Chapter 8: Hero to the Rescue

Time had slipped by so quickly that, before he knew it, Friday had come around again. That day, Mario Walton felt a flicker of unease. He suddenly realized he shouldn't have stormed out of Ryder's place so impulsively last weekend, and wondered whether Nancy would hold it against him when he showed up tonight. At the same time, he was quietly happy. All week in class, he had drifted off, thinking of Nancy, and tonight he would finally see her again. "Mario, what are you smiling about? Why so cheerful today?" His deskmate, Miley, nudged his arm. "Huh?" He turned and said, "It's the weekend. I'm allowed to be happy." "You're never this happy. Got a date or something?" Miley asked. Mario just smiled, saying nothing. Seeing that smile, a thin shadow of loneliness crossed Miley's face. She liked him, though she would never admit it. Now, spotting the hint of a date, her mouth pushed into an indignant pout. "Hey, Miley," Mario asked, "would you say women are more ruled by their feelings?" That settled it for her: he liked someone. She huffed, "How would I know?" "You okay? You were fine a minute ago," Mario said, hearing the edge in her voice. "That was then. I don't feel like talking to you." She turned away and focused on the lecture. Mario fell silent, baffled, then remembered how nice she usually was to him. He tugged on her sleeve and, with mock pleading, murmured, "Miley, don't freeze me out. Let me buy you lunch after class?" "Hmph." Her heart brightened, but she kept her cool mask and said, "Fine. I'll allow it." "You little foodie." Mario thought, amused. He still didn't know why she was angry, but if lunch fixed it, then it wasn't really a problem. "What's so funny?" she asked, unsettled by the grin spreading across his face. "Nothing. Just that you're cute when you pout." He grinned at her. "Jerk. No wonder you're always teasing me." She balled a tiny fist and gave him a thump under the desk. Mario didn't dodge. He teased on, "Feisty, aren't you? Who's ever going to date you?" "If nobody does, I'll…" Miley's cheeks flared pink. "I'll latch onto you." "Hmm… You've got the looks for it. I could allow that," he said, half joking. Miley really was pretty-fair-skinned and a bit baby-faced. When she smiled, her cute little canine teeth and the dimples in her cheeks were disarmingly sweet. Bantering with her felt effortlessly pleasant. "Wouldn't your girlfriend get jealous?" she asked, blushing. "Girlfriend?" Mario blinked. "Since when do I have a girlfriend?" "You don't?" Miley asked. "Nope. What, you got mad because you thought I did?" He shot her a teasing look. Her face went a darker red. "I'm not talking to you." "Heh." Mario gave a wicked little chuckle, suddenly realizing flirting wasn't that complicated. As dusk fell, he was about to grab a cab for Ryder's place when Ryder Walton called. "Hey," Mario answered. "Mario, I'm tied up and won't make it back tonight. Go straight to the Imperial Hotel and pick up Nancy," Ryder said. "The Imperial Hotel?" Mario hesitated. "Why's Nancy at a hotel?" "Work banquet. Head over early and bring her home. She texted me just now-her boss has been forcing drinks on her. Go as soon as you can. Call me back once you've got her," Ryder said. Mario flagged a cab, a knot tightening in his chest. He muttered to himself, puzzled and annoyed, wondering how Ryder could still be stuck at work when Nancy was being forced to drink-one of those poisonous power plays at office parties. He punched in Nancy's number. Ring… ring… ring… Her phone rang and rang. No answer. Mario frowned and urged the driver, "Please speed up." They pulled up at the Imperial Hotel. He tried to call Nancy again. Still no answer. As anxiety coiled tight, he spotted Clara coming out through the glass doors. "Clara! Clara!" He waved and ran toward her. She stared, searching her memory. "You're Ma- Ma- Mario-?" "Mario Walton," he said quickly. "Where's Nancy?" "She's drunk and was brought to Room 1202. I've been trying to call Ryder, but can't reach him. I'm waiting for my boyfriend." Clara's words tumbled out. Mario's heartbeat kicked hard. "Is she in danger?" "They got her drunk. I said I'd take her home, but the manager insisted he'd 'make arrangements' and told us to leave." Clara sounded panicked. "To hell with waiting. Another minute and she could get taken advantage of." Mario bolted through the lobby. "For Nancy-screw it, I'm in," Clara said, stamping her foot. Gritting her teeth, she chased after him. She had been in line for a promotion this month, but after this, it was probably gone. They rode the elevator and reached Room 1202. Bang, bang, bang, bang! Mario hammered the door with his fist. "Open up! Open up!" "Who is it?" a middle-aged man called from inside. Mario glanced at Clara, who nodded vigorously. He barked, "Open the damn door, or I'm calling the cops!" After a grudging pause, the lock turned. The door swung inward. Avery stood there. "Avery," Clara said with a stiff smile. "This is Ryder's cousin, Mario Walton. Ryder asked him to bring Nancy home." Avery snorted, fixing Clara with a cold look, then put on a sanctimonious look. "Your sister-in-law is drunk. I got her a room to sleep it off. I was just leaving." "Then go-don't let me stop you," Mario said, stepping aside. Color flared and faded across Avery's face, but his status wouldn't let him make a scene. He snorted again and walked away. "Trouble just landed on us," Clara murmured, pulling a sheepish face. Mario didn't answer. He rushed into the room. Nancy lay on the bed, her hair mussed. She looked disheveled, but her clothes were intact. She hadn't been taken advantage of. "Close call." Mario let out a long sigh of relief, then bent to help her sit up. Drunk and flushed, Nancy pushed at his hands, her cherry-red lips soft and pouty. "Go away… I want to go home. Home…" "She's really out of it. Have your cousin come," Clara said. "My cousin's stuck at work. He can't," Mario replied, frowning. "Great." Clara swore under her breath, then said, "Then stay here with her. It's a suite-plenty of space for two." "Me… and my sister-in-law?" Mario blurted. "Who else, me?" Clara gave him a playful glare, then tapped her number into his phone. "I just ticked off Avery. Chances are my promotion's dead. Stay here. Call me if anything happens. I'll track him down and see if there's anything I can salvage." "You're really going to chase that lech? Aren't you afraid he'll try something?" Mario asked, scowling. "Relax. I'm bringing my boyfriend." Clara gave a quick little wave. "I'm off." In moments, only Mario and Nancy remained. "So hot…" Nancy lay sprawled on the bed and lifted her top. Her smooth, flat stomach flashed into view. He swallowed hard, heat rising to his face. He took a careful step toward the bed.