Flipping the Script by Paula Chase Page A

through him when he saw the grin on her face, answer enough.
    A few minutes later, she leaned in again. JZ cocked his head toward her mouth.
    â€œWhat do you think of Rob?” she said.
    â€œUh-huh, changing the subject ’cause you don’t want to admit I got you sprung.”
    Jacinta rolled her eyes. “More like I got you sprung. But whatever. For real, what do you think? You glad to finally meet the theatre, JZ, or you jealous?”
    â€œGirl, please.” JZ’s eyes narrowed. “You rummin for real. How I look jealous of some dude?” His knees wagged, the only proof that the question (or answer to it) indeed bothered him, then he hunched his shoulders. “I mean, he seem all right.” He dangled his hand. “A little too proper-acting, but you know ... I don’t need roll with him. So it’s swazy.”
    Jacinta nudged his elbow, teasing. “Shoot, he’s from Del Rio’s Crossing, so trust he know how, knuck.”
    â€œOkay, he’s a dancer .” JZ’s eyes rolled. “What kind of knucking he doing? A pop/lock contest?” His limbs popped in an exaggerated, erratic freestyle.
    Jacinta shoved him but muffled her laugh behind her hand.
    JZ smiled, chuckling low and deep in his chest.
    â€œAll right, hold it down back there,” Michael said, turning to give them the movie “shhh.” “Or do I need to separate y’all two?”
    JZ nodded his head at Jacinta. “That’s her, kid.” He shoved Jacinta and raised his voice. “Be quiet, Cinny, dag. People trying to watch the movie.”
    When Michael turned back around, Jacinta leaned in a final time, whispering, “You all kinds of wrong for that.”
    JZ’s smile was sincere. “Naw, I guess he’s all right, though.” He shoved her knee playfully, stroking her thigh as he withdrew his hand. “Want some popcorn?”
    â€œ ’Bout time you asked,” Jacinta said. “And some M&M’s too, please.”
    He frowned. “What I look like, your slave?”
    â€œYah, trick, yah,” Jacinta sang. She pretended to crack a whip at him.
    â€œI got your yah,” JZ muttered. “See who ain’t getting any M&M’s.”
    â€œJust joking, baby boy,” Jacinta said, smiling her sweetest.
    She patted his thigh, sending energy to JZ’s groin. He stood up abruptly, willing the surge to travel down his legs and to his feet, toes, anywhere but his groin. The sudden position change worked. But as he walked down the stairs toward the snack counter, the memory of Jacinta’s ear on the tip of his tongue and the smile it produced on her face sent the energy surging again.
    It was going to be a long night.

Clash of the Titans
    â€œSo poof—vamoose son-of-a-b#$%&.”
    â€”Jay-Z, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”
    Â 
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    M ichael stood on Kelly’s front lawn with Rob and JZ in the crisp night air, waiting for the couples to say their good-byes. The cold air scorched his lungs each time he sucked in too much. He’d known they were walking tonight and still hadn’t prepared. With a mix of envy and annoyance, he watched Rob wrap a gray wool scarf around his neck until it reached his mouth and pluck a pair of leather gloves from his coat pocket.
    By the time they began trekking down Kelly’s long driveway, Michael’s hands were chilled to the tips. Icy dew shimmered on the black tar, glimmering against the motion lights shining from either side of the drive. JZ, Brian, and Todd cruised in the lead. Greg walked solo in the middle, carefully picking his way to avoid black ice; Michael and Rob behind him, pacing their steps so as not to step on Greg’s heels. Michael blew in his hands, relishing the momentary relief his warm breath brought to his frigid digits.
    Talk of JZ’s New Year’s Eve party quickly took center stage.
    â€œAy, Brian, since New Year’s Eve your last night in