Page 169 of Rather: The Therapist

“The room!” The bass increased, leaving them without room to wonder anymore.

The heels of their shoes clacked against the floor as everyone filed out. Killian stopped in front of me.

“What is happening right now?” His voice was low, not carrying very far.

“I need the room,” I reminded him.

With a nod he continued out of the door. Finally, Kofi and I were alone. Sweat poured from his face. He was a nervous wreck.

A kid. I concluded.

He wasn’t ready for the role he was stepping into. He still had milk on his tongue.

“You coming to tell me this is all a joke, right? That I don’t actually have to go through with this shit, right?” He chuckled, pacing the floor. “What if she wakes up one day and hates me? Am I stuck in this for the rest of my life for real? Fuck. Did you niggas really think this through?”

“Kofi.”

“I’m going to fuck this up. I can feel it. I don’t trust myself. I’m going to fuck this up and she’s going to hang my balls out to dry.”

“Kofi.”

“And, Hailey,” he scoffed, “She’s cool people. I was actually starting to like her.”

“Kofi.”

“Fuck, bro. This nervous shit normal?”

“KOFI!”

He stopped in his tracks and faced me.

“Why the fuck you not dressed? Where’s your–”

“Kofi. There are things we need to discuss. Things that won’t be easy to say or easy to hear. Things that will alter the course of our relationship. Things that will alter everything. But, I need you to exercise the utmost level of maturity, remain respectful, and think before you speak.”

The pacing started again. He scratched the top of his head, unsure of what was to come, but mentally preparing himself anyway.

“What’s up?”

Because there was no easy way to say what needed to be said, I didn’t hesitate to do so.

“I can’t let you marry her.”

“If it’s me you’re worried about, I’m good, Priest. There’s no backing out of this shit. Trust me, I’ve gone to Pops twelve times in the last ninety days. The answer was the same every time. This is my fate. I’m fine with that. I’ve spent time with her. She’s a good girl, bro. A damn good girl. Everything will be kosher.”

“Kofi, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.”

“I do.”

“You can’t.”

“Then what are you saying?”

He tensed, halting all movement.

“I can’t let you marry Rather. This has absolutely nothing to do with your arrangement and everything to do with me.”

“I don’t follow.”

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