Society Girls: Jenysis (5 page)

J
enysis

I stayed in with Wayne all day yesterday, making love, watching movies, and just being together. We’ve spent days together before, but this is different. Not just because we have to stay in, but because it was like we were really a couple. One that’s playing house, and maybe deciding they want to do it forever.

Our house is gorgeous, and we explored it by christening several of the rooms, including the recording studio. Wayne was very appreciative of that room I made sure we had in the house. In fact, that’s where we slept, curled up on one of the couches, after he played his guitar, and sang to me. Yeah, that’s me swooning right now. Hell, I’ve been swooning for two years, and it never gets old.

Today, I need to get busy on proving he’s innocent, so I threw on some jeans, a flowered top, trainers, and a backpack. I ignore the smirk from Stella when I walk in, because she recognizes I’m completely dressed and accessorized in my favorite designer again. I can’t help it; I like what I like.

This time, we’re in a bigger room in the bowels of the building, joined by everyone from the teams who said they want to work with us. It looks like a little less than half joined us, and I smile at all of them. Like Reina said, none of us will hold it against those who chose the other side, but I can’t help wishing more people believed in the man I love.

I take a seat next to Tegan, and look to the front when Ainsley walks in with Scott Griffin. “Good morning everyone. I know you can’t help but notice Scott here with me. After talking to Reina and Audrey, I realize it’s going to be too hard for me to be pulled in both directions on this, and no one is going to benefit if I’m spread too thin. Scott has offered to help, and while he’d like to be on this team, we’re giving you a choice.”

“Which of you wants to be here more?” I ask, before I can help myself.

“Scott,” Ainsley answers without hesitation. “I want to believe in Wayne’s innocence, but Scott already does.”

“I do, Jen. I’ve spent time with him, and seen him around my wife and kids. I know evil can be hidden, but I just don’t believe he’s capable of rape. There is no doubt in my mind that he’s innocent.”

Audrey looks to me, and I nod. “Welcome to the team, Scott,” she tells him.

“Thanks. I’ve got this, you guys.”

Ainsley snorts. “You’re the best there is, so you don’t need to tell them that.”

“You give me a run for my money, and you know it.”

“A run, but not a win. Prove him innocent, Scott.”

“I will.” With that, she walks out of the room. Scott waits until the door closes, and then rubs his hands together like the not-so-evil genius he is. “Let’s get started. Aud, I believe the floor is yours.”

Before she can say a word, the door opens again, and in walks Theo, one of the heads of security here. He’s got some kind of past—and present—with my friend, Kalila, and she stands up when he approaches. “Sorry I’m late, but I had to make sure things upstairs were going smoothly.”

Seeing him here is a little bit of a shock. Matt, Aidan, and Nate are his best friends, and I have no doubt they’re in the other room with their women. I don’t know if he’s here for Kali, or if he just believes Wayne is innocent. Either way, I’m glad he’s here. “Thanks for being here.”

He smiles at me, and then at Kali. “Nowhere else I’d be.”

“Okay, so here’s what’s going to happen today. I want you all to break up into groups based on what you think your strengths are. Scott will obviously be in charge of technology, Tegan is the guru of research, Darcy will be breaking and entering when necessary, Faith will be using her contacts to see what the word on the street is, Stella will be prepping anyone who might have to go undercover, Camari will be working on social media and press releases, and I’ll be handling the forensics. I’ll also be going with Reina to talk to the victim. We’re going as representatives of the Foundation, and this will in no way be an interrogation. I hope to find out some things to help us, but we will under no circumstances re-victimize the victim.”

We all murmur our agreements, because none of us want that. This woman was raped. I’m sure it wasn’t Wayne, but that doesn’t make me want her to suffer. She needs compassion, and I’m glad the organization I work for will be giving it to her.

As everyone stands, and moves around the room into various groups, I try to decide what to do. I know what I want to do, but I’m not sure I’m brave enough. Then I realize that I need to be. For me, I need to be brave. With a smile at Tegan, I walk away from her group, and join Stella’s.

“Jen?”

“I’ve been practicing for months, and if it comes down to it, I want to go undercover. I know I can do this, Stell.”

My friend, Waverly, squeezes my shoulder. “I believe in you.”

“As do I,” Stella says. “Let’s go up to my office, and get started.”

We’re the smallest group, since Stella only has Kevin, two seamstresses, and two hair and makeup people on her team. They’re all the best of the best, but there isn’t the dozen or so you’ll find on the other teams. I get a few curious looks as we head for the door, but I make myself focus on what Wave and Stell said to me, and remember that I promised myself I could do this. For Wayne, I think I could do anything.

* * *

W
ayne

If I have to be stuck on lock down somewhere, there are much worse places than this house Jeny found for us. I mean, a recording studio, and a giant pool with waterfalls and a slide? It’s a sweet crib, and yeah, I’m taking advantage of all of it. Kace and Brett came over to jam, but now we’re chilling at the pool, behaving like teen boys as we dunk each other, slide down the slide on our stomachs, and just fuck around. It’s been months since we could just hang out like this, and while I feel bad about me being the cause of our tour getting postponed, I can’t feel bad about this time with my best friends.

“So things are good with you and Jen?” Brett asks, as we all recline in the deluxe pool floats that came with the house. I can swim, but the signal on my anklet gets weak if I’m under water for too long, so we’ve been lounging in between playing.

“Things are better than good.”

“You gonna put a ring on it?” Kace asks with a smirk.

“I am. Not yet, but one day soon.”

“Another royal wedding to attend.”

I never thought about that. I know Jenysis is a princess, but she’s just my girl when we’re together. “Never thought you’d see me marry a princess, did you?”

“Hell, no, but it’s cool. Now my brother here just needs to step up.”

Brett splashes him. “How do you know I haven’t?”

“No shit?” I ask, sitting up so fast I almost topple over into the pool. “I know it’s legal now, so you and Kevin are going to get hitched?”

“Relax. I haven’t asked, but I think we’re heading that way.”

“Look at us, the boys of Storyside all in committed relationships. Your dad must be freaking out.”

Their dad “discovered” us, back before we all knew he was their dad. Or that Kace and Brett were brothers. Things were messy for a few months, but we’re all good now.

“He’s actually more worried about how you’re holding up. He wanted to come by, but I told him he needed to let us have our time today. Expect him here tomorrow, though.”

“I’ll be ready.”

My phone buzzes from it’s nice little holder on the raft, and I smile when I see it’s my girl. “Hey Jeny girl, what’s up?”

“Everyone—well everyone working with me—wants to come see you.”

I know that the Society is split right now. Jeny told me how one side is working for me, while one is working against me. Well, not really against me, but they aren’t trying to prove my innocence.

“They want to interview me?”

“Some of them, maybe, but I think it’s more about showing their support.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Faith offered to cook, and Caleb said he’d grill.”

“Pool party?”

“Are you okay with that?”

“Yeah, baby, they can come over. As long as they go home early enough for me to have my way with you tonight.”

“I’ll toss them out myself if I start feeling tired.”

I laugh, before becoming serious again. “I should probably tell Alesha, and see if she wants to come.”

“She’s no threat to me, Wayne.”

“No, she’s not. Never was.”

“Invite her, too. And the boyfriend she mentioned.”

“I will. See you soon.”

“Yes, you will.”

I hang up and smile at my boys. “Call your parents. Apparently, Jeny and I are entertaining tonight.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Alesha asks when I call her next.

“You don’t think we need Society help?”

“No, we definitely need them. But this sounds more like a party. If it gets out, it’s going to look pretty bad for you.”

“None of them are going to tell, and besides, they want to talk to me, too. This is about support, and not celebration. I’m not taking any of this lightly.”

“I didn’t say you were. You just need to be careful about how things look.”

“Noted. Now, are you coming or not?”

“I’ll be there.”

“With your boyfriend?”

“No. He’s working tonight.”

“Next time, then.”

“Yes. Do you need me to bring anything?”

“With Faith in the kitchen, and Caleb on the grill? Nope, we’ve got it covered.”

“Jenysis knows I’m coming, right?”

“Yes, she knows.”

“How mad is she at me?”

I chuckle before answering. “She’s not mad at all. She knows you were doing your job. Even if you weren’t, she’s well aware that she has nothing to worry about with you or any other woman.”

She’s quiet for a moment, but then she sighs and answers. “So if I told you not everything was about my job, there wouldn’t even be a small chance.”

“No. I’d tell you I’m sorry, but I’m not. From the moment I met her at the palace, I’ve never even considered anyone else.”

“Well then, let’s just go with it all being about my job, then.”

“Good idea. See you later.”

I hang up as Kace smirks at me. “So, the hitting on you was real?”

“Maybe? That was a weird conversation.”

“I could tell that even just from your side of things. Tread carefully man, or find a new lawyer. There’s something off about that chick.”

“She’s friends with your wife.”

“We all know that friendship can’t always save us from the crazy.”

“Truth.”

We used to be a quartet, until our “friend” betrayed us all. Well, he mostly betrayed Kace, but Brett and I stood by him. There wasn’t even a question that I’d have Kace’s back, and I know he has mine right now. I’ll heed his warning, and keep a close eye on what’s going on with Alesha. I don’t have a choice at this point, with my future hanging in the balance.

J
enysis

“Are you trying to make my Johnson stand up and say hello all night?” Wayne asks, moving behind me as I adjust my bathing suit, making sure nothing has popped out of the covered parts into the sheer sections.

“Do I have to do anything to make that happen? I thought it was a normal occurrence when I was around.”

He laughs into my shoulder. “Cheeky girl.”

“Ah, someone’s picking up my language.”

“I’d rather pick you up and toss you on our bed, but the guests will be arriving soon.”

I turn in his arms and kiss him. “Later.”

“Count on it,” he tells me, and then kisses me again as he squeezes my bum.

I step back with a smirk, reaching for my denim shorts, and pulling them on. “You should probably go stand in the freezer door for a few minutes,” I say, gesturing to where he’s tenting his shorts.

“You said they want to talk to me, so I’ll just keep a towel on my lap.”

“Because that’s not obvious.”

“Who says I don’t want it to be obvious? If everyone here doesn’t know how hot I am for my girl, then I’m doing something wrong.”

“I love you, Wayne.”

“Love you too, Jeny girl.”

“I should go and see if I can help Faith.”

“Make sure to tell me what you cook, so I can have extra.”

I blow him a kiss as I walk out to the kitchen. Cooking isn’t part of our official Society training, but Faith and her husband, Gavin, still give lessons to any of us who are interested. I’m very interested. I never cooked my own meals growing up, but I like the idea of making food for myself—and Wayne.

“What can I make?” I ask Faith. She’s got her long hair pulled back at the nape of neck, and is sweating from the heat of all the things boiling and baking, but she still looks stunning.

“You can wrap the shrimp in cheese and bacon. They’re marinating in that bowl. The cheese mixture is over there, with the bacon. Once they’re wrapped, you can toss them in the top oven. It’s pre-heated already.”

“Will do.”

I wash my hands, and start in on this small part of our dinner. Multiples entrees, sides, and desserts would be daunting for anyone else, but this is what Faith loves. I know her husband, Gavin, will be joining her soon. Caleb is already firing up the grill for most of the meats. We are definitely going to feast tonight.

I don’t know how much time has passed, when Alesha enters the kitchen carrying a box from Drago Sisters Bakery. “Hi, Jenysis. I picked up some treats. Wayne said everyone likes this bakery.”

“We do. Thanks.”

“Do you need any help in here?”

“Sure,” Faith says at the same time I say, “no.”

Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe this situation. “I think we have things covered, but thanks for offering,” Faith tells her with a smile.

She sets the box down, and walks out. I turn to find Faith looking at me with one of her eyebrows raised. “I’m trying to like her.”

“You should never have to try to like someone. You either do, or you don’t.”

“She’s Wayne’s lawyer.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to like her. She has a job to do, period.”

“She was hitting on him, and then said she was just testing his loyalty to me.”

“You’re not buying that?”

“Honestly? No.”

“Go with your instincts, Jen. Don’t act like some crazy, jealous bitch, but definitely keep your guard up. We’ve got your back.”

“She’s friends with Stella and Tegan.”

“Who’s friends with us?” Tegan asks, opening the Drago box to peek inside.

“Alesha.”

“Oh. I would say more of an acquaintance than a friend. We’ve helped each other out, but we don’t hang out or anything. Why, what’s up?”

“Jen thinks she’s after her man.”

“I think she’s right. But, I also think you have nothing to worry about, Jen. She may be interested, but Wayne isn’t. That man is all yours. Trust me on that.”

I swallow hard, deciding how I want to answer. Tegan knows him better than anyone besides Kace and Brett, but the reasons why give me pause. He thought he was in love with the woman before me, and while they’ll never be together because she loves Caleb, I still feel insecure sometimes. Like I can’t measure up, or that I won’t ever mean what she still does to him.

“Okay,” is what I finally settle on.

Her eyes narrow, and she takes my hand. “Your husband was pulling up behind me, so I’m stealing your helper here, Faith.”

“Sure. Thanks for your help, Jen,” Faith says.

I guess I don’t have a choice in this, but then again, this had to happen sometime. I need to get past this jealousy and insecurity I have about her and Wayne. Sometimes, it doesn’t bother me at all, but other times, it nearly eats me alive. I’ve told him I love him, and want to be with him forever, but if I don’t come to terms with their past as lovers, and their present as friends, it’s going to eventually tear us apart.

She leads me outside, past the pool, and into one of the unoccupied cabanas. I turn on the light as she closes the door, and prepare to be scolded. As usual, she surprises me.

“It bothers me that you worry about my relationship with Wayne. I know it’s partly my fault, because I used to throw it in your face when I thought you weren’t serious about him, but it’s your fault, too. You have to know how much he loves you.”

“I
do
know he loves me, but I feel like he’ll always wonder what would’ve happened between the two of you if Caleb hadn’t come back into your life. I’m his second choice, and it hurts.”

“No. Oh my God, just no. Even if Cal hadn’t entered the picture again, I wasn’t going to be serious with Wayne. I had sex with him to help Stella out with her mission. He was a good fuck, so I did it a few more times, but that’s it.” I can’t help flinching, just thinking about her riding Wayne, or him taking her from behind. She sees my reaction, and reaches out to take my hand. “You’re not second choice, Jen. Not to me. You know he chose you over me when you came onboard with us. He’s never loved me.”

“He loves you.”

“Okay, he loves me, but he was never really
in love
with me. He was 21 when we met, and he mixed up lust with love until I set him straight, but that was it between us. Lust.”

“But what if I can’t please him like you did?”

“Um, well, I’m not going to go into details about what we did or didn’t do, and I won’t put myself down to make you feel better. All I can say is that if you weren’t satisfying him sexually, I think you’d know.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s happy with me.” I bite my lip, because there’s more.

“Spit it out. Like, seriously. I don’t want to keep rehashing this, so get out everything right now.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. “I know he chose me over you that day, but every other day, he chooses you. When he comes backstage after a concert, if you’re there, you get a hug first. When he walks into a C&C event, it’s you he approaches before anyone else. Even when he comes with Kace or Brett to the building, if we’re in the same room, you get a greeting before I do.”

Her eyes go wide, and her jaw drops. “I-I never thought about it. I just always see him wrapped up in you.”

“He gets to me eventually.”

“Why does he do that?”

“I wish I knew.”

“It doesn’t mean anything. It can’t mean anything, because I know he’s in love with you.”

“It means something—he wouldn’t do it every bloody time if it didn’t mean something.”

I start to cry, then. I didn’t want to cry over Wayne again, but I’ve been holding this in for a very long time, and finally getting it out seems to have pushed my tears out as well. Tegan’s arms go around me, and she holds me tight as I sob into her shoulder. It’s several minutes before I can finally compose myself enough to step back.

“Thank you.”

“Always, Jen. You call me or come to me any time you need me. As long as I’m not having sex with my husband, or one of my kids needs me at the same time, I’m yours,” she tells me with a smile.

“I don’t deserve that after I’ve been so bitchy to you.”

“I haven’t exactly been pleasant to you at all times, so let’s just call it even, and walk out of here being okay with each other.”

“Deal.”

* * *

W
ayne

I’m hanging out by the pool with Joel Cruz and Dylan Gallagher, when I see Jenysis and Tegan come out of one of the cabanas. Jeny is wiping her eyes, while Tegan looks like she doesn’t have a care in the world. What the fuck?

When Jenysis goes inside, and Tegan hangs back, I jump out of my seat and storm over to her. “What was that? Why was she crying?”

“Oh my God. She’s right.” Tegan says, shaking her head, and ignoring my questions.

“Right about what?”

“Why didn’t you go after her, and ask her what’s wrong?”

“I’m asking you.”

“Do you even know that you do it? Come to me before her all the time?”

“What are you even talking about?” I know exactly what she’s talking about, but I don’t want to tell her.

“She’s upset because she still thinks she’s second best. She said you always approach me first everywhere. I never thought about it before, but she’s right. And then, you just did it now.”

Okay, well, apparently she’s not going to let it go. It’s Tegan, so I should already know that. “Fine. I do it, and yes, it’s intentional. I just…I just know that you’ll always welcome me with open arms. For so long, she kept me at bay, acting like we were just fuck buddies. I didn’t want to go to her first, and have her push me away. Not in front of everyone.”

“Oh, Wayne, she wouldn’t have done that. Has she ever done that?”

“No. Even when she was fighting me mentally, she never denied me physically—in public or in private.”

“From now on, I’m going to deny you if you come to me first.”

That won’t be a problem. “I’m not going to ever come to you first again.”

“Good. Now go kiss the hell out of your woman. Preferably in front of Alesha.”

“I think I will do just that.”

I kiss her on the top of the head, and go look for Jenysis. I find her sitting in the family room, hanging out on one of the couches with Tegan’s son, Ethan. He’s a cool kid, and has a wicked crush on her, which I don’t blame him for one bit. I have a crush on her, too.

I curb the urge to kiss her, because that wouldn’t be cool in front of him, and instead settle into the couch next to her. I fist bump my young friend, and then rub some of her hair between my fingers as she swats at me. “Behave.”

“I didn’t kiss the fuck out of you like I wanted to, precisely because I am behaving for E’s sake,” I whisper in her ear. That gets me a genuine smile.

“Were you and my mom arguing out there?”

“She was handing me my ass, E.”

“She’s good at that.”

“Truth.”

“Did you make Jen cry?” he blurts out, and my admiration for him grows.

“I’m afraid I did.”

“Then she could do better than you.”

“Whoa, E,” she says, as I laugh. God, this kid.

“It’s true. You’re awesome, and I’m not just saying that because you’re teaching me to ride English style, or because you tell me all the British slang for cussing, and insulting people.”

“Jenysis is the most awesomest woman who ever walked this Earth, dude. Believe me, I know that.”

“You’re laying it on a little thick,” she tells me with a smirk.

“Just telling it like it is.”

“Maybe you are good enough for her,” Ethan tells me.

“I’m really trying to be.”

“Good. I didn’t want to have to kick your ass.”