The First to Die at the End (Death-Cast #0)(71)

“I had a lot of fun!”

“Good. Did you thank them for their time?”

“Yup! And they thanked me for mine too!”

“Great job. You want to go get some lunch?”

“Okay.”

Gloria grabs her purse, but right before she gets up, her phone buzzes. She’s immediately uncomfortable, almost like her heart is being pinched, but it’s not Frankie calling her home. It’s Rolando, and Gloria is able to breathe again.

“Hello?”

“Gloria, hey. How are you?”

“I’m good, I’m good. Pazito and I are about to leave an audition.”

“He’s a star.”

Gloria plays with Pazito’s hair. “He sure is. How are you?”

“Having a bit of a day,” Rolando admits. It hurts her heart to hear a heaviness in his voice. “Are you and Paz headed home right now?”

“We’re actually about to go find some lunch. Take advantage of being in the city.”

“Do you mind if I join? I’d love to see you.”

Gloria freezes. “You’re more than welcome. Pazito would love to see you.”

Rolando is quiet long enough that Gloria wonders if she said something wrong. Before she can ask, Rolando says, “Do you know where you’d like to eat?”

“I think we’re going to do McDonald’s or Burger King.”

“How about we grab a bite at Desiderata’s?”

The restaurant where Rolando first told Gloria he loved her, back when they were babies in college. Gloria knows she should think this is inappropriate, or even that it’s harmless because not only does Rolando know she’s married—he was a groomsman at her wedding, after all, since Frankie is short on friends—but Rolando also knows she’s a mother who would never break her family apart.

Not even if she wants to follow her heart elsewhere.

But what if she did?

What if instead of waiting to follow her heart, she picks it up and carries it where she wants to go?

Gloria tells Rolando, “Desiderata’s sounds wonderful.” And before she can hang up, she adds, “I’d love to see you too.”





Orion


11:33 a.m.

I’m going to Ground Zero.

I send the text to Dalma, and she calls immediately. I’m not surprised. I always imagined my first visit to the site would be with Team Young, especially Dalma, who also knows the pains of losing a parent. I bet she envisioned it that way too.

“Hey,” I say into the phone, signaling to Valentino that I’m taking the call up the block. I keep an eye on him as he leans against the wall, just in case any trouble pops up.

“Whoa,” Dalma says. “Is this really happening?”

“I think so. . . . We’re like a block away. I could turn back, but I don’t think I want to.”

Then it’s quiet, but we’re still on the line. I’m kind of glad this is a straight-up call and not FaceTime because I’d hate to see Dalma’s face if she’s feeling betrayed. I legit feel guilty, like I’m cheating on her. I just got to own it. “I wish you were here. It’s all happening so fast, and I’m trying to go with the flow, just like I’m pushing Valentino.”

“It’s okay, O-Bro. You know I’m always willing to drop everything for you, right?”

“No doubt about it.”

“Then I’m cool. Download me later on why you changed your mind?”

“I’ll include every ‘uh’ and ‘um’ and ‘oh’ and my other Orion-isms.”

A light laugh, then a sigh. “How are you both doing?”

Valentino is pressed against that wall like he’s on a roof’s ledge.

“No day is perfect, but we’re trying,” I say. I don’t need to get into the near-death experiences or the canceled photo shoot. I’ll save that for story time when . . . when the day is done. “Dalma, he’s good-hearted.”

“He better be. He’s your match.”

“You know what I’m saying.”

“Are you being careful?”

“Sort of. We’re out and about, and I’m not letting him hop on boats and shit like that, but it’s his life to live.”

“That’s good, but I’m not crossing that line anymore. I was asking if you’re being careful about how invested you get.”

“Yeah, I’ve got a condom on my heart, don’t sweat it.”

“I’m serious, Orion.”

I keep my eyes on Valentino, wanting to kiss the hell out of him. Holding back my feelings is like sinking into quicksand; the deeper and deeper I’m buried, the more desperate I am to breathe. “I’m serious too. It’s just getting harder and harder acting like I don’t like him. Every minute that passes, I care more.”

“Do you think it’s extra charged because it’s his End Day?”

“I was feeling my feelings before I knew he was a Decker. My heart knows what’s up.”

“Then you better get back to him,” Dalma says, meaning it. “Tell him I said hi?”

“I will. I love you, D.”

“I love you too, O.”