Intensity

by S. Briones Lim

  Celine rolled her eyes. “Ruthie, the last time I saw you this belligerent I had to literally carry you back into your apartment. Don’t embarrass yourself like that again.”

  “I’m not embarrassing! You’re embarrassingggggg,” Ruthie slurred.

  “Just go back to your hotel with Brian,” Cash snapped at Celine in annoyance. “It’s what you did last night, right?”

  Ruthie instantly stopped swaying and blinked. “What?”

  Celine threw Brian a horrified look. “What did you tell him? You know it wasn’t like that!”

  “So it’s true?” Ruthie asked. Her mind felt foggy, but there was no way Celine could have ever done such a thing. No, she was probably hearing it all wrong.

  “I just went to make sure she was fine. She was really drunk and there was no way I’d leave her alone! She could have choked on her vomit for all I knew!” Brian exclaimed, sounding majorly defensive.

  Ruthie’s eyes were halfway open, but she still managed to lift an eyebrow. “Sure, we believe you, Brian.”

  Cash snickered and hugged Ruthie close. Celine shut her eyes. Things were going downhill fast. “I gotta go,” she muttered, pushing passed Cash and Ruthie.

  Cash continued laughing, but Ruthie called out, “Where you going?”

  “Just stay with Cash, Ruthie. I’m sick of babying you. You’re old enough to take care of yourself.” Celine took one step forward but paused and shrugged off Brian’s blazer, throwing it at him. “Thanks,” she said in a cold tone. She immediately spun on her heels and quickly ran out of the club.

  A blast of cold wind hit Celine’s bare skin, but she was far too angry to even notice. She ducked under the velvet rope, ignoring Jude when he asked, “Where you headed off to Sweet Cakes?”

  “Ugh,” Celine groaned, glancing around helplessly. She’d only ever called a taxi in Los Angeles, but somehow doing so in New York seemed like such a difficult task. She lifted her arm in the air only to be ignored by about three cabs in a row. She sighed and threw her head back in frustration.

  “You see those triangle things on top of the cabs? If the light is turned off it means there’s someone in it.”

  Celine turned slowly and spotted Brian beside her. She shot him a frown and snapped, “I don’t need your help.”

  He exhaled loudly and bowed his head. “I know. You never did. The thing is I want to help.”

  “Why? So you can tell Cash you spent the night with me? Again?” she shot back. She spotted a cab with its lights on and waved at it frantically. It squealed to a stop in front of her and she happily jumped in. To her dismay, Brian jumped in along with her. She turned at her waist and shot him an annoyed look. “Really?”

  “I’m not letting you travel this city alone.” Brian’s eyes skirted up and he noticed the driver checking Celine out in the mirror. He immediately took off his jacket and threw it on top of Celine’s chest. She looked up at him incredulously, but he somehow managed to keep a straight face. “I’m not leaving you alone,” he repeated.

  Celine knew there was no winning and merely nodded her head quietly. She moved as far away from Brian as she could and leaned her elbow against the glass window.

  “Where to, Miss?” the driver asked.

  “To 48th and Broadway,” Brian answered.

  Celine shook her head in annoyance. The night was never going to end.

  Chapter 34

  “Sorry to say, but your friend is a major buzzkill,” Cash said in annoyance. He handed Ruthie a water bottle and began to strip off his sweater, climbing into bed. She giggled as he ran his hand up her bare leg. “You’re lucky you’re drunk. If you weren’t, I’d ravage you completely. You are so beautiful. I’m so glad that you snuck into the arena that night. I couldn’t even imagine having never met you.”

  Ruthie snorted. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  Cash smiled. “But I meant it only this time.”

  No amount of alcohol could have made Ruthie miss that remark. She couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed in herself for even falling for Cash’s charm. But hey, you only live once, right? Carpe diem.

  “Besides being a sexy little thing, tell me more about yourself, seeing that we’re not going to be rolling around in the hay tonight,” Cash murmured, still running his fingers up and down Ruthie’s thigh.

  “Not much to say about me,” she replied sleepily.

  “Come on,” Cash laughed. “I’m sure there’s something about you.”

  “Just a normal California girl. Born and raised, went to college in Santa Cruz,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.”

  Cash narrowed his eyes. “You know what I said about low self-esteem?”

  A shrill laugh escaped her lips. “I don’t have low self-esteem. I’m just stating a fact. There’s nothing remotely exciting about me. I wake up in the morning, go to work, and then come home and read. Oh, and I work out.”

  “I can see that,” Cash clucked. “But that’s not what I’m talking about. What makes Ruthie tick? What are your passions?”

  “Like I told you before, I want to see the world. I want to travel. I’m sure one day I’ll get to do that.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  Cash’s voice began to sound far away. Ruthie’s eyes drifted closed, and though she tried hard to fight it, sleep won out.

  ***

  Ruthie awoke to the smell of cooking bacon. Like an old cartoon, she rose from the bed, nose first and found herself dragging her feet to the kitchen.

  “Morning, Sleepyhead. How are you feeling?” Cash walked over to the dining table and placed a plate full of meaty goodness on top.

  “I’m actually doing okay. Thanks for the water,” she replied, taking her seat. She eyed the spread in front of her and smiled. “Didn’t know you could cook.”

  “Had to grow up sooner or later,” he joked.

  Ruthie nodded her head and grabbed a piece of bacon off the plate. She chewed quietly and watched as Cash cleaned up in the kitchen.

  “You know, and I know you’ll hate me for saying this, but it’s odd to see you so…so…”

  “Normal?” Cash guessed, without a smile on his face.

  “Domesticated.” Ruthie laughed.

  Cash shook his head and laughed along with her. “You’d be surprised.”

  He walked over and took a seat across from her. Ruthie couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. Noah always sat right beside Celine. It was something Ruthie always wanted someone to do for her.

  Ruthie spotted her phone perched on the edge of the dining table and couldn’t help but wonder how it even got there. She automatically grabbed for it, checking for any new calls. As expected, none had come in. Scrunching up her mouth, she absently flipped through her photo album and nearly dropped the phone.

  “What the hell is this?” she gasped.

  Cash walked over and peered over his shoulder. He burst out laughing. “Can you please text that picture to me? It’s awesome.”

  “Is that a real cheetah?” Ruthie asked with a shocked expression on her face. She eyed the photo and couldn’t for the life of her remember when it was taken. It was a picture of her bent over, planting a kiss on the feline’s lips.

  Cash snorted, “Of course not. It was just a decoration at the party.”

  Ruthie blinked. She hadn’t been that wasted since college. Silently, she placed the phone beside her and focused her attention on the amazing looking breakfast set in front of her.

  Cash plopped down on a wooden chair. It creaked under his weight, shifting forward as he reached for an empty plate. “What time did you end up booking your flight back home?”

  “Tonight,” Ruthie murmured. She had taken enough days off from work and really needed to get back to the grind. She hated it, but she knew it was finally time to say goodbye to Cash. She was afraid to even wonder whether or not they’d see each other again.

  Cash nodded his head slowly, his blond locks bouncing. “Yeah, I have to stay on the
east coast for a bit longer, myself.”

  “That’s right, your tour,” Ruthie mumbled, taking another bite of bacon.

  The corner of Cash’s mouth rose, giving him a lopsided smile. “I’ll be back in Los Angeles in about two weeks, though.”

  “Really?” Ruthie rubbed at her sleepy eyes and blinked excitedly.

  “Oh yeah. Got some interviews to do and an event to host. Besides, it’s Brian’s housewarming party and I’m sure Celine will be there anyway. In short, I’ll certainly be seeing you.”

  A foggy memory entered Ruthie’s mind. She tilted her head and questioned, “Why did you pick that dress for Celine? Was it really for Brian’s sake?”

  Cash rolled his eyes. “Do we really have to talk about her? I hate to admit it, but she’s definitely on my shit list right now.”

  “Be nice,” Ruthie snapped. “I really want to know.”

  “Fine. Yes, I did pick that dress out for Brian,” he groaned sarcastically. “I can tell Brian likes her. Figured pushing the two together will get me back in his good graces.” He bit into a piece of bacon with his front teeth, tearing the chunk away easily.

  “What? What do you mean by good graces?” The wrinkles on Ruthie’s forehead grew deeper.

  “Let’s just say that I may have slept with his ex-girlfriend…while they were still together,” he said quietly.

  “You what?” she gasped.

  “It was a rough time in my life,” he admitted. “I know that it was wrong. In fact, if I could take it back I would.”

  “How’d it happen?” Ruthie found herself asking. “Did you just swoop in at an opportune moment? Or was it after a build up?”

  Cash shut his eyes and released the bacon in his hand. It plopped down in a greasy mess. “It was a one-time thing. I knew Crystal was interested in me. I mean, who wouldn’t be?”

  Ruthie couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

  “We all went out one night and Brian ended up getting sick. He headed home and Crystal stayed with me and the guys.”

  “What do you mean you and the guys?” she asked slowly, her eyes wide.

  “Not like that.” Cash smirked. “Though I admit having multiple partners is something I would like to dabble in.”

  Nice, Ruthie thought in disgust.

  Cash grabbed at his neck and finished his story. “She stayed to party and one thing led to another. It wasn’t long until we were rolling around in the sack.”

  “How’d Brian find out?” She swallowed what felt like a golf ball-sized lump in her throat.

  “He walked in on us,” Cash answered simply.

  Ruthie winced and immediately felt for her old friend. “Then what happened?”

  “Nothing.” Cash laughed half-heartedly. “Absolutely nothing. I mean things were weird between us for a while, but work came first, you know? I’ve tried my hardest to make it up to him since then, but I don’t doubt he’ll hate me until the day I die.”

  “Is that why Celine was warning me about you? Because Brian told her?”

  “Probably,” Cash agreed.

  “Awesome,” Ruthie sighed.

  “I figured if I hooked him up with Celine, all things would be forgiven.”

  Ruthie pushed her hair back, grimacing at the caked up hairspray that coated her fingers. With an exasperated sigh she told him, “She’s engaged, Cash. I mean, have some respect! At least Brian—”

  Cash shook his head in disbelief. “At least Brian what? Went back to the hotel with her?”

  “It wasn’t like that and you know it,” Ruthie argued. Celine would never do anything so horrible. She loved Noah way too much.

  He shrugged nonchalantly. “All I know is that Brian hasn’t been so hung up on a woman since Crystal. It’s obvious he wants Celine bad.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Oh yeah, I do,” Cash shot back. “Shit, he probably didn’t even love Crystal as much as he let on.”

  “That’s a terrible thing to say!”

  A wicked smile formed on the pop star’s lips. “It’s the truth! Hell, he didn’t even punch me. He didn’t even try to punch me!”

  “Yeah, you definitely deserved a kick in your balls,” Ruthie replied, not even caring whether she offended him or not.

  Cash snorted and winked. “Not denying that. What I mean is, that in my opinion, if a man really loved a woman he would have done more than merely walk out of that room. He would have beat the living shit out of the other guy.”

  “Not all men are Neanderthals.”

  “You’d be surprised.” Cash grabbed his mug and took a sip, smacking his lips together. “Love makes you do some fucked up shit. I can almost guarantee that Brian was as far from love as he could have possibly gotten. Even if Crystal did all that, if he still really loved her he would have fought to win her back. But with Celine? I can’t really say the same thing. Who cares if she’s engaged? It only means she’s technically still single.”

  The cotton T-shirt she borrowed from Cash suddenly began to feel heavy against her skin. How could he expect her to see him as anything more than a player?

  “Ruthie? What are you thinking?” Cash said quietly.

  “Just that Celine was right. I don’t know you at all,” she admitted, unable to meet his eyes.

  “I’m not gonna sugar coat it and say that I’m that perfect person the media plays me out to be,” he said seriously. “I’m only human and I’ve made mistakes.” He took a deep breath and gazed down at his hands. “The thing is, I want nothing but normalcy. Why else do you think I hate it when you point out I’m a celebrity?”

  Ruthie bit her lip and fought back the urge to remind him of his arrogance. Instead, she nodded her head.

  Noticing her resolve weakening, Cash immediately jumped at the momentum. “When I saw you that night in San Diego, it was like I finally understood what all those Intensity songs were about, you know? For years I had sung them, but never really got them.” He took a deep breath. “Then I saw you, sitting there in the front row. You may not have noticed it, but every so often I’d glance at you—I’d sing for you. I knew right then that I really had to get to know you.”

  As hard as she tried to fight it, she couldn’t bite back a smile. She was disappointed that she could be won over so easily, but she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t felt that special in a very long time.

  Cash took the opportunity and continued. “Can you be that normalcy for me? I’m not asking anything but for you to give me a chance. Can you do that?”

  Ruthie shut her eyes and inhaled. Though she saw nothing but red flags fluttering in the wind, her heart won out. She nodded her head and agreed. “Yeah. Sure.”

  Chapter 35

  The small drop of condensation rolled down the double-layered glass of the airplane window. Celine pressed her forehead against the cool glass and watched as the drop of water flew to the side. She couldn’t be any happier than she was to finally leave New York. Los Angeles was starting to come into view and she wanted nothing more than to run into Noah’s arms and forget New York even happened.

  The wheels to her carry-on twisted and turned as she practically ran towards baggage claim where Noah said he’d be waiting for her. Her floral suitcase fell over, but she ignored it and practically dragged it all the way behind her. She dodged a few children and that weird golf cart that shuttled elderly passengers around. The terminal seemed to go on forever, but then suddenly she noticed her fiancé standing towards the back.

  “Noah!” she called out. Feeling as if it had been far too long since she’d seen him, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Never one to be shy of a little PDA, Noah hugged her back and patted her bottom lightly. “If you going out of town means a greeting like this, I definitely need to invest in a frequent flyer card.”

  “Ha, ha,” Celine snickered. “Very funny.”

  She jumped off of him and grabbed the handle of her suitcase. To her surprise, Noah pushed her hand away and picked i
t up.

  “How was your weekend? Where’s Ruthie?” Noah asked as they exited the airport.

  Celine let out an exasperated sigh. “Can I stay at your place tonight?”

  “Well, technically it’s our place, so you can stay whenever you like,” he responded. He paused and gave her a look. “What happened with Ruthie?”

  “Let’s just say if your name isn’t Cash Walker you can bet your ass you’ll be ignored.” She wasn’t even trying to hide the anger in her tone.

  “Uh oh.” Noah winced. “That bad?”

  “No,” Celine took a deep breath. Forcing a smile she added, “I know we’ll be fine. I just really want—need—some time away from her.” Automatically she reached for her cell and swiped it on. While it loaded she muttered, “Bet she didn’t even text or call.”

  Noah loaded her luggage into the car. The dry California sun beat down on the car, warming the interior drastically. Celine winced as the metal of the seatbelt buckle burned her hand. Ignoring the pain, she glanced down at her fully loaded phone. “Just as I thought,” she murmured.

  “You sure you don’t want to check up on her?” Noah asked. He placed his hand on the back of Celine’s headrest and peered over his shoulder to reverse the vehicle. Celine gave his forearm a light peck, eliciting a grin from him.

  “I’m sure she’s alive.”

  Noah turned on the radio, filling the car with Intensity’s new hit single. Celine automatically reached out and changed the station.

  “I’m so sick of Intensity,” she muttered with disgust.

  Noah laughed and placed his arm behind her neck. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

  ***

  Celine settled into Noah’s—their—condo, allowing her body to become engulfed in their huge, brown couch. It was definitely the most comfortable couch she had ever had the pleasure of lying on and she was more than ecstatic that in a few months, the couch would also be hers.

  A minor kitchen mishap at the restaurant had Noah running out for a few hours. Though Celine hated for him to leave so soon after she arrived, she knew work came first. She flipped on her laptop and attempted to write a few chapters in her new book. Unfortunately, she lost all inspiration and quickly found herself shutting her computer.