Chapter 19 #2
“I can’t delete it, Deke. Keith may come around again and it could be used as an insurance policy for him to keep his mouth shut.”
“Baby, him coming around again isn’t your issue or mine. Send it to Angie as a forgiveness gesture; that should be your only thing on your mind. But we’re staying out of other married people’s shit. We have our own marriage to be concerned about.”
Concern for our marriage? Did we have a problem? I just told him I was pregnant.
Yeah, you and this damn story.
I paused and just stood there until Luke’s hand hooked my chin, pulling my eyes to his.
“Ay, I apologize. Wrong word again, Hershey. We have our own marriage to continue rebuilding, and now starting our own family. I just want you and I to focus on that. You loving me and staying mentally and physically healthy. And me proving how bad you got me in love with you. Can we do that, please?” He pecked my lips before I decided to deepen the kiss, accepting my fate to spend the rest of my life in love with my husband.
I pulled him into me, dropping my hands to his dick, caressing it through his boxers.
“Keep playing with me and I’ma bend you over in this shower for round whatever it is at this point,” he said against my mouth. That made me snicker but didn’t stop my hands.
I walked into the office and immediately regretted making my way in. If I was going to quit or be fired, I could’ve done this at home. But once Luke left, I headed out too before going to the house to finish the last clean up.
Last night, I sent Angie the video along with a long ass voice note apologizing since I knew she wouldn’t answer my call.
And today, I was not only giving Omar back the advance money, but also the bad news about not writing the Rowe piece.
I waved at Mariah who was on the phone probably getting tips on a story. The amount of phone calls we received as tips, secrets, and location drops on a daily kept us busy. While most were legit, just as many were bullshit.
I didn’t even bother hitting my spot, making my way to Omar’s office, knocking on his door then going inside.
“Oh wow, if you’re in my office after playing this whole work from home thing, that means you must have what I want.
Even though I will admit that exclusive interview with Asa Charles and his new wife was a very nice addition, I don’t think you’ve ever written a story like that here.
So what’s up? Please tell me you have something concrete on Rowe. Nobody has broken the story yet.”
I took a seat while I shook my head.
“I have nothing. It’s a dry well, Omar, let it go.
Plus, I can’t be the one to write it, even if it was.
They have made it to the friend list and you know my boundaries.
” I pulled out an envelope, placing it on his desk.
He leaned back in his chair, looking me over.
Someone knocking and peeking their head into his office halted his words for a brief moment.
“Ya know, when you told me you were making it work with your husband, I should’ve seen this coming.
But I thought that was bullshit considering the word on the street is you two are just faking this whole relationship.
” He shrugged while I sat there stuck as my face went through the motions of confusion and shock.
“Well, I guess that source was wrong. It’s a good thing I didn’t run that story.”
“What story? And who’s your so-called source on me and mine?
No, better question, why am I just now hearing about this?
Omar, you call my gotdamn phone daily, several times at that, and you never thought to mention someone running my name through the mud for money and clicks?
” He shrugged again, which pissed me off.
“I had to see for myself. Why say something when it could be nothing. Months have gone by and I see less and less of you here. That was my answer. So is this money also your resignation or do I have to fire you to get you to leave?” He picked up the envelope, going through the crisp bills as my face contorted again.
My brows dipped. “What do you mean?”
“Hollis, this time it’s the Rowe story because of how close he is to your husband, next week it’ll be the rapper who just so happened to be your neighbor.
The pool for you is now the size of a kiddie bowl.
You’re too close for comfort in this job and I can only respect the boundaries so much until you’re no longer needed. You understand, right?” I nodded.
Yes, I came to do what he was doing right now, but given that Omar was expecting it made it feel different.
Was I making the right decision?
“So, I’m no longer needed.”
“No. Well, not here. But you’re an amazing writer who can always hunt down a good story. Go write something that won’t have you being sued or getting protection orders for a while. And if the day ever comes when you miss the messy side of the world, there’ll always be a door open for you here.”
I nodded as I smirked.
“Are you going to tell me who your source was?”
He huffed then cocked his head to the side, squinting before responding.
“No, it doesn’t matter. Consider the story dead just like the Rowe piece. I trust this source more, if you say it’s dead and wrong, then that’s what it is. Even if I think that Rowe one was juicy as hell.”
I chuckled as I got up to head out.
“Take care, Omar.”
“You too, Hollis. Hold up, wait, when the baby comes, can we get the exclusive?”
I shook my head, not even turning to acknowledge him because the answer would be no. I made my way to my desk to pack up the few things I had there. The condo had truly become my work space over the last couple of months.
“Damn, so you’re leaving?” Mariah peeked up at me with a somber expression that had me poking my bottom lip out to match the sad vibes as I packed the last picture of Callie, Cami, and me.
“Yeah. It’s time.”
“Ugh, it won’t be the same. Who else am I going to gossip with now?”