Reckless Karma (Sinners & Saints #2) by Chelsea Ballinger Read Free Book Online

“Hey
ma.” Karlie and Anika hug their mother and now she’s staring at me in a
suspicious and disapproving manner, which she rightfully should be.
                “This
is a classmate of mines. Hugo Mandrake.”
                “Mandrake?”
her mother pronounces the name in disgust.
                “How
do you do, mam?”
                “I’m
fine. Thank you for walking my girls home, but next time don’t have your limo
out here parked. I don’t need my neighbors gossiping about how we are probably
doing something illegal.”
                “Ma,”
Karlie mutters.
                “Of
course,” I say.
                “Next
time can we take a ride in it?” Anika asks.
                “Sure,”
I tell her.
                “Anika,
let’s get inside so you can do your homework and I can get ready for work.
Karlie, you too.”
                “I’ll
be up in a minute,” Karlie tells her and waits for them to enter the building.
“Sorry, my mom doesn’t —”
                “Trust
rich, spoiled white boys hell-bent on seducing her beautiful and black
daughter?”
                She
laughs and nods. “Basically, yeah.”
                “It’s
alright. Mothers don’t like me… well the ones I’ve never slept with.”
                “You
really don’t care what you say, do you?”
                “No
point in hiding the truth.”
                “You
mean hiding the truth you don’t want to hide?”
                I
shake my finger at her. “You’re not as wet behind the ears as everyone thinks.”
                She’s
amused. “No… but then again everyone assumes the worst, don’t they?”
                “Yes,
they do.”
                “So
I guess I won’t assume the worst of you.”
                “You’re
too kind,” I say truthfully.
                “Yeah…
but Gabriel.” She takes a step towards me. Close in my proximity, I can’t help
but stare at her lips that are so full and natural. They almost stop me from
noticing her looking at mine. “Whatever game you’re trying to play at? Leave me
out of it.” Besides wanting to kiss me, she is serious in her statement, and
all I want to say is that I can’t.
                “Seriously.”
She looks me in the eye this time.
                “Okay.”
                “See
you at school tomorrow.”
                “See
ya.”
                I
wait for her to walk into her building before getting in the limo. Through the
ride home, Karlie Dale doesn’t leave from my mind. She’s interesting.
Intriguing and funny even. I don’t even think about how fun it’s going to be
when I destroy her anymore. I just think about how nice the travel to Queens
with her and her annoying little sister was. It felt kind of normal. Something
my life has lacked since… well always.

 
    HUGO
    “I
knew his intentions were not positive, but it was something about the way he looked
at me when I told him the truth. About how it must’ve sucked to be him. I just
knew that Gabriel had problems. Even before I met him.” She stares off as she
continues telling me about the effects of the subway car ride with Gabriel. “I
just knew he was gonna be trouble, and I think I wanted some trouble. I had
always done the right thing. Work hard. Get good grades. Be a good girl. Stay
on the right track. I wanted to have fun. Take more chances. More risks.”
                “Too
bad it was the wrong chance.”
                She
looks at me. Her brown eyes conflicted themselves, trying to see if they agree
with me or not. “It matters what point of view you see it from. As Karlie Dale…
I see it as a stupid and exciting and amazing. As Karlie Fairchild… I see it as
regardless… fate. It