Lightning Rider Read Online Free Page A

floor last night.”
    “What happened?” He draws the words out, like he already knows the answer and he isn’t happy about it. It’s the tone of voice I’ve been waiting for. Damn.
    “Let’s just say Nick is really good at getting even.”
    “You give him money?”
    “Some.”
    “He was going to pay you back, right?”
    Before I can answer, he drops his chin to his chest like I’ve whipped him. My heart cracks. Will I ever stop disappointing him? After too many seconds, he lifts his face, a slight smile on his lips. He pats my knee again. 
    “I’m glad you’re home, mija .”
    I fight the tears and twist my fingers together. “Mr. Steinaman’s bringing a few of my things over later.”
    “The walking burrito?” he asks.
    “Iguana. And yes. Ike is nearly the only thing Nick left.”
    Papi flinches, and my commitment to the new no-jackass policy renews itself. This wouldn’t happen to my love life if I could find someone like Papi. Loyal, respectful, hard-working, and insanely in love with my mami.
    “Oh! Didn’t Mami leave today? Are you already a bachelor?”
    He rolls a pen back and forth across his desk. “And Tia Marie picked up the little girls. They’re excited about having a pool. Tiana’s excited about some new neighbor boy of Tia’s. I took your mamá to the airport this morning, not that I wanted to. Damn stubborn woman.”
    “Is she really going for the whole summer?” I lean back and cross my legs.
    He grunts. “I guess. Who charges a bunch of abuelitas two grand to paint trees and shrubs for three months?”
    I nudge his knee with the toe of my boot. “Or lets his wife go to the other side of the country for a whole summer?”
    “ Lets ,” he says. “Like I let your mother do anything.”
    That makes me laugh.
    “I’m not saying I mind, but seriously, she could at least ask.”
    My insides warm. “You’re a good man, Papi.”
    He twirls his pen and stares out the window long enough to make me feel uncomfortable. I hope she left on good terms. They haven’t fought for a long time, but then again, I’m not around much. Something that’s going to change.
    After a big sigh, he shakes a few antacids from a bottle on the corner of his desk and turns his attention back to me. “You eat?”
    “Nope. What are you making me?”
    He snorts. “As if. Your mamá spent a week stocking the freezer.”
    I scrunch my nose. “I love Mami’s cooking, but are you sure you want to eat tamales for three months straight? How about Chinese?”
    He stands and moves toward the door. “Don’t tell her,” he says over his shoulder. “She worked hard so I wouldn’t starve while she’s gone.”
    “Pretty sure she won’t care if we eat out one night.”
    “Have you met your mother?”
    We laugh, then he gets quiet and does that Papi stare.
    I fidget and drop my gaze to the seam of my pants.
    “I really am sorry about what happened, mija .”
    My pants blur and I blink the tears away. Only when I’m certain there’s no trace do I lift my head. “It’s just stuff, right? And money. I’m better without him.” I smile through the ache in my chest. “Besides, now you won’t have to be alone all summer.”
    “No, but you might. I don’t know how much I’ll be around.”
    I shrug, trying to act like I don’t care, even though I wouldn’t mind catching a few fights with him, maybe having a beer. Shitty timing. One final win for Nick.
    Papi opens his arms. With barely a hesitation I stop trying to be tough and launch myself from the chair. As his arm encircles my shoulders, I’m a little girl again, right where I belong. He gives me a big squeeze and quickly lets go, like he’s wary of babying me. I stare at my empty hands. It’s me who’s made him feel that way. Maybe this is a chance to right our relationship, mend a few sore spots.
    He digs in his shirt pocket and sets a pair of reading glasses on his nose before tilting his head back to read the screen on his phone. I stifle