Chapter 7
Hollis
“Yes, I heard you, Omar,” I said as I typed away on a piece that wasn’t on my schedule but I knew would be needed.
With me and Luke now playing house, I had to write something on the subject, giving just enough to keep Omar satisfied that Shepherd’s story still wasn’t done and for the nosy ass people who would question the how and why nobody knew about Luke and me all this time.
“I mean it, Hollis. Time is ticking. This Shepherd Rowe piece should’ve been done.”
“I can’t give you anything on a story that isn’t there, but I got distracted with something else.
I promise it’s juicy enough that will take the heat off Rowe for a minute until I can catch him or his wife slipping.
I can’t just make up bullshit to produce a piece for you.
You already know, I move on credibility, ’member?
” I said as I heard the front door open then shut.
I frowned because I knew it wasn’t Luke.
“Ey, Omar, I have to go but I promise I’ll send it as soon as I’m done typing.” I hung up, not waiting for him to reply.
I got up from the couch, heading out of the living room and coming face to face with Kay, Luke’s cousin who doubled as his sister.
“Well shit, that was quick,” I said as I smirked.
“Ten years later and that’s how you’re choosing to greet your cousin-in-law?” Her smile was wide but her tone was everything but welcoming. I knew there would be some pushback, but per usual, Kay stayed doing the absolute most.
I playfully rolled my eyes as I held my arms out for a hug.
“You’re right. Hi, Kay, it’s been a while. You looking good, girl. Did you get the card and flowers I sent for Jimmy?” Of course she ignored my arms, walking around them and heading into the same room I had just left.
“Yeah, I got them. I’m sure your attendance at his homegoing would’ve been better recei—”
“I was there, just didn’t view the body.” I cut her off because at this point she was just yapping.
“Hmm… well, I’m sure it would’ve been longer if it was up to you.”
Much longer, like never again for you and your cousin.
I had a feeling Kay would be more hurt by my decision to leave Luke all those years ago, but damn, I was getting bitter shoulder pain right now and it wasn’t necessary. I was only here to help Luke and that was it.
“I doubted I had much time left on the avoidance path. The Falls aren’t that big. So what brings you by? Luke told me to call if I needed anything. I didn’t call.” I retook my seat, picking my laptop back up and resumed working.
“I know. Why are you here? Did Deacon offer you money or something? That why you back here?” I snickered as I retook my seat, putting my gaze on my screen. I was being interrupted for nothing.
“He did and I turned him down until he insisted. I mean, once we sell, technically the profit will be half mine. So really I’m getting my just due.” I shrugged, typing away.
“Your just due? Little gi—Hollis, sweetie, your marriage lasted long enough to pay off the deposit on the cake. If anyone is due, it’s me for that backyard full of wasted time and money.”
My mouth dropped at first before I laughed humorlessly.
“Kay, the marriage has lasted ten plus years at this point,” I spat, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I plastered on the same fake ass smile she waltzed in with, to match her energy.
There was a pregnant pause before she spoke.
“Again, why are you here? Don’t give me no bullshit either, Hollis. I don’t have time for it. Is it for some story for that nasty gossip blog you call work? Because he doesn’t need anything from you.”
I released an irritated sigh.
“Just to help Luke get what’s his. I really did tell him I wanted nothing from this but to help.
I mean, it’s the house. We…” My voice trembled a bit, shocking me.
I closed my eyes, trying to gather my words.
This wasn’t about me. This was about Luke and the promise Jimmy made him, no matter if I was included.
“He grew up there. It was always supposed to be his. And I know we’re planning to sell it, but to anybody else but Ray.
You and I both know your brother is the worst and will make it hell for him to get it.
That’s it, that’s all. So you can back down a bit, Kay.
No hidden tricks,” I said, tired of going back and forth with Luke’s cousin on day one of being back in his life.
“And your plans once this is done?”
“To go back to my normal life that doesn’t include Luke. My lawyer is already on standby to file the papers, just need to process this probate thing.”
“Oh yeah. Is it the same lawyer who gave the advice about the statements?”
“Yes. It’s Nasira. You remember her, right?” I knew she did. Her expression softened a bit.
“Oh yeah. Deacon didn’t say it was her. I’m happy to hear she went all the way through law school. Good, now how do you plan on being a good wife to Deacon this time around?” I scoffed at her question.
A good wife? As if I wasn’t one last time.
Instead of responding verbally, I set my laptop on the couch, letting her know she had my full attention. She obviously had a plan and only wanted me to listen.
“You tell me.”
“I have some ideas. Like first, you need to be at his games, sitting with the other WAGs. Public date nights so it helps to sell the word of your family when they vouch for y’all being a happy married couple.” I snorted. Her tone was authoritative.
“Anything else?”
“Plenty, but let’s start there.”
Yes, Luke had told me things I would have to do, but they sounded like suggestions, or maybe I put them in that box, half-ass listening. With Kay now repeating the same words, they sounded like demands.
“Well, I won’t make this one to play WAG with the others. Unfortunately, I have work. I’m getting ahead of the game before anyone else can tell lies about my life.”
She smirked.
“It’s funny Deacon knew you would be here doing just that. I guess after all these years you can say he still knows some things about you.”
He doesn’t know shit about me. I was no longer that girl.
Not anymore.
“Doubtful.” That was my last word just before Kay left me there alone again, giving me nothing but space and time to finish this piece.
I rubbed my temples, hoping to ease the stress building behind my eyes, praying I didn’t get a migraine. It was day one and I was already regretting my decision to even get involved.
“Oh my gosh, Holli, this is nice. Deacon has nice taste. I mean, I know you said the stay was temporary but I… we could get used to this type of living,” Callie said as we walked through the house.
She and Cami came over to my mini housewarming party.
It was just them since the girls were still out of town living their best lives.
Once I got my piece submitted, I turned on DND and made one call to her.
Within the hour she and Cami were ringing the doorbell.
I chuckled while I carried the bags from Redmond’s.
“I know, right? I didn’t know what to expect the inside to look like, but it wasn’t this. I’ve been having a fucking ball snooping too,” I said, admiring the décor as we made our way to the kitchen.
“Hell, I didn’t know either.”
“I still have rooms to go through, but so far, besides my damn apartment upstairs, the living room is my favorite.”
“Ooh, Auntie Holli, he has a theater in the basement with the best snacks too!” Cami added to the conversation, causing me to turn and face Callie who wore a dumb expression.
She tried to laugh, correcting Cami.
“Girl, and how would you know? We’ve never been here before. You might be getting confused with one of daddy’s other friends.”
“No. Mommy, it was here. You remember he had the chocolate caramel candies that melted with the popcorn and the hot chips and we watc—”
“Cami!” Callie tried to hush her, placing a hand over her mouth, but the betrayal damage was done.
“Don’t listen to her. You know kids be confused about dates, places, and people. Anyways, this is nice. How long are we here for? Do I have time to pick out my room or don’t get too comfortable?”
I shook my head with a playful smile as we reached the kitchen, with me placing the bags of food on the counter.
“Uht uht, ain’t no need to silence the truth.
I already know you betrayed me years ago.
You can make it up by you and Derek writing statements for us, saying we’ve been a loving couple for years now.
And he does have a spare room upstairs but don’t get too comfortable.
The lawyer assured us that once we get everything in, the process should move fast. I’m looking to be back in my condo by the end of next week. ”
“Damn, that’s too bad. Can you imagine our birthday in the backyard?
I’m talking about the pink luau one you always wanted to have,” she asked while gazing out the back patio doors as if she could truly see our thirty-first birthday party back there.
I didn’t have to look to know his space was kickback ready with the built-in grill and pizza oven and family size gazebo.
He even had an in-ground pool with a mini swim up bar that let me know every function I threw in the summer would be lit.
What functions?
Exactly, none. I just told her not to get comfortable and yet here I am daydreaming about the same shit.
I ignored her, instead making plates for us.
“Can you focus? The statements?”
“Oh sure, we can do them. Now you focus. Since when don’t you want to throw a party? Between our birthday and a ‘my wife just moved in party’, we need to do something in this space.”
“This is the only party I’m throwing in this man’s house. Meanwhile, to change the subject, I was told I have to start attending the games and be amongst the other WAGs.”
“Oh my gosh, it’s official, huh? Do you have a jersey yet?”
She was talking fast, her tone full of excitement, which had me frowning in disgust as I pushed their plates toward her so she could get Cami situated.
“Um… no. I don’t have one and why would I?”
Callie kissed her teeth as I approached the table with cups and the gallon of lemonade then turned to get my plate of fried fish, mac and cheese, greens, and hush puppies.
“Ugh, I swear I got all the common sense. Because that’s a part of the WAG life, but you know that already.”
I did and wanted to forget it so badly.
“Well, again, no. Can you remember with all that common sense that all this shit just happened yesterday?”
“Ooh, yeah. Damn, when is the next game? We have to get you a custom one for sure. Yes, it’s going to be your first official appearance at the Badgers field as Mrs. Deacon, but you ain’t new to this life as the wife of a baseball player and it’s critical that you step out wearing his name as yours. ”
“But it’s not nor has it ever been,” I said with a mouth full of food.
“It is now and you need to move like it is or those women are going to see that you hate that man.”
I hated to admit she was right, so I didn’t, instead just made a mental note to order a custom jersey tonight with the new card Luke gave me. Shit, I wasn’t wasting my money on something I would be leaving here.
After we finished our food, we ended up downstairs in the theater room with popcorn and two kiddie movies back-to-back for Cami who passed out at the beginning of the second. Once they left, I decided to put on another movie since it was still early.
Along with a bottle of expensive ass wine from Luke’s cellar, I got comfortable watching a classic horror movie.
I went online and put an order in for my jersey. I wasn’t sure when I fell asleep or what time Luke came home, all I remembered was his scent filling my nose and invading my dreams.
And instead of fighting my horror fantasy, I lived it, allowing my husband to carry me away. Only because I knew it wasn’t real.