Prologue #2
And just like that, I grabbed the bottle of tequila working with the gummy.
I drank the liquor that laced my throat with heat, hoping it would numb the pain in my heart.
Nowhere in the history books did they ever tell you that divorce meant leaving the one you loved while still yearning for them.
Yet, here I was, still loving him. For the first time since I met him, I wish I didn’t.
Callie bringing up Luke was threatening to kill my vibe and I couldn’t have that. I shook my head as I shushed her.
“Not the worst, just not the best. Now, either you drink the hell up or sit the hell down and let me enjoy this,” I said as I turned the bottle up and downed another huge amount of tequila.
I winced this time, causing me to reach for a lemon slice as a chaser.
A hip-hop beat came on, which had my ass automatically rolling.
When Callie just stood there eyeing me with a somber expression, I lifted the bottle while signaling for her to open her mouth at the same time.
“Drink, Callie!” Reluctantly, she rolled her eyes but leaned her head back and opened her mouth just enough so I could pour the liquor in. I didn’t have to get Johnni activated as she was already throwing her ass in a circle to the beat.
“Now that’s what the fuck I’m talking about!” I yelled, cheering her on.
Callie might not have been celebrating my divorce, but she deserved to have fun. She had been in mommy mode for the last five months with no stops. After five minutes of us just vibing, Callie just had to speak again.
“None of this feels weird to you? Seriously, Hollis. You know you can talk to me about the real shit. Even if I can’t relate, I promise to do my best to understand.”
I tossed back another shot as I shook my head. The signature on the paper was the hard part but Luke and I had been done for quite a while now. He had plans that didn’t include me, and while I was happy for him, it broke me nonetheless.
“No, sounds like a muthafucking party to me! I’m free, bitches!” I yelled, which granted me a round of cheers from the fellas in the section one over from us.
I bent my knees a bit and threw my ass in a circle as the beat to one of my favorites began.
I looked at my twin who now wore a hard expression. I could understand her slight at me celebrating my failed marriage.
For one, she was happily married, and two, she knew how just yesterday I had a whole ass breakdown in her living room about the man and the marriage.
“If you’re going to have an attitude about how I’m choosing to celebrate my divorce, I don’t mind kicking you the fuck out, Callie. I would hate it, but I would do it. So can you please just be happy for me? We both knew this day was coming sooner rather than later.”
“No. I don’t think any of us saw this, including Deacon.
Derek said he’s fucked up over this, Hollis.
Have some type of compassion. Besides, you two still are the godparents of Camille, so all your feelings and emotions need to remain cordial.
” I groaned as I rolled my eyes. She was fucking up my mood.
I knew how connected we were. Callie and Derek did this.
At the time it made sense that me and my husband were my niece’s godparents.
It was a pact me and Callie agreed upon years before boys and babies became a thing. I was hers and she would be mine.
Mine. Great, Holli, now you're thinking about the babies that will never happen yet again.
Stop!
Just that thought of the family Luke and I had failed to make had me drinking for another reason.
I would never have any with him.
I had to shake this negative and sad ass energy Callie was determined to bring into my Zen zone of happiness right now.
“Look, this was the best decision for me and my dreams and him with his. Just for the night, can we please just be here for me? This is reclaiming Hollis Walker.” Saying my maiden name had me swallowing a bitter cry that lingered in the back of my throat.
My marriage to Luke was short lived. Four months were spent waiting for our divorce to be final.
But I had been with this man since middle school.
Ten years later and I was now entering my junior year in college going through a fucking divorce, while he was chasing a dream that left me behind.
“Oh, sissy.” I wiped the tear and hated myself for letting another one slip through tonight.
No, I wasn’t happy about this divorce, but it was for the best. I wished Callie would understand that instead of trying to make me feel anything different.
“Aht aht, none of that is necessary here, Callie. Like I said, either drink or go. I should have called Eshon,” I teased as I reached for the bottle, making her scoff at the mention of our wild ass cousin she swore was the worst type of role model.
“Ugh, whatever. Pass me the bottle, grumpy. Ain’t nobody worried about him.
You not trying to kick it with Eshon’s ass for real.
I try to be a good, concerned sister and of course my good deed ain’t worth shit.
” She grumbled the last part as she took another sip from the bottle, making me yell again.
“Damn, if that’s how y’all doing it, I might need another one.
” A deep voice had us both looking at the entrance of the section to see someone who wanted to be a distraction from my mess.
I licked my lips as I eyed him, contemplating if I should let him.
I noticed he had a brand new bottle of Black Ops in his hand and offered a smile.
“Didn’t Damon tell you to come ready?” I said, making Callie scoff as she rolled her eyes, heading to sit down while Johnni stepped next to me, taking her place.
I stepped aside to let the handsome, smooth caramel man inside. But of course, Callie shut that shit down.
“Hell no! Thanks for the bottle but this ain’t no stop and stay. Consider this section a walkthrough only.” That had me doubled over in laughter because Callie was back up and already had her arms out to prevent him from getting any further into the section.
“I’ll get down with this fake ass happy celebration but I’m drawing the line at unknown men in my face while I’m drinking. Johnni, I wonder what Q would think about that too. I could fuck Damon up for making this shit a hot spot for these muthafuckas.”
“Aht aht, don’t bring my husband into this. I told him what was happening when Hollis called, hence the iDrive down here,” Johnni said, cracking the bottle she snatched from Callie open and tossing her head back to welcome a shot.
I laughed while Callie rolled her eyes. I put my arms around her, holding her tight.
“I swear I love yo’ ass.”
“And if you know like I do, your ass better. Got me out here like I’m not married with a whole ass baby at home.
It’s a good thing you’re going to be on duty tomorrow because I know I’ma be fucked up.
And this will be good practice for you anyways.
How to maintain after a night out because it’s going to be your job if anything ever happens to me and Derek. ”
“Eww, first it was talk about my failed marriage and how I need to be making nice with the man and now your ass is trying to kill my good shit with talk about you leaving me with a baby. Damn, Callie read the fucking room.” I waved my arms around the bar for emphasis.
She laughed as she poured three double shots then pulled me next to her with Johnni following suit.
She giggled. “Damn that was kinda dark. But seriously, as long as you know where my kid will be.” I hurriedly grabbed the shot and tossed it back to stop her speech.
“Yeah, Callie, that shit was heavy as hell,” Johnni added as she picked up her glass.
“You ain’t leaving me nor her for a very long time.
Remember when your heart stops beating, mine will do the same.
So instead of trying to plan your escape from your inevitable future, drink the fuck up!
” That was all I said to end that conversation.
Callie was my twin, but also my oldest best friend, wasn’t no end to us now more than ever.