Read Cali Boys for Free Online

participator. So you think I can call you?”
    She really smiled then. Carsen was just what she needed. A boy who knew how to play her game. She waved her hand. “Stop it! I’m so not his girlfriend. If I was, I wouldn’t be talking to you. That’s just my boy. He gave me a ride ... we’re looking for my stepsister—his girlfriend . So, it’s cool. And yes, you can call me, maybe even take me out later. Lock in my number.”
    She rattled off her digits while he entered them into his phone, then gave him her phone so he could enter his number. Then she somehow managed to “accidentally” locate her key in her pocket. With apologies for wasting Carsen’s and his friends’ time, she headed back to the coffee shop to meet Romero just as he was coming outside.
    â€œAw, thank you,” she said when she saw the large cups he carried. “I just know you picked my fave. Let’s drink up so we can roll out. I can’t wait to see the rest of Los Angeles!” She took her seat on the back of the moped.
    Romero handed her a cold cup, then rubbed his hand over his hair. He smiled. “I had them ice your tea. It’s too hot for hot tea. And Los Angeles is pretty big. Seeing it all can take days, weeks even.”
    Her phone vibrated, and she looked at it. Again, it was an unknown caller. Kassidy ignored the call, then cheesed at Romero. Thanks to her mom moving them to LA, she had time. She had days and weeks; months, too. That is, if she couldn’t get back to New York and Brent. Until then, she couldn’t think of a better way to make the transition easier and more fun than to have a boy or two help her out. “If you have time, I certainly do. My days are free,” she offered. Because my nights will be spent with Carsen or whoever the next lucky contestant is , she thought.

5
    JACOBI
    M alone was the dude. THE DUDE in all caps, Jacobi decided. She’d walked as close to him as she could, inhaling his masculine scent and nodding her head while trying to stay undetected. He’d wooed her with his coolness and easy conversation, and didn’t mind stopping by her house so she could get her phone. Pretty or not, she couldn’t shake the comfortable feeling he’d given her, and he felt more to her like a brother or friend than anything. She craned her neck, looking in the direction she thought they should go. The bus stop was down the street and around the corner—at least she thought it was until they hung a left. She looked over at Alissa, who shrugged, then proved herself bold.
    â€œHey, Malone? Where’re we going? Aren’t you taking Dad’s car?” Alissa asked, running her hand through her shock of red hair.
    Malone stopped in his tracks and huffed. He put his hands in his pockets. “I ...” He paused and pressed his lips together like he was stopping himself from saying something. “ Me and Jacobi are riding to the bike show. I’m taking her in my whip, not Dad’s. And, because you’re with her , you get to go. Don’t forget that you snitched on me last week.”
    Jacobi looked from Malone to Alissa, wondering what Alissa had told. Alissa didn’t respond with words. Her face said it all. And her expression said defeated . Eyes focused on the ground, Alissa acted as if her head was too heavy to lift. Her lips were pursed together, and she rolled her eyes.
    Brother and sister mess . Jacobi elbowed her lightly. “You cool?” she whispered, genuinely concerned but also excited. She tried to contain the exuberant, confusing energy racing inside her. Minutes ago, she’d demoted Malone to just a pretty guy who’d never compare to Shooby, and now she was more than happy to be riding anywhere with Malone. Still, she didn’t like him like him . That’s the lie she told herself. But having someone else to talk to was tempting. Plus, now that she knew he and Alissa had a