For as long as Charlee could remember, Drew had done the very thing she was now doing—tried to turn a negative into a positive. Ever since lasts weeks’ outburst from Hector at school about her talking to Ross, Drew was trying to convince Charlee that, once again, this was a good thing. That it only confirmed even further the very thing that Drew had been talking about just prior to going back for her paycheck: Hector had a serious thing for Charlee but didn’t do commitment.
Only after seeing how crazy it made Hector to see Charlee with Ross, Drew now had a plan—a plan Charlee refused to take part in.
“I don’t understand why you’re being so difficult, Charlee. You agreed there was no doubt about it. He was jealous.”
“I never agreed that he was jealous.” Charlee said as she took a seat outside of Starbucks. “I agreed he was angry and rightfully so. Here I was being all friendly to the guy he’d saved me from and who put his good friend in the emergency room just weeks ago.”
Drew sipped her latte, shaking her head. “Difficult.”
“I am not being difficult,” Charlee insisted. “I just think playing head games is going make him think even less of me than he already does. I’ve made the most awful impressions on him already—each one worse than the last. First, I come off as a total bitch trying to show him up in front of the chess team on his very day there. Then, I easily give into making out with him at his party the very next day, after showing him up no less. And then,” she squeezed her eyes shut at the very thought, “then I make myself sound like a total slut just to cover up the fact that I care that that night didn’t mean everything to him like it did to me!”
“I don’t think you made yourself sound like a slut—”
“Oh, yes, I did. You weren’t there. You didn’t see the look on his face. Oh, but the absolute worst part is that now he not only thinks I’m a slut but he thinks I’m the dumbest slut on the planet, because now even creepy guy Ross is someone I’d consider doing . . . whatever it is he thinks I’m considering doing with him.” She peered at Drew. “Did you not see the look in his eye when he asked me if I was considering doing something with Ross?”
“Yes, yes,” Drew said. “I saw and heard everything. He was jealous, Charlee. I’m telling you the guy’s got it bad. And it wouldn’t be head games we are playing. It’s not like you’re seeing him or anything and then trying to make him jealous. You’re free to do what you want with whomever you want. Though I forbid you spend any more time being friendly with Ross. He is creepy.”
Charlee sipped her coffee but nodded in agreement. The only reason she’d been pleasant to Ross at all and agreed to talk to him later was because standing so close to Hector had brought back all the pain, the pain she was trying so desperately to rid herself of. At that moment, she didn’t want anything from Hector, not even his help, and she wanted to show him she had things under control. That she didn’t need him. “Well, I don’t flirt. You know that. Even if I did, I’m not flirting with anyone in the chess club. It would be too awkward. And since it’s the only place I get to be around Hector, then this little plan of yours is not going to work.”
Drew pulled her lips to one side. Good. Charlee had her. They could just forget about this once and for all and accept that anything between her and Hector was impossible.
She didn’t know why she’d ever allowed herself to even think it a possibility. For starters, Charlee was so pathetically inexperienced when it came to romantic relationships even getting involved with a less assuming guy would be a challenge. But to think she could work something out with a guy like Hector was almost laughable, not to mention daunting as heck. Though she had to admit, after being alone with him for a while in that room that night, talking to him had surprisingly become easier and easier.
“So how long do you think we’ll be at that old peeps home with Walter?”
“Just a few hours,” Charlee said. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, Drew. It just sounded like something neat to do. He said they were really excited when Hector played them. So when he told them about the girl from U.S. team that also lived in town, they asked him to try to get me in there.”
“No.” Drew smiled as they stood up, putting her arm around Charlee’s shoulder. “I don’t mind going with you at all. You’re too sweet.”
Charlee smiled. “You know better than anyone this isn’t so selfless. I have a hunch this is going to feel as good as it does when we do the Special Olympics. And you know how addictive that is.”
Drew’s face lit up. “I can play checkers or Yahtzi.”
That made Charlee laugh, and she leaned into Drew. “I’m sure you’ll find an opponent there.”
Glad that they’d at last canned this idea, Charlee could only hope it was the very end of this. She really needed to move on. The main reason she agreed to move out here in the first place was to get away and leave the nightmare behind. The last thing she should be trying to do now is create a new one.
***
“I got it!” Drew burst into Charlee’s bedroom.
Charlee looked up from her laptop with her pencil still in her mouth. Her friend dropped her purse on the floor with a huge smile on her face. Uh oh.
Removing the pencil slowly from her mouth, Charlee watched as Drew made herself comfortable on the other end of the bed. “I didn’t know you were home.”
“I just got here,” Drew said quickly. “Okay, remember that guy Miguel I told you about? The one I went out with a few times a couple of weeks ago?”
Charlee frowned. “The one you said was nice but you didn’t like the way he laughed so you stopped going out with him just because of that?”
Drew’s huge smile disappeared. “Charlee, you have to hear it. It’s awful. Like a horse spazzing out or something.” The huge smile was back instantly, and she waved her hands in front of her. “Anyway, I ran into him the other day. When we’d gone out, I talked about my dad collecting old records but how hard they are to get these days. He’d told me about some place in East L.A. that still sells all that. Long story short, he took me there today. Sounds of Music in the heart of East L.A, totally retro record store, something out of Pretty in Pink. So I go up to the register and pay, and there are all these flyers and stuff on the counter. Then I notice the pictures under the Plexiglas. Photos of what looked like the guy behind the counter with some rappers and singers, and then there it was—a photo of the guy and Hector standing by a boxing ring.”
Charlee rolled her eyes. She knew it. They were back to this.
Drew placed her fist on her hip. “Charlee, you promised you wouldn’t be difficult.”
Scrunching up her nose, Charlee thought about it for a second. “I never promised that.”
“Well, you should.” Drew jumped off the bed and reached for her purse. “Just listen to me. This gets better.” She pulled a small flyer-like card out of her purse. “I asked the guy if he knew Hector, and he said Hector and some of the other guys from 5th Street used to go in there often since it’s right up the street. Then he handed me this.”
Charlee glanced down at the card Drew was holding out cautiously. “What is it?”
“Read it,” Drew shook it in front of her.
Charlee took it and read the header.
FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS @ 5TH STREET
THIS FRIDAY -- QUINTANILLA VS MACHADO
“The guy said Quintanilla is one of the other owners of 5th Street.”
Drew didn’t have to tell her. Charlee already knew all about Noah Quintanilla—one of Hector and his brother’s partners and childhood friends. She had, after all, become the queen of Google-stalking. She lifted her eyebrow at Drew almost afraid to ask.
“You said the guys in the chess team have talked about having gone back to watch more fights since Hector’s, right?”
Charlee nodded, looking back down at the card, continuing to read the rest of the details as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. She wouldn’t tell Drew, but she already knew about Friday Night Fights at 5th Street. The internet knew everything. But she hadn’t mentioned it before for this very reason.
“So I didn’t know it was like this weekly thing, and it’s not only open to the public but they actually promote it on the radio and everything. They want people coming.”
Oh no. Charlee could already feel the uneasiness creep up her spine. As much as she’d try to fight this, she knew that Drew was always so damn convincing and unwavering.
“The best part is the guy down at Sounds of Music said it’s this big thing in the area on Friday Nights and there are always all these backyard parties after the fights. A lot of the trainers and even boxers show up to them.” Drew’s eyes were as bright as Charlee had ever seen them. “Of course, I asked if Hector goes, and he said, ‘yes’!” She weaved her head a little from side to side then admitted. “Not always, of course, but the guy said he’s been known to show up. That doesn’t even matter though. What matters is you may not have noticed, because you were so preoccupied watching Hector the whole time, but there were a bunch of hot guys there watching the fight last time. I’m sure they’re there every week.”
Charlee began to protest, but Drew was quick to stop her, holding up her hand. The girl had obviously come here prepared for an argument. She knew Charlee too well. “If nothing else, maybe you’ll meet someone else. Hell, maybe I’ll meet someone there.” Drew made a pouty face. “You wouldn’t deprive me of the opportunity to possibly meet a hottie boxer or trainer?”
Exhaling and feeling defeated, Charlee countered with the only thing she could think of. “What about Maurice? I thought you said you liked him.”
Drew shook her head, tsking. “I was beginning to, but he blew it.”
Charlee pinched her brows. This was the first she’d heard of this. “What did he do?”
Drew explained about the odd text she’d received from him just that morning, telling her his body was still recovering from the night they’d had last night. Problem was Drew hadn’t seen him in days. She didn’t seem too broken up about it, but it was enough that she said she was done with him. That only reminded Charlee how Hector had never even bothered asking her for her number.
“It’s not like we’d agreed to be exclusive or anything, but the lengths he went to try to cover it up were such a turn off.” She made a gagging noise. “I would’ve had more respect for him if he’d just fessed up from the beginning as he tried to do later when he finally figured out I wasn’t buying it. Then he tried to act as if he was being all noble about coming clean and he’d sent the text to the wrong girl.” She shrugged. “Whatever! He was a good kisser, but I never felt anything like what you said you felt when Hector kissed you.” She went all dreamy eyed and sighed. “I think I’ll hold off until I find someone that makes me feel that way too.”
Not wanting to look at Drew anymore, Charlee glanced back down at her laptop. She knew her friend meant well, but she hated when Drew brought up Hector’s kisses. And she did it a lot—each time with that same wistful expression she wore now. Charlee didn’t need constant reminding of those kisses—kisses she may never get to experience again.
“So,” Drew stood up off the bed. “You and me. Friday night. 5th Street.” She lifted her hand before Charlee could even begin to protest. “I won’t take no for an answer, Charlotte Brennan. The last time you went out was the night of Hector’s fight. I won’t let you do what you did back home and sink into your lonely little cave.”
Charlee’s shoulders slouched in defeat. “I wouldn’t dream of arguing with you, Drew.”
“Good,” Drew smiled proudly, “because you’d never win. Now I’m off to brainstorm in the shower.”
Charlee fell back on her pillow dramatically. “I wish you’d left that last part out.”
“Okay,” Drew winked at her. “Forget I said that then. I’m off to enjoy the vibrating handheld shower.”
Charlee’s jaw dropped, and then she burst out laughing. “T.M.I!”
“But I’ll do it while thinking of Hector,” Drew added as she walked out the door.
That immediately shut Charlee up.
“You know what I meant!” Drew yelled from the hallway.
Charlee thought about it for a moment then smiled. She had no idea what Drew had in mind exactly for Friday night, but her insides were already beginning to bubble.
~*~
Hey stranger! I’ll be in town for a while. I know we sort of lost touch, but I really would like to get together if anything maybe just to grab a burger or something. Let me know if you’re up for it.
Hector sat in the gym’s office and read the text from Lisa, tempted to ignore it as he had most of the other ones she’d sent him, ever since he’d figured out she was seeing someone else. The only ones he ever did respond to were the ones that had no flirtatious undertones whatsoever. He didn’t want her to think he was all bitter and shit, so he could still be friendly, but he kept his responses short. He stared at his reply for a few seconds before he responded
How long will you be in town?
Typically, he wouldn’t be so uptight about knowing if the girls he hooked up with were doing so with him exclusively. Since he never made any promises himself, he didn’t expect any in return. He actually preferred it that way, but Lisa had been different. Even though he didn’t feel even the tiniest bit of what he once thought he felt for her, she wasn’t the kind of girl you hooked up with and then just dropped. He already knew firsthand what it felt like to do that to a nice girl. Even though Charlee pretended not to mind, actions spoke louder than words. They were hardly speaking anymore, and Hector didn’t think that had much to do with what he’d said about her and that guy. He saw it in her face now. She was hurt, and it was a real shitty feeling.
His phone vibrated on the desk, and he picked it up again.
A few weeks maybe longer. I haven’t decided.
That could only mean one thing. If she was texting him, wanting to get together and she wasn’t sure how long she’d be around and she didn’t sound anxious to get back, she must not be with the guy anymore. Hector wasn’t sure how he felt about that. She had been a consideration before she started seeing someone else.
Before he put too much thought into this, he’d get one thing straight. The conversations they’d had even back when she was seeing the guy but called him “just a friend” had been flirtatious in nature. For all Hector knew she might still be seeing the guy.
After verifying that she was, in fact, broken up with her boyfriend now and that she was out here alone staying with a friend who was not a dude, Hector agreed to meet up with her, but not in an intimate one-on-one setting. He’d even told her to bring her friend. Lisa had been a serious consideration before her boyfriend came into the picture, but that was before Charlee. As frustrating as it was to admit and as nice as it had been to kiss Lisa, it didn’t even come close to what he’d felt when he kissed Charlee.
He’d learned his lesson already. The way he was still feeling about Charlee there was no way he’d be considering anything serious with anyone for a while. At least not with anyone like Lisa anyway—someone he knew that like Charlee would not appreciate the one-night fling thing. And he wasn’t about to add another thing to his already guilt-ridden conscience.
***
So far anything to do with the U.S. chess team had consisted of conversations on Skype with the coaches and downloading tons of apps they wanted Hector to use for training. With an impending trip coming up in a few weeks to D.C. for one of their first meetings before the Jr. World Olympiad, Hector was hoping to make things a little more amicable with Charlee.
They would be spending an entire weekend traveling together, and since Hector, Walter, and Charlee were the only team members coming from Los Angeles, they’d be on the same plane and sharing the same transportation to and from the airports they arrived at. Not to mention they’d be put up in the same hotels. And this would be happening with every event the U.S. team attended. It’d be awkward at best if things between them continued the way they were now. He didn’t want a repeat of the day before when they hadn’t spoken a word to each other in the lab, so Thursday, Hector made it a point to sit next to her in between games.
He’d planned on just making small talk—something simple and safe about chess. But the second he took the seat next to her and she turned to him with those big startled baby blues, the last thing he anticipated saying to her flew out.
“I’m sorry.”
She stared at him, looking almost as stunned as he felt. “About what?”
“About everything,” the vomit of the mouth began, but he now very consciously wanted to finish, only he lowered his voice. Walter was a few tables over, and he wanted to be absolutely sure he didn’t hear him. “About that day I went off on you the way I did for talking to that guy.”
She shook her head. “No, I get why you were mad. And I only said what I said that day because I wanted to avoid any violence. I figured if I seemed agreeable he’d leave faster. But I don’t plan on being his friend or anything.”
Hector gulped, staring into her eyes like he hadn’t been able to in so long. He noticed how she didn’t conceal her freckles the way she had tried to that night of the party, not even a little bit.
“And I’m sorry about being such an asshole about what happened between us the night of my fight.” Her eyes widened at that. “I know you said you’d forgotten about it, but—”
“I hadn’t.”
Her admission silenced them both momentarily. Then she spoke again.
“I just . . .” she shrugged. “I just didn’t want you to think that . . .”
“It hasn’t been my week all week.” Walter said, plopping across from them.
Hector turned and glared at Walter. The guy couldn’t possibly know what he’d just interrupted, but Hector felt like killing him anyway.
“First Dempsey beats me the other day, and then Samir pulls a Charlee stunt on me just now, playing my own game against me.” He turned to Hector, who was grinding his teeth already. “Like you, I never even saw what hit me until he had me cornered.” Walter shook his head. “I’ve been slacking. With all the time I’ve put into working out lately, I haven’t been doing much research or even playing online. I’m getting rusty.”
Charlee sat up, smiling. “Well, you can’t do that, Walter. Our first meeting with the U.S. team before the Jr. Olympiad is in a few weeks.” She stood up and grabbed her sweater from the chair it hung on. “You need to start training again.” She pulled her purse over her shoulder.
“You’re leaving already?” Both Walter and Hector asked at the same time.
Walter and Hector glanced at each other, and for an instant, Hector regretted sounding as desperate as Walter always did when she left early. But he did feel desperate.
“Yeah, I’m going shopping with Drew tonight.” She smiled, holding Hector’s gaze a little longer than she had since he told her to pretend nothing ever happened then said goodbye and started for the door.
She couldn’t leave now. He had to know what it was she didn’t want him to think. He wouldn’t be back in here until next week. Tomorrow he’d be busy all day helping Noah prepare for his fight. Damn Walter for having the worst timing in the world.
Walter started to tell him exactly what Samir had done to stump him. It was all Hector could to do not jump out of his seat and go after Charlee. A few minutes later and unable to stand it anymore, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and stood up. “I gotta make a phone call. I’ll be back.”
He bolted out of there, his heart already pounding. Not at all sure what to expect, he just had to know now or it’d drive him nuts all weekend.
For a moment, he felt the huge disappointment of not seeing her immediately, but then he saw her headed toward the waterfall in the middle of the campus where Drew waited for her.
“Charlee!” He called out, hoping to stop her before she reached Drew. He had a feeling she might hold back if anyone else were around. She stopped and turned with that same startled expression she had when he sat next to her.
He rushed to her. “You didn’t want me to think what?” he asked as soon as he reached her, stopping right in front of her and staring right into those beautiful blue eyes. She shook her head, her expression a puzzled one. “Back there,” he motioned his thumb over his shoulder, “just before Walter got there, you started to say you didn’t want me to think something after that night. What was that?”
Her eyes widened as they had when he apologized for acting like an asshole about the whole thing. “I uh,” she chewed the corner of her lower lip. “I just didn’t want you to think I had any expectations of anything else happening between us.” She glanced away for a moment then back at him. “I figured since you were asking me to pretend it never happened you didn’t want things getting weird and neither did I.” She sounded as if she were trying to reassure him then added in a lowered voice. “I didn’t want you thinking it was such a big thing for me, so I said I’d forgotten.” She crinkled her nose and smiled in the most adorable way it made him smile despite the angst he’d begun to feel. “Maybe saying I’d forgotten pushed it a little too far.”
A small but very relieved laugh escaped him. “Yeah, that was kind of messed up.”
Her mouth fell open, but she recovered fast enough. “You’re the one who told me to pretend it never happened. That was kind of messed up—embarrassing.”
“I know. I know.” He said, bringing both hands to his chest and holding them there. “And I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I handled it totally wrong. I just really, really didn’t want things getting weird between us.” He held back saying what he really wanted to ask. Was it as big a thing for her as it had been for him? With the thought of Walter still hanging over his head, he couldn’t, but he did say the one thing clearly—he needed to. “I meant it when I said you were different, Charlee.” The blue in her eyes had never been bluer. Hector had to concentrate on not getting lost in them, or he’d lose his train of thought like he’d done so often the night of the party. “I don’t want you to think that what happened that night was forgettable or insignificant to me at all.”
She smiled that timid little smile that should be anything but arousing because it was so sweet and pure. But it made him want to take her in his arms and kiss her like he could only close his eyes now and remember doing to her.
Something behind her caught his attention, and he tore his eyes away from hers to see her friend Drew holding her books to her chest, swaying side to side with her eyes closed, and he smiled. “I think your friend is getting restless.
Charlee turned to see what he was talking about then laughed softly. “Yeah, she hasn’t been feeling too hot this week, but she swears the flu is all in your head.” She turned back to him with that timid smile that was slowly bringing Hector to his knees. “She says meditating works better than medicine.” She lifted a shoulder and smiled. “She might be on to something, because she says she is feeling better now than she did a few days ago, and she’s refused to take any meds.”
There was a short silent pause where they stared at each other, and Hector knew neither of them was thinking about Drew’s flu. Finally, she smiled a little bigger this time, breaking their moment. “Thank you,” she said simply then added. “I better get going. There’s a reason I left the lab early. We don’t want to be out there too late.”
“Okay, I’ll see you next week.” Hector said, feeling a little disappointed that he couldn’t say more—tell her how he really felt.
Something flashed in her eyes, and for a moment, he thought she might say something, but then it was gone and she nodded. “Next week,” she said before walking off toward Drew.