The number looked familiar but she couldn’t figure out why. Starting the engine, Cali pulled out of the parking structure and headed home. She was in no mood for music so she rode in silence while taking in the beauty of Diamond Falls. The colossal buildings met the belly of the dark skyline. The city was soundless with a few taillights dazzling by. Cali enjoyed the view, choosing to take the streets home instead of the highway.
Her phone rang, displaying the same number she’d missed three times. Cali contemplated if she should answer. It could’ve been an emergency and knowing that she wasn’t home had her concerned. Pressing the button on her steering wheel, she answered.
“Hello?”
“You must've just got done getting fucked.”
Her lips gaped before she mouthed, “What the fuck?”
She couldn’t believe the voice that penetrated her ears. A voice she had sworn out of her life. A tone that still gave her chills every time he opened his mouth. That voice was on her phone accusing her of something she had indeed done and Cali was dazed.
“I don't hear that tough shit you was talking on Instagram,” he taunted her.
Cali pulled over, knowing she wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the road and Rio simultaneously.
“What do you want?” she asked with an attitude.
“Where you coming from?”
“None of your got damn business! You don't question me, Rio. As a matter of fact, how did you get my number?”
“Come on, Calia. I can get anything. You must've forgot who you were married to.”
“Actually, I did. I tried to forget everything about your evil ass.”
He chuckled. “Wow, the pot calling the kettle black, huh? I ain't no more evil than you.”
“Oh, please,” she complained. “I don't wanna hear about me cheating on you. I've suffered the consequences and was even depressed behind it. Don't keep bringing that shit up to me ‘cause it doesn’t affect me anymore.”
Cali was past the stage of feeling guilt. She actually felt liberated that she’d climbed out of that bleak hole and was now living life on her terms. Nobody could bring her down from this high she was on, especially not Rio.
“I’m not surprised by that. Your selfish ass ain't affected by shit that doesn’t involve you.”
“What do you want, Rio?” She ignored his last statement.
“Where you coming from?” he asked once more.
She laughed, relaxing in her seat. “Like that’s any of your business. I’m sure Rozalin’s desperate ass is somewhere waiting for you. Why don't you call her and get off my line?”
“Man, I don't even fuck with her like that no more. Stop bringing her up.”
“Wow,” she taunted. “The thrill is gone now, huh? Well, I’ll send you my nail tech. She might let your Black ass hit. Oh, and then my esthetician and maybe my OB-GYN. You can just run through all of my service providers until you feel you got me back.”
“Stop playing with me, Cali. You ain't got no leg to stand on.”
“That’s where you're fucking wrong, Rio. You don't get to fuck my hairstylist and hold the fact that I cheated on you over my head. You want my sins to outweigh yours when it doesn’t. You had ill intentions for fucking Rozalin. You wanted to see me hurt when you know I was barely hanging on. You knew I was depressed and almost on the brink of death. And you still went out and fucked her knowing it would crush me. Like I said before, you got your lick back. Now stop holding what I did over my head. ”
“Fuck that!” he shot. “I’ma hold that shit over your head forever because you gave that nigga room to come at me. You don't know what it’s like to be in a coma and suffer head trauma that still affects me to this day. You ain't get hurt like I did. So, stop trying to make shit even. You're a fucking cheater like I said.”
“And so are you!” she yelled.
She expected a rebuttal but when the other line went silent, she continued.
“You think I don't know that when we first got married that you were fucking on your ex? She made it her business to tell me everything. She sent screenshots of your conversations when you were confessing your love for her. You were fucking her then coming home to me like everything was all good. You did your dirt, Rio, and I never confronted you. You wanna knowwhy? Because I knew I was stuck so I took that L and tried to make the best of our situation. The fact that you can sit on your high horse like you haven’t been disloyal to me is crazy. You cheated just like I did and I never left you. So fuck you!”
Cali ended the call just as her chest heaved. Rio had riled her up. She’d just ended an amazing night with Rule and now talking to him had ruined her mood.
“Ugh, I should've never answered the phone.”
