Read Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) Online
Authors: Blue Saffire
Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) (22 page)
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.
“Exactly why I am so happy we are having another one,” Brad kisses my neck and rubs my tummy.
“Do you miss it?” I ask. Brad stayed true to his word. He played for one year in New York, brought home a ring for him and Ellerie and retired.
“The game or New York,” he asks.
“Both,” I shrug. The firm in New York has been a big success, but we just moved back here to Texas a few weeks ago. It’s not permanent we just thought we should spend at least the summer here with the family. We will decide how much time we will split between the two in the fall.
Things in New York will be fine without me. Ellerie has really taken a large role in handling the office. He loves it. Nico’s Brother, Michael, has been very instrumental as well. While I love our life in New York this right here is something special.
I can’t wait for the twins to be old enough for us to go riding as a family. Ashley and Ashton are just about the cutest little ones ever. I finally have a child that looks like me. Ashton may have his father’s personality but he has my eyes and smile, he is mama’s boy all the way. Brad and I make some beautiful babies.
“Honestly, I think I’m good on the game. I’d much rather spend time with you and the kids. As for New York,” he shrugs. “You can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy. Our circle there is great, but I love this, the fresh air, the open space, the fact that my family is not that far when I need alone time with my wife.”
“Oh please Brad, my parents had the kids just about every weekend,” I laugh and turn in his arms to look up at him.
“Yeah, but my parents have them during the week and Ann has them on the weekends here,” I throw my head back and laugh harder.
“Well enjoy it while it lasts we’ll be back in the busy city in no time. I think it’s time to look for a bigger place by the way,” I say thoughtfully.
“Already taken care of Darlin’,” Brad smiles at me sheepishly. “Just in case we have another set of Twins.”
“Shut your mouth,” I swat his arm playfully.
“I love you, Tam. I’m glad I found my way back to you,” Brad says suddenly more intense than before.
“I love you too, Brad. More than you could ever know.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book was different and fun for me. I hope that you enjoyed it. I want to thank you guys that have become loyal readers and those of you that have just found my books as well. It is a pleasure to share with you all. Thanks for the LOL moments and the well wishes on Facebook as well.
Thank you to the home crew that supports me in all of this. You guys are the bomb. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am. I have wanted to write books since I was a little girl and to be doing so and have such a great response is awesome to me. I have been through college and have two Masters Degrees, but this right here brings a smile to my face and brings me so much joy. I love to create and I love that you enjoy what I create. So thank you so much, with all my heart.
Once again to God be all the Glory for my talent and the courage not to bury it. I thank him for taking me out of my box and showing what I can really do. I am nothing and can do nothing without the source of my being.
It is that time, on to the next!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Blue Saffire is a house wife with too much time to think and not enough time to herself. By some miracle she has found the time to write books. Blue represents the secret author inside that some of us are too scared to let out.
Blue is a stay at home mother and a loving wife. They all enjoy life in the suburbs. However life throws her challenges daily and since her dairy is no longer enough she has decided it is time for new outlets for the words she would never say face to face to her friends, family or other moms and definitely not her husband.
So here in lays the thoughts of Blue Saffire, the author, the wife, the mother, and the woman. Enjoy.
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Other books by Blue Saffire
Also available….
Legally Bound 2 : Against the Law
Coming Soon….
Brothers Black
Legally Bound 4: Allegations of Love (Jasper)
Legally Bound 5: Legally Unbound
Hush 2: Slow Burn