Breakdown 2-18-21 #2
{{Monday, February 15th
Kenner}}
Today was meant to be a good day.
Valentine's Day yesterday was amazing. Honestly, everything between me and Dom since our anniversary last week has been amazing. It reminds me of how things were when we first got together, officially. The day was just like any other until evening. Then we dressed up almost as sharp as if we were going to some movie event, and we went to dinner at an upscale steakhouse across the river called The Red Maple. It was out of the way, the building is a renovated old house, and we had an amazing time. Our server recognized us both but was very subtle about it, and did her best to keep others who saw us at a distance so we'd have privacy. In gratitude, we left her a rather sizable tip. When we got home, Jaina wasn't in the house. I didn't have to guess where she was, she had told me what happened with Reece last week. Knowing the house was all ours yet again, Dom and I made full use of the privacy. It was far too cold to swim even in heated water, we were having a freak cold snap... but it was warm and cozy in our bedroom with the fireplace roaring.
I woke up this morning with the afterglow of a romantic and, I'll say it, sexy, night before. But fun time was over and it was time to hit the ground running and get ready for this gauntlet. Fourteen people – was supposed to be fifteen but Cookie Dreams pulled herself from the event for some reason, whatever – were going to give everything they had to dethrone me and I had to be ready for each and every one of them, as the draw order was meant to be random. I had no idea if I would be made to start off and go the distance to keep my championship, if I would walk out last and face the person who was standing after the fourteen of them fought... or somewhere in the middle. Luckily, Andrew had agreed to come back to New Orleans and help me prepare again. This time there was something in it for him, too, not that he needed a quid pro quo to help me... but he had a World Championship match coming up just days after mine, for GCW. A fatal four way, and he could use the extra preparation, too. He arrived yesterday afternoon, I had invited him to stay with us, since I had guest rooms again now that Sienna and Xiomara went home. But he insisted on a hotel, he didn't want to be in the way. I love that guy like a brother but he can be hardheaded when he wants to be.
Anyway, I'd been awake an hour or so, Andrew and I had agreed to meet at the gym in about another hour, we were taking the whole day for an intensive training session. I had no idea yet what the day would actually hold as I sat at the table with my breakfast and coffee, thinking about a few days prior, when I had gone to BlackOut Academy to speak to Amy's students. My message that day? Warning them about the ways the wrestling business could and would test them....
{{Wednesday, February 10th
Gretna, LA}}
Amy recently asked me to go by the Academy when I had a spare day and speak to her students. I had done so a while back, not long after she opened the academy, but she had a whole new class now and she wanted them to hear my perspective. I couldn't say no after she'd spoken to Sienna like I asked her, even if that led nowhere. Not that I would have said no anyway, but I owed it to her to give it my best. And the day before Breakdown where Andrew and I would be hoping to finish the Tag League with victory was the day.
I walk into CrescentCity Fitness, my brother's gym and the building where Amy's BlackOut Academy occupies the second floor. I give the girl at the reception desk a wave, then head upstairs. Amy smiles when she sees me. I look around the room – there are about a dozen students, along with the other trainers, Simon Lyman and Jeff Alexander. Jason Helms helps sometimes when he's here, but he must not be in town, because I don't see him. Whatever the reason why, I'm glad I don't have to deal with him, I last saw him in Denver when he was in David's corner and I was in no mood to see him anytime soon and listen to any of his bullshit. Anyway, Simon waves at me and Jeff gives me a nod as I walk past towards Amy. I notice the students looking at me, some in awe, some with what looks like contempt. It's fine, we'll see how they feel when I'm done. Amy greets me with a hug.
“Hey, thanks for coming.”
“Of course, you asked me to. So, what's up first?”
“Well, you. Just like last time you did this, this is your time. Tell them whatever you want.”
“Okay.”
Amy stands back as I get into the ring. Jeff slides a chair into the ring for me. I unfold it, then ask the students to come in the ring, too. I'm not on TV, I don't want to look like I'm dictating from on high. I want them in the ring with me, on equal footing. They all sit on the mat in front of me. It looks like an adult version of Story Time in kindergarten. A quick glance at the crowd of them tells me the group is about half men and half women. One woman is probably at least six feet tall, taller than most of the guys. One guy seems totally enraptured by the fact I'm here, he made sure to sit in the front of the group.
“Good morning, babes. I'm sure you know who I am but just in case you don't.... I'm Bree Lancaster, I work for SCW, and I am the World Champion. Amy asked me to come in and speak with you, give you my perspective on the wrestling business, offer advice based on my experiences, that kind of thing. But before we do any of that, how about you all tell me your names?"
I point at the woman on the far left to start, and they go around.
"Lynn."
"Marcus."
"Lizzy."
"Marisol."
"Jack."
"Brandon."
"Ashlynn."
"Christine."
"Mike."
"Amanda."
"Spencer."
The last guy is the one who pushed himself up to the front of the group, and looks absolutely enamored by me. This should be interesting.
"Thank you. I'll probably forget them all, just so you know." They laugh, and I grin. "Okay, so. As you more than likely know, Amy and I are family, I've known her literally my whole life. She trained me. But, she and I have some different views on a few things, and I know that she wants you all to hear from as many sides or points of view as possible, so you can decide for yourselves what works for you. If you've followed wrestling for at least a few years, then you know that Amy and I's differences came to a pretty nasty head a few years ago-”
“That was the knee injury, right?” A woman, I think Amanda? asks. I'm not even mad about the interruption.
“Yes... which I regret, it was never my intention to hurt her like that. Maybe some other people...”
I smirk, and see a few in return. “-but not my sister.” I see nods. I figure I didn't have to explain that comment, Amy has likely already told them how we are related, if they didn't already know before coming here.
“And that leads me to the first thing I want to talk about. In this business you will make friends, close friends. You may have relatives in the business. You'll probably hook up with or date at least one other wrestler during your career. It's almost inevitable, you spend so much time together on the road. And the business will test those relationships. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Every single major relationship I had or have has been tested by the wrestling business. Family, friends, lovers. Some survived, some didn't. The ones that did, it hasn't always been easy. Arguments get heated, burn out of control sometimes. It takes patience and understanding to put the flames out. Sometimes that doesn't happen though, and the flames just burn bridges instead. I can't tell you how to keep the flames from getting out of control. That's up to you. What you decide in your head and your heart what you will and won't tolerate. And it might be different levels of tolerance for different people. There are things that my best friend Sienna says to me, that I would slap anyone else for having the gall to say to my face.”
That gets some laughter. I giggle a little.
“But again, that's all dependent on your personal feelings, your boundaries. This is a tough business, and I don't mean just physically. It will wear you down mentally. In large part because of the things that will come along that test your relationships. But what I want to make sure you understand, is that most of those issues that will test you, all come down to passion. Does that make sense?”
I see a few nods yes, but also some confused looks. “Like... love?” That was my fan, Spencer.
“In some cases. But I meant passion for the business itself. Some people have it in abundance. Some people are only doing this for the money, or the attention. Yes, I know that sounds strange coming from me, I do love attention.. and money, as long as I'm being honest here. But I love this business just as much. I grew up around it, it's in my blood. My older brother owned a wrestling company. It was at its height when he died. All I ever wanted was to be a part of the business he loved. There are a lot of people who don't care for the way I go about doing that, but whether someone loves me or hates me, they can't deny I am passionate about everything I do. When you clash with someone, there is a good chance it will be because their brand of passion is different than yours. There's also a chance that it's because one of you doesn't think the other has it, so it becomes an issue of respect. There are a lot of people I dislike in this business. But I can respect them, because I know whatever they're doing comes from a love and passion for wrestling. Take my association with Tommy Valentine. We're not friends. We fought twice last year. We have common enemies but we want the same thing... the title I carry. I respect him because he's very talented, and I know he cares about the sport as much as I do. I mean, he runs a school just like this one in California. Do I like him? Not particularly. I don't dislike him, but...” I shrug. That gets a few more laughs. “On the other hand, take Syren.” I glare. “It might look like she's passionate about the business, because she's always screaming about title shots. But she really isn't, in my opinion. I think she's just greedy, and lazy. She doesn't want to earn anything, she wants it handed to her. The only thing she has passion for is herself. I can't respect that.”
“Some people call you greedy and selfish, though.” Her name I remember, tall woman called Lynn.
“Yes, they do. Those who don't understand me. And no amount of explaining myself will change their opinions. Some of you may even dislike me. I'm okay with that, because I will remain true to myself regardless. And when the time comes that you are on a major promotion's roster and making names for yourselves, you should do the same. Don't let anyone or anything sway you from what you believe in, what you stand for. Even if that is just yourself and your own gain, like Syren. I will give her credit for that, she is steadfast in her convictions, even though I fundamentally disagree with everything she stands for.”
“Even if it costs us friendships, or relationships?” Spencer again.
“That's up to you, how far you're willing to go. What you're willing to tolerate from others. I will give you two personal examples, they're both well known anyway. Some people I chose to let go of because of the stand they took, like Jordan Majors. She stood against my best friend, Sienna. It wasn't really a hard choice, even though I cared for Jordan, I still do. But... choices have consequences. Sometimes the side you take will be a simple question of loyalty. I tried to do my best for Jordan and she threw it back in my face. I chose the side of my best friend who has never betrayed me.” I see some nods. “Others didn't give me a choice, they walked because of my views, like my ex-husband Blake Mason. He decided he couldn't live with the person I became, when I was seeking revenge for....” I then remembered Amy was standing behind me, so I stopped there. “Well, that doesn't matter, the point is, he made that choice, over values and worldview. Neither situation was easy, in some ways they're both still difficult. We all still work together, sometimes interactions are unavoidable. But none of that means that what I did was wrong. I just stood my ground. I guess what I'm taking a long time to say is... don't let yourself get pushed around. Decide what you stand for, what kind of wrestler you want to be, then hold firm to that. Define yourself, don't let others define you.” The group keeps looking at me expectantly. “That's it. All I got for you.” I smile. A few applaud. Some still look confused. The one guy who pushed himself to the front is all smiles.
Amy gets into the ring finally, and I stand up next to her, “Alright, I hope something Bree said resonated with you. Go ahead and get into your stretches, we'll start drills in ten minutes.”
The students get up and exit the ring, then spread out around the large room on the mats to do the warm up stretches. Amy turns to me. “That was very inspired.”
“Yeah well, lessons learned and all that.”
“I can tell. I didn't expect you to get personal at the end there.”
“I surprised myself too. But, both things have been on my mind lately and it was an example I felt I needed to make, to really get my message across.”
Amy have me a look, I could tell she wanted to ask further questions, especially since recently I slipped and mentioned some issues with me and Dom, and she asked why we really pushed the wedding back. I think she might be starting to add things up, and I really don't want to discuss this with her. Thankfully, she decides to move on.
“I agree. You're right, they will face hard challenges and have relationships tested. I've mentioned those things too, but I think it really hits coming from someone like you, when you always present yourself so confidently on air.”
“I hope they got something from it.”
“I was looking at their faces, I think it hit a few of them. Want to stick around for some drills? You can get in there for a few things better than I can.”
“What, Simon and Jeff not carrying their weight?” I grin. I purposely left Jason out, I wasn't opening that can.
“Simon is almost as limited as I am, and Jeff isn't as technical as you are.”
“Okay, you can stop twisting my arm.” I laugh. She grins.
“Thanks. There's actually one guy in particular I'd like you to work with.... I think he might be the best prospect I've seen since the first class. The chatty one, Spencer."
"Oh, you mean the one who apparently has a crush on me?"
Amy laughs a little. "Yeah, him. It's not like that though, I promise. He just really admires your work."
"Okay. You're the boss here."
I did as Amy asked, and went through some drills with everyone, the young guy Spencer assisting with submissions. Apparently that was his specialty when he wrestled in college. Everyone did great work. Amy asked me if I wouldn't mind stopping in more often since SCW has a lighter road schedule now. I told her I would do my best. I did wonder if her asking me that had anything to do with the fact Jason wasn't here, but then decided I didn't care.
On the drive home I thought about how easy it had been for me to give the students those personal examples. There was a time where talking about either of them would have upset me, but it really didn't. It was a good feeling, knowing I am well and truly past all of it, even though the issue with Jordan is much more recent. Then again... she is mainly Jaina's problem now, not mine. I just need to do what I told the students - stand my ground, and be there for Jaina, if she asks.
* * * * * {{ February 15th – Bree's Home }} * * * * *
I had finished my breakfast and gone back upstairs to get my gym bag together. On my mind was how there were so many other examples I could have given those students about being tested. It certainly put strains on me and Dom, one of the biggest reasons being who his relatives are. The business had even tested Jaina, and she isn't even a wrestler. She's just a reporter. But even before that, her relationship with Owen over a year ago didn't exactly play out very well, and that wasn't nearly as bad as what Jordan had put her through. It seemed though that Jaina had finally realized that Jordan just wasn't good for her. As I packed my gym bag, I remembered what Jaina had told me happened when she spoke to Jordan at Breakdown a few days ago....
{{Thursday, February 11th
Boston
Before Breakdown}}
* * * * * {{ Jaina }} * * * * *
Jaina had arrived at the arena in Boston with Aunt Bree and Andrew just a few minutes ago. It was just the two of them, Dom had stayed home, planning to travel next week to be in attendance for the gauntlet. Aunt Bree and Andrew went straight to their locker room to start getting ready, their semi-final match was going on second. Jaina told Aunt Bree she was going to production to find out her assignments and that she'd see her soon.
Instead, Jaina goes the other direction down the hallway backstage, towards where Jordan had told her they could meet. Jaina texted her earlier this afternoon and asked to speak to her in person. Jordan had seemed hesitant but agreed. The meeting spot was just past catering, an office that no one seemed to be using. Jaina sees the door is cracked open, so she knocks. It cracks open a little more, and Jordan peeks out.
“Good, it's you.”
Jaina walks inside and closes the door. Neither of them wanted anyone to see them together, a lot of people could get the wrong idea and neither wanted that.
“Thanks for meeting with me. This won't take long, I just have something to tell you.”
“Okay?”
Jaina takes a deep breath. She still wasn't sure she wanted to do this, but knew she needed to.
“After tonight, when I leave this room? We can't talk anymore.”
“What? Why? Where is that coming from?”
“We just can't. I can't do this again.”
“Do what?” Jordan looks confused. “I mean, we just texted a few times, that's all.”
“I know.... but that's how it started last time. I can't let myself get sucked in again.”
“Wait, is this more of that whole, using you, thing? This is ridiculous, boo. I wasn't trying to do that last time, and I'm not trying to now. I was just trying to be your friend.”
Jaina shakes her head, something of a smirk on her face. “We need to both recognize the truth, babe. We used each other. I blamed you but I was just as guilty, you even said so. Maybe we didn't do it on purpose, but we did. We can't be 'just friends.' I think we already proved that.”
Jordan looks Jaina up and down, Jaina assumes she's thinking about that statement.
“I guess a lot has happened between us for 'just friends' to ever really be a thing.”
“That's what I'm saying, we're too.... combustible? And I really don't want a repeat of the last explosion, I can't handle that again. It made me lie, fight with Aunt Bree, and besides... Reece doesn't like it.”
“Oh, so that's what this is? Are you always going to let other people decide for you who you can and can't talk to? First Bree wanted you to cut me off and now your boyfriend?”
That was the first time Jaina had heard Reece referred to as her boyfriend by anyone, but she supposed it was true. They'd said they love each other.
“First of all... no one decided this for me, okay? Reece just pointed out how it's so easy for you to get to me, and I didn't want to admit it, but he's right. If I'm going to be serious with him, I can't have contact with you. It's too dangerous.” Jordan scoffs, laughing a little in disbelief. Jaina ignores it, she knows that's Jordan's reaction when she's nervous. “I have to focus on getting my head straight, working on fixing what I fucked up with him, and my family, too. Maybe you should forget about me and do the same, get your shit together.”
Jordan shakes her head a little, the nervous laughter gone. “You know what? Maybe you're right. Just don't be surprised if it's not that easy to avoid me as you think it will be.”
“What? Are you.... threatening me?!”
“What, no! Just... nothing, nevermind. I have to go get ready, my match is first. Are we done here?”
“Yeah. We're done. Good luck.”
Jaina starts to leave, but Jordan speaks as she turns. “Don't, I know you don't mean it.”
Jaina spins back around, her hand still on the door. “Actually, I do. You'll need it if you and Cookie fight Aunt Bree and Andrew.”
Jaina then leaves before Jordan can fire off another comeback or any reply at all.
Walking down the hallway towards production, Jaina feels lighter. She'd actually done it... and she knew it was the right thing.
* * * * * {{ February 15th – Bree's Home }} * * * * *
I was proud of Jaina when she told me what she did. I admit I had been skeptical if Reece was going to actually talk to her about Jordan, I never expected him to be so thorough at convincing her to cut Jordan off. I had tried to convince Jaina that Jordan was playing her for weeks, ever since I found out about their little affair... Reece gave it one shot and closed the deal. Then again, I'm just family, he's her boyfriend. It feels so weird to say that, but I am happy for them. So far they are passing the tests that life and association with wrestling has given them.
Me, I am always a work in progress. As I dug around my closet looking for a certain gym top, I thought about how every week presented new tests for me and my relationships. This past week it was my two best friends. Breakdown had seen the end of the Tag League and the results? Both Andrew and Sienna felt guilty....
{{Thursday, February 11th
Boston
After Tag League Match}}
After Andrew and I got backstage following the end of our match – and our very short-lived run as a team again – he gave me a look I hated to see from him, dejection. I already knew what it meant, and I wanted to cut him off.
“Andrew, don't-”
“No, you don't. Just.... give me a few minutes, would you?”
I just nod, and he walks off. I don't know where he went, it wasn't my locker room that we were sharing, as he went the other direction. I go there though, and quickly shower. I want to be freshened up to see the rest of the show. After getting dressed, I pull my phone from my bag to check it, as I always do after a match. When Dom isn't with me he usually send me a comment on what happened. This time, it's short – a frowny face. I also have a text from Sienna. She called me earlier to wish me and Andrew luck. Her text wasn't much better than Dom's.
[I'm sorry.]
I sit on the couch and reply.
[What for?]
She quickly replies.
[We could have beat them.]
[Oh babe. Probably, but I'm not letting you blame yourself. Not your fault you were hurt. That's on Kelcey.]
[I played my role. You know I did. It should be you and me in that finals match sweetie.]
[I don't want you to do this babe. It's not good for you right now. Don't worry about me. We'll have other chances at the tag titles.]
[Promise?]
[Promise. <3]
I didn't get to see if she replied right away though, because Andrew's knock was a the door, he had a certain rhythm he always used so I would know it was him.
“You can come in.”
The door opens and Andrew enters, still in his gear from earlier, which is just black and red pants. I guess it makes sense, his bags and clothes were in here. He shuts the door behind himself and sits in a chair across from me.
“Better?”
“Yeah... I wasn't pissed by the way. I just didn't want to hear your spiel.”
“My spiel?”
“Yeah, the 'we did the best we could' garbage.”
“But.... we did.” Andrew gives me a glare. “I'm serious! I might have been on the damn ground and unable to get in fast enough to break it up, but I could see that it could have gone either way at the end.”
Andrew sighs. “Yeah, it could have. I thought for a moment I was gonna reverse it again but I didn't have the leverage.” He shakes his head.
“It happens. Kennedy got me like that once a few years ago.”
“Don't take this as me being mad or whatever, but I wish I could have done better to get you where you should have been if Sienna was healthy. It's just a bitch coming in here and fighting these two dudes I've never fought before.”
“I know. I knew it was an uphill battle, and would have been no matter who filled Sienna's spot. They've been teaming this whole time. At least by asking you, I knew I had someone I could trust. I'm not mad either, for the record. It is what it is.”
“Not mad, huh?”
“Not at all.” Okay, maybe a little... but at the whole situation, the fact that Kelcey got Sienna hurt. But not at my friend, who did me a massive favor by wrestling in the last place he wanted to be. “Thank you for being here for me.” Andrew nods, waving his hand in the air, brushing it off as no big deal. “Don't give me that NBD wave, it is a big deal. I know this is the last place you wanted to be.”
“It wasn't that bad. Other than the losing part.” He smirks.
“Anyway... I didn't mean just tonight. I meant everything.” Andrew tilts his head questioningly.
“I mean what you said to Dom.”
“Oh. That... I wasn't sure if I even should, but I figured it was worth a shot.”
“I might have been upset in the moment. But it was something we needed to untangle. So, thank you.”
Andrew nods, he was never good at accepting thanks or compliments or anything even remotely deep or 'mushy.' “So everything is cool now?”
“Actually... I'd say everything is hot.” I smirk. Andrew puts his hand up.
“I'm gonna go ahead and stop you right there. Because gross.”
I laugh. “Fine. Just know you have both of our gratitude.”
“Noted.”
“So um.... I don't suppose you might want to stick around, even though we didn't-”
“I'm gonna stop you right there, too. You know better than to even finish that question.”
I shrug, grinning. “I had to try.”
“I expected nothing less.”
“I do owe you a favor, though. Maybe two.”
“What you can do for me, is not let this shit tonight fuck with your head for next week. You need to kick everyone's ass and keep your championship. I need you still World Champion when I get mine back so we can be champs at the same time again.”
“I've already brushed tonight off. On to next week.”
Andrew holds his fist out towards me. I hit it with mine.
“I'll go ahead and get out of here so you can get cleaned up. I'll find Jaina to watch the rest of the show with.”
“Alright. See you after this shit show is over.”
I get up, grinning, then leave the locker room.
Yeah, eating a loss in a match that I know Sienna and I would have won stings a little. But it's nothing I can't come back from, and I won't let it derail me from what I need to do next week.
* * * * * {{ February 15th – Bree's Home }} * * * * *
I had my my gym bag ready, and went downstairs with it, still blissfully unaware of what I was about to be blindsided by. All these tests and challenges I had told Amy's students about, my personal examples that had run through my head this morning, paled in comparison to the one I never saw coming, and it had nothing to do with wrestling at all. I had neglected to tell the students that sometimes, the test is how well you can keep outside influences from affecting you in the ring. I have done my best my whole career to not allow things going on in my personal life to affect my performance. Sometimes I was able to focus, others not as well. I have no idea how I'm going to get through this one though, it may be one test I will fail....
* * * * * {{ One Hour Ago }} * * * * *
I have my gym bag over my shoulder and grab my car keys from the hook in the kitchen. Dom is cleaning up from breakfast, so I give him a drive-by kiss on the cheek as I make my way to the door. Just as I put my hand on the knob to open it, my phone rings. I groan, assuming it's Andrew calling to ask where I am. When I pull it out of my pocket though, I see it's Scott.
“Hey babe.”
“Bree. Are you busy?”
“I was about to walk out the door, I'm meeting Andrew to-”
“Stop. Go sit down.”
“Why? What's wrong?”
“Just listen to me, Bree. Please go sit down.”
Scott's tone is as stoic as I've ever heard it, and he just said my name twice, instead of a nickname.
“Scotty... you're scaring me.”
“Are you sitting?”
“No... hold on...” I drop my bag by the door and go into the kitchen, sitting at the breakfast table. I notice Dom isn't in the kitchen anymore, I don't know where he went. “Okay, now I'm sitting. Scott... did someone die or something?”
“Or something. I'm texting you a link. Read it, and I will see you soon, I'm on my way to your house.”
Before I can ask anything further, the call is dead. I then almost immediately get a text. As promised, it's from Scott, a link to an Inside Edition article. Their links are basically the headlines, it reads 'Lancaster Leak Part Two.' What could this be, I hadn't taken any more pictures like the one already released.. I open it....
==========
Lancaster Leak Part Two!
- 2/15/21 – 8:47AM
In a follow up from almost three weeks ago, Inside Edition has received another exclusive photograph release. The previous shot of SCW World Champion Bree Lancaster we ran showed Lancaster appearing to be nude. She has since denied posing nude, claiming it was done using “implied nudity” - a trick where the model wears skimpy underwear or swimwear and is positioned in a manner where the clothing can't be seen, giving the appearance of nudity.
Today's released photos however, leave nothing to interpretation. We were anonymously sent a photo of not only Lancaster, but also her best friend and tag partner in SCW, Sienna Swann, a former World Champion herself, and model for the now-defunct Beauty Factory modeling agency. In these photos, which are Not Safe For Work (linked to a second page below), both women are seen topless. It's unclear when or where the photos were taken, although the seat Lancaster is laying on looks very much like a chaise she was photographed on for Dior, in the same ad set as the previously leaked photo. It's suspected hers was taken at the same time, by the same photographer, Lancelot Crane. Crane remains in prison in the State of California after confessing to several murders of models.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
Click here for NSFW Photos
==========
I am afraid to open the photo link, but I know I have to. I need to know what I'm dealing with. As soon as they load on my screen.... I scream.
My photo is first, and I know exactly when and where it was taken. I am laying with my eyes closed on the black chaise lounge chair in Crane's studio. The one he had me lay on, before he convinced me that having actual sex was the best way to get the shots he wanted. The gold bikini top I had on can be seen around my ribcage, exposing my breasts. I shudder as I remember him pulling it down. I had no idea he took this picture, it must have been right before or right after we.... I shake my head of that memory.
Sienna's picture isn't much better – she's laying in a bed, a white sheet bunched up around her waist, her breasts also exposed. It looks like she's sleeping. I have no idea when or where this was taken, but I'm certain Sienna will recognize it, like I recognized mine.
Oh God, I'm going to be sick....
I drop my phone on the table and run to the sink. I hear myself scream again, but I don't feel it in my throat. All I can feel is bile. I make it to the sink just in time to lose my breakfast into it. I turn on the water and start shoveling water from my hands into my mouth. As I'm swishing the water around, rinsing the ick out, I hear Dom behind me a second before I feel his hand on my back.
“Bree... What's wrong? Are you okay?”
I just keep rinsing my mouth and point backwards at the table, I hope he understands I'm really pointing at my phone. I sense him walking away from me as I lean on the sink, my hands either side of it, steadying myself. I didn't want to move in case I got sick again. I wait for Dom to see what made me scream....
“What the fucking FUCK?!” There it is.... “Bree... is this real?”
“Ye....” The word got stuck in my throat. I clear it, and try again. “Yes.”
“But you didn't.... did you?”
I finally get control of my voice. “What, agree to that? No!” I risk picking my head up and turning it to look, Dom looks angrier than I've ever seen him. Even more than the day he punched out the lying bastard Julian LeBlanc after we found out he'd been selling my information to TMZ.
“No. I had no fucking idea he took this! Oh God....” I started to feel ill again.
“Then how do you know it's real? It could be photoshop-”
“Look at it again. You know that's me....” No one was as familiar with what my breasts look like than he was.
I watch him hesitate to do so, but he does look at it again. “Motherfucker.... Sienna's?”
“If mine is real, I have no doubt hers is, too.”
Dom puts my phone down and comes back over to me. “Here, come sit down.” I just nod, I am numb at this point. Dom leads me to the table where I had been sitting before. I sit, and a few seconds later Dom hands me a bottle of water. I can sense him standing next to me, maybe he's unsure what to do, or say. Sudden movement makes me look up. He has his phone out.
“I'm gonna take care of this right now.”
“How-”
Dom puts his hand up to shush me as he dials.
“Lisa. Sorry to bother you so early, but we have a situation here..... Inside Edition, there's more pictures... worse. I need you to get a lawyer to make them take this down! I don't care who or how, Lisa! This is beyond too fucking far!”
Dom then realizes he's still in the kitchen and I am hearing this. He glances at me, then points to the den before going into it and closing the door. It doesn't matter, I can still hear him yelling.
I put my head down into my hands and close my eyes. I appreciate what Dom is trying to do, but it doesn't matter if Inside Edition takes it down right now. Hundreds, if not thousands of people have already screenshotted the page, or clicked 'save as' on the images and kept them. Why wouldn't they? Topless pictures of two of the biggest names in SCW, two of the hottest women in entertainment? The internet is forever, and this picture is never going away.
But that isn't even the part that's making me sick. No... this picture of me proves that the person behind this is Lancelot Crane. There was no one else in the studio that day, no other photographer ever had me in such a position.
Not only am I humiliated, I'm scared.
* * * * * {{ Present }} * * * * *
It's been about an hour since I read the article that's changed everything. I have been sitting at the table in the same spot since Dom led me here. There was chaos all around me as people arrived. Jaina came downstairs when she heard me screaming and Dom yelling. Scott arrived shortly after, he had told me he was on his way. I had texted Andrew and told him I couldn't make it to the gym. He replied asking why, and I told him to call Scott, I couldn't type the words out. Fifteen minutes later, Andrew was here, too. I hoped to God that he hadn't seen the damn picture... but knowing him as I do, I'm almost certain he didn't click the link. Even Lisa, Dom's agent, showed up. While Dom, Lisa, Andrew, Scott, and Jaina field calls, try to get it taken down, and handle a bunch of other things, I have been sitting here with one task.
Call Sienna.
Her phone keeps going to voicemail though. As I've been sitting here trying to digest all of this, something else clicked in my head, and I need her advice. She's dealt with similar things and I need her to tell me how to handle this. Also while I've been sitting here, Lisa and Dom somehow got a lawyer to talk to Inside Edition. They couldn't force them to take it down for some reason I didn't catch, but they did edit the pictures to blurred out ones, and removed the actual nudes. Dom wasn't happy but it was better than nothing. I thought it was pointless, other sites have picked it up and are running them unedited, Dom, Lisa, and that lawyer will be putting out fires all day. I have been trying to make myself come to terms that this is the new normal... a world where anyone I meet on the street, a fan event, serving me in a restaurant, anywhere, could be someone who has seen that picture and knows what my breasts look like.
I tap Sienna's name on my phone for what seems like the hundredth time. I have dozens of missed calls, I silenced my phone. The only person I want to talk to is Sienna. I listen to the ring tone, fully expecting to get her voice mail again. But this time... it's actually Sienna.
“Bree! Sweetie, it's you, thank God.”
“Sienna! Oh my God, I've been trying to call you all morning!”
“I see that now, I'm sorry. I silenced my phone earlier and we have been using Xio's to deal with things. I only just looked at mine. I should have tried calling you-”
“It's okay, I'm sure things have been just as crazy there as they are here.”
“Very. Did your people get them to blur the shots? Every call Xio and I made was shot down.”
“Yes, Lisa, Dom's agent, called a lawyer friend. They wanted it pulled completely but that wasn't possible for some legal reason.”
“Fucking laws....”
“Sie... I have to ask you. Your picture-”
“Yes, it's real. I assume yours is as well?”
“Yes. It was the day of that shoot. The Dior one. With the...” I can't say it. My house is full of people who don't know the truth.
“The sex?”
“Yes, that. Either right before or right after. I didn't know he took it.”
“Mine is similar... remember the night I told you I went to see him and got high and things happened?”
“I do.... it was then?”
“Yes, that is his bed I am laying in.”
“I think I'm gonna throw up again...” I feel the bile rising, but I manage to swallow it back down.
“Bree. Listen to me. I need you to be strong. He wants us to break, he wants us to be humiliated-”
“I AM!” I see no less than three heads turn at my outburst. Dom, Andrew, and Jaina. I wave them off and get up, finally, going into the library to continue to talk to Sienna. “He knew I never wanted to take pictures like this, Sie! I know you have and that's fine but-”
“I know, sweetie. But both of us have already overcome so much, we can't let him break us down.”
“It's too late for that, babe. You know, I could have probably eventually lived with the fact my tits are going to be all over the internet forever now, that's happened to so many famous people that it's hardly even a blip in the news anymore, this might have gone away in a week or so. But it's worse than just that, Sienna.”
“It is, this is proof that Lancelot Crane is behind all of this. Only he could have taken either one of those pictures.”
“There's that. But for me, it goes deeper. This picture of me proves that the story about us-” I lower my voice in case anyone other than Dom is near to the library door. “-having sex.... is true. Everyone will know I lied.”
I hear Sienna sigh. “Oh sweetie... I hadn't even considered that.”
“I don't know how to deal with this. Sienna, you have to help me. You had the pageant scandal, the For the People thing falling down around you, how do I-”
“Those things were different. The scandal, I accepted responsibility for that. For the People, well... that was misconstrued from the start and-”
“Don't, I know it was all publicity stunts.”
“Fine, most of it. This is still different, Bree. You didn't do anything wrong. That man manipulated you! And that is what you say. You turn this all around on him, explain that you lied back then because he forced you to, he threatened you. He is in prison for murder, the public will believe you.”
“But that's another lie, Sienna. He wanted to tell the truth!” She really wants me to justify one lie with another? I sit on the couch and lean my head into my hands. I'm starting to feel ill again.
“You and I know that, but literally no one else does.”
“Dom does.”
“Okay. Let's ask him. Do you think he will tell me my idea is bad?”
Dammit. “No.... no, you're right. It's what I have to do. But what about you?”
“I will be fine, it's known that I had an.... entanglement, with him. I will simply tell the truth, he snapped a photo of me without my consent.”
I don't reply, and neither of us say anything for a few moments. “Sienna.”
“Yes, sweetie.”
“Why is he doing this?”
“I think it's a message. That he can get to us from anywhere, get our attention.”
“But what does he want? Why does he want our attention?”
“I don't know. I wasn't able to find anything out from my contacts. Maybe the only way we will know anything is if I go back to the prison and ask.”
“NO! Sienna, you can't do that!”
“Bree, he's behind bars and watched by guards, he can't-”
“Promise me you will stay away from him! There has to be another way.”
I hear Sienna sigh. I know she's angry and she is a confrontational person, but we have to be smart.
“Okay. For you. But listen to me Bree, there may come a time where we have no other choice but to go see him.”
“I hope not. If it comes to that though... I will go with you.” No way was I going to let her go there alone,
“Deal.”
There's a knock on the library door. I look up, and Dom is waving at me to come out.
“I have to go, babe. Dom needs me for something. Thank you, you somehow made me feel better.”
“All I did was remind you how strong and badass you are. We will get through this. I promise.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you back. We'll talk soon.”
We both make kissy sounds into the phone as I end the call.
I look up at Dom. “What's going on?”
“Lisa wants to talk to you. She thinks it's time you officially sign her as your agent. Both Scott and I agree.”
I think a second, and just nod. This kind of thing is far beyond Scott's wheelhouse.
I went back into the chaos in the kitchen. Jaina and Andrew were in the living room, looking like they were trying to stay out of the way. Lisa and I worked out details and I signed paperwork.
Through it all, I kept thinking about what had been on my mind all morning... how this business is just a series of tests. The test here is, how can I walk into Breakdown in a few days and face everyone, not only the fourteen people who are going to be trying to leave with my championship, but everyone in the building? Most of them will have likely seen the article and the picture by Thursday, and I have no doubt that more than a few will have some bullshit to say about it. As much as I would love to pretend SCW is in a vacuum, and just show up to work and focus on surviving a gauntlet to keep my World Championship, I know that's not possible. The 'gauntlet' is much more now, it's the entire world... and showing my face while keeping my sanity.
ON CAMERA
The inside of a private plane is where we find SCW World Champion Bree Lancaster this time, sitting in a plush seat that's turned so the back is against the rounded plane window. With leg crossed over the other at the knee, Bree is dressed comfortably yet stylish in whitewashed jeans and a navy blue turtleneck knit sweater, black boots completing her look. The World Championship belt can be seen on the seat across from her, the straps folded neatly under the faceplate.
First of all, if you've clicked on this video hoping to hear me speak about recent internet posts, you'll be very disappointed. I am not going to speak about that right now, I have more pressing matters to discuss.
Bree glances towards the belt on the seat across from her.
Tomorrow night, because of Ace Marshall's Trios contract and his desire to create as much anarchy as he possibly can, I am in the position where I may have to face up to fourteen different people to remain your World Champion. I could be drawn for the first match and have to fight literally all night to keep what I've earned. On the other hand, I could get a lucky draw and come out last, and only have to beat the last person standing after you all fight each other. I am prepared for both scenario's, and everything in between.
Before I get too deep into my thoughts about this gauntlet, I want to make a statement about last week. I called in my other best friend Andrew Raynes to take Sienna's place at my side to finish out the Tag League. Despite having zero desire to step foot in SCW ever again, despite knowing the odds were against us simply because we hadn't been in the ring together in years, and he would be fighting people he's never met, much less ever fought... Andrew agreed. He showed up, fought at my side to the best of his ability given the circumstances... and, yes we lost. I'm sure that most of the fourteen of you will try to use that against me, that I am walking into an almost unwinnable situation while coming off a loss. But allow me to remind you of something...
I was not pinned.
I personally, am still unbeaten since Rise to Greatness. It might seem like I am the one fighting an uphill battle here, but the reality is quite the opposite. How many of you have I already beaten, hm? Let's see.... Jordan, Ravyn, Kim, Asher, Holly – tags count! Katie, Giovanni.... and of course Selena.
Bree shakes her head.
I am really starting to worry about Selena's mental health. She is very clearly obsessed with me and it's really disturbing. I mean, let's talk about this for a minute. Selena can't help but make little petty comments about something I said two years ago, about that Roofed Cage match where she left with my United States Championship. Maybe her ego doesn't like her questioning herself... did she really win? Or did I let her? I've been over it for a long time, yet Selena can't let it go.
Why is that, babe? Yes, Selena, I am speaking to you now. Is your ego so fragile that you have to keep reminding everyone that you never believed me? Are you hoping that maybe one day I will get tired of your shit and just admit that you were right and I lied and you actually beat me? Well, that's just too bad. Maybe I did... maybe I didn't. It's much more fun to watch you squirm about it than it ever was to make the claim in the first place. I guess you'll never really know, will you?
Bree smirks, with a wink.
But that's not even the disturbing part. Oh no. Nonono. The really creepy thing, Selena, is when you go on and on and on about me, when you're not even facing me! Let's go back to the United States Championship tournament that happened after I selflessly vacated it so that it would have a chance to be more featured. You made it to the semi-finals! And you.... spent all your time on camera ranting at me. For a moment I thought you were confused and you thought you had to fight me to win the championship. But no.... I realized that you're actually just obsessed with me. You proved that even further more recently just last week. Your words that were meant to promote your semi-final match against Jordan Majors and Cookie Dreams?
All. About. Me.
Now normally I like it when I have everyone's attention, but this is going too far, babe. You completely overlooked the people you were facing first because you had your beady little eyes dead set on getting to me. Maybe that's why those two were able to get the better of you and put you on your back. You were denied what you wanted because you weren't looking at what was in front of you.
Yet, tomorrow night, you might get what you want. You said you wanted me, didn't you? You're so offended that I walked out carrying both World Championship belts despite the fact I was handed them... which by the way, I gave one back, so you can stop pretending like I'm waving them around to please my ego.
But that's not the real reason you wanted to get me in the ring. No... it's apparently because you think I disrespected David and Regan, your so-called family. I didn't disrespect shit! David has been disrespecting his own family since before Rise to Greatness! He disrespected his wife, he disrespected his fans, he even disrespected you! Or have you forgotten when he tried to push you aside and team with Regan himself to face Tommy Valentine and Kandis after their blow up? He wanted to take your moment, babe. Yet there you stood in front of God and everyone and defended him. Yet I am the hypocrite, I am the disrespectful one.
Cry me a fucking river, Selena.
You should actually be thanking me for unifying those belts and becoming what I have claimed since October... the True World Champion. I doubt I will ever hear that from you though, despite the number of thank you's that you dropped at Ace's feet. Instead, you can do me a favor. Please, for the love of God, end this obsession with me. It's really starting to freak me out and I am thinking about looking into getting a restraining order... Either you want to kill me or fuck me, and both options are not to my taste.
Bree makes a face of disgust and shakes her head, her whole body shuddering at the thought
Moving on, because honestly talking about Selena is starting to make me feel ill... there is someone else Ace threw a bone to that I have a major, major, problem with. Hi, Giovanni. I'm talking to you now.
Bree gives her infamous finger-wiggle wave.
I'll keep this short and sweet so that even your drug-addled brain can pay attention long enough to comprehend. I know that Sienna lays all of the blame at Kelcey's feet for what happened to her. We all saw the replay of the accident where Kelcey grabbed the steering wheel and caused Sienna to drive into that bus. But I know what really happened, Gio. You happened. You saw Sienna's determination to pay Kelcey back for everything she has done to Sienna, and you played into that. You fed her anger, her desire for revenge... you planted ideas in her head, all these crazy stunts that got Sienna in hot water and caused both Sasha and Katya to breath down my neck, as if I am some kind of babysitter. Most people blame Sienna for that, they thought I should have turned my back on her because her actions were dragging me down.
But I refused.
Friends don't turn their backs on friends. And I knew that everything she was doing wasn't really her fault.
It was yours.
If we cross paths tomorrow night Gio, it won't be the first time. And I can promise you that it will end exactly the same way as the last time, with me defeating you. There is no way in hell I will allow you to get your disgusting hands on my championship, just so you can desecrate it like you've done to every title you've ever held. Even if by some chance I am defeated mid-way through this thing and you face whoever that new champion is? I will not allow you to win. You've been warned.
Bree stares into the camera a second, then reaches over to the seat across from her and grabs the title belt, holding it up on display.
Take a good look at this, everyone. I want you to really focus on this championship belt. The design, the SCW logo, my name etched into the gold. I want each and every one of you to really understand what this represents. The holder of this championship is the one person who has the right to call themselves the best in this company, the best in this business. A few of you have held it before, in some cases many times, such as Syren. That simply means you were the best at that moment in time.
Right now, in this moment in time? The best is me. Contrary to what your benefactor seems to believe, I have never called myself the best in the world. I may be arrogant but I am not that arrogant. I know that such a thing is impossible to claim or prove or live up to. What I can do though, is keep proving that I am the best in Supreme Championship Wrestling. I have been doing so for nearly two years, first as United States Champion, then as World Champion, with those reigns running concurrently for a short time. In the last year and change, I have beat everyone put in front of me, bar a pair of tainted wins and one legitimate one. But none of them matter now, I have gotten my receipts for all of them.
Out of everyone in this gauntlet, only four of you have ever beat me in any way. Most I have beaten in return, save one. Syren.... I owe you a receipt from a long time ago. If the stars align and I get to step up to you, one on one.... I promise you I will do everything and anything I have to do, to get it.
Ace may have picked his friends and rivals he respects to get in line with him to challenge for this championship, but please understand that his opinion does not mean that any of you deserve it. Some of you have already tried and failed to beat me, others have tried and failed consistently to win anything of note. You are getting the chance to take the World Championship away from me due to the whim of a man who came back to SCW one more time because he was bored, and wanted to cause drama. It's what he lives for, you know.
Bree looks down at the belt in her hands a second or two, then lays it back on the seat across from her. She remains sitting on the edge of her seat.
Ace... hi babe. Now I'm talking to you. Long time no see, yet again. You showed up here for five minutes back in September, got yourself added to a four way with myself, Matt Hodges, and Owen Cruze, simply by being an annoyance to me. I didn't know then what I did to piss you off, and I still don't know now. We used to have fun together back when we were friends. Now you want to have fun at my expense, and I am not going to allow that.
Don't misunderstand me babe, I'm not mad at you for this. You had every right to use your contract as you saw fit, and you chose to use it to hand yourself and thirteen other people a chance that they more than likely wouldn't have gotten on their own, or at least not any time soon. I think everyone in this thing expects me to be livid and rant at you and cuss you out, but I am not going to do that.
All this is, Ace, is another test.
It's another opportunity for me to continue to show SCW and the world that I am a woman of my word, I am a woman of truth, and I am the best in this company. I will admit that this gauntlet will test me in the biggest way I have ever been tested in a wrestling ring, but that doesn't mean I am not ready for it. My entire career has been one test after another, and I have come through each and every one better and stronger than before. This isn't going to be any different. Because of you, Ace, I will leave Breakdown a better fighter, a better champion, after being forced to be ready and prepared for anything and and anyone. And after all is said and done and I defy all the odds and predictions, kill hopes and murder dreams and remain World Champion.... there will be no one on this roster I haven't bested in one way or another. Everyone thinks this match is going to break me, I am here to tell you that it's only going to make me stronger.
Bree smirks once more, relishing the idea of shutting everyone up who thinks she is going to fail.
I have to tell you though, Ace, that I didn't think it was possible for someone to surpass my level of arrogance, but you managed to do so easily. I don't know what's worse, the fact that you expected everyone to thank you and basically worship you for handing them this opportunity, or the fact that several of them actually did. It's also cute how amused you were by the idea of this gauntlet idea of yours pissing me off, but I've already told you I'm not mad. I can see how you might think that, given the way I knocked you down with my belt, but I didn't do that out of anger.
I did it to remind you that I am capable of anything, and you can't turn your back on me and expect me to not take advantage. I know you didn't demand a thank you from me, but I bet you expect one anyway. You probably want me to thank you for the chance to beat everyone you handpicked and cement myself as one of the greatest champions of all time.
Sorry, I'm just not going to do that.
Instead, I am going to give you a fuck you.
Bree smirks yet again, this time laughing to herself a little.
Not because I'm mad at what you've done, what I potentially have to go through to remain World Champion. But because what you've actually done, is given me the chance to prove, beyond doubt, that I am everything I say I am. I have already beaten former World Champions, Hall of Famers, legends... so the idea of this gauntlet, potentially facing every single one of the people you picked, including yourself, doesn't scare me at all. Line them up, I will start with the first and knock them all down like dominoes! I am and have always been ready to take on anyone, I am not like some of the people handed this chance who have found ways to duck people they don't want to fight – if I have to, I will fight them all. The draw doesn't matter, I will put down whoever is put in front of me and when it's all over, Breakdown will end the same way it began... with me as your True World Champion,
And that, Ace, is going to be the 'fuck you.' Because your plan to cause chaos, your grand idea to shake things up?
It isn't going to work.
I will not allow these people who have earned nothing but your attention to take this-
Bree grabs the belt again and holds it up.
-from me, and make it meaningless. Once again, I am going to do what I have been doing every since I first wrapped this championship belt around my waist last April... I am going to save SCW from being led by a World Champion who is not worthy of the championship.
And instead of demanding thank yous, I will simply take them as as a foregone conclusion and say...
…. you're welcome.
Bree gives one last smirk, filled with smug arrogance, as she rests the belt on her shoulder, tilting hear head into it as if cuddling it with her neck, before the video clicks off.