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

the parking lot and park next to a large, tricked out Jeep and head into the bar. Like any other bar, it’s loud and smells like chicken wings and beer. I gaze over the crowd until I see a few tall, built men in the corner throwing darts. I can pick Hector out quickly by his loud laugh. He turns slightly and his bright smiles gleams my way. As I make my way closer, I notice he’s in his usual dark jeans, but this time, he has on a light blue button down dress shirt that’s untucked, and his sleeves are rolled up.
    I walk up to him. “You look like a guy having a lot of fun.”
    “I am. Glad you could make it. Guys, this is Zoey. Zoey, this is Jordan and Colby.”
    “Hey, guys.” I give them a small wave. Is it a requirement to be good-looking to play baseball? “Are you kicking his ass?”
    Jordan, the tall one, laughs. “Yeah, he couldn’t win if his life depended on it.”
    “Aw, poor Hector. I didn’t realize I would learn your weaknesses tonight,” I tease him.
    “Enjoy it because it’s one of the few I have. Can you play?”
    “Yes, I can play, but I need a drink.” I spin on my heels and head to the bar. I grab beers for myself and another round for the guys. It’s only fair since I seem to be crashing guys’ night.
    The guys thank me for the drinks and we start to play darts. Jordan claims me for his team and soon, we’re beating the pants off Hector and Colby. My side starts to hurt from all the laughter and jabbing we’re doing at each other.
    I’m not sure if it was Colby or Jordan who suggested we do shots for every bullseyes we miss. At the time, it seemed like a great idea, until I start missing. I know how to hold my liquor and I know my limit, but tonight, I toss all of it out the window.
    I don’t even know what time it is, but Jordan and Colby end up grabbing a cab and leaving. Hector leads me to a table and the room begins to spin.
    “You shouldn’t have let me do that last shot.” I hold my head in hopes that it will make it stop moving.
    “I figured you would know when to stop. Just drink some more water.” He pushes a bottle in front of me.
    “I know my limit, but I didn’t realize you and the guys had bottomless pits of stomachs and a high alcohol tolerance.” I chug the water as if I’m dying of thirst.
    “Well, next time, I’ll monitor you better. Are you glad you came?” Hector grins at me.
    “I am. I had fun. The guys seem cool and I kicked your ass in darts. All in all, that’s a good time.” I reach my hand up and give him a high five, which he returns.
    “Don’t get a big head over it. Anyone can beat me in darts, but I’m glad you did.”
    “I was sitting at home staring at a blank canvas.” I sigh as my thoughts become more jumbled. “I think I’m wasting my time trying to be a paid artist.”
    “Not if you love doing it. It’ll happen sooner or later. What types of things have you been creating lately?” He waves the waitress down and orders more water.
    “Ha! Ha!” I harshly laugh. “Well, according to Aunt Minnie, you’ve become my muse. When we were on the phone, I was doodling and made a tree. A tree of all things. She saw it and was all ‘it’s the greatest thing ever.’ Okay, maybe those weren’t her exact words, but you know what I’m saying.” I can hear my brain yelling for me to quit talking, but I can’t keep my mouth shut or stop the words from magically coming out.
    “She thinks I’m your muse?” He puts on his sexy grin. “You said she was an artist too, right? She must know what she’s talking about then. Do you always ‘doodle’ when we talk?”
    “You’re not my muse,” I correct him quickly. “My aunt is Minnie Whitlock. Ever heard of her? Because she is the best ever. You can Google that too. Plus, for your information, I was bored, well sort of, when we were talking and that’s why I had been sketching.”
    Are my words slurring? No, I can’t be that drunk.
    He chuckles. “So I bore you? You’re