“Zack baby don't you worry I am on my way I will be there in two hours I am on the plane now.” She said trying to stop the tears that tried to fall.
“Ok.” Zack said and she could hear the hoarseness in his voice.
“Are you ok?” she asked feeling a little more relaxed about the situation.
“Yeah my head hurts a little but I am ok.” He said trying to sit up.
“Well sit tight I'm on my way. I have to turn off the phone but I am coming right to you.”
They shared an “I love you” and she hung up and took her seat. She exhaled looking out the window then placed her head on the headrest.
Zachary hung up the phone and smiled up to Ramón.
“She’s on a plane now.”
He spooned some ice cream and ate it as he looked over to the bed next to his.
“I love chocolate ice cream…what flavor do you have Maddie?” he said smiling.
“Strawberry.” She said giving the exact same wide smile.
Zack spooned another scoop “My mom loves strawberry ice cream but her absolute favorite is Oreo’s cookies and cream.”
“My dad likes cookies and cream too don't you daddy?” Maddie said beaming up to her dad.
Ramón smiled back down to her “Yes I do sweetie.” He kissed her forehead as someone knocked on the door and Rachael walked into the room. She hugged Ramón, walked over to Madison, and hugged her. She glanced at Zack and smiled.
“How are you guys feeling?”
They both said “better” in unison and continued to eat their ice cream. Rachael smiled as she walked back over to Ramón. “Not that I mind but why are they in the same room?” she asked looking around.
Ramón glanced out the window then back at his mom. “We didn’t want a big scene. You know people can’t keep their mouths shut and it’s easier to watch both of them then to run back and forth. I don't want the press to get any info.” Ramón said pulling his cell phone out of his pocket looking at the time.
“Well I know your right but you really think they care the kids are here?” she asked sitting in the blue seat in the corner.
Ramón placed his phone back in his pocket. “You remember last year when Madison broke her arm. It was a media circus.” He said as the nurse walked into the room.
“And how are you two feeling?” she asked giving a wide smile. Zack placed his ice cream on the tray.
“Better I still have a headache though.”
She nodded and looked at Maddie.
“How about you sweetie?” she asked giving Madison a little extra attention.
“I have a little headache too.” The nurse patted Madison on the arm and smiled.
“I am going to grab you guys some Ibuprofen and make you guys feel better.” She turned towards Ramón and gave him a flirty wink.
He nodded his head towards her not accepting her advances. Not that she wasn’t pretty. She was 5’2 and a milky vanilla hue; she had long flowing red hair and green eyes. Her slender well-toned body would usually turn him on but she didn’t do a thing for him because all he could think of was seeing Desiree.
She walked out the room swaying her hips and Ramón laughed taking his phone out again and checking the time. Rachael smiled.
“So where is Zack’s father?” she asked grinning wider.
“No one can get a hold of him but Desiree is in flight right now. Before anyone could tell her he was fine and she didn’t need to rush she was on the plane.”
“I thought she might be headed up here…that’s a mother’s love right there. So did you talk to her?” she questioned.
“No Greg called her and so did Zack.” He said knowing where this line of questioning was headed.
“And are you looking forward to seeing her?”
“Mom.”
“What I know you liked her I could see it on your face last month and after that dinner fiasco last week Aj says you can’t get her off your mind. And well son you have checked your phone three times in the last two minutes you know when her flight lands don’t you?” she asked moving closer to him.
“Mom!”
He looked over to the kids and then pulled his mother out the room. Zack looked at Madison.
“So you were right. He does like my mom.” He boasted.
“I told you so. I heard him talking to my nana after church. And the way your mom yelled at him shocked us all.” She said happily.
“Yeah my mom doesn’t like when people judge her. My mom-mom calls her a pistol.”
“Who?” she asked squinting her eyes at him.
“That’s what I call my mom’s mom my dad’s mom is my nana.”
“Wow that’s weird.”
He sighed towards the door. “You think he will ask my mom out?”
Madison smirked “He might I don’t know. Maybe we can help them?”
“You don’t mind him dating my mom?” he glanced at her knowing that her answer would determine how he felt.
“I like her. She was nice to me before she knew who my dad was.”
Madison smiled and scoped a spoon of ice cream out of her cup and Zack smiled back at the door. It was about time his mom started dating again. He wanted more than anything for her to be happy and he had a feeling Ramón would do that for her.
Ramón stood in front of the door looking at him mom.
“Mom I know what you are doing and it is not going to work.”
“What am I doing?” she asked innocently “I am not allowed to ask a question?” she gave a sulky look to her son.
“I know you when you get an idea in your head you run with it well this is not going to be one of them mom it’s not going to happen between us.” He said, the words tearing at his heart a little.
She huffed. “Do you like her Ramón that is the only thing I want to hear and you know that I know that you know I know when you are lying so let’s not do that right now ok. Just be honest with me.”
She stared at him wondering if he could even be honest with himself. As he thought over her question she knew what was on his mind. Desiree was not his type but Rachael knew that was just what he needed.
Ramón was never the child who liked girls who agreed with everything he said and being an athlete it seemed that was the only kind of women he brought home. He was like his father and needed his equal someone who could go toe to toe with him with no hesitation. Ramón sighed.
“I do like her but I ruined it mom.” He said looking hopeless.
“Nothing is ruined. If at first you don’t succeed try and try again, if she is worth it then trying won’t be so hard.” She patted his arm before she walked back into the hospital room.
***
Desire ran into the hospital tucking her change from the cab into her purse with her heels clicking and pushing a runaway strand of hair out of her face. She ran up to the desk and puffed.
“Excuse me I am looking for my son. His name is Zachary Holloway.” She said her heart racing with anticipation.
The nurse looked at her but didn’t respond she went back to her phone conversation. Desiree banged on the desk with her hand.
“Hello I know you see me standing here.” She waved her arms in front of the woman. “Don't make me come across this desk and find it myself there is no way I am gonna keep being treated this way. You people-”
Before she could finished someone pulled her away from the desk. Startled she began to pull away from her captor.
“Let go of me.” She said yanking her arm out of the persons grip. She pulled away so hard from whoever it was and that she tumbled back and landed butt first into a full mop bucket. She screamed out in frustration as the water seeped into her dress and soaked her undergarments. Ramón bent down to pull her back up. She pushed him away from her.
“This is just great. Just freaking great. You had to grab me. I smell like a dirty floor. You jerk. You self-centered arrogant giant of a jerk!”
Ramón smiled down to Desiree as she stood trying to shake off
the excess water off. The janitor ran over to her apologizing for leaving the bucket there. She waved him off not because she was mad at him but because her anger was boiling over at the man who stood in front of her.
Ramón couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto his face. Never in his life had he met such an opinionated, smart mouthed woman and he was intrigued by her. She was everything he tried to avoid in a woman but for some reason he liked the way she was. She looked towards him and wanted to wipe that smile off his face.
“You find this funny?” she said placing her hands on her dripping hips.
His smile grew wider “I do actually thanks for asking.” He said trying his best to look sincere.
Desiree pushed him away from her. “This is embarrassing enough do you have to stand here smiling like the Cheshire cat?” she walked past him but he stopped her.
“You know I have never seen anyone so in awe of me the fall backwards into a mop bucket. I am extremely flattered.” He said placing his right hand over his heart.
She glared at him. “Oh you have a big head don't you. I fell trying to get away from someone grabbing me. It had nothing to do with who are you.” She stated feeling herself growing impatient with him.
He looked down towards her crossing his arms. “Oh sure. I believe that.”
She screamed “Uhhhggg you are the most.”
He cut her off with a wide smile “What amazing man of your dreams?” he shrugged “Guilty.”
She frowned shaking her head “No complete ass. How dare you grab me and what gives you the right to even touch me.” She shoved him out of her way but he remained in front of her.
His smile left his face as he noticed the sadness in her eyes. “I was trying to help you calm down.”
Desiree exhaled and frowned. “Calm down? I have dirty mop water running down my legs you calm the hell down. Now where is my son?”
“He is in room 2219.” Ramón said feeling stupid for how he laughed at her earlier. He should have known that she was not in the mood for games when it comes to a mother and child that mother can’t rest until she sees that her child is all right.
“Desiree I am sorry I should have seen you were upset.” She ignored him looking for the room number 2219. As she walked away he followed her. Even though she was soaking wet in mop covered water he realized that he enjoyed watching her walk away. When they reached the room, Ramón stopped her.
“Are you ok?” he asked concern in his eyes. She looked away from him.
“I am fine I just wanna check on my son.” He heard the flatness in her voice and realized that she was not in the mood for any of his nonsense. He cleared his throat.
“Ahem...do you wanna get cleaned up first? I can take you somewhere anywhere you need to go.” He gave her a hopeful look but instead of returning the look she reached for the door
“I would rather stay here nasty and wet then go anywhere with you.”
As she pulled the door Ramón grabbed her. He wanted to be near this woman who appeared back in his sight still as angry as the day she left. When she walked into the hospital, he was taken aback at how beautiful she seemed to have gotten within a matter of a week. From the softness of her light brown eyes to the way, her lips curved into a smile. His eyes traveled down to her nice big breast and her voluptuous body. He was even more fascinated when she began to speak again.
However Desiree was livid. The fact that he kept stopping her from entering his room made her think something was seriously wrong. And it was at the point that they both realized it didn’t matter if Ramón was famous or not her son was in the hospital and in her eyes Ramón was to blame.
Ramón tried to talk to her again surely she would want to calm down before seeing her son. “Look I know you are upset but he ran into my daughter they are both fine they just want to keep them overnight for observation. So you don’t need to check on him right about now. Why don't we go down to your car get your change of clothes so you can stay with him?”
“No thank you now if you will excuse me.”
She pulled the door opened and walked into the room. It was dark except for the light flicker from the television on the wall. She heard his soft snore and her heart welled up with emotions as she watched Zack sleep in the bed. As she walked towards him she noticed another snore she looked over to Maddie and smiled at the little girl who was snuggled up in the bed. She walked over and kissed Zack on the cheek then walked over to Maddie and pulled her covers up to her shoulder.
Ramón watched as she checked on both the children and was touched at how she caressed Maddie’s head. As she stepped back out of the room she let out a deep sigh.
“You put them both in here to protect them?” she said wiping the tears from her eyes.
Ramón placed his hands into the pocket of his Levi Jeans. “I wanted to be able to watch both at once. They didn’t seem to mind I think they like being around each other.”
He looked down to her.
“Look my place is about five minutes from here lets go to your car and get your things and you can change and take a shower there.”
She let out a laugh and for the first time that night Ramón saw her eyes soften.
“Oh yeah that would be great except don't have a car or a change of clothes.” He saw her blush and he shook his head.
“Why not?” he asked leaning his right shoulder against the wall while folding his arms curious to hear the answer.
She sighed resting her wet back against the same wall. “When I got the call he was in the hospital I drove right to the airport I am lucky I grabbed my purse.” She said holding up her bag.
Ramón looked her up and down and licked his lips seductively something that she hadn’t miss him do. “I was wondering why you would be here in that little dress…you were on a date weren’t you?” he inquired.
“Excuse me?” she asked narrowing her eyes at him.
Ramón moved closer to her with a smile in his eyes.
“You were on a date I mean look at you all dolled up. Does your husband know about this? He should be a little upset I know I am; I thought we had something special.”
Desiree felt the heat rise within her as he looked at her with eyes of wanting. She looked away from him trying her hardest not to get caught up in his trap.
“My ex-husband has no say in what I do and neither do you for that matter.” She said pushing herself off of the wall. Taking his lead from her he followed her and pushed himself off of the wall smiling.
“Oh and what makes you think that I don't have any say in what you do.”
She rolled her eyes and began to walk away from him in search of a bathroom. He followed her and reached out to her.
“Wait ok. I am sorry I didn’t mean to bother you and well…”
He stopped for a second unbuttoning his light blue collared shirt leaving him with a fruit of a loom undershirt on and handed it over to her. She took it and placed it over her wet dress. He cleared his throat.
“I really think we should get you out of those wet clothes. The kids are sleep we will only be gone a little while. My mom and dad are up here and they won’t mind on checking on them.”
“No. Thank you but no.” She said walking away from him again but once again he stopped her.
“Come on you’re starting to smell, you can use my shower then change and I promise I will try to keep my comments to myself.”
She thought over his suggestion but stopped when she saw the smile creep back onto his face. She shook her head.
“No I don't need your charity.” She said angrily.
He exhaled deeply; she could tell he was getting frustrated. “Desiree I know you thought I was talking badly about you but I wasn’t. I like you I think you are a beautiful woman who I have the upmost respect for. I am so sorry for hurting your feelings last week so please let me take you to my house I won’t say or do anything stupid.” He said sincerely.
Desiree looked at him seeing the sweetness in his eyes and then loo
ked down at herself.
“Well I do hate the way I feel right now. If you’re sure your parents won’t mind.” She said trying to convince herself that the shiver that just shot up her core from the thought of being alone with Ramón was nothing more than the wetness of the clothes messing with her. But looking at Ramón in that t-shirt allowed her to see his well-defined body and as she looked up to his strong neck and up towards his lips and wondered what they would taste like. She shook it off as someone walked up beside them.
“Won’t mind what?”
Desiree turned to see Rachael and Joseph staring at them. She straightened out her hair as Ramón looked towards his mom.
“Mind me taking Desiree back to my house so she can change, she fell into a mop bucket and has no change of clothes.”
Ramón didn’t miss the sarcastic glare Desiree gave him as the words left his lips. Rachael looked at her.
“You poor thing.” she glanced at her husband and he nodded. She smiled “of course we don't mind you go get cleaned up the kids will be fine.”
“Thank you for being here Mr. and Mrs. Norris.” Desiree said biting her bottom lip.
Rachael waved her off. “Call me Rachael and that is Joe. And trust me we don't mind. You go ahead the kids are sleep and if anything changes while you guys are gone I will call.”
Desiree gave her a weak smile. “I would hug you but.”
“I know.” Rachael said patting Desiree’s arm.
Desiree waved to them as she followed Ramón to his car. She wondered why they were headed to the back parking deck until it hit her that she was with Ramón so of course there probably were reporters waiting for him. She stopped at his black and silver 2010 Lincoln.
“This isn’t the same car you drove before.” She said glancing over the vehicle.
“I know.” He said smiling down to her.
She looked at him tilting her head up. “You have more than one car?”
“Don’t look so surprised” he said hitting the door unlock button on his key chain. “People do that you know.”
She moved closer to the car. “What does one person need with two cars?”
“Four.” He corrected her.
To Love a Man Page 11