Page 170 of Rather: The Therapist

“The woman you’re marrying today, I’m in love with her. And, I’m not talking the kind that fades over time. I’m talking utterly obsessed. I’m talking willing to give up my seat at the head of the table and possibly tarnish the relationship I have with every member in my family.”

“The kind that keeps you up at night. The kind that makes you want her every hour of every day. The kind that is in your soul. The kind that lives deep in your bones. The kind that spreads like cancer. The kind that won’t allow you to stand beside your brother as he vows to love her forever because you already do.”

Kofi said nothing. He simply stared at me in disbelief. And, after a few seconds, a sinful laugh erupted.

“Let me get this straight. The woman you and Pops forcing me to marry, you’re fucking?”

I knew Kofi well enough to know where this conversation was headed, but preparation was key. I’d gone over countless scenarios in my head all day. Nothing he said or did at this moment would stun me.

“Remain respectful.”

His anger was justified, but this wasn’t the case. Kofi wasn’t angry. Kofi’s pride was bruised. So was mine. But, there were no egos here. It was just him and I.

“Remain respectful?”

“You understood what I said, Kofi. There’s no need to question it.”

I joined my hands behind my back, waiting for whatever was about to come from his mouth next.

“But, yet and still, you’re fucking her?”

“Is that the only thing you took from my declaration? I love her. I am in love with her. That’s me. From her head to her toes. She belongs to me.”

“What you mean, brother?” Kofi chuckled, “I was just in that shit last night. Surely you don’t want that no more.”

His words twisted my insides. The blood drained from my veins and I flatlined. The thought of Rather giving herself to anyone other than me was repulsive. Yet and still, it made me love her no less.

She was stepping into her role. She was doing exactly what she was supposed to. She had every right and so did Kofi. Their actions were completely justified.

“If you were inside of Rather last night then my presence should be no surprise. You know exactly why I’m here.”

His news gutted me like a fucking fish, but it should’ve been the shedding of light on the situation at hand for Kofi. If he knew how she felt, how she smelled, how she tasted, and how she oozed, then my presence shouldn’t have surprised him.

The potency of her pussy was no longer a secret. He’d taken a dive and understood the depths I was willing to go for it. For her.

“And, your temporary residency doesn’t make me want her any less. You see, I’m a man, Kofi. Though your intention was to insult me, telling me you fucked the woman you assumed you’d be marrying doesn’t. I expected you to.”

I stepped closer so there was no confusion. The jab he’d thrown had rolled right off my shoulder.

“Thing is, that’ll be the first and last time you slide up in my shit. That’ll also be the last time you mention it. Because, it’s not my feelings that you’re hurting. It’s your pride.”

“Pride, nigga you wouldn’t know shit about that,” he barked.

His chest grew a full inch in height. He moved closer, completely obliterating the space between us. Because I understood where his head was and how far he was willing to take this, I braced myself for impact. The little switch in his head had been flipped. He no longer viewed me as his brother.

Right now, I was his enemy and that was alright with me as long as he understood I would treat him as such if he got out of line. I’d spared him for two years. His time was coming and if that time happened to be today, then so be it.

“Remain respectful.”

I put some distance between us. His frustration was valid. His feelings were valid. I’d never discredit them.

“You been pressed for pussy your whole fucking life.”

Violation.

His fist crashed into his palm. With each passing second, he was growing angrier. The insults were his defense tactic, but as long as they remained respectful, all was well. I’d let him get his shit off his chest.

“Step back,” I warned, putting more space between us.

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