Rock Chick Regret (Rock Chick #7)(77)

“Hector? You call him Hector?”

“Well, I can hardly call out, ‘Agent Chavez, oo Agent Chavez,’ when he makes me cl**ax, now can I?” I snapped, New Ice Princess gone, Attitude Sadie in her place and I heard Roxie let out a surprised giggle.

“Sadie, you little –”

I broke in before he could finish. “We’re done,” I snapped. “And I mean that. We’re done. Don’t call back, don’t write and don’t come looking for me on that sorry day when they let you out.”

With that, I took the phone from my ear (even while he was still talking), I pressed the off button and slammed the phone down on the counter.

My gaze swung around my audience. Uncertain faces watched me, Daisy was back amongst the crowd and all their eyes were on me.

I wanted one of my Ice Princesses, new or old, to come to me.

Instead, Shirleen’s hand touched the small of my back. At her touch, I lifted my hands, put them over my face and burst into tears.

Shirleen turned me into her arms and pulled me into her body. “Get it out, child, get it out.”

I pressed my face into her shoulder and cried, hard, fierce, body-wracking sobs.

I wanted a “Dad”, someone like Tom. Hell, someone like Tex would be fine by me. Both of them cared more that I was raped than my own f**king father did.

And I wanted my Mom back.

“I want my Mom back,” I said into Shirleen’s shoulder and realized that, somewhere between her pulling me in her arms and that moment, we were joined by the others in a group hug.

“Sh, child,” Shirleen said and someone’s hand stroked my hair.

“I really hate him,” I whispered.

“Sh,” Shirleen responded.

The air changed and the change was so strong, my head come up.

The door had opened and Hector was there. He looked about ten times more angry than he did that morning when I’d been stupid and let Ren hold me a shade too long – not that I could have even thought that was possible but there it was, written all over him.

Alaskan Hottie was with him.

Hector stalked toward me and the girls and Ralphie disbursed. I stared and wiped my eyes as he crossed the room in long, angry strides.

“What did I do now?” I cried when he was close.

I put my hand up, he walked right into it and his arms went around me.

“I heard the call,” he said, looking down at me, face still full of rage.

I blinked (yes, again!). “You did?”

“We bugged your phone.”

Of course. They bugged my phone.

“Your father’s slime,” he continued, his voice vibrating with anger.

I couldn’t refute him, he spoke fact.

“You okay?” he asked.

“No,” I answered.

His arms got tighter and my hand slid up his chest to his shoulder. My other hand joined it on the opposite side and I tilted my head back further. He watched me a second, that second turned to two then to three.

Then his face lost some of its rage (though, not all) and he promised, “You will be.”

My stomach pitched.

His arms got tighter and I watched, fascinated, as the rage disappeared from Mr. Mood Swing’s face, warmth replaced it and his head dipped closer.

“Agent Chavez, oo Agent Chavez?” he teased, grinning.

I closed my eyes.

Please, somebody, kill me.

He gave me a gentle shake.

I opened my eyes.

His mouth went to my ear and he murmured, “I’ll look forward to hearing that.”

Before I could retort, his head came around, he touched my lips with his, let me go then he was gone.

I stared at the door.

Shirleen appeared at my side. “I tell you, six weeks ago, you asked me to take my pick, I woulda picked Luke. Now I’m thinkin’ I’d like me a little piece of that boy.”

“Shirleen!” Ava exclaimed on a giggle.

Shirleen looked at Ava. “Your boy’s still hot,” she assured her.

I looked at Ralphie.

He was smiling at me. I smiled back.

Then I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing.

* * * * *

“So, have you gotten a mi amor yet?” Indy asked, her hip up against her father’s kitchen counter, a cup of coffee halfway to her mouth, a dishtowel slung over her shoulder, a grin playing at her lips.

“No,” I replied and put the last dried glass away. “But I’ve had a mi corazón.”

“Oo, a mi corazón,” Indy smiled.

“What’s this?” Ally asked, putting her palms on the counter on either side of her and pulling herself up to sit by Indy.

“Spanish endearments, Sadie’s graduated from mamita to mi corazón,” Indy told Ally.

“What’s that mean?” Roxie asked, coming to the group after putting some leftovers away and closing the fridge with her foot.

“She’s gone from ‘babe’ to ‘my heart’,” Indy answered.

I saw Ally’s dancing eyes moved to me. “Chickie, you are in trouble.”

“Tell me about it,” I muttered.

They all laughed.

* * * * *

We’d had dinner at Tom’s.

By “we” I meant Lee and Indy, Hank (Lee and Ally’s older brother, he was very nice and they all looked alike, tall, dark and gorgeous) and Roxie, Ally, Tom, Hector and me.