Read Online Bad as in Good by J. Lovelace - Free Book Online Page A

angel.”
    Loraine placed her hands on her hips. “That does not excuse the fact that she met some man and had the nerve to invite this strange man to my house at one o’clock in the damn morning. I almost kicked him and her out my house tonight . That ho has two days before she’s out.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you?”
    Loraine cut her eyes in my direction and stopped pacing. With her finger in my face, she clenched her jaw and said, “I sound like I’m playing, Erin. I’m pissed the fuck off. You think I ain’t wanna kick the ho out my house? That man is definitely gone, but she’s my damn sister, no matter how many strange men she lets lounge inside her.”
    â€œYou’re taking it too far. I’m sure she’s not a ho and—”
    â€œHow would you know? You saw how she was at the club. Flashing her tits around for free VIP and drinks. And then there was that mess wit’ Andre. I dunno what that ho would do for jewelry, cars, and clothes. I don’t wanna know.” Loraine ran her hands through her locs, and went back to pacing a hole into my floor.
    When my phone vibrated, I couldn’t help but smile at the text Tariq sent me. “Miss u.” Albeit short and sweet, it was a message that had me lit up for the rest of the night.
    â€œWhat the fuck you smiling about? Did Teona text you?”
    I tried to hide my glee by sucking my teeth and changing the subject. “Why would Teona be texting me? She’s prolly at your place setting a blaze to all your things before she packs her things and leave.”
    â€œGirl, please. That girl ain’t crazy.”
    â€œAfter you cursed her out and told her she had two days to find another place to stay, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did.”
    Loraine brushed that notion off and refused to let my text go. “Who’s texting you at three in the morning then?”
    â€œThat’s my business.”
    For the first time since she stomped into my apartment, Loraine calmed down. She took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. “Look, my head’s real out of it right now. I realized my lil’ sisterwas…different, but I tried to ignore the possibility that she might be this active to get the perks she’s been receiving. You wanna know the reason why she felt justified to bring home some man she met at a club? Because he promised to pay off her student loan debt. This bitch is fucking for loan money.” Loraine plopped down on the couch next to me, shaking her head. “I’m not her mother, but why would she feel the need to bring this type of shit to my doorstep? I ain’t that easygoing.”
    â€œAin’t that the truth,” I joked.
    Loraine slapped my thigh and rested her head on my couch pillows. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Forgive me if I’ve been difficult for the past hour but—”
    â€œYou ain’t gotta explain nothing to me, girl.”
    â€œI don’t wanna get a call in the middle of the night about her, y’know?”
    â€œI understand. I guess it’s ’bout that time you two have a real sister-to-sister talk.”
    â€œWe do. I don’t want her to blame her behavior on our dad not being around. I’m tired of hearing the excuses. I need her to be a woman and stop playing these reckless games. I had to give her an ultimatum, for the sake of our relationship. But, I guess I’ll sit down and talk to her before she leaves.”
    We sat there quietly. Loraine’s head had to be filled with thoughts of her fast-tailed sister. My head was full of thoughts of Tariq. My phone vibrated again. It was Tariq; this time it was a call. To avoid the scolding, I tried to quickly silence it before Loraine caught wind. I would’ve gotten away with it if he didn’t feel the need to follow up his missed call with another text that read, “I need 2 c u.”
    â€œWho is blowing up