On the Edge Read Online Free PDF Page B

could’ve easily called up their friends and told them to burn your house down. No planning necessary.”
    That wasn’t so comforting. It had only been a week. Maybe Ramon and Diego were slackers when it came to exacting revenge.
    â€œBe careful, though. Reyes are all over the place. You see one coming, you step out of their way. Don’t go starting something.”
    â€œI won’t, trust me.”
    â€œWhat you need”—he bent closer, and I could smell his spicy aftershave—“is a personal driver.” He put a hand to his chest. “I’ll be your guy.”
    â€œI’ll take you up on that sometime. Not tonight, though. My friends are picking me up in a cab. We’re going to Iz’s cousin’s party.”
    â€œNext time, then. I’ll take you anywhere you wanna go, Diaz.” He winked. “Anywhere.”
    I had to smile. He wouldn’t be Manny if he didn’t try.
    Now this is a party.
    It was exactly what I’d pictured college parties would be like—low lighting, acid jazz on the Bose. A stylish crowd was hanging out, some of them dancing, some lounging, some cradling glasses of sangria between their legs.
    â€œHey, you guys showed up.” Eric came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel. The aromas of cumin, garlic, and other spices wafted toward us.
    â€œThat smells incredible,” Iz said, giving her cousin a hug and glancing past him into the kitchen. “Is it ready?”
    â€œAlmost.” With Eric’s good looks and Brooklyn accent, I couldn’t blame Carmen for crushing on him. I’d have crushed, too, if there’d been any point. “Here comes my girl, Julia.” Eric’s girlfriend walked out of the kitchen. She had wavy dark hair, big earrings and a warm smile. I liked her immediately. He slung an arm around her, and looked down at her proudly. “She goes to U. of M. for creative writing.”
    We all said hi. I glanced at Carmen. If she was upset to meet Julia, she didn’t show it. I guess she was finally past her Eric fantasy, probably because she’d gone out with Rafael twice this week.
    Within minutes, we were all drinking Eric’s homemade sangria. Heavy on fruit and light on alcohol, I bet this was his way of keeping the party under control. Me and the girls went into the living room, and since we didn’t know anyone, we danced. I loved the music and danced hard, wanting nothing more than to lose myself in it. And I was pretty much succeeding until I saw him.
    Him . Corner Store Guy. He was sitting across the room with a group of guys, watching me. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure he wasn’t looking at some hot chick behind me. When I looked back, he was staring down at his phone.
    I had to admit, the sight of him made my heartbeat kick up. It was either that or the dancing/sangria combo. I promised myself that I’d talk to him at some point. I couldn’t strike out worse than Iz had last weekend.
    The dancing continued, and after a bathroom break, I lost track of the girls. They were probably in the kitchen feasting on Eric’s arroz con pollo. Instead of searching for them, I wandered into one of the bedrooms and found myself listening in on some philosophical chat. It was an interesting mix of people—one of Eric’s roommates and his girlfriend, along with a few people who worked at Eric’s restaurant.
    College could be like this, I thought. Great parties and conversation. I just had to make it till September, and then I was outta here.
    â€œHeard you’re a writer too.” A girl sat down beside me. It was Julia.
    â€œWell, not a creative writer like you. Respect to that. I’m studying journalism next year.”
    â€œI know. Iz was bragging about your scholarship to Florida State. Ever since I met her she’s been bragging about you.”
    â€œThat’s Iz. She probably made most of it up.” I