Cold As Ice Read Free

me. I knew he would be irritated about seeing Jeremy kiss me on Friday, but he really can’t say shit. I have to endure not one but two of Rah’s ex-heffas sniffing around him on the regular. Jeremy and I actually have a future together, unlike Rah and me.
    â€œHe’s not my boy toy,” I say, ready to defend Jeremy and me if need be. “I know you know me better than that, Rah.” I roll my eyes at him and sit next to Nellie on the couch. Mickey and Nigel are cuddled up together on the love seat, and Chance is sitting on the floor in front of Nellie while she plays with his hair. Everyone’s coupled off except for me and Rah, yet we’re the two who brought them all together. Isn’t this ironic?
    â€œThen what is he, Jayd?” Rah asks, turning his body to face me completely. “You’re usually not late to a session, and you didn’t answer my calls or texts. Naturally, I got worried and went by to check on you. Before I could get out of the car, I saw your boy, Jeremy, leaving your mom’s apartment, and he looked very happy,” Rah says, waiting for my confession, but from where I’m sitting I don’t owe him an explanation.
    â€œOooo, a midafternoon make-out session. I love it,” Nellie says, taking her hands out of Chance’s head and clapping. “Details, please.” Nellie is a bit too excited for the heaviness of the situation between me and Rah. I’ll fill her in on the encounter, kiss by kiss, another time. Right now I need to check my boy before he goes too far.
    â€œRah, Jeremy and I are friends, and you’ve known that all along. Besides, you don’t see me spying on your ass when you don’t answer my calls, which is quite often now that Sandy’s back in your life,” I say, sucking my teeth at him. He’s got nerve enough for the both of us, with the way he carries on with his daughter’s mother.
    â€œJayd, you can say whatever you like, but you know you’re wrong to be dealing with that punk again. He shouldn’t even be touching you,” Rah says, his high cheekbones flexing at the very thought of Jeremy and me kissing. I didn’t mean for him to ever witness Jeremy and me being affectionate, but it happened and there’s no going back.
    â€œHey, that punk is my friend, and he helped you win that basketball game against KJ, don’t forget,” Chance says, having Jeremy’s back like a true homie. Nigel has Jeremy’s back, too, but he’s Rah’s homie first, so he’s silent, for the time being. But I know if Rah gets too carried away, Nigel will step in. We all know Rah’s not really pissed at Jeremy; he’s just jealous because I’m doing my own thing.
    â€œWhatever, man,” Rah says, calming down for the time being, or so I think. After a few minutes of silence, Rah comes back at me. Am I going to get to watch the movie in peace or what?
    â€œJust admit that the shit was disrespectful, Jayd, and I’ll let it go.” Mickey and Nellie look at Rah and then back at me. Nigel feels the gravity of the situation and turns the volume down on the surround-sound system his dad hooked up in here. The entertainment system in the game room is even tighter than this one, and I already feel like I’m at one of Magic Johnson’s theaters. But Rah’s drama is distracting us all from watching the movie.
    â€œI’m not admitting a damn thing,” I say, now just as irritated as Rah. This fool is really tripping and messing up my vibe. I was feeling good when I left my mom’s house, especially after Jeremy told me he loved me. Now I feel like kicking Rah’s ass. “Can you please shut up so we can enjoy the movie? We’ll talk about it later.” If I were a dude, Rah would’ve socked me in my mouth for telling him to be quiet. He looks like he’s going to hit something, and I feel him.
    â€œYou’ve lost your damn