Free Spin it Like That by Chandra Sparks Taylor Page B

so,” I said.

    By the time Thursday rolled around, Derrick was speaking to me again, and I was glad. I hated when we argued.
    â€œYou’re still coming tonight, right?” I asked.
    â€œI can’t,” he said.
    I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. “Why not?” I finally asked. “You’re not still mad, are you?”
    He shook his head. “No, I’m not mad at you, but I don’t agree with what you’re doing. Ask Kyle to go with you.”
    â€œDerrick,” I whined, “you always go. Please come.”
    He shook his head, and there was something in his eyes that let me know that he wasn’t going to change his mind.
    â€œFine,” I said. I turned around to storm out of the den.
    Just as I reached the threshold, he called out to me. “Jas.”
    I tried to hide my smile, figuring he had changed his mind. “Yes?” I said.
    â€œI’m also thinking about not performing in All-City.”
    â€œWhat?” I screamed. I ran back over to him. “Derrick, quit tripping. What do you mean you’re thinking about not performing? We’re about to land a record deal. Our dream is about to come true.”
    â€œNo, your dream is about to come true,” he said. “You know performing isn’t what I want to do. We’re starting college in a couple of months. I don’t want to record an album.”
    I looked at him in amazement. What he was saying really wasn’t a surprise. “Are you doing this because you’re still mad at me about the other night? I apologize. I know you’re not jealous of me,” I said.
    He laughed. “You know, everything doesn’t revolve around you, Jasmine,” he said.
    I looked at him. “What’s this really about?” I asked.
    He just shook his head. “I told you,” he said. “I’ve been busy living your dreams. I’m not going to do that anymore. It’s time I live my own life.”

    I made it to the club, but I was still angry at my brother, and it showed in my performance. I pretty much just let the records play without putting the spin on the songs for which I was becoming known. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, but I knew I wasn’t on point.
    Kyle was on the dance floor with some girl I’d never seen before, but every now and then I would catch him looking at me. I tried to smile to reassure him that I was okay, but I knew the smile never reached my eyes. On the drive over I had briefly told him about what had happened with Derrick, and he hadn’t seemed surprised.
    Loretta had come along, too. She had a long ponytail weave and she was backing that thang up so hard on the dance floor that she kept slapping her partner in the face with it. If I hadn’t been in such a foul mood, it would have been funny.
    I put on another song and was thinking about taking a break when someone put a cup down next to me. I figured it was Kyle, who was always looking out for me, but when I looked up to say thanks, my mouth fell open.
    â€œDo you know who you are?” I asked the tall, brown-skinned guy.
    Triple T’s name was everywhere lately. He had produced a string of hits for a lot of artists, including several for DC Records. I had seen an interview with him the night before, and I was really impressed. He wasn’t that much older than me—I think he said he was nineteen—yet he was passionate about music just like me.
    He gave this deep, sexy laugh. “Yeah, I know who I am. The question is who are you?” he said.
    â€œMy name is Jasmine Richardson, but my fans call me Jazzy J,” I said.
    â€œNice to meet you, Jasmine Richardson.” He shook my hand and pushed the drink toward me. “I thought you might be thirsty,” he said.
    â€œThank you,” I said, suddenly realizing how hot it was in the club—or had Triple T’s presence just done that to me? I was just about