Page 15 of Renegade

Lauren

Denver, Colorado 2004

“So, you’re going to be graduating in a few weeks. Have you thought anymore about having a party?” Joshua sat down across from me at the small breakfast table in his condo.

I paused with a spoonful ofFroot Loopshalfway to my mouth. “I thought we agreed that there would be no party.”

He shook his head. “I never agreed to that,Mija. I said that you only graduate high school once in your life and with your class ranking—it’s time to celebrate.”

I nodded along as he went off on a tangent about class ranking and college acceptance letters. I’d been living in his two-bedroom condo for a month now. I’d spent the first two weeks unable to relax—I was convinced that Monica was going to show up and take me back. Wherever she was, I was now sure that I was the furthest thing from her mind.

Joshua had risked his career for me—as much as I held onto my ‘tough girl’ persona, I couldn’t take what he’d done for granted. Without my stomach rumbling all night, I found that I could sleep soundly. I didn’t have to worry about Becca and the Bitches because I was able to shower at home.

When his mother found out that he’d taken me in, she’d shown up and insisted on cooking a feast to welcome me. It was then that I realized that Joshua did not know his way around a kitchen. I’d watched eagerly as she effortlessly made tamales, trying and failing to commit every step to memory. He’d managed to set off the smoke alarm making refried beans and his mother had laughed before exclaiming,“Josué, you will be the death of me. Please tell me you will not let this poor girl starve to death once I leave.”

I liked the way she made the name Joshua sound so fancy.

Ho Sway.

Mrs. Santiago ensured that the rest of our meal was edible before promising to host a large family gathering where I could meet the rest of the Santiago family.

“Thank you, Mrs. Santiago…for everything.”

She’d shushed me.“Nonsense, Mija—call me Abuelita.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that my situation with Josué was only temporary. He’d waited until she left before knocking on my bedroom door.

“You know that you can stay here as long as you want, right?”

I’d nodded before looking back down at my college algebra homework, my eyes bright with unshed tears. It wouldn’t last…it never did.

He’d gripped my chin and tilted my head up.“Mija, look at me. You are not a burden. I like having you around and nothing is going to change that. We make a good team, you and me.”

The tears spilled over then and I couldn’t hold back.“Is this your way of saying you’re adopting me?”

I’d meant it as a joke, but he’d gone serious and nodded.“Absolutely—I mean, maybe not legally as you’re almost eighteen, but figuratively.”

For a counselor, he wasn’t great at expressing his emotions, but I got the gist. I had a home.

“Hello…earth to LoLo. You’ve been nodding for the last five minutes; does this mean you’ll consider the party?”

I put my spoonful of cereal back down in the bowl. “Okay, Josué. I’ll agree to it.”

He grinned in victory and I held up my hand. “Wait just a minute. I’ll agree to it under one condition—you let me find you a date.”

His face paled. “Mija, I’m not sure—I mean, I don’t know how to tell you—”

I took a big bite of cereal and talked through a full mouth. “Tell me what? That you’re gay? Josué, that’s the worst kept secret at Thomas Jefferson High.”

I’d liked the way his mom said his name so much that I’d begun using it myself.

His cheeks pinkened and he looked down at the table. “I didn’t want you to think less of—wait, everyone knows?”

I reached across and patted his arm. “Just let me handle this, okay?”

I’d already been busy researching dating sites on his old laptop. He didn’t need to know that though. So, maybe I’d known that he wasn’t straight from my first meeting with him.That was, what—three years ago?I’d lost count of the number of times I’d been in his office over the years, but I liked to think that I would’ve helped him find love, even if he hadn’t saved my life.

The doorbell buzzed just as he opened his mouth to protest again and I swung up out of my chair easily. “Maybe that’s your Prince Charming now, Josué!”

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