Cali appreciated that since she didn’t have anywhere to go. Her job had sent an email, requesting to terminate her employment earlier in the week. So not only was she getting a divorce, but she was jobless as well.
“Fine by me.” Douglas stood. “I have to go. You girls be safe.”
Bria walked their father to the door while Cali sat in despair. She would’ve given anything to go back and savor her last moments with Rio. Life had a way of humbling her. She’d roved through her marriage, not appreciating what she had. She’d foolishly invested in Braye, who turned out to be her biggest enemy. With his help, Cali ruined her life to the point where she would never be the same.
“Well, at least you can move around freely.” Bria smiled at her.
Cali scoffed, inhaling a deep breath. “What good is that going to be when I have nothing? No house, no husband, and no job. I’m really a bum out here.”
Bria chuckled. “I think you're being a bit dramatic.”
“Dramatic? Do you not see what my life has turned into? I have nothing. The way Dad just reminded me if how much of a fuck-up I am didn’t make me feel better.”
“Girl, forget him. He’s got his shit, too. We just don't know about it.”
Cali rested her elbows on her knees and rubbed her tired eyes. She could’ve used some sleep, but it never visited her when she tried. Her nights were spent ruminating over the moments she and Rio shared. She missed the feeling of his arms wrapped around her. His scent was engrained in her senses. Those eyes of his… she missed the way he looked at her when his desire arose. Cali missed Rio and knowing that she would never get the chance to be with him again, tore her to pieces.
“How am I gonna get my life back?” she whispered to herself.
“First thing’s first, you're going to look for another job, which won’t take a lot of effort since you have a degree and experience. Secondly, you gotta let Rio go, sis. Ain't no coming back from what you did. Thirdly, forgive yourself. You're not the first wife to have an affair and you won’t be the last.”
“Forgive myself.” She chuckled. “I don't think I can bring myself to do it, especially when Rio had to suffer behind my actions.”
“He did and you were wrong. Still, you have to forgive yourself or it’s going to eat you alive.”
Bria made it sound so easy, but Cali would never forgive the part of her that had been selfish. Rio deserved better than what she’d given him. He was a great husband, and now that she had been exposed, Cali knew a love like that would never visit her again.
“G, you ready to come home?”
Noble stared at the screen, watching Kenji destroy some apples and peanut butter. He had one more week before his son came back home and he couldn’t have been more excited. Drowning in his presence would be the remedy to smooth Noble’s uneasy disposition.
“Yep, can we go to Jungle Fest?”
“Yeah, where else you trying to go?”
“I wanna go to Juicy’s to get a burger.”
Kaliste snickered in the background. “I wonder who got him hooked on Juicy’s.”
Noble eyed her, making her snicker turn into a full-on cackle.
“Yeah, we can do all that, G.”
Daysha: Answer the fucking phone. Your bitch attacked me.
Noble read the text, confused. While posted at the logistic company, she had been calling him nonstop all day. Since Kenji was out of town with his grandparents, he saw no need to rush and answer her calls. Considering she was only calling to question him about Irish which wasn’t her business.
“A’ight, G. Hit me later on before you go to bed, okay?”
“Alright Dad, bye. Bye, TT.”
“Bye, baby. See you soon,” Kaliste cooed before Noble ended the FaceTime call.
“This week has been so busy,” she noted, typing on the computer. “Then some of the shipping packages have been delayed because of that accident on Route 35.”
Noble frowned. “Some of the trucks were in the accident?”
She nodded. “Yeah, one of them were. That’s why the shipment was delayed.”
