Page 49 of The Overdue Kiss

“Papi,” I scold, lucky that Des couldn’t translate half of what he said.

“I’ve just never heard of such a crazy thing. Can you not hold down your liquor or something?”

“No, my mother was an alcoholic and died when I was a kid. I made a personal choice not to drink after that day.”

Papi swallows hard and puts one of his meaty hands on Des’s shoulder. “How devastating. No kid should ever have to go through that. It’s a tough and brave choice you made—not many are strong enough to follow through. Tienes mi respeto, eh, I mean you have my respect.”

He squeezes Des’s shoulder. My heart warms watching the two of them, but only for a second before Papi changes the subject as he does when things get too emotional.

“Do you watch any sports?”

“I’m a Denver Dragons fan.”

“Ahh, that’s what I like to hear. We love going to the hockey games. Well, we used to.” He gives me a pointed stare.

“You have to let Felipe go. If I have to buy you season passes to the Denver Dragons, I will.”

“Who’s getting season passes, mi prima favorita?” Rafe says, throwing a friendly arm over my shoulder that I instantly knock off.

“Sweet talking will get you nowhere. I’m still mad at you about the bookmobile breaking down. I was nearly run over—more than once.”

“Think of it as something you can talk about on your social media page.” He laughs at his joke, completely unaware that I’m one second away from strangling him.

“You’re Rafe?” Des asks, moving closer to him and holding out a hand.

Rafe glances at the offered hand suspiciously before taking it, and they shake.

“Thank you so much. If it wasn’t for you, I would have never met Maya.”

“Oooh, so maybe you shouldn’t be so angry with me. It sounds like you should be thanking me and buying me season tickets as well.”

Papi and Rafe lean their heads back and laugh, almost sounding like twins.

“You know, my friend Cai knows some of the team. He might be able to get you a free game or two.”

Their laughter immediately stops.

“Seriously?” Rafe asks.

Des shrugs. “I can’t promise anything, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.”

The two of them throw their arms around his shoulder, letting out a long cry of excitement as they shake him. Des winces again.

“This boy, mija, he’s a keeper.” Papi slaps him proudly on his back.

“He’s pretty great,” I say. “Try not to hurt him.”

“Pain lets you know you’re alive. Right, Rafe?”

Rafe lifts up his drink, salutes, then guzzles it down in agreement.

While this is all normal for me, I shoot Des a sympathetic look. The poor man didn’t realize what he was signing up for when he walked through the door. I don’t have an opportunity to save him as my Mamá wrangles me back to the kitchen to help with the dessert and apparently grill me about my ex-boyfriend.

“Mami,” I snap after another inappropriate question. “I don’t want to talk about Felipe.”

“I’m just asking if you’ve tried calling him.”

“Why would I do that? He cheated on me.” I shake my head at her, confused why there is even a discussion about this at all.

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