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Story: The Love of Priest 2

Havani wasn’t a typical therapist. She wasn't much of a fan of remaining in a stuffy office and letting her clients vent aimlessly, but she was willing to accommodate everyone based on their preferences. She realized that a lot of men stayed away from counseling simply because they didn't like the feeling of being emasculated, so to heighten her chances of reaching and guiding more men who were struggling with their mental health, Havani offered sessions through workouts sometimes. Priest honestly thought Havani was some energy drinking crazy person he got referred to when she insisted they talk about his feelings while lifting heavy weights or doing cardio, but the shit actually helped.

His first session with Havani was like a typical session with any other therapist in an office setting. He was under the impression that Havani was going to carry out the same tradition, which was why he wasn't dressed for any workout activities. Little did he know, Havani wanted to jump right back into the swing of things.

He released a heavy breath as he headed into the gym. His brows furrowed when he realized the gym was completely empty with the exception of Havani standing right in the center of the boxing ring. "I cleared it out for you since you're celebrity status now," Havani teased with her European accent as she reached down to grab a set of boxing gloves.

Priest shook his head in amusement. "Really?"

Havani nodded her head as she tossed him the boxing gloves. "Really," she confirmed. "I'm not going to take you through that long process from beginning to end again. Your progress is still there. It's just been a little clouded due to what's been going on.”

"You didn't think to send me a memo that we’re gonna be in a gym?" Priest raised a brow as he motioned down to his attire.

Havani chuckled as she shrugged her shoulders. "Would you really have come without your fancy jewelry and fresh shoes even if I had?" she teased him.

Priest laughed. "I did not miss the smart-ass comments." He shook his head.

"I put some clothes to the side for you. Get changed and come on so you can start your hour," Havani rushed him jokingly.

Obliging, he went in the direction of the clothes Havani had sat to the side for him to change into. He opted out of complaining since she was great at what she did. Her approach was a little questionable, but he saw results, nonetheless. After getting changed, he slid the boxing glove onto his left hand before she aided him with putting on the other.

She went without any gloves. Instead, she held both sides of the hanging punching bag so it wouldn't rock back and forth.

"You're like a buck fifty soaking wet. Should I really take this seriously?"

Havani chuckled as she pushed the punching bag toward Priest so he could throw his first punch. "I've gotten you to a point of realization where you cried for two minutes straight. I think you should take this seriously," she encouraged him, causing Priest to throw his head back in laughter.

Figuring that his hour would fly by quickly, he put his fist up, striking the punching bag with his first blow. "Someone's angry," she said, pointing out how powerful the strike was.He scoffed, giving her the notion that she was right with her assumption."How have things been?" she asked, still holding the punching bag so he could crash his fist onto it.

"I'm getting married," he enlightened her.

Havani nodded, causing her loose bun to shake. "How soon?"

"Haven't really set a date yet. We're trying to get adjusted."

"She's American? From New York, right?" she asked about Britain.

Priest nodded his head. "Yeah. Moved out here for me, and I managed to fuck it up."

"How'd you do that?" Havani raised her brow.

Priest sent a blow to the punching bag hard enough to make Havani shake it off. "I promised her I was on this journey of being a better me. I ended up doing the opposite."

"Why'd you make her move if you knew you were going to disappoint her?" Havani questioned.

Priest struck the punching bag with another blow before responding to Havani. "I didn't know anything. I'm taking it day by day just like she is.”

Havani shook her head, disagreeing with his response. "You aren't taking it day by day, Priest," she stated, hoping he would come to a realization.

Priest smacked his lips. "I am. It's one step at a time right now."

"You just told me that you promised her a journey of becoming a better you, and now you're saying you're taking it day by day. Sounds like you have or at leasthada plan," she noted and shrugged her shoulders.

Priest put his fists down, resulting in his shoulders slouching. He took a moment to think over what Havani just told him before nodding his head. "I have a plan," he confirmed. "Something just got in the way."

"You think that's fair to her?" Havani raised a brow.

Priest quickly shook his head. "It's not, and I'm remorseful."

"Why? You already got what you wanted, so why are you sorry?"