SSMM Ch16

“I’ll help.” Why not? Ava’s confident in her ability to obfuscate things so that she doesn’t get into trouble with Annette, and while she likes the idea of some taboo action with an older woman, well… finding that photo album and watching that porn has changed things. Ava doesn’t dislike Viv, but there is something off-putting about her sense of entitlement. Maybe it’s not the worst thing if Viv doesn’t get what she wants 100% of the time. Jane is doing God’s work.

“Solidarity,” Jane says ironically, extending a hand.

Ava snorts and shakes. She’s not a raging socialist like her ex, who she doesn’t want to think about. But nobody likes rich people.

“I trust that you have a scheme worthy of a Lifetime movie,” she drawls.

“I got nothing.” Jane chews, then wipes her mouth. She raises her glass, and Ava clinks with her. “I tease. There’s nothing fancy in it. I’ve just been doing less is more, and that’s working. I let her see me in a towel. Once. I got a little flirty with her. Once. Sometimes I come in real close and fix something, or wipe her face if she’s eating,” Jane says, miming it with Ava. “I asked her opinion on swimsuits and underwear once.”

Ava takes that in, impressed. Jane might not think of her games as fancy, but she’s got Viv right where she wants her.

“And today? Are you usually in your fancy undies when you massage her?”

“Nope. That was for you.”

“Oh my god.” Ava picks up her napkin to hide her face. “You’re as bad as she is.”

“No. She gets laid all the time. I have a boyfriend in Orlando, and he’s cheating on me. I haven’t felt the touch of a man since April,” she says, feigning a dramatic swoon. “I’m allowed to be dumb. Viv needs to take a break. Drink some water. Maybe give her wife a hug.”

“Oof. There’s that,” Ava agrees. “Are they not cozy? Is that why she’s getting with Kia? And are they just flirting or are they naked?”

“Naked. I haven’t seen it, but I’m sure. I don’t know what Viv and Aubrey are like behind closed doors, but there’s a chilliness out here. They talk. They kiss. There’s still something there,” Jane says, looking thoughtful. She touches her fingertip to her lips. “Definitely something between them. I haven’t really made it my business though.”

“Does Aubrey beef with you?”

Jane shakes her head. “She doesn’t flirt with me either, though.”

“Weird.”

SSMM

Ava has committed to helping with the Tennis presentation. Jane’s shenanigans will have to come later. After dinner and cleanup, she finally finds Cristy and Karina getting ready. Both look amazing in their tennis outfits. They aren’t cartoonishly slutty Halloween costumes, but there are some touches that can’t be ignored. The skirts are a little short and there are some subtle tailoring details; flaring at the waist. And the tops are cropped to show skin whenever the wearer does anything. They don’t show cleavage, but there’s no bra underneath to ensure a stupid amount of jiggle. Ava doesn’t have to imagine the underwear; the skirts are cut so that it’s on display if any bending occurs at all. Snug, white, full-coverage panties. Rather than trying to introduce some new bit of sexiness in the tennis look, it’s just hammering the existing parts that the male gaze is drawn to.

Ava isn’t male, but even she must admit that these two have nice legs. Most tennis players probably do; she wouldn’t know.

“Thanks for coming,” Cristy tells her shortly.

Again, Ava is struck by the lack of enthusiasm in the room. These two don’t even want to be here. Maybe they’re excited about their project, but they are not excited about this little show that they have to put on.

“There’s not much to it. We’ll model the stuff and I’ll give a talk. We’re keeping it real simple. Annette says that’s the way to go with Viv for this type of thing.”

This must be extra, extra hard for Cristy given whatever may or may not have happened in the past. To hook up with someone then has to show back up and demean herself like this…

Ava wants to give her a hug. Instead, she takes the sheet of paper that Cristy holds out. On it are bullet points summarizing the planned project. Ava scans it and parses the information. The proposal here is that a dozen or so recent high school grads, all over eighteen, will get put in a house, reality TV-style. Tennis hopefuls. It’ll be an elimination-style game with a number of factors, including tennis matches. Ava supposes that the hope is that there will be some horny hookups on camera too. The winner gets a prize, an elevated profile, and a full Tennis ride anywhere they want to go.

“I know how it looks,” Cristy says, seeing Ava’s face.

FUTA stuff is fun and all, and on the spectrum of like… bad things in the world, it’s not that serious. It still can’t sit right with any real feminist. This, though?

Karina pushes past Cristy, getting in Ava’s face. She takes Ava’s hand and leans in close, all intensity.

“Ava, we need this.”

“Yeah. But do you want it?”

“Please,” Karina says. She glances back at Cristy, who just looks miserable. God… Ava didn’t expect a party at a movie star’s house to be so sad. “Ava.”

“Yeah?”

There’s a lot of closeness here. Karina smells good. She’s basically a stranger, but this day has left Ava one slender thread away from turning into an animal.

“We can convince you,” Karina says.

“We?” Cristy sounds startled.

Karina throws her a sharp look, then squeezes Ava’s hand.

Should Ava let them convince her to help?

Or should she take a stand?