Rather: The Therapist (The Grey List Book 2)

by Grey Huffington

“Never, and I mean never, get too far removed from reality that you don’t remember you’re a prize. You’re the prize. And, I’m lucky to have you here. Your presence is a gift, my dear. One I will treasure in spite of everything else. Understood?”

Without women, life isn’t possible. The quicker the world remembers that, the better the world will be.

Remember who you are and don’t ever forget it. You’re a Childers, Rather, and we don’t move foolishly. Most of all, maintain your individuality. “Don’t let that nigga speak for you, think for you, or move for you. Make your own moves. Do your own thinking. And, speak your mind. Don’t, not even for a second, let any of them play with you or think they can play with you.

“Worry about them. Please don’t worry about me.”

Tell ‘em rather

“Women can’t even get their niggas to take out the trash and this nigga was out there

Don’t play with teddy!

swimming with the fucking sharks to get back to his.”

“Rose.”

I felt this !

“I waited.”

“Whoever told you your feelings were invalid, that they didn’t matter– they lied.” “No o–” “Yes, Rose. Yes they did. Even if it wasn’t out of their mouths. Indirectly, someone has led you to believe your feelings don’t matter. Shouldn’t matter. But, they do. In this suite and any time I am around, understand your feelings are paramount. Your comfort is priority. Your desires… your needs… you– Rose. You will hold ranking.”

You matter

“You don’t have to beg for what’s rightfully and undoubtedly yours, Rose.”

“My days almost feel pointless when you’re not part of them.”

“I don’t care. Whatever is about to come from those lips that doesn’t align with what I’ve just said or the way you’re feeling, then I don’t care. It’s not real. This is.”

Exactly!

“My thoughts are at war,” I confessed, “You’re the only person with the ability to stop it. You’re my peace. I don’t want anything, Rather. I don’t have anything to say. I just need you near.”

Your life is too precious. Don’t risk it for the sake of tardiness. Whatever is waiting… whoever is waiting can keep waiting.”

And, I’d ended what would go down in my history book as the greatest seventy-nine days of my life.

Rome’s voice stilled every muscle in my body. It gutted me of everything and then refilled me with love. Her love. Their love. Because,

I knew if she was here, she hadn’t come alone.

Rugger was next. Then Roaman. Then Roulette. Then Range. Then Royce. My girls were here. My loves. My lifeline. My support system. My everything.

I smiled so hard!

“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’ve never been afraid of anything in my life, but I am deathly afraid of losing you.”

“I can’t let you marry her.”

Yessss!!!!

“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.”

Big stepppa!!!!

“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.”

They love each other Down!

I love her. I am in love with her. That’s me. From her head to her toes. She belongs to me.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“And, this isn’t about Rather. I’d never get busy with you about a woman that is mine, been mine, and will always be mine.

Yep been !!

“I’m not interested in beefing with you, Kofi. But, you will respect me. You’ll respect Rather. And, you damn sure will respect my mother.”

“Rather is for me.”

“Chemistry, if I could have your sister’s hand in marriage, I’d like to give the people exactly what they came to see. A wedding between two people who love one another.”

“I expect you to fulfill the obligations of the arrangement and pay her accordingly. But more than the money she’ll receive, the love she receives better be greater than any love the world has ever known or I will turn over every bead of soil in the world to find you. There won’t be a rock you can hide under and I can’t get to you.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let this one get away, Kofi. She’s too precious to me.”

“Sorry to intrude, but I have a very, very important question to ask.”

“Priest, what are you doing here?” “Claiming what’s mine.”

“Sit down,” she demanded, “Before I sit you down.”

I knew this was Rugger before I turned the page lawd !

“I’m in love, dear. That shit is ridiculous in itself.”

Mom. He placed his hand in the air with his thumb against his chin. Is pretty.

🥰🥰🥰

“He was willing to choose you over his position and his family. If that doesn’t tell a motherfucker y’all meant to be together then I don’t know what the fuck will. Because, I can look at you straight in the face and tell you right now–I’d never love you enough to choose you over my people.”

“He fucked up my pictures,” Kofi admitted

Lmaooooo!!

with a straight face. “Now, I look like mush face in all the family wedding photos. I’ll never forgive that nigga for that shit. Him or that photographer. He won’t be taking nobody else’s pictures though.”

I screamed!