On the Edge Read Online Free

let me call anyone but Mom. I knew why. They didn’t want me in contact with anyone who might encourage me not to talk.
    I wouldn’t be surprised if the cops had found my phone and chosen not to give it back to me. It didn’t matter now. I wasn’t going back to the park to look for it.
    The park.
    A thousand jumbled images flashed before my eyes. Detective Gutierrez’s words echoed in my head. Hector Rodriguez is dead .
    I should’ve intervened when they were beating him up. I should’ve screamed and brought down the attention of the whole neighborhood. Should’ve, should’ve, should’ve . . .
    But I was a coward.
    â€œMaddie?” my mom said gently.
    I realized I was gripping the edge of the table. “Sorry, Mom. I don’t feel like eating.”
    That’s when I broke down.
    Iz was a great distracter, I had to give her that. When I texted her saying I wasn’t up to seeing anyone that night, she didn’t text back. Instead, she showed up at my door with Abby and Carmen and a juice container full of leftover Maddie Diaz Margaritas. She told my mom it was Crystal Light.
    I was so touched, I wanted to cry. Iz knew that I hated to be alone. During the Boyd years, she’d been my saving grace. Her house had been my refuge.
    Me and the girls went to the basement to watch TV and to escape my mom. She’d been hovering all day, wanting to talk. But I didn’t. How could I when I hadn’t even processed what had happened? When it still didn’t feel real?
    The second we sat down, Carmen said, “You don’t have to tell us about last night if you don’t want to. But if you do, we’re here for you.”
    Abby stared at her. “We agreed not to mention it. And it’s the first thing you do!”
    â€œI know, but she might want to talk about it,” Carmen snapped back. “We’re not helping her if we ignore it.”
    â€œShe’ll bring it up if she wants to, okay?” Iz said.
    I raised my hand. “Guys, I’m right here. I’m not allowed to talk about what I saw. All I can say is that I identified the guys who did it, and they’re gonna be charged. That’s it.”
    My friends gasped.
    â€œYou ID’d them?” Abby asked slowly, like she couldn’t believe what I was saying. “Aren’t you worried that . . .”
    â€œThat they’ll come after me? Yeah, I’m worried.” Worried didn’t begin to describe how I felt. Worried. Guilty. Sick .
    â€œDon’t be,” Iz said, squeezing my hand. “Everybody knows you talked to the cops and that’s your best protection. If any of the Reyes touch you, the cops would know it was them. They’re not that stupid.”
    I wasn’t sure if she meant it or if she was just trying to make me feel better. But I had to believe what she was saying. If I didn’t, I’d never leave the house again.
    I put up the volume on the TV, and we all turned our attention to some music videos. Or pretended to. Finally Abby broke the silence.
    â€œSo, Carmen. What happened with Rafael after we left?”
    Carmen’s lips curled into a smile. “I decided to take Iz’s advice and shake up my guy karma. He’s supposed to call me next week.”
    I hoped Rafael called her. Carmen had been disappointed by too many guys, and it was about time her luck changed.
    â€œJack told me you blew him off,” Iz said to me. “You didn’t like him?”
    â€œHe was obnoxious. What does he study in college, anyway? Dick Jokes 101?”
    â€œI think it’s Douche- ology,” Abby said, and we bumped fists.
    â€œWhatevs.” Iz pointed her finger at me. “I’m not done with you, Maddie.”
    After chatting and watching a few more videos, Carmen suggested we hit the store for some eats. My pulse shot up at the thought of leaving the house. I suddenly pictured the two Reyes waiting for me in