After a thirty-minute drive, Rio pulled into a parking lot and silenced the engine.
“Where the hell did you find a pool hall?” She looked at the building.
“I googled it. Come on.”
The couple got out the car and walked inside the hall. The atmosphere was hazy from all the cigar smoke. EJ Jones’Gas Station Loveplayed in the background. Spotting an open table near the back, Rio grabbed two sticks and passed one to Cali. He then racked the balls into the cue rack and positioned the white ball in front of the diamond.
“You ready, Cali?”
She nodded, chalking the end of the stick. “How come I don't go first? Ladies first, remember?”
Rio shook his head, wearing a sneaky simper. “I’m not being a gentleman this time. I’m trying to win.”
Grinning, Cali observed him break the rack. One solid ball fell into the hole so he went for his next ball and did the same. Normally, their game of pool consisted of shit talking but both were silent. When Rio missed, Cali went for a striped ball and hit it in the hole. Glancing at Rio, she went for the second striped ball and hit it.
Although there was no conversation, their body language spoke volumes. The shared gazes and the subtle touches from Rio when he walked past her made the game more intense. One by one, the couple battled hitting their balls in the hole. No words were spoken. Only intensity was present amongst them.
It had gotten down to the last ball—the 8 ball. Cali was nervous as she said, “Corner pocket.”
Glancing at Rio, she noticed him biting his bottom lip. Her stare went back to the table, leaning down and positioning the stick in her hand. Her fingers trembled while stretching them over the table. This could be the end of her and Rio. If she hit this ball in the hole, their journey would come to a complete end. There would be no more messages, no more arguments,and no more pop-up visits. They would honor their divorce and go their separate ways.
Just do it, Cali…
She closed one of her eyes, centering her single vision on the ball. Tucking her lips between her teeth, Cali prepared to end this arrangement. It had to come to a close. It was best for the both of them.
Hit the ball…
Cali released a deep breath before she suddenly stood up straight. “You said if I win, this will be the last time I’ll see you, right?”
Rio confirmed with a nod as she spotted the uncertainty in his eyes.
Cali resumed the position to hit the ball but she couldn’t. She shook her head and threw the stick on the table. Rounding the table, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Rio quickly abandoned the stick in his hand and let it fall to the ground. He scooped Cali up and held her like a baby.
“I promise we gon’ be good,” he assured in her ear.
Cali pulled back, kissing his lips. Her soul immediately exhaled like it had been tensed for the last six months. There had been so much debris between them. So much blocking their path back together. Instead of taking their normal route, she and Rio took a detour. However, this lane was clear. They could start anew without all the baggage from their past life.
“I love you, baby,” he quietly said.
“I love you, too.”
“Tell me that you're mine and we gon’ figure this shit out.”
Beaming, she held the side of his face. “I’ve always been yours, Rio. You know that.”
He kissed her again, slithering his tongue inside. His hands cupped her ass while they devoured each other’s lips as if they were the only people in the pool hall. The intensity had Cali’s body on fire. She wanted nothing more than to go back to her place and ride his manhood until the sun made it’s morning appearance.
Rio broke the kiss and studied her face. “Let’s ease into this. I don't want us to jump back into it so soon. I want this shit to be perfect between us. You cool with that?”
She nodded, loving the idea of them taking it slow. “Yeah, we can do that but I do have a request.”
Rio’s brows dipped. “What’s that?”
“We gotta attend some kind of couples counseling. We went through a lot and I want to make sure we don't bring that into this.”
“A’ight.” He bobbed his head. “We can do that.”
“You sure?”
