Hector
The timing couldn’t have been better. Even though he managed to catch himself every time so far, Hector was beginning to lose control—stumbling off his train of thought time after time. So he couldn’t have been more relieved when everyone’s attention was called to the small podium at the front of the room.
Hector took advantage of the distraction to regroup and gather his thoughts. He had to get a hold of himself. Why couldn’t he have stayed angry like he’d felt the entire time he showered and got ready? Even as he’d been interviewed by the local media and the Spanish radio broadcaster over the phone, he’d been tense. Dealing with that would’ve been easier than what he was dealing with now.
He’d wondered the whole time if she possibly could be here looking to confront him: tell him off about yesterday—a confrontation that couldn’t wait until Monday. Then Miriam and Leticia had walked into the gym just as he was wrapping up his final interview. They’d been a slight diversion from his ongoing speculation about Charlee’s unexpected presence here tonight, but the diversion from those thoughts had been fleeting. The moment he entered the party, he saw her. He’d hoped to be there for a few minutes before having to see her and have a few drinks to calm the irritation he’d begun to feel just thinking about what she might be up to this time.
After his fight when he’d spotted her in the crowd, it was her hair that stood out. His eyes had been drawn like a magnet to the glowing crimson locks in the crowd. It was more than that now. He was sure his eyes weren’t the only ones being drawn to her. She looked spectacular. When he’d walked in and gotten a closer look at just how different she looked tonight, he couldn’t dump Leticia and Miriam off with his brother’s group fast enough. He was getting this over with now—the sooner the better.
He’d walked over to where she and his other chess teammates stood with one purpose only—to face off with her. Then to his surprise, she’d been nice, more than nice. Even when she congratulated him on his incredibly impressive win, it came off genuinely sincere. To make matters worse, she’d been playful. And if he weren’t mistaken, she was having just as hard a time of keeping her eyes off him as he was keeping his off her.
Hector knew he was treading dangerous waters here, and he could already feel it. If he got some time alone with her, even just a moment, he might do or say something he shouldn’t.
Glancing at Walter, who was listening to the exclusive announcement of Abel’s signing as the next contender for the heavyweight title, he was hit with reality again. Walter was making the first real effort in his entire life to get into shape, and he was doing it for Charlee. As hard and as embarrassing as Hector knew it had been for Walter, he bit the bullet and asked Hector for help.
The big guy had nearly collapsed yesterday from the workout Hector gave him. But he said he’d be back today to work out again alone before Hector’s fight, since Hector wouldn’t be able to join him. Surprisingly, Hector had seen him in there before his fight, pushing hard on the treadmill. Being a part-time trainer, Hector knew the enthusiasm a client has when they first start working out is what keeps the momentum going. Nothing would kill Walter’s momentum faster now than to stomp on his motivation.
Who knew? Maybe if Walter did drop a lot of weight, he just might have a chance with Charlee. The two did have a lot in common. Both were brainy and very good at chess. And while Hector couldn’t be sure, because he didn’t know too much about her, Charlee seemed a bit shy like Walter. At the very least, she was far more reserved than any of the girls Hector usually hung out with.
Unable to help himself even after he’d pretty much mentally made a case for why he should put any further thoughts of pursuing anything with Charlee to rest, he casually glanced in her direction. Like everyone else, her attention was focused on the front of the room where Abel was now speaking about next year’s bout for the title. Hector should really be paying attention to his brother. This was huge. But he already knew all about what Abel was letting everyone else in on, and at the moment he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Charlee’s dress.
It was a simple enough dark blue wrap around that came together at her small waist with a thick belt. It was similar to the one Leticia wore so boldly that same night. Only as he’d observed before, Charlee’s was far more reserved. While Leticia’s was shorter and tighter and boasted a plunging neckline, Charlee’s was a bit longer, and though it was snug enough to show off her cute but breathtaking little figure, it wasn’t quite as body hugging as Leticia’s.
The neckline of Charlee’s dress wasn’t nearly as low as Leticia’s, but it was low enough to indulge Hector’s probing eyes with a nice tease of her milky white skin. Visions of the perky bare breasts just under the soft fabric of her dress inundated Hector. They’d be just as white and feel just as soft as he imagined the skin his eyes now traced from the open neckline up her delicate neck to that stubborn but sweet chin would be. His eyes stopped at her lips, the very lips he’d been so close to tasting yesterday, and he gulped. As his eyes traveled upward, they met hers. She was watching him size her up, and surprisingly, the corner of her lips curved ever so slightly.
Hector knew he should look away—at least try to save face. He had no idea how long she’d been watching him, but her tiny smirk was all too telling. She’d seen enough, and as cold as she’d been toward him up until tonight, she seemed amused. Was it possible that what he’d thought he picked up on earlier was actually happening? Was the ice princess actually coming around?
Noticing the tinge of pink that colored her cheeks, he broke their stare. He had to. Abel was done talking and the music was back on.
“I changed my mind,” Walter whispered, leaning into him.
“About what?” Hector asked, turning full circle and away from Charlee.
Walter rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “About asking Charlee to dance tonight.”
Hector had forgotten all about that. When they talked about the party yesterday and Hector mentioned ways of making the most of it, one of the things he mentioned was they’d have a D.J. and a dance floor. Hector had even demonstrated the simple two-step he could do to any tune. Now that the announcement was out of the way, the lights had been dimmed, and people were already making their way onto the dance floor.
Wondering if he should encourage Walter to what more than likely would be a letdown or embarrassment or both, Hector thought for a moment then felt a small but firm hand slip into his. “Did you forget about me?”
Turning to see Leticia’s smiling face looking up at him, he forced a smile. It was a strange and unfamiliar feeling, but he suddenly worried that Miriam was close behind. Typically he had no qualms about being seen with one or more girls. Tonight, however, his take on this was oddly altered. Walter had already made it clear what he thought happened with Hector and the girls Saturday once they all left together. He’d ribbed Hector about it the day he showed up at the gym. Hector hadn’t bothered explaining, letting him think whatever he wanted. What difference did it make?
Now he was glad Charlee hadn’t stuck around to see him leave with them. She already hadn’t been very discreet about her distaste for Leticia Saturday night. Hector was sure she wouldn’t have approved of what almost happened that night, not that he needed her approval. He just preferred her friendly demeanor to the indifferent one, and he didn’t want to go back to that.
“I told you I was going to be busy tonight, sweetheart. He glanced up just in time to see Noah and Gio wave him over.
Nodding, he glanced back at Leticia. “You remember Walter from Saturday, right?” Walter’s alarmed expression made Hector almost laugh. “I gotta go, but he’ll keep you company until I get back.” Walter’s eyes went wide and Leticia’s didn’t even try to hide the disappointed pout. Any other time, Hector might’ve leaned in and kissed her just to make up for having to leave her again, but he didn’t. Instead, he just squeezed her hand before letting go of it. “I won’t be long. I promise.”
He started off toward Noah and Gio purposely not looking in Charlee’s direction. He had to snuff that flame out before it went wild. Charlee was not someone he should be getting involved with, aside from the obvious most ponderous reason: Walter. There were even more reasons now.
For one, she was totally not his type, not that he really had one, but all he knew was she wasn’t it. She was nothing like any of the girls he ever hung with, and besides chess, he doubted they’d have anything else in common. Two, if he thought she’d be like Leticia, willing to have some fun and then just leave it at that, maybe he could consider it. But he could already tell she wasn’t. Walter mentioned she was quiet, shy, studious, and very sweet. Even though she hadn’t been very sweet to Hector so far, he did see the shy. He’d seen it in her eyes yesterday when he’d nearly kissed her. That kind of heavy sexual tension was a first for her. He wasn’t even sure how she would’ve reacted if he had kissed her, but he was certain it wouldn’t have been like most girls he kissed.
Something about Charlee and those thick red lashes she’d fluttered so flustered over those deep blue eyes yesterday said . . . romantic. Hector didn’t do romance. He didn’t have time for it. He learned from past experiences that you don’t get involved in any way with girls looking for the real deal without it getting messy, especially ones you’ll have to be around often. Even considering doing something with Charlee was out of the question. It couldn’t get any more cut and dry than this. But this was the first time he found himself having to build such a case against getting involved with any girl, and it was annoying as hell.
“Congrats,” Roni said as he reached her and Noah. She held up her camera in one hand and hugged his neck with the other. “Umm, you smell good,” she said as she pulled away.
“Yeah, yeah,” Noah frowned, taking her hand. “So he showered.”
Hector laughed. “You’re just saying that because it’s the cologne you two got me last Christmas.”
Roni’s eye’s brightened. “Is it really? No wonder. I gave everyone Armani. I just don’t remember who I gave which to. Gio’s is the only one easy to remember since it’s his own name. I love all his fragrances.”
“Code something or other,” Hector shrugged. “I’ve gotten enough compliments. I’ll probably buy another when it’s gone.”
“Your birthday’s coming up. Isn’t it?” Roni winked. “I got you.”
“Are we gonna do this or what?” Gio asked. “Because I’m ready to get B on the dance floor already.”
Gio pulled his fiancée, Bianca, to him, pressing his body against hers, and swayed to the music playing. Bianca swayed with him, giggling as he kissed her.
Hector rolled his eyes. Those two were insatiable. “What are we gonna do?” Hector asked.
Abel joined them. “All right, I’m here. Let’s get this over with. I still have lots of people I need to schmooze with.”
Suddenly Hector knew what was happening and he nearly groaned. “More photos? Didn’t we already take enough before the fight?”
“Just a few more.” Roni smiled at him sweetly. “You guys all look so handsome in your suits now, and this is for my 5th Street Journey page on my blog.”
Hector’s shoulders slumped in defeat, but he smiled, putting his arm around Roni’s shoulder then kissed her on the head. “You always get me with that. Anything for the journey page.”
She smiled smugly, motioning in the direction she wanted them all to stand. Ever since the original 5th Street gym had burned down last winter, Roni had started up the blog about the gym’s journey. Hector loved looking through all the pictures she posted on it, old and new. So even though he was an impatient model for all the photos she so loved taking, he was a sucker whenever she mentioned it was for the blog.
She lined them up against the back wall of the banquet room. It was a meeting room really and meant for press conferences that were taking place more often lately as more and more of the boxers training here were making their way up the ranks. It was big enough for parties, especially the exclusive ones like tonight’s that were kept on a smaller scale.
Nellie, Roni’s best friend and coordinator of tonight’s events, laughed as Roni adjusted the guys to stand just so. “And you call me the perfectionist,” she teased.
Roni smiled and continued to adjust them, moving Hector slightly to the right. He took the moment she continued to fuss over the other guys to allow himself to do what he’d been wanting to do for a while. Casually, he glanced back in the area where Charlee and the guys from the chess team had been standing. Walter was still there minus Leticia. She must have ditched him the moment she got a chance.
Also noticeably gone were Charlee and Drew. Scanning the room, he spotted them just as Roni’s camera began to flash. They were both on the dance floor, dancing with a couple of guys he didn’t recognize.