Read Online Mackenzie Blue by Tina Wells - Free Book Online Page A

swarming everywhere, eating burgers, playing video games on the biggest TV Zee had ever seen, and even shooting hoops on the Montgomerys’ indoor basketball court.
    Chloe grabbed Jasper’s arm and pulled him away from the side of the pool. “Come on!” she said, wiggling her hips. “Loosen up.”
    Zee, Chloe, and Jasper had been hanging out on the patio, listening to the band. Chloe hadn’t stopped dancing since they’d gotten there.
    Jasper moved his head up and down like a bobblehead doll. “I am quite loose.”
    Zee tilted her head sideways to study him. “This is pretty loose for him,” she told Chloe.
    Marcus came over to the three friends. “Are you having fun?” he asked, putting an arm around Zee and Chloe.
    â€œYes! This band is incredible!” Chloe told him.
    â€œWhere did you find them?” Zee asked.
    â€œAt UCLA,” Marcus shouted over the noise. “My mother teaches one of them.” He grabbed the girls’ hands and pulled them to the center of the dance floor. As they danced, Zee looked around at all of the people she didn’t know. Marcushad four brothers and sisters, and they had invited their own friends. A few bodies collided into Zee, but she was having so much fun, she didn’t care.

    There was just one problem keeping the party from being perfect. Kathi. She had managed to hog Landon all to herself. She even got him to dance the slow dances with her. Jen hovered nearby, looking like an awkward dancing shadow. When the band finally took a break, Zee wondered how she was going to get Landon away from Kathi.
    Marcus solved her problem. “I have an idea,” he announced.“Everyone who is competing in Teen Sing should perform here.”
    â€œTonight?” Zee asked, a rush of terror zipping from her toes to her forehead. “My song isn’t ready yet.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Marcus assured her. “You can sing whatever you want. It’s just for fun.”
    â€œI guess I could sing ‘Umbrella,’” Zee mumbled to herself.
    â€œRihanna?” Marcus said. “Cool. You can go first.”
    First? Yikes! “Maybe you should let someone else go,” Zee blurted.
    â€œBut you said you’d sing it,” Jasper pointed out. True. But she had never performed it without shampoo in her hair and a showerhead in her hand.
    Chloe gave Zee an encouraging tug on her arm. “Oh, I’m just dying to hear you. Please. For your friends?”
    By now, Landon, Kathi, and Jen had joined the others. “Yeah,” Landon said with a friendly smile. “We’re here for you.”
    That was all the encouragement Zee needed. “Okay,” she said as she stepped up to the microphone. There was no band, no chorus, no one to back her up. Her legs trembled a little as she opened her mouth to sing.
    At first, Zee sang a little quietly, then as she repeatedthe words, a few kids joined in. She watched more and more kids sing along, and she smiled as she noticed Jasper actually begin stepping to the beat. Once nearly everyone had joined in, she moved on. And let loose.
    Zee hit every note. The words flowed out. All eyes focused on her as she built up to her favorite part, her voice getting stronger and climbing louder. “‘So go on and let the rain pour, I’ll be all you need and more.’” It was so much easier than she’d imagined.
    When Zee finished, the crowd clapped and cheered. Shrill whistles pierced the other noise. She looked over the rest of the audience to Chloe and Jasper. Chloe was jumping up and down excitedly, and Jasper was nodding his head and smiling.
    Zee left the stage. “Way to go!” one of Marcus’s brothers said.
    â€œThat was great!” a Brookdale sophomore told her.
    The compliments continued as she passed through the party. Finally Zee reached her friends, who were standing near the pool. Chloe threw her arms