Chapter 10 #2
“You laughing because you already know that shit is mine.”
“No, I’m laughing because it’s funny you still believe that it is.
Baby, the way this kitty purrs or this ass waddles on the dick now, you wouldn’t know what to do with it and never will you get the chance to play in it again.
” She laughed harder as she took a bite of her waffle that smelled like peaches.
The whole scene had me getting closer to her ear as my hands dropped to her love handles, caressing them meticulously.
“Hershey, I know it’s been a while but let’s not forget who taught that pretty muthafucka how to purr and how to get this fat ass to dance on a dick just right.
If you want to remove that fuck ass rule for me to show you what I’ll do to you and my pussy, then just say the word, baby.
I’ll happily correct your temporary amnesia. ”
When she chuckled again, I prepared myself for her slick ass mouth but wasn’t nearly ready for her remark that hit me in my chest.
“Ugh, when did you become one of those niggas? We’re only into week three and you acting real mannish, Luke.
This pussy right here is for considerate husbands, and clearly that’s not your ass.
Now get off me before I stop being nice.
” She pushed me away and I didn’t fight it.
When I went to speak, my phone rang with the law office’s number flashing.
I answered, putting it on speaker.
“Hey, Mr. Deacon. I was just calling to let you know probate court went well and I have the keys to the house and car for you and Hollis. Just let me know when you can come or I can stop by if that’s easier.”
“Hi Skyla, you can stop by this morning if you’re free,” Hollis added, which I was sure had Skyla smirking.
“Oh perfect. I’m leaving the hearing now and will be there soon.”
It didn’t hit me until I caught Hollis’s wide ass smile that suddenly made sense of her sounding way too happy to hear from Skyla and inviting her over.
She’s leaving you yet again.
Nigga, you gotta stall this shit out. You just got her back.
“Skyla, we can come to you. It’s no problem. Even schedule an appointment if you’re too busy today. We’re in no rush,” I said, jumping into the conversation that had gotten away from me, ignoring Hollis’s heavy gaze. I didn’t have to see it to know she was mugging the hell out of me.
“No worries. This is easier for me. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Okay, just let the guard know who you are and who you’re here for. We’ll see you soon,” Hollis said in an even perkier tone than before.
Damn, and just like that it’s over.
“What the hell you on, Luke?”
“What?” I shrugged, now going for my container, taking a bite of my steak that had gotten cold all over again as I hit a few buttons on my phone to let the security guard on duty know Skyla was on her way.
I put my finger up as I placed the phone to my ear, cutting her off.
“Hey, Rickey, Skyla Howell will be on her way soon. You can let her in.” I ended the call, and not a second later, Hollis jumped back in where she left off.
“Oh no rush, we can schedule an appointment? Um… hello? You said, no, scratch that, we agreed quick and easy. Why are you trying to drag it out?”
“I’m not. I was just saying if coming this way was out of her way or she had other things to do we could make our way there. Don’t make it something, Holls. Trust me, I understand you want to get back to hating me.”
“Correction back to being single first off, and yes, my life. Hating you hasn’t changed.”
I snorted as I nodded while I chewed my food.
“Well that’s good to know. Make sure you hold that tight. Can’t have the world thinking you might love a nigga.”
“Neva!” I chuckled as the sound of the doorbell had me putting my fork down, walking up on her and kissing her temple.
“Well, pretend for me one more time, Hershey.” I left her on that note to get the door for Skyla as I prepared to lose my wife yet again.
I opened the door to a bright eyed Skyla as I stepped aside to give her space to enter.
“Oh wow, you two have a beautiful home,” she said upon entry, coming face-to-face with a set of the pictures we had done by Hollis’s people.
“We appreciate that. You can follow me to the kitchen. We were just having breakfast, so Hollis is at the island.”
“Oh, I apologize for the inconvenience,” she said as we walked in to Hollis cleaning up.
“No need for apologies, Skyla. Would you like something to drink? We have coffee, freshly brewed, water, and orange juice,” Hollis said, wiping her hands on the towel.
“Oh, no thank you. This won’t take long. As promised, here are the keys to your property. I just need a couple minutes to go over the next steps.”
I frowned while Hollis voiced her confusion.
“Wait, what do you mean next steps? It’s not done?”
“Oh no, this is just the start of the process. With heavy detailed wills such as this one, I try not to overwhelm my clients with all the information at once. So, I do steps to help break them into what’s to come.
Step one was proving your marriage. Step two, now this is where the fun begins.
Per Jimmy, after step one, you two have to stay married and live together for six months before you can officially sign and take ownership of the property. ”
Six months?
That would take us to the end of the year.
Hollis gasped lowly before she played it off with a cough I knew was fake. I glanced at her wide eyes and horrified expression, letting me know she had done the math just as I did for how long it would be until she would be able to leave me again.
She was just as taken aback as me, but the difference was I knew my wife was fuming by the flare of her nostrils.
“Wait, is that legal? And six months? Can we sell during this time?” Hollis asked, then grabbed her cup and took a sip.
“No, because legally you aren’t the owners, consider this the probation period.
You have some benefits. You can go to the property, but you can’t make any major decisions regarding it.
Cleaning it is okay, though. Now, I know a lot can happen in that timeframe, but no matter what, you two must stay married and live together.
You can change addresses as long as you two move together, and jobs, hell, even the size of your family.
But names and titles must remain the same.
Am I clear on that?” Skyla put two sets of keys on the island then pulled out a manila envelope and proceeded to open it to a stack of papers.
I put my eyes on Hollis who had horror written on her face as her eyes doubled in size with her mouth wide open.
“Yes. Trust me, Hollis and I are a forever thing. You don’t have to worry about that,” I said while Hollis just stood there stuck.
Since Skyla’s head was down sorting through papers, I took the opportunity to mouth to Hollis,
“Please fix your face, Hershey.”
“Well excuse me for asking so bluntly, Skyla, but how will you know if we stick to this plan?” I asked while Hollis turned her back to us, busying herself with wiping down the counter but I knew she was trying to calm herself.
“Oh yeah, the extra part of step two, I will be doing monthly check-ins here when I drop these off for you.” She placed two envelopes on the counter, getting Hollis’s attention again as she made her way over to us, standing close to me.
“I don’t know what’s in them, and yes, they are sealed.” I glanced at the letter sized envelopes with mine and Hollis’s names written on them in Jimmy’s handwriting. While I hesitated, Hollis grabbed hers.
“One final thing, if for any reason you two get divorced, one moves out, or you falsify anything during this process, your cousin Raymond Deacon will inherit your share of the will. And to ensure that I made this very clear to both of you, this is just a statement stating you understand. I’ll need you both to sign and date for me, then I’ll be out of here. ”
Skyla put down two pens for us. I went to sign when Hollis put her hand out, stopping me from even picking up my pen.
“I’ma have our lawyer look over this first. You don’t mind, do you?” Hollis smiled as she grabbed both sets of documents, crossing her arms and tucking them underneath.
“Oh, of course. I’ll give you a week to get them in.”
“Is there anything else?” Hollis said, tone full of sarcastic humor that let me know even if Skyla said no, the conversation was over.
“No, ma’am. You two have a good day.”
“You too. See you soon.” That was my cue to escort Skyla out immediately.
Once she was gone and I made my way back to the kitchen, Hollis was gone. I checked outside in the back and saw her by the pool, her feet in with her phone to her ear.
“Nas, no, it’s bad. The will is saying six months. I can’t stay here for that long,” she whined, causing me to clear my throat. She turned to face me with tears in her eyes.
Damn, she hates you that much?
“Yes, I’m fine physically. Trust me, Luke is crazy, not stupid, but I have to go.” She hung up.
“Damn, Holls, you make a nigga sound bad. Is six months that long to be around me?” I asked, taking a seat next to her but not putting my feet in.
“Yes…no.” She blew out a frustrated breath as she dropped her head, rubbing her temples.
“Then what is it? Talk to me and help me understand because you’ve got me feeling like shit right now.”
“Pretending to still love you or being married to you. Luke, it took me years, and I mean years, to reach a point where I could enjoy certain things and places without the haunting memory of us being there together. To be back in… it’s a lot. And for six months! My god. I don’t think I can do it.”
She went to get up when I grabbed her wrist. Her eyes ricocheted from my hand to my face until I released her.
“Please, Holls, you already agreed.”
“Yeah, under the impression that it would be two weeks tops. It’s already been three. Months is a long time. I have a life, Luke. And I’m sure you want to get back to yours that includes hoes like Talisa Storm.”
“Baby, I don’t want her. Ain’t no need to keep bringing her the hell up either.” She scoffed.