Free Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) by Blue Saffire

sent her on a mission to have fun, something I’m hoping to get you to do,” Ellerie says nonchalantly.
    “I think I’m doing good. I was having fun talking to Teddy and Eric,” I retort.
    “Teddy is in a bitter marriage and I almost had to kick his ass for even having thoughts of trying to bring you into that mess. Eric is …Yeah, those two are not the type that I want my baby sister with. Besides, their my best friends we talk a lot of trash to each other but they know how I feel about you and Ellie and they wouldn’t go there.”
    “What, I’m not good enough for your friends,” I put my hand on my hip and scowl. “I was thinking about going out with Teddy and his wife.”
    Ellerie’s mouth pops open and he glares at me until I can no longer keep a straight face. I throw my head back and laugh. Ellerie tugs at a loose piece of hair at my temple.
    “Dad called me last night. They’re on their way back home from Greece,” Ellerie swiftly changes the subject.
    “Good, so they’ll be in the States for Bri’s birthday. I was thinking about going to New York after her party.”
    “You won’t have to,” Ellerie sighs. “They are thinking about coming here for a while.”
    “Oh Eli, what’s a while,” I whine.
    “Not sure, a few months maybe,” he shrugs.
    Not that I don’t love my parents and want them around. It’s just my father has never been happy that I refuse to tell them who Brielle’s father is. He always gives me this knowing look, like he figured it out or something. But like a good lawyer he is willing to wait for the truth to reveal itself with time and observation. That’s the problem. My dad is too observant and he does things to trip me up when I’m not on my game.
    Well he can bring it on because that is one cat that will never be coming out of the bag. Brielle will keep them plenty busy with her insistent talking and demands. Bri can be the little diva when she wants.
    “I guess it is about that time again,” I sigh. “I just thought I would have this partner thing under wraps and it would be enough to pacify Daddy for a little bit.”
    “Dad is just like the rest of us, wanting to see you happy,” Ellerie says with a warm smile.
    “When are you going to be happy Eli?”
    “You’d have to understand my world to know why I do the things I do, Tam,” Ellerie says somberly. “You know a lot about the sports world but there are some things I hope you never find out. I’ll get a ring or two and then I’ll go after what I want. Hopefully it will still be there waiting for me.”
    “What happened, Eli? When did we forget to be happy?” I muse aloud.
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
    “Can we go ask my Mommy now,” Ellie pulls away and beams up at me.
    “Sure, let’s see if we can find her and your uncle,” I say and hold out my hand for hers.
    I stand and scan the room for Ellerie. I lock eyes on Ellerie talking to the woman in the black off the shoulder dress again. Once again her back is turned to me. I have to see her face.
    I start in their direction dragging Ellie along with me. I peek down and she is smiling up at me with hope in her eyes. She holds her tiny fingers up on her free hand and crosses them. I laugh and give her fingers I’m holding a gentle squeeze.
    When Ellerie and the woman in black come into Brielle’s view she rips her hand from mine and shoots off toward them a few feet away. I feel the loss of her hand in my heart. After that everything else seems to happen in slow motion.
    I watch as Brielle’s curls bounce on her head as she sprints forward. For the first time I notice her little feet in her sandals as they slap the ground pushing her forward.
    “Mommy, Mommy,” she chimes aloud. And then the woman turns and sends my world spinning with her. Her face is glowing as she looks down at Brielle with a face splitting smile. Brielle’s arms shoot out and wrap around her legs as she collides with them.
    In that moment,