Page 48 of Espíritu

Something warm loosened in Julian’s chest. Before he could second-guess it, the words slipped out with a breathy laugh, meant only for Yadriel. “Eres mi calma, ¿sabes?”

Yadriel froze—just for a heartbeat—eyes widening, the shyest flush blooming across his cheeks. He didn’t seem completely reassured, but Julian loved making his boyfriend blush.

By the way Yadriel watched Rio peruse the living room, Julian thought maybe non-brujx didn’t come over that often. Lita, on the other hand, seemed to have no problem.

“Do you want some food, café de olla?” Lita asked. The smell of home cooking wafted.

Julian’s stomach—meagerly filled with banana, cereal, and orange juice—grumbled wistfully.

“I’m okay, thank you,” Rio replied.

At least he was being polite.

Lita ignored him completely. “I’ll get you something!” she said before disappearing into the kitchen.

Enrique emerged from the back of the house as if he’d been summoned.

“Oh, hello!” he said, clearly surprised but greeting them with an uncertain smile. The poor guy always looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

Julian stood a little straighter. He didn’t know why this part was making him so nervous—maybe because Enrique was quiet and serious and Rio was built like a tank and allergic to subtlety. It felt like introducing a sledgehammer to a stained glass window and hoping for the best.

“This is Rio, Julian’s older brother,” Yadriel introduced, anxiously fiddling with the frayed hem of his black hoodie.

Julian’s shoulders hunched up to his ears under Enrique’s gaze. “Sorry,” he said. He wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for Rio, for himself, or for the absolute disaster this morning had already become. Probably all three.

“Ah, Rio! Of course!” Enrique laughed, self-consciously smoothing down his hair before reaching out to shake Rio’s hand. “Nice of you to come by!”

“Mr. Enrique.” Rio nodded, a respect in his voice that Julian rarely heard. His posture was straight, polite, maybe a little too practiced—was he trying to make a good impression without looking like he was trying?

“Julian’s over here so much, I figured it’d be smart to exchange numbers,” Rio said evenly, but the edge in his voice was impossible to miss. “Just in case he forgets to answer his phone. Again.”

He didn’t roll his eyes, but the pause between sentences said he wanted to.

Julian scowled, heat crawling up his neck. “I don’t forget—I just get distracted!”

“That’s one word for it,” Rio said, not bothering to hide the pointed look he shot Julian’s way.

Julian’s annoyance boiled. This was not how he wanted to look in front of Yadriel’s family—like some kid who needed his big brother to check in on him.

But he behaved himself and instead of snapping at Rio, Julian settled for scowling and shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his dad’s jacket.

Yadriel gave his back a reassuring pat.

“Of course, I appreciate that,” Enrique replied, then glanced toward Yadriel as he dug out his own phone. “Exchanging numbers is a good idea—”

Lita burst back into the living room with fresh pan wrapped in a paper towel.

“Here!” Lita interjected with an eagerness that made Julian laugh and Yadriel cringe.

She stole Rio’s phone—tapping in her number quickly for an old lady who claimed to not know how technology worked—before thrusting it back into his large hand. “For emergencies,” she confirmed with a mischievous grin, putting the warm bread into Rio’s open hand. “Or if you want some home-cooked food. Or a date,” she added, tittering gleefully.

“Lita!” Yadriel chided, his cheeks burning red.

“Thank you,” Rio said, even flashing a quick smile.

“I’ll, uh, give you mine, too, just in case,” Enrique said with an apologetic look, and the two exchanged numbers.

Julian didn’t know how his brother managed to keep a straight face. He was barely holding it together, but Rio just nodded politely. “I appreciate it.”