Page 53 of Spending Forever With You

“We’re here to watch the Badgers play. I’m Gerald and this is my wife Yolanda. We’re huge fans,” the man said. I smiled wider being recognized by a fan while Hollis turned to see the couple moving closer toward me.

“Yes. Thank y’all for supporting. It was a pleasure meeting you.” The doors opened with Hollis stepping on first, me behind her rolling her bag, then the couple.

“No need to thank us. We’ve been watching the games since we were around you young folks ages. It was the love of the game that brought us together. Of course at the time she was rooting for the wrong team, but I eventually got her and changed her ways. Now it’s the Badgers for life.”

I smirked while his wife playfully tapped his chest.

“Oh hush all that nonsense, you ain’t change nothing, I just decided since I fell in love witchu there was no way I would ever let the game get in the way of our love. Even if it meant losing the battle to root for the better team alone.” I smirked as I glanced over at Hollis who looked on with a mix of a smile and pain in her eyes, giving a bittersweet expression.

“That’s beautiful,” Hollis said quietly.

“So how long have you two been together?” the lady asked, bringing my attention back to them.

“We’ve been married for eleven years, with our anniversary coming up in late August. But if you ask me the truth, this woman has owned my heart since the day she sat next to me in the fifth grade.” I grabbed Hollis's hand, kissing the back while I stared into her sad brown eyes, now welling with tears, hoping mine spoke louder than hers. She needed to know too.

And still do and will forever will.

The first tear slipped and I used our still connected hand to wipe it away and I leaned in to kiss the wet spot.

“Oh how sweet, childhood sweethearts,” the lady said.

“Oh God no. He had to work very hard to earn me,” Hollis said as she playfully rolled her eyes at me, which had the couple laughing and me grinning.

Shit, I’m still putting in work to earn you back.

“And that’s how you do it, sweetie. Keep him on his toes,” the lady co-signed, causing her husband to groan and mumble something just as the doors opened.

“Well, this is us. It was very nice meeting you two. We’ll be watching tomorrow, take ’em to church tomorrow, Deacon,” the man said as he stepped off, taking his lady by the hand.

“It was nice meeting you too and you already know how we do.” Once the door closed again, Hollis spoke, putting us back on the topic of her demands.

“Luke, I want room service. I’m talking one of everything. Not tonight but just know I’m running up a bill for breakfast.” I smiled as the doors opened again, leading us to our suite. Since I knew I would be traveling with Hollis, I’d asked the coach to upgrade my room.

“For you, you can have whatever you like.”

After a shower for both of us, I watched as Hollis unpacked her things while I conditioned my glove.

“Damn, I didn’t even ask how long you would be here when I was packing. Some of these outfits might be repeated if it’s longer than two nights.” I chuckled as I watched her lay out her jersey for the game.

“Three nights. This is a four day series.”

Hollis held her head to the side, then shrugged.

“Welp, I guess I’m using the hotel services to wash something.”

“Or you could go buy something. We’re down here in Austin Peaks. You can do one of their outlets after your buffet style room service,” I tossed out, putting my gaze back down on what I was doing.

“Yeah, that might work because I can’t have those wives talking shit about me. I might sit in the stands anyways. I need a break from the real baseball wives of Crescent Falls. They’re still talking about Lolly and James and I need a break,” she groaned as she rubbed her temples.

“I heard you be mugging the fuck outta some of the wives. I forgot to tell you to be nice.”

“Ugh, and which gossiping ass WAG ran back and told their husband that? I don’t mug, but I damn sure don’t be smiling the whole time.”

“Gossiping coming from you is wild, Hershey, and you already know Angie told Shep.” She frowned.

“It was harmless. Angie likes you and thinks you’re funny and keep her and a couple others entertained. We even got you ladies suite seats for the games this week. I can’t even lie, I’m low key jealous that they get to see that side of you. I miss her.”

“She misses you too.” Her voice was light and low. I was positive I wasn’t supposed to hear her but I had. I looked up, staring too long as she finally looked at me.