Society Girls: Jenysis (8 page)

J
enysis

“We’re close to getting the videos from the hotel restored,” Scott tells us all when we meet the day after Wayne and I had our fun in the backyard. I’m a little tired, but that wakes me right up.

“That’s great news!”

“Yes, it is,” Audrey agrees. “Darcy’s team got us the samples from Sonia’s hotel room, so we’ll have those results in the next few days as well. I have a good feeling about all of this.”

So do I. Wayne could be cleared within the next week, and we can go back to normal. Unfortunately, “normal” for us means seeing each other less, but it also means he’ll be free, and that’s more important. We’ll find time for each other.

The meeting breaks up shortly after, and Stella pulls me aside. “I have a challenge for you.”

“Okay.”

“You’ve been doing great with your American phrases, and when it’s just us, your accent is gone. Now it’s time for me to send you out into the world.”

“I’m traveling?”

“If we didn’t have all of this going on, I would do that, but I know you need to be with Wayne.”

“So where am I going?”

“We’re going to start with having you go to the mall. If you can fool your friends at the Ted Baker store, and Victoria’s Secret, then we’ll move on to dinner with Brayden, Darcy, and Noah tonight.”

“They know I’m meeting them.” Noah finally bit the bullet, and is meeting with Ryan today.

“But you won’t be. At least not as Jenysis. She’s going to have come down with a cold.”

“A cold wouldn’t stop me from dinner with my best friends.”

“Okay, then, I’ll think of something. Now, let’s go transform you.”

Two hours later, I’m a brunette with a new nose and chin. Contacts have transformed my eyes from blue into brown, and I almost don’t recognize myself in the mirror.

I’m in a maroon Ted Baker dress that has a high satin V-neck, and a petal-like hem that falls past my knees. A small pink purse with a geometric bow, and matching heels complete the ensemble. I’d wear this, although I wouldn’t pair it with the lighter accessories. Stella is definitely testing me, throwing me out of my comfort zone while sending me off to see people I know.

Kevin drives me to Fashion Show Mall, smirking the whole way there. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this.”

“Oh, I am. I wish I could go in with you, but since we’ve shopped together before, Stella says I can’t.”

“Small favors and all,” I reply, smiling back at my friend.

He pulls up to the door near Topshop, and drops me off. “Have fun.”

I actually think I will. My new wallet has an ID, and credit cards with the name Ann Reid on them. I don’t know how Ainsley got them done so fast, but I guess I’ll learn one day. Or, they just have alternate identities ready for all of us, and we don’t know it yet. Honestly, that’s more likely, but whatever.

I step out, adjusting my walk to the one I’ve been working on for months. That’s one thing I didn’t switch up day to day. I’ve also kept my accent with everyone but Kevin and Stella, because while I’m speaking differently, I still wanted to keep as much of myself as possible. I’ve only played with the walk and new gestures in the safety of the C&C building, or our apartments. Here goes nothing.

I go to Victoria’s Secret first, knowing that store will be busier. Forcing myself to pass by the bright colors, and prints, I move to the “classy” colors. Black, white, grey, and beige are not my thing, but I think I’m doing a good job of looking interested.

“Can I help you find something?” my friend Nicole asks me, and now my testing begins.

“They’re all so beautiful. I’m just trying to decide which I like best.”

“I can start a room for you if you’d like.”

“Thanks,” I tell her, handing her the bras in my hand.

“What’s your name?”

“Ann.”

“Great, Ann, I’ll get you all set up. Just head back when you’re ready.”

I almost give my normal response of “perfect” but I catch myself. “Cool.”

She walks away, and I take a deep breath of relief. I make myself pick out some more things I wouldn’t normally touch, and try it all on. Because I know I have to, I buy a few things I can donate to one of the women’s shelters. Nicole thanks me with a smile, and I smile back, knowing I just passed the first part of my test.

Ted Baker is going to be trickier since it’s not as busy of a store, and also because I buy pretty much everything that comes out each season. I shop online for anything they don’t get in, and also for UK exclusives, but these people know me. Not just in the store, but at the quarterly dinner I treat them to. We meet on Sundays, when the mall closes early, and I’ve come to consider them friends.

I smile as I walk in, knowing my chin prosthetic has changed my smile a little. I bypass the women’s section, and walk to the men’s side. I’ve bought Wayne a few things, but although he wears them, I know they’re not his thing. I’ll be donating what I buy today from here, too, so I decided to indulge myself and pick out some things I like.

“Shopping for someone special today?” one of the guys asks, coming over to stand in front of me.

“Yes. I need something for my boyfriend. I already see so much he’d love.”

“Would you like me to pull some sizes for you?”

“That would be…great.”

Almost said “lovely” there, and I haven’t done that for weeks. My nerves are getting to me, and I need to shake them off, and focus on being Ann. I tell him Wayne’s size, since I don’t really know what else to choose, plus it’s another test for me. He goes off to grab things, never once looking at me strangely, or questioning who I am.

My confidence rises, and when he comes back, I have a whole conversation with him. He really does believe I’m from Portland, that I bought my outfit online, and I’ve never been in one of the shops before. If I was being “me” he’d know I’ve actually been to all of them, because my game is just that strong.

I practically skip out of the store, because I did it. I. Did. It. My bigger test is tonight, but I’m not even worried. A little nervous, but not worried. I can blend in, and be someone else when I need to be. I can be a member of the Society.

* * *

W
ayne

“The DA has indicated that she won’t be offering you a plea deal. I wouldn’t have taken one before the forensics were in, but I thought you should know where we stand,” Alesha tells me as we sit at my breakfast bar, going over my case.

“I wouldn’t take one, period. I didn’t do this.”

“After your impromptu press conference the other day, the country is even more divided, which means our jury will be, too. They can say they’re impartial all they want, and most of them genuinely are, but there will always be at least one or two who have chosen a side before they were summoned to court. Sometimes, evidence, testimony, or a good lawyer can change their mind, but we have to plan for a wild card.”

“How do we plan?”

“We expect the unexpected, and we make sure we’ve looked at everything from every angle—good, bad, and ugly. If there is something, anything, they can bring up, we already know it before they bring it up, and have a response. We show no weakness, and no surprise.”

“Sounds good to me. Let’s do it.”

“So tell me your secrets, Wayne. Every last one of them.”

“My life is an open book.”

“You claim to be close to your parents, yet they’re not here with you.”

“I sent them to an island so they wouldn’t have to deal with any of this. They’re the best parents anyone could hope to have, and I don’t want them hassled.”

“That’s good. I like it.”

“Whether you like it or not, it’s what’s happening.”

“How did you parents feel about you using your celebrity to sleep with women all over the world?”

“That’s between them and me.”

“Not when you’re accused of rape. If one of them even mentioned to a friend or acquaintance that they weren’t happy with your behavior, someone will find out. I’m sure the press is digging right now.”

I blow out a breath. “They sat me down a few years ago, and told me that while they would always love me, and could never be disappointed in me, they wanted me to think about my choices. So, I did. I became more discerning, and even thought I was in love.”

“You had a serious girlfriend before Jenysis?”

“No, it was Tegan I thought I was in love with. She set me straight, and when I met Jenysis, I knew she was right. I didn’t love Tegan as anything more than a friend; it was just lust between us.”

“Tegan? You slept with Tegan?” she practically shrieks the questions, and I lean back a little.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not. Jenysis is okay with it, though?”

I know we’re having full disclosure here, but I’m not going there with Alesha. No one but me, Jeny, and Teeg know about her jealousy and my bad behavior, and I can guarantee none of us will tell anyone, not even under oath.

I tell her some of the truth, though. “Yep. She knows there’s nothing to worry about. Like I just told you, she made me realize what love really is, and Teeg has always loved only Caleb. Things worked out the way they were meant to.”

“I don’t know that I could be okay with it.”

“You don’t have to be, so that’s not an issue here. What else do you want to know?”

“Your band lost a member a couple of years ago. What happened?”

“That’s public record. Chad concocted an elaborate blackmail scheme on Kace and his mom, and he went to jail for it.”

“He sued the label while he was in jail, and he lost because of the morality clause in his contract.”

“He did.”

“How did you get around that clause? Wasn’t your sleeping around a problem for the label?”

“Back to that, huh? The label liked to play up our sex appeal. Where other bands were told to look wholesome, we were always sexy. So, sleeping around with other consensual adults wasn’t a problem.”

“No one you slept with was underage?”

“Not since I joined the band. Before that, since I was a teenager myself, I slept with a few chicks. After, we made sure everyone was over eighteen, even when we weren’t.”

She nods. “Good. Have they reached out about the rape charges?”

“Of course they have. Kace’s dad, Marv, is handling everything since he’s our manager. He said they’re not invoking the clause…yet. If I get convicted, I’m definitely out.”

“One last question for now. How do you feel about Brett’s sexuality?”

“The fuck?”

“It’s going to come into play.”

“I will lose my shit if anyone says something negative about him in court. It’s bad enough we have those damn protesters at almost every show. I won’t allow him to be dragged into my court drama.”

“He’s come out publicly, so it’s not a secret.”

“No, but I will fight anyone who messes with him about it. In court, or out of it.”

“I can’t promise the other side won’t bring it up, but I’ll do what I can to shut it down quickly.”

“Thanks.”

“Before I go, I want to say that while I wasn’t happy you were doing that press conference, I’m proud to be working for you. Your fans seem to be listening, and even the media has backed off of Sonia.”

“I know. I’ve been watching everything closely. Anyone still saying anything is getting a message letting them know they are forever blocked from my social media accounts. No one deserves the things that were being said to her, and I couldn’t stand by and let it happen in my name.”

“You’re a good man, Wayne Preston.”

“I’m trying hard to be. Having a good woman love me helps with that.”

I don’t know why I felt the need to say that, but I did. I know people don’t get over crushes overnight, and Alesha definitely let me know she had one on me last week. I’ve made it clear that I’m only into Jeny, but I just had to say it again. She says nothing else as she packs up her things and leaves, letting me know I did the right thing.

J
enysis

I decided not to change before going to dinner. Stella has purposely kept from me what she’s going to tell them about how we know each other. Thinking in the moment is another part of my training, and coupled with everything else I’m hiding tonight, it’s going to be a great test for me.

I walk into Bonefish Grill, and nearly stumble when I see Wayne at the table with Brayden, Darcy, Noah, Stella, Kace, Ryan, and Chloe. I didn’t know the Griffins were going to be here, but they’re not my problem. I can’t believe she invited Wayne. But then again, I can. The more important question is how she got permission for him to leave the house for dinner. I’m sure it was Society mojo, but I’ll ask later. Right now I have to be “Ann”.

I hold my head high as I walk over, thinking about how Nate and Jade can’t be here. He’s closer to Darcy than her real brother, Noah, but Jade can’t be around Wayne while she’s working on the other team. It sucks, but with the resolution I’m sure will come soon, we’ll all be able to hang out together again.

“There you are, Ann. I was worried you wouldn’t make it,” Stella says, getting to her feet to give me the requisite air kisses she’d give an acquaintance. Or a casual client. Point to me as I know what our story is.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

She makes the introductions, and I take the only empty seat at the table. Of course it’s next to Wayne. I open my menu, and do my best to ignore him. It’s pretty quiet as everyone decides what they want, giving me the chance to slow my breathing.

“I’ll have the Chilean Sea Bass with the lemon butter, a lobster tail, the truffle mac and cheese, and the au gratin potatoes. Oh, and a beer. The Omission Pale,” Wayne says. I knew that’s what he’d order, but I force myself not to smile in triumph.

“For you, Miss?”

“I’ll have the Fontina Pork Chop, with the garlic potatoes, and green beans. An Ocean Trust Martini to drink, but can you hold the jalapeno, please?”

“Sure.”

Nothing I ordered is anything I’ve had when I’ve come here before. I always get fish, but I’ve also always been tempted by the pork chops, so why not go for it tonight? And I’m normally a wine girl, but again, I’ve thought about getting the martini. Why not go for it, instead of playing it safe, like I usually do?

“So Stella tells us you’re a fashion buyer. That must be an awesome job,” Chloe says, once the waiter is on his way.

Ah, so I’m not a client after all. “I love clothes, so yes, it’s pretty awesome.”

“My wife loves clothes, too. I work to sustain her closets,” Ryan tells me with a laugh as she smacks his arm.

“You’re a good man then.”

“He’s the best,” Chloe agrees before leaning over to kiss him. They’re never shy about their PDA, and as usual, it’s more sigh inducing than anything else. All the Griffins are so freaking happy, and if they weren’t also great people, one could honestly hate them.

“Where’s your girlfriend?” I ask Wayne as Stella smirks.

“Stella tells me she’s stuck at work, but it’s weird for me not to have heard from her by now.”

He hasn’t heard from me, because as part of my going undercover, I had to leave my phone behind and take Ann’s. “Maybe she’s caught up in something.”

“Yeah. It’s weird, but I’ll see her when I get back home tonight.”

“Aren’t you on house arrest?” I blurt out, and they all look at me like I’ve lost my mind. I probably have, me and Ann both.

“Uh, sorry, but I don’t know you well enough to be talking about things like that.”

“Of course. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I see Stella barely holding it together, and I want to smack her. I also want to thank her, because so far they don’t know it’s me. They think I’m some crazy chick, but they don’t think I’m Jenysis.

“I’m hoping to see Jen before I leave tomorrow,” Noah says, obviously trying to steer things in a better direction.

“She wouldn’t miss the chance to see you,” Wayne assures him.

“If you accept my offer, you’ll see her all the time,” Ryan tells him.

“I know. Being near my best friends is a great incentive. I would love to work with you, Ryan, but I need to weigh everything before making a decision.”

“I understand. Take all the time you need.”

I want to jump out of my chair and hug Ryan, but that would probably get me kicked out of the restaurant. He does a double-take when he glances my way, and I realize my smile probably looks creepy. I take a drink of my martini, and pray for dinner to get here soon.

* * *

W
ayne

I don’t know why Jeny’s pretending to be someone else, but she is. Her hair, eyes, face, and voice are completely different, but when you own a body, you recognize it anywhere. “Ann’s” body is definitely mine. I’ll play along for now, but I’m not going to make it easy for her.

She’s just taken a bite of her food when I slide my hand onto her upper thigh. She bobbles a little, but recovers quickly. Her hand goes to mine, trying to push it off. I hold firm, and draw her name with my finger on her thigh. She lets go of me, and sucks in a breath. No one else notices, but I hear it.

“How’s your dinner, Ann?” Stella asks, and when I look at her, I see her eyes narrowed. Okay, someone else saw, but there’s no way she doesn’t know.

“It’s really good.”

I move my hand higher up on her thigh, but this time she doesn’t react. Her dress is too long for me to make my way under it at the table, but I’m still going to try and make her come. I feel the heat from her pussy as I move my hand inward. Her hand drops and she’s writing on my thigh this time, telling me to stop.

My answering “no” right over her center has her digging her nails into me. That’s okay, because I love it when she marks me. It’s better when she’s screaming my name at the same time, but I’m cool with her doing it now.

I press my fingers down, finding that sweet little bud of hers, even through two layers of clothes. Circling my fingers, over and over again while continuing to eat is pretty hot. It seems I have a food and fuck fetish, but there are weirder things in life. Or at least that’s what I’m going with.

Jeny’s hands are shaking as she cuts her pork chop, and forks the food into her mouth. She’s fighting me, but it’s a losing battle. I can’t feel her pussy clenching, but I see her gripping the silverware so tight it’s about to break, and when she lifts up her napkin, pretending to cough into it, I know she’s come. Oh yeah, we’re definitely playing with food more often.

“Did you choke on something, Ann?” Darcy asks.

“Just a little, but I’m good now. Thanks.”

The rest of dinner is uneventful. It’s delicious, and I even order some mini doughnuts for dessert, but nothing else earth shattering happens. We all say our goodbyes, and head our separate ways. Darcy and Bray drive me home, because Stella says she has to stop at the office. I bet she does. While I wouldn’t mind some more time with “Ann” I want to see Jenysis even more.

It takes an hour before I hear the door slam. I casually walk out to greet her, and get a slap across my face. “I told you to stop.”

“You didn’t mean it.”

“I wouldn’t have said it—or written it—if I didn’t mean it.”

“You’re serious.”

“Do I need to slap you again?”

I shake my head, but shit, she’s right. I shouldn’t have continued on when she told me to stop. “No. I’m so sorry, Jeny girl. I didn’t know.”

“Just because we’ve been together doesn’t mean I can’t say I don’t want it sometimes. When you said I couldn’t touch you after you were in jail, I didn’t. I hated it, but I wasn’t going to do something you didn’t want me to do.”

“I know that.”

“Then what was that?”

“I don’t know. You weren’t you, but I knew it was you. I just wanted to play with you a little. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“How did you know? My best friends didn’t even know.”

“I’d know your body, even if it was surrounded by a thousand others.”

“You say things like that, and it makes it difficult to stay mad at you. Just promise me you’re not just saying what you think I want to hear. I need to know that you really mean it.”

“I do. I promise.”

“I just want to go to sleep.”

“Of course. Can we cuddle?”

“Cuddling would be nice.”

I want to ask her about why she was pretending to be someone else, but now is not the time. I fucked up, and I know it. I’ve posted things about consent, and spoke out about consent, yet I took today without having that consent. I touched a woman who told me to stop, and while I didn’t think I was doing something wrong at the time, I know it now. I would never hurt Jenysis, and yet I know I did. I’m going to hold her in my arms, and tell her I’m sorry, over and over again, until I’m sure she believes it.