Page 23 of Session 25

“A lemon drop.”

“I hear that’s the women’s new favorite drink. Is it sour or sweet?” The way he licked his thick lips, I was ready to explode. I knew I needed to pay my tab and go up to my room, but his energy was inviting, and somehow, I was okay with playing with fire.

“More sweet than sour.” He flagged the bartender down, buying me another drink and ordering him a double shot of whiskey. His age showed in how he carried himself.

“Roman.” He took his shot, extended his hand, waiting for me to take it in mine.

“Koi,” Roman repeated my name a few times. “What?”

“It’s different. I like it.”

“Well. I don’t think your spouse would agree.”

“That’s nothing you need to worry about. You visiting or are you a New York native?”

“If I say I’m visiting, then what? You’d fuck me and go home to your wife and act like nothing happened?” Bold and tipsy, I didn’t hold back with him. The hurt, anger, and stress I’ve been feeling lately had me ready to pounce on this dude, cum hard, and sleep like a baby while forgetting the fact that he belonged to someone else.

“Nah. That’s not how I roll, and I can tell that’s not how you roll either. You’re tipsy. Let me make sure you get to your room.” Three lemon drops later, and my lightweight ass was ready to ignore all the signs and forget my morals for a night to relieve everything I had been feeling.

“I’m good. I can manage.” I paid my tab, slid off the bar stool, holding on to the leather.

“That’s bullshit.” He waved down the bartender. “Put it on my room tab.”

“Alright, boss.” Roman took my hand, leading me out of the restaurant.

“You shouldn’t be getting this tipsy in a hotel alone.” He took the room key from my hand, reading the number off. “Niggas are weird and will try anything. You too pretty and naive.” I heard what he was saying, but comprehending it was another thing. My head was spinning, and my stomach was queasy.

“My bad,” was all I was able to muster up.

“Don’t apologize to me. Shit. You lucky I’m me and not some herb.” He pushed me towards my room, tapped the door, and let me inside. “You got it from here?” Roman handed me my phone.

“Umm hmm,” I chuckled, blinking my eyes a few times when Roman grabbed my hand. “What?”

“C’mon”, he helped me to where the bed was. I saw him look around the room before he dropped to the floor and removed my slides. “I ain’t gonna undress you but move back so you can lay down.”

“What if I want you to undress me though,” I sassed, talking out the side of my ass, while lying on my side.

“Nah. This ain’t that. Sleep off them drinks, and if you are still here tomorrow, we can get to the bottom of this lashing out you call yourself doing.” I twisted up my lip and furrowed my brows. Before I could even respond to him, he was gone.

I lay in the same spot, unable to move, thinking about how he just tried to parent me and didn’t even know me. Instead of being mad, I was intrigued at how he turned down pussy.

Shit, maybe I look dumb or like some easy bitch. Shit, I’m trippin’. What if he thinks I’m a hoe? Oh lawd, was all I was thinking before my eyes gave way.

I woke up with a banging headache. My hair was untied, clothes on from the night before, and drool on my pillow. I rubbed the cold out of my eyes, sat up, stretched, and looked for my phone.

“Seven in the morning,” I mumbled. I had two hours before I had to log in to work. My plan was to stay in until lunch and then work the afternoon on the rooftop. The missed calls and texts were gonna be ignored for a few more hours. I didn’t want to speak to anyone about anything. The conversations were becoming repetitive at this point.

I did scroll until I saw a text from Rae.

Rae: Hey, I was just checking on you. We won’t have a session this week, but if you did need me, you know I’m here.

I smiled. I don’t know what it was, but her check ins were starting to make me feel special. I responded to her before I went to the bathroom to handle my hygiene.

Koi: I’m good, taking a few days to just be to myself and clear my mind. No need to trip, I’ll see you next session.

Rae: Hmm, okay.

The lines were beginning to become blurred. Marcel and I were in a fucked up space. I couldn’t stand my aunt and her child. I almost slept with a random guy last night, and I had been talking to my therapist more than I should have. I needed to get a handle on my life and fast.