Ballers 2: His Final Play

by Blue Saffire

  I am nothing like my brothers. I have too much of a conscience to be like Uri and Michael. I sometimes wonder if my father would even be proud of me. If he were alive, things would be so much different. I don’t even know if football would have been in the cards for me.

  “You are who you are supposed to be, Nico. If any other man requested this, I would tell him no. This is not what earns my attention, but for you I will do whatever I must when the time comes,” Uri tries to reassure me. “This is not the time. It does not make you less than the men Michael and I are. This makes you the man that will take the pain of another to see them safe and happy. That is what Papa would have been proud of.”

  I lock eyes with my brother. Uri may not have been around when I was younger, but he has been there for me whenever I have needed him since. I know he won’t steer me wrong and that he wants what is best for me.

  “One month. If she is not divorced in one month, we pay him a visit. She no longer belongs to him. I want to claim my woman,” I say and turn to leave. I have plans to make, things to do. Reese will wake knowing I have her back. If I have to take her away to Italy, I will do that too.

  I walk out of the den and run into my mother. I try not to groan. My mother was excited to meet Reese until I let my mask slip one day. I revealed my true feelings for Reese in front of her. It was a big mistake. My mother, being my mother started digging and found out that Reese is already married. She has been up my ass since.

  “What brings you here in the middle of the night,” my mother asks with the appraising eyes roaming over my face.

  “Hello Mama,” I huff and lean to kiss her cheek. We have come a long way. Uri had to force me into a room with her to hear her truth. Then everything with her asshole husband happened and things changed a whole lot.

  “Nico, I have raised you from a little boy. Don’t you try to hide from me. Sweet kisses will not change the fact that I know something is wrong,” she chides and places a hand on her hip.

  “I just needed to talk to my brothers, Mama,” I throw her a charming smile.

  “You try to bullshit a bullshitter, Nico? This is about that married woman isn’t it,” my mother presses her lips at me.

  “Don’t Mama,” I grumble.

  “Don’t what? Tell you that you are playing with fire,” she reaches for my face and make me look her in the eyes. “I am sure she is a lovely girl, my Nico. Tina has said as much, but that does not change the fact that she is married.”

  “That will soon no longer be a fact,” I snap, then sigh. “Sorry Mama, I have had a long day and I have a longer one ahead of me. I know what I am doing.”

  “No baby, I don’t think that you do. Loving that woman will be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. I just want you to be ready for that.”

  I don’t get to reply as she pats my cheek then turns and walks away. She just leaves her words to wrap around me and sink into my head. Loving Reese may not be the easiest thing, but I am willing for the fight.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  A New Peace

  Reese

  I am a bit disorientated when I woke up. I’m not in my own king sized bed. Instead, I am engulfed in Nico’s scent. It is like a warm hug welcoming me home. It is the same scent I have been trying to shake from my head for months now. A scent, I shouldn’t look so forward to.

  As that thought sets in, reality kicks in. I remember where I am and why. It hits me so hard I am grateful for Nico’s comforting fresh, clean scent that is a mix of sandalwood, sage, and something else I can’t put my finger on.

  I sit up and look around remembering that I fell asleep against Nico’s side. I feel a ping of disappointment that he is not still here with me. I run my hand across the sheets where he sat last night and feel the coolness beneath my fingertips. I give a small smile as I realize he kept his word and slept elsewhere.

  Why can’t all men be like Nico? I frown and scoot off the bed in search of my things from last night, so I can locate my phone that I turned off. I tried to call my girls last night before I found myself on Nico’s doorstep, but I just couldn’t force myself to do it.

  Tam has exams, Stacey is off somewhere being Stacey and Alee is in DC at a hair show. I know they would have dropped everything to be there for me, but this is my mess. I’m also not ready to admit that I was so wrong.

  I turn on my phone and it lights up with missed calls and messages, all from Ty. My hand tightens around my phone in a death grip. I refuse to acknowledge any of his calls. I have nothing to say to him. I’ll need to find a lawyer. This marriage is over.

  “I have breakfast waiting for you, Cara. Paige is here. She has some things for you to sign and Valentina is on her way to take you shopping for the things you need,” Nico says into the room.

  I turn to him, startled a little, but happy to see him. He made me feel so special last night as he listened to me and didn’t judge me and my decisions. Nico was just the friend I needed. He just made it easy.

  He is standing in the doorway once again, just like last night. He looks sexier this morning, if that is even possible. His hair looks damp and his chest is wet with sweat as a towel drapes around his neck. He is shirtless, standing before me in just a pair of gym shorts.

  I furrow my brows. “Paige,” I ask. Though Paige and Pam are twins I have always been closer to Pam.

  “Yes, I asked her to come to help you with getting the divorce proceedings started. She and Bobby Mairettie will handle everything for you,” Nico says nonchalantly.

  My head starts to spin with the weight of his words. I am going to divorce my husband, my cheating, lying, no good husband. Nico had asked me what I wanted to do last night and I said without question or regret that I want a divorce. I just didn’t think he would get me a lawyer.

  “The Mairetties,” I scoff. “I can’t afford them.”

  “I did not ask you for money and nor will they. You are considered family. We take care of family. I had Tony get you a few of the basics for today. You will find clothes and some toiletries in the bathroom waiting for you. We will be waiting on you,” Nico gives me a reassuring smile before he turns to leave, as I stand with my mouth hanging open.

  I shut my trap and make my way into the bathroom to see what Nico has placed in there for me. I find a sundress hanging and a cute pair of beaded flats. There is also a panty and bra set, a hair brush and other feminine products. Tony did well.

  I climb in the shower and let the water wash away my jumbled thoughts. Mairettie and Mairettie is a prestigious law firm. Having representation like Paige and Bobby Mairettie is a sign of being ready for war. I don’t want to go to war with Ty. I don’t want anything from him.

  I never have. All this time we have been married, I have never asked him for anything. The apartment, the cars, were all things Ty insisted on giving me to make me happy, when all I really wanted was him. I would have done anything to just spend time with my husband.

  It dawns on me now why that was never possible. I shake my head as I think of all the money his babies’ mama will bleed him for. He’ll have enough to worry about with her. With me out of the way, I am sure she is going to up her game. In my eyes, that will be punishment enough.

  I don’t want any reminders of how naïve I have once been. I have worked hard for the things I have built and that is what I will rely on. I want this divorce over as soon as possible, so there will be no fight from me. Sometimes it is not worth the fight.

  I step out of the shower and get dressed with new resolve. I plan to get my life back as soon as possible. When I step into the dining room Paige is there with Nico laughing. I know she and Pam are twins, but it is still mind boggling how much the two look alike.

  “Hey,” Paige stands to greet me with a hug. I return her embrace, only slightly embarrassed by the reason she is here.

  “I’ll leave you ladies to it,” Nico says and stands to leave the room.

  “No, please stay,” I rush. I take a calming breath. “This shouldn’t take
that long. Paige; I don’t want a thing from my ex-husband. I just want a divorce and my name back.”

  Paige looks at Nico and then me. She gives Nico one more glance before her eyes settle on me. “Alright, if that is what you want. I have a few things for you to look over and sign. I’ll get everything taken care of right away,” Paige says with a warm sympathetic smile on her face.

  “Hello everyone,” Valentina sweeps into the room with a big grin on her face. She looks great for a woman that has just pushed out two big boys. Nori and Inzo are adorable. I feel just a little ping of disappointment that she doesn’t have the boys with her.

  “Nic-nic,” Vita calls from her side and launches her little body toward Nico.

  We all laugh and shake our heads as Nico lifts her into his lap and starts to talk to her in Italian. She loves it and eats the attention up. I am floored when she actually responds in Italian, speaking more clearly than she does when speaking English.

  Valentina shakes her head. “They’ll have my baby speaking nothing but Italian,” she sighs and gives a playful frown. “Uri, nor Michael will speak a word of English to her. Even Luca has joined in. I think it is a conspiracy. My father loves it.”

  “Please don’t give my husband and in-laws any ideas,” Paige chuckles. “I’ve caught Rita teaching the kids a few languages already. My kids will be talking about me behind my back soon and I will have no idea what they are saying.”

  “I know. They are all so adorable. Daniel speaks Mandarin pretty well,” Valentina says with a proud smile before her eyes settles on me and become sad. “I’m so sorry, Reese.”

  “For what, I’ve met Rita’s son. He is adorable and I can just imagine him speaking other languages, he seems like a bright little boy. You all have bright, beautiful children,” I reassure her.

  Valentina gives me a skeptical look as she absentmindedly brushes and hand over her now flat belly. A month ago, I may have felt depressed about hearing about all of their little ones. Today, I just feel light. Like the world has been lifted from my shoulders.

  This too shall pass.

  “I nostri figli si parlano lingue diverse anche,” Nico says, drawing my attention.

  I turn to him to find a heated stare in his eyes. My breathing comes up short and my chest heaves. I feel like his blue eyes are looking through me. My skin heats and I swear I am about to melt right here.

  I am stuck in a trance until Valentina clears her throat while fanning herself. I want to fan myself too, as I tear my gaze away, but I won’t. I don’t want Nico to know the true effect he has on me. I’m not ready to admit that to myself.

  I need to finish one chapter before I start another. And then it hits me. Nico wants children. Why wouldn’t he? I see how great he is with Vita. I almost broke into tears the first time I saw him with Nori and Inzo. What if I can’t give him that? I feel the tears sting the backs of my eyes.

  As if reading my mind, Nico speaks again. “Il nostro futuro è nostro, amore mio. Il tuo passato non ci definisce,” he says with such passion, I have to fight back a sob.

  Valentina places a comforting hand on my back and starts to rub circles. I refuse to look at Nico again because I know I will lose it. How can a man that I have never given myself to burn so deeply within my soul, when the man I once pledged my life to, has created such a gaping hole in my chest?

  “I don’t know what I just missed, but whatever it was has me hot and bothered,” Paige breathes fanning herself as well.

  Valentina giggles. “Let’s just say you need to get moving on that divorce before Nico has me coming out of retirement once again,” Valentina replies.

  I look up at Valentina with questioning eyes, but she just smirks and winks at me. Something tells me my new friend and her husband are so beyond what meets the eye, but I don’t question it right now. Sometimes a little crazy is good. I wish I had let some of mine out on Ty and his baby mama. No you don’t they don’t deserve the satisfaction of another black woman going crazy. You did well.

  I have to agree with myself and Nico. I have a future and it will not be defined by being an angry black woman. I have a better idea for my revenge. It has always been about Ty. Now it is about Reese. Let him suffer the neglect I felt, because he will suffer from the loss of me.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Please

  Reese

  I step out of the shower humming to myself as I wrap in a towel. It has been a week since I signed the divorce papers and I just want to move on with my life. I have so much to figure out. I need a place to live. I need to talk to my parents. I’ve decided to take off sometime from work.

  I think a little vacation will work out right now. Uri says we will be able to get my clinic going within the next two months. I can use that as an excuse with my clients. I just need the time to get my head right. I can’t help them if my head is not in it.

  Nico is my only client that may not want to hear that crap, but I don’t mind. After all he has done for me, I will work with him if he still wants me too. I owe him so much.

  This week has been different between us, but not in a bad way. I guess that is why I am humming. Nico insists that I join him for his morning yoga and I have. It has been interesting to say the least. We may not talk with our mouths but the energy in the room does enough talking for us.

  When my eyes are not on him, I can feel his eyes on me. I try not to show how self-conscious I am, but I can’t help it. I am just glad Nico doesn’t point it out or make it worse for me. I have seen him eye my workout clothes in amusement but he stays silent nonetheless.

  I had a few spare work uniforms in the cleaners and that’s what I have been wearing. My polos and my work jogger pants. Nico made me breakfast this morning and he sang the whole time. I think that is where the humming has come from.

  I smile to myself as I think of him singing Next Lifetime with a smirk on his lips. I keep telling myself to stay away from him. This could end badly. There is so much Nico and I would need to talk about before we could start a relationship, but this is not the time for that.

  I am still married. I twist my lips in thought as I sit on the edge of the bed rubbing lotion into my skin. Maybe if I call Tam, she will let me stay with her. She is crazy about her space and her study schedule. We would probably drive each other nuts. Alee is back in town, but she has so much going on in her life, I don’t want to intrude there either.

  My phone rings, but I am so lost in my thoughts that I reach for it and answer it without looking at the caller ID. Ty hast been calling my phone a million times a day, but that fact slips my mind as I think of where I can move to until I get on my feet.

  “Baby,” Ty’s voice comes through the phone after I absently say hello. I growl, stand to my feet, and go to hang up. “Baby, please don’t hang up.”

  “What exactly is it you want,” I hiss into the phone.

  “You, I want to talk to you. I need to explain. I didn’t want you to find out the way you did. Baby, you don’t know how much that shit is killing me. I need to see you. I need for you to understand I never meant for this to happen,” Ty pleads.

  “You didn’t mean for what to happen? For me to find out. You didn’t mean to get caught. Give me a break, Ty. If you never meant for any of this to happen, you would have kept your dick in your pants, but no. You were out there fucking around on me while I had my naïve ass home pregnant with your baby.

  “Then you get her pregnant not once, but twice. All this time you knew it was something going on with me, because you knew you were popping out babies elsewhere. Go to hell, Ty. Better yet, go live with that bitch and your family,” I snarl.

  “Reese, please. I’m not in love with her. I love you. She has been using my kids to try and trap me from the beginning. I didn’t know what to do, Baby. I have nothing to lose now. I don’t have to be forced into a relationship with her because I have nothing to lose. She can’t threaten to tell you anymore. You already know,” Ty says frantically. “Reese, just come home
and let’s talk.”

  I snort, pulling the phone away from my ear to look at it. As if I can check to see if he has lost his mind by looking at the phone. I shake my head in disbelief, putting the phone back to my ear.

  “Did you bump your head? Or maybe you got tackled too hard or something. Just sign the damn papers, Ty. I know you have them. Sign them. I want nothing from you. Just leave me alone,” I hiss.

  “Where are you staying,” Ty growls in frustration. All signs of begging gone. “I have called your friends and they haven’t seen you. They don’t seem to know what’s going on. So where are you?”

  “Fuck you, Ty. I don’t owe you shit. I don’t have to tell you a thing. You cheated on me. You have two children with another woman. You have been playing house with her all this time. Why don’t you go back to Miami with your happy little family?” I snap.

  “That is not my happy little family. Fuck, this is why we need to talk. I don’t live there with her. It is not the way you think. I have not been playing house. I love my boys. I’m sorry as fuck that I had them with the wrong woman, but I love them. So I have done everything I can to make sure they are taken care of, but I don’t stay with them and I don’t have a relationship with her. Fuck, Reese please let me explain,” his voice goes from angry to pleading once again.

  “No Ty, you had my love and look at what you did to it. There is no way you can fix this. There is nothing you can say that will change my mind. Every word out of your mouth is about you and how you feel. Well, I’ll be taking a page from your book.

  “I want a divorce. I need some time to myself. I want to be loved and I want a man that will make sure I know he loves me every day and night. Not whenever he can pull himself away from his secrets in another State. I need you to sign those divorce papers,” I say with my chest heaving.

  “No,” Ty growls. “You’re my wife. I fucked up, but you have always been the one for me. You are the one I have always wanted. Fuck, Reese. I fell in love with you from the first time I saw you. I’m still crazy about you, Baby. Please, don’t do this,” Ty says sounding drained.