Hector (Season One: The Ninth Inning #3) Read Online Free PDF

girl might need some food.”
    I shake my head. “I can shop for myself. I have money,” I tell her, but she walks right past me into the kitchen and begins unloading everything.
    “How are you doing?”
    “I’m fine. I’m messing around in the studio, but nothing is happening.” I jump up on the counter and watch her put everything away. I know better than to help because it’s Aunt Minnie’s way, even if it’s my apartment. I don’t even try to argue with her. I know I’ll lose.
    “Creativity isn’t on a schedule. You need to relax and let it happen. If you push, you’ll end up with crap on cracker.” She giggles as she steals my favorite saying. “Before you know it, it’ll happen, and you will create the greatest picture ever.”
    “I’m glad you have such confidence in me because I’m beginning to think I’m wasting my time. I feel like I’m destined to be a bartender for the rest of my life.” I sigh and twirl a long black strand of hair around my finger.
    “Oh, thank God. I’m so glad you decided to have a pity party today because I bought cheese to go with all your whining.” She hands me a block of cheese from the fridge and tries not to laugh. I narrow my glare at her, but end up bursting into laughter. Aunt Minnie kisses my cheek. “You’re already an amazing artist. Be patient for the rest. It will come, and you’ll reap from all the rewards.”
    “Thank you for having faith in me.”
    “Aw, Zoey. You deserve it all. Now, may I see what you’re working on?”
    I shrug and jump off the counter. Normally, I don’t show my work until it’s finished, but Aunt Minnie’s advice and criticism sometimes helps me. We walk into the spare room, and she heads straight for the tree charcoal.
    Aunt Minnie stares at it for several minutes and doesn’t move a muscle. I’m worried that something is wrong with her.
    “Zoey, this is…” She stops.
    “Sucky? Crappy? Shitty? Worse thing ever?”
    “Stunning. Profound. Gorgeous. Entrancing.”
    “Huh? This?” I walk up beside her. “I did it while on the phone with Hector.”
    Aunt Minnie turns to me. “Hector? Who’s Hector?”
    “This guy I’m talking to. We’re friends, nothing else.”
    She laughs softly. “Well, he might be your muse.” She gazes back to the charcoal. “The lines and details are breathtaking.”
    “Maybe you should put your glasses on,” I mumble. “Hector isn’t my muse.”
    “I want to buy this.” She spins around to face me.
    I scrunch my face. “Are you high or drinking Aunt Lanny’s organic juices? This is not art. It’s...doodles.” I grasp for an accurate word.
    Aunt Minnie shakes her head. “I’m taking it.” She grabs it off the easel. “I’ll send you a check.” She rushes out of the room.
    “Wha...what? Wait.” I’m shocked and unable to move for a second, until I hear the door close, and I race after her, but when I look reach the door and look, she’s gone.
    Ugh! To be almost sixty years old, she’s a fast old bird.
     

     
    Hector: Come hang out with the guys and me. It’ll be fun.
     
    Fun? I stare at the text he sent. I sigh and look at the blank canvas I’ve been staring at for the past hour. I’ve done nothing to it. It’s my night off and I’m doing nothing. Literally.
     
    Me: When and where?
     
    I cave. Hector tells me where they are all heading. I jump off my stool to get ready.
    What do you wear to meet a bunch of baseball players? I look up at the ceiling and shake my head. Why do I care? I end up in a pair of red jeans and a black tank top with a matching black mesh overlay. I stick with my black heel booties and head out to the sports bar.
    I know where the place is, but I can honestly admit I’ve never stepped foot into it. Why would I go into a sports bar? Why would Hector go hang at a tattoo parlor? Hector with a tattoo? That’s an interesting thought. I can see him with a large cross or maybe a religious emblem on his honey-colored skin.
    I pull into