Read Online Lady J by L. Divine - Free Book Online

Again, Nellie shoots me a look that tells me she doesn’t approve of us practicing together at all. I knew her jealousy would get the best of her once she and Chance got involved.
    â€œYeah, I know. But can’t nobody do it like I do and you know this, man,” he says, imitating Chris Tucker in Friday, making me laugh. But Nellie’s still unamused. Here come Mickey and Nigel and they also look salty. What’s up with all of the tension around here?
    â€œGood morning, you two,” I say as they take a seat across the table from us. “How are the little love birds these days?” I feel like I’ve been absent from school for the past two days, since I’ve been locked in the library when I wasn’t in class.
    â€œAin’t no love birds around here except for them two,” Mickey says, pointing at Chance and Nellie, who give me a look confirming I’m out of the loop.
    â€œDid I miss something?” I say, taking a sip from my bottled water. I don’t have much of an appetite since the pills I took didn’t help much to calm the pounding in my head.
    â€œNo, you were standing right there when she let that punk-ass nigga of hers disrespect her, therefore disrespecting me the other day,” he says, instantly setting Mickey off.
    â€œI keep telling your stupid ass that he’s my man and we have to deal with each other in our own way. You don’t see me talking shit about you and your trifling trick, do you?”
    â€œYou can’t say shit about me and Tasha because I treat all of my women with respect,” he says. Oh, this isn’t going to be pretty at all.
    â€œ All of your women?” Mickey says. I knew she would catch that, like any other sistah I know. “How many women do you have?”
    â€œAs many as you do men,” Nigel says, not losing his cool for a minute. They don’t know this side of him, but I do. Both he and Rah can be cold when they want to be. She doesn’t know who she’s dealing with, and neither does he. Mickey’s got all the fire it takes to melt his ice.
    â€œShut the hell up talking to me, Nigel,” Mickey says, rising from the bench, ready to storm off. “Are y’all coming?” she says, putting her hands on her hips, waiting for Nellie and me to follow her.
    â€œI need to finish up here,” Nellie says, looking from Chance to her, pissing Mickey off even more. I guess it’s my turn to be the good friend, since I’ve been MIA for the past couple of days. But I really don’t want to get involved with their mess. I knew it was coming and I don’t want to get burned in the process. They’re both my friends. But if I have to choose, I’d choose Nigel’s side because he’s right. Mickey’s man was very disrespectful Tuesday and she needs to be checked for allowing that shit. But she’s not so innocent herself and she doesn’t want to hear us so I’ll be damned if I get in the middle.
    â€œI need to get to class anyway,” I say, putting my water in the side pocket of my backpack before getting up and joining her. “I’ll holla at y’all later.”
    â€œYeah, go talk some sense into your girl,” Nigel says. But there’s no talking to Mickey right now. She’s vexed and won’t hear reason until she’s ready. My phone vibrates, signaling a text message from my mom. I forget she can use regular communication when she wants to.

    â€œHey baby. I have an impromptu tennis match after work with Karl. Can you find another way to my house today? Smooches.”

    Damn, like I need something else to think about. Maybe Chance wouldn’t mind giving me a ride to Inglewood. I know he’s not ballin’ like Jeremy. Maybe I’ll give him some gas money, since Bryan broke me off a piece this morning. I really need to get my own car. Then I won’t have to worry about my mom’s schedule or anyone