Chapter 5
Hollis
“I still can’t believe you’re still married and have been all this time,” Johnni said while she patted CJ’s back to get him to burp.
“Have you talked to him yet?” Mickey asked.
We were all on a video call since they were in California watching Boss graduate from treatment. A year had turned into fifteen long months away.
“Not yet. But Callie told me today is my last day running. So I’m headed to Nas because this has to be a mistake. Johnni, you remember the day I signed. There is no way I’m still legally attached to that man.”
“I mean, yes, I remember, but only because you told me. I wasn’t there until that night at Hef’s. Callie was present though. Does she remember any more details that you’re missing? Because I highly doubt the courts have this wrong.”
I huffed as I finished putting my jeans on so I could head out. I had an appointment with our lawyer and friend Nas in twenty minutes.
“They fucked up somewhere, and no, I haven’t. Not yet. I’ma let Nas fix it before I start overly obsessing about steps from ten years ago.”
The sound of Minnie calling for Mickey had me smiling, breaking me out of my personal hell.
“That’s my cue. I swear she only wants me when she’s hungry; other than that she’s her daddy’s baby. That’s why I’m cutting her off.” That had me chuckling.
“Girl, go take care of my baby and you not cutting off nothing. I’m about to head to Nas anyways. I love y’all and bring me back a souvenir, like a damn man.”
“You already got one. Love you too,” Johnni said, ending the video call and leaving me stuck on her words.
I grabbed my purse and keys and headed out of the door.
Forty minutes later, I finally made it to Nas.
I gnawed on my bottom lip until I could taste copper, warning that I had gone too far.
It had only been two days after the bum rush kickback and I hadn’t been able to sleep, eat, or work properly because my mind was stuck on the document I had passed over on to Nas.
She had been quiet for the majority of our meeting, asking basic questions while she typed and glanced at the marriage certificate.
No matter how I felt, still being married to Luke was the worst thing that could ever have occurred. Before it made it into the press, I had to cancel the hell out of this shit.
Or before his ass ran his mouth again.
I rolled my eyes hard at the memory of the way he’d decided to tell me.
“Well, it looks like legally speaking you’re still Mrs. Luke Deacon and have been since the day you said I do.”
“But how? I filed and mailed in the final paperwork.”
Nas shrugged as she continued to look over everything before she offered a smile.
“Unless you forgot a stamp or it never got processed on their end, it never went through. And since this shit is old as hell, I know I’ma have to dig deep. Can you give me a couple days to see what I can find?”
Fuck, I don’t have a couple days.
My time was up on when Callie said I had to reach out to Luke. Of course, I didn’t want to but this legally married status shared between us told me I had no choice.
“No time. But keep digging.” I got up to leave.
“Wait, what does that mean?”
“It means I have to talk to my hu…to Luke. Once you figure out what happened, see if you can refile. There is no way I can stay married to him. The quicker we can get this resolved, the better off I’ll be.”
Nas wore a smug grin as she typed. She found humor in this situation.
“Heffa, what the hell is so funny?”
“You still running from this man. Maybe this is your sign from the heavens that you’re supposed to be with him or some shit.” I clapped my hands twice, shaking my head.
“Uht uht. None of the foolery will be tolerated. Just like sky daddy, the man below works too, sometimes harder. Staying married to him will be the death of me, Nas.”
“Ol’ dramatic ass. Once I figure out what happened and determine if you actually need to file, I’ll submit for a new divorce.”
“Thank you.” I was up and heading for the door when she called out to me.
“Oh and I got notice that Talisa Storm has filed a restraining order against you. Please, for the love of Christ, calm down on the public recording, I told you no forcing shit. You’re still dealing with Siren’s people.
Talisa said you stalked your way inside Diablo’s to get that footage.
I talked them down from suing for emotional distress. ” I snickered.
I got the notice too but didn’t care enough to bring it to Nas because I knew it wasn’t real shit. Unlike Siren’s case.
“Girl, fuck her. I was at dinner with Bone and had front row seats to the action, no stalking necessary. And yes, that nigga can confirm the date and location was set up a week in advance. So if she sues, be sure to let her know you have solid receipts with witnesses.”
“Wait, Bone? You still dealing with that clingy ass man?” I laughed, remembering I told her that part about him.
“Hell no. Girl, he proposed that night. I fucked his ass to sleep then blocked him on the way out the door in the wee hours. I don’t even want the husband I got, I for damn sure don’t want a new one.”
She laughed but that same smug grin was back, so I prepared myself for her bullshit.
“I dare you to try that shit on Deacon and see how far you get in the wee hours.”
I squinted then pointed my index finger her way.
“You think you slick, hell no. His ass can never get none of this again. This is only for the deserving men who serve my benefit.”
“Okay, whore.” I chuckled, now turning to leave.
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I left with my phone in my hand, texting Callie back.
Twin: You’re avoiding my calls now?
Me: No one is avoiding you. I was meeting with the lawyer. What’s up?
Just as I went to text back, my phone rang with an unsaved number on the screen. Since I didn’t know it and it wasn’t my work phone, I ignored it. Whoever it was could either leave a voicemail or text me if it was important.
As I was walking to my car, I put my attention back on texting Callie when the same number called again, preventing me from sending my message, which pissed me off even more.
I huffed my annoyance as I accepted the call.
“Oh my gosh, hello!” I stressed just as I reached my car, pausing before I got in.
“Damn, and here I was thinking I would get you in a better mood today.” I closed my eyes as his sultry chords stroked my ear.
“I was until a stranger called my phone breathing hard in my damn ear.”
His laugh was deep as it vibrated through the receiver.
“Now, I’m far from a stranger, Hershey.”
I rolled my eyes. “You should be,” I mumbled as I got in my car, starting it, temporarily cutting him off from whatever slick shit he said back because I knew he heard me. Once he was connected to my speaker and spoke, I massaged my temples while I throbbed below.
She was pissing me off too.
“White flag, baby. I’m calling a truce. We need to talk about everything regarding the will.”
Hollis, you need to talk to him too.
“Agh! Fine. When and where? And it better be a public place, Luke. I’m not fucking playing with you.”
He snickered and I immediately imagined his sexy ass grin.
No, because why do you still remember it or think it’s sexy?
I rolled my eyes at my own thoughts as I listened to him answer.
“Of course, Hershey. I’ll see you tonight after the game.” I opened my mouth to ask where and a set time but Luke hung up before I could.
“Shit,” I said as I went to call him back and got no answer. I glanced at the time on the dashboard and cursed lowly.
His phone went right in his locker and he was headed to practice or to watch film.
I hated that I still knew his game day routine like I still lived it. He went to the field early to practice and watch film. And depending on which stage he was at, he turned his phone off and put it in his locker.
I hit redial once more and it went straight to voicemail, which let me know he was officially practicing.
I decided to deal with all that later and headed to my next mission. I had to get ready to see a man about some exclusive shit.
There was a big industry party I needed to be at to hopefully close this baseball wife story.
I got word from a close source that Shepherd’s wife would be in attendance, not with him.
The only way I could be up all in the mix without getting pushed back by security was to make sure I had full access to the floor.
“Hemi, c’mon. You promised I would have not only a section but I would be VIP Friday.” I walked around Black Diamonds talking to one of the managers and my connect when it came to getting close to certain names. Now Hemi was taking it all away from me.
He ignored me for a second as he double checked his inventory.
“It wasn’t me. It’s the party planners. They changed their original request to four sections instead of two. I can still get you VIP to move freely up there.” I kissed my teeth, showing my irritation.
“Hell no. I’ma look like a fucking groupie begging for attention. I need a section. You don’t have anything else up there?”
“Naw, the floor is sold out. That’s the best I can do. But hey, I’ll even add in two bottles on me and an early breakfast to follow,” he said, giving me his undivided attention. I locked my arms around his neck while he held my waist with his free one.
Hemi had been trying to get us to the next level since I first started using Black Diamonds as my hotspot for the best pictures and information.
I refused to take it there with him though.
Don’t get me wrong. I flirted, but just enough to gain me access for free entry, especially during parties, and to get VIP status. But it wasn’t enough to ruin a part-time office space for me. I was here way too often for that. I was already mad about Bone growing attached.
No, that was your fuck up.
And it was. I let him get too comfortable in my space and now I had to replace him with another bodyguard.