Flipping the Script by Paula Chase Page A

didn’t know anybody, you got mad talent. It’s straight madness to waste it. You turning this down is like ... it’s like a model being discovered on the streets and telling Tyra Banks, no thanks, I don’t want be on your show because I don’t wanna miss my prom.”
    Michael snickered and Rob joined in. There was a moment of comfortable silence as Michael basked in Rob’s subtle compliment until the indignation returned in Rob’s voice.
    â€œYou worrying about leaving DRB High, but let you tell it, your friends wouldn’t put off their life for you. That’s for sure.”
    Michael had no response for that. What could he say? Yes, they would? He knew better. Obviously he’d complained to Rob about being the odd man out one time too many. It was a truth he didn’t want to hear, not like that would shut up Rob.
    He was caught off-guard when Rob’s voice took on a light paternal lilt. “Mike, it’s your decision but I bet if you get all your designs together in a portfolio and see just how tight your work is, you’ll change your mind and want to apply to the Carter.”
    â€œMaybe,” Michael said, playing down the excitement the thought of his arsenal of designs brought on.
    Rob’s shoulders hitched. “So just do that. If you still ain’t down once you see ’em all laid out, then you ain’t down.You know?”
    As if assured the decision had been made, Rob stretched his lean, muscular body to the ceiling, then leaned to the right, stretching his left arm in a graceful arc.
    â€œOh, I met Mina the other day.”
    â€œWord?” Michael said.
    â€œYup. She cool peoples,” Rob said. He did a deep knee bend, lowering and raising his body fluidly as if rhythmic movement was the only way he knew to move. “She invited me to hang with y’all tonight.”
    â€œOh yeah?” Michael said, working to keep his tone neutral. “Thought you had studio time booked tonight?” He darted over to the table holding his material, unwilling to let Rob see the mixture of surprise and anxiety on his face. He wasn’t ready for Rob to meet JZ. Truth be told, never was too soon.
    â€œI do,” Rob said. He hesitated a moment before going on, his voice probing. “I don’t know, I still might stop through.... I mean, ’cause Mina might take offense if I didn’t.” He chuckled. “I might be breaking one of her friend rules you always talking about, right?”
    Michael’s mouth provided an answer—“Yeah, she’s a little loopy when it comes to rules of engagement”—even as his mind scrambled for a way to prevent Rob from stopping by.
    His hands automatically went through the motions of straightening pins, scraps of material, cushions, and miscellaneous sewing supplies. His constant talk about the clique to Rob was finally coming back to haunt him. Although Rob teased him, questioning if the clique actually existed outside of Michael’s mind, tonight was the closest he’d ever come to confirming Michael’s suspicion that he wanted to meet the friends Michael spent as much time boasting about as venting.
    Rob didn’t have a single friend in Del Rio Bay not associated with the Players. He brushed it off when the topic arose, but Michael suspected Rob was still plenty bitter about growing up friendless in a neighborhood overrun with other guys his age.
    â€œI can see why she’s your girl, though,” Rob said, grabbing his jacket off a nearby mannequin. “Cute. Nice. Just like I figured she’d be.”
    There was no mistaking the longing in his voice, but Michael kept his answer neutrally witty. “I’ll let her know you approve.” He stood woodenly by the table, nothing else to put away.
    â€œYou do that,” Rob said, his usual pragmatic tone back. He put his fist out for a pound. “Deuces, brother. I gotta get back over the