Read Online Cali Boys by Kelli London - Free Book Online

nowhere.
    â€œBaby girl,” Malone yelled out the driver’s side window. “I just wanted to make sure everything was good with you and that you’ll do what you promised to do with my number. And I really need to holla at you about some important biz. Come talk to me for a second.” He held his hand up to Alek. “Hands off, Alek.”
    Jacobi froze. She didn’t know what to do or which boy to answer. She needed to tell Alek that she really didn’t have a boyfriend, but she also didn’t want to make Malone wait, for fear that she’d lose her shot at being a filmmaker. He was, after all, the guy who had the connections.
    â€œIntroduce me to your brother, and I’ll get you out of this mess,” Yummy whispered, walking up to her with spittle and doughnut crumbs flying out of her mouth.
    Jacobi turned to look at Alek but was met by the front door slamming closed, then a repetitious click of locks. Disappointment crawled through her, and she was immediately annoyed with Yummy for ruining her moment.
    â€œSo you gonna hook me up with your brother or what?” Yummy asked.
    Jacobi looked at the oversized girl again. She hadn’t known her brother to be prejudiced about a girl’s size, but she knew he was dead set against plain sloppiness. She shook her head. “Sorry, Yummy, or whatever your name is. It ain’t gonna happen. Plus”—she nodded her head toward Alissa’s closed front door—“it seems my problem just cleared itself up.” She walked past Yummy and headed toward Malone’s car.
    Yummy wheezed as she inhaled, and her nostrils flared as she stepped in front of Jacobi. “What did you say? Did you just tell me no, heffa?”
    Everything was moving so fast. Malone was waiting, Yummy was challenging her, and Shooby had just sent another text asking her whereabouts and informing her that Katydid had moved, which surprised Jacobi. It wasn’t like Katydid to up and move and not tell her first. Katydid’s disappearance scared Jacobi, because that meant something was wrong. Excitement, fear, and worry now shot through her veins, overshadowing the disappointment she’d felt about Alek just seconds ago. She eyed Yummy, and, scared or not, she wasn’t going to back down. She knew that once a bully knew they had you, they’d always start trouble. Jacobi balled her fists and stepped up. She was getting tired of silly girls, and wondered what her parents thought was so safe about this new neighborhood. In less than an hour, she had been forced to go head-to-head with verbal assaults. “I got your heffa, all right. I said—and I didn’t stutter—it ain’t gonna happen. You are not my brother’s type. And if you ever bother me again, I’ll make sure you never become his type.” She sidestepped Yummy and moved quickly to an awaiting Malone.
    Yummy bit her lip and nodded slowly. A weird smile spread across her face and she laughed. “You know what, Diggs’s sister? I like you. At least I think I do. At least enough to warn you to stay away from Alek—he’s mine. Plus, you’re not scared of me. That has to be a first around here. I respect that,” she yelled.
    â€œMalone, is that offer of a ride to the motorcycle show still good?” Jacobi asked, almost skipping toward him.
    Malone walked to the passenger side of the car and held open the door for her. “Absolutely. To and from and to get a bite to eat, too, if you want, my little filmmaker.”

8
    KASSIDY
    H er knees were numb and her calves were burning, but she refused to get up. Kassidy crawled the few feet to the side of the bed and lifted the ruffled bed skirt. There was nothing underneath except for a few dust bunnies. Unfolding her body slightly, she sat back on her heels, pressing her lips together in thought. There had to be something somewhere that she could use against her monster of a stepsister.