Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3) (18 page)

Hector laughs. “That too. Why did you keep turning me down for two of the longest months of my life?”

“I thought you were a creep who wanted to get laid. You wouldn’t believe some of the characters who came in there hounding me for a date or...whatever. I figured you would give up, but you’re a tad stubborn.” I shrug my one shoulder as if it isn’t a big deal.

“I don’t think any guy would come again and again for that long just for sex. I figured
you
would give in sooner than you did, but you’re a tad stubborn.”

“What? Me? Stubborn? Ha!” I scoff. “However, I’m glad you tricked me into giving you my name.”

“I didn’t trick you. I was just sneaky in making you tell someone else while I was close enough to hear it.” Hector flashes me his grin.

“I think it’s called trickery, Hector. But,” I pause. “What do you think now? Are you happy?”

“Happier than ever. Are you? You keep asking about me, but you haven’t said anything about yourself.”

“Oh, Hector.” Here it comes. I pull the sheet up as I lift up onto my knees and face him. He needs to hear me. I need to say the words. I can’t hide behind my nervousness. “I’ve had a lot of crappy relationships and have known some shitty guys in my life. I thought I would never find a good guy. I thought there were no good guys left really. But you proved me wrong. I see a lot of greatness in you, Hector, and it makes me wonder if it’s a dream and not real at all.” I pause to compose myself. “Because I can see myself falling really hard for you and I don’t know if I can handle another heartbreak.”

“If we can survive my mother, we can survive anything. Besides, do you really think someone as stubborn as me is going to give up on you?” He strokes my cheek.

“It’s my fear.” There I said it and he heard it. “She’s your mother and even though your sister and father are amazing, mothers still have special places in children’s lives. If I admit my feelings to you and myself, what will happen if she pulls her rank and I’m out?

“Hector, I’ve never felt this way before and I’m scared of letting go of my emotions. I know people say ‘go big or go home’, but I’m not that type of person. I don’t pour out emotions verbally and I’m...scared.” I stop talking because there’s nothing else to say. I told him my heart and soul and there’s nothing left in me but my love for him.

“Zoey,” he pauses. “Mom has already tried to do that. And do you know what I told her? I told her that if it came down to it, I would choose you. Her not liking you has nothing to do with who you are and it’s wrong. It’s why she didn’t come to my game that day. Because I told her I’d walk away from her.”

“Hector.” My voice cracks and for the first time in I don’t know how long, I let a tear escape me. The whirlwind named Hector settles my nerves and emotions and for the first time, I feel love from and for a man.

OKAY, I’M GOING to puke and it’s going to be all over my shoes. I shake out my hands again as I stand outside the gallery. I’m shaking badly and I can’t stop it. I keep taking deep breaths and I'm trying not to sweat. It’s hard to do when I’m standing in the Memphis heat.

“Do you want to go in?” Hector asks. Poor Hector. He has been standing next to me as I have my nervous breakdown in front of the gallery. He has been standing here as I freak out and he’s still smiling.

“This is bad.” I shake out my hands again.

“Explain to me what’s going on.”

“How can I explain it?” I stare at him. “This is like game seven of the World Series in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded and a full count. Oh, and a tied game.” I try to control my breathing, but I’m becoming erratic.

“Okay, I can understand that.” He pulls me into his arms. “Now, listen to me. You’re going step up to the plate, swing high, and you will knock it out of the park.”

I can’t help the laugh as it escapes. “Do you know how a girl knows she’s spending too much time with a baseball guy?” Hector shakes his head. “When she understand what you’re saying with a baseball metaphor.”

Hector laughs loudly. “Well, to be fair, you started it. Now, are we ready?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation.

He takes my hand and leads me into the gallery. We came early because I want him to see everything before everyone else. I unlock the door and flip on the lights. I turn to see Hector’s face and it’s shock, real shock.

“Wow,” he sighs. He drops my hand and walks into the gallery. “Zoey.” He walks around the room. “It’s incredible.”

I haven’t left my spot by the door yet. I’m not sure what to do right now. “You’re my muse.”

Hector chuckles. “I can tell and I love it.” He strolls back over to me and kisses me deeply. “You hit it out of the park.”

ZOEY’S SHOWING IS winding down, and it’s gone wonderfully. Even though she was so nervous beforehand, she’s obviously in her element here. Her aunts have been keeping her moving around the room, talking to people, but she’s finally on her way back over to me.

“We should be able to leave shortly,” she says, slipping an arm around my waist.

“No rush. Do you want to stay at my place tonight? I have tomorrow off.”

She smiles. “Yeah, let’s do that. I think I’m long overdue for a night at your place.”

“I agree, so finish up here and then we can go.”

Her aunts call her over to where the last person has yet to leave. Zoey goes, and it’s not until an hour later that we’re walking into my house. I tell her she can go ahead and take her overnight bag to my bedroom. I’m kind of hungry, so while she does that, I look at my fridge to see if anything looks good.

“Hector, come here!” Zoey calls.

The door to the fridge shuts with a thud and I make my way to my bedroom. She’s standing next to my bed, looking at what’s hanging above my headboard, the first painting she sold. I just happened to be the buyer.

“It looks good there, doesn’t it?” I say.

“You’re the person who bought it?”

I chuckle. “That would be why it’s hanging up in my bedroom, yeah. I really loved it and I wanted to make sure it was mine.” I pause as a thought hits me. “You aren’t mad, are you?”

“I’m not sure how I feel.”

“You’re an amazing artist, Zoey. I just wanted a piece of that for myself.”

“I shouldn’t be shocked you were the one to buy it. I’m not mad. I think I’m a little embarrassed because it’s been in your bedroom this whole time. It’s almost like I’ve been here with you.”

“If we had stayed here sooner, you would have seen it before now. I’m kind of proud that when I told you where I would hang it, you said you would have put it there, too. I like it in here because like you said, it’s almost like you’ve been here with me.”

“I like it there too. I hate to say it, but I’m glad you bought it. I probably would have given it to you because you were the one who inspired it.”

“But then you wouldn’t have gotten that look on your face when you found out someone bought it and who knows if you would’ve actually kept going if you just gave it away. One could say you owe me a thank you for your new career, but I’m not that kind of guy, and I know I really have nothing to do with it. It’s all you.”

“A thank you?” She gives me a sly smile. “I could think of some way to thank you, but since you’re not that kind of guy, I guess I won’t,” she teases, running her hands over my chest.

“You’re not feeling generous anyway?”

A grin appears on both of our faces before she leans forward to kiss me. “I don’t know what I would do without you,” I breathe, lying her down on the bed.

“I’m more worried about what you’re going to
do
with me.”

My grin widens. “Lots and lots of dirty things.”

ZOEY AND I are cooking breakfast. We woke up about half an hour ago, but just now made it to the kitchen for food. Zoey is standing at the stove, cooking bacon, and she’s distracting me. I’m supposed to be getting things together for French toast, but she’s wearing one of my t-shirts and that’s it. Just as I’m about to walk over to her, there’s a knock on my door.

It’s only ten in the morning, and I’m wondering who could be here at this hour. I’m not expecting anyone. Nothing could have prepared me for who I find when I open the door.

My mother and Paulina, an ex-girlfriend.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

Mom walks past me before I can stop her, but she stops immediately at seeing Zoey standing in my kitchen. “What is
she
doing here?”

“I asked you first. You should’ve called before showing up like this.” What a way to ruin our morning.

“I’m your mother. I think you’ve forgotten this small fact, Hector. The reason I’m here is since you can’t seem to find the time to quit acting like a horny teenager, I brought you a prospect with me.” She points to Paulina, the poor girl.

“I haven’t forgotten anything. I’m surprised you’re here
unannounced
when you live in another state. I’m sorry you’ve come all this way for nothing. I’m with Zoey, and even if I wasn’t, there’s no way I would get back together with Paulina. Sorry,” I say to Paulina. She looks uncomfortable and I have a feeling she had no idea what my mother was walking her into.

“Hector, Paulina is a sweet, caring Catholic who will be a good wife. What does
she
have?” She tosses a nod towards Zoey. “I flew Paulina first class up here to reconnect with you. This is what you need.” Mom nudges Paulina toward me, and I realize Mom has officially lost her mind.

“It is not what I need. Paulina could have reached out to me herself if she wanted to reconnect. What did you say to pressure her up here?” I look at Paulina. “Do you seriously even want to be here? To have a chance to get back together?”

Her nervous glance toward my mother tells me all I need to know, but she softly says, “You know how your mother is.”

“I think what she means,” Mom jumps in, “is that she understands how you two need alone time together. I’m sure she’s terribly embarrassed to come here and see…” Mom stares at Zoey as if she can’t find the words to describe her.

“I have a name,” Zoey firmly states. “I’m not a piece of the furniture.”

“You shouldn’t have come, Mom. I’m tired of this, of constantly fighting with you over Zoey. Why don’t you and Paulina just go back to the airport and fly home? Nothing has changed since the last time you were here, and nothing is going to change. There’s no point in doing this. You should feel bad for trying to ambush me with an ex-girlfriend when I already have a girlfriend. Just go home, Mom.”

“You’re throwing me out? I’m your mother.” Her mouth drops, but I don’t care.

“Until you can accept my relationship with Zoey, then yeah, I’m throwing you out with a
please don’t come back, phone calls only
sign going on the door. You are my mother, and I love you, but I’m done with the ridiculousness.”

“My concern with your well-being is not ridiculous,” she snaps. “I’m your mother. It’s my job to make sure you make the right decisions. Right now, you’re making the wrong one.”

“My well-being?” I scoff. “I’m happy; what more do you want? If you think I’m making the wrong decision, then that’s your problem. You’re the only one who thinks so. Even Dad thinks you’re out of line and going too far.”