The Cruiserweight (31 page)

“Are you fucking deaf? It’s going to be my last
match with Dragonfly, and he wants you to be part of
it.”

“What, so I’m now the second lead? Nice of
Graham to think so well of me.”

“Is getting a bonus and having our names
printed among a couple others on the promotional posters so
terrible?”

“Wait, back up! What?”

“Glad I got your attention that
time.”

“Okay, so who are we supposed to
face?”

“Joey Exler and Sonic Boom.”

“Jesus, why didn’t you say so in the beginning?
I’ve been wanting to kick Sonic’s scrawny ass forever.”

“News flash, bro; Boom’s bulked up in the last
year or so.”

“I can still take him on.”

“Guess I can tell Graham you’re in?”

“Damn right. I always liked a good
challenge.”

“Cool. See you next week. Bring your muscles
and your best game face, man.”

*****

Once word leaked that Patrick Sanchez-Garcia
and Brett Kerrigan were teaming against Joey Exler and Sonic Boom
at Dragonfly’s pay-per-view, ticket sales rose. The two front rows
of seats sold out within two days, and the remaining tickets also
sold quickly.

“Let’s make my last night with Dragonfly a good
one,” Brett said as he and Patrick prepared in the locker
room.

“Wouldn’t think of any other way. I‘m ready to
rumble!”

“Whoa, holmes, it’s Dragonfly; we’re not going
for international tag titles or anything. Save your energy for the
important moments.”

“I know, but hell, it’s not like we work
together very often these days.”

Brett grinned. “Whose fault is
that?”

“Yours. Fucking workaholic who signed with
Orlando Wrestling,” Patrick replied, laughing.

“You’d be with them too if you hadn’t blown off
a tag match the last minute and trashed every big wrestling
promotion in your vids. Seriously, dude, you need to tone stuff
down a bit. Haven’t you burned enough bridges?”

“Kind of cutting down on wrestling anyway.
Besides, you spoke on certain things.”

“Right, but I’m not the one who’s on YouTube
twice a week.” He patted Patrick’s shoulder. “Ready to tear it up
for our devoted fans?”

“After you, my man,” Patrick said, following
Brett out of the locker room.

*****

Before the event settled into a traditional tag
match. Brett and Patrick worked over Exler. Sonic Boom made the hot
tag and cleaned house with drop kicks, and then hit a space flying
tiger drop to the outside on the pair. Exler executed a springboard
450 splash.

Patrick rose and superkicked Sonic into Brett,
who slammed him down. Exler jumped in and it settled down to
Patrick and Sonic, before Patrick nailed a tornado DDT. Exler
nailed a standing splash and ran Brett over the top to the
floor.

Patrick went up for a 450 splash, but Sonic
pulled him back down. Sonic attempted a 630 splash but Patrick
pulled up his knees. Brett began slapping Exler, who clotheslined
him. Brett kicked Exler and nailed a perfect Slice of Kerrigan
before he locked in a camel clutch.

Exler escaped and rolled up Brett for a two
count. Exler locked in his choke on Brett Patrick attempted to help
Brett out of his predicament, but not before Sonic hit a
springboard dropkick. Brett had no choice but to tap out, giving
Sonic Boom and Joey Exler the win.

As the match stipulated, Brett had to “leave”
Dragonfly, but not before Patrick attacked Sonic, lowblowed him,
and topped off the post-match attack with a piledriver.

“Thank you, Kerrigan!” chants vibrated the
building as fans expressed their appreciation. Brett felt sorry to
leave Dragonfly, but the time to move forward with his career had
arrived.

“How about grabbing a few beers?” Brett asked
after they dressed in street clothes. “No better night to
celebrate, even if I did lose.”

“If you’re buying, I’m drinking,” Patrick
answered.

“Nice to know you being a mooch will never
change. Come on, Chico, let’s break out of here.”

CHAPTER 55

“You’ve gotten so big,” Phoebe said, patting
Karen’s stomach. “How do you feel?”

“Outside having to pee every thirty seconds,
everything’s fine.” Karen glanced in a mirror. “Do I look that
huge? I didn’t think I showed much.”

“You’re gorgeous. Before you know it, the baby
will here.”

“Thank God. I feel like I’m carrying around a
bowling ball. No more kids. At forty-eight, I’m too old for this
kind of song and dance.”

“Any idea what you’re having?”

“Dr. Sheppard does, but I didn’t want him to
tell me. I both like the element of surprise and to keep Brett
guessing.”

“Is the baby
…
?”

“Healthy,” Karen answered, nodding. “Very
healthy. One of the benefits of clean living.”

“Did you talk to Brett?”

“About two weeks ago, in fact. He wants me to
move to Orlando with him after the baby‘s born.”

“Seriously?”

“Uh huh. I was shocked at first, but then I
began to like the idea. Sure, it’s going to be an adjustment, since
I’ve lived here all of my life, but I think it will be nice to live
in a place where I won’t have to worry about digging my way out of
the house every year between December and March.”

“Just hurricane season,” Phoebe replied, “not
to mention snakes and crocodiles in your front yard. Nice place to
raise a child.”

“If a hurricane should happen, there’s plenty
of advance warnings by the weather service. As for critters on
lawns, Brett‘s in an apartment building, so it‘s not like yard work
will be a concern.”

“You’ve really thought it over, haven’t
you?”

“Yes, and once I get postnatal care settled and
cleared to travel, I’m making the move.”

“Just send pictures and invite me and Eddie
down once in awhile.”

“I will, especially during the
winter.”

“Yeah, if this coming winter is anything like
last year. I don’t think I could go through another nightmare of
twenty-four inches of snow falling overnight.”

“Who could?”

“By the way,” Phoebe handed Karen an envelope,
“this is from Mr. Sullivan.”

Karen opened it and pulled out a gift card.
“What’s this?”

Phoebe shrugged. “He said go get some baby
stuff or something.”

“Hundred dollars doesn’t go far these days,
especially for babies.”

“He doesn’t exactly have experience with
expectant mothers.”

“True, and it’s the thought that
counts.”

“Are you going to tell him about relocating to
Orlando?” Phoebe asked.

“Won’t have a choice once Brett gets a bigger
place and the baby’s room ready, and then I have to give my manager
thirty days’ notice that I’m moving once I’m cleared by Dr.
Sheppard. Right now, I’m taking things day by day, starting with
waiting for the day when I give birth, which feels like it’s taking
forever to come.”

*****

“Stephanie,” Brett said during a meeting with
Orlando Wrestling president Stephanie Cross, “I know there’s a lot
of talent on your roster, but I’m feeling kind of frustrated. Not
only did I lose the last two pay-per-view shots for the Florida
Championship, but I haven’t been on television in over a month. I
haven’t even done a lousy house show in two weeks. If I don’t work,
I don’t get paid, and I have a kid on the way. Now, I’ve all but
cut down on my indy wrestling appearances so I could put most of my
concentration here, yet I’m not getting much screen time. What’s
happening?”

“I’ll admit the writing team didn’t have
anything for you lately, Brett,” she replied. “But after reading a
lot of feedback from fans, I’ve come up with a new idea to
highlight the Florida Championship race, and yes, you’re going to
play a main role.”

“Lose again, right?”

“Outcome hasn’t been decided, but if it comes
down to me getting the final say, the answer is no.” She smiled.
“You’ve been one of our more loyal and dedicated wrestlers since
you’ve signed with Orlando Wrestling, which was one reason I gave
you a long-term deal. As of today, I’m also adding a clause to that
deal that you’ll be paid, whether you’re used on the air or
not.”

Brett was taken aback by the news.
“Really?”

“I have a family of my own, Brett. I know what
being a new parent is like.”

“This is great! So this new Florida
Championship story line, is there going to be another feud, or am I
continuing the one with Donnie Fellowes?”

“You’ll do a program with Donnie and a couple
of others.”

“Sounds great! More guys, the
better.”

“That’s one thing I always liked about you,
always open to new ideas.”

“It’s also nice to have a boss who listens to
both the wrestlers and fans. Thanks, Stephanie. I’m glad you took
the time to meet with me today.”

“Door’s open any time. By the way, you’re on
the schedule for this week’s television taping. Don’t forget to
pick up your script out front.”

CHAPTER 56

Posted by Stephanie Cross on Twitter:
“Look
for some new Florida Championship action coming up in the next
several weeks. Brett Kerrigan fans, keep watching!”

Karen was pleased to read the news.
Wow, and
to think I was ready to give up on Orlando Wrestling. Brett’s had
no TV time for about a month or more.

Her phone rang, and checking the Caller ID, she
smiled and shook her head. “Wonder what Eddie wants?” she asked
before pushing the
Talk
button on her phone.

“Hey, K! Guess what?”

“You were offered a six-figure deal with
ESPN.”

“In my dreams. No, I got a tip from one of my
sources down in Florida about Kerrigan.”

“This should be a barrel of laughs. Do
entertain me.”

“Okay, here’s the story. Supposedly, there’s a
shake up within the Florida Championship division. Going to crown a
new champ within the next month or so, and buzz is going around
that Kerrigan could be up for it.”

“News sites speculated that for
months.”

“Those wannabe journalists write bullshit all
of the time just to get hits on their websites. I got this straight
from my backstage source at Orlando Wrestling.”

“Who, the janitor?”

“You’re a smarty pants. Pregnancy hormones in
full throttle?”

“Just skeptical, that’s all.”

“Rest assured my source is not the janitor.
He’s on the writing team.”

“Can’t they get in trouble for revealing future
story lines?”

“Have to be busted first, and my source is
careful. You’re the only one who knows what’s happening so far, and
I‘m pushing it by telling you. I haven’t even said anything to
Pheebs.”

“Just be careful leaking things like that,
Eddie. Much as I appreciate the heads up, you don’t know who else
is listening.”

“So noted. I might be over later to check on
you and the bun in your oven. Need anything?”

“The biggest chocolate milkshake you can
find.”

“Jesus, you women and your
chocolate.”

“Blame this on the baby,” Karen said,
laughing.

“Has to be a girl if you’re craving chocolate
that bad. Okay, little mother, got to go; Sullivan came out of his
office, and he’s headed my way with the world-famous ‘rod stuck up
his ass’ look. I’ll talk to you later.”

CHAPTER 57

Backstage during a television taping the
following Monday night, longtime ring legend Martin Franks was
holding his ankle as Tim Doss complained first, they lost three
other guys, and now they've lost Martin. “What the fuck are we
supposed to do, Marty?” Doss asked. “We’re short on
help.”

Brett couldn’t help overhearing, and he came
into the dressing room to offer his services. “Guys, I know I’m not
the ideal person, I’m not one of the New Legend Extremes, but this
isn’t just for the group, it’s for everyone, because Marty’s
out.”

“Not a good idea to get involved, Kerrigan,”
Doss replied.

“But I love what you've created and I want to
create with you.”

“What part of ‘hell no’ don’t you
understand?”

Franks spoke up. “Hey, I’m the only man in this
room who’s going to name my replacement. Kerrigan, you’re fucking
nuts. That alone makes you perfect for the New Legend Extremes. Get
your ass out there and me proud, bro.”

“Okay, you’re in,” Doss said to Brett, “but you
have no idea what you’re about to get into.”