Hector (28 page)

She couldn’t leave now. He had to know what it was she didn’t
want him to think. He wouldn’t be back in here until next week. Tomorrow he’d
be busy all day helping Noah prepare for his fight. Damn Walter for having the
worst timing in the world.

Walter started to tell him exactly what Samir had done to stump
him. It was all Hector could to do not jump out of his seat and go after
Charlee. A few minutes later and unable to stand it anymore, he pulled his
phone out of his pocket and stood up. “I gotta make a phone call. I’ll be
back.”

He bolted out of there, his heart already pounding. Not at all
sure what to expect, he just had to know now or it’d drive him nuts all weekend.

For a moment, he felt the huge disappointment of not seeing her
immediately, but he then he saw her headed toward the waterfall in the middle
of the campus where Drew waited for her.

“Charlee!”
He called out, hoping to stop
her before she reached Drew. He had a feeling she might hold back if anyone
else were around. She stopped and turned with that same startled expression she
had when he sat next to her.

He rushed to her. “You didn’t want me to think what?” he asked as
soon as he reached her, stopping right in front of her and staring right into
those beautiful blue eyes. She shook her head, her expression a puzzled one.
“Back there,” he motioned his thumb over his shoulder, “just before Walter got
there, you started to say you didn’t want me to think something after that
night. What was that?”

Her eyes widened as they had when he apologized for acting like
an asshole about the whole thing. “I uh,” she chewed the corner of her lower
lip. “I just didn’t want you to think I had any expectations of anything else
happening between us.” She glanced away for a moment then back at him. “I
figured since you were asking me to pretend it never happened you didn’t want
things getting weird and neither did I.” She sounded as if she were trying to
reassure him then added in a lowered voice. “I didn’t want you thinking it was
such a big thing for me, so I said I’d forgotten.” She crinkled her nose and
smiled in the most adorable way it made him smile despite the angst he’d begun
to feel. “Maybe saying I’d forgotten pushed it a little too far.”

A small but very relieved laugh escaped him. “Yeah, that was kind
of messed up.”

Her mouth fell open, but she recovered fast enough. “
You’re
the one who told me to pretend it
never happened.
That
was kind of
messed up—embarrassing.”

“I know. I know.” He said, bringing both hands to his chest and
holding them there. “And I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t mean to embarrass
you. I handled it totally wrong. I just really,
really
didn’t want things getting weird between us.” He held back
saying what he really wanted to ask. Was it as big a thing for her as it had
been for him? With the thought of Walter still hanging over his head, he couldn’t,
but he did say the one thing clearly—he needed to. “I meant it when I said you
were different, Charlee.” The blue in her eyes had never been bluer. Hector had
to concentrate on not getting lost in them, or he’d lose his train of thought
like he’d done so often the night of the party. “I don’t want you to think that
what happened that night was forgettable or insignificant to me
at all
.”

She smiled that timid little smile that should be
anything
but arousing because it was so
sweet and pure. But it made him want to take her in his arms and kiss her like
he could only close his eyes now and remember doing to her.

Something behind her caught his attention, and he tore his eyes
away from hers to see her friend Drew holding her books to her chest, swaying side
to side with her eyes closed, and he smiled. “I think your friend is getting
restless.

Charlee turned to see what he was talking about then laughed
softly. “Yeah, she hasn’t been feeling too hot this week, but she swears the
flu is
all
in your head.” She turned
back to him with that timid smile that was slowly bringing Hector to his knees.
“She says meditating works better than medicine.” She lifted a shoulder and
smiled. “She might be on to something, because she says she is feeling better
now than she did a few days ago, and she’s refused to take any meds.”

There was a short silent pause where they stared at each other,
and Hector knew neither of them was thinking about Drew’s flu. Finally, she
smiled a little bigger this time, breaking their moment. “Thank you,” she said
simply then added. “I better get going. There’s a reason I left the lab early.
We don’t want to be out there too late.”

“Okay, I’ll see you next week.” Hector said, feeling a little
disappointed that he couldn’t say more—tell her how he really felt.

Something flashed in her eyes, and for a moment, he thought she
might say something, but then it was gone and she nodded. “Next week,” she said
before walking off toward Drew.

Chapter 17

“Okay, tell me again why we’re still going to do this?
Because he was nice enough to apologize and it’s pretty much cut and dry,
Drew—”

“That he’s definitely feeling something for you, but he’s holding
back.” Drew interrupted her then blew her nose. “We’re getting closer and
closer to proving the very thing I’ve been saying all along.”

Charlee had to admit it. Hector had practically said it to her
yesterday. Yes, their time together that night, those beautiful kisses, had
meant more to him than he initially admitted to. But he also said he really,
really
didn’t want things getting weird
between them.

“So we prove it. Then what? He’s practically spelled it out
already.” Charlee stared at Drew through the mirror. As usual, they were
sharing the same mirror in the hall restroom to get ready. “Maybe he did feel
something that night, but he thinks anything more would be too
weird
. It’s the very word he used.”

Her insides still warmed at the thought that even if that were the
case he’d still wanted her to know that the kisses she thought about on a daily
basis now hadn’t been forgettable or insignificant to him either—
at all
.

“And let’s just admit it.” Drew grabbed some more toilet paper
and blew her nose again. “Things
did
get weird. I mean that blowup he had about Ross.
Geez,
I know Walter’s his friend and all, and it made him mad that
you’d be friendly to Ross,” Drew turned away to sneeze then wiped her nose, “but
there was
way
more to it than that. I
don’t care what you or Hector say. He was jealous, plain and simple, and now he
wants to make sure you know that night meant more to him than he first let on?”
Drew lifted an eyebrow with an evil little grin. “I’m even more certain my plan
is going to work now.”

Trying not to get too caught up or show just how excited the very
idea that Hector might actually have real feelings for her made her, Charlee
lowered her eyes down to Drew’s red nose. “You’re not even feeling well, Drew.
We really should just stay home tonight.”

Drew shook her head then closed her eyes and hummed loudly,
swaying her head side to side.

Charlee smiled. Her friend was nuts. “You say you’re feeling
better, and while I’m all for the power of thought and everything, your body
knows what it needs, and that’s rest, Drew.”

“I’ll rest tomorrow,” Drew said, opening her eyes.

“But—”

“If . . .” Drew pointed her finger at Charlee. “
If
I’m wrong and something happens
tonight that totally proves I’m way off here, then I’ll back off. I will
totally drop this. I promise. But I think someone is forgetting the power of my
sixth sense.”

Charlee pinched her lips to the side but bit her tongue. She was
not about to get into the last time Drew’s sixth sense had been totally off,
especially on a night like tonight. One thing was for sure whether Drew kept
her promise or not: if, in fact, Hector was simply attracted to Charlee but in
no way interested in anything more as he’d made clear enough yesterday, this
would be the last time Charlee gave into Drew. As persuasive as her friend
could be, Charlee had to stand her ground at some point.

If she thought she might be asking for it by letting herself get
caught up on a guy like Hector before, it was an even bigger gamble to allow it
now. Because after staring so profoundly deep into his eyes yesterday and
hearing the words he said with such sincerity, Charlee was beginning to fear
the worst. She just may be falling in love with the guy.

~*~

The place was a madhouse. The last few fights they’d
had here as part of their fall lineup for Friday Night Fights had been pretty packed,
including Hector’s fight a few weeks ago, but tonight was a third-time rematch.
Noah had almost lost to this guy the first time, but it was called a draw. Then
the second time, Noah knocked the guy out. Now the guy had requested another
rematch. Noah had agreed, even though he’d been distracted from his usual
training because of his new baby this entire past year.

Hector knew Abel was worried that Noah might not be as ready as
he’d been the last time he fought him. Hector reminded Abel that the last time
Noah had fought this guy he had a lot going on too. He had been trying to get
it together with his then roommate Roni. Things hadn’t been exactly going his
way, and he’d still knocked the guy out.

Since then, Noah had fought a few bouts but not with anyone they
considered might actually be a threat. This guy was not only a threat he was
hungry to beat Noah.

With Abel giving it a rest finally and letting Gio do his job of
warming up Noah, Hector sat on a stool watching quietly. He was glad some of the
other 5
^th
Street trainers were in there lightening up the mood a
little. Gus, Nestor, and Santos stood off to the side, cracking jokes and
talking about the girls they’d seen there tonight.

Usually these fights didn’t bring in too many girls, but tonight’s
fight was a big draw. There were also a lot of parties going on after around
the local neighborhood, parties Abel told Hector he should stay away from. The
neighborhood had never been the greatest, but having grown up in the area their
whole lives, they were more than comfortable attending the parties in the area.
Still they could get a little rowdy.

The guys were talking about hitting some of the parties tonight.
“I need to get laid,” Santos announced.

“Then find out where the keg parties are,” Nestor said with a sly
smile. “Those are usually a sure thing because the girls always overdo it with
the free beer, and next thing you know they’re all over you.”

Hector turned to Nestor and gave them a look.

“What?” Nestor asked, laughing. “I know no means no, but usually
after so many beers they’re not only saying yes they’re begging for it. “He
brought his hand in front of him and waved it down. “Who am I to deprive any
girl of all this?
Especially when they’re
begging
for it?”

It didn’t surprise Hector that Nestor was one of those guys that
would take advantage of a drunken girl. The world was full of douche bags like
him, and 5
^th
Street wasn’t immune to them.

Distracted by his phone vibrating in his pocket, Hector didn’t
bother responding. He pulled out the phone and read the text from Lisa.

I know you’re probably really busy, but I just wanted to
let you know we’re here. In case you look for me, we’re WAY in the back. If we
had known it was going to be so packed, we would’ve gotten here earlier. THANKS,
HECTOR! ;)

Hector stood up immediately and began texting back.

I’ll get you better seats. Don’t worry.

He started to the door then turned back to Abel. “I’ll probably
just stay out there until the fight starts. It’s almost
time
anyway, right?”

Abel nodded then went back to watching Noah warm up. Hector’s
phone went off again as he continued to walk toward the door.

No! I was kidding. We’re fine where we are. You don’t
have to go to any trouble.

Hector smiled, feeling a bit bittersweet. Normally, he
appreciated the perks of being part owner of a boxing gym. Things like this
went a long way in impressing chicks. Too bad Lisa was no longer the girl he
wanted to impress. He wondered how long it would be until he felt the urge to
impress
anyone,
but the only girl he
was interested in, he couldn’t even consider.

Trouble?
Did you forget I got
connections around here?

Her only response to that was a big smiley face. He took in the
crowd as he walked into the loud swarming gym. Lisa hadn’t been kidding. Hector
thought the place had been packed earlier. As he walked slowly through the
crowd, he made a mental note to talk to the guys about upping the price of tickets
to the bigger fights so they could add more security.

Lisa and her friend stood way in the back. Hector was glad he
spotted them before Lisa saw him. He curiously checked her out, but he didn’t want
her to see that. She might get the idea he was still interested in something
with her. She was just as cute as he remembered. Her dark thick hair seemed a
little longer now, but he’d only ever seen her at school. This was a whole new
side of her he’d yet to experience. Her short black skirt was bordering on too
short, and her very high heels were all kinds of sexy.

She looked up from whatever it was she was reading and smiled
when she saw him. As he got closer, memories of that last day he saw her came
to him. Her eyes were still just as big and dark. He knew he was being biased,
but they had nothing on
Charlee’s
big baby blues.
Maybe at one point they might’ve been—back when he thought only a dark-haired
Hispanic girl could do it for him—not anymore. He’d been so wrong about that it
wasn’t even funny.