Page 163 of Rather: The Therapist

In all his handsome glory, Priest stood against his car with his arms folded in front of him and his chin tucked.

My God.

His presence was as daunting as it was liberating.

“Stop. Stop. Right here is fine,” I yelled to the driver.

We’d made it to the edge of my driveway. Any further would force Priest to move his car. I didn’t want him to move. I didn’t even want him to blink until I was there. In front of him, ready and willing to listen to whatever it was he’d come to say.

“No ma’am,” Roulette protested. “I’m going to beat your ass like Richie and Rhea should’ve if you run your tall ass out there like you have no couth. You know better, Rather.”

“We don’t behave in that manner. It doesn’t matter that the heart is involved. Compose yourself before you step off this bus or we can sit here all night.”

“I–”

“She’s right,” Roaman added.

“You’re too worked up, babe,” Rome claimed.

“Desperate.” Rugger slid in.

“Rugger!”

“Sorry. In my defense, I offered to kill the husband.”

“Fix yourself, baby. Remember who you are. At whatever hour you decide to step down from this Sprinter, he’ll be there. Waiting. As he should.”

I lowered into the seat and tried to catch my breath. At the sight of Priest, it had escaped me. Roulette was on me in an instant, polishing my lips with a fresh coat of gloss. Rome pushed my hair out of my face and brushed it down my back with her hand. She smoothed the top down and stood back admiring her contributions shortly after.

“Feeling better?” Royce questioned.

“Much better. I’m sure I’ve told you all this enough times to last long after we’re in the ground, but I love you.”

“In this lifetime and the next, babe,” Roaman declared.

“You first?” Range tilted her head toward the door.

I shook my head, unwilling to lead the way.

“You all go ahead.”

One by one, they descended the steps. I was the last of the seven of us to exit. Poised and graceful, the girls led the way toward my home.

The weight of my reality made me slower. Heavier. Quieter. Though I stood tall with an erect spine, I had diminished –internally.

My confidence had taken a blow to the core. Optimism had taken the back seat. My belief system was out of commission. Confusion nearly blinded me. Apprehension tugged at my heartstrings.

I rounded his car to meet him. He watched me from afar. My limbs drew closer to my body as I obliterated the distance between us. Side by side, I planted my feet in front of him.

“Rather.”

He was short. He was curt. He was unmoving. The energy occupying the space between us was different. It was cold. And, it was brutal.

As quickly as my name left his throat, I regained my strength. My power was reactivated. And, the girl that had come off the bus with a bruised ego and broken heart had disappeared. Born again was the woman he’d met two years ago. The woman he invited to PS102. The woman my father had raised. The woman my brother praised.

“Priest.”

“I am here as a courtesy visit from the Valentine family. During the arrangement of marriage, we were informed of the bride price your sacrifice required. Ten million in total over ten years, per your family’s wishes. You’ll find an initial deposit of two million dollars for the agreed amount in your account at midnight.”

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