Chapter 34: Chapter 34

“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 Charlee 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.

Hector

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 5th 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 5th 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.

Text: 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.

Text: 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.

Text: 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.

Text: 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.

Lisa hugged him hard, and he hugged her right back, admitting to himself she did smell really nice. She then introduced him to her friend Estella. Estella smiled and shook his hand.

“Wow. Did you get bigger or what?” Lisa exclaimed, her eyes all over his chest and upper arms.

Hector smiled. “Maybe a little.”

When Lisa gave him a knowing look then reached up and touched his arm again, he glanced away, not wanting to encourage the flirting. If it were anyone else, he’d just as soon go along with it, but not Lisa. “C’mon,” he said, taking in just how crowded the place really was.

They were going to have to make their way back through that mess to get to the front row. “Stay close,” he said, turning back to her, and reached out his hand.

Lisa took it immediately, but he didn’t mind, even though she quickly laced her fingers through his. She had to know why he’d done it. There was no way she’d be able to stay close in this crowd if he hadn’t. Glancing around trying to decide which would be the fastest way to get there, he froze when his eyes met Charlee’s. Her hair was down again like the day of his fight. Only she didn’t wear a dress this time. She wore skintight jeans with a turquoise sweater that made the blue in her eyes even more striking. She’d done something else tonight too. Her lips were so red it made the color of her fair skin that much more brilliant at the same time enhancing the red in her hair, brows, and freckles. She practically glowed.