“I wasn’t either, baby. You don't gotta apologize. We both made mistakes.”
No, my mistakes are egregious…
“All that matters is that we’re here.” He kissed her lips. “And I love you more now than I’ve ever did. My perspective changed. What I thought was important don't mean shit. The only thing that matters is you, baby.”
Cali wasn’t sure if it was Braye’s text or Rio’s admittance to how their marriage started off rocky, but she felt guilty again. The feeling had been missing for months, permitting Cali to relax. However, it was back, and she could barely look Rio in his eyes. There was love that dwelled inside of his irises. The kind that she thought she shared with Braye. Meanwhile, remorse resided in her lenses. How would she make this up to Rio without him knowing the depths of her sin? She thought this was a do over, but she wasn’t certain if she would be allowed to part ways with her regret.
“I love you, Calia.”
She had worked so hard to put her heart back together only for his declaration to crack it again.
“I love you, too.” Feeling as if she would cry, Cali took a step back. “I need to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
“A’ight.”
Cali walked over to the booth and grabbed her clutch before making a beeline to the bathroom. When she entered the stall, she inhaled a deep breath and tipped her head backwards. She never thought she would be so overwhelmed by Rio’s love, but she felt as if she was drowning. Literally, grasping for something to hold onto because her guilt kept sinking her further and further in the sea of disgrace.
Cali pulled out her phone and noticed more messages from Braye.
“What the fuck?” she whispered.
555-9311: You need to call me.
Cali was tired of the back and forth. They had gone months without contact and now that he had seen her out with Rio, he wanted to continue harassing her.
Cali: Fuck you and leave me the hell alone!
555-9311: If you don't call, I’ma hit yo’ husband up. Ain't his number 555-3559
Cali gasped when she realized that was Rio’s number. Without giving it much thought, she quickly called him.
“Yeah, I thought that would get your attention,” he taunted her in a voice that made her squirm.
“What the fuck do you want?” she hissed in a low tone.
“Why you tried me like that at the restaurant? You really think I’m some sucka-ass nigga you can toy with, huh?”
“Excuse me? You were the one that came up to my table fucking with me. Don't get mad because I hit your ass where it hurt. You really got some fucking nerve, Braye.”
“I got some nerve?” he repeated. “Yo’ you really be on bullshit, Calia. You fucked me over, remember?”
“Yes, I did. I own up to how I did you, but we have to move on.”
“So, it’s fuck me? You was about to leave that motherfucka before he got put in the hospital. Now all of a sudden, you treating me like me and you ain't make plans. What kind of heartless-ass bitch are you, Calia? How come you just switched up on me like that?”
While Cali struggled with her guilt of playing Rio, she had dealt with the accountability of hurting Braye. She regretted everything about how she had led him on, but she couldn’t dwell on it. Her heart wouldn’t let her when Rio had taken it over.
“I don't know what you want me to say.” It was a shitty thing to say to someone who she had hurt but she was done apologizing to him.
“It’s crazy.” He chuckled. “I went through lengths for us to be together and that shit blew up in my face. I don't know why my dumb ass thought you would really choose me.”
“What lengths?” she snarled. “I had more to lose than you and if you're talking about that girl you were seeing, then she don't count. If she did, you wouldn’t be on my line begging me to call you.”
He snorted a chuckle. “You talking big shit… at first, I regretted what I did but now I don't. All I wish is that that nigga would’ve died so you can feel how I feel.”
Cali’s mouth parted while his words processed inside her mind. “What you did? What are you talking about?”
“You ever wondered how he got into the accident? Well…I cut that nigga brake line.”
