Free Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith

smile. “I already figured those things out. And the tattoos are one of the things that drew me to her in the first place. I’m sure y’all are proud to have such a beautiful and great niece.”
    “Yes, we are. She’s incredible.” Minnie looks at her with such fondness and love, it warms my heart.
    “Well, could we please stop bragging about me? I’m starting to feel odd sitting here as everyone talks about me,” Zoey interrupts.
    “You shouldn’t feel that way at all. If you’d rather, I could go up to the rooftop and yell it,” Lanny teases her.
    “Please don’t,” Zoey begs.
    They give her reprieve by turning the conversation back to me. “Hector, does your family come often to watch you play?”
    “They stay pretty busy back home, but they always catch at least two games during the season; one at home and one here.”
    “We would love to meet them. They’ve raised such a kind young man; I’m sure they’re just as delightful.”
    I’d hate to disappoint Lanny, but I’m not so sure my parents would be as accepting and welcoming as I’ve been. I shift in the seat with my discomfort, unsure how to turn them down about meeting my parents. “They are proud of me and who they’ve raised me to be,” I say, deciding that’s enough.
    “I don’t think we need to met the family yet, Aunt Lanny,” Zoey jumps in thankfully. “Hector and I are friends, and we shouldn’t push him into anything like that. Let’s ease him into our crazy family.”
    “Right,” I agree. “I’m very glad y’all decided to come to the game and invite me to dinner. I’ve enjoyed meeting you both. I can see why Zoey loves you so much.”
    “Hector, forgive us if we made you uncomfortable,” Minnie tells me. “We are both excited about Zoey finding a friend . However, we really want you to come Thursday. It’ll be small, just us, to display her charcoal.”
    “Let me know the time and place and I’ll be there.” I smile, excited to see her work.

 
     
    WHAT DO YOU wear when your aunt is going to hang a picture? Especially when you don’t want her to hang it for the world to see and I’m a nervous wreck for what everyone will think. I don’t want Hector there. I know he saw it on the phone, and I’m still mad about that. Aunt Minnie told me she had shown some dealers and it took everything I had not to yell at her. I know she means well and is doing what she thinks is best for me. If I want to make this my career, then I need to go to this no matter how much it kills my nerves.
    I flop back on my bed and cover my face with my hands. What has happened to my life? I had been working and painting and was perfectly content with it. Then Mr. Baseball comes strolling in with his sexy eyes and smile, not to mention his hot as hell body.
    I woke up this morning wishing Hector was in bed with me. I even checked my phone to see if he had texted throughout the night. I’ve become one of those girls. The one who pines for her boyfriend. I groan out from the pain in my head. Hector isn’t my boyfriend.
    “We’re just friends,” I tell the empty apartment. “This isn’t normal.”
    People don’t like people this fast. It only happens in movies and cheesy love novels. This is real life. This is my life. I give up on trying to be a rational person. I stop arguing with myself and head into the shower. Maybe a cold shower will freeze the side of my brain that’s acting all crazy.
    When I step out, I lotion myself up and hope my skin feels as smooth as I think. What would Hector’s hands feel like on me? Why am I thinking about this? Stop it, Zoey. I lean against the bathroom counter and try not to think of Naked Hector and think about my friend Hector.
    I blow-dry my hair, which I normally I don’t do, but I want something different tonight. When I look in the mirror, I ditch my normal black eyeliner for purple. It makes my eyes brighter. I paint my lips with a softer red. I look like me, but only with less makeup.