Grown(23)
“And tonight . . . we have a special guest!”
A voice sings into another mic, somewhere offstage.
My mouth drops and the beat drops with it. A shaded figure strolls onto the platform before light floods the stage. Cheers cascade as students rush past me onto the dance floor.
It’s Korey.
“How y’all doing tonight? Special friend of mine thought y’all could use a little entertainment!”
My breath hitches. I can’t move. I’m a rock in the middle of a sea of screaming fans.
Korey performs a few lines from his song, shaking hands, slapping fives, taking selfies. The entire school is enamored by his charm, even the teachers. But his eyes are only on me.
When the song is over, he hops offstage and pulls me into a hug. Dozens of phones surround us, the room full of flashing lights.
“Meet me out back,” he whispers, lips grazing my ear.
Chapter 28
Privacy
My hands are sweating as I rush into the bathroom, hoping to find a way to compose myself. I need a distraction, a way to slip out undetected.
Korey Fields. Here, at my school.
I rush straight for the largest stall, and Gab follows me in.
“OMG! What are you doing here?”
“Me?” she snaps. “I just got here. What the hell is HE doing here?”
Gab has on a plum dress and heels, her hair down, draping over her shoulders like a shawl.
“I . . . don’t know.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Chant! I get off work early and find you like this!”
I reel back. “Damn, Gab. What’s wrong with you?”
“You know damn well what’s wrong. You’ve been lying to me this whole time! Is that where you snuck off to the other day? Did you lie to me so you could sneak around with him?”
I bite my lip, feeling like a cornered animal.
Gab’s eyes widen. “Oh God, did you fuck him?”
“No!”
“Chant . . . this is so wrong. He’s a grown-ass man. He got no business popping up at a girl’s school like this.”
“Hey! I’m not a little kid. I’ll be eighteen in six months.”
“Yeah, but clearly he can’t seem to wait that long! Which is disgusting.”
“Back off, Gab. I know what I’m doing!”
She folds her arms. “Doesn’t look like it.”
“What? Are you jealous?”
“Of you and Korey? Girl, please. I got a man!”
“A broke college student. He’s older than you, too. Hypocrite!”
Gab blinks. “You know damn well that’s different.”
“Well, whatever. We’re not dating. He just . . . gets me. He thinks I’m talented. Unlike some people.”
“What? I’m always hyping you up. I’m the reason you even met that asshole since I was the one who pushed you to do that audition.”
“Well, he really believes I’ll make it. That I have range like Beyoncé.”
Gab scoffs. “Beyoncé? That woman is a damn unicorn! You can never be her!”
I pull the knife out of my back and take a deep breath. “Ouch, Gab.”
She winces. “I don’t mean it like that. It’s just . . . boys will say anything to get some ass.”
“He’s not a boy!”
“You right about that!”
We’ve never fought like this. The unbalanced anger makes me nauseous. My phone buzzes. A text from Korey.
Come outside.
“Tell him you’re not coming! I know that’s what he’s asking.”
I stare at her, then glance at the stall door.
“Bitch, if you walk out of here, I’m calling the police! Or worse, I’m calling your mother. Don’t make me tell her everything else I know.”
I swallow, texting him quick, shoving my phone back in my purse.
“There! Happy now?”
“Look, don’t use me for one of your lies again.”
“I won’t need to. Korey is taking me on tour with him!”
“What?”
“We’re gonna sing duets onstage! We’re gonna work on my album.”
Gab chuckles. “Girl, you really are crazy if you think your mom is ever gonna let that happen.”
Chapter 29
The Proposal
My mother’s body runs mid-July-hot all year long, despite her tongue being a cool breeze after a rainstorm.
But once you get her mad, there’s no telling what category hurricane will brew.
“How dare you plaster my daughter’s face all around the internet without consulting us first?”
“Mom!” I gasp.
“Then you pop up at her school, without our permission!”
“Mom! Please!”
“I am talking to Mr. Fields, young lady,” she seethes. “Not you!”
Korey smiles from the other end of our kitchen table, with Jessica sitting beside him. Sweat forms on the back of my knees. I’m embarrassed by the homely look of our . . . home. We’re broke compared to his lavish lifestyle. But Korey insisted on driving all the way here to make his proposal.