Read Online Rumor Central by Reshonda Tate Billingsley - Free Book Online

her.
    â€œNot that we think you’re boring,” Tamara said, quickly jumping in. “We’ve just been assessing the first show all morning and it just lacks that umph. The Sylk interview was great, but we’re not trying to be another Entertainment Tonight . We need to spice this thing up. We’re hoping you can help bring some of that umph to the table.”
    Bring some umph? I didn’t know what they expected me to do.
    Dexter and Tamara exchanged uneasy glances before Tamara said, “You run in—” She paused. “I’m sorry, you used to run in some pretty well-known circles. I mean, not many teens can say they’re friends with the Kardashians. There aren’t many that get up close and personal with some of the hottest young celebrities.”
    â€œYeah,” I said, not sure where she was going. “That was part of what made us so popular. My clique was the real deal. But what does that have to do with anything? You want me to find some dirt on Miami celebrities?”
    â€œBasically, and we thought you should start with your closest circle of friends. I mean, they are Miami’s elite, so I’m sure you know some serious secrets.”
    I frowned. “Yeah, but those are my friends.”
    â€œWere,” Tamara reminded me.
    â€œAnd therefore, you shouldn’t have any problem dishing dirt on them,” Dexter added.
    Tamara smiled knowingly. “I mean, that is what our show introduction says . . . that you’ll be dishing dirt.”
    â€œSo you really want me to dish dirt on my friends ?”
    Tamara didn’t blink as she replied. “Which friend would you be referring to? Sheridan, the one that stole your boyfriend, or Shay, the one that jumped you in the hall?”
    That definitely shut me up. I couldn’t believe she was using information I’d shared with her in confidence.
    â€œLook, this isn’t personal,” Tamara said, drumming her fingers on her desk. “This is business and if we want this show to be a success, we’ve got to come out of the box hard.”
    â€œOkay, well, what do you want me to do?” For the first time since I took this job, I was worried about it succeeding. The way they were talking, we were doomed before we even really started.
    â€œI’m sure there are some salacious rumors or some celebrity gossip that you can dig up, something that you can give us about your in crowd,” Tamara continued.
    â€œI can’t do that,” I slowly said. It’s not that I cared two cents about those busters, but the last thing I wanted to be was some kind of snitch. I’d thought about it. I mean, they’d made me so mad, that I couldn’t believe I was even second-guessing selling them out.
    â€œAre you in the in crowd anymore?” Tamara asked bluntly.
    â€œDon’t get it twisted. First of all, the Miami Divas weren’t my only friends. I still roll with the in crowd. In fact, I am the in crowd.”
    â€œNo, you’re on the outside looking in,” Tamara said. “At least at Miami High. Here’s a way for you to have the last laugh.”
    I hesitated, then finally said, “I just don’t . . .”
    â€œI’m sorry. If you can’t do it . . .” Tamara paused and looked at Dexter, who finished her sentence.
    â€œMaybe Sheridan won’t have any problems dishing dirt. Isn’t she the daughter of that superstar singer? Maybe she’d do it,” Dexter said, like he was dismissing me or something.
    I was dumbfounded by his comment. “You’d give my job to Sheridan?”
    â€œOf course we wouldn’t want to do that, but I bet Sheridan would have no shame in dishing dirt,” Tamara said. I couldn’t believe she was playing me like that. I thought we were cool.
    â€œI’m sure she wouldn’t,” Dexter threw in for good measure. “Especially your dirt.”
    I’m sure they were