Page 76 of Espíritu

But Lita simply sighed. The edge in her posture softened as she took in Julian’s pale face and hunched frame.

“Okay,” she said after a pause. “He can stay the night. But!” She wagged a finger at them. “You have to sleep in the living room. All three of us! Got it?”

Yadriel rolled his eyes, clearly used to her antics. “Sí, Lita.”

Julian was just thankful Lita wasn’t dragging him outside by his ear.

“Gracias, señora,” Julian added, aiming a small, grateful smile at Lita. “I really appreciate it.”

Lita gave him a long look, then nodded. “Don’t thank me yet,” she warned with a sly grin. “You haven’t heard me snore.”

She turned and disappeared back into the kitchen. “I know just what you need to feel better!”

Yadriel’s brow furrowed as he pulled his phone from the pocket of his hoodie, tapping the screen.

Julian sat up straighter, stomach twisting with dread. “What are you doing?”

“I’m telling Rio you’re here.”

Julian’s voice shot up half an octave. “What? No way! He doesn’t need to know! It’s fine—seriously!” He tried to snatch the phone but Yadriel dodged him easily.

“You want him to wake up, find you gone, and ground you until graduation?” Yadriel gave him a pointed look.

Julian opened his mouth, closed it, then groaned and flopped back against the couch.

“Wait—you’re calling him?!” he asked, eyes widening as Yadriel brought the phone to his ear.

“Yes,” Yadriel said simply, voice calm as the line began to ring.

Julian sank back into the couch, burying his face in his hands. “This is such a bad idea,” he muttered into his palms.

The line clicked as it connected and Yadriel straightened. “Hi, Rio. Sorry for waking you up—” he said, his cheeks turning red. He was probably as scared to talk to Rio as Julian was.

Julian cringed at the mental image of his brother rubbing his eyes, already irritated. He could almost hear the tired growl of his brother’s voice through the silence.

“Yeah, Julian’s here,” Yadriel continued. His eyes flicked toward Julian. “He’s—he’s having a hard time. Can he stay here tonight?”

The words hung in the air, heavy and loaded.

From the kitchen, Lita called out, cheerful and much too loud, “You can stay over, too, if you’d like, Rio!”

“Lita!” Yadriel hissed. “Not helping!” To Rio, he added, “My Lita is gonna, uh, chaperone.”

Julian stifled a groan, slouching farther into the couch as Yadriel returned his focus to the call. The seconds stretched into an eternity as silence filled the line.

Yadriel finally broke it. “So, uh, is it okay if he stays the night?”

Julian pressed his palms into his eyes and wished the couch would swallow him whole.

The silence stretched long enough to make Julian fidget. He bit his lip, tension buzzing under his skin.

Yadriel winced suddenly, pulling the phone slightly away. “He wants to talk to you.”

Julian’s stomach dropped. “Do I have to?”

His stern look was answer enough.

With a sigh like someone being led to execution, Julian took the phone and pressed it to his ear. “Uh … hey, Rio.”