Not Just One of the Guys
Brandi Michelle
Jada Ellis has always been “one of the guys.”
As a successful luxury real estate agent with a tight-knit circle of male friends, she’s built her life on loyalty, laughter, and a drama-free zone where she can fully be herself. No pressure. No expectations. No complications.
At least, that’s what she thought.
Because Ryan Carter has never just been a friend.
A professional baseball player with charm, confidence, and a history with Jada that goes all the way back to their HBCU days, Ryan has always been her constant; protective, present, and just close enough to blur the lines. But when his relationships come and go, one thing stays the same: Jada is always there.
Until she isn’t.
When a new man enters Jada’s life—someone intentional, consistent, and unafraid to claim her—Ryan is forced to confront the truth he’s been avoiding for years. And this time, friendship might not be enough to keep her.
Now, with emotions rising, boundaries shifting, and the past catching up to the present, Jada must decide: Will she finally choose the man who has always been there or the one who showed up ready?
Not Just One of the Guys is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance filled with tension, humor, heart, and the kind of love that doesn’t arrive perfectly, but proves itself in real time.
If you love:
- Friends-to-lovers romance
- Love triangles with emotional depth
- Black love stories with strong, independent women
- Athlete romance (baseball + basketball drama)
- Slow burn with payoff
…then this story will stay with you long after the last page.
Because sometimes, the right person isn’t new.
Sometimes, they’ve been there all along.
