Hector sat in the corner of the ring in between rounds, breathing heavily when they walked in. Charlee had said she wasn’t coming to the fight tonight. Turned down the invitation flat—she had other plans. “Better plans” is probably what she really wanted to say. So for that reason alone, Hector hadn’t expected her to show up, and then after what happened yesterday, he knew there was no way she’d be coming. But seeing Walter and some of the other guys from the chess team arrive together, minus Charlee, somehow still managed to further Hector’s already irritable mood.
He didn’t even understand why her snub bothered him so damn much. Sam thought what she’d done was hilarious. And the fact that Hector had taken it so personally had him laughing louder than Hector had ever heard the old man laugh. Hector didn’t think it was funny at all, but the more he argued the more Sam laughed.
Sam said Hector was ripe for the target, that it was his own fault for not doing going there prepared. She probably saw the lack of significant effort Hector put into the actually study of chess. Hector was too laid back about the whole thing, and Sam said it emanated off him. A serious player would see that right away. When he was finally done laughing, Sam had once again reminded Hector how seriously these players take the game and told him he better learn to respect that.
If it had been Sam in that tournament, he said he would've gone over the game himself that night, working through all the variations until he was sure his play was accurate. Hector hadn’t bothered to until last night. Even then, he still couldn’t figure out how she’d come up with such a clever way to completely blindside him.
Sam also told Hector to get used to it. He was in a different league now. The old man was just too damn pleased that Charlee had done this to Hector. This, of course, only pissed Hector off even further. Get used it? Like hell he would. It was one thing if he thought this had only been some sort of hazing: Charlee’s way of welcoming him into the team with a ribbing. But there was more to it. He’d seen it from that very first day. She’d been nice enough and even smiled at him just the same as before she’d known he was a contender.
Unless she was a total genius, what she’d done must’ve taken her hours to memorize—to perfect. But why? The more he thought about it, the more it pissed him off. What the fuck was her problem anyway?
Then he remembered how close he’d come to kissing her, how badly he’d wanted to, and how quickly his anger had dissipated the moment he’d gotten close enough to smell the sweet scent of her lip gloss on those soft pink lips and the subtle sweet scent of her hair. He’d instantly gone from fuming to fighting the urge to kiss her.
Hector would’ve given anything at that moment yesterday to be able to go back in time and slam A.J and Theo’s faces into the lockers a few times in high school. If he had, he would’ve been able to live with the guilt of kissing Charlee in front of Walter. It was the only thing that had stopped him yesterday.
After he’d finally made some major progress in alleviating his damn guilty conscience, Hector wasn’t about to take a giant leap backwards. Even feeling as bad as he’d felt all this time about not sticking up for Walter in high school, he was now certain if Walter hadn’t shown up at the gym Wednesday night he would’ve gone for a taste of Charlee’s lips anyway. Not only was the guilt still alive and well but Walter was beginning to feel like a real friend now. He’d gotten to know Walter a little better, and as big a goofball as the guy was, he was actually a really nice guy with a giant heart.
On top of being a full-time student and all the time he put into both the school and the U.S chess teams, Walter also volunteered several days out of the week at the convalescent home where his grandfather lived. He said there were a couple of old guys down there he played chess with regularly; he even invited Hector to down there with him sometime. Walter told him he’d be surprised how good it would make him feel to make someone’s day just by spending a little time with them. Hector didn’t doubt it one bit because he’d felt good seeing the hope in Walter’s face when Hector assured him he could help him get in shape. Remembering what a nice guy Walt was yesterday when Hector had been so close to kissing Charlee was bad enough.
But worst of all, Hector now knew just how bad Walter had it for Charlee. Walter had told him all about it as Hector worked him out. This was going to be tough, but the fact of the matter was Hector could have just about any girl he wanted. It was only fair. If he wanted to do the right thing by Walter, this time he’d have to stay away from the only girl that would mean betraying his new friend.
“What the hell are you doing?” Abel asked from the side of the ring.
“I got this,” Gio said as he applied the Vaseline over Hector’s brows.
“Yeah, he’s okay.” Noah said, squirting water into Hector’s mouth. “He still has a few rounds left. He just has to win them.”
“Are you kidding me?” Abel glared at Noah then turned back to Hector. “Listen to me, Hector. You need to get your head out of your ass and knock this guy out. If this thing goes to judges, you’d be lucky if they call it a draw. Guzman took those first three rounds, and if you keep fighting like that, you’re gonna lose the whole damn thing.”
Gio, who was his actual trainer, started in on him with what he’d done wrong in the last round and what he needed to do in the next. “Use your speed, man. What’s wrong with you? You’re way faster than this guy. Guzman ain’t got shit on your speed.”
Hector closed his eyes but only for a moment because in the next one the bell rang. “Drop him, Hector,” Abel said even louder. “Stop wasting time.”
Jumping in place now as he waited for the go-ahead from the ref, he eyed Guzman. Gio was right. Hector was way faster than this guy. He’d watched film of the guy’s previous fights and was pretty sure he had his weaknesses down.
The ref gave the go-ahead, and both he and Guzman took a few steps toward each other.
“Pick ’em up, Hector!” Gio yelled.
Hector lifted his gloves a few inches to shield his face. Gio must not have watched as much film on this guy as Hector had. Guzman went for the body way more often than the face.
Even thinking about watching film on his opponent brought back thoughts of Charlee and how closely she must’ve studied his game. Her words came back to him just then. “I didn’t mean anything personal by it.” Bullshit!
Hector landed a hard hit to Guzman’s eye, splitting the skin just under it and prompting to the crowd to jump to its feet going wild. As much as they all tried to assure the fighters that signed up for bouts here that they’d be on neutral ground, fighting in your own gym inevitably made you the favorite.
Just like Hector’s weak spot, his right eyebrow that had been split enough times that now any good hit to it would have it split and bleeding, this was Guzman’s weak spot. Every one of the fights the guy had been in, where it had been stopped because of an injury, it had been because of that gash.
Before Guzman could recover, Hector landed another fast one on that same eye. Maybe it did pay to study your opponent so closely.
Feeling his insides heat just as they had yesterday when he’d realized what Charlee had done, he landed another then an even faster and harder one. If it weren’t for the ropes, Guzman would’ve gone down. The crowd was going wild, chanting and jumping up and down. Hector couldn’t help thinking this was probably what the rest of his chess teammates must’ve been feeling inwardly as they watched Charlee take him down.
Clenching his teeth so hard he thought he might bite through his mouthpiece, Hector went in for the kill. Check-motherfucking-mate!
The last jab was so hard it sent Guzman crashing onto the floor. The ref jumped in between them, pushing Hector toward his corner, and started the countdown.
Guzman wasn’t getting up. This was a done deal.
“Hell yeah, Hector! Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Gio pulled the mouthpiece out of Hector’s mouth and Noah began squirting water into it.
Hector gulped the water as he tried to catch his breath and glanced around the loud and crazed crowd. He nearly choked when he saw it. It stood out like a flame in the sea of dark hair and pumping fists—Charlee’s red flowing hair. Hector coughed uncontrollably as the water Noah had squirted in his mouth went down the wrong pipe.
“You okay?” Noah asked, offering more water.
Hector pushed it away. What the hell was she doing here? Glancing back at Noah and pushing the water away, he continued to cough. Gio patted him on the back as his coughing slowly calmed and he began breathing easier.
He dare not look back in her direction. Not only had she shown up but that hair wasn’t up in a ponytail like he’d only seen it up until now. She wore it down now. That ponytail she usually had it in was so damn high he never imagined her hair would be this long.
Swallowing hard as Noah wiped his face down, he turned around to face the ref. The ref, who stood next to a still very dazed looking Guzman with his eye nearly swollen shut, now motioned for him to come over. Hector hardly heard a word of what the ref said, but once everyone started cheering, he knew he’d been announced the winner by way of knockout.
Lifting his glove up at the cheering spectators and not looking her way was a challenge, but he managed to get through it. He was already out of the ring and making his way through the crowd. The real challenge would start now—staying away from her all night.
What a pisser. Here he thought he’d unwind tonight and let some of the tension out that had built over the past twenty-four hours. He’d looked forward to throwing a few beers back with the guys. Having any alcohol now was not a good idea. He might do something bad and tell her little condescending ass off or worse: he might just be tempted to finish what he started yesterday.
~*~
They’d been there over an hour now, and still the only glimpse she’d had of Hector was when he’d been in the ring. Charlee cursed herself for not having worn higher wedges. When he’d walked through the crowd, she’d barely been able to see him with all the people in front of her. She so badly wanted a closer look at that tattoo.
Drew had been so excited as they walked into the banquet room where the exclusive party was being held. She said she’d never felt so special when everyone else had to leave and they, along with an elite few others, were led into the back of the gym and down a hallway where the banquet room was located. Charlee, on the other hand, had never felt so nauseous.
When she thought of coming to a party where Hector would be, she pictured lots of people. Even though it was exclusive, she still thought there would be crowds like the one at the fight that she could hide behind and become invisible—be in her comfort zone. This crowd so far consisted of about forty people, not nearly enough for her to get lost in.
Unable to hide what she was feeling, Drew had noticed Charlee’s discomfort and insisted she have a glass of wine to help her relax. She was on her second glass now, and while it did help, the knot in her stomach was still there.
“Where do you think he could be?” Drew leaned in and whispered.
Charlee shook her head with a shrug. Wherever he was, Charlee only wished he would get there already. He couldn’t be far, and the anxiety was only building with every minute that passed. She wanted that first look—glare—whatever she may get from him tonight out of the way.
In the meantime, Charlee had obsessively watched his brother, Abel. Walter had pointed him out, though it hadn’t really been necessary. The moment Charlee had spotted him before Walter said anything, she knew who he was. Not only had she already shamelessly Google-stalked him but she even watched some of his fights on YouTube, more for the possibility of seeing Hector in the audience than anything else. Even in a suit and tie, everything about Abel said heavyweight contender. He was big, built like a truck and annoyingly as good-looking as Hector, only in a manlier way. Not that Hector didn’t have the manly thing going on, but, obviously, his brother had a few years on him.
Another thing they had in common was the women’s reaction to them. They zeroed in, made their move, and then clung to them, just as those girls had Saturday night with Hector. The entire time Charlee had been standing there with the rest of the handful of people from her chess club, she’d watched as these scantily dressed women behaved outrageously eager and disposed.
Unlike Hector, Abel was far more discreet about his response to them. Although these women made it blatantly obvious that he had the go-ahead to fondle them if he so wished to by the way they rubbed up against him when they greeted him, other than the polite hug he responded with, he kept his hands to himself. Hector had been a much more willing participant with those two girls Saturday night.
“I guess now we know what kept him so long,” Drew whispered.
Charlee turned her attention from Abel’s group to the banquet room door where Drew’s annoyed glare was focused. She only hoped Drew hadn’t heard the tiny gasp that escaped her as she took in the sight of Hector. Even under what appeared to be layers of clothes, a dark suit complete with coat and vest over a dress shirt and tie, there was no hiding his impressive build.
Swallowing hard, she also took in the two girls on either side of him, walking in with him: the same two girls from Saturday night. Apparently, he hadn’t had enough. Both girls looked just as pleased as they had Saturday. Charlee could only wonder if that look of content on their faces meant they’d kept him nice and busy all this time.
“Stop staring,” Drew whispered.
Charlee quickly glanced away. She hadn’t realized she’d been staring so hard. Her eyes were on his brother’s group again. They had also seen Hector and were now smiling in his direction. Some of the guys’ big smiles were no doubt an approval of Hector’s grand entrance with two girls at his side. The only one that didn’t smile as big was Abel. In fact, if she had to guess, he appeared a bit annoyed. Charlee had to wonder, after watching Abel’s reserved interest in the women vying so hard for his undivided attention, if it was expected of Hector to behave this way too.
Though Hector didn’t hold either of the girls’ hands this time like he had in the parking lot last weekend, the two girls’ body language spoke volumes. They were there with him and would undoubtedly leave with him too.
“Can he really be that outrageous?” Charlee asked, looking away from Abel and the others in his group as Hector and the two girls reached them. “Walking in here like that with both of them?”
Charlee welcomed the flames she felt ignite inside her and all the way up her neck as she sipped her wine. This was a good thing. It was better that she lose all respect for him—hate him. She had no business fantasizing about this guy, even before she knew anything about him, and she certainly didn’t anymore, especially now. Watching him Saturday even as he made out with these girls, she’d been disgusted, but she hadn’t felt what she felt now.
Doing what he’d done with them in a dimly lit parking lot was one thing. Everybody had skeletons in the closet—sordid little secret fantasies. Charlee knew this firsthand. Some people were just brave enough to act on them in real life. She’d already cut him some slack yesterday when she got to be so close to him and was back to feeling mesmerized. Certainly most guys at some point in their lives had fantasized about not only getting the opportunity to be with more than one girl at once but to actually be able to handle it. Not surprisingly, Hector was one of the fortunate few who got the opportunity but apparently seemed more than capable of handling it.
Still, these fantasies should remain just that—secret. Or at the very least keep them discreet. To walk in here flaunting what he was doing was just appalling to say the least. Obviously, he was one of those types of guys. And those girls were those types of sluts. Good. All this was good. Drew had nearly succeeded in making Charlee believe Hector might actually have a thing for her.
She felt her face flush suddenly. The very idea was embarrassing now. While she’d watched Abel with the women who flirted with him, she’d done it with a purpose. Feeling her face flush even more, she sipped some more of her wine. To think she actually thought she might pick up a few pointers. In no way did she want to be slutty or pathetic like those women, but they all seemed so self-confident. Charlee yearned to pick up on a little bit of that. She should’ve known after being around Drew for all these years that wasn’t happening.
“You guys enjoying yourselves?” Charlee had been so busy doing her best to look in any direction but Hector and his girlfriends’ that hearing his voice so close startled her.
He stood two people away from her without the girls he’d walked in with, looking and smelling amazing. She let the rest of them answer his question while she nodded. When their eyes met, she saw that hardened look he wore yesterday, and immediately she regretted having come. Then to her relief, it eased slowly into a smile. Letting out a measured breath, she smiled back and took another sip of her wine. It was nearly gone now.
Hector motioned to one of the passing waitresses, and in the next second, she was there. “Let’s get another round of whatever everyone is having here,” Hector said, smiling even bigger now.
With the same twinkle she’d seen in just about any girl’s eyes that looked at Hector, the young waitress smiled, nodding, and pointed quickly at everyone to make sure she remembered what each of them had ordered previously. She did and she rushed off to get their drinks.
Charlee wasn’t sure she should have a third glass. She was already feeling a little light-headed. That last drink, or maybe it was seeing him finally and the fact that he was being pleasant, had her feeling much better now.
“Did you guys see the fight?” Hector addressed the group in general, but Charlee had begun to notice what Drew had been talking about.
The guys commented on the fight and how awesome his win had been. Even as he answered their questions and continued talking to them about boxing, he kept doing it—his eyes would go full circle and pause on her every time. At first, Charlee thought maybe she was just imagining it, but it kept happening. The wine had given her the courage to not look away this time like she had last Saturday and all the times he’d looked at her yesterday.
Was this his thing? Was this how he seduced women by giving them that burning heavy lidded stare? Charlee stood up straight, lifting her chin. She wouldn’t give him the upper hand, not tonight—not again. Her heart fluttered as their eyes met again for a moment. Okay, maybe this wasn’t going be so easy, but she was determined to at least try.
The waitress arrived with all their drinks, and Charlee took hers but made it a point to take tiny sips now. The times her eyes and Hector’s were meeting were becoming increasingly longer each time. She sensed something was off. Did he intend to do to her again what he had yesterday? Humiliating her once hadn’t been enough?
All the more reason to slow down on the alcohol. She didn’t think it possible that he’d look even better than all the times she’d seen him before. While he looked athletic and sexy before, she could now add sophisticated perfection to the list. And here she’d argued with Drew about being too dressed up. She was just glad her pushy best friend was the most persuasive person in the world now. If not, she might’ve worn jeans like she first intended to.
Drew had talked her into wearing a dress. She’d even used her power of persuasion to get Charlee to wear one of Drew’s sexier dresses—something so unlike Charlee. Or maybe Charlee was just a pushover. Just like yesterday, she was so ready to condemn Hector before he’d walked over to them, and now here all he had to do was smile at her and lift his beer her way and she was ready to swoon.
“To an incredibly impressive win,” she heard herself say and lifted her glass toward him.
Gulping hard and unable to believe what she’d just done, she put her glass to her lips after everyone else lifted their drinks as well.
“Mine?” he asked, flashing that amazing smile before taking a drink of his beer. “Or do you mean yours yesterday?”
The guys all chuckled, and suddenly she had what she’d always hated—everyone’s attention. Even Drew was smiling, very pleased and looking at her.
Taking a bigger sip than she should have, she smiled back with a shrug. “I was talking about yours, but you have to admit mine was pretty impressive too.”
She held her breath, waiting to see if that breathtaking smile went flat, but surprisingly, he smiled even bigger. Then after glancing at Walter, his smile waned a little. He did his own version of a shrug, lifting and dropping his big shoulder. “I can admit it. We were impressed. Right, Walter?”
Walter smiled. “That was a heck of a move. I didn’t see it coming either. I thought he had you.”
Some of the other guys agreed, saying they’d thought the same thing. Charlee did her best not to freak out about being the center of attention for a few minutes. Thankfully, it didn’t last too long. The topic switched to talk about Abel.
“So your brother is really gonna fight Hammerhead McKinley?” Dempsey asked.
Hector nodded proudly. “Yep, it’s official. He’s gone pro and he signed earlier this week. Next year, Vegas baby.”
Hector clinked his bottle against Dempsey’s. Dempsey was still hesitant looking. “Isn’t he afraid? McKinley’s in his prime, man. His last seven fights in a row he’s won by way of knockout.”
Hector shook his head, his face souring a little. “But why? Look who he’s fought. Nothing but bums. Why do you think they signed my brother so quick? He thinks Abel’s a bum too.”
His eyes were back on Charlee every few words, and she was done even pretending to drink her wine for fear just the smell would make her feel even braver than she already did. She couldn’t look away now, and she’d stopped making an effort a long time ago.
“I’ll tell you what,” he continued. “This guy’s in for a big surprise.” Once again, even though he was talking to Dempsey, he kept glancing at Charlee. A smile escaped her after the third time. She couldn’t help it. She was enjoying the attention. “Abel . . .” he stopped and smiled at her, too, then shook his head and glanced at Walter. He turned back to Dempsey, speaking a little faster. “The guys Abel’s been fighting are just as much bums as the ones McKinley’s knocked out, and you know what? Abel’s been knocking ’em all out too. Bad. The last guy had to be taken out on a stretcher.”
Seeing his big chest puff even bigger and his smile brighten made her smile bigger too. “You really think he has a chance then?” she asked.
Just like that, she had Hector’s attention again. She was beginning to feel a little like the attention whores across the room standing with his brother. Already, she was getting so used to having his eyes on her, that the moment he turned them away from her, she mustered up the nerve to ask a question again so that she would have his attention again.
Breathing in deeply in reaction to his big smile, she waited for him to respond. “I don’t just think he has a chance, Charlee. I know he’s gonna win.” His smile turned into that sexy smirk she’d witnessed so often yesterday when she’d been sure he was flirting with her. “It’s what happens when you catch your opponent sleeping. You know all about that, right?”
Charlee gulped hard again. This was the second time he’d referenced yesterday’s game, and both times he’d done so with a smile. Maybe he didn’t hate her after all. But what the heck happened to her hating him?