“I’m gone. Hit me if you need me. Let’s go, Nuke.”
Noble left, leaving his mother standing, wearing a weary expression. The days of being affected by her emotions were long gone. They didn’t penetrate him and neither did she.
As soon as they left the warehouse, Nuke said, “Damn, Auntie always trying to rewrite history, huh?”
“All the time but she can’t do it to me. I’ll never let her forget how weak she is or how she moved.”
Five
The moment was so perfect that Cali didn’t want to move a limb. The darkness that engulfed the room wasn’t the kind of darkness that ushered in sadness. This type of dullness was seductive, concealing all the nasty things Braye had done to her body. His natural scent was one she wished she could bottle up and wear on a daily basis. Laying next to him was something she looked forward to, especially when she didn’t get a chance to do it as often as she wanted.
“You hungry?”
His deep baritone graced her ears like a melody from her favorite song. She closed her eyes, snuggling closer to him.
“I could eat.”
Braye reached for the hotel phone and dialed room service. Every Tuesday and Friday, they met at The Fitzgerald Hotel and spent most of the morning and afternoon tangled in the sheets. It had been their time for years and when she needed more of him, she snuck to his townhome, making sure to turn off her location so Rio wouldn’t catch her.
“It’s on the way,” he assured, hanging up the receiver.
“What did you get me?”
“A club sandwich on wheat bread with some plain-ass Lay’s chips.”
Giggling, she playfully slapped his bare chest. “Don’t come for my chips.”
“I’m saying, you could at least get some with seasoning on them. Plain Jane-ass girl.”
Cali chuckled and kissed his cheek. Her mind was at ease while in Braye’s company. He relaxed her nervous system, allowing her to rest and not feel on edge all the time.
Why can’t I have this full time?
Why did Cali have to be subjected to this dumb-ass rule her father had? Why was he the person to choose who she married? It wasn’t fair, considering he had jumped ship and was now in The Noir Mob. She should’ve been the person to choose the man she wanted to spend a lifetime with. No one should’ve held the pen in her story except for her.
“Do you remember when we first met?” She circled her finger over his collarbone. “I remember that day so clearly because it was the day my stylist had gone out of town. She didn’t say shit, and I needed my haircut.”
“Yeah, I remember.” He rubbed her back softly. “You came in making demands and shit, talking ‘bout don’t cut too low in the front and make a part on the side.”
She cackled. “‘Cause I didn’t want you to ruin my pixie and make me look like a lil’ boy.”
“Calia, yo’ pixie cut wasn’t all that. I actually saved you that weekend.”
“Yeah, you did… but I remember that you were so kind. It was something about you. I don’t know, like when I looked in your eyes, I felt this instant attraction. Then you didn’t charge me for the cut, which I thought was nice of you.”
“I was sweet on you, baby. You came in my shop looking all good, legs all greased up, asking for help. Then, I saw your sass and was gone after that.”
She smiled. “I can’t help it. I can be a little bossy at times.”
Braye turned toward Cali, facing her with his warm brown eyes. “I gotta be honest… I’m tired of this.”
Her heart dropped. This couldn’t be. Not right now while their heads were in the clouds. When it was just the two of them, nothing mattered. Not even Cali’s marital status. She couldn’t take a disruption right now. Braye was her fuel. He filled her heart up until it was time to see him again. By then, she was always on empty.
“Tired of what?” she whispered.
“Not having you to myself, baby.”
It felt like he’d held her heart and crumbled it with his bare hands. Why couldn’t life be simple? Why couldn’t she be with the same man that put her soul at ease?
