Chapter 10
I peeked into the sleek new shower in front of me then took a step back.
I did a slow spin while I took in the light fixture and the large table that was on the opposite side of the bathroom.
Then I looked at Kaleo who was standing in the doorway.
He had his arms crossed over his chest and was staring at me instead of looking around the bathroom.
“So, what do you think?” I gestured around the room.
“What do you think?” he countered.
“Kaleo, I’m serious.”
“Me too.” He pushed off the doorway and walked over. “Look, I just want to be with you and have you wherever you feel comfortable. If that’s here, then we’re going to lock it down. You deserve whatever makes you happy.”
I pouted and Kaleo grabbed my face in both hands. He kissed my mouth softly.
Kaleo was a great man and he was doing everything that he could to help me through whatever potential PTSD I could have been experiencing.
Instead of getting his car fixed, he’d sold it and gotten a new truck.
He’d gotten us an amazing suit at a hotel that required room key scanning to enter the parking lot, building and correct floor.
He’d taken today off so that we could look at different penthouses together. We were currently touring the fifth but I’d realized that he wasn’t really interested in the second one.
“So, you just want me to pick one?”
“That’s right, baby.” Kaleo’s phone started to ring and he pulled it out. “Finish looking around and let me know if this is the one.” He answered and walked out of the bathroom.
I looked at the closet and the sink setup before letting myself out. I peeked into a few of the rooms before I headed back to the living room. Kaleo was standing at the windows along the wall looking out at the city, one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone to his ear.
“Nah. War ain’t even an option right now. Rob and me took care of that shit same night.”
“So, what do you think?” The realtor walked up behind me and I jumped in place.
Kaleo spun around and looked at both of us. “Aye, I’ve got to go. We’ll get together later tonight. Yeah. Love you too. Be careful.” He hung up and joined us.
“What do you think, Kaleo?” I asked.
“It’s nice. What do you think?”
“I think it’s beautiful but the more we look around the more I’m realizing how much I really liked the third one.”
“You want to lock that one down?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe we can tour it again.”
“Yeah, of course.” The realtor nodded. “This is a big decision and I’d hate for you to rush into anything.”
“So, can you schedule something for us? Sooner rather than later?” Kaleo asked.
“Sure, I can.” She pulled her cell phone out. “Just let me know your availability.”
“I’m free whenever. I work for myself so I can take some time off whenever.”
“Okay,” she turned toward me. “And what about you, November?”
“I’m free whenever you are.”
“Okay.” She tapped her phone screen a few times. “If you guys want to do it as soon as possible I can get you back in tomorrow morning if you want to do it kind of early or in two days midday?”
“Novi?” Kaleo looked at me.
“We’ll be there tomorrow morning.”
“Okay. Great. Let me just send you an actual invite.”
She sent it from her phone then walked us out. We all shook hands. She thanked us for coming. We thanked her for the help.
After we climbed in the truck together, I just stared at Kaleo. He started the truck, checked his phone and put some soft music on. He put a hand on the steering wheel, looked back and paused as he was turning forward again.
“You good, shawty?” He smiled. “You just go stare at me?”
“What’s going on with war?” I asked.
“What?”
“War?” I repeated.
He licked his lips and looked off. He exhaled and took a second before he looked at me.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about for real. It was really just about the shit with us getting shot at but it was taken care of and there won’t be anymore shots fired.”
“You sure about that?”
“As of right now,” he said. “I’m not going to lie to you, November, but as of right now shit is good and a truce is in play.
The shop is neutral territory and I’m not dealing with none of my brother’s shit.
They found a new spot to store their shit and that’s done with.
We’re out and we’re good. It’s nothing that I want you to worry about and there’s nothing for you to do but focus on yourself and what you need.
Speaking of what you need, I got my pops to give me some referrals to a therapist he thinks is really good. ”
“What?” This time it was my turn to be dumbfounded.
“He went to therapy when my mom first left to help him adapt to being a single father of two boys. Then, he fell off and went back when my uncle died. He tried a few before he found one that worked for him and I asked him for some recommendations to get you started.”
“Kaleo, I don’t have a job right now which means I don’t have insurance to even go to that.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“I can’t let you pay for it.”
“Well since it was my bullshit that fucked you up in the first place, it’s the least I can do.”
“I’m fucked up?” I blinked at him and I knew that the tears that were swelling weren’t necessary but I couldn’t stop them.
“No. No.” Kaleo repeated. He reached over and put a hand to the back of my neck to keep our eyes on each other. “No,” he said again. “I don’t think you’re fucked up, November. I just think you need…” He paused while he searched for the best way to word his concerns.
“You think I need therapy?” I offered.
He exhaled. “I think you went through some shit that shocked your system and could be traumatic and I want you to be okay. That’s it.”
“Are you going to therapy?” I countered.
“No,” he said without hesitation. “But I’m used to gun shots and shit.”
“Being desensitized doesn’t mean that you’re okay.”
“Alright. Well, I’ll make a deal with you. For every session you go to, I’ll go to one too.”
“Yeah?”
“That’s right.”
I exhaled. “Okay.”
“Alright.” Kaleo leaned in and kissed me. “I’ll text all the info to you.”
“Okay.” I nodded and collapsed back against the seat.
He reached over and massaged the back of my neck briefly before adjusting and backing out of the parking spot. I cast a look at him. Kaleo said that he loved me and fuck, I believed him more and more every day.