Page 68 of Session 25

“Rae, what is going on?” I sat on the ottoman in front of her, removing the glass from her hand. The strong stench of alcohol hit my nostrils as I scrunched up my nose. “Did I hurt you?”

“You didn’t hurt me, Roman. She hurt me. I mean it hurts that you want her and she’s willing to take that leap with you, but I cannot just sit around and watch you both live this happy life together.”

“But aren’t you still her therapist?” I needed to see where Rae’s head was at. She was acting out, and the last thing I needed was for her to go off on Koi on my behalf.

“I’m going to quit,” she shrugged. “What good is it to be her therapist?”

“I mean you are the one who overstepped, and you knew what you were to her.” She lifted up her hand to stop me from talking.

I listened to her ramble on and on about how Koi had played her just like that last chick. Part of me wanted to shake her silly, but the other part empathized with her. Yet and still, Rae knew that Koi was dating a guy, and she also knew that Koi was not gay.

“Whatever.”

We sat on the sofa for hours. Rae cried and vented until she eventually fell asleep. Drained, I laid my head back on the sofa, nodding off.

The sound of an alarm went off, jolting me from my sleep. Rae and I popped our heads up, looking around as if we couldn’t remember when we fell asleep.

“Shit. I gotta go.” I noticed the two missed calls from Koi and one text. It was after six in the morning. I had told her I’d be back in a few hours, and that was at eleven last night.

“We didn’t do anything, Roman. You don’t have to act like I was a horrible one night stand.”

“Rae, hush. That ain’t my issue. I ain’t worried about that.” I brushed her off. It was because of her lashing out last night that I received a long ass message from Koi.

I left the apartment, reading the message.

Koi: I can’t believe I trusted that you would really have my back. I knew what I signed up for, but the fact that you reassured me and then turned around and slapped me in the face tells me everything I need to know. Please don’t call me or come to my house. I want to be done with this and us. I will update you on my appointment, and that will be all. For once in my life, I am going to choose me. You can do whatever you like with this information, but if you go against my wishes, I will be forced to block you. So again, thank you for not showing up for me because you know, you’re still married.

I sat in my car stunned. Koi not giving me a chance to speak up about last night didn’t sit right with me. All that no calling and texting her was out the window. I didn’t operate like that, and she was carrying my child. I tapped right on her name, calling her. She rejected the call before sending me a follow up text.

Koi: I asked you nicely. Now I’m blocking you.

Roman: Block me and watch me come right to your house. I ain’t playing that childish shit. Grow the fuck up, Koi. We have a kid on the way, and I told you I was setting up your doctor's appointment.

Koi: I’m going to my doctor, fuck you!

I didn’t bother going home; I drove straight to Koi’s apartment. Her security guard let me right up as I used the spare keys she had given me in case of an emergency one night. Koi was in the shower when I entered. I removed my shoes, washed my hands, and went to sit on the chair in her room.

She came out of the bathroom humming and drying her hair when she noticed me, jumping back.

“You should have taken your key before you decided to get loose with the lips. If I said I’m taking you to an appointment, I am.”

“Just like you were coming back last night, right?”

“And before you even got an explanation, you went straight into removing yourself from me. Yet you put up with cheating from that nigga for years. So help me understand why he was given so many chances?” She didn’t speak. Koi averted her eyes to the area rug in her room as she folded her arms, bouncing on one foot.

“Nah,” I stood up, towering over her. Koi jumped back when I lifted my hand. “Woah. I wasn’t gonna hit you.” I lifted her chin in my hand. “Stop trying to brush me off as if I’m some next nigga when we both know I’m daddy.”

“No, you’re just, argh.” Koi couldn’t resist me as I kissed her. “Stop.” She moved her chin. “You don’t get to try and woo me when I said what I said.”

“Oh, so you think you're running shit?” I wiped my hand down my face. “I ain’t trying to be disrespectful or run your life, but I would not be the man I am if I let you run around New York with no help or guidance.” There was a pregnant pause. “I fell asleep last night, and while that doesn’t excuse shit, I was tired. The day was draining, and my body crashed.”

“How convenient, Roman.”

“Believe what you want, but I don’t have shit to hide.” I slipped a business card on her dresser. “The appointment is for tomorrow afternoon. I will meet you there.”

“Uh huh.”

“Stubborn ass, I swear.”