White Lines III Read Online Free Page A

surrounded by a group of friends and fellow entertainers. He smiled, happy to see Born enjoying himself. It was the first time he’d seen him laugh in weeks, since Jada had pushed him away. DJ knew that Born was hurt by it, but he had put on a brave face and helped promote DJ’s newest release full time.
    DJ had mixed feelings about Jada. On one hand, it was clear to him that she made Born happy. Never was his smile as broad or his laughter as hearty as when Jada was near. Born came alive in her presence. Even a stranger could observe them for mere minutes and surmise that they shared a long history together, one full of private jokes, happy memories, and fun. The love between the two of them was unmistakable. Jada had always been kind to DJ, especially after his father was killed and Born became a constant presence in the young man’s life. Once DJ expressed an interest in rapping as opposed to the street life his uncles were grooming him for, Born had become like a father to him. Finding the right beats for DJ to rhyme to, accompanying him to studio sessions that lasted all night, eventually tours that took them to the far reaches of the world—Born had been there through it all from the very start. Whenever things seemed grim or challenging, Born reminded the young man that anything worth having is worth fighting for. He gave him advice about girls, taught him how to make his money work for him, showed him the ropes of grown-man games like chess. Born was the closest thing to a dad that DJ had known since Dorian’s demise. And, eventually, once Jada and Born reunited, DJ had grown close to her, too.
    But this situation with Sheldon had changed everything. All of a sudden, Sheldon seemed to be in control of everything, and it was clear to everybody that he wasn’t feeling Born and Jada’s relationship. So for weeks Jada had kept Born at bay. For weeks, Born had been walking around nursing a broken heart while doing his best to keep his poker face on. DJ didn’t appreciate the pain his father figure was enduring. And he wasn’t sure if he was pissed at Jada about it or if Sheldon alone was to blame.
    Tonight, though, Born was having a good time. And so was Dominique. DJ had always taken note of her beauty, her swag. She seemed like the kind of lady who could make Born forget about Jada.
    For tonight, at least, DJ hoped that was exactly what Born would do. From across the room, he caught Born’s eye. They raised their glasses in a silent toast, and partied the night away.
    *   *   *
    Olivia was in a late meeting with buyers for Vintage, her clothing line. In a conference room on the top floor of the Solomon Bryan building, she sold them on the luxe fabrics and cutting-edge designs set before them. Solomon Bryan was a media conglomerate that was fast becoming known as “the black Condé Nast.” They published just about every major magazine that appealed to the black and Latino demographic, which was quickly growing. Tonight’s meeting was being held in the mega-company’s flagship building in the fashion district, in office space that the buyers leased. Being in such close proximity to fashion’s elite was a reality not lost on Olivia. These buyers worked for reputable department stores, major stylists, boutiques, and clothiers. This long running meeting was one of the most important of her career, and Olivia knew it. She had dressed the part today, wearing a Vintage electric-blue jumpsuit with a pair of nude Jimmy Choos and subtle jewelry. The look had been edgy and fashion-forward by day. But their meeting had gone on far longer than she planned, and at this late hour she was beginning to wish that she had opted for something that translated better from day to evening. In fact, she had spent so much of the past four hours second-guessing everything from the fabrics she had chosen to use for her line to the color palette she had chosen to present