Authors: S. Briones Lim
BZZZ. BZZZZ.
The vibrating continued for a few seconds before Ruthie realized her phone was ringing. Juggling some shopping bags around, she somehow finagled through the mess to retrieve her phone from her purse.
“Celine!” she gasped, seeing her friend’s picture plastered across the screen. Whereas Celine chose a horrible picture of Ruthie for her Caller ID, Ruthie opted for the retro approach and used Celine’s senior photo.
Cash looked over her shoulder and snorted. “Celine? You can tell her she’s still on my crap list.”
Ruthie pursed her lips, feeling horrible that Cash was talking bad about her friend. She barely gave him a glance and muttered, “I’ll be right back.”
She wandered to the back of the store and found a bench to sit on. It was quite a feat to do so, considering she was in one of those stores that only had a single rack of clothing along the walls—all sample sizes, by the way. When she was sure Cash was out of earshot she swiped her phone on.
“Celine!” she exclaimed.
“Thank God, I thought you were dead.” Celine’s voice was stern, yet relieved.
“Well, it wasn’t as if you called me either!” Ruthie protested.
“How could I? Your phone went straight to voicemail,” Celine shot back.
Ruthie sighed and glanced up at Cash, who had begun signing autographs. She fidgeted uncomfortably when an exceptionally tall blonde grabbed at him, demanding a photo.
“Ruthie? Are you there?”
She swallowed. “Yeah, sorry, Celine. Where are you?”
“I could ask the same thing about you! I thought you were going to stay with me,” Celine replied sadly.
“Yeah, about that…”
“Lemme guess, you’re with Cash?”
Ruthie didn’t know why she felt so guilty about it. Shouldn’t Celine be happy for her? Maybe Cash was right. Celine was being a crappy best friend. “So what did you do last night? Not worry about me, I hope,” Ruthie said, changing the subject. There was a slight pause on the other end of the line. “Celine?”
She cleared her throat. “Listen, the venue is about to let people in. Are you coming today? I have to speak, remember?”
“Shit,” Ruthie whispered.
“Ruthie?”
“Um, yeah, I’ll be there, of course! What time are you speaking?” Ruthie shut her eyes. She brought her hand up to her forehead and began massing the slight tension in the middle.
“Around one,” Celine answered. She paused and added, “It’ll mean a lot if you’re there.”
Ruthie eyed her watch and sighed in relief. She had a good three hours. “Of course I’ll be there! I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Okay…” Celine’s voice trailed off, her doubt apparent in her tone.
Choosing to ignore it, Ruthie quickly excused herself from the call. She stood up quickly, practically running over to Cash and the group of girls who had gathered around him. She attempted to squeeze through the gaggle of fake tans, only to be shoved back.
“Wait your turn!” an exceptionally high voice snapped at her. A voluptuous brunette pushed her hair back, looking as if she were ready to gouge Ruthie’s eyes out.
Ruthie opened her mouth to speak, but Cash quickly swept in to save the day. “This is actually Ruthie. She’s with me.”
Ruthie’s thick lips pulled into a smug smile as she eyed the brunette menacingly. “Nice to meet you,” she said in a snarky tone. The brunette scowled at her, but took a step back, allowing Ruthie to pass through the crowd. Ruthie beamed even more once Cash’s arm found its way around her shoulder.
“Take that, bitches,” she thought smugly.
***
“Cash, this is way too much!” Ruthie protested. Their driver struggled to stuff what seemed to be hundreds of shopping bags into the trunk of their car. Ruthie winced, eyeing the stack of pastel colored bags and boxes as it grew higher and higher.
“It’s never too much,” Cash replied, pulling a pair of shades over his eyes. “It’s fun spoiling you.” He leaned over and planted a quick peck at her lips.
Blood pooled in Ruthie’s stomach, but she quickly shrugged off the feeling. “Cash, seriously. You must have spent thousands on me. I can’t take that!” Her cherry red lips pressed together firmly. Being wined and dined was one thing, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit…cheap. She knew Cash was treating her out of the goodness of his heart, but at the same time it felt odd to be spoiled so much.
“Why not?” Cash asked her curiously. “Besides, I get stuff for free all the time. All these stores need is just one photograph of me shopping inside and the shoppers come in droves! Because of me, they can make enough revenue in one day to last them the whole fiscal year! Trust me, I only paid for half that stuff,” he said, gesturing towards the back.
“Oh,” Ruthie said quietly. It still didn’t make her feel any better.
“Are you hungry?” Cash asked, breaking the silence. “I’m starving.” Right on cue Ruthie’s stomach grumbled loudly. Cash began to laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He leaned over and tapped the driver’s shoulder. “Can you take us to Junior’s? I haven’t eaten there in forever! Just tell them I’m coming and make sure they empty the restaurant out. I want to eat in peace.”
“Whatever you say,” the chauffeur said with no hint of emotion.
Ruthie couldn’t help but wonder why Cash needed an empty restaurant. Figuring he didn’t want to get hounded by fans or paparazzi, she shrugged off her concerns and relaxed into the cool seat of the car.
“You have to try my favorite cheesecake,” Cash said excitedly. “You’ll never go back!”
“Nope, I don’t think I can,” Ruthie agreed, though she was thinking of something entirely different.
There was no way she could go back. How could she? The thought of dating any normal guy was ruined for her. How could she even think of dating someone else when the man of her dreams was sitting right next to her?
“Come on, Ruthie,” Celine murmured to herself. She glanced at the clock perched across from her. It vaguely reminded her of the clocks back in high school. It had a black rim, a huge white face, and one of those annoying red arms that counted the seconds. It was only a minute to one and her friend still hadn’t shown. Who was she supposed to maintain eye contact with during the panel? She’d end up staring down at the table, looking pathetic.
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 down. “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.”