Page 57 of Rather: The Therapist

“If anything changes, call me.”

“I– okay.”

“You what, Nikola? What else is there?”

“I just left his bedroom and– I don’t know if I’m just– nevermind.”

“It’s never nevermind when it comes to my son. Tell me what you saw when you left his bedroom.”

“I turned as I was closing his door. I’d just tucked him in, again. And, he was signing. Not to me. Just– discreetly.”

Though he knew many, there was only one he chose to utilize and it had been over a year since I’d witnessed its use. The idea of his discontentment stemming from the neglect his mother’s absence taunted him with left me stomped.

“Goodnight, Nikola.”

I wasn’t interested in prolonging the conversation. Instead, I ended the call and returned to the table. The churning of my stomach wasn’t from the lack of content. My appetite wasn’t as demanding as it had been before I stepped out. It was a result of my son’s heartache.

Every inch of me grew uneasy. I leaned forward with my elbows on the table. The clearing of a throat reminded me of the lack of etiquette on full display. Slowly, I removed them and opted for the arms of the chair. A single wink and Kleigh’s attention shot across the table.

My eyes followed hers, landing on the incredible creature that sat next to Kofi and my mother. Upon settling on her beauty, my heart rate slowed. The aching eased. My nerve endings gathered. And the void I’d been plagued with didn’t feel so fucking insatiable.

“Was that Nikola?” Our mother questioned, forking the stuffed ravioli.

“Yes.”

I observed furrowed brows as the muscles in her face flexed. The perplexity of Rather was quite intriguing. Something within her was stirred at the sound of my voice. Or, maybe it was my imagination. Either way, I sensed her displeasure.

“Is everything alright?” My father followed up. “With Princeton?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Good. We missed him tonight,” Ashland spoke for everyone at the table.

“So much,” Kleigh groaned.

Because I didn’t have anything to add, I remained silent. Dinner salads were the next course. They were all pre-dressed with a healthy amount of house dressing our mother created at the top of each month.

Rather was pleasantly surprised by the new flavor. Her eyes lit up. Her posture straightened. And her cheeks peeked as the first bite touched her taste buds. I was quickly reminded of the way her cheeks fattened the first time I touched her taste buds.

Fuck.

I blinked away the vision of her cleaning herself from my shaft. This wasn’t the place. Neither was this the time. I’d spoil my appetite.

Entrees were served. Dessert was the final course. I had very little interest in either. I was craving something a bit more savory. The second the plates were cleared from the table, I was up on my feet, prepared to bolt out the front door. Kleigh grabbed a hold of me before I could dismiss myself.

“You barely touched your food, big guy.”

“A lot on my mind.”

“Anything I can help with? Anything you care to talk about?”

“No.”

“If you won’t talk to me then maybe you can talk to Kofi’s new fiancée. She’s a therapist and a damn good one from what I hear.”

“That’s good for her… and him. He needs a fucking therapist.”

“I won’t disagree with that, but so do you.”

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