Intensity

by S. Briones Lim

  “Well, we basically met them, right?” Ruthie replied, not sure of how else to respond. Celine threw her an angry glare and pursed her lips. Ruthie knew she’d never live that moment down.

  Chapter 8

  The women sat in the cold cell with only a wooly blanket to keep them warm. Celine hugged herself, shivering. She couldn’t imagine why the cops insisted on keeping the place so cold. Did they really think coldness was a punishment for crimes? Celine pushed herself further into the corner of the cell, trying to get as comfortable as possible. Her tailbone hurt from sitting on the hard bench and all her muscles were sore from shivering. Any plans she had of doing yoga the next morning was completely thrown out the window.

  “Celine? Are you still mad at me?” Ruthie asked in a small voice. She was seated on the opposite end of the bench and looked worriedly at her best friend. They’d been in the cell for only fifteen minutes (though it seemed much longer) and Celine tried her best to avoid any contact with her. As expected, Celine remained silent. Ruthie sighed. “I don’t see why you can’t just call Noah to bail us out.”

  “I am not calling my fiancé!” Celine shot back. Despite her angry tone, Ruthie was relieved that Celine was finally speaking to her again. “I’m not going to get him tangled up in this mess that we got ourselves into. Or should I say, you got us into.”

  Now it was Ruthie’s turn to become angry. “Don’t go blaming this on me! It was your idea to meet them!”

  “But it was your idea to sneak backstage!” Celine shot back furiously.

  “You went along with it! You could have stopped at any time,” Ruthie replied firmly.

  “Like I’d let you do this alone,” Celine muttered. She sighed and banged her head against a cement block. “Look at us. We’re being held in jail like two hardened criminals. We were booked and finger printed—fingerprinted, Ruthie! The government now has access to my fingerprints!”

  “I’m sure they even had access to your urine from your gynecologist visits,” Ruthie snorted under her breath.

  Celine continued, “Now we’re stuck here in a cold cell until morning! God only knows who’s been in this cell and what bodily liquids are in here!” She quickly lifted her head from the wall, grimacing. “Now we have this on our records and we’re going to have to pay a fine or get an attorney—”

  “Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Ruthie interrupted.

  Celine’s mouth dropped open. “You really need to grow up and take responsibility for your actions. We were stupid. I told you we shouldn’t have snuck in!

  “Looks like it’s your lucky night, ladies,” a deep voice interrupted.

  The women broke eye contact and watched a tall police officer walk up to the cell. His uniform was a bit wrinkled and his sandy brown hair was a mess. Ruthie couldn’t help but wonder what horrors he faced that night.

  The cop reached out and unlocked the latch, opening the cell. “You’re free to go. The charges have been dropped.”

  Celine looked up in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

  “Yup,” the cop said with disinterest.

  “Why the sudden change?” Ruthie wondered out loud, pushing herself off the bench.

  The cop scratched his head, yawning. “Apparently, it was a big misunderstanding. Your friends are in the front. You can thank them for clearing everything up,” he explained dispassionately.

  Ruthie and Celine glanced at each other in confusion. “Friends?”

  “Well, hurry up unless you want to stay in there all night.” He impatiently gestured for them to step out of the cell, stepping away from the open gate.

  The women didn’t have to be told twice. They quickly obliged and followed him back out to the front. The cop’s nasally voice piped back up. “You’re going to have to sign some paperwork, but you’ll be free to leave afterwards. If I were you, I’d treat your friends to dinner or something. It’s not like guys like them to come up here to personally escort detainees out.”

  Ruthie and Celine nodded, still feeling confused. They glanced at each other, speaking volumes with their eyes. What the hell was going on?

  Once they reached the front of the building, they looked up and gasped. “Good evening, ladies.” Cash Walker lifted his hand in greeting. He grinned at the two women, who looked as if they’d seen a ghost. Cash thrust his hands into his pockets, having changed from his performance suit to just a plain shirt and jeans. He looked newly showered, his once styled blond hair now messily flopped along his forehead. He nodded his head toward the cop. “I think he wants you to follow him.”

  With dropped jaws, the women nodded and quickly followed the cop to his desk. The paperwork they were presented with seemed never-ending and the two couldn’t get through it fast enough. It was only a matter of time before their signatures seemed like preschool scribbles and loops. Grabbing their returned possessions, the two practically fell over each other in an attempt to get back to the front of the building. When they arrived, they were surprised that Cash was not alone.

  “Long time no see, old friends,” Brian said, standing up from his chair. Celine wondered how long he’d been there because she hadn’t noticed him earlier. Then again, Cash’s mere presence was enough to cause momentary disorientation.

  Ruthie spoke up first. “Brian? What are you doing here?” She glanced at Cash and couldn’t help but squirm under his gaze. He was even more beautiful up close and sent an insurmountable wave of nervousness rushing through her veins.

  “I could ask you the same thing.” He laughed. He glanced over at Celine and reached out for her. Taking her in a big bear hug, he squeezed her tightly. “I haven’t seen you in years! Can I just say age is treating you nicely!”

  “We’re not that old,” Celine finally managed to say. She awkwardly hugged him back and glanced at Cash shyly. “Were you the ones who bailed us out?”

  “Bailed you out? No,” Cash grinned. “Told the cops everything was a misunderstanding? Yes.”

  “Why?” Ruthie asked. Celine flashed her a look of warning. There was no way she wanted to find herself back in that dingy cell. Noticing her look, Ruthie sheepishly added, “I mean, thank you for doing that. We really appreciate it! You have no idea how grateful we both are. I’m just wondering why you took time out of your busy schedules to help us out.”

  “Well, besides the fact that I recognized you from the first row and I couldn’t bear to think of such a beautiful woman stuck in here with handcuffs…” his voice trailed off and he winked flirtatiously at Ruthie. “Well, actually maybe I could.”

  Both Celine’s and Brian’s mouths dropped open. Brian shook his head, narrowing his eyes slightly. He cleared his throat and explained, “I told Cash that you were two of my closest friends from high school and that I was coming down here to spring you guys. For some odd reason he insisted on coming.” He shot another bewildered look at Cash, but soon glanced down at Celine and smiled. “After all these years, you guys are still such big Intensifiers, aren’t you?” he joked, fingering the bottom of her shirt. “I’d love to hear exactly what was going through your minds when you decided to sneak inside the arena!”

  Celine blushed. “Why are you even surprised?” She laughed. “Trust me, this is one long story that I would love to forget about.”

  “But we have time to hear it, don’t we, Brian?” Cash asked.

  Brian blinked quickly. He turned his attention back to Celine and smiled apologetically “Um, actually no, you don’t. The guys have an event tomorrow. They have to be at the venue pretty early. Unfortunately, I have to be there, too.”

  “Unfortunately,” Celine murmured. Snapping back to her senses, Celine smiled back. “Ah, well, that’s a shame.”

  Ruthie, who was practically undressing Cash with her eyes, asked, “Oh, what event is it? I thought you guys only had one show in San Diego.”

  Cash eyed Ruthie hungrily. Brian noticed his ‘signature seduction’ look and immediately stepped in between the two. Celine and Ruthie were too star-struck
to have noticed. He answered, “They’re doing an acoustic performance at the House of Rocks. It’s a surprise for a bunch of radio winners.”

  “Lucky girls,” Ruthie muttered enviously.

  “Of course you guys can come,” Cash offered with a shrug.

  “Really?” Ruthie looked up hopefully.

  With a sheepish look, Cash replied, “Only if you agree to have a late dinner with us tonight.”

  “Late dinner?” Celine wondered, glancing at the clock hung high on the wall. It was nearing one in the morning.

  “Early breakfast,” Cash corrected. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

  Ruthie shot Celine a pleading look (as if Celine needed any prodding to have a meal with Cash). Celine nodded, “Yeah that sounds good.”

  Ruthie grinned in appreciation as the men escorted the two out of the precinct. As the group walked outside, Cash threw a teasing look at Celine and remarked, “Nice shirt.”

  Celine grinned back and glanced at Ruthie mouthing, “Told you.” She could have laughed at Ruthie’s answering eye roll. Celine bit her lip and eyed Brian, who was walking a few steps in front of her. Though she was greatly relieved that she didn’t need to spend the night in jail, she couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy about the whole situation. Sure it was a dream come true to be spending any amount of time with Cash Walker, but the fact Brian was joining them…

  When the two men weren’t paying attention, Celine whispered to Ruthie, “I don’t feel too good about this. I feel a bit guilty about eating dinner with Brian.” She glanced at their tall, muscular friend. Age had definitely treated him nicely as well, filling in his boyish figure to one of a full-formed man. Having always thought he was good looking, Celine was surprised to find that he had grown into his nose and ears, making him appear more handsome than ever before.

  “Why? He’s an old friend! It’s not like you have feelings for him anymore, right?” Ruthie whispered back.

  Celine nodded her head, but couldn’t help but feel the familiar school girl flutters again. She quickly pushed them away and forced a smile. “No, I don’t.”

  Ruthie lifted an eyebrow. “Good.” She leaned forward and added, “This is what we’ve always wanted! Let’s enjoy this.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Celine whispered back. She frowned and continued following the men. Ruthie was right. It was what they had always wanted. Nothing wrong with joining an old friend and a worldwide heartthrob for breakfast…right?

  Chapter 9

  Celine fumbled clumsily with her fork. The stack of pancakes loomed in front of her, but she couldn’t bring herself to take a bite. She was always uncomfortable eating in front of strangers and having both Cash Walker and Brian sitting beside her didn’t make her weird quirk any easier.

  “I can’t believe meeting me was on your list of things you always wanted to do!” Cash laughed as he took a bite of his eggs.

  Ruthie watched as he took a sip from his coffee and she couldn’t help but wish she was the mug in his hands. Shaking her head at the absurd thought, she laughed back. “Of course! And what better time to act on that dream than before Celine gets married? Once she ties the knot you know stalking Intensity would be out of the question.”

  “You’re getting married?” Brian suddenly interrupted, throwing Celine a questioning look. He glanced at her left hand and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

  Celine fiddled with her fork and answered, “Yeah, actually. To my fiancé.” Celine felt like face palming herself. Who else would she be getting married to?

  Fortunately, Brian didn’t notice her slip up, or at least he didn’t care. “How long have you been with your fiancé?”

  “Two years,” she answered. “We’re getting married in just a little under ten months.” Brian didn’t reply, merely blinking a few times before turning his attention back to Cash and Ruthie. Celine did the same, forcing herself not to look in Brian’s direction.

  “You’re reconnecting with your childhood, huh?” Cash mused. He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “You’re really making me feel old right now.”

  “Hey!” Ruthie laughed. “You’re only a few years older than us! And you still look hot for your age.”

  Celine raised her eyebrows. She watched as her friend’s face turned beet red. She knew Ruthie was instantly regretting her choice of words.

  To Ruthie’s relief, Cash merely laughed. Ruthie let out a quiet breath and straightened her shoulders. Everything was so surreal! She couldn’t believe that Cash Walker was only a few inches away from her! If she reached her hand out, she could easily grab his well-defined pectoral muscles. She eyed him up and down and couldn’t help but admire the way his chiseled jaw looked as he let out a throaty chuckle.

  Cash grinned. “I must admit, being thirty-one is way easier than it was being twenty years old.”

  “How so?” Celine asked. When Cash turned his attention to her, she couldn’t help but blush profusely. Seeing her childhood idol in person was nothing short of a dream come true. Talking to him was an entirely different story and made Celine feel a bit faint.

  Cash leaned back and wiped his mouth with a napkin. Ruthie looked longingly after the dirtied white cloth. Oh, to be that napkin. Catching herself, she blinked and brought her attention back to Cash’s words rather than his body.

  “It’s really a mind fuck, you know? You feel dirty thinking that a ten year old has a picture of you shirtless, hanging in her room.” Ruthie snuck a glance at Celine, who widened her eyes in shame. “At the same time you feel a bit degraded thinking that someone as old as your mother could think you’re hot shit.”

  “What do you mean?” Ruthie asked curiously, immediately feeling guilty for checking him out. “Don’t boys that age get off at the thought of a cougar lusting after them?”

  “Well, you begin to wonder why they feel that way about you. Like is it only because of my looks? Is it only because of my manufactured persona that I’m considered attractive?” He shook his head in disgust. “It plays with your mind, and being that young and impressionable, it also weighed down on me in ways I didn’t realize until I matured a bit more.”

  “Did the other members feel that way?” Celine asked.

  Cash shrugged, not really wanting to get into it. “Some more than others. Being the youngest, I think it affected me most of all. Regardless, it was a big reason why I was hesitant to join the big reunion.” He leaned forward and grabbed his coffee mug. His hand brushed against Ruthie’s and she felt a jolt of electricity in her abdomen.

  “Well, I’m glad you guys reunited.” Celine nodded adamantly, picking up her fork without any intention of eating.

  Cash threw a sly smile at Ruthie, who squirmed in her seat. He liked the effect he had on her and made a mental note to flash his pearly whites at her more often. “Me, too.” He grinned at Ruthie again and watched her shift around. With a quiet laugh, Cash turned his attention back towards Celine and continued, “My favorite part of this whole gig is meeting new people.”

  “Not following your dream?” Celine hadn’t realized she had spoken out loud. She looked up and smiled apologetically.

  Fortunately, Cash laughed. “No, that too, of course. However, I must say meeting new and interesting people certainly makes up for feeling like a piece of meat.”

  Celine discreetly pushed her arms together, attempting to hide her shirt. It was ridiculous considering Cash (and the rest of the restaurant) had already seen it.

  “What’s your story, Brian?” Ruthie asked, somehow breaking eye contact with Cash. It was a hard thing to do, but she was afraid that if she stared at him any longer she’d have no choice but to strip him naked in front of everyone.

  Brian placed his coffee mug back down at the table. Celine attempted to avert her eyes and focused on the drop of coffee sliding down the ceramic lip. However, as soon as he spoke, she caught herself staring at his Adam’s apple as it bobbed up and down. “I still can’t believe how long it’s been since I last saw you two. I me
an, I didn’t go to our reunion or anything,” he admitted. His voice had grown deeper in the last ten years and Celine couldn’t help but hang onto every word he said.

  “We didn’t go either,” Celine responded quietly.

  “Why not?” Brian asked in surprise.

  Celine laughed. “What’s the point of going to the reunion when I see my best friend almost every other day?”

  “Give or a take a weekend,” Ruthie chimed in.

  Celine grinned. “She was the only person from high school I cared about, anyway. Plus she wasn’t planning on going. It would have just been a gigantic waste of time for me.”

  Brian laughed. “She’s the only person from high school you cared about, huh? Very disappointing to hear, Celine.”

  “Well, apparently you didn’t go, either. Definitely no need for me to have attended.” She giggled.

  Brian continued laughing. Celine grinned back, her smile only faltering when she noticed the look on Ruthie’s face. It took Celine a moment to realize what caused it. Celine basically admitted to how important Brian had been to her! Having a crush find out the extent of your feelings, no matter how much time had passed, was still embarrassing. Blushing, Celine tried to save herself. “I mean, you were always a good friend to us and everything.” She glanced up and saw Ruthie glue her lips together. Deciding that staying quiet might be the best thing for her to do, Celine quickly shut her mouth and stuffed her face with pancakes.

  Ruthie cleared her throat. “Go on, tell us how you became Cash Walker’s right hand man.”

  Cash burst into laughter, but Brian frowned slightly. “Well, after high school I had no idea what to do with myself. I took a year off and just worked odd jobs here and there. I somehow landed a gig at a local entertainment agency—don’t ask me how, it was just as if the universe aligned or something. Anyway, the CEO took a liking to me and offered me a full-time position if I finished college. Up until then I didn’t really have any sense of motivation or any ambitions. Working in the entertainment industry changed all that. I finished school with honors and quickly came onboard. It was only a matter of time before I was landing my own clients left and right. Intensity came under my radar a few years ago and we’ve been working together ever since.”