Page 13 of Ex- Factor
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped.
“You’re moving fast, Silas. Like... real fast. You been in this girl’s life for how long now? A day? Two days?”
“Four, if you count today,” I muttered, like that made a difference.
“And already playing house?”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like?”
“I don’t know,” I said, voice low. “It’s not logical—I get that. But it feels... right. Like it’s supposed to be happening.”
He paused. “You believe in fate now? You explicitly told me you didn’t.”
“No, not exactly. When it comes to her, maybe. But also no. I believe in intention. I’ve been fucking around for years, Bailey. Sleeping with women I barely liked, staying with one I didn’t even love, trying to be something I wasn’t. Eshe? She makes me feel like I can be loved—and I can love.”
Bailey studied me for a long second, then nodded slowly. “Alright. So maybe this is real. Or maybe it’s another escape.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You’ve spent your whole adult life chasing comfort, Silas. Whether it’s women, money, drugs, control—you run toward stimuli hard and fast. And now you’ve found something thatfeels good and clean, so you want to drown in it. But drowning kills you, Silas.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it. He might be onto something.
“But,” he said, holding up a hand, “that doesn’t mean it’s not worth pursuing. It just means you’ve gotta make sure you’re not skipping the work.”
“I’m doing the work,” I said quietly.
“Are you?” His eyes locked on mine. “Then let’s talk about your parents so we can figure out how to get you healthy and ready—mentally—for this woman you want.”
I stiffened immediately. “No.”
“Silas.”
“I said no. I don’t want to.”
Bailey sighed and set his pen down. “One day you’re gonna have to unpack that shit. You aren’t the only rich white boy with mommy and daddy issues who’s sat on my couch, so I can tell you—not dealing with it isn’t going to make your issues with them go away.”
“I have to go pick up my son,” I said, standing suddenly.
Bailey gave me a slow nod, not pushing. “Same time next week?”
“Yeah.”
He stood and offered a handshake. As I took it, he offered one last piece of advice.
“Just... try not to assume this woman is just good pussy and pretty eyes, alright? Before jumping in?” he said bluntly. But that’s why I paid him. I didn’t need anyone coddling me. I was self-aware enough to know that’s exactly why I was in this chair.
I gave a half-grin. “I’ll try.”
“And Silas?”
“Yeah?”
“Let her take her time. Don’t push her. It’ll backfire.”
I nodded, though I knew I was probably about to apply even more pressure.
