Page 59 of Spending Forever With You

“Hollis, I need something soon then,” Omar stressed in my damn ear, ruining my mood.

“Look, I’m still technically on vacation, but I promise I’ll come up with something when I come back. But Omar, the more you call, the more I’m going to be away. Now get off my phone before I tax you another day on my paid vacation time.”

“Ugh, I hate that you had so many days stacked up. Soon, Hollis.” Those were his last words before I hung up on him, putting my attention back on my text thread with Luke.

Deke: Damn, still? Hershey, if you got fired, you can just tell me. I promise I can support us.

I went to reply something slick when his name took over my screen. I hit the button accepting the video call with his fine ass face coming onto the screen.

“Gotdamn, you didn’t mention the titties were sitting up like that while you back there by the pool. Put the camera lower.” I only laughed as I followed his request, going slow at first then pulling it up quickly.

Luke kissed his teeth.

“That ain’t even right, teasing me like that. You can flash me something, Hershey. Damn, I am missing you too.”

“No you’re not. You miss being deep inside of me, nasty ass.”

“Shit, I heard it was the same thing.” We shared a laugh before we fell into that moment of silence where we just stared at each other. I tucked my bottom lip to stop from smiling. I wasn’t used to being this way with Luke. It had been a long time since I was carefree with my heart around him.

“The sun does look good on you, baby, glistening off that Hershey skin. So since you’re not working today, what are you doing?” he asked just as I heard the doorbell. I closed my laptop, putting it on the other chair before I hopped up to see who was at the door. We didn’t get company, well beyond my girls just popping up, Callie included.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not used to being off from the office this long. I don’t know what to do. I could swap out more clothes from my condo.”

“Swap? Just add or go shopping. Isn’t spending my money a requirement I put in place for you?”

I tapped my chin as I reached the door, “I could do that. You got it too manly up in here. You need your wife’s touch to make this big ol' house a proper home that says, oh yeah, Hollis definitely lives here. I want to host the WAGs one day, but can’t until it fits my brand and personality.” He only laughed as I opened the door to a delivery man holding the biggest bouquet of pink flowers I had ever seen.

“Delivery for Mrs. Deacon?” I fought my smile in my camera as I glanced at Luke who now wore a smug grin.

“That’s me.” That was for him, to hear me confirm my name and title. I took the delivery then shut the door, managing to carry the flowers, chocolates, and bear while balancing the phone until I got to the kitchen.

“Luke, these are absolutely beautiful. Thank you, but sir, your ass isn’t slick. You made sure they called me that shit, didn’t you?”

“You’re welcome, Hershey, and of course. I see you still fucking up with that detail of your life, Mrs. Deacon.”

“And the candy and bear?”

“Because I was missing you just as much as you’re missing me. It’s been a long week since you left me.”

“Then hurry up and come home,” I whined, poking my lip as I pouted. I quickly caught myself, because this wasn’t me. I felt like I was back to being that nineteen-year-old girl, crying on the phone. I didn’t want to be her anymore.

I’m not her.

“One more week, Holls, then I’m coming straight home to you. Until then, make our house a home so you can host that party or whatever. You can even throw in some more bikinis or lingerie, shit, go crazy.”

I laughed, shaking my head as I grabbed the box of chocolates and the half full pitcher of margarita I made, heading back outside to finish my lazy morning.

“Anyways, to change this subject, tell me something I don’t know about you,” I said, which had Luke chuckling.

“Hershey, you know everything.”

“No, I don’t. What did you do for your birthday last year?” Luke was a February baby, so I knew it wasn’t spent on the field nor at practice. Whenever Callie tried to tell me before, I would ignore her. That was one day of the year, along with our anniversary, that I went silent to the world, turning my phones off.

“Oh, um… last year, I let Shep and Derek convince me to go fishing. It was different, quiet as hell.” He laughed while I pictured him fishing.

“Fishing?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I know. We tried golf one year but that shit was a lot on my shoulders, too much like the game, so we gave that up quick as fuck. You know me, my birthdays were only special because of how you made them. Now, I don’t do too much. I’m satisfied with a good ass meal and a drink.”