Someone Bad and Something Blue Read Online Free

disappointment. “Don’t look at me like that.”
    I sat back and placed the phone on the steel table. This conversation had gotten darker by the minute. I checked my watch. I needed to line up for Bella’s car pool within the hour. I picked the phone back up.
    â€œI’m sorry, Angel. I won’t do it again,” she whispered. “What else do you need from me to get my commissary back?”
    â€œNothing. Right now, I can’t trust anything that comes out your mouth.”
    â€œCome on, Angel. It’s hard in here. You know how it is. . . .”
    â€œNo, I don’t know how it is. I’m on the other side of the law, the right side.”
    â€œOkay. I’m about to be on the good side soon.”
    â€œYou could’ve fooled me,” I said.
    â€œFor real. I’ll prove it. Who are you searching for right now? Who do you need me to help you find? I got connections.”
    â€œYour cousin Cesar Cruz.” I pulled out a picture of him from my back pocket. “He’s changed his hair, but that’s still him.”
    She observed the picture and nodded. “I saw him at Big Tiger’s a while back.”
    â€œYeah, you did. Is that all you got?”
    â€œCesar’s new girlfriend is Tara Tina Ramirez. They live in Doraville, off Peachtree Industrial. She works as a hostess at Grits Draft House in Johns Creek. Want the number?”
    â€œNo, and I don’t need anyone tipping her off either.”
    She threw her hands up. “I won’t tell.”
    â€œAll right, I’ll check this out.”
    â€œYou gon’ hook me up now, manita?”
    â€œIf you agree to more rehab, then yeah. I got you.”
    â€œI don’t need to do more rehab.”
    â€œThen you can kiss your job goodbye, because they’ll take your bartending license for good if you don’t go, and you definitely won’t get my money. Matter fact, maybe you shouldn’t be working in a bar. Have you ever thought of that?”
    â€œI have. I got a plan for something better,” she said.
    â€œGood.” I stood up and got out of there before the stench made me pass out.

3
    Friday, 6: 00 PM
Home, Sugar Hill, Georgia
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    J ustus arrived at my home at six sharp for our blue-hot date. He held a single white rose in one hand; I noticed a bouquet of red ones behind his back. I blushed in excitement.
    He smiled as he stepped inside my foyer. “Where’s the birthday girl?”
    I stepped aside. “Primping in the restroom.”
    â€œOf course she is.” He chuckled.
    â€œWhen I told her you were taking her birthday up a notch, she became ecstatic.” I folded my arms over my chest and gave him my flirty side glance.
    He touched my arm. “Please tell me that I didn’t ruin any plans you had for her.”
    â€œNo . . .” I shook my head. “Last year, when she was in kindergarten, we decided that when her birthday fell on a school night we would do something simple like dinner and a Disney movie, then have a party on the weekend with her friends.”
    â€œIt’s Friday.” He looked up then his brows furrowed. “So do I need more tickets to accommodate her friends?”
    â€œNo, she’s having a slumber party tomorrow night at Ava’s. Taylor wants to attend this year and Bella wants her friends to experience the McMansion.”
    â€œThe McMansion” was my nickname for my sister Ava’s million-dollar starter mansion in Atlanta. Taylor was Ava’s eight-year-old daughter and my very prim and proper niece.
    â€œThis is her first time sharing her birthday with her cousins isn’t it?” He smiled.
    â€œYep, but I don’t know . . . Bella’s been spending a lot of time over there, since Ava and I are now on good terms. But Ava’s lifestyle is more extravagant than mine. I’m already competing with Bella’s classmates. I refuse to compete with Ava. Shoot. I