Little Dark Secret (Storm's Soldier Book 2) by Paige Notaro Read Free Book Online Page A

enough, starting today.
    I shot up and went to the window. I didn’t just open the blinds, I raised them and let the sun sear me. The birds polluting the serenity outside flapped away shrieking.
    I got ready and hustled downstairs hoping for a quick bite to eat. I’d already be at least fifteen minutes late, but it was better to not be hungry as I got chewed out by Lilly. At least, thanks to Lem, I wouldn’t be terrified that our shift manager, Rhonda, would find out and use it as an excuse to fire me.
    Mamá was stooped over the sink, washing dishes. I pecked her on the cheeks and rushed over to the dining room to find my breakfast gelling. It was perfectly portable: arepa with eggs and pork and avocado filling.
    I grabbed it and was about to head out when I saw my sister seated at the far end of the table. She was bent over her phone, her hair dropping down over it like a cloak.
    “Shouldn’t you be heading for the bus?” I asked. “It’s almost seven thirty.”
    “Elsa, you need to go,” Mama echoed behind me. “It is the first day of your senior year, god willing. I do not want to be here doing this all again next year.”
    “Ok,” Elsa said, still texting as she got up.
    Annoyed, I came up and snatched her phone.
    “Hey!” she yelled.
    “Focus on what’s in front of you!”
    I waved it out of her reach and saw the last message on her side: Can’t wait to see how you look with it off.
    The message above said: Girl, dis shirt don’t even fit nemore, aftr my last workout.
    The little picture next to it showed a Latino guy with a cute, but smooth face. He was lifting up a wifebeater to show off his abs.
    “What the hell, Rosa?” Elsa leaped for the phone. “Give it back.”
    I lowered it within reach, just as another message came from Mr. Abs: Girl, you best bring protecxion, if u no wut I mean.
    Elsa snatched it back and made a face like a badger.
    “You should not be dating that guy,” I said. “He looks like a loser.”
    “Oh, that’s rich,” she said. “Yeah I need advice from you on guys.”
    “What?” I spat out of reflex. As if I had not been telling myself the same thing just a little while back.
    Elsa picked up her backpack, and huffed off to the front door. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find a guy who’d been shot like you.”
    “Who’s been shot?” Mamá came out, wiping her hands with a towel. “Ah, the man Rosa is dating.”
    “He’s not…” I started, but I wasn’t in a mood to explain. Not with the words hitting me like gunshots. All these big red flags heading my way, and I didn’t notice until I was being smothered under their banners. I ended up beating Elsa out the door.
    The MARTA showed up just as I got there, for which I was grateful. I was eager to get going, to move away quickly from the foolish past I had made for myself. I watched other people and tried to picture myself living their normal lives.
    I got to work just twenty five minutes late. Lilly was out talking to a patient who looked homeless. Her chest barely moved under her green and white smock. Even aisles away, I could smell the guy.
    I tried sneaking into the nurse’s station, but she came back and spotted me. She stood with her hands at her hips, shooting scalpels with her gaze.
    “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I said, ducking my eyes and looking out at the waiting area.
    “Sorry would not have cut it if Rhonda had whisked by and seen you missing. You could have at least texted me an excuse to give her.”
    “So she didn’t come by?”
    “That’s not the point.”
    “I know, I’m just checking. I will definitely let you know next time.”
    “Next time?!”
    “I mean, there won’t be a next time.”
    She dropped into her seat, and jabbed out her frustration on her poor keyboard.
    “Did you finish that guy?” I asked.
    “I did. He’s not urgent. Count yourself lucky.”
    “Alright, I’ll start on the rest.”
    The place was still pretty deserted, but an old woman and her son had just