Wet: Part 1 by S. Jackson Rivera Read Free Book Online Page A

realize the Internet might have exaggerated a bit.”
    “A bit, but it’s pretty close if you like fruit and baleadas.”
    “I do.” She giggled. “I had a baleada for lunch. They’re delicious, and cheap.”
    “Main staple here. And sorry again for raising your rent . . . but have you seen Strawberry Hill Estates? The name is kind of deceptive.”
    “Kind of?” Her eyes grew wide.
    “The place is a magnet for the lowest degenerates on the island. There aren’t many of those, but I’m just saying.”
    “I did see it. Please don’t apologize. You did me a huge favor.”
    “Good. I’m glad you don’t hate me.” The intensity of the way he looked at her made her hope she wouldn’t blush, but then he looked away and released her before she did. “So you were left with a chunk of life insurance money on your hands.”
    “Not a chunk. More like a morsel.” She played with her Coke bottle to distract her from thinking too hard about her loss as she explained. “I didn’t even know he had insurance. He always said he didn’t believe in it. ‘I don’t want anyone lookin’ forward to me dyin’ so they can have a party with my insurance money’.” She changed her voice to imitate her father. She laughed briefly and then looked down, trying to hide from Paul how sad she must look.
    “I’m sorry for your loss. It’s hard to lose family.”
    “I’m sorry. Your family’s gone too?”
    “No.” His laugh sounded a little sardonic. “But I haven’t seen them in a while, and I have no plans to.” His face contorted into a frown. “Wow, I haven’t even thought about them . . . in years.” His eyes turned cold and hard, no longer the inviting blue color of the warm, tropical ocean. “I don’t dwell on the past.”
    “So you ran away? Are you by chance my long lost brother who ran away from home when I was ten?”
    “ Gawd . . .” The serious look in his eyes changed to one of revulsion. He stared at her warily. “I hope nawt !”
    If what everyone had said was true, he’d probably had a few un-sisterly thoughts about her. They locked eyes, confirming they were both thinking the same thing. A few awkward seconds passed until he finally broke into laughter making his eyes sparkle again. Rhees threw her hands over her face in an attempt to hide the blush she felt creeping in.  
    “If you run into trouble, money-wise, let me know. I have ways to help you earn a little extra if you get desperate.”
    “What?” Rhees misinterpreted his offer.
    “A loan—I’ll lend you money. You can pay me back when you return to the States, get back on your feet.” He looked desperate to clear up any misunderstanding about accusing her of being willing to prostitute herself. “Or a job, I know people. I can get you a job. You could even help out around the shop. That’s all I meant.”
    “Um, thanks. I might need to take you up on that offer—the job offer. This, coming here, was probably not the most practical choice, but . . . I had to, you know? No more excuses. Bite the bullet. Pull my big-girl panties up—” Her eyes flashed up to meet his, suddenly embarrassed to say panties in front of him. She blinked a couple of times and then remembered her point, which made her sad again. “Change of scenery and all that . . . it’s hard losing everyone in your world.” She looked away to rein in the tears threatening to fill her eyes again. “Things are going to be tight enough as it is when I go back. I don’t want to have debt hanging over my head.”
    Paul nodded to show he understood.
    “Um . . . it’s late. I’m tired. I’m not used to this wild party life.”
    “This is a wild party?” Paul smirked, obviously amused.
    “It is for me.” She smiled sheepishly. “I might be a little jet-lagged too. All I’ve been able to think about for the last two hours is climbing into bed—and I would have by now, but the truth is, I can’t remember the way to Oceanside.” She squirmed uncomfortably