The Rematch (Wrestling Diaries #2) (2 page)

  And in that moment I think I fell in love with him a little bit.

November 27

  I cried after I dropped off Denver at the airport. Just before he got out of the car he leaned over and kissed me. It wasn’t earth shattering, but it held a sweet promise of our new relationship.

  “Let me know where you’re going this week and maybe we can work something out.”

  I traveled more with my new job, but usually didn’t know where I was going until the last minute.

  “I will,” I promised.

  He got out of the car and my eyes filled with tears. I drove off before he had the chance to turn and see me.

  Our short time together was wonderful. He made everything seem brighter. It wasn’t until he made me laugh until I cried that I realized how depressed I’d been over Mesquite. But not anymore. Now I felt alive. And it was all thanks to Denver.

  I sent him a text.

  Me: <3

  Denver: <3 <3 <3

  It was silly, but I wiped away the tears and found myself smiling the rest of the way home.

December 2

  Strong arms wrapped around me from behind and I knew who it was without looking. Denver leaned down and kissed me on the cheek.

  “Jamie. I’ve missed you.”

  My name sounded so sexy with his British accent. I voiced my thought and he nipped my earlobe with his teeth, sending goosebumps across my skin. I shooed him away, but he didn’t budge. Instead he held me closer… and I liked it.

  “If you like the way your name sounds coming from my mouth just wait until I talk dirty to you,” he said into my ear.

  This time I laughed. “Denver, you agreed…”

  I couldn’t help but shiver again, though.

  “I know. I know. We’re ‘just friends’ or some bullshit like that.” He sighed dramatically. “Just once I’d like to meet a girl who didn’t friend-zone me.”

  I knew he was mostly kidding.

  “I said I’d go on a date with you--”

  “Sweet Jamie - I’m not naïve. I know where we stand. But, since you did agree to a date I’m going to make sure we have a hell of a time.” He glanced at his phone and asked, “Are you ready to go? I don’t want to get fined.”

  It was strange how one minute I could be fine and then suddenly be reminded of Mesquite. Denver had been fined before because Mesquite was a slow driver and they used to travel together. I shoved the thought away and smiled at Denver. Hopefully he hadn’t noticed.

  “I’m ready when you are.”

  We walked outside and I cursed myself for not bringing a coat. I’d thought my leather jacket would be warm enough, but I was wrong. Denver stopped walking and took off his coat. He draped it over my shoulders and winked at me. Oh, he was giving this his best shot.

  “What are we going to say if anyone asks what we’re doing together?”

  Denver shrugged. “What does it matter what people say?”

  I had recently broken up with one of the top stars. People were going to talk. And call me names. And say horrible things about Denver, who didn’t deserve it. Rubbing my forehead I wondered if I had made a mistake by coming.

  We reached the rental car and Denver opened the door for me.

  “LaTonya is here. She’ll give you backup if you need any.”

  I hadn’t known she was coming, but I was relieved. She’d have my back without a doubt and probably some advice since she’d been in the same situation before.

  We arrived to the arena with a few minutes to spare. Denver left me the keys in case I needed to leave, which let me know he was worried that people were going to talk, too.

  Inside, he took me to the common area where craft services were set up. Thank god LaTonya was sitting at a table. She waved me over and I noticed some of the talent whispering to each other. Probably about me.
Great
.

  Denver kissed me on the cheek and said into my ear, “You’ve got this.”

  He slapped me on the butt before leaving. I strolled across the room to the table my friend was at and avoided making eye contact with anyone else.

  “This is so awkward,” I groaned as I sat.

  She pushed a diet soda toward me and replied, “We can always go to Richmond’s bus if you want. He’s out doing a press tour today.”

  “Do you think people are talking about me?”

  Her eyebrow lifted. “Girl. It doesn’t matter what people are talking about. The only thing you need to be concerned about is yourself.”

  She had a point.

  “You’re right.”

  “I know I am. Now drink up. I want to check out the mall before the show tonight.”

  Moments like this made me appreciated having a best friend who understood what I was going through.

December 3

  I should have known he’d call. I mean… really. Was I that naïve? Apparently I was. The number was unknown, so I didn’t answer and sent the call to voicemail. The air left my lungs in a rush when listened to the message and heard his voice. In that split second I longed for him.

  That feeling was quickly replaced by anger, though, when I hear what he had to say.

  “Jamie, what in the hell is going on? I’ve been getting calls that you and Denver are together. Is this some kind of joke? I didn’t peg you as the petty type.”

  Petty? What had I done that was petty? I tried to call the number back, but got an automated response.

  Denver came from the bathroom with a towel around his waist.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Fucking Mesquite called.”

  “Ah.”

  “That’s all you have to say? Really?”

  Denver went to his bag and pulled out a pair of boxers. He let the towel fall and I turned my head. I knew sharing a room with him was a bad idea.

  “You can look now.”

  Just to be safe I waited a few seconds before turning.

   I said, “You don’t seem surprised.”

  “He called me, too. Must have been after he couldn’t get you.”

  My heart leapt.

  “What did he say?”

  He shrugged. “The usual. I’m an asshole for getting with you. Blah. Blah. Blah.”

  “And you said?”

  He put on his black slacks before replying, “I told him what you or I did was none of his business.”

  “So you didn’t deny it?”

  “Did you want me to?”

  I chewed on my bottom lip.
Did I?
Why did I even care what Mesquite thought? That was the real freaking question.

  Denver sat next to me on the bed. “Listen honey, I’m not trying to make your life more difficult, but Mesquite needs to sweat this out a bit. He was an asshole to you. He chose someone else and you deserve to be happy, too. So let him think whatever the fuck he wants.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Damn straight I’m right!”

  I sighed. “And he
was
an asshole…”

  “Hell yeah he was.” Denver leaned in. “Plus I’m not going to let him screw me out of my date with a pretty lady.”

  Laughing, I replied, “You’re determined to get this date, aren’t you?”

  “I am.” He stood. “But not this trip, I fear.”

  This was news to me.

  “Why?”

  I’d thought we’d be going out later that night. I even picked my outfit with that in mind, lingerie and all.

  “Since Mesquite is out, they are looking at making me the next rival for Richmond. I might even get a title shot, but that means less free time.”

  “Denver, that’s great!”

  He gave me a mischievous smile. “It’s true. Some guys do have it all. The title, the girl, and the money.”

  This made me laugh. That’s one thing about Denver I was starting to appreciate more and more - he always knew what to say to make me smile.

December 4

  When my phone rang with an unknown number I was prepared.

  “Hello?”

  “I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.”

  His deep voice still sent shivers down my spine. I hated the he still affected me.

  “Well, after that last message I thought I should at least get a chance to reply.”

  There was a loud noise in the background.

  “What was that?”

  “Sorry. We’re on set and they’re getting the pyros ready.”

  Static buzzed and I wondered if I’d lost him.

  “Mesquite?”

  “I’m here.” He sighed. “I have no right to even be upset with you.”

  “I know.”

  “But I am. Jamie – Denver? Really?”

  His tone said it all. He thought I was awful for dating Denver. I didn’t correct him on his assumption.

  “Mesquite, what it boils down to is that you made your choice. You picked her. Not me.”

  It still hurt saying the words, but it was the truth.

  I went on, “I understand that you are upset, but it really doesn’t matter.”

  “But what if it did? What if I was wrong?”

  Part of me had known he was going to say that.

  “Goodbye, Mesquite.”

December 6

  LaTonya came to visit me today. The last time she’d been at my house my entire world fell apart.

  She hugged me. “I promise I’m not bearing bad news for you this time.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  I grabbed two glasses and a bottle of white wine. Tucking my leg underneath me, I sat next to her on the couch.

  “I
am
curious why you’re here.”

  She stared at her glass. “I’m here because now I’m the one with a problem. I think Richmond is cheating on me.”

  “Did something happen?”

  “Ever since he won the title he’s been acting distant. I thought it was the added duties at first, but then I saw something on Instagram that has me questioning everything.”

  When it came to dating a celebrity the Internet was your biggest enemy. People could attack you from every angle and there really wasn’t a way to protect yourself unless you stayed off it completely, which was nearly impossible.
  “What did you see?”

  She pulled out her phone and showed me the photo.
Ouch
. Richmond sat in a booth at a club next to a beautiful woman with coffee colored skin. They were leaning into each other and his arm was around her shoulder. It wasn’t overly suggestive, but I could see why she was worried.

  “LaTonya, have you asked him?”

  “I’m scared. We all know wrestlers aren’t the most faithful creatures.”

  I frowned at the thought. Some were, if it was the right person.

  “You need to talk to him. And you need to be prepared to hear his answer.”

  She took a sip of wine. “I just thought I was enough for him. Maybe I’m not.”

  “No, this has nothing to do with you. If he’s cheating, then it’s on him - not you!”

  I’d learned that the hard way. I didn’t want to tell her that she would blame herself, though. Nothing anyone said would stop this from happening. And she’d feel like she was falling down a dark hole with nothing to save her.

  “It still makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong. Like I’m lacking.”

  I patted her knee. “Just talk to him. And do it in person. Something like this doesn’t need to be done over the phone, especially a text message.”

  Texting was always a tricky game. You never knew the tone the other person was using. And with this already being a sensitive subject, she didn’t need the added stress.

  “You’re right. Hopefully it’s nothing.”

  We chatted a bit longer before she left. She promised she’d wait to talk to Richmond face to face. When she was gone I looked at my phone. Mesquite hadn’t tried to contact me and I was glad.

  Kind of.

  Mostly.

  Hell, I didn’t even know anymore.

December 9

  LaTonya got her answer. She was vague, but I didn’t pressure her. As long as she was happy…

December 12

  Denver asked if he could spend the holiday with me. Since I’m boycotting my family get-together, I agreed. We decided to go somewhere warm. He suggested Florida first, but quickly said Cancun when he realized who else lived in Florida.

  Christmas in Mexico? I’m not complaining about that!

December 13