Chapter 19 #3
“Me, duh. It’ll just be over the phone or lunch or something, heffa. I’m still going to be your damn friend.”
She smiled then we shared a laugh.
“Oh duh, but still, it won’t be the same. I’m going to miss you being here.”
“Me too,” I said as she walked over, giving me a hug.
Mariah just didn’t know I would be calling her ass as soon as I figured out this whole magazine thing because I wanted her on the team.
I did one final sweep of my area, then grabbed the single box to make my way to my condo while I thought about my next move.
If someone had told me six months ago that my life would’ve done a one-eighty this fast, I would’ve bet their asses were lying.
Yet, here I was, remarried…no, recommitted to Luke and pregnant with his baby, having just left the only big girl job I ever had, all in a matter of four months.
Life was moving fast and I was scared, but my reason for trusting it all had my phone vibrating with a message.
Deke: Just thinking about you and the baby before I hit the field. I love y’all.
My smile was wide as I hit reply.
Me: We love you too, Deke. Good luck on your game.
The sound of the doorbell had me popping out of my sleep on the couch to see who was here.
With Luke doing another away series this week, and me now jobless, I hated to admit it but I spent a lot of my time right here taking naps or at Lacy’s house eating good and playing with Ali while my uncle was busy working.
When the doorbell rang again, I yelled as I was inches from the door.
“I’m coming!” I made sure my tone was light since I didn’t know who it was. I swung open the door to both Kay and Skyla, who I didn’t know were coming together.
“Hey cuz, it took you long enough. You good in here?” Kay asked, immediately making her way inside, not waiting for me to welcome her in.
“Yeah, I’m good. I was taking a nap, Kay. Hey, Skyla. Please excuse her, you can come in too. I’m afraid you caught Luke during one of his weeks away,” I said as she walked past.
“Oh, it’s okay, I can still deliver the letter. Are things still going well?”
I frowned slightly because we were never buddy-buddy. Hell, to be honest, Luke mostly handled her.
“Um… things are good,” I answered while she pulled out two envelopes.
“Good. Well, that’s it. I will see you guys next month.” I accepted both as Skyla turned to leave. I made my way to the kitchen, going for a bottled water while Kay sat at the island devouring a burger and fries from BJ’s I didn’t notice she’d carried in.
“Girl, I’m telling Deacon you answering the door half naked,” she sang as she pulled out another burger and fries.
I scrunched my nose as I looked down and the sight of my missing pants had my eyes ballooning.
I rushed to our room to get Luke’s robe since I was missing him and beasting to smell him.
“Oh my gosh. No wonder the lawyer was looking at me crazy as hell. Why didn’t you tell me when you came in?” I asked, taking the seat next to her, grabbing a few fries from the container.
“Holls, tell you? You didn’t feel that breeze hitting your legs? No, your coochie. Just in here naked and free. Is this what you do with your time when Deacon’s gone?”
“Hell yeah or skinny dip in the pool on the late night tip,” I joked, but now loving the idea.
“Eww. Oh hell naw, that’s a community pool, Holls. That’s fucked up.” I snorted.
“Not anymore. My juices stamped my name on that bitch.” I taunted her as I unraveled my burger, going for a bite with a big smile on my face.
“Eating the food I brought and ruining my relaxation location. It be your own fucking people, boy I tell you. Just nasty as hell.” I laughed in her face, only causing Kay to roll her eyes.
“No, but what brings you by? You never come over.”
“I wanted to check in. I know Deacon is on the road. He mentioned how you might want a burger. And well, since I was getting one, you came to mind.” She shrugged. Kay wasn’t slick for shit.
“And some company, huh. You tell a man you’re lonely one too many times and he starts to send every single person he can reach to check on you.” We shared a laugh before we fell into a pregnant pause.
“Thank you for coming and bringing food.” Kay waved me off, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“So tell me what’s been going on?”
“Did he tell you we’re pregnant?”
“What? No. I’ma kill him, keeping secrets like that. Oh my gosh, I’ma be an auntie-cousin.” I snorted at her self-given title.
“Yup, an auntie.” I reduced it because the cousin part wasn’t necessary when it came to her. Kay was the big sister of the family.
“Damn, I guess that nigga really did hit a ho—"
I clapped my hands, cutting her off.
“Uht uht, don’t be corny and finish that dumb ass line. But yes, and way too fast. It’s only been five months of being back together.”
“Well, when it’s time, I heard shit moves fast. Y’all gon’ be good though. Damn, I can’t believe it. Who entrusted y’all to be somebody’s parents? What Deacon be saying? Pray up, chile,” she said as she looked me over with a cheeky grin while I shook my head at his catchphrase.
“Pray up, girl.”