The Way We Roll by Stephanie Perry Moore Read Free Book Online Page A

to get you on line.”
    â€œWhy?”
    She shrugged her shoulders, smiled, opened the door, waved, and was gone. I tore open the letter. My mom had written, in big letters, that she loved me. She’d also writtenthat, she prayed I became Hayden’s soror. I sat on my bed and reflected on Hayden’s last words. I had my chance to please my mom. What was I going to do with it? HonestlyI had no clue.
    Â 
    I had been in my apartment for three days. Sirena had been over to my apartment every single day, multiple times, asking to have dinner. I wasn’t trying to stay to myself, and I certainly could have used a friend, but I just wasn’t bothering with her. She was more than strong-willed, she was overly aggressive. Each time I said no, I knew I had upset her, and I just didn’t need to start a friendship with anybody who was that disappointed, when I couldn’t spend time with them.
    Later that night, my doorbell rang again, and it was her. I almost wanted to scream. I was beyond frustrated. Didn’t she get the point? I just wanted to hang out by myself. I needed to relax. I didn’t want to talk about anything. A part of me was still dealing with my feelings for Kade. Though I’d tried to push him out of my mind for the past couple months, I’d turn on the TV and, bam, he’d be there, ranked as the state’s number-one defensive football athlete. When he was interviewed I could see by his demeanorand his eyes that he really wasn’t happy, and I knew it wasn’t about him not being with me, he just seemed tired of all the press. I contemplated calling him.
    At my door, Sirena said, “Give me one reason why we can’t go out for a bite. You say you don’t have a boyfriend.You said you’re not in any groups or anything. Your car is always here. If it’s money, don’t worry, I’m taking you out.”
    I hated to burst her bubble, but money was something I didn’t need. My dad sent me a monthly check, and every month I had so much money left over my bank account was ridiculous.
    I started holding back my smile when I saw Kade walkingup my steps. Sirena couldn’t see him because she was looking directly at me.
    â€œGood, so you’re going to go. It’s not like you have any other plans tonight. Perfect.”
    â€œNo, she actually does have plans,” the husky and warm voice said behind her.
    She turned. “Who is this guy?”
    I didn’t want to say he was a boyfriend, because he certainly wasn’t that. I didn’t even know if I could call him my friend because last time we’d parted ways I’d told him I didn’t want to see him again.
    â€œHe’s my brother’s friend,” I said, as if I had no interest.
    â€œOh? Where’s your brother?” She looked around Kade.
    Kade looked at her, shrugged his shoulders, and asked if he could come in.
    â€œSirena, I’ll see you later, okay?”
    â€œYou gonna talk to him? You gonna go out with this guy, but I been asking you to hang out for days?”
    I whispered, “Maybe another time, all right?”
    I grabbed Kade’s hand, pulled him inside, and shut the door.
    He teased, “That girl is creepy.”
    â€œShe’s harmless. What are you doing here? You’re the creepy one, showing up unannounced.”
    â€œI twisted your brother’s arm, and he told me where you live.”
    â€œOkay, now you know. Now you see me. Now you can go.”
    â€œCome on, Malloy, please don’t be like that,” he said as he came over to me and pulled out a small box with a bow around it. “I just want to tell you I haven’t been able to get over you. I care for you so much, and when I’m out there on the football field, all I keep thinking about is you. I know I dogged you out... .”
    â€œKade, I can’t hear any of this, I ...” But before I could finish, he pulled me to him and kissed me