Act Like You Know by Stephanie Perry Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

down there and take you,” a lady behind us said in a worried tone.
    She was white, and she had the biggest ring I’d ever seen in my life. She was decked from head to toe.
    â€œI’m Karen, the quarterback’s wife. You’re Kade’s girlfriend. He might need you right now. This looks pretty bad.”
    Malloy hugged Karen. Then we followed Karen up the stairs and then down a private elevator. Everyone knew who she was, and it was obvious why: her husband had it going on.
    Malloy was a complete wreck, and Torian and Loni had her back, holding her up, rubbing her arms, telling her over and over it was going to be okay. When we got off the elevator, the lady said something to some guards, and the next thing we knew we were in a waiting area that looked pretty private and official while Karen was outside trying to get information.
    â€œHe worked so hard for this moment,” Malloy said as tears dropped down her face. “People didn’t wanna draft him because they said he was injury prone. He’d done so much to prove them wrong. All preseason he’d dominated, and now in the second game he goes completely down. How can I encourage him?”
    Karen came in and over to Malloy. “He broke his ankle, and he’s out for eight weeks. He’s pretty devastated, but he wants to see you.”
    â€œI can’t go in there,” Malloy said, shaking. “I can’t tell him it’s all right. I know he’s upset—”
    â€œNo, no, you can tell him,” Torian said. “You can be strong. You can get him through this.”
    â€œYes because his training’s going to be crucial,” Karen said. “A positive attitude will make all the difference.”
    Loni said, “And you know that’s why you’re here.”
    â€œI’m here for us to enjoy this weekend together after the game. Now we’ll be at some hospital.”
    Torian said, “But you’ll be there together.”
    I whispered, “And you’re here because you support your man. Don’t let him see you all down and out. Help lift him up. You can do this.”
    â€œOkay, okay, I can do this,” Malloy said as she wiped her eyes and then left the room with Karen.
    Torian and Loni just hugged each other like they were going through this as deeply as Malloy was. I could feel Malloy’s pain. It was a surreal moment. I was in awe of their friendship. It was major.
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    Kade was all settled down in his apartment, and Malloy was content with taking care of him. Torian and Loni were okay with that, but I had come to New York to have a good time. Sitting around watching a football player recover wasn’t my idea of fun.
    â€œWhy you sitting there looking so ticked?” Loni asked me.
    Unable to be convincing, I said, “No reason.”
    â€œYou wanna go out?” Torian said. “We are in the nicest apartment in New York, and you want to hit the town! Go on and admit it. We know you, girl.”
    â€œAnd if I did? What would be wrong with that?” I said as though I had to defend myself.
    Malloy came out of her guy’s bedroom and said, “Don’t worry. Kade hooked it up.” She dangled his car keys in front of us.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” I asked, completely confused. There was no way she could be trying to play hostess to us when she was playing nurse to Kade. “You’re not gonna be able to leave to take us anywhere. And as bad as I want to party, I wouldn’t even ask you to.”
    â€œYou do know New York though!” Torian added, licking her chops. “You’ve been up here all summer with your clothing internship and stuff.”
    â€œNo, no, no. I’m not leaving.”
    â€œWell, I’m not going anywhere by myself. Thanks for his keys and stuff, but nuh-uh,” Loni said, making me roll my eyes. I couldn’t believe some of my sorors were such wimps.
    â€œWhere is the