After we climbed in the truck together, I just stared at Kaleo. He started the truck, checked his phone and put some soft music on. He put a hand on the steering wheel, looked back and paused as he was turning forward again.
“You good, shawty?” He smiled. “You just go stare at me?”
“What’s going on with war?” I asked.
“What?”
“War?” I repeated.
He licked his lips and looked off. He exhaled and took a second before he looked at me.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about for real. It was really just about the shit with us getting shot at but it was taken care of and there won’t be anymore shots fired.”
“You sure about that?”
“As of right now,” he said. “I’m not going to lie to you, November, but as of right now shit is good and a truce is in play. The shop is neutral territory and I’m not dealing with none of my brother’s shit. They found a new spot to store their shit and that’s done with. We’re out and we’re good. It’s nothing that I want you to worry about and there’s nothing for you to do but focus on yourself and what you need. Speaking of what you need,I got my pops to give me some referrals to a therapist he thinks is really good.”
“What?” This time it was my turn to be dumbfounded.
“He went to therapy when my mom first left to help him adapt to being a single father of two boys. Then, he fell off and went back when my uncle died. He tried a few before he found one that worked for him and I asked him for some recommendations to get you started.”
“Kaleo, I don’t have a job right now which means I don’t have insurance to even go to that.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“I can’t let you pay for it.”
“Well since it was my bullshit that fucked you up in the first place, it’s the least I can do.”
“I’m fucked up?” I blinked at him and I knew that the tears that were swelling weren’t necessary but I couldn’t stop them.
“No. No.” Kaleo repeated. He reached over and put a hand to the back of my neck to keep our eyes on each other. “No,” he said again. “I don’t think you’re fucked up, November. I just think you need…” He paused while he searched for the best way to word his concerns.
“You think I need therapy?” I offered.
He exhaled. “I think you went through some shit that shocked your system and could be traumatic and I want you to be okay. That’s it.”
“Are you going to therapy?” I countered.
“No,” he said without hesitation. “But I’m used to gun shots and shit.”
“Being desensitized doesn’t mean that you’re okay.”
“Alright. Well, I’ll make a deal with you. For every session you go to, I’ll go to one too.”
“Yeah?”
“That’s right.”
I exhaled. “Okay.”
“Alright.” Kaleo leaned in and kissed me. “I’ll text all the info to you.”
“Okay.” I nodded and collapsed back against the seat.
He reached over and massaged the back of my neck briefly before adjusting and backing out of the parking spot. I cast a look at him. Kaleo said that he loved me and fuck, I believed him more and more every day.
11KALEO
