The Cruiserweight (17 page)

“Never better.”

Patrick picked up the
Men in the Raw
copy. “Whoa!”

“It’s the one with my feature. Page
twelve.”

“Damn, only one naked shot and it’s your
ass?
What a rip off.”

“If you must know, it was
my
idea to do
the spread that way. There’s only one woman I want to see my dick,
and she’s in Pennsylvania.”

“How’s Karen, by the way?”

“Seemed to be okay the last time I talked to
her.”

“I still say you need a side piece close to
home and your own age.”

“And I say you need to stay out of my love
life. I’m happy with things the way they are. Which reminds me, I
need to borrow your scanner. Mine took a shit again.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to send her those
dirty pictures.”

“What’s so bad about a guy in a G-string? I
already promised her a framed, autographed copy. This is just a
preview of what she can expect.”

“You’re one weird little man, but okay. Come on
up and we can watch a movie I got in the mail today.”

“Sorry, Pat, but I’m not exactly up on the
latest porn releases.”

“It isn’t porn, dumb ass, but the
straight-to-video movie I did..”

“Cool, you found a copy? I’ve been wanting to
see it, man.”

“Yeah, it took awhile, but I came across one
when I was checking out an online rental thing. I had that movie on
back order forever.”

“Bet it’ll be worth the wait. Okay, I’ll come
and watch with you. Maybe while I’m there I can burn a DVD of your
movie to send Karen after I scan my pictures so she can check it
out too.”

“Yeah, she might enjoy it if she doesn’t die
from laughing at you in a G-string.”

“Let’s go, smart shit. Pizza’s on
me.”

*****

“What‘s this?” Eddie asked the next morning,
snatching magazine scans off of Karen’s desk. He flipped through
the pages, turned white, and then put the stack of photos down. “On
second thought, I don‘t want to know.”

“Brett‘s feature from
Men in the Raw
. He
emailed them to me earlier. Pretty hot, yes?”

“For someone into dudes. No offense, but he
isn’t my type.”

“I‘ll tell him you enjoyed it.”

“Ha, ha, ha. I think I’m going to be scarred
for life. I just saw your boyfriend’s bare ass. Fucking hell, K,
that shit needs to come with a warning label.”

“Your own fault for being nosy. The ass one is
my favorite.”

“Thanks, I think my morning coffee is
ruined.”

“Better than full frontal pictures, which there
aren’t any.”

“If I wanted to see a dick, I have one of my
own. Jesus.”

“Can’t be any worse than those airbrushed girls
you drool over in
Private Privilege.
Don’t tell me
otherwise, because Phoebe saw a copy in your desk
drawer.”

“Snooping bitch. I happen to like the
articles.”

“Sure you do, that’s why Sex Kitten of the
Month has coffee stains on her page.”

“I’m going to wring Pheeb’s neck! She needs to
stay the hell out of my desk, which reminds me, she has my damn
stapler.”

“Good luck getting it back. She’s holding your
stapler hostage until you pay back the ten dollars you owe
her.”

Their banter had almost made Karen miss the
phone ringing. "This is Dr. Saks,” a voice said when she picked up.
“May I speak to Karen Montgomery?”

“This is she. What can I do for
you?”

“I just reviewed the results from your blood
test on Monday.”

“Isn’t that the usual job for one of the nurses
to call?”

“Yes, but I wanted to be the one to inform you,
given the present situation.”

She was alarmed.
Oh no, it isn’t some
strange flu after all, it’s much worse!
“What
…
present situation? My thyroid?”

“No, your thyroid is normal. But I did want to
be the first to offer my congratulations.”

“On what?”

“The reason for your nausea and fatigue is that
you’re pregnant. Now I have a friend of mine who is an excellent
obstetrician
…
” She didn’t hear the rest of the
conversation as the color drained from her face. She managed to
choke out a few words before she hung up the phone, her arm feeling
heavier than normal.

Oh God
…
now what am I going to do? How will I tell Brett that
he’s going to be a father sooner than planned?

Eddie looked up from his desk. “Everything
okay?”

“Any chance that you and Phoebe are free for
lunch? I just got some news and need to talk.”

“Sure. Let me go find her. From the look on
your face, I’m guessing it’s important.”

“Yeah, something I never considered happening
in my entire life.”

CHAPTER 30

"Oh! This is so exciting!" Phoebe squealed when
Karen broke the news to her two closest friends. "Can you imagine
if it’s a girl? I bet she’ll look just like you. You can dress her
in dotted frilly dresses, little Mary Janes, and put her hair in
pigtails. I can’t wait for us to go shopping!"

"Pheebs, what if it’s a boy?” Eddie asked.
“He’ll probably look like Brett with that funny nose and blond
curls all over the place. We can put a miniature Speedo and one of
those crazy jackets on him Every guy loves a son who‘s his mirror
image.”

“Guys, I‘m still digesting the news and don’t
even know how to proceed from this point,” Karen said. “I’m not up
to making any long-term plans just yet.”

“But you‘ll be a great mom, and Brett loves
kids,” Phoebe replied.

“He may love them, but there’s a
problem.”

“What? Did you call him?”

“No. I’m not sure how to break the news to him
right now. I’m afraid if I tell Brett about the baby, he’s going to
think that I turned out to be another groupie who’s trying to trap
him.”

Eddie shook his head. “Nothing’s further from
the truth, K. That man loves you. I can tell.”

“Maybe, but I also discovered not long ago
Brett told both his sister and Patrick that he wasn’t planning on
kids until he was altogether finished with wrestling. God, I wish
I’d gone on something when we started dating.”

“People change their minds. How will you know
what he thinks if you don’t talk to him?”

“You
should
call him,” Phoebe added.
“He’s responsible for the baby too.”

“I don’t want anything from Brett, and if he
makes it clear he doesn’t want any part of raising this child, I’ll
understand. I need time to figure out everything.”

“K, I’m not an expert on women or anything, but
I don’t think that’s something you’re going to hide forever,” Eddie
said.

“I know, but I’m still dealing with the
shock.”

“We’re guessing you’re going to have
it?”

“I plan on carrying the baby to term,
yes.”

“If you and Brett see each other again, how are
you going to explain having a bigger belly?” Phoebe
asked.

“We don’t see each other that often, so I’m not
very concerned.”

“Any idea when you conceived?”

“
It was either Los Angeles or when
I covered the Chicago Dragonfly show on Labor Day weekend. Those
were the only times Brett and I slept together.”

“It was Labor Day, all right,” Eddie said with
a grin.

Phoebe shot him a dirty look. “Eddie, this
isn’t the time for your jokes.”

“Sorry, just trying to lighten the
mood.”

“In any case, Brett’s going to find out about
the baby one way or another. You two should talk as soon as
possible, Karen.”

“When the timing is right, I‘ll discuss it with
him. First, I need some time to adjust to the changes I’m
facing.”

“Are you going to continue working?”

“Of course. I’m
pregnant
, not an
invalid.”

“The boss is going to love this,” Eddie
replied. “Which reminds me, he wants to know how you
are.”

“I’ll give him the news on Monday. My pregnancy
won’t be as easy to hide from Mr. Sullivan.”

CHAPTER 31

“I don’t believe it,” Sullivan said when Karen
revealed the news. “Are you sure?”

“The doctor confirmed I was
pregnant.”

“No wonder you’ve been quieter than normal.
You’re okay?”

“Yes. Other than Phoebe and Eddie, I don’t want
anyone else to know, at least not yet.”

“I’m not an expert on women or anything, but I
don’t think that’s something you’re going to hide forever. I’m
guessing you’re going to have it?”

“I plan on carrying the baby to term,
yes.”

“Have you told Brett?”

“What? No.”

“Why?”

“He has enough on his mind without the news of
being an expectant father being dumped on him.”

“You’re going to have to tell him one way or
another.”

“I was considering raising the baby alone,”
Karen said. “I don’t even know if Brett’s ready for parenthood, and
now that he signed a TV contract for Orlando Wrestling, I’m even
less sure.”

Sullivan‘s voice filled with concern. “Could
you handle being a mother and still work?”

“I would like to think I’m mature enough to do
both. I thought it through over the weekend, and raising my son or
daughter alone right now would be the best decision. I’m earning
enough to support both of us, and even Dr. Saks said there’s no
real medical reason why I wouldn’t be able to have the
baby.”

“Your age, Ms. Montgomery
…
”

“A lot of women are starting families later in
life these days. Dr. Saks has referred me to an obstetrician who
has a stellar reputation of treating older mothers. I have my first
appointment on Friday.”

Sullivan leaned back in his chair. “I guess
there’s no point in discussing your situation further. I’m going to
cut back some of your field assignments, at least until after you
have the baby.”

“Is that necessary? I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will, but we don’t want our
mother-to-be put in the line of fire with how some people tend to
carry on at live wrestling shows. I can’t risk you getting hurt.
You do the general news pieces for now and I’ll send Romano out for
live coverage stories. He’s been pestering my ass to get away from
cartooning and do some real news pieces, and I think he’s
ready.”

“I suppose this means my going to Orlando next
week is scrapped?”

“No, I’ve arranged things with their press
office. It’s going to be your last field assignment, so make your
Orlando Wrestling story a good one.”

“I won’t bring back anything less,” she said.
And there will be no better time to go than the present while
I’m not showing.

*****

The move to Orlando was both exciting and
stressful for Brett. He had lived there several years before moving
to Los Angeles, and it felt good to be back on familiar territory.
When Orlando Wrestling president Stephanie Cross had contacted him
with a contract offer, Brett leaped at the chance. It was also
pleasant seeing old friends again from both his previous television
wrestling federation as well as the independent circuit.

Stephanie did everything to make sure Brett fit
in with the rest of the roster, even making him the surprise
opponent for OW’s next pay-per-view.

He was elated. “Are you
serious?”

“I can’t think of a better way for your debut.
How does having a chance for the Florida Middleweight Title against
Red Rodent sound?”

“Like you waste little time making your new
talent feel welcome.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.” Stephanie pushed a
sheet of paper across the desk. “Here’s your schedule for the next
two weeks.”

“Uh, yeah, I meant to ask about that. Is there
any possibility I could finish my independent
commitments?”

“How many dates do you have left?”

“I have a Dragonfly event in Chicago next week,
a date in Los Angeles the following week, and another in New York
in early February. Since the promoters are all old
friends
—
”

Stephanie stopped him, nodding. “It won’t be a
problem. We’ll put you in one television taping this week, and find
something for you in between. But try not to book anything else
until you check with the creative team after those
shows.”

“Thanks, Miss Cross. I appreciate
it.”

“Please call me Stephanie. You and I are going
to be working together, after all.”