Flipping the Script Read Online Free Page A

the sofa, picked up his game controller, and waved it toward Michael.
    â€œWe gon’ finish this game, son?”
    Michael looked up from raiding the juice bar’s fridge. He took a gulp of juice before answering. “I thought you were ready to call one of your side chicks.”
    JZ forced as much enthusiasm into his voice as he could. “I am, after we finish.”
    â€œYou sure, kid?” Michael sauntered over and stood behind the sofa. “I don’t want to block your game.”
    JZ grinned. “Naw. The shortie I plan on calling one of those rebel chicks. She’ll sneak out no matter what time I ring her up.”
    He and Michael exchanged a fist pound. Michael walked around the sofa and took his seat on the left side of the large leather sectional. He picked up his controller and JZ unpaused the game. They played in silence for five minutes.
    JZ’s eyes were on the screen but his mind wasn’t. Michael scored on him in no time.
    â€œI can’t believe you fell for that fake,” Michael said, giddy with victory.
    JZ groaned. “I know. And your punk ass just did that same move, two plays ago.”
    Their duo of laughter was small in comparison to the fullness of the clique’s constant chatter, which had filled the room minutes before. Only the canned cheering of the game’s crowd and the analyst’s voice announcing that JZ’s quarterback “seems confused” broke up the silence.
    â€œHe dissed you, son,” Michael said, enjoying every minute of the whipping he was giving.
    JZ cursed when Michael’s team intercepted the ball. He hit the controller against the sofa and sat up, determined to focus.
    â€œHold up,” Michael said. He pushed the button to call a time-out, freezing the game. “Gotta go. I finish this whipping in a minute.” He walked toward the bathroom, teasing JZ the entire time.
    â€œI be ready for you, punk,” JZ said, with more bravado than he felt. When he heard the bathroom door shut, he flicked his phone out of his pocket and texted Jacinta.

    Thas messed up about u ... ur man call n u go runnin’ I see how it is

    His heart raced. He hoped Jacinta would take it for his normal joking, but couldn’t help wanting her to know she was foul for mad dipping like that. He knew Raheem was home, but had figured he was hanging with his boy Angel for the night. That’s what really had him angry, he convinced himself. Being caught off-guard was the issue, not the fact that Cinny had to leave, just how she’d left.
    He eagerly read Jacinta’s response.
    Â 
    U know how it is ... don’t trip
    Â 
    He scoffed, typing back angrily.

    I ain’t rummin over this ... jus sayin, I ain’t know he had u in check like dat

    He grinned.
    Checkmate .
    If there was one thing Jacinta hated, it was anyone thinking they had control over her. Her message back was simple.
    Â 
    Knucka please! He don’t.
    Â 
    JZ eyed the bathroom when he heard water running. He typed back quickly.
    Â 
    Coulda fooled me. But w/e. have fun
    Â 
    He sneered at the message. His chest tightened as he wrote “have fun.” He’d never meant something less.
    He scowled down at Cinny’s response.
    Â 
    Raheem says hey
    Â 
    JZ’s fingers glided over the keyboard so fast he had to backtrack to delete his mistakes twice.
    Â 
    What he telling me hey for?!
    Â 
    He glared at the phone, unable to take his eyes off it even as Michael made his way across the room, already bragging about finishing up JZ’s punishment. A smile broke across JZ’s face as the response lit up his phone.
    Â 
    Duh cuz he think I’m talking 2 Mina. ttyl
    Â 
    That’s right , I got your girl even when she right there beside you, JZ thought, sending mad telepathy to Raheem.
    He put the phone away and settled back into the sofa, relaxed now.
    â€œCome on, so I can beat you down, kid,” he said,