“I think I know what you mean,” I nod.
“It’s odd. I have no clue why I’ve been feeling this way, but it’s been weighing on me lately. I just feel like maybe what I’m looking for is on the other side of the pond,” Carrick muses.
“Dude, without question, my door is open, whenever you’re ready,” I reassure him.
A relieved smile takes over his face. I watch as his demeanor changes back to the confident, playful Carrick I know. He pats me on the shoulder, his mischievous smile in place, right where it belongs.
“Aye, glad ye be ken on the little lass. More knickers for me when I arrive,” he teases, nodding at Carmen.
I turn to see her staring over at us. She turns away the moment my eyes find hers. My lips pull into a grin.
I look to Felix to see him laughing his ass off at a sour looking Jeremiah. Uncle Ronan is in the corner nursing a beer, looking like a grumpy bear. It reminds me that he’s been in the States going back and forth between New York and LA for a while now. I know there’s a story there, but he hasn’t been willing to share it.
“I tell a lie, I don’t like ye,” Jeremiah booms at Felix.
“I guess that game is over,” I chuckle.
“Aye, I don’t know why Jeremiah loves giving away his money,” Carrick snorts. “Ach, I won’t complain about collecting me fees though.”
I laugh as Carrick heads over to the pool table. His steps seem to be lighter. I wonder what all that’s really about, but I shake it off and head for the table my little reporter is sitting at.
It’s time to get to my end game. Enough dicking around. It’s time to create our story.
Epilogue
Brotherly Love
Felix
Two and a half years later…
I’m going to fuck Noah and Brax up. I know this was them. Sweat is pouring from my forehead. I knew I shouldn’t have touched those brownies.
Jordan and Dae-Dae were distracting me. I swear these kids will drive you insane. Try listening to an eight year old and a nearly two year old explain to you how one of the other kids wronged them will drive anyone to grab for the nearest thing to chew to keep from cursing.
It’s just dawning on me that Noah had just appeared with the plate of gooey treats. Fucked up part is, that shit wasn’t meant for me. I know which one of my brothers those two were after.
“Fuck,” I groan.
I’m sweating my brain out as I fuck this bathroom up. I don’t know how long I’ve been in here. My stomach is killing me. Noah is wrong for this shit. Payback is a motherfucker. We’re all grown ass men with wives and kids. Why the fuck are we still feeding each other shit cakes?
Noah’s vindictive ass has it coming. We’ll see how he likes it when I lock him out of his house or some shit. I’m going to come up with something. He should have been paying closer attention. One of the kids could have eaten one of those fucked up brownies.
“Shit,” I groan.
I pull my beanie from my head and toss it into the sink. My t-shirt is next to come over my head and get tossed. I flush, reaching for the spray.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hiss.
There’s no spray or toilet paper. I look around and confirm that I’m shit out of luck. Nothing. This has my brothers written all over it.
I’m pissed as fuck now. Pulling out my phone I text my wife. I need her to come to my rescue. This shit is so embarrassing. I’m going to kick their asses.
Shooting off a quick text all I can do is wait, which isn’t a problem. Apparently, I’m not done. I close my eyes and groan as my ass feels like it’s exploding.
“Babe,” I hear Kaye outside the bathroom door. “I was wondering where you’ve been. You okay in there?”
“No, I’m going to kill them,” I growl.
I roll my eyes when my wife bursts into laughter. This shit is not funny. I just sit and wait for her to get it out.
“I’m sorry, honey. I’m sorry,” she giggles. “Bean is trying to find the toilet paper. You guys are going to have to hold on for a minute.”
“You guys?” I ask with my brows furrowed.
“Yeah, Ry and John are,” she cutoff, bursting into more laughter. “Let’s just say you’re not the only one in need of toilet paper and air refresher.”
“Assholes,” I mutter.
“Babe, I’ll come back when I find paper and some spray. You kind of stink,” Kaye giggles.
“Whatever, Kaye,” I huff.
“Pee-yew,” I hear Jordan’s little voice outside the door.
I roll my eyes. Of all of the kids, she’s the last one that needs to be outside the door. It just keeps getting better.
“Is that Uncle Lix?” Riley’s voice comes next.
“Oh God, really?” I groan.
Kaye hoots with laughter. I push a hand through the front of my sweaty hair. This has become my life. All these crazy ass kids, my brothers still acting like kids and my wife creating story after story from all of our antics.
“Come on, girls,” Kaye coos. “We might need to go to the store.”
I shake my head. I can hear her laughing as she moves away from the door with the girls. This is some bullshit.
Just you wait, Noah.
* * *
Kaye
I swipe at my tears. I love this family. I couldn’t have asked to marry into a better family. I enter the family room still laughing my butt off.
“Noah and Wyatt just rushed into the bathrooms at the back of the house,” Nellie laughs.
“You know you’re so wrong for this,” I say through my laughter.
“Ye get as old as me and ye will learn a thing or two. They all think they’re too old for me to put them in their places. I think the fuck not,” Cass huff.
We all crack up. All of the ladies are sitting around for the baby shower games. Joe and some of the other male guests have the children. I dropped Jordan and Riley off before coming in here.
“Felix thinks his brothers did it,” I giggle.
“Aye, he would,” Cass mutters.
“Remind me never to piss you off,” Val says through her laughter.
“I shouldn’t have to tell grown men to clean up after their wee un. I asked repeatedly for them to clean up before they left with the babes. I had a damn headache that day or I would’ve done it me self,” Cassy fuses.
“That’s the problem they are so used to you doing it for them,” Nellie says.
“I nearly broke me neck on those fucking toys last week. I told them I’d get them,” Cass says.
A gasp draws our attention. We all turn to find Jordan and Riley standing in the doorway. I cover my mouth to hide my laugh.
“Bad word, Grandma,” Jordan chides.
“Not today, lass. I be cheesed off, I am. Ye get yer wee butt back with rest of the chisellers. I’ve had enough of the lot of ye, I have,” Cass fuses, folding her arms over her chest.
I promise you Jordan’s eyes round and get large in her head as she gives her grandmother a pleading pout. Imagine Puss in Boots from Shrek, Jordan has perfected that look. I watch Cassy turn into putty, opening her arms for Jordan to run into.
“And this is why Jordan is Jordan,” Nellie says, palming her face.
“Tell me about it,” I giggle.
“That little girl is something else,” Pam says.
“Aye, has me wrapped around her finger just like her father when he was her age,” Cass says with sheepish look on her face.
We all start to laugh again. Like I said, I love my family. Every single one of them—and boy there’s a lot of us these days.
I can finally say I have that smile—one like Danny’s. A smile that brightens my days and feels freeing. I’m living my life without apology.
Blue Collection Character Tree
Legally Bound 1
Bobby Mairettie and Paige Kemble-Mairettie father and mother of:
*Peyton and James Mairettie (twin boys)
*Sydney Mairettie and Mar
ia Lynn Mairettie (twin girls)
Legally Bound 2
Marcus Mairettie and Rita Briggs-Mairettie father and mother of:
*Daniel Mairettie
*Hannah Mairettie
Legally Bound 3
Nathaniel (Nate) Briggs and Pamela (Pam) Kemble-Briggs father and mother of:
*Tiffany and Tracey Briggs (twin girls)
*Nathaniel Briggs Jr.
Legally Bound 4
Jasper Briggs and Marie Mairettie-Briggs father and mother of:
*Clay Briggs
The Mairettie Family
Grandpa Marcello Mairettie and Grandma Marie Ann father and mother of:
*Marcello Mairettie Jr.
*Andrew Mairettie
*James Mairettie
*Jessie Mairettie
*Lynn Mairettie
*Gianna Mairettie
*James Mairettie and Minnie Mairettie father and mother of:
*Bobby Mairettie
*Sam Mairettie – (Ellen Kensington-Mairettie, wife)
*Marcus Mairettie
*Marie Mairettie
The Briggs Family
Thomas Briggs and Raquel Marinos-Briggs (Deceased) father and mother of:
*Nathaniel Briggs
*Rita Briggs
Earl Briggs (Thomas’ younger brother) and Caitronia Marinos-Briggs (twin sister of Raquel) father and mother of:
*Kelly Briggs-Fecteau (Alexie Fecteau, husband)
*Jasper Briggs
The Kemble Family
Peyton Kemble and Davina Kemble father and mother of:
*Pamela Kemble
*Paige Kemble
Other Important Legally Bound Characters
Camille (Cam) Mc Wien-Carter (Seth Carter, soon-to-be ex-husband) father and mother of:
*Seth Carter Jr.
*Eddie Carter
*Aiden Carter
Austin Mc Wien (Camille’s father)
Baroness Olivia Kontos (Baron Kontos’ widow; Jasper’s ex-lover; Thomas Briggs’ new love interest)
Vanessa (Julissa) Smith-Mims (Patrick Mims, husband, Deceased)
Hush 1
Uri Donati and Valentina Caprisi-Donati father and mother of:
*Vita Khayla Donati
*Nori Donati
*Inzo Donati
*Eva Donati
Hush 2
Luca Donati and Shannon Caprisi-Donati father and mother of:
*Carlo Donati (Introduced in Ballers 2)
The Donati Family
Angelo Uri Donati (Deceased) and Donatella Manzo-Donati-Zuko father and mother of:
*Uri Donati
*Nico Donati Zuko
*Annabella Donati Zuko (Nico’s twin sister)
*Michael Donati – Zuko
Nicholas Donati (Angelo Donati’s brother) and Ava Donati father and mother of:
*Luca Donati
The Caprisi Family
Vincent Caprisi and Khayla Grant-Caprisi (Deceased) father and mother of:
*Valentina Caprisi
*Lissette Caprisi (Deceased)
**Shannon Caprisi (Vincent’s daughter)
Other Important Hush Characters
Uncle Valentine Caprisi (Vincent’s brother; head hitter)
Iman Grant (Khayla’s sister; **Shannon’s mother; Deceased)
Roberto Donati-Zuko (Donatella’s husband; Deceased)
**Posed as Dale the accountant from Legally Bound 3
Cole ‘Brooklyn’ O’Brien
DJ
Ballers 1
Bradley Monroe and Tamara Hathaway-Monroe father and mother of:
*Brielle Monroe
*Ashley Monroe and Ashton Monroe (twins)
*Corey Monroe (Baby Tam is pregnant
with at end of Ballers 1)
The Monroe Family
Vernon Monroe and Gloria Monroe father and mother of:
*Trevor Monroe (Donna, soon to be ex-wife)
*Bradley Monroe
*Ann Monroe (Bradley’s twin sister; Tom,
husband)
Trevor Monroe and Donna Monroe father and mother of:
*Jessica Monroe
*Toby Monroe and Paige Monroe (twins)
*Jonathan Monroe
Tom Rivers and Ann Monroe-Rivers father and mother of:
*George Rivers and Melissa Rivers (twins)
*Amy Rivers
The Hathaway Family
Byron Hathaway and Fiona Hathaway father and mother of:
*Ellerie Hathaway
*Tamara Hathaway
Other Important Ballers Characters
Stacey (Tam’s best friend)
Reese (Tam’s best friend; Nico’s girlfriend in Ballers 1)
Alee (Tam’s best friend)
Cyrus Pierson (Tam’s boss) father of:
*Tommy Pierson
*Carey Pierson
*Stephanie Pierson
Ballers 2
Nico Donati and Reese Bridges-Donati father and mother of:
*Nico Donati Jr.
*Lanya Donati
*Orso Donati
*Santo Donati
*Stefano Donati
Other Important Ballers 2 Characters
Tiberius Roman (Reese’s ex-husband)
Symphony (Michael’s right-hand)
Brothers Black 1
Wyatt Black and Lanelle (Nellie) Bryant-Black father and mother of:
*Nora Black
*Evan Black
The Black Family
Joseph Black and Cassidy Black father and mother of:
*Wyatt Black
*Noah Black
*Johnathan Black
*Felix Black
*Toby Black (Kamara, baby mother) and father
of:
*TJ and Lulu (twin brother and sister)
*Braxton Black
*Ryan Black
The Lockhart Family
Rob Lockhar and Faith Lockhart father and step-mother of:
*Heather Lockhart
Steve Lockhart and Nora Bryant-Lockhart (Deceased) step-father and mother of:
*Lanelle (Nellie) Bryant-Black
Chase Lockhart and Jennifer Lockhart father and mother of:
*Rebecca (Bean) Lockhart (Noah’s best friend and love interest)
Other Important Brothers Black 1 Characters
Missy (Johnathan’s ex-girlfriend, Deceased)
Lucy (Heather’s girlfriend)
Barry Coleman (Deceased)
Brothers Black 2
Noah Black and Rebecca (Bean) Lockhart-Black father and mother of:
*Brodie Black
*Connor Black
*Baby on the way
Other Important Brothers Black 2 Characters
Joshua (Deceased)
Carmen (Nene) Nash (reporter; niece of Mariah Briggs from Yours Series; Ryan’s new crush)
Logan O’Brien
Brothers Black 3
King Toby Black and Queen Ogeima Feechi (Kamara) Abioye-Black father and mother of:
*Lulu Black
*TJ Black
*Baby on the way
Other Important Brothers Black 3 Characters
Missy (Johnathan’s ex-girlfriend, Deceased)
Lucy (Heather’s girlfriend)
Barry Coleman (Deceased)
King Elijah Abioye aka Mr. Naidoo
Queen Ada Catherine Naidoo-Abioye
King Kwäzē Naidoo-Abioye
Celeste (Kwäzē’s ex-girlfriend)
King Afafa (Decreased)
Missy (Johnathan’s ex-girlfriend, Decreased)
Lucy (Heather’s girlfriend)
Barry Coleman (Decreased)
Joshua (Decreased)
Carmen Nash aka Nene (Reporter, Mariah Briggs, from Yours Series, Niece, Ryan’s new crush)
Logan O’Brien
Dylan O’Brien
Jamie O’Brien
Cole ‘Brooklyn’ O’Brien
Uncle Jonah McGowan
Uncle Jack McGowan
Uncle Raymond McGowan
&nbs
p; Uncle Ronan McGowan
Carrick McGowan
Malcolm McGowan
Graham McGowan
Jeremiah McGowan
Reilly McGowan
Brothers Black 4
Braxton Black and Heather Lockhart-Black father and mother of:
*Riley Black
*Rowen Black
Other Important Brothers Black 4 Characters
Brothers Black 5: Felix the Watch Page 32
