Free You Don't Know Me Like That by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page A

your back by trying to get with Bryce. You act like you’ve forgotten that, but I haven’t.”
    â€œ And? You stole Kevin’s iPod and blamed it on me.”
    â€œThat was in the sixth grade!” Kennedi protested.
    â€œWhatever, the point is, I forgave you. So chill with all the negativity.” I went back to packing, taking care as I folded my coral sequined minidress and placed it in my bag. I had to make sure I was on point tonight. I had asked J. Love how many of his women would be there tonight, and he had assured me that I would be the only one who mattered.
    â€œFine, fine,” Kennedi said. “I’m going to have a good time regardless. It’s about to be on and poppin’,” she said, doing a little dance.
    I sent my mom a text to let her know that we were leaving, then we quietly made our way out the back door. Twenty minutes later, we were pulling up to Sheridan’s massive seven-bedroom house.
    â€œHey, Kennedi,” Sheridan said dryly when she answered the door.
    Kennedi just raised an eyebrow, but didn’t speak.
    â€œLook, you two,” I said, “I’m gonna leave both of your stank behinds here and go to the party by myself if you can’t learn to get along.”
    â€œOkay, fine,” Sheridan said, then she did a big, fake, cheesy grin. “Helll-llloo, Kennedi. It’s such a pleasure to see you!” she said in a fake excited voice.
    â€œAnd you, too, dah-ling,” Kennedi replied as they air-kissed.
    â€œOkay, now you guys are going overboard.” I brushed both of them aside as I walked inside Sheridan’s house. “Let’s go get dressed. I want to be fashionably late, but not too late.”
    We went into Sheridan’s room and got dressed. We listened to music as we laughed, joked, and teased each other. It felt really good to have my two best friends getting along for a change. I guess the party had us all psyched, so no one was interested in causing any drama tonight.
    We took Sheridan’s Benz and, an hour later, were sitting in front of the club where J. Love was holding his party.
    â€œWow, look at that line,” Kennedi said as we pulled up to the valet.
    â€œUgh, I hope we’re not waiting in that, because Sheridan Matthews does not do lines.” Sheridan shook her head like she’d rather turn around and go home before standing in line.
    â€œGirl, please,” I replied. “You know I’m not waiting in nobody’s line.” I sashayed to the front of the line.
    â€œWhere they think they’re going?” some girl yelled.
    â€œGet to the back of the line,” someone else shouted.
    It was Kennedi who turned around and said to the second girl in her Chris Brown voice, “Why you hatin’ from outside the club? You can’t even get in.”
    We all busted out laughing.
    â€œWe were here first. We’ve been waiting forever,” the girl next to her shouted. She had on a super-short miniskirt and a tank top. Both her friend and her had on cheap patent leather heels, so I know their feet had to be killing them.
    â€œAnd you’re still going to be waiting,” Sheridan told her.
    â€œYep, wait out here with the other riffraff.” Kennedi laughed.
    â€œI got your riffraff,” the girl in the miniskirt said.
    â€œYou just tagging along anyway,” her friend chimed in.
    â€œWhatever, loser,” Kennedi said. “Gimme your number. I’ll text you and tell you how the party is inside.”
    Sheridan and she high-fived each other. I shook my head and turned my attention to the bouncer.
    â€œHi, I’m Maya Morgan. I should be on the VIP list,” I said, pointing to his clipboard.
    He scanned the list. “Umm, I don’t see your name.”
    â€œWell, then you need to look again. I’m sure it’s there,” I said confidently.
    He glanced down, then back up. “I’m sure it’s