Page 177 of Revv

Ay, coño.

Full name.

Revel bites his bottom lip, shoulders bouncing once as he tries not to laugh.

I point at him with the bag of candy. “Not a fucking word.”

“Oh, I’m staying out of it.”

“Mhmm. Smart.”

Mom sighs through the speaker. “Mija, por favor. You’ve been in Miami together for three days and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there was already something going on between you two before you left, whether you wanted to admit it or not. I am your mother. I have eyes.”

Revel makes a quiet choking sound beside me.

I whip my head toward him. “Do you need something?”

“Nah.” He bites back a grin, giving my ankle another squeeze. “Just nice to finally talk to the woman responsible for all this attitude.”

I narrow my eyes. “Careful, Papi.”

“What?” His grin breaks loose. “I’m complimenting her. Takes talent to raise this much fucking trouble in one tiny package.”

“Oh, I like him,” Mom says immediately.

I stare at my phone. “Mami.”

His whole face brightens. “See? I like you too, ma’am.”

“Revel,” I groan.

“What? I’m being polite.”

“No, you’re kissing ass.”

“Little bit.”

My mother laughs. “At least he’s honest.”

“Please don’t encourage him. I have to live with this ego.”

Revel glances over. “Live with it, huh?”

“Drive.”

He laughs and turns his attention back to the highway while I sink lower into my seat, already regretting putting this call on speaker.

Mom, naturally, isn’t finished.

“I’ve been wanting to meet him properly anyway. Maybe now we can finally plan something.”

Revel beats me to it.

“I’d love that.”

I turn my head so fast my braid slides over my shoulder. “Oh, would you?”

“Fuck yeah.” He catches himself. “Sorry, ma’am.”