Free Courtin' Jayd by L. Divine Page B

didn’t work. She ended up moving suddenly to keep Rah from his daughter. Just the thought of her makes my blood boil but it doesn’t change the way I feel about Rah right now. “When did she get back in town and what does that have to do with him not calling me all week?”
    â€œI’m not sure when Sandy got in town and neither is Rah. He was just as surprised as we all were to find out she was back,” Nigel says, glancing toward the library door, anxiously awaiting Mickey’s return. He seems nervous about seeing her and he should be. Like Sandy, Mickey can be vicious when someone gets in the way of what she wants. But at least she’s not crazy. “All I know is that Trish got messed up pretty bad and had to go the hospital. Why he’s not calling you I don’t know anything about.” So Rah is getting my messages and he’s all right. I admit I’m relieved to know it’s not about us, but in a way it is and until I get the full story from him, he’s on my shit list.
    â€œPlease let Rah know that he’s in hot water with me and the sooner he calls, the better it’ll be for him.” I look at Mickey push through the door and she doesn’t look so good. Her hair looks a little tangled like she just stepped through a whirlwind or something. Maybe she got sick and had to throw up again. Comes with the territory for her. I guess being pregnant isn’t as cute as she thought it was going to be.
    â€œYes sir, Jayd sir,” he says, saluting me like I’m his general before Mickey tucks herself under his arm, staking her claim. I hope that possessive display isn’t for me because she’s got another thing coming if she thinks a broad can come between Nigel and me. We’ve already been down that road before and I’m the one still standing. I need to get out of here before I’m late for government class. Jeremy’s already left his post by Nellie and Chance, who are making the most of their time together. I hope she doesn’t risk Chance’s heart to get a shot at Nigel, as Mickey thinks. I don’t want any of my friends to get hurt in the mess.
    â€œAt ease, private,” I say, slapping his hand away from his forehead. “Just make sure Rah gets the message.” I choose to ignore Mickey’s attitude and walk to class. It’s funny how dudes act when they want to be with you, but have a strange way of keeping their distance when things start to get too serious. Until I hear from Rah, I’m pushing him way down on my priority list. I have to get through the rest of this school day. I’ll worry about our relationship after the final bell of the day rings.

5
From The Sidelines
    â€œI was your baby, baby, baby, baby/ When you needed hugging.”
    â€” ANGIE STONE
    F or the rest of the school day I felt like I was in a time warp. Sandy being back in Rah’s life isn’t good for anyone, especially me. There’s nothing I can do to help Rah if he doesn’t tell me what’s going on first. Plus I need to talk to him about Mickey’s baby. And I can’t help Nigel without ratting my girl out. It feels like my hands are tied and my friends are the ones holding the rope.
    As I walk down our block I can’t help but remember Esmeralda and Mr. Gatlin’s strange exchange this morning. I wonder what kind of noose she’s got around his neck. They say that there’s someone for everyone but I don’t think that’s true. If it were, me and half of the people I know wouldn’t be in the messes we find ourselves in on a regular basis. Getting closer to Mama’s house, I notice two Compton police cars parked on the street and in the driveway. This can’t be good. They never stop by to say “what’s up” in our hood. The neighbors are all outside watching the drama unfold. I hope Mama didn’t go off on another one of Daddy’s women.
    â€œJayd,