Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3) (10 page)

I try to hold back my grin as he sweetly makes fun of me. “My bedroom. I would put it over my headboard. It’s a little dark, but it’s where I would want it.”

“That’s what I was thinking too. A more personal room.”

“Exactly,” I declare as he takes the words from my thoughts. “You can’t get more personal than a bedroom. You do all sort of private things in there.” I stop as images of Hector and me in my bed run through me. Now isn’t the time for that. “You know what I mean.” The fire I feel tells me I’m really red in the face.

“Hmm. I don’t think I do. What do you mean?” He uses his sexy grin against me.

“Is this the game you’re playing tonight, Hector?” I’m challenging him to see how far our flirting will go.

“I’m not playing any games. I do like seeing you blush though.”

“You might not believe me when I say this, but you’re the only one who makes me blush,” I lower my voice shyly. I’ve got to be more confident around him.

“Really? Does that mean I can add one more thing to the list of ways we’re compatible? Do you still think we aren’t?”

“Hector…” I drag his name out and then stop speaking. How do you tell someone how you feel when you’re not sure yourself? I don’t want to blurt it out because I don’t want to lose him as a friend. He really does mean something to me. “Some of my opinions may have changed over the past few weeks.”

“Want to explain that some more?”

Of course he wants me to go on. “You really want me to lay all my cards out on the table? You want to hear this?”

Hector looks me over and I feel exposed even though he doesn’t know what I’m thinking. Then again, he does seem to have that super hidden talent sometimes. “No, you don’t have to say it.”

“I want to.” Great, I just told myself I’m not going to blurt out anything and there I go and do it.
Be honest with him, Zoey,
I tell myself. You’re both adults and it’s time you start acting like it. “But like everything else, I’m not sure how to say it. People see these tats and dark hair and think I’m some emo, but I’m not, and when I look at you, I lose all my train of thought and all rational emotions,” I tell him the truth and now, I feel as if I’m naked, running through the streets of downtown Memphis.

“I know exactly what you mean. Whenever I look at you, all I see is Zoey Reyes and while I don’t lose my train of thought, I do become serious, I guess? Determined, definitely. Does knowing that about me make you feel better?”

Come on.
Is he really telling me he isn’t determined all the time? This is Hector the professional baseball player. He’s confident, caring, and a great guy.
Tell him
. My hormones and emotions are screaming so loud in my head my ears are ringing.

“Crap,” I say aloud, more so for me than for Hector. “Okay, I’m just going to say it. I’m going to say the words and you can do with them as you please. I don’t know how you did it, but you did accomplish your mission because I like you. I spent almost two hours today, picking out this outfit, doing my hair, and my makeup while thinking of you and what you would think of it. I was on my hands and knees looking for heels because I thought you’d like them more than flats.

“Let me not forget to tell you that I woke up this morning and checked my phone to see if you texted before I even got out of the bed. And on top of that, I was sad you weren’t in my bed. So, there it is. There is my crazy, messed up emotional ball of hot mess that I am in right now. I’ve never felt this way about someone and I’ve never seen my aunts react to anyone the way they did to you,” I spout out all my feelings and the silence grows between us. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad. Right before I’m about to ask, Hector breaks out his famous grin.

“Every time I think I have a handle on who you are, you surprise me. If it hasn’t already been obvious, I like you, too.”

“I know you do, Hector, but the two of us are from different planets. I’ve said this a hundred times to you. Now, I’m rambling off my emotions as if I’m on a talk show.” I pick at the napkin in front of me.

“We may be from different planets, but the differences aren’t too big of a hurdle, right?” I look up at him and he is absentmindedly twisting the cross he wears around his neck. His brow is furrowed, and I know he’s thinking of something serious. He’s right again. Different planet is one thing, but are we really that different?

“It’s not. But I’ve never really been in a relationship. You heard my aunts when they discussed it. I’m concerned that if this goes further, what about your family? I know my name isn’t on your mom’s list.”

“My family wouldn’t affect my decision to be with you. I won’t lie. You and your family are further away from my family’s viewpoints than any other girl I’ve ever dated, but differing opinions hasn’t stopped me before. My family means a lot to me, but in the end, it’s my life.” He gives me a small smile. “Now, you’ve got me rambling.”

I shake my head at the thought that I’m rubbing off on poor Hector. We’re sitting here talking about meeting families and discussing our future when we haven’t even kissed yet.

“I think we’re both getting ahead of ourselves,” I tell him logically. “Let’s do what we’ve been doing. Let’s take it slow. We’re friends and we both like each other. When and
if
anything else progresses from that, then we’ll cross that bridge when we reach it. How does that sound?”

“Sounds perfect.” Hector relaxes and dinner continues smoothly.

We talk about baseball, the charcoal, and Hector’s busy schedule approaching. The Angels are in the running for a playoff spot and he couldn’t be more proud and excited. After we eat, Hector takes me to my car. I almost forgot about it because of the great night I’ve had. He makes me laugh and even feel good about the charcoal by the end of the night.

I open my car door and Hector pins me in between him and the car.

“Do you have to work tomorrow night?”

“I do. I told Storm I would cover a shift for him.”

“Okay.”

Before I take another breath, Hector’s warm mouth is on mine. I moan at the connection of our lips and bodies. The tingling is back. It causes my hands to shake as I slide them up his chest and around his neck. Making out with Hector in front of The Garden of Arts isn’t what I had planned for this evening, but I’m glad I am. When he slides his tongue into my mouth, I inhale deeply, pulling him closer. I want to keep going, but Hector has enough sense between us to slow down and release me. My lips are swollen and I’m not sure I’ll breathe correctly ever again.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” his voice is husky and I nod because I can’t even remember my own name. I slide into my seat and drive off toward my apartment with the biggest smile on my face, still thinking of Hector’s mind-blowing kiss.

THERE’S STILL A grin on my face from last night. It just can’t be helped. I’m sure it’ll stay there since I’m about to leave for the bar to see Zoey again. Just as I open the door, I stop in surprise.

“Carissa, what are you doing here?”

“Well, it’s nice to see you too, Hector.” She rolls her eyes at me before brushing past me to come inside with a small piece of luggage in her hands. “Mom’s driving me up a wall, and I needed a weekend of fun.” She sets her luggage down next to the couch and turns to face me with a smile. “Surprise! You aren’t mad, are you?”

“No. I’m happy to see you. I was just on my way out.”

“Were you on your way to see that girl?” she asks with too much excitement. “I want to meet her!”

“Aren’t you tired from the flight?” She shakes her head. “Fine, let’s go.”

She squeals and I wonder what kind of trouble I’ve just gotten myself into. The entire drive over, Carissa talks and talks and talks. She catches me up on what’s been going on with her schoolwork. Before she can tell me how Mom has been, we park in the lot at the bar.

When we walk inside the building, Carissa leans over to whisper, “Which one is she?”

“C’mon.” I lead her to the bar where we take a seat on a pair of stools. Zoey spots me right away, flashing me a smile, which I return. She grabs a beer before coming over to us. “Thanks,” I say when she sets it in front of me. “Zoey, this is my sister, Carissa. Carissa, this is Zoey.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Carissa. What can I get you to drink?”

“It’s great to meet you, too! I’ll just have a water, please.” Zoey nods before walking down the bar for her drink and Carissa turns in her seat. “Oh my goodness, Hector! Mom would seriously fall over dead just from looking at her.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “How’s it going with the list?”

“Point taken.” Zoey comes back over and places a water in front of her. “Thank you. I hope I haven’t ruined any plans between you and Hector. I decided to surprise him; he didn’t even know I was coming.”

“No. I don’t think we had plans. I have to work all weekend anyway. Hector told me you're in college. How is that going?”

Carissa groans. “I’m surprised I haven’t pulled all my hair out yet, which is why I wanted to come visit Hector. Get away and have some fun. I enjoy it for the most part. What about you? Hector said you’re an artist.”

“Yes, I paint and what not in my spare time. However, I’m more concerned about this
fun
that you speak of. See, I’ve got a wager going on with Hector right now because he isn’t fun at all. I’m trying to get him to go skydiving. Have you ever been?”

Carissa gasps. “No, but I want to!”

She turns to me, but I shake my head. “Don’t even think about it.” I look at Zoey. “You’re going to use my sister against me? That’s not fair.”

“You haven’t played fair for three months. Carissa, do you really want to? Because I bet I can get us booked this weekend if you want.”

My sister nods and turns toward me, grabbing my arm as she begins to beg. “Please, Hector! You said yourself I needed to have fun, and this is the perfect opportunity. Please, please, please!”

“If we do it, then I lose the bet, and you know I don’t want to skydive.”

Carissa is famous for pulling out those puppy dog eyes on my father and getting whatever she wants. Tonight, she’s decided to use the trick on me. “Please? For me, your baby sister.”

I glance at Zoey, not feeling good about this at all. “I didn’t realize you were evil, Zoey.”

“I’m not evil. However, this is fun to watch. Come on, Hector, you know you want to fling yourself out of an airplane.” She giggles and I wince at the thought.

“How about I think about it and give you my answer before we leave? Will that satisfy you both?”

“No, but I’ll take it. I’ll be right back.” She rushes to help other customers.

I turn to my sister with narrowed eyes. “I thought we were supposed to stick together, Carissa? The only reason I even agreed to her wager was because I knew I would win and now, you’re pulling out the baby sister card.” I’m half serious, half joking. Skydiving is the last thing on this damn planet that I want to do and I already know I’m about to cave.

“Hector, you’re the most open and fun guy I know. I can’t believe you haven’t already done it. This will be great for both of us. Come on, you know you want to.”

“I don’t equate fun with jumping out of a plane,” I reply firmly before sighing. “If I do this, you’re going to owe me big time and it’s going to take a lot of favors to make up for it.”

“Deal. However,” she glances down at Zoey, who is waiting on some college guys before focusing on me again, “you haven’t told Mom about her. What are you going to do if this gets serious? Mom and Dad will flip. Well, mainly Mom.”

I watch Zoey, my stomach already churning at what’s sure to be a meltdown from my mother. I don’t know how Dad will react, and I’m not looking forward to any of it. “I know they will. I’m not sure what I’ll do. All I know is that she’s great and so are her aunts. I’m just hoping how I feel will outrank everything else. Anyway, what has Mom done now?” I ask, getting us focused back on her life.

“Well, the reason I’m here is because last night, Mom brought a guy to the apartment. Let me repeat that, she brought
a stranger to my apartment
and then started talking about me as if I wasn’t even there. It’s getting bad, Hector. She’s really losing it, I think.”

I stare at my sister in disbelief. “She brought a guy to your place? Did she even tell you she was coming? Have you tried talking to Dad?”

“Of course, she didn’t tell me, or I wouldn’t have been standing there in my yoga pants and tank top after I’d just finished working out! No one can talk to Dad right now. His only focus is on work and selling more houses. Why do you think I’m here?” There’s a desperation in her voice, and I hate it for her.

“I’ll call them both tomorrow for you, especially since I might not have called Mom after I said I would.” She punches me in the arm and I feel terrible. I’m a sucky brother because look at what has happened now. “Wow, I can’t believe she did that.”

“She’s always been pushy about me being in a relationship, but she’s gotten worse. I don’t know how many times I’ve told her I’ll find someone on my own. I bet she even thinks I’m still a virgin.”

I groan. “I don’t want to know anything about that. Just try to remember her intentions are good.”