. Her little sobs are destroying me.

“Daddy, I’m so happy you’re here. I was so scared,” Ellie sobs.

“It’s okay, Sugar. You’re safe now,” I murmur as I kiss her head repeatedly.

“I want to go home.”

“First you have to do daddy a favor and quit all this crying. Then we can go home and sneak some chocolate ice cream. That’ll get that pretty little smile back on my baby’s face, won’t it,” I ask looking into those eyes that are so much like mine.

“Can I have sprinkles?”

“We’ll see,” A laugh rumbles in my chest.

I pull my wallet from my pocket and hand over my ID to the nervous redhead, who is watching Ellie and me with wide eyes. She snaps out of it and takes the ID, rushing out of the room. She is back a moment later with a photo copy in one hand and my ID in the other. I take the ID back placing it back into my wallet.

“Is there anything else,” I ask.

She swallows nervously and nods her head waving me to follow her. We walk back to the reception desk where she retrieves a white binder from the receptionist. She scribbles in some information then turns the book to me.

“Please sign here.”

I scroll my name in the book and put the pen down. The director is chewing on her lip looking like she is going to be sick. I pull my shades off and look at her quizzically.

“This has never happened before and I’m afraid we aren’t prepared to handle something like this. I think maybe it’s a good idea if Brielle stays home a few days until things settle down,” she says blushing beet red.

“I think it is fair to say that this will be Ellie’s last day here. I will make a check out for the month for any inconvenience, but as you aren’t prepared for this type of thing I think its best her mother and I find some place that is,” I retort.

The poor woman looks deflated. She starts to wring her hands and nods her head. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Brielle is loved here. We will be sorry to see her go. I guess we should go get her things,” she says with sincere sadness.

I start to feel that I may have been a little harsh and rash in my words. I know putting Ellie in a different day care now would be best, but I also know Tamara would have wanted to make that decision. I can’t seem to stop digging holes today, but this one is about our baby’s safety. I will stand on my decision now.

Cynthia leads us to Ellie’s class and we clean out her cubby. The teacher and assistants all fawn over Ellie, wishing her well and saying their goodbyes as news spreads that Ellie will not be returning. Their words to Ellie are heartfelt and sincere, but it does not stop them from ogling me. It is a little uncomfortable to have my daughter’s teachers drooling at me.

Once Ellie’s things are packed up I scoop her up in my arms and grab her now overstuffed bag. Cynthia walks us toward the door looking like she is going to faint.

“Excuse me Mr. Monroe, but I am such a big fan and if I don’t ask it is going to haunt me. Can I please have your autograph,” Cynthia asks as we near the door.

I chuckle. “It’s Brad and sure no problem.” I am in a better mood now that I have Ellie and she is calm.

“Brad, okay,” she gushes pulling a sticky pad from her back pocket and a sharpie from another. “Thank you so much. I’m so glad you decided to come back home and play. I followed your career in college as well.”

I autograph her sticky note and hand it back to her with the pen. “Thanks for the support. Miss. Daly –,”

“Oh please, Cynthia,” she interrupts me.

“I would appreciate if you and everyone here would respect my family and our privacy. Please don’t go out there sharing anything disclosed to you in confidence and if your staff could do the same it would be great. Maybe I can get the kids here in for a field trip at the stadium for your cooperation,” I offer.

“Oh Brad, you don’t have to worry I will insure the staff remains professional,” Cynthia assures me gaining some composure and pushing her shoulders back.

“Thank you again,” I say to her as I slip my shades back on. “You ready baby?” I ask Ellie. She gives me a bright smile and nods her head. “Put your face in my neck Sugar and keep it there until daddy gets you safe in the car, okay?”

“Yes,” Ellie says then buries her face into my neck.

My security surrounds us and we are off, heading straight for my truck as the men shield us with their bodies as best they can. I’d bought Ellie a seat just for my car yesterday. It broke my heart the day she wanted to ride with me and I wasn’t prepared. Something in my gut told me to put her seat in place this morning before I took off.

Once I have her strapped in, I place her bag inside and get in behind the wheel. I sigh as some of the stress lifts. I pull out my phone and text Tam right away. I sit thinking of where to go from here. I don’t have a key to Tamara’s place and Ellerie won’t be available for a while. He was supposed to pick Ellie up at four and drop her home and unlock the door for me to watch her until Tam gets home.

I haven’t asked Tam for a key or anything because I want to respect her space and her need to take things slow. I sigh because there is only one solution. I need a shower and a change of clothes. Tamara is going to be pissed, but what else am I supposed to do.

“Sugar, how would you like to go meet some people important to Daddy?”

“Yay,” Ellie squeals.

Well, decision made we’re going to meet the family.

Chapter 14

“Mama,” I call through the house, as I walk through the front door carrying a groggy Brielle inside. She’d fallen asleep on the ride over.

“In the kitchen Brad,” she calls back. I walk in the kitchen to find her hanging halfway out of the pantry. “Is everything okay, you’re home early?” She steps out of the pantry and stops in her tracks.

One hand flies to her heart and the other goes shakily over her mouth as she sucks in a breath of air. Her eyes fill with tears as she just stares at Ellie. I can’t stop smiling. I am so proud to finally have my mama meet my little girl.

I sit at one of the breakfast bar stools and place Ellie on my lap. My mother quickly washes and dries her hands on a towel. She walks around to stand before us keeping her eyes on Ellie the whole time. Ellie watches her with curious eyes.

“Ellie, this is your grandma, Grandma Gloria,” I say gently.

Ellie’s face lights up and she smiles that beautiful smile up at my mama. Ellie looks back and forth between us then clasps her hands with her own little revelation. “I have another grandma in New York, her name is Nana. She’s my mommy’s mommy. Are you my daddy’s mommy?” Ellie asks with wonder.

“Yes honey, I am,” my mama chokes.

“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you. My name is Brielle Nicole Hathaway. My birthday is July 14
th
, I’ll be four this year, my favorite colors are blue and purple, I love to read and write and I know my address but I’m not supposed to tell that to strangers,” Ellie gushes, she blushes then peeks up at me. “But Grandmas are not strangers, right Daddy?”

“Not anymore, Sugar,” I croak.

Ellie beams and turns back to my mama holding out her little arms for a hug. “I love hugs,” Ellie says coyly.

“Oh honey, I love to give them,” my mama says folding Ellie into a tight embrace.

“That’s a good one.”

I laugh when my mama finally releases her.

“Oh Brad, she is everything you said and more,” my mama says with trembling lips. “She has your eyes and your dimples. Oh I have to call your father. He went to go riding at the ranch. He’ll turn back around. I know your brother and sister will want to be here too. I’ll call them right away. I’ll cook up something special for tonight.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her no and I know this is just getting me deeper in trouble, but I can’t see that smile on her face crushed. She already has the phone in her hand dialing before finishing her thought. I shake my head and chuckle to myself.

“Mama, I need to shower and change, can Ellie sit here. Maybe you can make her a turkey sandwich. She’ll tell you how she likes it,” I say as she waits for the person on the other end to answer.

“Sure honey…Vernon hold on,” my mother says as my father answers on the other end, “go on Brad, us girls will be fine.”

I stand placing Ellie on the stool I’d been sitting on and push her closer to the island. She looks so cute with her legs dangling and a smile on her face. It is hard to believe that just a couple of hours ago she was so upset. Mama is already on to her next call as I exit the room heading upstairs to my room.

Dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a button down shirt rolled up over my elbows I make my way back downstairs. I am looking through my text messages as I hear the laughter rising toward me from the kitchen. I reply to Tamara and send the message. As I look up I see the kitchen island is full of my family, including my baby at the center of everyone’s attention.

Daddy and mama flank her sides, as my brother stands with his hip propped up against the counter and his legs crossed at the ankles. Ann is leaning on the counter with her elbows, beaming at Ellie until she notices me in the room. Ann pops up and rushes over to give me a tight hug.

“She so beautiful,” she sobs in my shoulder. Ann is five nine so she is not that much shorter than me. “God Brad, I can’t believe she is only four. She is amazing and she absolutely adores you.”

“I adore her too,” I chuckle. I am trying to hold back my own tears.

I’ve battled in the beginning with whether or not I should be mad at Tamara for not reaching out to tell me about Ellie. I know it is more my fault than hers. I knew we had unprotected sex and I still chose to leave without a word.

I had never had sex without a condom before or after Tamara. It wasn’t like I made a habit of going around jumping into bed with just anyone. I should have thought of all the repercussions of my actions. I know I owe Tamara way more than what I had given her that night.

Seeing Brielle with my family now shows me how many people my poor choice really hurt. I’d do anything to fix that now. I know I plan to spend the rest of my life making up for the time I lost with Ellie.

“Daddy, guess what,” Ellie squeals when she looks over at me. “Papa…he said I can call him Papa since I call Grandpa Byron, Pop pop. Papa said that I have my own pony and he’s going to teach me how to ride it. Daddy, I always wanted a pony!”

I groan. My dad gives all the kids their own horse. I wouldn’t think Brielle would be any different. I just don’t know what Tamara will think of our daughter horseback riding.

“Baby, that’s great but we’re going to have to ask your mama if that’s okay first, Sugar,” I say softly.

“Oh,” Ellie says as her little face falls. She looks down at her hands in her lap and furrows her brows. Suddenly her face brightens and her head snaps up. “She’ll be okay with it Daddy.”

I laugh. “Oh yeah, what makes you so sure,” I ask.

“Mommy used to ride horses when she was a girl,” Ellie says proudly.

“How do you know that?”

“I saw pictures and she has trophies and ribbons. There in her room at Nana and Pop pop’s house. Mommy used to be a dancer too Daddy. She has ballet slippers in her old room. I go to dance too but I have to wait until Uncle Eli finishes with football work to start again. Auntie Stacey used to take me when Uncle Eli couldn’t but she is in Europe now modeling. So I have to wait until Mommy finds a new after school sitter who can take me or wait for Uncle Eli to finish winning the Super bowl.”

We all laugh. She sounds so sure Ellerie will win the Super Bowl and being on the same team with him now I hope she is right. Ellie is just full of information. I know Tamara has a nice body and stays in shape but I didn’t know she danced. I also didn’t realize she knew anything about horses. I will definitely have to get her out to the ranch. I haven’t had a girlfriend that could handle a horse since high school.

“Oh Brad, maybe she can join the girls dance school and I could take her. Trev’s girls go with mine,” Ann says excitedly.

“Really,” Ellie beams.

“Whoa guys, thanks Ann, but you guys have got to stop promising her stuff that I’m not sure her mama will be okay with. I’m in enough trouble as it is,” I sigh.

“Oh Brad, I’m so sorry. Her excitement is just so infectious,” Ann giggles.

“Tell me about it. I already promised to come to her house to swim in the pool,” my brother Trevor chuckles.

I throw my head back and groan. I draw a hand down my face and sigh. “Ellie baby, whatever everyone here has promised you today we are going to have to run it all by your mama. Now if she says no to any of it you can’t give her a hard time about it like you did this morning, you hear me,” I say gently. “That tantrum you threw this morning can’t happen again.”

“Okay,” Ellie whispers. “I just wanted to wear my pins to show Miss. Cynthia and Mrs. Jenny. They always talk about how pretty Mommy is and how nice her jewelry and clothes are. I just wanted to be pretty like Mommy.”

“Sugar, you’re just as pretty as you’re mama with or without those pins,” I tell her warmly.

“Really Daddy,” she says with a toothy smile.

“Yeah baby, you are.”

“Mommy’s so pretty Uncle Eli’s friend, Mike wanted to marry her,” Ellie beams proudly.

I rock back on my heels at her words and Trev lets out a low whistle. “Sounds like you have a little competition,” Trev chuckles and raises a brow.

“Shut up,” I growl.

My head is spinning. Tamara said she hadn’t been with anyone since me. She told me she wasn’t dating. I had never thought there was anyone else to worry about. I never thought she would lie.

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Ann chirps. “I saw the paper and the pictures on the news. She looks like she is completely in love with you.”

“Pictures in the news?” my mother bristles.

“You can’t tell me you didn’t know they were out there,” Trev snorts.

“I wasn’t thinking. I should have known better, I should have thought about protecting Ellie. I messed up,” I mutter.

“Speaking of which, why isn’t she in school? Is that why you’re in the dog house, because you kept her home today,” Trevor asks.

I sigh, “No, the reporters ambushed Ellie at day care and Tam had to be in a meeting. I was the only one that could get to Ellie.”

“Oh that’s terrible,” my mama gasps.

“Ellie, how about you join your Papa to watch some T.V. and we let these old folk talk,” my father says to Ellie as he stands. Ellie nods her head happily and my dad helps her down from her stool.

Once they are out of the room the fun starts. My mama and siblings take turns asking questions about what I plan to do with the new turn of events. I spill to them everything I have no answers to. I am still trying to figure this all out, being with Tam, having a family and not messing up with each decision I make.