X: The Hard Knocks Complete Story (37 page)

I nod as a tear rolls down my cheek. Loving Jorge would be so simple—a natural fit in the life I used to lead—but I’m a different person now, and I will not settle for lukewarm love. I want full-on passion or nothing at all.

He swipes away my tear with his thumb. “It’s okay, Anna. I always knew I would someday. You have more zest for life than anyone I’ve ever known. I’m not the right guy for you to find adventure with, but I’ll always be your friend.”

His sweet words cause a sob to rip out of my throat, and I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him as I cry. It’s then I finally realize how much I’ve changed. No matter what happens from this point on, I can no longer go back to the perfect church girl that Father always groomed me to be—not with a baby on the way. I have to figure out how to stand in this world on my own two feet.

M
y cell chimes
with a new text, and I motion to Corey to continue practicing the drills I gave him while I check my phone. I swipe the screen, and Deena’s name pops up with an attachment symbol next to it. I roll my eyes and click on the button.

This bitch doesn’t fucking give up.

I probably shouldn’t even look at whatever she’s sent because it’s most likely going to piss me off.

Curiosity wins out, and I open the attachment. It’s a photo, and when it loads, my heart nearly stops dead in my chest.

There, plain as day, is Anna hugging another man, and it’s not just a polite hug. She’s clinging to him while her face is buried in his chest. I shake my head, as if to clear my vision, and then lean in for a closer look.

Fuck.

She’s in a nice dress, and she has heels on while he’s in a suit. Were they on a fucking
date
?

I curl my fingers around the phone and fight the urge to chuck it across the room and shatter it into a million pieces.

It’s one thing to believe in the idea of letting her go, but it’s another when the fact that I’m no longer the man in her life is shoved in my face.

My nostrils flare as rage overtakes me.

I turn toward an empty punching bag and ram a hard right hook into it as I roar, “Goddamn it!”

I’ve fucked up.

I take back every thought I’ve ever had about letting Anna go because I can’t do it. She’s mine. I will do whatever it takes to get her back.

F
or the next two weeks
, I try to call Anna every day, but my calls go unanswered. I guess this is payback for me treating her the same way. She hasn’t been back to Detroit, and the only thing I know for sure is that she’s been staying at Brian and Liv’s house on her downtime while Tension tours the Northwest. The only ways I have to check on Anna now is through Brian or the times I’ve seen her on television.

I hate seeing Anna with Rex in this fucking stupid anti-Phenomenal X campaign that the writers have come up with to amp the drama between Rex and me, but I appreciate Tension putting her in the show. It makes it possible for me to gaze at her face, other than in my dreams.

One thing is clear. If I’m going to get Anna back, I need to get Tension to allow me to be back around her.

B
rian and Liv
are amazing people. In the past couple of weeks, they’ve taken me in during
Tension
’s downtime to help me save money. I confided in Liv that Xavier and I aren’t exactly on the best terms right now.

Liv sets a cup of coffee in front of me and slides into the seat next to me. “Are you sure you and Xavier won’t make up? He’s been ringing Brian’s phone off the hook.”

I frown, knowing I have close to a hundred missed calls from Xavier on my phone. “He should’ve answered instead of blowing me off when I tried to reach him before.”

“Don’t get me wrong when I say this, Anna—because, believe me, I would’ve been pissed if Brian ignored my calls—but is it possible for you to forgive Xavier? He knows he screwed up.”

I sigh. “I don’t know. Right now, I need distance from him. He hurt me really bad. I’m not sure I can trust him not to do it again, which is why I know I won’t be able to keep this job for much longer. I can’t work in a place where I’ll see him often and not be with him.”

“Leaving
Tension
is a pretty big deal. Many people would kill to work there.”

I take a sip of the warm liquid and then set my cup down. “I’m sure there are, but being a professional wrestler isn’t something I see for myself. I would quit now, but I want to save some money and get my own apartment when I move back to Detroit.”

The one thing I’ve decided is that the first step in making it by myself is to get a place of my own, one where I could bring my baby home and he or she would have its own room. Working for
Tension
until they lift Xavier’s suspension will allow me to build up enough money to get a modest two-bedroom place and then furnish it.

“What will you do for money?”

There’s concern in Liv’s voice, so I do my best to make her aware that I do have a plan to take care of myself.

“The other night, my cousin told me that I could get my old waitressing job back in Detroit.”

Liv sighs. “Sounds like you have it all mapped out. It makes me sad that things didn’t work out between you and Xavier. The two of you seemed to be so in love.”

“I thought the same thing. I was too naive to believe we’d ever split up.”

“Do you still love him?”

“Of course, I do,” I answer. “But I don’t think he loves me—or at least that he loves me enough. You don’t abandon the people you love.”

She gives me a small smile and then reaches over to pat my hand. “Sometimes, people get things wrong. No one’s perfect, and perhaps, he’s realized his mistake. Speaking to him and hearing what he has to say might be therapeutic for you even if you decide not to take him back. Closure is always a good thing.”

I nod, thinking of how I finally felt better about the whole Jorge situation after he and I spoke. Liv could be on to something. Maybe I should give Xavier a chance to explain himself.

After our show in Portland, I’m going to fly back to Detroit. It will be good to hear what he has to say and inform him that he’s about to become a father whether he’s with me or not.

I
take
a deep breath as I dial the number to the talent manager of
Tension
, and I say a little prayer that this plan of mine works.

It’s been over two weeks since I talked to Anna. I don’t blame her for not answering any of my calls. I would’ve given up on me, too. As hard as I’ve tried to get her out of my head, I can’t. Even if I’m not with her, I need to be around her to make sure she’s okay. I need to get back on the road in order to do that because being here in Detroit and not being able to see her is driving me fucking nuts.

On the second ring, a voice answers on the other end of the line, “Seaborne.”

I clear my throat, and for the first time in a long time, I’m nervous. “Hey, Chip. It’s X.”

“X, my man. What can I do for you?”

Next to Mr. Silverman, Chip Seaborne is the highest in the chain of command when it comes to what goes down at
Tension
, as far as the talent is concerned. If I can get him on board to take Corey on and allow me off my suspension so that I could train him, I’ll be able to be with Anna again—away from Bishop and the danger he poses to her.

“I wanted to talk to you about lifting my suspension.”

Chip sighs into the phone. “The boss was clear about you being off the show for a while. Besides, the storyline for your rivalry with Rex has already been set into motion.”

“I realize that, but I’m not asking to come back to get into the ring just yet.”

“Now, you’ve piqued my interest. Continue.”

“Well, since I’ve been off, I’ve been training back at my old gym in Detroit, and I think I’ve found a kid who has some talent. He’s still pretty green, but with the right training, I think he’s got the stuff,” I explain.

“And how does this involve you?” he questions.

“I’d like to help train him, but in order to do that, I need to get my formal suspension removed, so I can come back into the areas where Tension will be. Some one-on-one time with the trainers and some pre-show shadowing with me to get the feel of the business aspect of wrestling will be imperative for this guy.”

Chip is quiet for a few moments, but then the sound of a rush of air hits the phone. “All right, I’ll make it happen, but, X, I’m sticking my neck out here, so this kid had better be worth it.”

“Thanks, Chip. I appreciate it. I’ll have him at the next show in Portland.” I hit the button to end the call.

I turn to where Corey and Cole are sitting on the edge of the ring, waiting for me to give them the verdict.

Corey leans forward, every inch of him anxious to hear the news. “Well? What did he say?”

My mouth pulls up into a one-sided grin, and I can’t hide how fucking happy the news makes me. “Pack your bags, asshole. We’re going to Portland.”

Corey pumps his fist in the air before he runs over and throws his arms around me in a huge bear hug. “Thank you. This never would have happened without you. I promise to make you proud.”

It feels good to help him in this way. I see a lot of myself in Corey, and if it hadn’t been for people helping me out in this fucked-up world, I would probably be dead by now.

I thump him on the back just before he releases me. “I know you will.”

E
verything
from the plane ride to being in a taxi is a new experience for Corey. The kid’s never been out of Detroit, so every little fucking thing amazes the kid. I swear to God, he would be poking his head out the window like an excited dog if I allowed it.

“Wow, look at how fucking green it is here,” Corey says as he stares out the window of the cab. “All you see in Detroit is concrete and garbage.”

I’ve traveled the world with Tension, but it was only about ten years ago when things were new to me, too, so I let the kid have his moment.

We pull up to a motel about fifteen blocks away from the place where all the other talent is staying, and we get out of the cab. Staying in a run-down dive won’t bother Corey in the slightest because he lives rougher than this, but it’s hard for me to go back to the roach motels after growing accustomed to the finer hotels in the city.

We check in and toss our bags in the room, so we can head down to the other hotel and catch a free ride over to the arena where Tuesday
Tension
will be tonight.

When we walk up to the hotel, I spot the black Escalade that usually drives me around. I nudge Corey’s arm and point at it, indicating which one we need to get in. “There’s Tension’s shuttle.”

I tap the glass on the passenger side window. Tim, a heavyset man with a mustache, unlocks the vehicle when he spots me, allowing me to slide into the back.

“Hello, X,” Deena’s voice purrs next to me. “I didn’t know you were back already.”

The muscles in my back tense, and I hop out of the backseat, wanting to get as far away from her as possible.

There’s no way in hell I’m going to sit next to that vindictive bitch.

Corey tilts his head, and I jerk my thumb over my shoulder as I open the front passenger door. “You take the back.”

Corey shrugs and gets in, having no idea that he’s about to sit next to a fucking dragon.

I slam the door a little harder than I meant to, and then the vehicle begins to move, taking us in the direction of the arena.

“And who might you be?” Deena asks.

I resist the urge to tell her that it’s none of her damn business and that she needs to keep her hooks out of the kid.

“Corey Trulove,” he answers proudly.

Without even seeing his face, I can tell that he’s grinning.

“That’s cute,” she tells him in the fake flirty tone she once used on me.

Deena has a killer body, and until you get to know the true evil that lives inside her, she has a way of fooling people into believing that she’s actually a pleasant human to be around.

The Escalade pulls up to the back door, and I get out of the SUV as fast as I can, wanting distance between Deena and me before I snap on her bitch ass.

Freddy grins when he notices me. “What’s up, X? I saw your name on the roster today. I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay gone for too long. It’s good to see you. Rex is about to get on my last damn nerve, bragging on how he’s taking the belt from Brian. Now that you’re here, hopefully, he’ll shut his damn mouth.”

I laugh. “Don’t even trip, Freddy. Rex might have the belt for a minute, but you know I’ll be coming for his ass as soon as I’m allowed back in that ring. I didn’t quite get to finish the job last time.”

“We’ll see about that,” Deena cuts in as she passes by Freddy and me with a wicked smile before making her way inside the building.

“She’s such a fucking bitch,” I mutter when the door closes behind her. “Why in the fuck did I ever mess around with that?”

“Beats me,” Freddy answers. “No piece of ass is worth her shit.”

God, is he ever fucking right about that. She’s been nothing but a fucking headache since I slipped her my dick.

“Yo, you tapped that?” Corey asks as he flanks my side with an expression of awe on his face. “Bro, she’s a fucking ten.”

I lift one eyebrow. “Easy, kid. That one might look good, but her bite is pure venom. Stay far away from her.”

Corey nods with a serious expression on his face. It’s nice to see that he takes my words as gospel.

While I have his attention, I feel an introduction is in order. “Kid, this is Freddy, the eyes of
Tension
. He knows everyone, and he’s an excellent judge of character. Freddy, meet Corey Trulove.”

Freddy chuckles as he shakes Corey’s hand. “I’m only about ninety percent right when it comes to people. Occasionally, I misjudge young punks from Detroit, especially one who calls himself Phenomenal X. I had that guy pegged as a douche bag, and he proved me wrong.”

I laugh. “Ninety percent? Are you admitting that Rex was your other mistake when you told me he was a good guy?”

“He
was
until he got so hung up on having the world championship attached to his name.”

I shake my head as I remember when I actually considered Rex to be a friend—that was, until he started playing dirty, cheating his way through matches. “He changed big time, and I owe him another ass-kicking to bring him down a couple of notches.”

“Careful, X,” Freddy warns. “Don’t go fucking up your career. Mr. Silverman might have pulled some strings to make shit disappear for you, but I highly doubt that he’ll do it again. He’s not exactly known for being the forgiving type.”

No matter what the media and the rest of the staff at Tension are led to believe about what happened in the ring back in Atlanta, Freddy knows all too well about the real shit between me and Rex. He was the guy always making sure things didn’t get out of control between us.

I pat Freddy on the back. “I’ve got myself under control now. Fighting for real—I’ve tried to tame that shit. My temper has fucked up a lot of good things for me.”

“Good.” He rubs the scalp on his bald head. “I’m getting too old to keep breaking up your fights. You’re a strong son of a bitch.” Freddy checks his clipboard and then allows a couple of more wrestlers who I recognize into the building. After they pass, he turns to me. “You going inside or what?”

I nod toward the door, and even though I need to keep my distance, I can’t help but ask, “Anna already in there?”

Freddy shakes his head. “Not yet, but she typically comes in only a few minutes early, not hours like most of you others who want to get workouts in before the show.”

I smile, knowing Anna isn’t into pumping iron in the weight room with the rest of us. She’d only sit and watch me. “Then, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll wait out here with you. The kid can go in and explore if he wants though.”

Freddy nods as he pulls a backstage pass out and hands it to Corey. “Go ahead, kid. Knock yourself out.”

“Fuck yeah!” No one has to tell him twice. Corey slips the lanyard over his head and heads inside.

I stand next to Freddy as I await Anna’s arrival.

If I’m being honest, I’m nervous as fuck about what she’s going to say when she sees me after I ignored her calls the way I did. She’s going to be pissed—that’s a given—but I pray to God that it’s not too late to earn her forgiveness. At least, I hope she’ll let me back into her life as a friend. I need her in my life some way even though I’m not the right man to claim her.

Freddy glances down at his watch. “I’m sure she’ll be here any minute.”

I nod, knowing Freddy’s sensing my tension and attempting to calm me down, but it does nothing to curb my anxiety.

I lean back against the wall and fold my arms over my chest as a blue Audi pulls up to the back entrance. At first, I don’t pay it much attention because it’s not a
Tension
-owned vehicle that shuttles the talent to and from the hotel, but when the passenger shoves her dark brown hair over her shoulder, it immediately catches my attention.

Anna is sitting inside the car, speaking animatedly with the driver. I squint my eyes to focus better on the driver, and when I realize it’s the same guy I saw her hugging in the photo, I curl my hands into fists and march over to the car. My jealousy completely takes over and throws my promise to myself to control my goddamn temper right out the fucking window.