Sweet 16 to Life by Kimberly Reid Page B

surprised when people do that. It seems like hardly anyone still smokes—well, except for weed. If people weren’t still smoking weed, Cisco wouldn’t be pretending to catch a bus right now.
    â€œJust to talk. Do you have to be somewhere? Because I can talk another time if you’re busy.” Suddenly, my courage has cooled almost as much as the temperature has since I began my stakeout. I guess the weatherman was right about a cold front moving in.
    â€œNaw, you stand right there. The cops just parked up the street in front of the bodega. You talking to me makes it look more legit. Act like you’re looking for the bus.”
    I play along, and step out to the curb to look for a bus that I know won’t be here for another five minutes because I have the schedule memorized. When a boy my age walks up and follows me back into the shelter, Cisco gives him a look that makes him reconsider. Not only does he stand outside the shelter, he walks a good twelve feet down the sidewalk. I feel kind of bad for him since a strong wind is the reason that cold front has arrived so quickly. But I guess he’d rather deal with the weather than with Cisco.
    â€œYour girl Michelle send you to talk to me? She been pressing me hard and I ain’t interested in doing time for messing with a minor. Tell her that for me, will you?”
    â€œSo why were you at her house last night?” Oops. Didn’t mean to get pushy with a guy I’m certain is carrying under his own puffer coat. Let me just tone that down a notch. “I mean, I was on my way to visit her last night when I saw you on her porch.”
    Cisco looks over my head at the patrol car, and I know enough not to turn around. I’m hoping he’ll help me since I’m helping him. Then he looks at me again, probably trying to figure out how much he should say.
    â€œShe used to be my boss’s girl. My ex -boss.Told him I’d check on her from time to time. I don’t know why—ain’t like he getting out anytime soon.”
    I ignore the creepy smile he gives me, like we’re in on something together. I mean, I’ll stand here and give Cisco cover from the cops, but after today, I want nothing to do with him.
    â€œWhat about that other guy who was there? Does he... is he one of your employees?”
    â€œDude was new to Denver, says he knew my old boss, thought maybe I could connect him to some people.”
    I’m really surprised how willing Cisco is to talk to me. I must give great cover.
    â€œSo you’re going to help him out?”
    â€œHell naw. These medical marijuana joints opening up on every other block already cut into my business as it is. I told that mofo he won’t be getting connected anywhere within a five-block radius of this block, and if he was smart, he’d get on the next flight back to California. Or at least stay the hell off my route.”
    California, where MJ’s from and where the Down Homes are based. Coincidence, not so much.
    â€œThe cops gone yet?” I ask Cisco, ready to find MJ and stop being his impromptu accessory. “The bus really will be here soon.”
    â€œCops left a minute ago,” Cisco says, doing that creepy smile again. “Figured I owed you a little something.”
    â€œWhy would you owe me anything?”
    â€œâ€™Cause you the reason Donnell ain’t my boss anymore.”
    Great. Now I have a friend in the crime business.
    â€œThat isn’t really the reason I helped take down Donnell. Maybe you heard about how he was trying to kill me and everything?”
    â€œDon’t matter the reason. Thanks to you, I run this now.”
    Then Cisco steps into a car that pulls up to the curb as if on cue, and he’s gone.

Chapter 14
    L ux must not have been scared off by Cisco’s warning because when I get to MJ’s house after my walk home from Treets, I find them coming out the front door together. MJ looks scared