Based on the suit, Selena guessed Ernesto had been in one of his business meetings, maybe even something with the city. He used to be in the gangs years ago and had worked as a high-level lieutenant along with her brother, Geraldo. When Geraldo had gotten killed, that had been the last straw for Ernesto. He’d gotten out, turned his life around, and become a successful businessman. These days, he ran a chain of custom car franchises that stretched all the way from Dallas to California. More than that, he’d become a role model for other gangbangers, showing them it really was possible to get out of the life.
And he’d done it in large part for her. To become the brother she’d lost.
She hugged him again, even if she had to hide a grimace of pain as Ernesto squeezed her. “I’m fine. A little bruised up, but nothing I can’t deal with.”
Ernesto’s eyes hardened at that, reminding Selena that while he hadn’t been in a gang for nearly a decade, there was still a sense of danger lurking under the surface.
“How did you find me?” she asked, trying to distract Ernesto before he got wound up and started in on his overprotective older brother routine. He’d made a promise to Geraldo, swearing he’d never let the gangs hurt her. He took that promise seriously.
Ernesto frowned, completely aware of what she was doing, but then he flashed her that charming smile he always had for her. “When I got to the hospital and discovered you’d been released already, I figured you were either at your apartment or at school. I came here.”
Selena returned his smile as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “I guess I’m predictable, huh?”
He shook his head. “Not really. I just know you. Even after one of your own students attacks you, the first thing you’re going to do is worry about the other kids in your class.”
Selena could read the disapproval on Ernesto’s face. He’d been trying to get her to move to a different school for years, telling her over and over that it wasn’t her job to save these kids all by herself.
She sighed, really not in the mood to argue tonight. Especially after the day she’d had. “Well, you’ll be happy to know you have nothing to worry about. Not only is my classroom a complete wreck, but the school board has decided I need counseling…along with my entire fourth period class. I’ve been shut down for the rest of the week.”
Ernesto was nice enough not to cheer, but it was obvious he was pleased at the outcome. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you could have been killed today. You need time to deal with that. You can’t help those kids if you don’t take care of yourself first.”
She frowned, not having a counter to that argument. The truth was, Ernesto was right. She had almost died. She simply wasn’t ready to think about it right now. She wasn’t sure when she would be.
“What are you going to do with all that time off?” Ernesto asked.
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I guess I’ll hang out at my place and catch up on some TV while I work on lesson plans.”
In reality, she’d spend most of the week checking in on her at-risk students, but she wasn’t going to tell Ernesto that. He’d lose his ever-loving mind if he found out she was planning to plant herself right in the middle of some of the worst gang neighborhoods in the city. Then there was her plan to track down that cop who’d saved her life. She doubted Ernesto would like that idea, either. He might be on the right side of the law now, but that didn’t mean he liked cops.
“You could hang out at my place if you want,” her surrogate brother said. “I could take some time off. We could play video games, binge watchGame of Thrones, or anything else you want to do.”
Ernesto had an awesome place in Arlington, out past the stadium. It had a ridiculous number of bedrooms, heated pool, movie theater, and all kinds of toys to keep her distracted if that was what she was looking for.
But it wasn’t.
“Thanks,” she said, really appreciating the offer. “But you have a business to run, and this isn’t something another person can help me with—even you. I need to work through it on my own.”
Ernesto opened his mouth to argue but then shook his head as he stepped close and pulled her in for another hug, this one even more gentle than the first. “Okay, I get it. Like I said, I know you. Nobody’s ever going to get you to do something you don’t want to do. But just so you know, my offer stands. If you need a place to get away or just need to talk to someone, I’ll be there.”
She hugged him back, feeling blessed to have someone like Ernesto in her life. He’d been the rock that had kept her sane after losing her brother, and she had no idea where she’d be without him.
Selena watched him drive away, waiting until his taillights disappeared out of the parking lot. Then she turned with a heavy sigh and headed for her car. She reached for the door handle, when she caught movement over by the corner of the school. She looked that way and was surprised to see Ruben standing there, his big shoulder resting against the brick, his expression unreadable.
Something told her he’d been hanging around the school to talk to her. She started across the parking lot, when a police car came around the far side of the building and headed toward her. The vehicle’s appearance startled her, but instead of stepping back in fear, a snarl of anger escaped her lips.
She forced herself to take a deep breath and calm down as the cruiser pulled up beside her. Officer Webber leaned out of the driver’s side window to smile at her.
“I thought you’d already be gone,” he said. “Everything okay?”
She returned his smile, but just barely. Most of her attention was wrapped up in trying to understand why she’d reacted so strangely to seeing his car. If she didn’t know better, it seemed like she’d been ready to attack the damn thing, which was absolutely insane. She glanced over at Ruben, but he was nowhere to be found.
“I was just getting in my car when you came around the corner,” she lied.
She doubted the officer would be thrilled if she mentioned one of her students was wandering around school property at this time of night.
The cop nodded, his smile broadening. “Okay, have a good evening. I hope everything works out getting your classroom back together.”
Selena nodded absently as he drove off, looking around for Ruben again before getting in her car. But like she’d expected, he was gone. She sighed, knowing he wouldn’t have been out here if there wasn’t something seriously wrong. She hoped it wasn’t something involving the Locos. With the way things had gone down in her classroom, she could see the gang blaming Ruben for what had happened to Pablo.
