Page 70 of Tension

He was her son after all.

“I’m never too busy for you. What has Levell done? I can hear something wrong in your voice.”

“It’s not that he’s done anything. I just don’t know how to help him. He has a lot going on, and it's like he doesn’t trust me to help him. Shouldn’t he be able to lean on me, too? Like, at this point I'm worried there's another woman because he doesn’t rely on me. I’m sorry that was a lot.”

“You're fine, baby. Get it all out.”

“I just need some advice.”

“Vel has been raised to be a provider, but you're right; he should be able to lean on you, too; otherwise, he’s going to burn himself out. I've seen it before. He will crash soon if you don’t make him stop. You're the first real relationship he’s put his all in, so I know he’s not going to mess that up by cheating. He’s learned that lesson. Help him find a balance between leading and leaning.”

“How do I do that? He’s the first stable relationship I've had, so navigating everything is new for me, too.”

“Y'all just need to talk. Be honest with him about your feelings and what you're seeing. It’s the weekend when he comes home today; tell him y'all are going away. Find someplace for y'all to connect and just get lost in each other.”

“I think I know the perfect place. Thank you, Mrs. Lovita.”

“Call me anytime, baby.”

“Chris?”

I heard Vel call my name as I was coming around the corner.

“You going somewhere?” he asked, looking at the bags I had packed on the floor by the door.

“No.” I walked up to him and gave him a slow, loving kiss on the lips.

He leaned in, grabbing my hips to pull me closer.

We broke the kiss and just looked at each other for a moment.

“At least I know you're not leaving me.”

“That should never be a thought in your head, baby.” I raised my hand to caress his beard.

“We are going away for the weekend.”

“And where are we going?”

“That’s a surprise,” I told him, booping his nose and walking away to get ready.

“Honey, this is a nice idea, but I have a lot going on right now. Maybe next weekend?”

I stopped with my back to him.

“Vel,” I hung my head, then turned to him.

“You need to take a break and slow down. I’m watching you run yourself ragged trying to do everything when you have people that can help you.”

I walked over to him, grabbing both his cheeks.

“Cindy has everything under control. That’s why you hired her. Right?”

He nodded.

“Then trust that I would never ask you to do something that would hurt you, your business, or our relationship. I’m only trying to help you when I see you drowning.”

He leaned his forehead against mine, and his shoulders fell as if he were taking his first steps in letting go.