Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3) (8 page)

It’s a tight one now and the other team has a slight advantage. Of all the games we could lose, I don’t want this to be one of them. Not when I actually have people in the stands watching. I finally remember why I don’t particularly like my family coming to games. They distract me and make me unnecessarily anxious.

As the first batter steps up to the plate and Felix gets ready to pitch, I push any non-baseball thoughts out of my head. The guy hits the ball with ease, sending it soaring. It’s over the foul line though. I shift my weight from foot to foot while Felix prepares for the next pitch. This time, the guy doesn’t swing, missing out on a beautiful fastball.

He hits the next one, but he only makes it to first. The crowd starts getting a little louder and I smile when I catch them doing the wave. For a moment, I wonder if Zoey and her aunts are taking part. I shake my head and turn my attention to the game just as the next batter swings for a ball, missing it.

The runner on my base is an eager guy, that’s for sure. He keeps taking steps farther and farther from the base, itching to make a steal. I eye Felix since he seems to be taking his time with the next pitch. The guy is far enough away that if Felix wanted to try and get him, it’d be a good gamble.

I flex my fingers in my glove, hoping he takes the opportunity as the guy moves one small step farther away. In the blink of an eye, Felix is throwing me the ball. His aim is spot on, the ball making the sweet thunking sound into my glove, and then the even sweeter sound as my glove connects with the runner’s chest as he tries to come back to base.

I smile to myself. If we lose, at least I can say I played well. The rest of the world effectively falls away after that. There’s a few times I wonder if we’ll win, noticing there’s a lot of back and forth in this game. We’re soon down to the last inning and we’re behind by a run. I’m up at bat. The sun has started lowering in the sky, providing the perfect angle to glare in my eyes.

Turning my grip on the handle until I find the familiar hold, I bend my knees, ready for the pitch. The pitcher’s face is stone and he keeps wiping his hand on his pants. Finally, he rears his arm back and pitches a curveball. Batting might just be my favorite thing about the game. I love the twist my body makes, the transitions my arms do as I follow through. Even better is the cracking as the ball smacks into the bat and is sent flying in the opposite direction with such force.

My hit soars high in the air as I pump my legs and start running. I make it to second with a wide grin on my face. That feeling must be contagious. Or at least lucky because we finish the game with a home run from Tanner to send me home and give us a win.

After the game, I try to be quick, so I can head out. I have a little time before I’m supposed to meet Zoey and her aunts at an Italian restaurant, but I don’t want to be late. I shower with super speed, change into a dark pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, and finally climb into my Jeep.

I’ve just parked when Zoey texts that they’re in the waiting area since the place is packed. I don’t reply, stuffing my phone in my back pocket after making sure it’s on silent, and head inside.

I easily spot Zoey’s jet black hair with that killer body and tattoos covering her skin. There are two women sitting next to her. One of them spots me as I walk closer and she pats Zoey’s knee, saying something to her.

She looks up, and I grin.

“Hey,” I say once I’m close enough.

“Hector, that was a great game.” She smiles before motioning to the ladies next to her. “Let me introduce you to my aunts. This is Lanny and Minnie. This is Hector.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Zoey talks about how great you both are so I wanted to meet you myself,” I say as I shake each of their hands.

“She didn’t mention you at all to me. I had to hear it from Minnie that you were the famous muse.” Lanny gives Zoey a mean look and I try not to smile.

“I told you all about him today when we were driving here. Don’t you remember?”

“Really, Zoey?” Lanny rolls her eyes and makes a show of looking a little disappointed. “Old lady jokes in front of Hector. Did I raise you like that?”

“Hector,” Minnie starts, patting Lanny’s knee. “Please excuse this crazy woman. I, on the other hand, had a blast at the game. It must have been incredible feeling getting that out.”

I grin. “It was. I’m glad you had fun. What about you, Zoey?”

“I’ll be honest; it was fun. I think I figured everything out as it was going along, but overall, I had a great time.”

I pat myself on the back, feeling accomplished as if I am singlehandedly responsible for her enjoying baseball. Before I can reply, we’re called to our table. We’re seated with Lanny and Minnie on one side and Zoey and I on the other. The waitress takes our drink orders before disappearing to fix them.

“Hector, how are you enjoying Memphis?” Minnie asks, wasting no time.

I glance at Zoey and smile. She has definitely made me love Memphis more. “So far, so good. Some of the people could be a little less stubborn, but over all, I’ve been liking my time here.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Lanny puts her hand over her heart. “You’re adorable; I think we’ll keep you.”

“Oh my God, really?” Zoey says, shaking her head. “He isn’t a stray dog.” She faces me and what she says next makes Minnie laugh. “Sorry, she’s the emotional one.”

“I don’t mind if she thinks I’m adorable and wants to keep me around. At least she knew it right away.” I give her a pointed look before turning my attention back to her aunts. “Did Zoey tell you how we met?”

“Well, she gave us a vague overview, so you can go ahead and tell us the truth,” Minnie answers.

“A few teammates and I went to the bar one night. Being the beautiful woman that she is, I tried to flirt. She wouldn’t give me the time of day. So, I kept coming in as often as I could, for two months, and I kept asking her out or asking for her name. After being a little sneaky, I was able to find out her name, and eventually I got her number.”

“Zoey,” Lanny hisses. “It took you two months to tell him your name. How come?”

“I...well...I didn’t know him that well. I don’t just blurt out my personal information,” Zoey explains with a lie.

“He asked for your name, not your social security number.” Lanny rolls her eyes and faces me. “I swear I taught her manners.”

The waitress comes for our order, so we place it before I can mention Zoey’s lie.

“You blurted out your name when that girl asked you,” I point out. “You just didn’t tell your personal information to
me
. I’m sure y’all taught her better. I think she wanted to see how long I’d keep coming in before I gave up. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t realize
that
wasn’t an option.”

“Oh, that’s the sweetest thing ever,” Aunt Lanny coos. “I’m keeping you and you
must
come to dinner at our house.”

“He needs to come to the gallery and see the charcoal,” Minnie speaks up.

“Shhh!” Zoey hisses, her face suddenly red.

“The charcoal? Is that the one you did while you were talking to me?” I ask.

“I’m never bringing any friends around you two ever again.” Zoey eyes her aunts. “The charcoal is horrible. Aunt Minnie is half blind and thinks it’s good.”

“Hey, I’m not blind. It’s stunning, Hector. Do you want to see it? I have a picture of it on my phone. I’ve been showing everyone.”

Zoey gasps, her eyes widening with fear. It’s then I realize she’s most likely saying her work is bad because she’s terrified of what others will think of it. “You have?”

Minnie ignores her. “Hector, would you like to see it? You are the muse.”

As if that means I should automatically have permission to view it. I must admit that I love seeing her flustered like this. And after seeing the artwork in her home, I’m dying to see what she did when she was on the phone with me. I glance at Zoey as the waitress drops off our food because I don’t want to say yes if she truly doesn’t want me to see it. “Do you mind if I see it?”

“I’m sure she’s shown all of Memphis. Go ahead.” Zoey shrugs, but it’s a forced action. She’s extremely nervous.

“Here.” Minnie hands me the phone.

“Wow,” I breathe once I see it. How can she seriously think it sucks? I study and admire it some more before lifting my awed gaze to Zoey. “You should mindlessly doodle all the time if this is the result. She’s right; it’s stunning. Even more so in person, I bet.”

“Hector, are you in town Thursday?” Minnie asks, not giving Zoey a chance to respond. “I’m going to hang it in the gallery. I’d love for you to see it.”

“I’d love to.”

“Maybe we can have dinner afterward?” Lanny suggests, looking hopeful.

“Of course,” I agree without a second thought. “Now, how did you two meet?”

“Ah, it was thirty years ago,” Lanny begins with dreamy eyes. The love she has for Minnie is evident. “We were at a friend's party and it was not love at first sight. I was actually very jealous because she’s much prettier than I am. However, we started talking and after a few glasses of wine, she asked me out.”

“I did not,” Minnie whines. “You asked me out.” She turns to me and fills me in on her view of their love story. “She was a stunner and it was love at first sight for me.”

“Which is why she asked me out,” Lanny corrects her.

“The debate will go on forever,” Zoey whispers. “I’ve heard it all my life. Neither one of them remembers.”

I smile. “Hmm. If I had to guess who asked who, I’d say that Minnie asked Lanny.”

“That seals the deal; we’re going to keep you,” Lanny says laughing.

“You’re stuck with them now.” Zoey smiles.

“It’s fine with me because it means I’m stuck with you, too.” I give her my most charming smile.

“Aw, it’s like I’m watching a romantic movie. This is precious. It’s so perfect.” Lanny chokes up. “Hector, you don’t know how long we’ve waited for her to find someone.”

“We’re friends. We talked about this in the car. Hector and I are friends,” Zoey firmly corrects her.

“I hate to report that she’s right. We’re friends for now.” For now, because I don’t plan on that lasting much longer if I can help it.

“Being friends is a good thing,” Minnie comments. “Now, Hector, tell us more about you. Do you have any hobbies or other talents besides baseball?”

“Just baseball. I spend my free time hanging out with friends and calling home to talk to my family.”

“And where is your family?” Lanny asks.

“Miami. We moved from the Dominican Republic when I was a teenager. My parents are in real estate and I have a younger sister in college.”

“What’s her major?” This time, Zoey asks the question.

“She wants to be an elementary school teacher.”

“You went to college, right, Hector? Were you able to finish before you started in the big leagues?” Minnie asks.

“Yeah, I was. If my career ever goes south, I’ll be able to join my family in real estate. I’m hoping to play for a long, long time and then retire without that happening.” The last thing I want to do is dive into the real estate business.

“You seem very mature and you have goals. It shows a lot of character,” Minnie tells me.

“Thanks.” I smile and remember what Zoey told me about their latest adventure. “Oh, congrats on having winning roses at the State Fair, Lanny.”

Her eyes widen with surprise. “How did you know that?”

“Zoey told me. I’m pretty impressed. I don’t think I could grow anything to start with.”

“It’s my specialty. I love it. We have a large vegetable garden and of course, all of my beautiful flowers. It’s very simple.”

“What are your favorite flowers?”

“All of them.” She laughs. “But roses and daisies. It’s a strange combo, but I love those two together.”

“She gives them to everyone. Sick, birthday, holiday, it doesn’t matter, you’ll get them,” Zoey adds.

I can’t wait, but I don’t say anything. I’ve learned a lot about her aunts. Now, I want to learn more about Zoey. “So what can you ladies tell me about our lovely Zoey here?”

“We can tell you everything.” Minnie smiles.

“Please don’t embarrass me,” Zoey pleads.

“We would never do that.” Lanny giggles. “Hector, Zoey is smart, talented, caring, and has the biggest heart. I know some are thrown off by the tattoos, but that’s just her artistic side showing.”

I smile. “I already figured those things out. And the tattoos are one of the things that drew me to her in the first place. I’m sure y’all are proud to have such a beautiful and great niece.”

“Yes, we are. She’s incredible.” Minnie looks at her with such fondness and love, it warms my heart.

“Well, could we please stop bragging about me? I’m starting to feel odd sitting here as everyone talks about me,” Zoey interrupts.

“You shouldn’t feel that way at all. If you’d rather, I could go up to the rooftop and yell it,” Lanny teases her.

“Please don’t,” Zoey begs.

They give her reprieve by turning the conversation back to me. “Hector, does your family come often to watch you play?”

“They stay pretty busy back home, but they always catch at least two games during the season; one at home and one here.”

“We would love to meet them. They’ve raised such a kind young man; I’m sure they’re just as delightful.”

I’d hate to disappoint Lanny, but I’m not so sure my parents would be as accepting and welcoming as I’ve been. I shift in the seat with my discomfort, unsure how to turn them down about meeting my parents. “They are proud of me and who they’ve raised me to be,” I say, deciding that’s enough.

“I don’t think we need to met the family yet, Aunt Lanny,” Zoey jumps in thankfully. “Hector and I are friends, and we shouldn’t push him into anything like that. Let’s ease him into our crazy family.”

“Right,” I agree. “I’m very glad y’all decided to come to the game and invite me to dinner. I’ve enjoyed meeting you both. I can see why Zoey loves you so much.”

“Hector, forgive us if we made you uncomfortable,” Minnie tells me. “We are both excited about Zoey finding a
friend
. However, we really want you to come Thursday. It’ll be small, just us, to display her charcoal.”