Chapter 11 #2
“Hey girl, I was wondering if you would make the last game before these men head out. And who is this?”
“Hey, ladies. Yes, it was touch and go. We have company tonight. This is my mini, Cami. She had a game today as well, so that was our delay. She hit her first home run today,” I boasted, making Cami blush as she attempted to tuck herself into my side.
“Oh no, don’t play shy. Say hi,” I encouraged her. Cami only offered a smile and wave, causing the ladies to smile.
“Oh my gosh, you are too cute. Congratulations on your home run, sweetie. I didn’t know y’all had a little one who played ball too. I swear Shep is already fitting Jude for his glove and he’s only one,” Angie said.
“Um… we don’t. This is my sister’s daughter. But trust if we did, he would be just like Shep, probably worse.” We shared a chuckle as I went on to do what I really came here for, enjoying the game with Cami.
Halfway through the third inning, I noticed it was oddly quieter than I had grown accustomed to it being amongst us.
I sat back, turning around to see if frick and fucking frack the giggling bitches were back there when I only noticed one of the women.
“Ooh good, part of the laughing crew isn’t here. We might be able to hear the announcer talking the whole game tonight,” I said, putting my eyes back on the field.
“Oh girl, you ain’t heard?” Joy said with a smug grin and a humorous gleam in her eyes. I shook my head completely, forgetting Mariah’s headline had even dropped today until she said the name involved.
“No, what’s going on?”
“Lolly’s boyfriend James. Ooh chile Caught Live just ran this story about him supposedly not only betting against the team that he plays on but also has a serious gambling problem.
Honey, check out the article for the rest. I don’t want to say too much in front of Cami,” Angie whispered and I was glad too.
Cami would’ve let it be known that I worked for Caught Live.
My eyes stretched wide, doing my best to hide my amusement as I gasped.
“Damn, so he’s not playing today?”
“Oh no, honey. They take accusations of placing bets seriously. He didn’t even come out with the team tonight,” she added.
“Well shit, that’s crazy as hell. Hmm…” was all I said as I glanced back once more, rolling my eyes then putting my attention back on the field as Cami called my name.
Of course after the game, Cami wanted to see Uncle Deacon at the press briefing, so we made our way near the clubhouse to wait on him. We didn’t go in the room since we didn’t have passes.
“Auntie Holli, my coach said Uncle Deacon plays a very important position in baseball!” I heard her but was also paying attention to Shepherd and Angie on the other side of us in a heated conversation.
I had to tune Cami out for a second as I did my best to listen hard as hell, only catching Shepherd’s words.
“No, fuck that bitch ass nigga. I don’t give a damn how he feels. He ain’t been here and ain’t going to be, Ang, end of fucking story.” I glanced around to see the space to see who was all around before I had the thought to record this.
Hollis, you just told Johnni you didn’t feel right writing about them?
And I didn’t, but since I was leaving tonight, I would get back to my normal routine, doing whatever to get the story.
I had no time to properly set it up and prayed it was a clear shot since I had seconds to get it done, nice and easy. I went for my phone to get a picture when Cami grabbed my arm, putting my focus back on her.
Fuck! I was so close.
“Auntie Holli, here comes Uncle Deacon!” When he approached us, I saw the surprise in his bright brown eyes as a smile graced his fine ass face.
Ugh, did you just check him out and call him fine, Hollis? What the fuck!
“Hey, Hershey.” He leaned in, placing his arm around my waist, kissing my lips gently. I hated how much I needed the familiar feeling of us after stressing about him all day.
Need is strong, heffa, especially since he’s the cause of the fucking problem.
“Hey, congratulations on the win. We enjoyed the game, baby,” I said, letting him know we had an audience.
“Ooh shoot, I got a celebrity appearance by Cami Rushton.” He stepped out just enough to do their handshake while keeping his arm around me.
Cami laughed. “I’m not a celebrity, you are.
My teammate Darius didn’t believe me when I told them you were my uncle.
I told him I’ve known you my whole life and that you’re married to my Auntie Holli.
He didn’t believe that either. He said no one sees y’all together.
” While Luke laughed, my brow dipped in as I frowned, curving my mouth.
“And I hope you told him to mind his business. You never see his daddy but he claims he got one,” I said with an extra amount of sass.
“Hershey, chill yo, it’s a kid,” Luke said as he chuckled lightly, kissing my cheek.
“Anyways, let me take a picture of you here then to prove your case. You don’t have to lie about nothing you say because why?”
“Because I’m that girl! And we fact check and print receipts over here.”
“Period!” I hyped her up as she hit her middle finger and thumb together, clocking it.
“Oh my gosh, is this what I have to look forward to with our daughter?” Luke said as he led us down the hallway where the team’s logo was painted on the wall.
“Hell yeah, especially when it comes to keeping her name clean of bullshit ass lies. Now go get next to Cami, please and thank you,” I said as I gently pushed him in front of me where Cami stood posing.
The whole exchange happened so fast that it took me a minute to realize what he said.
Our daughter.
If only.
“Okay, now pose like her uncle and not like Luke Deacon, please. We gotta make this look good.”
“Baby, I am Luke Deacon though. Who else am I supposed to be? Just take the picture, Holls.” That had Cami giggling and me blowing a sigh.
“No, you’re Uncle Deacon. Now get in position, time is ticking and we ain’t got all night.” He shook his head, kneeling on one leg, propping the other up so Cami could sit on it.
“Yes, perfect,” I said, snapping a couple of pictures.
“Now let’s go. Cami, I have to get you home.” She whined.
“No, Auntie. Can I stay with you tonight, pretty please?” I thought about it since I was heading to the condo, but knew Luke didn’t know that, so I had to tell her no.
“No ma’am. I’m not in the condo, remember? I promise we’ll do a girls’ night soon, just you and me.”
“And Minnie too! She’s a girl now.” Luke chuckled as he grabbed my hand so we could head out.
“Cami, Minnie has always been a girl. What are you talking about, girl?”
“No, she was a baby first. That doesn’t count. She wasn’t into none of our girly maintenance then. Now, she loves when I paint her nails the same color as mine.”
“So now she’s invited to the function? You ain’t right.”
We reached the exit where it was time for us to go our separate ways. Luke pulled me into him, holding me tight around my waist with one hand.
“You’re headed to drop Cami off then coming home, right?” I chuckled, not wanting to lie, so I chose my words very carefully.
“Yes, quick stop for her ICEE and snacks from the gas station, then home.” He stared at me for a moment before he leaned in for another kiss. This time I welcomed him, letting my mouth linger on his a few seconds longer.
“Okay, drive safe. Bye, Cam Cam. I love y’all.”
“Bye, Uncle Deacon! Love you too.” Luke let go of me to do that handshake again then we were gone.
Once I got Cami in the car, the real questions started.
“Auntie Holli, do you and Uncle Deacon love each other now?”
I blinked hard a few times before I responded.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I overheard Granny and Mama talking about how all you need is to feel loved by Uncle Deacon to love him again. And it seems like he loves you to me.”
“Oop… and Miss Thing, what did we tell you about listening to grown people’s conversations?”
“Not to repeat it, but Auntie, I want you happy like Mama is with Daddy. I think Uncle Deacon can make you happy. You smile real big these days.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I didn’t reply, just turned up the volume on the radio. I hated how a conversation with my nine-year-old niece stayed on my mind all the way to my condo though.
I wished it was that simple. Knowing Luke loved me enough to push past my broken heart.
Would it be enough though?
No. The damage had already been done between us.
I sniffled as I walked off the elevator and paused when I noticed Luke sitting on the floor outside my door.
I thought about stepping back so much that my right foot did until he looked up with a cocky grin. He got up, making his way over to me.
“Luke, what are you doing here? How did you know I would be—” Of course he cut me off.
“This isn’t home, Hershey. What are you doing here? You really running from me again? Damn baby, that’s fucked up.” I shook my head but I was lying. I was sprinting away from him this time.
“Luke I—” Luke grabbing my hand had me pausing my words as he gently pulled me off the middle of the elevator, causing it to close behind me.
Damn that was my exit plan. Now what, Hollis?
“Six months, Holls. That’s all I need and you can’t give me that?” I walked past him, heading for my door with him close behind.
“No, Luke. You said weeks once probate was done. I did my part.” I turned to face him, pushing him back to create some much-needed space. He shook his head as a humorless laugh escaped his lips.
“You said until we secured the house. It’s not done. We’re not done.” I didn’t even get a chance to say yes or no before Luke blocked my key from going into the hole then snatched my keys out of my hand.
“Will you move please? It’s been a long ass day and I need a shower and my bed,” I said, placing my hand on my hip, shifting all my weight to that side, rolling my neck in the process.
“Naw, this ain’t your current residence. So unless you came to pick up some clothes, we’re going home where you can do all that.”
“Luke—