Page 55 of Spending Forever With You

“I never admitted that. I said my feelings hadn’t changed.”

“Exactly, meaning what?”

“Meaning I don’t hate you. You’re still one of my favorite people who I enjoy being around, so friends?”

“No, because you’re not one of mine. And what do I get from being friends with you, Luke?”

“Damn… still? We gotta move me up the list more then. I’m trying to be the top person, number one. And Hershey, you already know you can have whatever you want from me.”

“Wow, whatever I want and only friends,” she said sarcastically as she handed me my glove. I put it on so she could continue conditioning it.

“Yes, just friends. I won’t lie like other people in the room, but I want to keep you in my life. If all I can be is your friend this time around, then I want that position.”

“Who lied? Not me.”

“Yes you. Tell me you didn’t have fun today. C’mon, tell me sweet lies.”

Hollis stopped rubbing the rag but wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“Fine, I did, even with your scary ass wanting to hold my hand on every ride.”

We shared a laugh because even on the Ferris Wheel, we held hands.

“Oh girl, stop playing. You know you loved it. Acting like you didn’t want to hold my damn hand.” I snorted as she pushed me playfully.

“Whatever, I barely like you.”

“Now it’s barely. Shit, I’m moving up fast. I bet I can make you wanna be my friend by the end of our trip here,” I said as she released my hand, glove and all.

“How you figure that?”

I stood there rubbing the glove still on my hand, then it came to me.

“That’s what I want as my winning gift from the hide and seek game.” Yeah, I was pushing my luck, because no matter if I won or not, Hollis could tell my ass no and there was nothing I could do about it but cash in another request. When she tilted her head to the side as she gave me that death stare that had me smiling harder, I knew what her response would be.

“Good night, Luke.” I chuckled lowly. Hollis was kicking me out to the couch, meaning the conversation was over tonight, but by the end of the series I would be friends with my wife.

“Damn, I guess not. It’s cool though. I’ma earn that spot back. Good night, Hershey, thanks for the glove.”

I took one last glance at her before I left the room, going for the living room where my pillow and blanket were waiting for me.

CHAPTER 13

Hollis

“Luke said he wants to be friends last night,” I whispered into the receiver to the girls, including Callie, as I told them about the latest with Luke and me.

I was standing outside of the media room waiting for him while he did press with the pitcher and coach of the Badgers. Of course they won, and it was a good game, with Luke and Daniels clearing the second half of the innings 8-2 against Austin Peaks.

“Okay, and what’s so bad about that?” Johnni asked as the sound of CJ’s low cries came through.

“Because being friends with him is weird, right?”

“Are you serious? No, he’s literally your husband for the next few… Wait, what’s going on with the will and the house?” Mickey asked, causing me to roll my eyes as if she could see me. I forgot she was out of the loop of information.

“Oh girl, I knew I forgot to call you. Six months. That’s how long we have to keep this up. Apparently there are extra ass rules and regulations Jimmy added. So far we know to get the deed and title officially we have to maintain this marriage. We even have a babysitter who will check on us every month.”

“And you agreed to this?”