Read Misty for Free Online

scraps spilling out on the tiny, dirt-patch lawn that was surrounded by a sagging and rusted metal fence. Broken beer bottles and crushed soda cans littered the front of the house, and an evening breeze blew empty cellophane bags around the yard as if they were fallen leaves.
    Natalie came out of the rundown house and navigated around the trash and debris as she headed for Anya’s car. Having known hard times, Anya gave Natalie a sympathetic smile and said, “Hey, Natalie.”
    â€œIs this your car?” Natalie exclaimed, obviously impressed.
    Anya nodded and blushed, a sort of apology for doing so much better than Natalie.
    Patting the leather upholstery, Natalie said, “You ballin’, girl!”
    â€œNot really,” Anya muttered as she cruised to their destination. Though her eyes were on the road, she could see from her peripheral vision that Natalie was observing her intensely, starting with her ombre-colored, short, stylish hair, down to her red bottom stilettos.
    â€œLooks like you been making moves,” Natalie commented. “Everything about you smells like money. Are you hooked up with a big-time hustler? If so, you need to put me on with his second-in-command.”
    Anya chuckled softly. “No, I’m not hooked up with anyone. I know how to get bargains when I shop,” she said, downplaying her luxe lifestyle.
    â€œYou need to take me along on your next shopping trip. I’mhitting up the club wearing clothes from Wal-Mart while you look like you shopped on Rodeo Drive.”
    Natalie had an amusing way of expressing herself and Anya laughed again.
    â€œI’m serious. I can’t compete with you tonight.” Natalie shook her head in defeat.
    Anya glanced at Natalie’s cheap clothes and bad weave that looked like it had taken only fifteen minutes to put in. Life had not treated Natalie very kindly. “We’re about the same size, so the next time we go out, I’ll let you borrow something from my closet,” Anya offered.
    â€œCool, I only wish you had told me I could rock something from your wardrobe before you picked me up.”
    â€œNext time, I promise,” Anya said as she drove around the crowded lot looking for a parking spot.
    Natalie perused the parking lot. “Wow, this place is packed for a Thursday. I hope we hook up with some dudes that don’t mind spending paper on us.”
    Anya wasn’t interested in a hookup, but she didn’t say anything.
    â€œOh, my God!” Natalie suddenly exclaimed.
    â€œWhat!” Anya slammed on the brakes thinking she was about to run into something.
    â€œBaller alert!” Natalie shouted excitedly, craning her neck as a Range Rover pulled into the parking area, its gleaming rims spinning. “Sergio and his boys are gonna be up in the club tonight.”
    â€œGirl, don’t be screaming while I’m driving. I almost ran into one of these parked cars.”
    â€œSorry, girl. I got overly excited because Sergio and his boys are here.” Natalie began moving her shoulders to the music that poured from the speakers in Anya’s car.
    â€œWho’s Sergio?” Anya glanced in the direction of the Range, but the tinted windows prevented her from getting a glimpse of the driver.
    â€œYou don’t know who Sergio is?” Natalie gawked at Anya. “Girl, you been out of town for way too long. Sergio runs the city, now. He used to be nothing more than a soldier, but he’s a boss now that he took over all of Big Marvin’s territories. He’s a fine-ass Dominican with jet-black, silky hair, smooth dark skin, and hypnotizing dark eyes.”
    â€œNever heard of him.” She’d never heard of Big Marvin either; she’d never been the type of girl to run after drug dealers.
    â€œWhere you been living—under a rock? Everybody knows Sergio.” Natalie stared at Anya with widened eyes, gawking at her as if Anya was missing a chip