The weeks passed and by now Chris and Street had been working together for two months. There was always information from the Cali cartel and the teams showed up at the port of Wilmington, but unfortunately it turned out to be a feint every time. Everyone was pretty frustrated and no one had a wikr idea what was going on. Today the shift was very quiet and Chris was able to devote time to her physical training and Street used the time to fine tune his shooting skills. Chris felt her phone vibrate and when she looked at the display, she saw a message from Sarzo. It said that he would spontaneously make his famous barbeque tonight and he wanted to invite Chris and Street. Chris didn't wait long and sought out Street. Street was thrilled about the news and agreed of course. At 7:00 pm it should start.
Finally it was closing time and Chris was grateful to have enough time before the barbeque to go for a jog on the beach. She ran very fast today and again and again she threw Champ his ball. She took a deep breath and was able to clear her head to some extent, because the case and also the situation with Clark were gnawing at her. Back home, she took a shower and got ready. She was looking forward to seeing her family, since she really didn't have much time due to her job at the LAPD, and she had to admit to herself that she was looking forward to seeing Street. He could always make her laugh and somehow a friendship was forming. Yes, a friendship and Chris could hardly believe it himself after how he had presented himself at the beginning. She made her way to Sarzo and Champ got a big pig's ear as a farewell.
When Chris arrived at Sarzo's and walked to the garden, she already heard loud Latin music and it smelled wonderful.
"Chrissy hey, you're finally here!" exclaimed Sarzo when he spotted her. Chris walked up to him and hugged him tightly.
"Hey Uncle Sarzo, thanks again for inviting me. It smells great in here already." She smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Look who's already here and having a good time." Sarzo pointed with his head to the left. Chris was amazed and wide-eyed when she saw Street dancing with her aunt Helena. Instantly she had to laugh. Street was showing off all his charms and her aunt had fallen for him.
"Why am I not surprised now?" she grinned. "Hey Street." She called over to him and waved. Street looked up and when he saw Chris he beamed.
"Hi Chris!" He broke away from Helena and thanked her, quite gentlemanly with a short bow, for the dance. Chris had to laugh again and shook her head. Street came running over to her and took her briefly but firmly in his arms. Chris was unprepared for this and a bit caught off guard, but returned the hug.
"It's good that you're here now. We were just waiting for you and there was nothing from the grill yet." Street tried to make it sound as sorry as possible.
"God, you poor thing. I would never have been able to justify that if you had starved to death." came sarcastically from Chris and she patted him on the shoulder. They both laughed and Sarzo joined in.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to my cousin Thomas." Chris took him by the hand and pulled him along. Thomas was already standing by to meet his cousin's new colleague.
"So, that´s Jim Street, my cousin Thomas." Chris stood between the two. Street immediately extended his hand to him.
"Hey Thomas, Jim, nice to meet you. Feel free to call me Street, though." He smiled kindly.
"Nice to meet you too, Street. Do you play basketball?" Chris rolled his eyes.
"Thomas, give him a break for now." Turning to Street, she said. "He asks that of everyone he likes right away. So you can feel honored." she smirked.
"Well, in that case. Let's shoot some hoops after dinner buddy." Street said and Thomas nodded with satisfaction and looked triumphantly at Chris.
"Um what does that look mean?" Street was irritated. Chris was still looking warningly at Thomas, but he was already laying it on.
"Chris and I had a bet. She said you could never play basketball and well I won." He cheered and walked to Sarzo. Chris looked at Street awkwardly.
"So, you're betting on my person." Street came closer to Chris and whispered in her ear. "You'll owe me a dance for that later, though." he winked at her and walked over to the men. Speechless, Chris was left behind. Street was simply incorrigible. Now she had to laugh.
The food was brilliant, there were different Guatemalan and Mexican salads, different homemade breads, cheese and of course meat. Street didn't stop eating and Chris didn't understand how so much could fit into one person. Where did he eat it all?
"Street? Let's go shoot some baskets." Thomas was already ready and Street followed him. The two had a blast and Chris played referee, surely neither of them should cheat. After an hour, the two men were pretty out of breath and Chris brought them a beer.
"Thanks Chris, that's really sweet of you." Street was so thirsty he drank half the bottle in one go.
"You know what's coming now don't you?" Street looked at Chris, waiting for her answer. Of course Chris pretended not to remember what she owed him.
"Oh come on Chris, one dance. I'm not stepping on your toes either." he grinned. Chris exhaled deeply and conceded defeat. It wasn't like she was going to back out of it.
"Okay, one dance, no more, no less Street." He held out his hand to her and when she put hers in there was a familiarity Chris couldn't explain. She looked into his eyes and felt like she could see deep into his soul. The song "No Te Veo" by Casa de Leones was playing. Chris and Street were facing each other, he held one of her hands and when he suddenly pulled her to him, they both had to laugh out loud. Street could dance well, Chris had to admit that. They danced a salsa and Chris let Street lead her without any ifs and buts. He did a damn good job and Chris just felt carefree and happy at that moment. They spun across the meadow, over and over, and Street spun Chris some more. By the end of the song, they were both standing there out of breath, nestled close together. For a moment they looked into each other's eyes.
"Ehm ok, that was - quite good Street." Stammered Chris still breathing heavily.
"Thanks, you weren't bad either. Come let's sit down there." He simply pulled her with him.
Sitting on a bench, the two looked over at Chris' family.
"I envy your family Chris, I really do. They're so great, every single one of them. I feel so comfortable here, you wouldn't believe it. I wish I had a family like that." Sadly, he looked down at his hands holding the beer bottle. Chris looked at him and somehow she could feel his pain right away.
"What happened to your family, if you don't mind me asking?" But Street didn't get to answer because an upset and drunk Clark came up to them both.
"So that's how it goes Chris, huh? You don't let me get close and with this one," he pointed his finger at Street, "you dance and let his looks undress you?" Chris had immediately jumped up and stood in front of Clark.
"What are you doing here? Are you drunk?" She looked at him with wide open eyes.
"Answer me." Clark was getting louder now. He made himself big in front of Chris and now Street was standing next to them both.
"Clark calm down. We were just dancing with each other. Street is a friend, nothing more." Chris tried to calm him down.
"Aha a friend is he. Bullshit! Admit it, you're fucking him!" Now he was yelling. Street put himself between Chris and Clark a bit and tried to calm him down too.
"Clark, listen, there's absolutely nothing going on between us, you can believe Chris." Street breathed calmly, but he was tense. Now Clark was nose to nose with Street.
"Don't you tell me what to do." His words were calm, threatening, and he spoke very slowly. Chris knew she had to do something now or this would escalate. She gently touched Clark on the forearm.
"Hey, please calm down, everything is okay. Come on let's go home." But Clark couldn't think of anything better to say than to grab Chris by the arm, pulled her close and start screaming at her again.
"You little beast, do you really think you can mess with me?" Now Sarzo and Thomas were coming over as well. Street couldn't watch any longer.
"Hey! Get your hands off her!" He now also said a little louder and in a decisive tone. Chris freed herself from Clark's grip and quickly turned to Street.
"It's okay, I'll handle it." Street immediately understood her look.
"Come on let's settle this man to man!" Clark shouted again. Chris couldn't get through to him anymore, he was so enraged. Now Sarzo and Thomas got involved. Each of them held Clark by one arm.
"Clark," Sarzo spoke calmly but firmly, "it is best for you to leave now." Clark, however, did not move and still fixed Street. "Clark, I'm not going to repeat myself. If you don't leave now, I'll call the police." Slowly, Clark's muscles relaxed and Thomas wordlessly escorted him to the garden gate.
"Now go, and one more thing Clark, don't ever touch Chris like that again, or you'll have a problem with us." He just left him there and went back to the others.
