Keep It Movin' by L. Divine Read Free Book Online Page B

nice break.” Not knowing what else to say or do, she and Laura follow Reid toward the beach so we can finally leave.
    â€œMerry Christmas,” Jeremy yells after them sarcastically before pulling off. It’s going to be a long drive back to Inglewood, but I’m sure we’ll make the best of our time together. He rolls up both of our windows and heads toward the freeway.
    â€œI don’t know what’s up with Nellie. Have you talked to Chance about her?”
    â€œWe don’t talk about stuff like that, Jayd. We’re not girls. The less I know about his love life, the better.”
    â€œLove life? Nellie doesn’t have a love life.” Portishead’s melodic beat slowly creeps through the speakers, mellowing out our vibe. This night would’ve ended perfectly if I hadn’t run into Nellie. What the hell?
    â€œYou’re kidding. Nellie’s a virgin?” Jeremy looks as surprised as I did when I first found out. Nellie carries herself like a grown-ass woman, but underneath her bougie exterior she’s really a prude.
    â€œShe’s not only a member of our club, but she’s also the president.” Mickey used to tease us all of the time about our status, but I’m proud to be a card-carrying member, and so was Nellie until Tania and Laura came along. Now I don’t even recognize my girl.
    â€œWell, that’ll change quickly if she keeps hanging out with Laura. Virgins aren’t allowed in that clique.” I wonder if Nellie knows about this prerequisite? If she were still my friend I’d feel obligated to tell her. But I’m out of it now. She’s on her own with this one.
    â€œShe’s still your friend, Jayd. Nellie’s just tripping.” My mom doesn’t even take holidays off from invading my mind, I see. “And hurry up and get home. You need to rest before you hook up my hair tomorrow.”
    â€œMom, I’m not even doing my own hair tomorrow. I’m taking the day off.”
    â€œGirl, please. If you want to eat, you’ll get those combs out and get to it.”
    â€œFine, Mom. Consider it my gift to you.”
    â€œWhy, thank you. Now, remember what I said about Nellie. If those girls mean her harm, you have to let her know. If she doesn’t listen, make her. Bye.” Why is it always my responsibility to do right? Just once I’d like to flip out like Misty or Nellie, damn who it ends up hurting. But I want to eat breakfast so I’ll think about taking my mom’s advice, for now.
    â€œEverything good?” Jeremy asks, settling into a cruising speed. He rests his right hand on my thigh like he used to when we were dating. I’m tempted to move it, but I don’t mind so much.
    â€œYeah, it’s all good. Just thinking about tomorrow.”
    â€œStay in the moment with me for a little longer, if you don’t mind.” And that’s just what I’m going to do. I look at Jeremy’s olive skin, his loose curls falling over his chiseled cheekbones, tempting me to kiss him softly all over his face. Jeremy allows me an escape from my world in more ways than one. And tomorrow’s going to be a day that can’t come slow enough. So I’ll enjoy the rest of this moment before it’s gone.
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    It’s a tradition for my mom to make me whatever I want to eat for breakfast on Christmas morning. It’s the best gift she can give me, especially since—for as long as I can remember—Christmas Day has always belonged to my dad. I requested Belgian waffles this year, but I already know that’s not happening because she didn’t make it to the store, with all of her holiday partying and whatnot. But from the sounds of her banging away at the dishes in the kitchen, something’s going to be made this morning and I’m glad because a sistah’s hungry.
    After Jeremy dropped me off last night, I came upstairs and fell out on the couch. I