Page 45 of Espíritu

“Or ‘desperation,’” she quipped, earning a snort of laughter from Luca.

“I love living on the edge,” Julian said. A smirk played on his lips as he crunched down on his breakfast, the taste not entirely unpleasant.

He checked the time on his phone again. “Come on, we gotta go!” he called to Rocky and Luca.

“I’ll follow you guys out,” Angel said.

Julian shouldered his skateboard, the grip tape brushing against his jeans as he descended the creaky stairs with Rocky, Luca, and Angel in tow. The scents of motor oil and metal shavings from the mechanic shop comforted him. He and Rio had basically grown up in the shop since their dad used to co-own it with Carlos.

“I’ll catch you guys later,” Angel said as she walked to her car parked along the fence. She cut Julian a look. “Text me.”

“I will, promise!” Julian told her.

The clatter of skateboards echoed through the garage as Julian, Rocky, and Luca maneuvered past stacks of tires and oil drums.

A sharp whistle caught Julian’s attention. Carlos lumbered out from behind a lowrider.

“Good to see you three taking school seriously!” he said, wiping his greasy hands on a rag.

“I dunno about all that—” Julian said, but Carlos still flicked a folded bill at him. He caught it with practiced ease.

“For lunch,” he said with a knowing look. “All three of you gettin’ too skinny, man!”

“Thanks, Tío!” Julian said brightly, though he’d pocket the cash rather than spend it on food. Yadriel’s lunches were always more appealing than anything the school cafeteria dished out, and every dollar saved was another step closer to the perfect Christmas gift for him.

“Bye, Rio!” Julian hollered into the back of the shop, expecting an echo of farewell or, at best, a grunt in response.

“Wait up,” Rio called, getting up from his workbench. “I’m driving you,” he announced, jingling his car keys.

Rocky and Luca exchanged excited glances—no one passed up a free ride—but Julian groaned.

“The Stingray only fits two people!” Julian protested. “Three if we’re being illegal about it—”

“That’s why I’m only driving you,” Rio cut in, already heading toward the car.

Rocky and Luca’s excitement popped like a balloon.

“Aw, man,” Rocky groaned, throwing her head back dramatically.

“But we were going to walk with Yadriel and Maritza!” Julian objected, frustration bubbling in his veins.

“I’ll drop you off at his place,” came Rio’s clipped response.

Julian opened his mouth to protest, but Rio was already opening the car door. “You coming or what?”

Before Julian could respond, Angel called, “I can take Luca and Rocky!”

She was still by her car, the passenger door open and the seat already folded down for someone to get into the back where she’d pushed aside some of her belongings.

Rocky perked up immediately. “Seriously? Thanks, Angel!”

Julian sighed, seeing the logic in it. “Yeah, okay. Thanks, Angel.” He didn’t want to be stuck in a car alone with Rio. This was probably a trap to lecture him about school or some shit for fifteen minutes.

Angel shrugged. “No worries.”

Rocky grabbed her backpack with a grin. “See? Problem solved. Let’s go.”

“We’ll see you at school?” Luca said as he reluctantly walked toward Angel’s car.