Page 33 of Spending Forever With You

Now it was my turn to be quiet as I shook my head. I was still producing a real apology beyond my lame ass words.

“So basically, strangers inside of a loveless marriage playing the part, got it,” he said.

I looked at him and saw something in his eyes I wasn’t familiar with. I didn’t know how to respond so I told the truth.

“We are strangers, Luke, and this marriage hasn’t had love in it since we said I do,” I said, hoping to end the conversation.

“Only for you, Holls,” he whispered as he got out the truck first, grabbing my bags and leaving me there to ponder his words. Wondering which part was only me. It had to be the strangers part, because if Luke loved me, he would’ve never let me go.

“Ugh, I thought we said a custom jersey for the games. What is this shirt you have on?” Callie asked over the video call she and the girls were on. They were still out of town and I was officially hating it but understood. Callie was still at the shop braiding and airing all my business to the older lady in the chair.

“It’s coming, but I had to get something. Plus, it’s the first game. I had to let these other wives and girlfriends know how I’m coming,” I said as I admired the skintight, cut up jean shorts that had every dip and curve my thighs had to offer on display, leading down to the tennis shoes that matched the basic edition of Luke’s jersey. I had it open with a crop top underneath. I didn’t have to worry about doing my hair since Luke threw in a hat with my fit.

“I think you look cute, Hollis,” Mickey said with Minnie nodding her approval with a wide smile.

“Thank you. And I promise, you ain’t beating my Minnie’s confirmation that I look good. Besides, you act like it still ain’t his jersey. How much of this man do you want me to wear, damn?”

“All of it!” they said in unison which had me kissing my teeth as I rolled my eyes, putting on the hat to seal the deal.

“Well, I’m sure he doesn’t feel the same. Now, final comments and sweet words of affirmation. I have to go. I never ordered lunch and I have to eat before I get there.”

“Why are you ordering lunch? Don’t y’all have food for you to cook?” Johnni asked. I preferred to cook over going out, unless I was spending a man’s money on a fine dining meal.

“That’s his food and I haven’t planned a trip to the grocery store yet. Can we focus on the important things right now, like hyping me the hell up.”

“Conceited ass. You look good. Now go have fun and be nice because I know you cussed his ass out a couple times today,” Callie said, which had me cringing a bit at myself at BJ’s. I hadn’t told her, but she knew. We had this weird connection. We could sense each other’s mood’s sometimes, which was a gift and a fucking curse, especially right now.

“No, I didn’t.” The sound of my alarm going off on my phone let me know I was out of time and it was perfect.

“Lies. Anyways, I have to go, love y’all,” Callie said, with us all sending our love back before she hung up.

When Johnni got ready to speak, I cut her off. “Wait, before I forget, we need statements from y’all saying we’ve been married and living in love all this time.”

Mickey playfully rolled her eyes.

“Starting your marriage on lies gon’ have you looking like me.”

“Or me,” Johnni added, making me smirk as I hustled downstairs.

“Neither, it’s for the will.”

“We got you. Now go. I have to feed CJ. Love y’all.”

“I’ll call y’all tomorrow morning. Wait, no, y’all need to be bringing y’all’s asses the hell home. I feel like you’re missing out on my life and I’m missing my babies.”

“We fly back tomorrow afternoon. I promise my first touchdown is to see your new house,” Mickey said with Johnni co-signing.

“Me too, especially since I’ll be in the area to drop CJ off to Mama Steph.”

“It’s not my new house, but sure. Love y’all.”

I waited long enough to hear their responses then I hung up as I rushed down the steps. Since I wasn’t driving, I pulled out my phone to call for an iDrive while I made my way into the kitchen for a bottle of water to save me from buying a soda I didn’t need. Then I noticed the food on the counter with a Post-It bearing my name.

It was my same order from BJ’s with a note that said the shake was in the freezer.

“Fuck!” I pulled out my phone to text him a simple thank you when I noticed he’d texted me. I frowned, trying to make sense of how I missed it until I noticed I was still on DND with only the girls and Lacy able to get through.

Deke: Hershey, I hope you get to enjoy this one in peace, even if your husband did pay for it. See you tonight.