17 Chapter 17: Hur

"Ma'am, can you tell us what happened?"

My body is shaking uncontrollably.

"We-we were shot at on the way home...they tried to..."

I can't finish my sentence. The words won't leave my mouth.

"Ok then, would you like me to call someone?"

"I...I don't know his number, can I g-go get him?"

"I don't think that's a good idea ma'am, you're in no condition to drive."

"I-I can't do this..."

I fall out of the chair and cover my face with my hands. Hot tears spill from my eyes as the reality of the whole thing hits me.

A pair of arms wrap around me.

"Hey, it'll be alright."

A stranger comforts me until I stop crying.

"It's alright,"

He strokes my hair gently. It really calms my nerves.

"Is- is he ok? Will he be ok?"

He helps me off the floor and hands me a handkerchief.

"Are you here for Mr. Hernandez?"

"Y-yes."

He scratches the back of his neck,

"You might want to come with me."

***

"So, you don't know the man was?"

I shake my head,

"But I never forget a face. I could easily point him out."

"And the others?"

"I killed one of them but the one who sh-hurt Ricky got away."

Carlos punches the wall leaving behind a large hole.

"Damnit! I'll kill him dead!"

He goes to hit the wall again but I hold his hand.

"Carlos, please. People are staring, and besides, we planed out the hit before then."

He looks at me with a strange expression,

"You did, good, good. How long until then?"

"Five days. That's when he dies."

"Ok, I can wait until then. How you gonna do it?"

"We'll discuss that later, i'd like to go see him now."

"Mhm, ok. I'll walk you."

We walk down the hall and into his room.

"I can't see him like this, Kaz. It hurts me. Makes me feel like this is all my fault. If I hadn't asked him to grab me a damn drink one of this woulda happened."

"Don't say that. It's not your fault he was hurt. It was those damn bastards and I swear on my life i'll find each and every one of them and kill them with my bare hands."

"Damn, Ricky's lucky to have someone like you, Kaz. I'll catch ya at home."

"Alright then, bye Carlos."

We hug goodbye and he leaves. I sit on a chair beside Ricky's bed and hold his hand.

"Oh Ricky, please be ok. I don't know if I can do this without you."

He hand is cold and limp compared to mine, but I hold it tightly.

"Ah, nice to see you again miss."

I turn my head,

"You, you were the man that helped me earlier. Thank you."

His face blushes,

"Ah, don't mention it."

He walks into the room and closes the door behind him,

"I've got good news."

My eyes light up,

"The bullet wasn't easy to remove but we managed, he'll be fine within a few days."

"That's great! When can I take him home?"

"Well, whenever he wakes up."

"Perfect, because i'm ready to go."

I turn around to look at the voice coming from behind me.

Ricky sits up and smiles at me.

"Ricardo!"

I hop on the bed and pull him into my chest.

"Ricky, you ass. You scared the shit outta me."

"Mhmmmphmm."

"What?"

He looks up at me,

"As nice as these boobs are, i'd like to get home."

My face heats up at his comment.

"Right, let's get you home then. Doc?"

"Oh! Of course. His discharge papers are already done, all we need is a signature and you can be on your way."

***

"YO RICKY'S BACK!!"

I park the car as Carlos and everyone gathers around outside the mansion.

"¡Debemos celebrar su regreso!"

(We must celebrate his return!)

"¡Necesitamos bebidas, comida y mujeres!"

(We need drinks, food and women!)

"No, muchachos, acabo de llegar a casa. No hay forma de que pueda beber y festejar."

(No, guys, I just got home. There is no way I can drink and party.)

"Boo, how lame!"

"Sí, c'mon Ricardo, you love a good drink!"

He throws his arm around me,

"Well I won't stop you from having a good time, I just think it would be wise if we went upstairs and caught up on some things."

They all head back inside and start blaring music. The drinks start pouring and the party begins.

I walk Ricky to the elevator and we go to our room.

"Wow, they're rowdy today."

I sit on the bed,

"That's because the one and only Ricardo Hernandez is back home."

He lays down beside me,

"Kaz, listen, i'm sorry."

I lie next to him and turn on my side so that i'm looking him in the eye,

"Sorry? For what?"

"I didn't mean to scare you like that."

"It's not your fault though,"

I take his hand.

"Yeah, I know. Can I tell you a secret? One that no one knows?"

"Ouu yes, i'm intrigued."

He slides closer to me,

"While I was asleep, I dreamt about you."

"Oh? And uh, what was I doing in this dream?"

He slides his hand on my hip,

"You remember when we were boxing and you hopped on top of me? Well it was kinda like that but uh, you were topless."

"That's it? I can do that."

I pull my shirt off and he sits up.

"Woah, Kaz, what are you doing?"

"Isn't it oblivious? I'm making your dream come true."

He gets excited,

"Is that so?"

He runs his fingers along my bra strap,

"You know what babe..."

He walks over to the bathroom,

"I'd love to see you in here."

He points to the bathtub.

"You wanna take a bath? With me?"

He holds his side dramatically,

"Please Kaz? I gotta boo boo."

I giggle,

"I don't know, you just got home and you wound isn't even healed yet."

"That doesn't mean I can't watch..."

"Nice to see you have your wonderful scene of humor." I say sarcastically.

"I think you should go find Carlos. He's been blaming himself for this entire mess."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, he's really beating himself up about it."

"Mkay, i'll talk to him, but when I get back I expect you to be waiting for me in the bath."

I roll my eyes,

"Whatever, go find him."

He casually leaves the room and heads downstairs to the party.

"Sorry Ricky, but your little bubble bath fantasy is going to have to wait, ive gotta go."