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“I’m serious, Dash.” Sierra got her panties and jeans from the pile of hay. “I’m sick of going around in circles with you.” She zipped her jeans. “You know your options.”
He sat naked in the hay, legs wide-open. “You want me to call up the media and declare my love for you?”
“Bingo, buddy.” She snatched her bra from the floor. “I spent the night with you in a damn stable covered in hay and horse shit. I’ve proven my love. It’s your turn.”
He raised his arm. “I tried to prove my love when I went to Ian to get you a chance to try out for the film and you told me to mind my business.”
“This isn’t about the film, it’s about you wimping out.”
Adeline neighed from the next stall.
“Why should I put myself on the line and you’re with another dude?”
“Oh, please.” Sierra put on her blouse. “I don’t love Hugh and never did. I was with him because I couldn’t be with you. I’ll call things off with Hugh today if you make a public statement that we love each other.”
“Oh, god.” He leaned back, touching his forehead. “Sierra, don’t do this.”
“To you? You’ve done nothing but sit back and not have to make any sacrifices, Dash.” She pulled her belt from hay. “Love doesn’t work that way. If I’m worth fighting for then you’ll do it.”
“What about the film? I mean, this would cause a lot of drama.”
“I don’t care about the goddamn film!” She fastened her belt. “You want me?”
“More than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.” His balls jiggled when he moved. “I’m buck naked in a stable with you. What do you think?”
“Then make a move, Dash. You’re the only one standing in our way.” She pulled hay from her hair and opened the door to the stall.
“Where are you going?”
“I got errands to run.”
“Wait.” Dash followed her to the entrance of the stable. “I wanted to make you breakfast. You haven’t eaten all night.”
“I don’t want breakfast.” She marched through the grass. “I want action.”
“But, Sierra.” He galloped after her, hiding his junk under his hands. “Be reasonable.”
“I’m sick of being reasonable.” She glanced at his semi-erect dick, scoffing. “You’re naked in broad daylight.”
“Aw, shit.”
He trotted inside the stable.
****
Jamal skated into Hugh’s office, smiling as if he’d won the lottery. “You sly dog, you.”
Hugh took off his reading glasses and abandoned his notes. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t give me that.” Jamal gulped from the Coke can. “You dancing on air today. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”
Hugh chuckled, rubbing his shirt. “Am I?”
“You happy as hell.” Jamal closed the door. “I want the details.” He relaxed on the couch, legs open. “You and Gabrielle did the nasty last night?”
Hugh twitched, looking away. “Is that your business?”
“Ha, hah!” Jamal pointed. “You did, didn’t you? You fucked Gabrielle Montane.”
“We didn’t ‘fuck’.” Hugh twirled his glasses. “We made love. All night long.”
“Awe.” Jamal guffawed. “She ain’t here so you can ditch the sensitive act.”
“I mean it, man.” Hugh sat back, rubbing his shoulder. “I love her.”
“You’re serious.” Jamal pulled the soda can from his lips. “I thought it was just bullshit to get the panties but you really love her.”
“I’m so in love I can’t see straight. I tried to work but all I’ve done is doodle her name. I feel like a sixteen-year-old kid again. Last night was magical. I’ve never felt so connected to a woman on every level.”
“What happens now?”
“I have to break things off with Sierra.” Hugh clasped his hands, sighing. “She’s fragile and this will be another thing not going right for her.”
“Look, Bruh.” Jamal stood. “I hear you on not wanting to send Sierra off to the bottle again but that’s not your responsibility. Shit, you ain’t her daddy.” He put his hand in his pocket. “She’s a grown woman, and she’s got to learn how to deal with life herself.”
“That’s the same thing Gabrielle said.”
“What you gonna do?” Jamal stuck his neck out. “Babysit Sierra for the rest of your life? Not to mention, it’s not fair to her to string her along. If you want Gabrielle then you have to let Sierra go. No ifs, ands, buts about it.”
“You’re right.” He slapped the desk. “I’ll tell her after work.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Hugh, can I come in?” Sierra asked.
Hugh gripped the desk. “Eh-oh.”
Jamal flinched. “Looks like you don’t have to wait.”
“Jeez.” Hugh sat up, straightening his shirt. “I wasn’t ready to tell her now.”
“It’s best to just do it.” Jamal answered the door, smiling. “Hey, Sierra.”
“Hey.” She walked in, in a flimsy white summer dress, ponytail swinging.
Hugh quivered. “You look refreshed.”
She held her purse in front of her. “May I speak to you for a moment?”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Jamal hurried out, closing the door behind him.
“I’m glad you stopped by.”
“I was over this way because I had errands to run.” She licked her lips, making her rosy gloss shine even more.
“I called you last night.” Hugh swallowed, but the knot remained in his throat. “You didn’t answer.”
“My phone was off.” She switched her gaze to the window. “Did your location scouting go okay?”
“Sierra.” He twisted his watch. “I respect you so I don’t wanna beat around the bush—”
“Can I go first? I have something I need to say.”
“I’d rather I go first.” He smiled. “It’s kinda hard for me to get out—”
“Hugh, I don’t want to see you anymore.”
His shoulders dropped. “Excuse me?”
“No offense, but we aren’t together for the right reasons.”
He sat back in wonderment that someone had dumped him.
“We care about each other but we aren’t in love. You love Gabrielle and always have. You thought you had to keep an eye on me for my protection.”
“Sierra—”
“Let me finish.” Her purse dangled from her hooked hands. “I’m ready to take control of my life again. I’ve made some decisions. One is I’m not going to continue acting. It’s not healthy to deal with rejection and mistreatment anymore. I want out of it before it steals what little soul I have left.”
“You love acting. Don’t give up. Once everything blows over you’ll get opportunities again.”
“I’ve put too much emphasis on what people think of me and now I no longer care. I’m sick of crying and being stressed to the point of going insane. I wanna be happy again.”
“Dang.” Hugh touched his jaw. “No one’s ever dumped me.”
“I’m sure it’s a novel experience for you.” She snickered. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Hugh. You’ll always be a friend.” She held her hand out. “If you wanna be.”
He stood, knocked her hand out the way and hugged her. “I’m proud of you.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re going to be okay.”
She pinched his cheek. “Yes, I will.”
“I’ll always be here when you need me.”
“Same here.” She smiled, heading for the door. “What’s next for you?”
He sat on the desk. “I guess I get a chance to be with the love of my life. You?”
She avoided eye contact, but he caught the twinkle in them, anyway. “Hopefully the same.”
“How long you think it’ll take before our breakup takes over the Internet?”
She laughed. “It’ll be on TMZ before I hit the parking lot.” She blew a kiss. “Goodbye, Hugh. Thanks for everything.”
He dipped his head. “Take care, Sierra.”