Free Her Little Black Book by Brenda Jackson Page A

had quickly caught on to her. All Jetrica wanted was attention, and she was willing to do just about anything to get it. She had beautiful features, although she was trying to make herself appear older and grown-up with the use of an eyebrow pencil, mascara, and lipstick. Then there was that fake beauty mole that dotted her chin, right beneath her bottom lip.
    Her clothes, donated from one of the local thrift stores, were all hand-me-downs. But at least the shirt that seemed a deliberate size too small and the jeans that were somewhat too tight, were clean.
    â€œLike I was saying before your mind began wandering,” Jetrica said smartly, irritatingly poking out her lip. “Mrs. Peyton doesn’t like me. She always calls on me to answer a question when she knows good and well that I won’t know the answer.”
    â€œAnd why won’t you know the answer?” Courtney asked her.
    Jetrica rolled her eyes. “Because I have better things to do with my time than study.”

    â€œNot if you want to get promoted to the next grade.”
    Jetrica lifted her chin. “I’m not worrying about that. My grades are good.”
    Courtney knew that to be true, which was one of the reasons Vickie had talked her into being Jetrica’s mentor. As amazing as it seemed, even with her badass attitude and deciding to skip school whenever the feeling struck, Jetrica had the ability to ace all her exams, which meant she either did study or she had this ingrained knowledge that was unreal. Courtney leaned toward believing the former. According to Jetrica’s sister, the girl locked herself in her room most of the time with a book in her face. So why couldn’t she come clean and admit she had a thirst for knowledge, and why did she continue to paint herself as a dummy in the classroom?
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with being smart, you know,” Courtney told her.
    â€œI’m not smart,” Jetrica all but snapped.
    â€œOh, I tend to disagree. And you’re also talented. Several people have asked me about that painting you did for me. They were impressed.”
    Courtney saw the flash of interest that lit Jetrica’s eyes moments before she put her nonchalant mask in place and gave a sarcastic remark. “Well, they shouldn’t be, and I hope you told them who did it for you was none of their damn business.”
    â€œExcuse me,” Courtney said, frowning. “I thought I told you that I would not tolerate you saying curse words in front of me.”

    â€œFor crying out loud, Ms. Andrews. Damn is not a curse word.”
    â€œIt is to me, and not one I want coming from your mouth.”
    Jetrica rolled her eyes, which was something she did so often, Courtney figured one day they would get stuck in the top of her head. “And what if I don’t want care?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring.
    Courtney was determined not to be put off by Jetrica’s mood. Jetrica was trying her, which she did often enough, but considering how her weekend went, she wasn’t in the mood. “You don’t have a choice, at least not for this school year anyway. You’re stuck with me.”
    The frown on the young girl’s face suddenly turned soft, and she giggled. “Okay, I’m stuck with you, which means you’re stuck with me, too.”
    Now it was Courtney’s time to roll her eyes. “And I pray every day for God’s strength to endure.”
    â€œHawaii?” Ron Andrews asked in surprise.
    â€œYes,” Barbara said excitedly as she stared over at her husband. They had just left from meeting with their marriage therapist and had stopped by a restaurant for dinner. “You heard what the therapist said. Considering everything that’s happened, it will be good to get away for a while, just the two of us, unwind, relax, and rebuild that foundation for our marriage.”
    Yeah, he’d heard everything the