“Oh.” Cachi sat up straighter. “I live in Van Nuys. Stay on the 405 to Victory. Get off there. I live one block only from the exit.”
I nodded, not knowing where Victory was since I rarely ventured far from the West Side where I lived and worked, but I could read road signs. We both fell silent until I spotted the sign and then took the off-ramp, following his directions as we drove to a small residential neighborhood of older homes. I turned onto his street as he pointed out the house. It was small and well kept. I noticed a wheelchair ramp out front and wondered whether his mother or someone else was disabled. I wasn’t about to ask since he hadn’t appreciated it when I’d asked before.
I parked in front of the house and got out, not waiting for him to let himself out. I jogged around to his side and opened the door for him. He smiled, accepting the hand I held down to him. I helped him out of the car, grabbing his duffel from the backseat and handing it to him.
When he’d taken it, I stood there awkwardly. I wanted to reach out and hug him, but I thought that was presumptuous, even though he’d practically thrown his trembling body into my arms only an hour ago. Instead, I was surprised when he closed the distance between us and slipped his arms around me. I immediately returned the hug, immensely enjoying the warmth of his lithe body.
“Muchas gracias, cowboy,” he whispered against my collarbone. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything.”
I shut my eyes, not wanting to let go and end the moment. But in the end, I dropped my arms and stepped back, smiling down at him. “Sweet dreams, Cachi, and please be ready when I come to pick you up in the mornin’. I figure we should plan on leavin’ here at nine.”
He frowned. “What?”
“Did you forget? I promised to get you down to the police station so we could give a report on what happened. Don’t forget…you don’t have a car. Someone’s gotta take you to it.”
“Diantres,” he said. “Damn! I completely forget.” He frowned, shaking his head. “You no have to do that, Rex. I promise to give police report. I can Uber to the bar to pick up my car. I’m sure FBI needs you mañana.”
I chuckled. “First of all, Uber will cost you a damned fortune from Van Nuys to Hollywood, so you can forget all about that, and second, I was already plannin’ on takin’ the day off tomorrow. I have to go pick up my girl from the hospital.”
His eyes widened for just a second. “I-I not know you have daughter. I’m so sorry she in hospital. What her name?”
I grinned, tempted to tell her my girl wasn’t human. She was my daughter, though…my furry little daughter. “Her name’sLola. She had some tests, is all. The doctor wanted to keep her overnight because she had a bad reaction to some of the medicine they gave her, but she’s okay now. I’m gonna pick her up in the mornin’.”
“Oh,” he said, “well, then, maybe you should do that instead of take me to police station. Es importante for you to take care of your girl.”
“It’s fine, Cachi. In fact, after we finish up at the police station, you can go with me to pick her up.” I held up a hand when he opened his mouth to protest. “Please. Come with me. I’d love it if you met Lola.”
“Seriously? Pero…you no even know me…and what if she find out what I do for work? She probably hate me or maybe to hate you because you’re friends with a man like me.”
I frowned. “A man like you? All I see is a very sweet, funny, young man who works hard to help support his mama. You have nothin’ to be ashamed about, Cachi, and I never want to hear you talk like that about yourself again.” He opened his mouth again, and I held up a hand. “Let me finish.” He nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. “And as far as you knowin’ me, or me knowin’ you, that’s what gettin’ to know someone means, sugar.” I jangled my keys. “Now, get inside before your mama comes out to get you.” I pointed to the front porch light which had flickered on as the front door opened.
Cachi turned around just as a small, female voice called out. “Cachi? Is that you, mijo?”
“Si, soy yo, Mamá,” Cachi called. “Estoy llegando.” He spun back around and smiled shyly. “You are so stubborn.” He sighed. “Okay, you pick me up. I see you at nine.”
I grinned. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.” I had to stop myself from pulling him back into my arms and kissing him untilhe couldn’t breathe right there in front of his mama. Instead, I waved at her. She was standing on the porch with her hands on her hips looking like she was going to murder Cachi, me, or both of us.
Cachi laughed when he caught me waving at his mama. “Go now and ¡por Dios!, drive carefully on the way home. I no want to read about you getting hurt because you too tired to drive.”
“One more thing.”
“What?”
I reached out, wiggling my fingers. “Give me your phone.”
“¿Por qué?”
“Because.” I paused. “You know you don’t have to argue about everythin’. Now give me your phone.”
“Fine.”
He fished his phone out of his jeans and handed it to me. After putting in my number, I handed it back. “Now you have my number. I’ll expect a text, so I’ll have yours.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
I smiled at him before walking around the car.
“Please, to be careful on the drive home,” he reiterated.