“Look at you. Learning my program,” she teased.
“Man, gone.” He laughed. “But you good with that?”
“Yep.”
“A’ight, let’s go so I can drop you off.”
Rule grabbed her hand and led them out of the lounge. The ride to Cali’s loft was about twenty minutes. He bumped Jay-Z’sSong Crythe entire way, pushing her thoughts to Rio. Swiftly, she cleared her mind just as he parked in front of her place.
“I’ll walk you to the door.”
Cali watched him get out the car and walk around to open her door.
“You're such a gentleman,” she teased.
“Always, especially for beautiful women like you.”
Cali led the way toward her front door but stopped when she heard a car door slam. Looking to her right, she quietly gasped when she noticed Rio. He bopped over quietly, tucking his hands in a Gallery Dept. hoodie that she wished she could steal. As if Rio had a remote control and had pressed pause, Cali was stuck gaping at him. He approached her, smelling like his favorite cologne. Rio’s presence prompted her heart to skip a beat. She loathed the effect this man still had on her. When he was away, Cali thrived. Yet when he was in her presence, she was still that woman who was raw for him.
“Who the fuck is this?” he asked in an even tone.
Cali gulped, trying to find words to respond to his question.
“I’m Rule, nigga. You ain't gotta ask her who I am when I’m right here.”
Oh shit…
Cali swiftly took control before the situation set into a blaze.
“This is Rule, Rio. Rule this is my ex-husband, Rio,” she introduced them, hoping they would halt this dick swinging contest.
Rio snorted. “Why this nigga here?”
“Fuck you say?” Rule questioned with an expression that went grim.
A sinister smirk covered Rio’s lips. “You hard of hearing?”
Cali stepped aside, not bothering to try and control their banter. This wasn’t a fight she would referee. In reality, she didn’t owe neither one an explanation. So the fight was all theirs.
“Aye, Cali, you better tell this nigga that he’s on my turf and shit can get real fucking ugly if he want,” Rule snarled.
Rio stepped into his personal space. “Let’s get ugly then, bitch.”
They eye warred with each other while Cali stood back, impressed. Both men were holding their own, not backing down on each other’s offer. No one showed a sign of weakness. They were ready, waiting on the other to make the first move.
Rule chuckled. “Man, you a lil’ nigga to me.”
“Nah, I’mthatnigga with big talk and big bullets.”
“Fuck outta here.” Rule snorted then looked at her. “I’ma let you handle your business, Cali. Hit me up when you get rid of this lame.”
“That call ain't happening tonight. Say goodbye ‘cause you’ll never see her again,” Rio assured, causing Cali to smack her lips.
“Call me, Cali, baby.” Rule winked at her then walked to his car.
As soon as he drove away, Cali glowered at Rio. “You hopping on a plane to come here like it’s around the corner. What are you doing here, Rio?”
“Who the fuck is that?” He ignored her question. “And why it look like he was about to come in?”
