Page 12 of Spending Forever With You

“What should we bring?” Johnni asked, now standing next to me, preparing to leave.

“Just yourselves. You already know how Callie hosts, everything is taken care of. I’m headed to get the alcohol then to help since I’ve been summoned to arrive early.” I bent to kiss Minnie’s chubby cheeks so I could head out.

“Ooh okay, we’ll see you later,” Mickey said just as I made it to the door.

I walked into the house to the wonderful smells of food which had my stomach growling louder with each step into the kitchen until the music hit my ears. The vibes were giving classic summertime and I was loving it, especially since I was at my twin’s house.

“Aw, Callie, this is just what I needed,” I said while I placed the box of liquor and wine along with the things to make margaritas on the counter.

“Well damn, I didn’t know you were going to bring the whole bar, Holli.” She paused before she continued. “Ya know what, never mind; it’s a party anyways. Plus I don’t know who all Uncle Ellis is bringing with him. Derek’s friend is bringing the ice and other stuff but I have enough to start our first round.” My mind was so caught up with getting the first round of drinks going that my nosy ass didn’t think to ask what friend.

“Ooh good because it’s needed. I was talking to the girls about Jimmy’s funeral and of course that nigga came up and ruined my whole mood for five minutes. You called right on time for me to escape.” I chuckled while I washed my hands and got ice as Callie retrieved her blender.

“I still can’t believe you took your ass there and didn’t at least share your condolences with the family, even if you still insist on being petty toward Deacon. Remind me again why you are avoiding that man like he hurt you.” I snorted while I rolled my eyes hard. They were fucking with me today because clearly this was a prank.

“You already know why and I guess everyone is saying fuck my one rule when it comes to that man. Ex-family and I sent a card along with flowers and food. My condolences were shared.” I put the ice, tequila, and strawberry margarita mix in the blender.

“Oh Hollis, please. I can say a name; it’s been years. Besides, I don’t hate him and neither do you for real,” Callie taunted while I flipped her off before hitting the button on the blender, drowning her out.

“So much for loyalty to the cause,” I mumbled under my breath just as Cami and Derek came into the kitchen from the backyard.

“Auntie Holli, you finally made it! Mommy said we’re having a party and guess who else is coming?”

Cami hugged me while I rubbed her back, tilting my head to the side so I could get the scoop.

“Who else is coming, pretty girl?”

“Unc—” Derek snatched her up, causing Cami to squeal as a fit of giggles soon filled the room.

“That’s it, you’re no longer the secret keeper. Game over,” he teased. I assumed it was a silly game they were playing, not putting much thought into it.

“I swear that girl can’t hold the air in her lungs. Do you know she told everyone at practice the other day that she’s getting a baby brother? When the coach came up to congratulate me on the new bundle, I damn near lost my shit.” I chuckled while I placed my hand on her stomach.

“Aw, hi, baby nephew. I mean, maybe she knows something you don’t yet. You know they said kids be intuitive and shit.” Callie swatted my hand away.

“Girl, the only brother she gon’ get is a damn dog or something. You already know I’m tied and Derek is snipped. Trust me, Cami is enough.”

“Miracles happen all the time, Callie. I don’t know. I’ma count the months down just to be safe,” I joked, tossing out a little laugh which granted me a glare. Finally taking a sip of my drink, I closed my eyes to savor how good I was with mixology.

“Oh okay. Since we’re trusting the word of a nine-year-old, she said you would have a husband and a baby soon. Wait, no, she said two.”

My moment in paradise with my margarita was ruined when I started choking. Callie laughed while someone patted my back. I wasn’t sure who it was, but I for fuck sure didn’t expect it to be the last person I wanted to see let alone having touch me.

“Breathe, Hershey.”

From the scent of his bergamot to his hands on me to that sultry, deep, rusty ass voice calling me a name I hadn’t heard in years, I jumped out of my body. I turned to see him holding the handle of a cooler with a bottle of wine tucked under his arm while his free hand dangled freely now that it was no longer on me.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I moved my eyes up and down his body, hating how good he looked in his T-shirt and jeans with a classic baseball cap on his head.

Gotdamn, Hollis, Callie isn’t the only traitor.

To say I was pissed that my pussy actually reacted was an understatement. She was forgetting our rule of thumb which was she no longer craved Luke fucking Deacon.

“Hollis Shanel, I got some soap for that mouth of yours.” Lacy came out of nowhere. Well, not really. She was behind Luke, with Uncle Ellis carrying her aluminum trays and bags on his arm. There were too many people in the damn kitchen for me to have a true reaction. So without another word, I left out the back.

I put my face into my hands and released the loudest scream possible. There was no way Callie and Derek invited him.

I mean yes, I knew Derek was still friends with him, but they knew damn well not to ever have us in the same space together, ever.