Page 32 of Spending Forever With You

Three hours later we were at BJ’s since by the end of shopping for two and half hours both of our stomachs were growling.

I watched as Hollis dipped a few fries into her vanilla shake then ate them. It was something I got her started on way back when we were kids. I snickered at the memory of her little whiny ass voice telling me how nasty I was for mixing the two until I forced her to try one.

“You put a girl on once and it’s a forever thing.” Hollis's face twisted while my eyes moved from her fries to the cup. Once she caught on, I watched her whole demeanor change and her face fell, making me hate myself for even bringing it up. She dropped the next set of fries, not even finishing her second dip.

“God, why a nigga always gotta ruin my food? Is it because they pay for it?” She grabbed her napkin, wiping her hands then tossing in on her tray, indicating she was done.

I snorted at her dramatic ass reaction.

“Holls, I was joking. Finish eating, please.”

“No. Because why would you even bring it up. I don’t care if it’s small and harmless as fuck, stop. You don’t have to keep taking me down a fucked up memory lane of you and me, Luke. Trust me, I know every stamp on the map of us. I don’t need reminders of touches, looks, smells, habits that still dwell between us.”

We both released a series of frustrated breaths. I opened my mouth to apologize then stopped my words and said something else instead.

“Because they aren’t just your memories, Holls. You don’t get to say when I can or can’t reminisce on the days when I was your favorite person.”

“It’s not fair though.” Her voice cracked a bit. Of course, in true Hollis fashion, she caught it, clearing her throat.

“Why not? You act like all of our times were bad. We had a lot of good ones too.” I had an idea and hated myself for even asking for her to say it.

“Luke, I’m trying to forget them all. You’re everywhere and it still hurts.”

There was a pregnant pause before I broke the awkward silence that laid heavy between us.

“We should go. I need to get to the field soon.” I barely got the full sentence out before she was up, leaving me sitting there.

Yeah, it was small but she was right. With us growing up here and her staying after everything transpired between us, Hollis had to constantly live us after our divorce…well, ended relationship, and it was clear she was in pain from it.

But so I was. I wasn’t over my wife and probably never would be.

CHAPTER 9

Hollis

The ride home from BJ’s was brutal and uncomfortable as hell. I hated how I responded but it was only day two and I had been flowing down Luke’s and mine rollercoaster of a relationship. I was extremely nauseous at this point and wanted off. While he stared at the road, I sat there watching the world going on as I wondered what the hell I had committed myself to.

We weren’t even a week in and I was already thinking about packing up all my shit and going home.

You can’t, Holli. Remember this is for Jimmy and the house he promised Luke.

Apologize so y’all can get past this.

I fidgeted with my hands before I got the urge to speak.

“Look, my bad for tripping. I take the blame for that because we never set up those very important and needed rules and boundaries to make this transaction run smoothly. Should we do it now so we can move as a unit tonight?”

“Okay.” That was all he gave me so I continued.

“Rule number one, absolutely no sex. Two, kisses only in public, in camera views, and no tongue, ever. Umm.. what else…” I tapped my chin, pretending to think while trying to read Luke’s face to gauge his reaction. When I noticed it was blank and unmoved, I continued. “Oh yeah, three, no sharing a bed ever. Date nights will be planned and in a very open setting, always. No bringing up old shit that doesn’t mean anything to anyone anymore.”

“Okay.”

His tone was dry as fuck. Luke had shut down on me after trying to start us off right and here I was still letting my emotions run the show.

Shit, Hollis. And he was hella nice to you all morning. Not to mention he carried your ass to bed and tucked you in last night. Stop being so mean to him, please, girl, or else this won’t work.

“Anything else?” he asked as he pulled into the garage.