Because if I want the Mustangs organization to see HERS outside of being a gossipy point of interest on a reality show, I have to nail this event.
“Good, then me and a few of the girls”—that’s code for Aviana, Charli, Jacqueline, and Poppy, even though she’s not technically part of the group anymore—“will hang around after and hammer those final details out. Five more days, ladies, and it’s here.” Vonnie does a great job of keeping her voice steady, concealing the nerves she’s fighting so hard not to let anyone see. “I’m so thankful for all of your hard work, and I know this is going to go off without a hitch. Northern Harbor is going to be able to help so many women and children, so know that your dedication means something.”
Northern Harbor is a local women’s shelter in Denver. They have a huge location with living spaces for women and their children who have left abusive relationships. With the money we will hopefully raise at the auction, they will be able to staff full-time caregivers for children so the women can go on job interviews and not have to worry about day care once they are employed. It will also go to paying the rent for women when the shelter is full.
Vonnie also had an idea for a clothing drive and collected a literal truckload of women’s and children’s clothing for the shelter.
So not only is this a huge opportunity for HERS, I get to feel really good about the work we’re doing.
“Any other questions, comments, or concerns?” Vonnie asks the room. When she’s met with silence, she lifts the glitter gavel that still makes me laugh and hits it against the table. “Fantastic, meeting adjourned.” Then, almost as an afterthought, she shouts, “And don’t forget to tip your server!”
That’s my girl.
Paisley, Tanya, and I scurry around the room, collecting checks from some and delivering fresh drinks to others. Poppy still likes to feel involved but is having a hard time with standing for long periods of time, so I stuck a stool behind the bar and she’s been helping with the cocktails.
We do this for another hour until the final two Lady Mustangs finish their last drink and leave a tip so big, Tanya almost cries.
“That was a good meeting,” I say to Vonnie without a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
She lifts her chin. “It was, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Aviana answers, even though I think it might have been a rhetorical question. “Now that Dixie left and you took over, I don’t actually dread them. And it feels like we’re accomplishing something and not just listening to her talk about herself.”
“I ordered us T-shirts,” Jacqueline says. “I got a new jersey from the Jersey Lady, and she said she’d give me a discount if I ordered a bulk amount of shirts, so I did. I was hoping they’d be here by now, but I won’t get them until the next meeting since it was such a huge order.” She flushes scarlet and looks at Vonnie. “Yours says ‘Boss Lady’ on the back.”
We all stare at her, our mouths agape.
I looked at the Jersey Lady’s website for shits and giggles once. To send in your jersey and have her cut, sew, and bedazzle it into a new creation was five hundred dollars . . . for the most basic style.
Jacqueline had to be out at least three grand for this.
But I guess crushing the Victoria’s Secret runway, making men all over the world want you in Sports Illustrated, and becoming the darling of Love the Player gives you spending freedom.
Damn. Come to think of it, Jacqueline’s fucking killing it right now.
“Dammit, Jac,” I say once my brain kicks into gear again. “I was going to order shirts too! You stole my idea.”
Her face falls and three heads swing my direction.
“Except I was going to go to the little booth in the Aurora mall and get some white tees airbrushed. I was thinking a giant Mustang riding out of a cloud would be really fitting.”
A cherry from Poppy’s Shirley Temple hits me on the cheek. “You’re an idiot.” Poppy laughs, quickly adding another two cherries to her glass.
“I can’t stand your ass.” Vonnie laughs before turning back to Jacqueline, who looks relieved, but also like she may be reconsidering how much time she spends around me. “Thank you, that’s seriously the nicest thing you could’ve done. I love that you guys are actually proud to be Lady Mustangs now.” She looks to the ground, her voice thicker than usual. “It means a lot to me.”
“Are you crying?” Charli yells out. “Group hug, people!”
Charli jumps onto Vonnie’s back as we all rush around and join in before Vonnie turns on us all. I normally hate hugs, but since the purpose of this one is to irritate Vonnie, I decide to join in.
“‘We love Vonnie’ on three,” Charli instructs with a goofy grin on her face. “One. Two. Three!”
“We love Vonnie!” we all yell in sync, laughing our asses off, clinging on as tight as we can as Vonnie tries to escape.
“Oh! I love Vonnie too!” Paisley cries out, running out of the back office, jumping in on the action.
“And I love hugs!” Tanya runs and piles on.
“What the fuck?” a deep voice calls from across the room. “Careful! You’re probably squishing my baby!”
TK rushes over, extracting Poppy from the lovefest and giving Vonnie her out.
“They can’t squish the baby, killjoy.” Poppy rolls her eyes, but even that can’t detract from the hearts in them every time TK is near.
Love. Gross. Bah humbug.
“Better safe than sorry.” He wraps a huge arm around her tiny body and then turns his attention to me. “How’s the car? Sorry about the other night.”
“Not a problem. It’s good now, thanks.” I walk around the bar and grab a rag to clean the tables.
“Wait,” Poppy says. “What happened to your car?”
Oh. Shit.
You know that moment where you see something bad coming and you know it’s going to hit you, but you’re too close to do anything to avoid being hit? This is that moment.
“Flat tire, it wasn’t a big deal.” I try and downplay it, but when I see the evil smirk under TK’s beard, I know I’m fucked.
“She was stuck on the side of I-25 in the middle of the night.” TK gives them unnecessary details. I wonder how angry Poppy will be if I kick her fiancé hard enough that this will be their last baby.
“What?” all five say together.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Charli asks. “I would’ve gotten you!”
“And me,” Aviana chimes in.