Society Girls: Sierra (19 page)

“You’ve seen me without my shirt on,
brat.”

“Yeah, but I don’t
look
at you. Why would I
look at you? Save that for your wife!”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“Really? Should I take my shirt off? How
about my shorts, too?” I ask, smirking at him.

“God, no. I don’t want to…shit…sorry about
the abs thing. I totally get it now. Yuck,” he says, shuddering.
“But I still think mine are better than his.”

“We’ll just have to agree to disagree about
that.”

“We talked after I punched him.”

“Did you now?”

“Yeah, and I realized that maybe you and I
should’ve talked a long time ago. About me and Ains.”

“Shit. He shouldn’t have told you.”

“You’re right, he shouldn’t have. You
should’ve talked to me about how my relationship with Ainsley
freaked you out.”

“It’s not your relationship. You guys are
great together. It’s the way you both kept reacting and trying to
one up each other in the jealousy wars.”

“Jealousy wars. Huh, that’s a good one. I’ll
have to tell Ains. She’ll laugh about it.”

“It wasn’t so funny when it was going
on.”

“No, Si. It definitely wasn’t. We were both
immature and scared. We didn’t know how to deal with what we were
feeling or even trust each other. She thought she wasn’t girly
enough to keep my interest, and I thought she was just using me.
Each of us had to figure out that we were wrong and realize that
love doesn’t have to be scary.”

“I’m scared,” I admit.

“Joel isn’t me, and you’re not Ainsley. You
both screwed up with how you handled things, but you also both
realize that. I don’t think either one of you will turn a couple
mistakes into a cycle like we did. Plus, the Mrs. and I are not
your only examples. Mom and Dad are still together after all these
years. They drive each other nuts sometimes, but I’ve never doubted
their love for each other. Have you?”

“No. They’re definitely in love. I used to
be grossed out when they danced around the backyard while Dad was
barbequing, or how they held hands whenever we went out. Now I
think it’s sweet. I want to have someone to hold hands with and
dance with. For no other reason than because we want to.”

“It is pretty awesome.
You
can
have that,
you know. I’m pretty sure Cruz would hold your hand all day, every
day, if you let him.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re right. I probably
shouldn’t have left, huh?”

“Don’t worry about it. Let him sweat it a
little. He’s already got something fun planned for his next public
declaration.”

“It’s only a public declaration if the
public knows he’s declaring something. They think he’s looking for
a cat.”

“Does that make it any less romantic for
you?”

“Obviously not, since I borrowed a jet so I
could fly to him after I saw him on T.V.”

“I just want you to be happy,” he tells me,
getting serious again. “I have never seen you happier than when you
were with him before everything fell apart.”

I was. I won’t say
Joel
made
me that
happy, because I believe people are responsible for their own
feelings. He did help me find my happy, though. I need to find it
again and keep it this time. I’ll be happy to let him help me with
that. Especially if that help includes some kisses.

* * *

Joel

I went through some of the messages and
emails my agent’s office forwarded me with Zack before he left.
They weeded out the crazy ones, leaving the charity ones, along
with a few others they thought I’d be interested in. That’s why I’m
here today at the cat shelter, having my picture taken. I’m
reclining on the grass, leaning back on my forearms, as kittens
crawl all over me. Oh, and I have no shirt on. Apparently sex sells
for pet adoptions, too.

Once they have enough still photos to choose
from, the camera crew comes in for the commercial. I don’t know how
they put this together so fast, but they did. The crew films the
cats on my abs for several seconds before panning up. I say the
lines I wrote when they pause on my face.

“I lost my Kitten, but you
can find your own bundle of happiness here at the shelter. Adopt a
kitten, and you might just be as happy as I was when mine was with
me. Isn’t it worth a shot?”

I’m not going to win any writing awards, but
it says what I want it to while drawing attention to the shelter.
I’m not really a cat person, but these little guys and girls are
adorable. I hope they get adopted into loving homes, and I also
hope Sierra will see this ad and call me. Or at least text.

“You did great,” he director tells me. “I’d
like to try a few more, though, if you’re game.”

“Sure. I want this to be perfect.”

“You gonna adopt one of these?”

“No. I only want my Kitten.”

“You must really love her.”

“You have no idea.”

“Well, good luck getting her back. It seems
like the entire city is looking for her.”

“Thanks. I don’t think the fans will find
her. She needs to come back to me on her own.”

“Why do I feel like there’s more to this
story than you’re letting on?”

“Because there is.”

“If you share it, it would be easier for
everyone to help you.”

“Nice try, but this is personal and private
for me. If she comes back to me, everyone will know. You can be
sure of that.”

“I never pegged you for a man of
mystery.”

I just shrug. He’s not going to get any info
out of me, so there’s really nothing more for me to say. Sierra
doesn’t need any more attention on her while she’s fighting for her
dream, and while I’m fighting for her. I’m going to win, and like I
told this guy, the world will know, but that time hasn’t come yet.
Until it does, I’ll keep supporting the other kittens of the world,
even if their claws aren’t as fun as hers are.

Sierra

Ainsley was pleasantly surprised when Zack
and I arrived home peacefully, and both in one piece. They
disappeared upstairs as soon as we walked in. I think they’re
talking, but if they’re not, I don’t want to know about it. I
change into yoga pants and the old practice t-shirt of Joel’s he
let me have, settling in on the couch to watch T.V.

The doorbell rings right as I’m getting into
one of the new shows on the DVR. I wait a moment to see if anyone
else is going to get it. No one can get in the gates unless they’re
buzzed in or know the code, so it must be someone who’s expected.
It chimes again, so I pause the show and pad over to the door in my
bare feet. Since I’m not the one expecting a visitor, I don’t
really care what I look like.

“Hi, Sierra,” Reina says when I open the
door.

“Oh, um, hi Reina. If you have a seat, I’ll
try and get Ainsley. She’s upstairs with Zack.”

“I’m not looking to scar you for life, so
it’s probably best if you don’t go looking for her,” Reina says
with a smile. “Besides, I’m here to see you.”

“Me? But it’s only been a few days.”

“Yes, but they’ve been very uncomfortable
days,” she tells me as she walks over to the couch and sits
down.

I guess making the decision has been rough
for her, but “uncomfortable” is a weird word to use. “Did something
happen?”

Her lips twitch again, but she’s trying hard
to look serious. “Remember when I told all of you that friendship
is at least as equally important as training?”

“Sure. Your ‘hot’
Braveheart
speech, as
Matt called it.”

She does smile then. “Yeah,
that one.
Your
friends took it to heart. They’ve stopped going to their
classes.”

“What?” I ask sitting up straighter. “I had
nothing to do with that, I swear.”

“You have everything to do with it,” she
says, waving her hand when I start to speak again. “I know you knew
nothing about what they’re doing now, but it showed me something
important. So did the letter they sent me.”

“Letter?”

“They all signed a letter telling us that
while they stand behind you, they know what you did isn’t something
everyone should be doing. They promised not to follow in your
footsteps and jump into a mission they’re not assigned to.”

“Oh.”

“I was angry by what you
did, Sierra, but I was also scared. I thought I was ready for this,
and I was also so proud of this program we developed. The women who
started the Society did so with great intentions, but their methods
were always with the Society coming first. I wanted a Society where
the women come first, because we
are
the Society. We should be kept
informed and know what’s going on at all times.

“Part of coming first to me
means that I have to protect all of you, including the mentors.
When you came flying onto that dining room table, my heart almost
stopped. I was already out of my seat when you threw the knife. I
didn’t think you might have a knife or a gun. All I saw was that
you were losing, and you might die because of it. Once everything
was settled, all I could think about is how I felt betrayed
by
my
friends,
because they let you join a mission you weren’t ready for. I kept
thinking about how they should’ve been on my side, not yours. When
in reality, we’re on the same side, and you didn’t fly there to
disobey me or go against me.

“You flew there to save the
man you loved, and you would’ve found a way to go even if the
mentors didn’t help you. You’re alive now because they
did
help you. They made
sure you were as ready as you could be. I can admit now that I was
hurt, and also that I would’ve done the exact same thing you’d
done. Matt may be able to take care of himself, but I still
would’ve gone. You did the right thing for you, and now your
friends are rallying around you. That’s what the Society is about.
All of us have to believe in what we do, and we need to ask for and
accept help from the others when we need it. You did that, Sierra.
You didn’t just fly off to Brazil without any support. You
convinced the strongest women I know to help you.”

“I honestly don’t think I would’ve gone if I
hadn’t known they were there with me. I was full of adrenaline—and
fear—but I knew they were there to help me if I messed up. I know
I’m not ready for my own mission.”

She nods. “I realize that now. There have to
be consequences for what you did, because although your friends are
behind you, I still need to set a precedent. I can’t have everyone
just doing what they want. Even though I know that’s not the case
with you, I have to be tough.”

“I understand,” I tell her, still a little
afraid that I’m going to be kicked out. I’m trying not to get my
hopes up.

“You’re going to be on probation for a
month. I also want you to help me with the upcoming gala
fundraiser.”

“The one in two weeks? I thought everything
was set for that.”

“It was, but then Stella threw something out
there as a joke, and I’m thinking it might actually be a great
idea. So I’m going with it.”

“What were her idea?”

“She thinks we should auction off dates with
all of the high profile guys in our circle.”

“Aren’t most of them married?”

“Yes, and she thinks that will bring in even
more money. She says Kace gets propositioned more now that they’re
married than he did before. The guys are definitely not going to
sleep with the winners, but I see nothing wrong with a date and
maybe a kiss on the cheek. Especially if it will raise even more
money for us. Matt’s resources are pretty vast, but I like having
others helping out as well.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I have a list of guys. I want you to help
me reach out, and I also think you’d be a great emcee.”

“Okay, sure,” I tell her with a laugh. “I
don’t want to piss you off, but this is a little easier than I
expected it to be.”

“That doesn’t piss me off. I said I have to
be tough, but that doesn’t mean I like to be. Your friends actually
helped me out with their protesting and letter. I know they respect
me, but I can admit that I’m glad they decided to go against me. It
makes it easier for me to bring you back.”

“I won’t tell them.”

“You can. Full disclosure and all.”

“I think it’s better if they all experience
your softer side on their own.”

“Your call. Do you want to come back now or
wait until tomorrow?”

“Can I come in after I shower and change? I
don’t want to wait until tomorrow, but I can’t go in like
this.”

“Of course. I’ll see you in a couple of
hours.”

“Thank you, Reina. For everything.”

“You’re welcome, but thanks for saying that
because I almost forgot something.”

She reaches into her purse, and pulls out an
envelope. “What is it?” I ask as she hands it to me.

“Your mission payment.”

“We get paid for missions?”

“Yes,” she tells me with a smile. “The lead
on every mission receives payment. It differs, depending on what
we’re doing, but it’s always generous. For private missions where
people pay for our help, it’s always one million dollars.”

My eyes widen. “You’re giving me one million
dollars?”

“No, I’m not giving it to you. You earned
it. Everyone else agrees. In fact, they insisted. Don’t spend it
all in one place,” she tells me as she walks out.

Holy hell, I’m a
millionaire. And what would I spend it all in one place on? I love
clothes, but not that much. I could use a new car, but
nothing
that
fancy. I’ll definitely donate some somewhere. For now, I guess
it can just sit in my bank account, making me feel
fancy.