Everything to Everyone

by Sherryl Hancock

  She gave Savanna’s hands a gentle squeeze, and then she turned and walked out the door. Savanna stared after her thinking she was missing something, but not sure what. She discussed it with Lyric later that night. Lyric agreed with her that it was likely this girl was important to Cody, but she also thought it was better that they do as the girl had asked and not mention her appearance.

  “We don’t want her running off to find this girl,” Lyric said. “And I’m sure there’s a reason the girl doesn’t want Cody to know she was here. Let’s just respect that, okay?”

  “Okay,” Savanna said, blowing her breath out, knowing that Lyric had Cody’s best interest at heart.

  Lyric ended up speaking with the doctor to ask about Jazmine staying with Dakota, explaining Dakota’s major issue with hospitals and that the medical staff were more likely to get cooperation out of Dakota if Jazmine was there with her. The doctor finally agreed, moving Dakota to a more private room so Jazmine’s presence wouldn’t disturb other patients.

  Lyric, Savanna, and Cody had just left the hospital when Cassandra walked into the room where Dakota was. Jazmine, who was sitting in a chair next to Dakota’s bed, looked up with narrowed eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked Cassandra, her tone low.

  Cassandra stopped her forward motion, giving Jazmine a cautious look. Then she looked over at Dakota.

  “I just heard,” Cassandra said. “Are you okay?”

  Dakota nodded, glancing at Jazmine who did not look happy that Cassandra was there.

  “Yeah, I’m okay,” Dakota told Cassandra.

  “But you’re still here…” Cassandra said her tone leading.

  “They want to do a scan to make sure I didn’t scramble anything up here,” Dakota said, grinning and tapping on her head with her index finger.

  “Well, that should be a fruitless procedure,” Cassandra murmured, her eyes twinkling with humor.

  Dakota gave a short laugh, shaking her head. She caught Jazmine’s sharp look and knew there was trouble brewing.

  “Anyway,” Dakota said, her tone more businesslike. “I’m okay.”

  Cassandra caught not only Jazmine’s expression, but also the change in Dakota’s tone. She nodded, blowing her breath out quietly.

  “Please let me know if you need anything,” Cassandra said, addressing Dakota and Jazmine.

  “Will do,” Dakota said. “Hopefully I’ll be back on the job in a day or two, but I’ll text you when I know for sure.”

  “Okay,” Cassandra nodded and then left.

  Dakota glanced over at Jazmine and saw that she was still looking at the door Cassandra had just left through.

  “I’ll be right back…” Jazmine said, moving to stand.

  “Jaz…” Dakota said cautioned, but Jazmine just shook her head and walked out of the room.

  Dakota made a frustrated sound, dropping her head back on the bed and wincing at the pain it caused.

  “Cassandra!” Jazmine called as she strode after the other woman.

  Cassandra stopped and turned around, her look unreadable.

  “Yes?” she queried, her tone refined.

  “Why did you come here?” Jazmine asked, her green eyes staring into Cassandra’s.

  “To ensure that my employee is going to be alright,” Cassandra said dryly. “She was injured on my property. It could be a liability issue,” she said then, her tone condescending.

  “Right,” Jazmine said sarcastically. “I’m sure that’s the only reason.”

  Cassandra looked back at Jazmine totally expressionless, but Jazmine was fairly sure she could a light of triumph in her eyes.

  “You stay away from Dakota, Cassandra,” Jazmine said her tone direct.

  “That’s going to be rather difficult, Jazmine,” Cassandra replied drolly. “She is working on my property.”

  Jazmine narrowed her eyes at the other woman, knowing that she was way out of her element when it came to Cassandra.

  “We’re together, Cassandra, you aren’t going to change that,” Jazmine said her tone assured.

  “If that’s true and you’re quite confident of your place with her,” Cassandra said her face a mask of cynicism, “then I’m not sure why you’d be attempting to warn me off.”

  With that, Cassandra turned and walked away. Jazmine stared after her, her mouth hanging open in surprise. She turned and walked back to the room.

  “Do I still have a job?” Dakota asked mildly when Jazmine walked back into the room.

  Jazmine gave her a sharp look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Dakota shrugged slightly. “Just figured you’d gone to cuss her out, and that I’d be summarily fired for it.”

  “Well, your job is safe,” Jazmine said, looking frustrated.

  “Okay, what’s going on?” Dakota asked. She was fairly sure she knew, but she wanted Jazmine to tell her so there was no doubt.

  “She’s after you, Dakota,” Jazmine said, shaking her head. “And I don’t like it.”

  Dakota blew her breath out, shaking her head. It was exactly what she’d thought was the problem.

  “Jaz,” Dakota reasoned, “even if that’s true, why does it matter?”

  “Because!” Jazmine exclaimed. “She’s changing her tactics and she thinks we’re too stupid to know it.”

  “Do you think I’m too stupid to know it?” Dakota asked, her tone of voice still even.

  Jazmine looked back at Dakota, surprised by the question.

  “I…” Jazmine began, but her voice trailed off as she shrugged.

  “Trust me,” Dakota said. “I’m far from stupid.”

  “So you know she’s trying to get you back?”

  “I know she’s trying, yeah,” Dakota said with a grin. “That doesn’t mean it’s going to work.”

  “But you took the job anyway?”

  “I took the job for the reasons I told you,” Dakota said. “And at the time I thought she really was just trying to make it up to me, at least I hoped that was what it was about.”

  “When did you decide that it wasn’t just that?” Jazmine asked.

  “First day she came to the site,” Dakota said shrugging.

  “You didn’t tell me,” Jazmine pointed out.

  “No,” Dakota said, shaking her head, “because nothing had changed on my end. I was doing the job because I needed to keep my commitments and I plan to use it to help me get other jobs. I didn’t see the point in upsetting you about her intentions.”

  “Because you’re interested?” Jazmine asked nervously.

  “Exactly the opposite, babe,” Dakota said. “Because I’m not.”

  Jazmine looked back at her for a long moment, blinking a couple of times.

  “Jaz, I love you… Okay? I mean that,” Dakota said, her look searching. “Do you get that I’ve never said that to any other woman in my life?”

  Jazmine swallowed convulsively, looking sad suddenly. “I guess I’m just afraid.”

  “Of what, babe?” Dakota asked, her look gentle.

  “Of losing you,” Jazmine said.

  “Not going anywhere,” Dakota said shaking her head.

  Jazmine took a deep breath, blowing it out as she nodded.

  A couple of hours later, Dakota lay trying to get comfortable in the hospital bed. She shifted, and shifted again.

  “What’s wrong?” Jazmine asked as she looked up from the book she was reading.

  “I friggin’ hate hospitals!” Dakota exclaimed.

  “What can I do?” Jazmine asked her.

  “You can get over here and lay with me,” Dakota said, patting the bed next to her.

  “I’m not sure the hospital staff will appreciate that…”

  “And I care because?” Dakota replied, grinning.

  “You don’t,” Jazmine said, laughing softly.

  Jazmine got up, setting her book down on the chair and she climbed onto the bed with Dakota, kicking her shoes off in the process. Dakota shifted to make r
oom and lay on her side. Jazmine lay down facing her snuggling into Dakota’s embrace as Dakota’s arms encircled her. They both sighed grinning at each other and were asleep minutes later.

  ***

  Harley stared openmouthed at Shiloh when she walked down the stairs in the house. She was wearing the outfit she’d bought to go to The Club that night. She’d done her makeup and her hair, and looked fantastic.

  “Sweet mother of dog…” Harley breathed, her blue eyes reflecting admiration.

  Shiloh laughed at Harley’s expression; she was forever coming up with odd statements like that.

  “I take it I look okay?” Shiloh asked, biting her lip.

  “Okay?” Harley repeated incredulously. “You look freaking awesome. Maybe too good…” she said then, her look chagrinned.

  “What? Why?” Shiloh asked.

  “It’s a gay club, Shy,” Harley said. “Chock-full of lesbians who are going to find you irresistible in that outfit.”

  “But you’ll be with me,” Shiloh said.

  “And?” Harley asked, her blue eyes looking back at Shiloh.

  “And you’ll make sure I’m safe from any would be suitors,” Shiloh said simply.

  “Yeah, but who’s gonna protect you from me…” Harley muttered with an emergent grin.

  “Oh stop!” Shiloh said, laughing as Harley held her jacket for her to put on.

  They left the house a few minutes later. They had dinner at a sushi restaurant, then they made their way to The Club. The very first thing Shiloh noticed was that Harley stayed close to her; the second was the myriad of women at The Club. There were all shapes and sizes of women. There were women that were very girly with makeup and their hair and nails done, there were others that looked very masculine. Shiloh noticed she got a lot of looks, winks, and smiles from the more masculine girls, but she did notice that some of the girlie-looking girls looked her up and down too.

  “You okay?” Harley asked, standing close to her.

  “Yes,” Shiloh said, smiling up and back at Harley.

  “Just let me know if you change your mind, okay?” Harley said, having to lean down to talk into her ear to be heard over the music.

  They made their way over to the group, and there was a round of introductions. Harley told her that some of the girls weren’t there yet.

  “Did you hear about Dakota?” Jet asked Harley.

  “No, what’s up?” Harley asked, signaling to the waitress as she did.

  “She got hurt on the site today, so she and Jaz won’t be here,” Jet said.

  “She okay?” Harley asked.

  “Yeah,” Jet said, nodding. She took the glass the waitress handed her, and handed it to her wife, then took the bottle of beer with a nod and a wink at the waitress.

  “Okay, good,” Harley said. Then she looked at Shiloh. “What are you drinking, Shy?”

  “Um, I guess a margarita?”

  Harley nodded, smiling. “So a margarita and a Blue Moon for me, thanks,” she told the waitress.

  “You got it Harley,” the waitress said, smiling up at her.

  As the waitress walked away, Shiloh noted that both Harley and Jet watched her. Shiloh looked over at Jet’s wife Fadiyah, who she’d just been introduced to. Fadiyah saw what her wife was doing and merely grinned shaking her head, so apparently this wasn’t a strange behavior.

  “Warning,” Devin said, as she and Skyler approached the table.

  “What?” Harley asked, seeing the look in Devin’s eyes.

  “Sarah is here,” Devin told her. “And she’s already asked me if you are.”

  “Crap,” Harley said, shaking her head.

  “Sarah?” Shiloh queried, as she smiled at Devin and hugged her.

  “Ex,” Harley answered simply.

  “Oh,” Shiloh answered, nodding.

  “Bad, bad, ex…” Devin told Shiloh. “The one I told you about…”

  “Ohh…” Shiloh murmured, grimacing.

  Harley narrowed her eyes at the two women. Devin looked back at Harley, a smile on her lips.

  “Shiloh, you haven’t met my wife,” Devin said then. “This is Skyler, Sky, this is Shiloh, she’s—”

  “Harley’s assistant,” Skyler said, with kind eyes. “I know. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” Shiloh said, smiling.

  A few minutes later, the drinks came and Harley handed the waitress her credit card.

  “Start at tab, will ya, Jen?” Harley asked.

  “Of course,” Jen said, smiling. “And that’s from me,” she said, indicating the shot on her tray.

  “Oh,” Harley said, grinning and nodding.

  She picked up the shot and threw it back, then kissed the waitress on the lips.

  “Thanks,” she said, smiling when their lips parted.

  “Uh-huh…” the waitress murmured, looking back up at Harley with what Shiloh could only describe as ‘bedroom eyes.’

  As the waitress walked away, Jet and Skyler high fived Harley who shook her head and rolled her eyes.

  “Does that happen to you a lot?” Shiloh asked, her look measured.

  Harley grinned wryly. “Not all the time, no.”

  “I see,” Shiloh said, her grin wide.

  “Let’s go outside, I’m suddenly feeling the need to smoke,” Harley said, her tone humorous.

  Harley led Shiloh outside to the patio where she grabbed two chairs near the open area for dancing, and motioned for Shiloh to sit down first. As she sat down, Harley pulled out her lighter and a cigarette, tossing the pack on the table as she did. She lit the cigarette and sat watching the women dance.

  “Still okay?” Harley asked Shiloh.

  “Yes,” Shiloh said, her tone exasperated. “You don’t have to keep checking on me Harley,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “I know I’m at a gay club, this isn’t a surprise to me, okay?”

  “Okay,” Harley said, holding up her hands in a mock surrender.

  Devin walked out onto the patio with Skyler behind her. She walked straight over to Harley.

  “Incoming…” she muttered just as Sarah walked out of the door.

  Harley dropped her head to her chest, shaking it.

  “Is that Sarah?” Shiloh whispered, looking at the beautiful brunette who was looking in Harley’s direction.

  “Yeah,” Harley said, as Quinn and Xandy walked out the back door behind her, followed by Jet and Fadiyah. “Hail hail the gangs all here…” Harley muttered.

  “What’s goin’ on, Harley?” Quinn said, clapping Harley on the shoulder. She was immediately drawn to Shiloh. “And you are…?” she asked. “Quinn Kavanaugh, this is Shiloh,” Harley said, watching Sarah heading in her direction out of the corner of her eye.

  Quinn pulled a chair up motioning for Xandy to have a seat, as she extended her hand to Shiloh.

  “Good to meet ya,” she said. “You do know that Sarah’s headed over, right?” she asked Harley.

  “Yep,” Harley said, taking a long drag off her cigarette her blue eyes narrowed slightly.

  “Hey Sarah,” Jet said, as Sarah passed her. It was her way of warning Harley how close the girl was.

  Shiloh noted that every eye in the group was on Sarah at that moment. Devin had been right about the group keeping an eye on Harley, almost literally at that moment.

  “Harley?” Sarah said tentatively. She glanced around at the members of the group who were standing around.

  “Hey Sarah,” Harley said. She kept her look closed off as she nodded to the other woman.

  Sarah put her hands together, looking nervous. “Can we talk?”

  Harley looked up at her from her seat, her lips pursed. She could feel everyone waiting for her to say no, to do just about anything but say yes.

  “Please?” Sarah entreated, her green eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

  Harley blew her breath out, the last thing she could handle was a woman crying. Moving to stand, she literally felt the group mentally groan. She threw Quinn
a narrowed look who grinned unrepentantly.

  “I’ll keep Shiloh company while you’re gone,” Quinn told her, moving to sit in Harley’s seat.

  Harley walked toward the side of the building away from the group, where it would be quieter. That did not keep the group, including Shiloh, from following her movement and watching everything as she and Sarah talked. There was also a running commentary from members of the group.

  “Oh, yeah, there’s the apology…” Quinn muttered. “I’m so sorry I got you knifed in my stupid bid for your attention.” She said the last in a higher pitched voice, in a snide imitation of Sarah.

  They watched as Sarah lifted the lower half of Harley’s tank top and looked at the small scar where she’d been knifed.

  “Just let me kiss it and make it better…” Quinn muttered, her lips curling in disgust.

  “Yeah, but Harley’s holding her own right now…” Jet said. “She’s doing alright.”

  “For now…” Devin muttered.

  “Don’t assume, babe…” Skyler said.

  “Right, yeah, ya see that?” Devin said, nodding toward Harley who’d just dropped her head back against the building, looking heavenward. “That’s the ‘I feel like shit for acting this way’ movement, she’s gonna cave… Fuck…” Devin said, standing up ready to intervene.

  “Wait,” Skyler said, putting her hand out to stop Devin. “She’s got it back, she’s telling her no…”

  “Oh!” Quinn exclaimed, as Sarah moved close to Harley, tilting her head. “Shit, she’s goin’ in…”

  “Not the neck…” Devin said.

  “Yep, she’s going for the neck,” Jet said, shaking her head.

  Shiloh looked around at them, trying to figure out what they meant. Did they mean going for the throat? She didn’t know, and didn’t feel like it was her place to ask.

  “Wait, wait…” Xandy chimed in. “She pulled back just in time, I think she’s gonna resist her, girls…”

  “Wanna bet?” Quinn said, grinning at her girlfriend.

  Xandy stuck her tongue out at Quinn.

  “Don’t stick that out unless you intend to use it,” Quinn said, winking at Xandy.

  “Oh, I’ll use it…” Xandy replied, grinning.