Rock Chick Regret (Rock Chick #7)(51)

“All I’m saying is that I’m a guest and as a guest I don’t have any say in these kinds of decisions,” I explained.

Ralphie looked at Buddy and snapped, “She thinks she’s a guest.”

“Sadie –” Buddy started.

Ralphie interrupted, “What? Are you moving out?”

My gaze slid to Hector who was now smiling at the remains of his chocolate almond torte. I wanted to throw my plate at him.

I, of course, did not.

Because, even though he deserved it, that would be rude.

I answered Ralphie, “Well, yes.”

Hector’s head came up and his smile vanished.

“What? When?” Buddy asked sharply.

I looked at Buddy. “I realized last night that you guys have been looking out for me for awhile now so it’s probably time to get out of your hair.”

“Buddy doesn’t have hair,” Ralphie clipped.

“You know what I mean,” I said quietly to Ralphie.

“No, Ms. Sadie Marie Townsend, I do not know what you mean.” Ralphie didn’t take a hint from my quiet tone.

“Maybe we should talk about this later.” Buddy was eyeing the now completely unamused Hector.

“That would be good,” I said with relief.

“You better believe we’ll talk about it later,” Ralphie threatened then he swung his glare toward Buddy. “So what’s the verdict on the f**king dog?” he demanded.

I held my breath wondering what Hector might think of all these shenanigans. I bet Blanca didn’t say “f*cking” at her table.

Buddy’s eyes came to me.

Then he sighed.

“We’ll watch YoYo.”

* * * * *

After dinner we settled into the living room and watched Walking Tall (The Rock version which Buddy declared was the only version that was worth a shit due to The Rock being a whole lot easier on the eyes than Joe Don Baker).

This was not normal Ralphie and Buddy viewing fodder but I figured they were being good hosts to macho man Hector. I didn’t really see Hector sitting though Auntie Mame or Steel Magnolias.

Of course, they finagled me into the middle of the couch position but Ralphie didn’t have to try the massaging my feet move. Hector pulled me into his side right away.

I’d had a rough day and decided not to fight it.

Anyway, he was comfy and warm.

* * * * *

Now the movie was over and Buddy and Ralphie were off to bed.

“‘Night, sweets,” Ralphie said, kissing my cheek.

“Goodnight,” I replied.

Buddy leaned in after Ralphie. “See you in the morning, Sadie.” Then he kissed my cheek too.

I smiled at him. “See you.”

“Hector, later.” Buddy lifted his chin to Hector.

“Double H, you the man,” was Ralphie’s bizarre goodnight.

Then they were gone.

Now what did I do?

I twisted to look at Hector. “You want to watch another movie?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“An episode of Veronica Mars?” I tried.

More head shaking.

“A game?”

Still more head shaking.

Oh no.

I was out of options.

Hector wasn’t.

His arm around my waist curled and his other hand came to my hip, he turned me and pulled me into his lap.

His eyes warm on my face, his arms around me loosely, he asked, “You doin’ okay?”

“Yes,” I answered.

He gave me a mini-squeeze. “Tough day for you,” he said softly.

Something about that question hit me somewhere deep.

It wasn’t fun, reliving what Ricky did to me in front of a camera in an interrogation room, even if Bex was with me, Detective Marker was really nice and I knew Daisy and Shirleen were out in the hall. It also wasn’t fun reliving what Harvey did to me.

The fact that Hector would realize this would take its toll, even if I was trying to set it aside and not make a big deal of it, meant a lot.

I pulled in my lips and bit them.

I could have gone all Ice Princess on him but when he was being nice and I had nothing to keep myself shielded from that would just mean I was a bitch.

So I whispered, “I’ll be okay.”

At my whisper, he grinned. “I knew you could do it.”

The warmth in his tone and the approval in his eyes made my stomach pitch.

It was then I decided I needed my Ice Shields up.

“Nobody likes a know-it-all,” I said coldly.

His grin got bigger, he shook his head and I got the impression he thought my Ice Shields were lame and scrawny.

He got to his feet, taking me with him then setting me on mine.

With his head tilted down to look at me, his hand slid around to the back of my neck and up into my hair and I just barely controlled a delicious shiver (but I did it).

“I gotta get home. Get some sleep,” he told me.

I felt a wave of disappointment hit me. I’d spent all but about five hours in the last twenty-seven with him (yes, I’d counted). It would be weird for him just to go.

I didn’t tell him that. Instead, I nodded.

He dropped his hand but caught mine and took me with him as he walked to the door.

Once there, he stopped, turned to me, his fingers wrapped around my cast and he looked down at it.