Chapter 3
Hollis
“And you said you went to the funeral?” Mickey asked while I rocked her Minnie to sleep. I had been at her house for the better part of the morning, along with Johnni who was breastfeeding her baby CJ. This past year had been everything babies and weddings for both.
I nodded while my mind went back to that day. Callie had told me about Jimmy passing and all I wanted to do in that moment was be near him. But of course I couldn’t do that.
I mean your ass could’ve at least paid your respects the proper fucking way, Holli, instead of hiding.
I should’ve, but nope, my ass hid in the back in a gotdamn disguise, quietly sneaking in and out. I did get a glimpse of Luke and his cousin Kay though. My heart broke for both.
Jimmy was the best grandfather to Luke. Shit, even me.
“Yeah, but I was in and out. Said a quick prayer for Jimmy’s homegoing and left the same way I came, quiet and unnoticed.” I said.
“Why didn’t you give your condolences to De—"
“Uht uht. We still don’t say that shit. The topic of conversation doesn’t change anything.” I cut Johnni off who decided to chime in mid-chew.
“And why not? Come on, Hollis. This situation deserves an exception to your rule of no contact. If you say Jimmy was an influential factor in Deacon’s life, not saying his name is crazy as hell.
Not to mention, saying I’m sorry for your loss or condolences shouldn’t be that hard.
I mean, you took your ass to the damn funeral.
” Johnni pushed again, and this time when his name left her lips, my heart skipped like it always did when I’d first met his ass all those years ago.
Ugh, I hate that nigga.
Well, I wanted to. Especially enough to not still be affected by his fucking name.
“Again, I went to pay my respects to Jimmy, not to see his ugly ass grandson. Besides, I sent flowers and a card through Kay, so they at least know I got the news.”
“Heffa, wait a minute now. Ain’t no reason to be sitting here lying. Not liking Deacon is one thing, but that man is fine as hell. But I am proud of you for doing the bare minimum,” Mickey said, with Johnni agreeing with a nod.
“I’m telling BK you in here lusting over another woman’s trash and his ugly ass is something.
But back to what I was saying, when I was there, I noticed Shepherd Rowe and his wife weren’t sitting next to each other.
As badly as I wanted to dig and get that on camera, I couldn’t.
Omar giving me the big ass cash advance along with the offer of the office and quarterly raises got my mind so far gone that I was about to act up at a fucking funeral. ”
I hated the itch to pull my damn phone out at Jimmy’s funeral just to get another key part to this fucking story I didn’t even want.
“Well, I’m glad you found some couth about your raggedy ass.
A funeral, Hollis? You set your boundaries in hell when it comes to finding the dirt.
Don’t let money and space cloud your judgment on keeping some morals intact.
” Johnni said, slurping her shake. I groaned because this was the ruthless part of my job that had me doing whatever whenever to get some tea on the story.
“I’m still trying to understand why you took his piece.
You don’t even want to acknowledge the existence of his best friend he is always around on and off the field.
Maybe you should tell Omar you can’t do this one,” Mickey said while I stood so I could lay a sleeping Minnie in her playpen.
While I pondered my response, the sound of my phone ringing had me going for it to see Callie calling me.
I hit the button to accept the call, putting her on speaker.
“Hey Holli, what are you doing?”
“With the girls at Mickey’s house. Why? What’s up?”
“So, Derek is going to put some food on the grill and Granny agreed to make her seafood pasta salad and poor man’s baked beans. Uncle Ellis is doing sweets and fruit.”
“Ooh, what’s the occasion?”
“Cami requested BBQ chicken, and you know that man won’t ever tell her no, so I decided to just make it a family kickback. Ooh, invite the girls too; the more the merrier. I’m in The Marketplace right now getting the meat and sides.”
Just like me, Callie forever found any excuse to throw or host a party, no matter the size.
“They can hear you, you’re on speaker. And ooh, hell yeah. I’ll even stop and get some bottles. Are we thinking wine or liquor?” Before Callie could even respond, I jumped in again. “Both. You’re right.”
We laughed together.
“Exactly! And yes, your ass has to come over early to help me. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I said, ending the call. I put my attention back on Johnni and Mickey looking at me while shaking their heads.
“Callie said it’s a kickback type of day and the menu is BBQ, as you heard.”
“Any excuse for a party, I’m here for it and the food,” Johnni said, rubbing her stomach which had me snickering.
“Yes, you know we love a kickback.”
“What should we bring?” Johnni asked, now standing next to me, preparing to leave.
“Just yourselves. You already know how Callie hosts, everything is taken care of. I’m headed to get the alcohol then to help since I’ve been summoned to arrive early.” I bent to kiss Minnie’s chubby cheeks so I could head out.
“Ooh okay, we’ll see you later,” Mickey said just as I made it to the door.
I walked into the house to the wonderful smells of food which had my stomach growling louder with each step into the kitchen until the music hit my ears. The vibes were giving classic summertime and I was loving it, especially since I was at my twin’s house.
“Aw, Callie, this is just what I needed,” I said while I placed the box of liquor and wine along with the things to make margaritas on the counter.
“Well damn, I didn’t know you were going to bring the whole bar, Holli.
” She paused before she continued. “Ya know what, never mind; it’s a party anyways.
Plus I don’t know who all Uncle Ellis is bringing with him.
Derek’s friend is bringing the ice and other stuff but I have enough to start our first round.
” My mind was so caught up with getting the first round of drinks going that my nosy ass didn’t think to ask what friend.
“Ooh good because it’s needed. I was talking to the girls about Jimmy’s funeral and of course that nigga came up and ruined my whole mood for five minutes. You called right on time for me to escape.” I chuckled while I washed my hands and got ice as Callie retrieved her blender.
“I still can’t believe you took your ass there and didn’t at least share your condolences with the family, even if you still insist on being petty toward Deacon.
Remind me again why you are avoiding that man like he hurt you.
” I snorted while I rolled my eyes hard.
They were fucking with me today because clearly this was a prank.
“You already know why and I guess everyone is saying fuck my one rule when it comes to that man. Ex-family and I sent a card along with flowers and food. My condolences were shared.” I put the ice, tequila, and strawberry margarita mix in the blender.
“Oh Hollis, please. I can say a name; it’s been years. Besides, I don’t hate him and neither do you for real,” Callie taunted while I flipped her off before hitting the button on the blender, drowning her out.
“So much for loyalty to the cause,” I mumbled under my breath just as Cami and Derek came into the kitchen from the backyard.
“Auntie Holli, you finally made it! Mommy said we’re having a party and guess who else is coming?”
Cami hugged me while I rubbed her back, tilting my head to the side so I could get the scoop.
“Who else is coming, pretty girl?”
“Unc—” Derek snatched her up, causing Cami to squeal as a fit of giggles soon filled the room.
“That’s it, you’re no longer the secret keeper. Game over,” he teased. I assumed it was a silly game they were playing, not putting much thought into it.
“I swear that girl can’t hold the air in her lungs. Do you know she told everyone at practice the other day that she’s getting a baby brother? When the coach came up to congratulate me on the new bundle, I damn near lost my shit.” I chuckled while I placed my hand on her stomach.
“Aw, hi, baby nephew. I mean, maybe she knows something you don’t yet. You know they said kids be intuitive and shit.” Callie swatted my hand away.
“Girl, the only brother she gon’ get is a damn dog or something. You already know I’m tied and Derek is snipped. Trust me, Cami is enough.”
“Miracles happen all the time, Callie. I don’t know. I’ma count the months down just to be safe,” I joked, tossing out a little laugh which granted me a glare. Finally taking a sip of my drink, I closed my eyes to savor how good I was with mixology.
“Oh okay. Since we’re trusting the word of a nine-year-old, she said you would have a husband and a baby soon. Wait, no, she said two.”
My moment in paradise with my margarita was ruined when I started choking. Callie laughed while someone patted my back. I wasn’t sure who it was, but I for fuck sure didn’t expect it to be the last person I wanted to see let alone having touch me.
“Breathe, Hershey.”
From the scent of his bergamot to his hands on me to that sultry, deep, rusty ass voice calling me a name I hadn’t heard in years, I jumped out of my body.
I turned to see him holding the handle of a cooler with a bottle of wine tucked under his arm while his free hand dangled freely now that it was no longer on me.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I moved my eyes up and down his body, hating how good he looked in his T-shirt and jeans with a classic baseball cap on his head.
Gotdamn, Hollis, Callie isn’t the only traitor.
To say I was pissed that my pussy actually reacted was an understatement. She was forgetting our rule of thumb which was she no longer craved Luke fucking Deacon.
“Hollis Shanel, I got some soap for that mouth of yours.” Lacy came out of nowhere.
Well, not really. She was behind Luke, with Uncle Ellis carrying her aluminum trays and bags on his arm.
There were too many people in the damn kitchen for me to have a true reaction.
So without another word, I left out the back.
I put my face into my hands and released the loudest scream possible. There was no way Callie and Derek invited him.
I mean yes, I knew Derek was still friends with him, but they knew damn well not to ever have us in the same space together, ever.
That smell came and this time my nose decided to join the list of muthafuckas to betray me as I actually inhaled, love-hating it.
“Hey Holls, we need to talk,” he said, sounding closer than I wanted him. I didn’t know the actual distance between us since I wouldn’t turn around.
I can’t. I can’t be this close to him and breathe.
“Luke, no we don’t. I’m not even understanding why the fuck you’re here. We’ve been in the same city for the past five years now and not once have you needed to talk about a muthafucking thing. Nothing’s changed. I still hate you.”
I crossed my arms over my chest as I popped my hip out, holding my stance on the topic.
“Things changed. Well, or never did. Jimmy left you some things in his will.” I really did love his grandpa, so to hear he’d left me anything had me turning around with my face twisted as my brows bunched.
“What? Why would he do that? He knew we weren’t…haven’t been together.” Luke dropped his head, shaking it as he shrugged.
“You know like I do that old people do whatever the hell they want. And to him, I guess we would always be together.” I scoffed at his words.
“Well, our divorce ten years ago says different. And why wouldn’t the attorney over his will not contact me directly anyways? Why the hell they send you? You playing messenger now?”
He laughed as he stroked his goatee. “Kinda.” That was all he got out before Mickey and Johnni and their crew came out, interrupting our conversation, leaving me stuck on what Luke meant by kinda.
I didn’t like how it sounded at all.
Kinda?
The girls’ chatter seemed to dwindle when they noticed who was in my face. With Johnni being the only one to have met Luke before, she spoke first.
“Hey, Deacon, it’s been a while.”
“Oh wow, hey Johnni. Yeah, it’s been… what, ten years? I see you got a baby and a new man now.” He walked over to her, giving her a side hug while I stood there watching it all until Mickey called me over.
“Hollis, come introduce us.” I wanted to be childish and yell across the yard until I saw Lacy making her way outside.
“Shit,” I said lowly while I made my way over to the small group.
“Mickey, BK, and Tunk, this is Deacon, my—”
“Husband. It’s nice to meet y’all.” Luke cut me off, stepping in front of me, shaking the guys hands first. Both Mickey and Johnni gasped.
I squinted with one brow dipping in and my mouth hanging slightly open in confusion as to why the fuck he would introduce himself like that.
I chuckled to help loosen the tension.
“You barely have speaking privileges and yet you’re still fucking up.
Please don’t pay this man any attention.
He’s my ex-husband. Like Johnni, I married young, but got out quickly before shit got worse.
” If it wasn’t awkward before, it definitely was now thanks to me.
I turned toward Luke, not saying anything else.
I was fuming, still wondering what the fuck he was here for.
“Um… I’m going to change CJ. Baby, come help me,” Johnni said, now pulling Tunk along with her. Mickey didn’t even give an excuse to leave us alone.
“Ten years and still bitter. Yeah, this was a mistake.”
“Bitter? Nigga, bitter would imply I still have feelings lingering for you. I promise ain’t shit between us. And you damn right. I don’t know why you came here.”
“Because Jimmy left me and my wife, the house, the car, and a trust fund for the kids.” There was that marital term that tied me to him again. A title I knew I no longer owned.
I snorted.
“Okay, well obviously Jimmy said wife, meaning your new one, because we damn sure don’t have kids. We never got that far.” I let the last part slip and it damn near caved my chest in.
Luke blew out a frustrated breath as he proceeded to produce a piece of paper that further knocked the wind out of me.
“No, Holls, the position is still yours and he must’ve known because you’re listed by name.” I grabbed the papers and looked them over line by line several times before everything was spinning, including Luke.
How the fuck is this happening?
I’m still married, and to…
Luke fucking Deacon.