Intensity

by S. Briones Lim

  Celine trembled slightly. Her footsteps were hesitant, barely scuffling as she took a seat at the wooden table. A crowd of people were already seated in the rows of chairs in front of her. She gulped and tried to focus on something—anything—rather than the growing number of people.

  She spotted a teenager in the audience who reminded her of a seventeen year old Ruthie, complete with retainer and a light sprinkling of acne. She held a copy of Celine’s book in her hand. It was one of the very first books she’d ever published and she couldn’t help but feel touched that this girl had been a reader since the beginning. The book meant a lot to her. It was somewhat based on reality covering an unrequited crush between two friends. Laughing to herself, she recalled how she had based the male character on Brian. Oh, if she only knew…

  “Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to present to you Celine Fabre,” the announcer called out, snapping her out of her daydreams.

  Celine plastered a wide grin on her face, only relaxing her smile when she realized that she probably looked like the Joker. Taking a deep breath to quiet her pounding heart, she leaned over and spoke into the microphone, “Thanks for being here today.”

  ***

  “Well, you were right,” Ruthie exclaimed, placing her hands over her full belly. “That was the best cheesecake I’d ever eaten.”

  “I told you,” Cash laughed. He leaned his elbows on the table, flexing his arm muscles. Ruthie’s eyes helplessly traveled up the length of his arm, taking a deep breath as she admired his physique. Cash smiled knowingly. “So, where to, little lady?”

  “Ha! Good question! I’m so…” Ruthie’s eyes shut. “Shit! What time is it?”

  She then glanced at her wrist but realized she had forgotten to wear a watch. Spotting an extremely large one wrapped around Cash’s wrist, she reached out and yanked his arm, twisting it so that the face of the watch read right side up.

  “Ow! What are you doing?” he asked in surprise.

  “Shit! Shit, shit, shit,” Ruthie muttered. She reached inside her purse to collect her phone. She needed to call Celine and fast.

  Cash reached out and pushed her hand down gently. “What are you doing?” he repeated. There was no amusement in his tone. It was as if a light switch was flipped off, immediately changing his disposition.

  Ruthie ignored his shift in mood and replied frantically, “I have to call Celine! I told her I’d go to her writer’s conference. It was supposed to start at one, but it’s only two! Maybe I can make it to 8th and Penn to catch some of it.”

  “Sorry, Honey, but you missed it,” Cash shook his head dispassionately. “There’s no way we’re getting anywhere near 8th and Penn for another half hour.”

  Ruthie groaned loudly and threw her phone back into her purse. Celine was never going to forgive her! She’d end up being the one on a so-called ‘crap list.’

  Cash frowned, watching Ruthie squirm in her seat. With a shake of his head he asked, “Why do you care so much?” He placed his elbows on the table top and made a steeple with his fingers, placing his lips gently on top. He tilted his head to the side, waiting for her to respond.

  “Because she’s my best friend!” Ruthie replied, feeling flabbergasted. “Haven’t you ever had a best friend?” Ruthie took a deep breath and slowed down her breathing. She hadn’t even realized how frantic she was feeling. She gazed up and caught a look of sadness on Cash’s face. Her mouth instantly dropped open and she shook her head apologetically. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “Yeah, you did,” Cash interrupted coldly. He sighed and leaned back into the chair. “But you know what? You’re right! I wouldn’t know what it’s like to have a best friend because I never had one.”

  Ruthie lifted her eyes in surprise. Her lips made an “O” shape and she was unsure of what to say next.

  “I’ve been in this business since I was a child,” Cash explained. “Even before Intensity began I was shuffled around, auditioning for different TV shows and musicals. I never really had a chance to be a kid, you know? That includes having a best friend. I was never somewhere long enough to make that sort of friendship with someone.”

  “But what about the other guys? In your group?” Ruthie asked in confusion. “Don’t you consider them your friends?”

  “We’re friends, but honestly I wouldn’t trust any of them with my life.” He shrugged his shoulders and turned his head towards the glass window. “We’re basically coworkers. Why else do you think Intensity stayed away from each other for so long? I mean, the other guys are closer to each other than they are with me. Hell, maybe it’s even my fault. I just never learned to bond with people in that way.”

  “I’m sorry?” Why it came out as a question, Ruthie did not know. She was taken aback, unsure of how to react as Cash revealed more of himself to her. Like an onion peeling back its layers, he confessed something Ruthie was sure he’d never shared with anyone before.

  “Sometimes it’s best not to have any ties.” Cash turned his head and looked intently into her eyes. She gulped and wondered what he was hinting at.

  Ruthie swallowed and in a quiet voice responded, “I think it’s sad not to have any ties. Celine and I are basically sisters. We’ve been best friends since middle school and…and…I don’t know! She’s my kindred spirit. We’re there for each other for everything. It’s been that way for years and I seriously would not have survived without her in my life. We look out for each other, and believe me, going to a writer’s conference is nothing in comparison to things she’s done for me.” She shook her head and added in a more annoyed tone, “Maybe you should quit judging me and let me handle my friend the way I think is best!”

  Cash’s handsome face remained stone cold and unmoving. His eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m sorry, did I offend you?”

  Ruthie’s head bounced back in surprise. “Well, yeah. I mean, you keep saying she’s on your crap list or whatever you call it. Of course it offends me to hear you speak about her that way!”

  “I’m sorry,” Cash said quietly. He straightened his shoulders and peered at her calmly. “Like I said, I just don’t understand that sort of bond.”

  A silence washed over them. Ruthie grabbed at her phone again and began texting Celine.

  I’m sooooooooooooo sorry! I lost track of time! Please forgive me!

  Just as she pressed ‘send’ Cash spoke up. “You mentioned that you both look out for one another. Is that the reason she was a bit aloof around me? Was she looking out for you?”

  Ruthie glanced up. “Well, yeah. I mean, of course she’d be wary about me falling for a celebrity…”

  She shut her mouth but it was too late. She couldn’t believe that she had just attested to falling for him. Beyond that, she had called him a celebrity…a word Cash deemed dirty. If there was a prize for foot in mouth, she would win hands down.

  Cash ignored the slip up and worked his tongue around his mouth as he lost himself to his thoughts. Biting his bottom lip, he gazed at Ruthie silently.

  “What?” she asked with trepidation, subconsciously pulling her cardigan tighter across her body.

  “Why don’t we go shopping one last time?” he asked cryptically.

  Ruthie shook her head. “I don’t think shopping’s going to make me feel better, if I’m being honest.”

  “It’s not for you. It’ll be for Celine.” Cash threw her his trademark grin and waited for her response.

  “Wait, I’m confused. Why are we shopping for Celine?” Ruthie blinked.

  “Well, you made a good point.” He chuckled.

  “I did?” Ruthie asked dumbly.

  Cash nodded. “Well, yeah. I really had no right to put her on my crap list when all she was doing was being a good friend. Maybe it’s time I work my way off her crap list.”

  “I don’t think you’re on her crap list.” Ruthie laughed. “I mean, she has a shirt with your face plastered on the front.”

  “True,” Cash agreed, turning the corners of his mouth d
own. “But that was before everything else.” He grabbed at the napkin on his lap and threw it on top of the table. “What do you say? She’s going to my party tonight, right?”

  “I assume she is,” Ruthie answered, though she really had no idea if Celine would be up to it. She couldn’t even imagine how mad Celine was at the moment. Or worse, how hurt.

  “Of course she’s going!” Cash smiled. With a wag of his eyebrows her added, “Brian wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Well, good.” Ruthie nodded. She paused and shook her head quickly. “Wait, what?”

  Cash grinned knowingly. “Maybe it’s not you she should be watching out for.”

  Chapter 29

  “First question?” she asked, scanning across the crowd. “I have one!”

  The familiar voice caused her headache to instantly vanish. As if a cloud was lifted from her vision, Celine spotted Brian sitting towards the back of the crowd with a hand raised in the air.

  Celine blinked and attempted to compose herself. Taking a quick sip of water, she choked it down and replied, “Yes, you! Gentleman in the back, what is your question?”

  Brian threw her a knowing look and grinned. From where Celine was sitting, she noticed he was showered, changed, and looked more awake than he had earlier that morning. She wished she could say the same thing about herself. Not bothering to straighten her hair, it was tied up into a tight sock bun, which come to think of it, was probably the root cause of her headache.

  Brian held up a copy of one of her earlier works. It was the same copy she had seen the teenager from the front row holding onto earlier. Her eyes automatically flew to the girl and noticed that she still had a death grip around her copy. Glancing back at Brian, Celine couldn’t help but wonder where he had bought it. The dog-eared paperback was one of the books she had self-published right out of college. They had been pulled off the shelves ages ago!

  In a mischievous tone, Brian asked, “Where do you get your character inspirations from? I really happen to like your character, Bryson. Is he based on anyone you know in real life?”

  Celine shut her eyes. She felt utterly mortified. Did Brian really read her book?

  Taking a slight pause to compose herself, Celine opened her eyes and answered, “I…uh…like to base certain character traits on people I do know in real life. It helps create a depth to a character and make him or her relatable.” As she answered, she never once took her eyes off him.

  Brian remained grinning, obviously happy that he was basically calling her out on writing about him. As embarrassed as Celine looked, Brian couldn’t help but feel elated.

  ***

  “That was something,” Celine laughed. She gratefully reached for the cup of coffee Brian held out for her. Raising the paper cup in the air, she thanked him.

  The line of people looking to get their books signed had long since trickled down. Brian had purposely positioned himself at the back of the line, hoping to be able to spend more time with Celine. He leaned against the table, peering down at Celine, who remained seated behind the long wooden table. A stack of her books was piled to the side of him and he made a mental note to buy each one.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, taking a sip of her java goodness. The beverage wasn’t as good as any she could make, but she wasn’t about to tell Brian that.

  Brian kept his eyes glued to the table and picked at her swag giveaways. He chose a bookmark and placed it in his back pocket, smiling. “I figured I should give you support. I mean, if it weren’t for me you would never have gotten over your immense stage fright.”

  “If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be nursing this massive hangover,” she shot back. As if on cue, a pulsating throb worked its way across her forehead. Groaning, she reached up and undid her bun, not really caring how she looked anymore. She noticed Brian watching intently as she attempted to smooth her hair out.

  “Actually, I tried to stop you, but there must have been something addictive about those cranberry vodkas,” he replied, grinning. He prepped himself to tease her again, it was something he always loved doing, but his cell phone—his Intensity phone—began to ring. “Shit,” he muttered.

  Celine propped her cheek on her tiny hand, dangling the paper cup between her fingers. “Something wrong?”

  “Be right back,” Brian told her, already walking away.

  Celine shrugged and continued chugging her latte.

  Chapter 30

  “Are you sure they’re still here?” Ruthie asked, careening her neck. The number of people on the sidewalk was ridiculous! How anyone could stand living in the city was beyond her. “The conference ended like an hour ago.”

  “No, they’re still here,” Cash replied firmly. “I just asked Brian.”

  “Wait a minute! What’s Brian doing here?” Ruthie asked in confusion.

  “I take it Celine’s fiancé isn’t here?” Cash shot back pointedly.

  “Well, no. He couldn’t get off work. They’re having a soft opening at his restaurant.” Ruthie’s eyes widened in understanding. “If you’re hinting that Celine may be cheating with Brian, that’s about as farfetched as you can get. She’s not like that.”

  Cash shrugged. “Doesn’t mean Brian doesn’t hope she is.” Ignoring Ruthie’s perplexed look, Cash raised his chin. “Look, there they are.”

  Ruthie spun on her heel and caught sight of Celine. She was laughing (thankfully) and walking beside Brian. He leaned over and said something into her ear, which only made her laugh harder. Seeing the two interact brought about a bad feeling in Ruthie.

  “Celine!” she yelled out, waving her hand in the air. A few city dwellers shot her dirty looks, but she didn’t care. She needed to speak with her best friend pronto.

  “Ruthie?” Celine questioned. She quickened her pace and left Brian straggling behind her. “What are you doing here?” Without even realizing it, Celine had broken into a slight run. However, when she was just a few feet away from her friend she found herself involuntarily slowing down. Was she ready to face Ruthie? She was still feeling a bit hurt! Figuring that she couldn’t stall any longer, she plastered a fake looking grin on her face.

  Unfortunately, Ruthie wasn’t buying it. She knew Celine well enough to be able to distinguish between a sincere grin from a poor excuse for a sixth grade play smile. “How furious are you right now?” Ruthie asked in almost a whisper.

  Celine looked over Ruthie’s shoulder and spotted Cash. Like a knee jerk reaction she felt annoyance bubbling through her. Who would have thought she’d ever feel irritation over her childhood idol? Cash must have noticed the look on her face because he instantly flashed her his magazine cover worthy smile. Celine pressed her lips together in a closed-lip smile and looked back at Ruthie, whose face had visibly paled.

  “We never get mad at each other, right?” Celine responded, without really answering Ruthie’s question. “We’ve never fought. Why would we start now?”

  Having no reason but to believe Celine, Ruthie sighed with relief. Her shoulders visibly relaxed and she bent over to give Celine a hug. “Thank God! I’m so sorry I missed it! I promise that I was planning to go! We just lost track of time.”

  “I’m sure,” Celine replied curtly. When Ruthie tensed up again, Celine sighed and shook her head. “I mean, I know you wouldn’t have missed it unless you had a good reason.”

  Ruthie nodded her head in relief. “Yeah, I did.” Catching some movement in her peripheral, Ruthie looked up in time to see Brian making his way over to them. The expression on his face was not pleasant by any means. “So…” her voice trailed off. “What are you guys doing?”

  “Brian showed up to my show,” Celine answered nonchalantly. She flashed Ruthie a knowing look. “He actually read my book, Nineteen. He somehow found it on auction somewhere online.”

  “Oh that’s nice…Ohhhh,” Ruthie was sure Celine was mortified. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what exactly inspired that story.

  Brian shrugged, ta
pping against the front cover of the book. “It was a good story! I especially liked the guy named Bryson.”

  Celine shut her eyes and felt heat begin to crawl up her neck. She wondered exactly what shade of red she appeared. It wouldn’t surprise her if Crayola ended up naming a new shade of crimson after her. Luckily, Ruthie changed the subject. “What are you guys up to now?”

  Celine opened her mouth to answer, but Brian quickly interjected, “Actually, I need to go.” He eyeballed Cash and raised his eyebrows. “Cash, we have that thing to get to, remember?”

  Ruthie looked at Cash questioningly. She could have sworn he was off for the day.

  “What thi—” Cash began to ask. He didn’t get a chance to finish. Brian wove his way past the two women and grabbed Cash by the arm.

  “We have that thing,” he insisted. Brian turned his head and glanced back at his old friends. A cloud above the building began to blow away, causing the sunlight to trickle down his sharp features. Even Ruthie couldn’t deny how much Brian had grown up.

  Brian licked his thick lips and brought his eyebrows together, giving Celine a knowing look. Her eyes widened in understanding and with a thankful smile, she mouthed, “Thank you.”

  “We’ll see you at the party tonight, right?” Brian asked quickly. He hated leaving Celine behind, but knew that he should give the two friends space. He’d never seen them fight before and he didn’t want to start now.

  “Uh…” Celine stammered.

  “Yes!” Ruthie exclaimed. She ignored Celine’s glare and nodded her head in affirmation. “Yes! We’ll see you both tonight.”

  Cash frowned. “What about your stuff?” He gestured towards the car. The chauffeur sat inside looking completely bored out of his mind.