Chapter 5 #3
“I know what you want, Holls.” That was all he said as he got out the truck, going inside the late night Chinese food spot, another of our shared memories. No lie, this man and I were everywhere in this town.
I snorted at him even remembering a food order from years ago. I sat there pondering what I had just agreed to, pulling out my phone to text Nas.
This changed the process a little bit, but no matter what, in a couple of weeks I would be a real, single woman, finally divorced from Luke.
Me: Hold off on filing. Got some business to take care of first.
I didn’t expect a text back considering it was close to one in the morning.
Nas: What business? Should I be concerned?
I laughed as I texted her back.
Me: Hell, maybe. I’ll be in touch.
Nas: Aw, shit. Okay.
Five minutes later Luke was walking out with bags of food, coming over to my side and opening the door, passing me the bags.
“That was fast. Are you sure it’s done?” He chuckled but didn’t answer the question, just shut my door so he could get in on his side.
“I called and put the order in on my way to you.” I frowned as he started the car long enough to roll our windows down.
“Why? You didn’t even know I would come with you.”
“Call it my husband’s intuition,” he said so smoothly that I almost missed the cockiness that tagged along as he reached for one of the bags, pulling out containers of food.
He passed me a Styrofoam container marked with my name while I did the same for him.
We got quiet while we began to eat, with me starting with my shrimp egg roll and duck sauce.
“When is the first meeting with the attorney?”
“At nine this morning.” I swallowed hard at his words.
“Well, shit. No time to prep then, huh.”
“It’s just a casual meeting to go over the process in the probate stage. I’m sure the attorney wants to put her eyes on you. I told her we were good. She assumed I would bring you the first time I went.” I nodded.
“We’ll have a couple of days to get you on the deed and bank accounts that the court will need or something.” Again, I was silent, while my chest began to pound uncontrollably at a slow, uneven rhythm until I was panicking for real.
“Deed and bank accounts? Don’t you think that’s too much of an imprint in your life? The marriage certificate isn’t enough?”
I put my egg roll down, picking up my water.
“Naw, Jimmy’s ass was on one when he made this will. The good standing goes into deep detail about proving all that. Don’t worry, I trust you with both.” I snorted.
“You shouldn’t. I’m liable to do emotional damage to that bank account.”
“No lie, I’m counting on you to go crazy. Let’s call it make up tax.” I pressed my lips together, doing my best to contain my laugh but failing miserably when I looked at Luke whose corny ass winked.
“I’m glad you know that’s the only make up that will be going on between us. I got somebody else to handle the rest.”
“Somebody else?” He frowned hard as his gaze lowered when his brows furrowed and his mouth curved in disgust.
“Yeah. Luke, come on. I know you haven’t been celibate this whole time, just like I haven’t. You came back but you never asked if I’m single.” He chuckled humorlessly.
“I didn’t ask because I know you’re not. You’re married to me. Any other nigga don’t matter, just like no other woman is even in my view. I know it’s been a while, but those vows we made still hold value today. No other person above you and no other woman gets your love.”
I scoffed. “Just baseball.”
Luke released a deep sigh.
“I don’t want to argue on our first day back as a team.”
I didn’t say anything else as I picked up my chopsticks and put my lost appetite back on my food, picking over it. The mood had shifted and I hated to admit it was my fault.
Ten minutes later we headed back to my condo.
Luke walked me up.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you in the morning,” I said as we reached my door. I opened it, prepared to close him out of my space. Luke called out to me.
“Hershey, cut your roster of fuck niggas off. Your husband is all you need.”
“Boy, please. The day I cut my dream team off will be the day I love you again. Now move.” He laughed deep as he nodded.
“I’m serious. No play while this is going on. You can go a couple of weeks without mediocre dick anyway.”
“Who said it was mid? I enjoy what keeps me satisfied,” I stated matter of factly.
I was. Bone is gone. He was my best hitter.
Luke shrugged. “None of them busta ass niggas is me, so it’s mid I’m sure. Cut them niggas off, Hershey.” He turned to leave but I couldn’t let him get the last word.
“This is strictly business, Luke. Don’t be texting my phone on no what you doing type of shit all day.” He smirked over his shoulder.
“You must’ve forgotten that ain’t my style. I do grown man shit.”
I closed my door, and not even two minutes later, my phone was going off. My top lip curled until I recognized the number I’d saved earlier today.
Husband: Thinking about you, Hershey. Can’t wait to see you at home.
I rolled my eyes playfully, ignoring Luke’s text as I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. I had a busy day and was now down to less than seven hours of sleep before I needed to play wife in the morning.