Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3)

by Lindsay Paige

  “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.”

  “How about we forget about our parents and have a great night with Zoey? I like her so far and you look like a puppy dog following her around with your eyes.”

  I smile. “I can’t help it; she’s amazing.”

  As if we summoned her, Zoey appears with another bottle of beer for me and a water for Carissa. “Just water after this,” I tell her.

  She nods. “Are we going skydiving?”

  “Will it earn me brownie points if I do it for my sister?” I ask with a smile.

  A faint blush colors her cheeks. “It will.”

  I sigh. “We’re going skydiving.”

  For a moment, I almost think it’s worth it by the smiles they give me. Almost.

  Carissa leans over and hugs me so tightly; I think she might choke me. “Thank you, Hector! This is why you’re my favorite brother.”

  Laughing, I say, “I would hope so. I’m your only brother.”

  Keeping an arm around my shoulders, Carissa turns her attention to Zoey. “Did getting your tattoos hurt? I’ve been thinking about getting one.”

  I look to my sister in surprise. She’s talking about Mom flipping over me dating someone with tattoos, but Mom would have a heart attack if Carissa came home with a tattoo.

  Zoey shrugs. “Some hurt more than others. It depends on where you’re thinking of getting it. What do you want?”

  Carissa shrugs one shoulder. “Not sure yet. How did you decide what you wanted?”

  “All of my tats mean something to me; that’s how I decided. My suggestion would be to find something personal you wouldn’t mind having on your body for the rest of your life. I’ll be back.” Zoey rushes off to help more customers.

  “You want a tattoo?” I ask my sister.

  She gives me a small smile. “I have a little rebel in me too, you know.”

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out, surprised to see a text from Blake.

  Blake: What are you doing?

  Me: At Big Blue. You coming?

  Blake: Yeah

  “Do you have any hot single teammates?” Carissa asks.

  I narrow my eyes. “They’re all taken,” I lie. The last thing I want is my sister acting as if she’s going to hook up while she’s here. “Let’s play a game of darts.” Hanging out with my sister is fun and I realize how much I’ve missed her. She kicks my butt, of course. We’ve just finished when I look up and spot Blake coming over to us. “Grumpy!” He shakes his head at me, but then I see Sofia a step behind him. “Sof! I didn’t know you were coming.”

  “Hey, Hector,” she smiles.

  I lay an arm around my sister’s shoulders. “Grumpy, Sof, this is my baby sister, Carissa. She’s spending the weekend with me. Carissa, this is my teammate, Grumpy, and his girlfriend, Sofia.”

  “My name is Blake,” he corrects. “Nice to meet you.”

  Sofia echoes his statement and I lead us all back to the bar and ask, “What were y’all up to before you decided you missed me so much you had to see me?” I grin.

  “We were at dinner with my parents,” Sofia answers.

  Crap. I look at Carissa. “Are you hungry? I didn’t even think to ask if you’ve had dinner yet.”

  “You suck as a brother,” Blake laughs and I send a glare at him.

  “I ate during the layover.”

  Zoey comes to take Blake and Sofia’s orders.

  “How’s your mom?” I ask Blake since I haven’t lately.

  He smiles. “She’s doing great.”

  Zoey returns and joins in easily. “Now, I remember Grumpy,” I chuckle and Blake rolls his eyes as she continues to Sofia, “But I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

  “I’m Sofia, Blake’s girlfriend.”

  “Hi, I’m Zoey.”

  “You’re Zoey?” Sofia’s eyes light up and her smile shows off her excitement. “Blake told me about you. It’s great to finally put a face with the name.”

  Zoey only has enough time to blush before she’s pulled back into work when those college guys call her back over. I have to say, I’m surprised Blake has brought her up to Sofia. I want to rag him about how he obviously talks about me, but Sofia speaks first.

  “Hector, she’s beautiful,” Sofia begins. “Are you two dating or just friends?”

  “Somewhere in between.”

  “She’s taking us skydiving,” Carissa jumps in.

  “Like in a plane?” Sofia stumbles over the words in shock.

  “Yeah. Do you want to take my place? They are basically blackmailing me into it.”

  “No, thank you. I don’t mind flying, but you’re not going to see me jumping out of anything like that.” She turns to her boyfriend. “What about you, Blakey?”

  “I’ve always thought it would be cool to do.” He shrugs before pulling her closer to him. “Would you go if I asked you to do it with me?”

  “Hell no. Would you go to the outlet malls with me?” she counters.

  “If it lasted as long as skydiving, sure,” he answers easily.

  “And see, that’s how they got me. Zoey wagered I wouldn’t and then Carissa shows up and they both conned me into it,” I explain.

  “Stop being a baby.” Carissa rolls her eyes. “It’ll last for a couple minutes and then you’ll be fine.”

  Oh yeah, I’m sure it’ll feel like a couple of minutes too. They better hope I’m fine at the end of it.

  We hang out at the bar for a while longer before the flight starts hitting Carissa and she’s ready to go home. I pull out my wallet and leave my usual generous tip. Zoey catches sight of me leaving money, so she comes over.

  “Heading out?”

  “Yeah. Carissa’s tired. I guess I’ll see you soon?”

  Zoey smiles with victory. “Yes, you will.”

  I shake my head, still not believing what I’ve agreed to. Leaning across the bar, Zoey inhales sharply right before I press a simple
, soft kiss to her lips. After giving her a grin, we leave.

  “MOM, DON’T YOU think you could have at least let Carissa know you were coming and with company?” I’ve been on the phone for twenty minutes and have yet to accomplish anything.

  “Don’t lecture me, Hector. I want you and Carissa happy, in good relationships with good people.”

  “I know that, but we don’t need your help with it. Carissa needs to focus on school and not this relationship and baby crap. She’s twenty-one. I’m just trying to tell you that you’re stressing her out. Cut her some slack.”

  Mom’s voice turns icy and I know I’ve pissed her off. “She is my daughter and I will look out for her.”

  “Do you know she’s here with me this weekend?” Her silence answers my question. “She’s young and you raised her to be a good young woman. She can make her own decisions and find herself in her own relationships. If she would like your help, she’ll ask.”

  “But Hector, you don’t understand. These—”

  “I understand how Carissa feels,” I interrupt.

  Mom is quiet for only a beat before she changes topics. “I’m going to pass along some information in an email about that girl I found for you. You should reach out to her and start getting to know her.”

  Inwardly, I sigh. She’s a stubborn and relentless woman. Tired of arguing, I say, “You can send the email.” I already know I won’t be reaching out to the girl because I’m too interested in Zoey. If I can hold Mom off long enough, I can learn more about Zoey and see where things go. My hopes are set on us becoming something more than friends.

  I TURN TO Hector and he’s as white as a bed sheet. We were just hooked up to our instructors, and I’m afraid that he might really pass out. Carissa looks back at me and gives me a thumbs up. I flash one back at her. I squeeze Hector’s hand and smile, but he looks at me and shakes his head. I laugh as the instructor taps my shoulder and we scoot over to the open door. Carissa already told them she wanted to go first.

  I watch as she and the instructor push off and leap into the empty air. We continue to the edge and I glance at Hector. He still looks bad. I wink at him as the instructor pushes us off and we begin to fall. I try to keep my mouth closed because I’m scared of a bug flying in. I squeal as the wind is burning my cheeks and my limbs are fighting for control as the air keeps beating me around.

  I stare at the view around me and it’s stunning. The bird’s eyes view is indescribable. The bright green of the land below and the scattered homes paint the ground. I can see the Memphis skyline clear on the other side of the flat land. There’s no paint in the world that can compete with Mother Nature’s rainbow of colors.

  I look farther out to my left, and I see Carissa’s shoot pull. I can’t see Hector and I’m not sure if he jumped. I know the parachute will be pulled soon and I feel the quick jerk before we shoot up. As soon as the parachute opens completely, we begin to float down. I take a deep breath and memorize the horizon. I wish there was a way I could paint it. However, it never looks as beautiful.

  I see the ground coming closer. Carissa has already landed. I feel the instructor tugging on the ropes to steer us to the grass patch near the airport. I lift my legs up as we’re about to land, but the instructor slips and we both land awkwardly on the ground.

  “Are you okay?” he asks with concern.

  I’m laughing hard, but nod. We’re both able to maneuver to our feet and he unhooks me as Carissa comes bounding toward me.

  “Oh my God, that was the greatest thing I’ve ever done.” She nearly chokes me when she hugs my neck.

  “It’s amazing, right?”

  “Better.” She lets me go and we look up at the sky as Hector is about to land.

  He did it. He really skydived. I have to say I’m shocked because I was sure he would chicken out. Once he lands and is unhooked, we run over to him. He’s on his knees with his face in the grass.

  “Hector, are you going to be sick?” Carissa asks. I lean down to him and rub his back.

  “I’m kissing the ground. I love the ground, and I think I’m going to marry the ground.” He rolls onto his back.

  “Stop being a sissy and man up.” Carissa kicks his shin. “You can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it.”

  “I hated every single second of it,” Hector groans.

  “Well, Zoey and I will leave you at home the next time we do it,” Carissa says and we both help him to his feet.

  “I’m fine with that.”

  I laugh at him, but I’m glad he didn’t pass out and the color is returning to his face. Carissa hugs him and he instantly melts. He loves her and you can see he’ll do anything for her. When she lets him go, I lean over and kiss his cheek. He hugs me close to him and we walk back to the office to change out of our jumpsuits.

  Hector takes us out to a small Italian restaurant. Carissa continues to go on and on about the experience. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who talks so much. We eat, laugh, and I don’t remember having this much fun with any of my other boyfriends.

  Boyfriend?

  What happened to taking it slow, Zoey?

  “Do you want to hang out with us some more? We’re just going to relax at my house.”

  “I’ve intruded on your whole day. I should go home.”

  “No, you shouldn’t,” Carissa jumps in. “I’m having a blast with you and Hector. Come over. Seriously, all we’re going to do is watch movies and Hector’s going to make popcorn.”

  “She’s right. Plus, I skydived for you, so you kind of have to do something nice in return.” Hector’s brown eyes pin me.

  “How long are you going to hold that over my head?” I quip.

  “For the rest of your life. So, are you coming?” He grins.

  “Sure. I’ll come hang out with you both.”

  I thought Hector would live in a small mansion, but I am pleasantly surprised to see he lives in a simple, modest home. It’s Hector. I’ve never seen the movie they pick out, but the popcorn, with all the butter and salt, is out of this world. I sit close to Hector, but I don’t snuggle, even though a part of me wants to. Carissa sits in a chair next to us and it’s the quietest I’ve seen her.

  “Hector, is that your phone ringing?” Carissa asks.

  “Oh, yeah.” He jumps up and walks toward the kitchen. I can hear him saying something, but can’t make it out. When he comes back in, he looks a little sad. “Bad news, baby sister. Time for practice has changed and I won’t be able to take you to the airport. I guess I can pay for a cab to take you?”

  “I can take you, Carissa. I’m not doing anything tomorrow morning,” I volunteer.

  “You don’t have to do that, Zoey.” Hector looks at me.

  “If she doesn’t mind, I’d enjoy some girl time alone with Zoey. I can tell her all your dirty little secrets,” Carissa teases him and giggles.

  “I do not have any secrets. If you really don’t mind, then thank you. I can at least give you some cash for the gas, though.” He sits back down next to me.

  “Nah, I made you jump out of a plane. I think we’re even after this.” It’s my turn to laugh.

  “I have to spend a day doing whatever you want, don’t I?” he reminds me.

  “Oh, yes, you do. I’m not letting that go at all. I just meant this is part of it.”

  “Alright then. Thanks for taking her for me.”

  I PICK CARISSA up about two hours before her plane takes off. She jumps into my car, but she doesn’t look as happy as she was when I left her last night.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I guess. I’m not really ready to head back yet, but I needed this weekend.” She buckles her seatbelt and I pull out of Hector’s driveway.

  “I had fun, too,” I tell her as I head toward the interstate.

  “You know, my brother really likes you.”

  My heart flutters a bit. “I like Hector too.”

  “No, I mean really likes you. I can’t wait until Mom meets you,” Carissa g
iggles.

  “Hector has told me little bit about her. I know she really wants you guys in relationships.” I don’t want to go behind Hector’s back, but I’m curious about how bad she really is.

  “She’s on both of our cases all the time. The past few months have been worse than normal.”

  “Is there a reason why?”

  “She’s getting older. A lot of the people Hector and I grew up with are married with kids, and she has to tell them Hector is still playing baseball instead of working in the family business, and I’m still in college instead of playing wife and mother to some loser guy I’m not in love with.” Carissa sighs and I feel bad for her. I can’t imagine my aunts doing anything like that to me. They’ve always told me they want me happy and nothing more.

  “Maybe she’ll come around someday.”

  “You know how stubborn Hector is, right? Mom is ten times worse. Wait until you meet her.”

  My nerves are bit on edge at her words. If I ever did meet her, I know it’s going to be bad. I look at Carissa with her dark hair, brown eyes, caramel skin and a bright shiny cross like Hector’s but smaller. I’m not going to fit into his family.

  “Has your mom liked Hector’s other girlfriends?”

  “I guess. Hector didn’t have girlfriends for long. He wasn’t a player or anything. Hector kept his focus on baseball and being the best player he could be. Since his career is mostly established now, he’s been having more fun. Then he found you, and he’s been happier than I’ve seen him in a very long time.”

  I don’t say anything at her last comment. I understand what she means because I’m happy too. However, I need to keep reminding myself to take it slow and I shouldn’t open my heart up too much because Hector’s mom won’t like me. I can already feel it.

  Once I drop Carissa off and hug her goodbye, I head back to my apartment. There’s a new blank canvas waiting for me and with all the sadness bouncing around me, I know what I’m going to paint.

  IT’S BEEN A few days since I’ve had the chance to see Zoey. Between games, practices, and things ramping up with the end of the season on the horizon, it’s been hard to do much more than come home and collapse onto my bed. Today, I hope to see her. I’m in the kitchen doing something rather rare for me; I’m cooking.