Light of Day Read Online Free Page A

we’ve done everything already.”
    David bristled. “Hey, you had the spare time on your hands, not me. I did a summer hospital placement. You were at the mall.”
    â€œI put in a lot of hours at WKTU, too,” I countered. “Okay, fine, why don’t you come early to help set up?”
    â€œAll right, but Melody’s coming with me, so I don’t want to bring her too early.”
    Melody was the latest girlfriend—a petite blonde who studied nursing. She had a sweet disposition and never challenged David’s opinions. She had all the makings of a futuretrophy wife if she could hang on to David, which was doubtful. He never stayed with girls more than a few months, since he always found some flaw that made them undateable. Not that I was one to talk after the sinking of the JC Suarez.
    â€œGood show last night,” David said, startling me.
    He never listened to my show, and neither did my parents. In fact, my entire family—with the exception of Aunt Sarita—hoped I’d drop the radio dream and go into teaching or some other profession. Anything but radio. Too flaky.
    But I’d come to count on them not listening—I could never be so open and comfortable on the air if I knew they were.
    â€œI thought you never listened to the show.”
    â€œI don’t. Melody told me about it. Was that true about the roofies?”
    â€œYeah, the story’s true. You’re not going to tell Mom and Dad, are you? They’d freak.”
    â€œâ€™Course not.” He looked offended.
    That was the upside of David. I’d covered for him so many times he’d be insane to cross me.
    â€œI don’t want you to put yourself in a situation like that again, though, Gabby.”
    Did I detect a note of concern? “I didn’t put myself in that situation, that scumbag did.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You shouldn’t have been at the club.Two underage girls would be a magnet for someone like that. You’re lucky the other guy saw him do it. You dodged a bullet, Gabby.”
    â€œI know. Trust me, I know.”

ON AIR
    I WALKED INTO WKTU SUNDAY evening, hoping to catch a few minutes with Caballero before I went live. Although I’d stopped in a couple of times that week, as I usually do, I kept missing him.
    Olive must’ve had the night off, because Sapphire was at the front desk instead, dressed in a bright blue minidress and heels. When I’d first met her, she’d been a shy college student named Stephen. Now she mostly came to the station as Sapphire, a six-foot-two hoochie mama.
    Sapphire looked up and smiled. “We’re still getting emails about your last show. Have you logged in to read them?”
    â€œYeah, I read through a bunch. I’ll quote one or two on air. They’re great.” My stomach warbled. “Mostly.”
    She gave me a sympathetic look. “There’s always ones like that. Don’t let them get to you.”
    â€œI’m trying.”
    Nasty comments about my show were part of the game. But I hadn’t been prepared for the you don’t know what you’re talking about, bitch ones. That was why I wanted to talk to Caballero before I went on the air. I knew that he wanted me to stay on the topic, but maybe it would be better to move into less volatile territory.
    Sapphire handed me a sticky note. “Some guy keeps calling for you. Normally I wouldn’t pass on his number, but he was really insistent. He claims to be the mystery guy you were talking about on the show. Says it’s important that he talk to you.”
    I wanted to believe that it was Blue Eyes, but anyone could have said he was the guy who’d helped me at the club.
    I glanced down at the phone number on the hot pink Post-it. It could be one of those haters who’d emailed. Or it could be Raul himself. I flashed back to that evil look in his eyes and shivered.
    â€œThanks, Sapphire.” I