Rise to Greatness 2021
Well... I was Television Champion for two weeks. I literally stole it from Bison Jones, because why wouldn't I? Mr. D put me in a position I would make him regret, Tommy and I had a chance to get something for me that I've deserved for far too long, so we took it. Tommy smacked the big man with his crutch and BAM, Television Champion! It helped that his girl Anastasia is so threatened by my general presence that it easy to distract everyone. Beat Derek Adonis the week after that to retain... bet D thought I was gonna flop that one cause he knows I find that man utterly disgusting. And then..
Autumn Fucking Valentine.
July 8
Charlotte, NC
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Tommy and I stormed back into our locker room, both of us pissed as fuck. I kicked at a chair, and I skittered across the floor.
“I guess that motherfucker couldn't stand the idea of losing to me, he had to stick himself into my business!”
“And it was Autumn that was rewarded for it...”
“Don't fucking remind me! That bitch had no business out there, starting shit with me!”
“Guess you pissed her off too much, acting like you were interested in Bison. I told you that might backfire.”
I sighed and crossed my arms, glaring hard. “Yeah, you did. It was just supposed to distract him and make her distract him more to get his attention back. Anyone with a fucking brain should have seen I don't actually want to fuck that thing!”
“Thing?”
“I mean, look at him! He's an idiot for starters, he hangs out with that drunk Adam Allocco. But most importantly.... he has that bitch. You know I don't fuck with taken men.”
“I might know that, but most people think you.... aren't that choosy.”
I rolled my eyes. “I guess it's my own fault, I never really made that clear.”
“It's useful sometimes. Just not in this case.”
“Dammit!!” I turned and kicked another chair.
“Hey, I know you're pissed... and don't kick me like that for saying this, but they didn't really do anything we didn't do.”
I spun around and glared some more. “I know that! Everything fucking backfired and I'm pissed at myself!”
Tommy walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. “I know you are, but listen... we'll figure things out. We're not on our own anymore, remember? We've helped Minerva with her plans, she can help us with ours.”
“I don't know... she seems pretty one track minded right now. Maybe Drake?”
I looked up, backing away, unsure how Tommy would react to that suggestion.
“Yeah, maybe. Would give him something to do while waiting for Minerva to quit fucking around with Raab.” Tommy shook his head. “I don't know how he does it, just stands back and watches. I'd have put an end to this shit a long time ago.”
“You wouldn't have had to, cause I wouldn't get myself involved in something like that in the first place.”
Tommy smirked at me. “You sure about that? Maybe not Raab, but....”
“Hey, I like kink, but I have boundaries. I'm not hooking any man up to a chain for fun.”
“Thank fuck for that.” Tommy laughed. He just has this ability to take the anger right out of me, even when it's raging like a fucking hurricane.
“Well.... we'll just have to come up with some kind of way to fuck them over right back.”
“We will. Just let it breathe a day or two.”
We were interrupted by a knock on the locker room door. Tommy opened it, and I saw it was the ring crew guy he's friendly with, Perry. The one who drove us our luggage after we “borrowed” that Escalade. Tommy let him in, and Perry shut the door.
“Hey guys, I just heard something and thought I'd give you a heads up. But you have to keep it quiet til it's announced.”
“What is it?”
“D's putting together a Tag Team Title match for Rise. Four teams. You guys are in it.”
“What?”
I laughed. “Oh fuck, that's hilarious!”
“Yeah man, after that clusterfuck just now. So the champs, you, the Jones girls, and Golden Boys.”
“Okay, neither of them are actually named Jones... but I get you.”
“Yeah, them.”
“And you're sure of this?”
“I'm sure I heard D's assistant talking about it on the phone when I was loading a crate just now. Like he was taking notes from D himself.”
Tommy looked at me with a mischievous smirk. “This could be a lot of fun.”
“Let's see... Bison and his bitch made me lose the TV to Autumn, but we can get the Tag back? Fuck yes.” I gave Perry a smile, probably more flirtatious than I intended. “Thanks for he tip, doll.”
“Yeah man, much appreciated. What do I owe you for that?” Tommy and Perry's 'friendship' was simple. Perry did him favors, and Tommy paid him. Perry glanced over at me for a second.
“I don't think you'll let me have what I really want. Consider this one a freebie.” He gave me another look before leaving.
“What the fuck was that, Perry wants me now?” The guy isn't hideous, but just telling us about a match a day or two early isn't really worth access to my cunt.
“Can't say I blame him. He's right though, that info isn't nearly enough for me to ask you to, uh... pay him.”
“At least you'd ask.”
“Don't act like you wouldn't do it if it was worth it.”
I pretended to think about it. Tommy knew better though and chuckled a bit. “Yeah, okay. Probably.”
“I'll keep that in mind. But hey, more importantly... Tag Titles, baby! We're gonna bring them home!”
“Fuck yeah we are!”
I stepped up to him quick and put both hands on his chest, pushing him backwards to the wall, pressing myself against him, one leg up around his waist to get even closer. He grabbed my ass with both hands and pulled me in.
“I love how those titles makes you hot.”
“Only thing that makes me hotter is you.”
I kissed him hard, and we both forgot about titles for a while.
July 15
Oklahoma City
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Tommy and I spent the week between shows putting together a party. We had the idea as a way to try to get things back to normal, with Ashley, Sydney, maybe Charlotte, some Ante Up regulars. I also invited Coral, in an effort to make her more a part of my life. It had taken me a while to warm up to Sydney, even after she dropped her whole life and moved west to be near me... I didn't want to do the same thing to Coral, act like I didn't care or didn't like her or whatever. Now that I've had a lot of time to process the fact I have a real sister, another human who came out of the same cunt as me? Yeah, I wanted to have a relationship with her. I surprised myself, but hey... I'm allowed to grow, right?
We got to Oklahoma City for Breakdown, only to find out that we didn't have any airtime whatsoever. Neither of us were pleased to be so disrespected, but we planned to make damn sure everyone paid the fuck attention at this FanFest bullshit we were scheduled to appear for instead. All through the night though, we heard rumors and talk about some fucked up thing Minerva did, something about a video and Sienna Swann. Former World Champion, best friend to that bitch Bree Lancaster, and out of action because that Cannon asshole knocked her up. Tommy didn't seem too concerned by it, I don't think he gave a shit about Swann at all, and normally I don't either. But... she's pregnant. And everyone whispering shit seemed worried about the baby. My main concern though was that I had zero fucking idea Minerva was doing anything the night before, much less anything to do with her. Something about it rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't put my finger on why. Even when Chris Cannon was in the ring bitching about everything Minerva had done so far, he said she went after his wife – which confused me cause I thought they divorced? - he didn't say exactly what happened. It was almost like everyone who knew anything was purposely keeping the details quiet.
But I knew one person who would tell me, all I had to do was ask.
After the show I texted Drake and asked him to meet me, alone. I'm not sure what he thought I wanted, but he agreed. My hotel room was out because of Tommy and his was out because of Minerva, so we met behind the arena, in a dark corner near a loading dock. The SCW crew was loading equipment from a dock on the other side of the building so there was no one else around. Drake was already there, dressed in all black, when I walked up. I hadn't been booked so I was in jeans, sneakers, and a black halter top. Drake saw me approach and stepped forward a bit, out of the darker shadow and into a spot with a bit more light, under a parking lot lamp.
“Kandis.”
“Hey Drake. Thanks for meeting me.”
“Of course. What can I do for you, that you wanted to meet alone?”
“I wanted to ask you something, where no one else can hear the conversation.”
Drake looked me up and down, and nodded. “I see. What is it you wish to know?”
“Minerva. What the hell did she do?”
“That's rather open ended, can you be more specific?”
I stepped up and crossed my arms. “Don't play coy with me, Drake, you know I don't buy that shit. You know what I mean.”
“You're referencing Sienna Swann.” It wasn't a question.
“See, you knew. No one seems to want to say anything, but I know you know. So I'll ask you again, what did she do?”
“Yes, I know what occurred, as I was present.”
“What?”
“Sienna Swann is one of the biggest sinners this company has employed. Everything that she endured was deserved.”
I had no idea Drake knew Sienna like that, much less hated her like Minerva seemed to.
“Are you gonna make me ask you again?”
Drake sighed, looking down at his hands, he had his fingers laced together. He seemed to be debating telling me, but finally he looked up. “Alright. Minerva and I went to Swann's residence, made our way inside, and.... convinced her, to confess her sins.”
“Convinced?”
“She was not very willing until her child was seemingly in danger.”
I took a step back. “You threatened a baby?!”
“We were never going to harm her or the child. She just needed to believe we would. The people her actions have harmed needed to know her culpability.”
“Everyone was saying tonight that there was some video sent to Cannon and Lancaster. Those people?” Drake nodded. “Why do either of you give a fuck about them? Who cares what Sienna supposedly did to them?”
“They do. He is her mate, she is her closest friend. Who else to be made aware of her sins, that would bring her down the hardest?”
I shook my head, not understanding the point here. “What did she do to them? Obviously she cares about them, she wouldn't hurt them.”
“She introduced people into their lives who went on to hurt them and others they care about. This was not about doing Cannon and Lancaster any favors by showing them the truth. The purpose was to strip Swann of those she cared about... as her family's actions did so to Minerva.”
“That.... makes absolutely no sense to me.”
“I mean no offense by this, but it doesn't need to make sense to you. It served justice to Minerva.”
I scoffed. “I'm really starting to wonder why you stand by while she does all of these things in the name of justice, that leave you in the shadows going along with her plans. When do you get your plans?”
“You know I am a patient man. I will get mine in due time.”
“You also told me that your patience was wearing thin. Raab is still a part of this when all of us other than Min knows he shouldn't be!”
“That is also not your concern.”
I was getting frustrated and started speaking louder than I should have. “Hold on, you and Minerva wanted me and Tommy to be a part of your group, this Jackals thing, but you won't tell us anything. How does that make any fucking sense?!”
Drake stepped closer to me, and it was the first time I'd ever seen him actually angry with me in person, other than the one match we had in SCW a while back, when that bitch Loretta had him convinced I was his enemy. He glared down at me. “We have a mission of our own to complete before your involvement can be full. Do not push this, Kandis. You have my confidence in most things, but Minerva also has my loyalty. Her plans are not mine to tell.”
I backed up a step, somewhat defeated. He had a point. If I wanted to know those things, I should probably ask Minerva herself. Thing is, I didn't want to. She clearly didn't want us to know what she was up to. “Okay. Fine. You guys do you, and me and Tommy are gonna take care of us. It's just that we helped Min and Raab in their fights with Cannon and Knight and Helms-”
“You have prior history with Helms, so let's not pretend attacking him was a hardship for either of you.”
“The point... is that we had her back. We just want to know that you guys have our backs, too.”
“I will always have your back, Kandis. You don't need to doubt that. Minerva is there for you as well, she simply also has her own goals. You and Tommy have the same, your Tag Championship opportunity. Might I suggest you put your focus there and let Minerva and I handle Cannon and Knight? Raab as well.” Drake finally showed his annoyance with the old man as he made a face at saying his name.
“Yeah..... I think we can do that.”
“Following Rise to Greatness we will regroup and put everyone's focus on common goals. Have patience.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Patience. Yeah, I'm trying to be cool and collected like you, but we both know I'm hot-headed.”
“Among other things.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes. Hot-headed. Short-tempered. Passionate.” My eyes went a little wider. I saw the slightest smirk cross his face. “However, sometimes you need to let it simmer, rather than boil over.”
I couldn't help but smirk. There seemed to be an undertone there I admit I enjoyed. “That's good advice, I'll try to keep it in mind.” Drake nodded. “Look, I'm sorry for getting pissed. I just don't like being kept in the dark.”
“Understood. One more piece of advice? Learn to accept that there will be times when the answer you get, is that there is no answer.”
Ha. Holy shit, did that fit several things going on, or what? “Yeah. I've been learning that. Thanks for meeting me.”
“Anytime.”
Drake gave me one final nod, and walked away, towards the dock, through the shadow. I assume he had a car parked back there, or just walked that way to avoid being seen. I turned and went back the way I came.
I had to talk to Tommy, ASAFP.
* * * * *
I had told Tommy I was meeting Drake to ask him what was going on, so it wasn't a big deal when I got to our room an hour later than Tommy did. When I got there, Tommy had food from room service waiting. Our typical post-show meal, burgers and fries. It's not the healthiest thing but it's also the least like thing for a hotel kitchen to fuck up. He also had beer, which I definitely needed. He handed me one as I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled my boots off.
“How'd it go?”
“Uh... got a little heated for a moment, honestly. He wouldn't, or I guess couldn't, tell me everything I wanted to know. But I did find out what Minerva did to Swann.” I told Tommy what Drake said, about the sinner and exposing her sins thing. He shook his head. “I know you and Bree had a weird frenemy thing going on, are you mad Min fucked with her?”
“Not really. It's none of my business. I wouldn't call her a friend, or even frenemy. I respect her skills, that's it. I'm guessing with this wedding of hers coming up she's gonna find a way to make nice with Dave, and I don't need to have anything to do with that.”
“Shit, I forgot about that.”
“I'd like to.” I snickered. “I'll tell you this too, I know you were upset Minerva didn't tell you anything about this, but I'm glad she left us out of it. I can't believe I'm saying this but Drake is right. It's their issue. We have our own issues in SCW, we don't need to worry about what they're doing outside of it.”
“I see what you're saying, but it does involve SCW. She's playing these games because of who she's facing. She chose to target them in SCW, because of... whatever her hate boner is.”
“True, but she started the whole thing on her own, when she took out Peyton.” I glared. “I know you were in on that plan and you wanted to see her punished too... but remember, I warned you this could get ugly. I just had no idea how ugly.”
“Yeah... you did. And maybe I should have just taken care of Peyton myself somehow-”
“You don't think Minerva would have attacked her with or without your cosign?”
I chugged my beer. He had a point. “So what you're saying is, I never had a choice in any of this?”
Tommy shrugged as he ate a clump of fries. “You chose to go along with it. We could have backed away from all of this. But we bought in.”
“I wish I had known what we were getting into. Sienna Swann isn't my favorite person either, even though I've never really crossed paths with her. But she's pregnant... At least Drake told me the truth when I asked.”
“There's that. He could have brushed you off completely, said it was none of your business, or straight up lied.”
“That's why I asked him, though. I know that he'd never lie to me or hide something from me. He told me everything he could. If he promised Minerva he'd keep some things between them, I can respect that. When I said that you could trust him, I meant in everything. He'll tell me everything he can.”
“Yeah.... I get that now. I'm glad you have a friend like that to count on. Everyone needs one who isn't their partner.” Tommy downed the rest of his beer, then immediately cracked open another one. He seemed upset, and I was pretty sure it was because he had a friend like that... until David Helms ruined it. I decided to steer the conversation back around.
“So... what do you think we should do about this?”
“Do? Nothing. We listen to your friend. Focus on getting our tag championships back, and let them handle their business. If they need us, great. If we need them, great. Other than that... we do our own thing. Let's see how Rise to Greatness plays out then go from there.”
I nodded, picking at my burger. I had a few bites left but I didn't think I wanted the rest of it.
“Yeah. Probably the best plan.”
“Besides, we have non-SCW matters to deal with too, getting things back on track with our other friends.”
“Right... I'm not sure which is harder.”
“Hey, this party is gonna be great. Everyone's looking forward to it.”
“Yeah? Did Ashley say yes or no yet?” Tommy had invited several people at once in a 'meeting' at Ante Up a week ago, but Ashley had skipped the meeting. Tommy had asked him later, but as far as I knew, he hadn't given an answer.
Tommy looked at me a second, drank some beer. “Not yet.”
“Great.” I opened another beer for myself. The main person we were putting this party on for hadn't actually agreed to come.
“He'll come. I think he's just letting me sweat it to fuck with me.” Tommy had told me how their conversation went the same day I spoke to him at the Starmaker, as well as his non-committal response when he talked to him about the party.
“Probably. I'll ask him when I see him for training Monday. Maybe he'll answer me.”
“Good idea, he seemed more pissed with me from the start. What about your cousin and your sister? No backouts?
“They're still in. Sydney did ask if she could bring someone, I couldn't tell her no.”
“Of course not. More the merrier.” Tommy grinned as he finished his burger. “It'll work out. I have a feeling.”
I hoped so.
July 19
Santa Barbara
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It was mid-morning and both Tommy and I were at Ante Up. He was working with an intermediate class, and I was doing my own sets until Ashley got there, as my striking class wasn't til afternoon. I put in some quad and glute work and just as I was considering some cardio, I saw Ashley walk in. He was dressed out to work, wearing sunglasses as he came through the door. He passed me by, carrying a small gym bag and water bottle. I watched him go by, he seemed to be purposely ignoring me. That struck me as odd for a few reasons. First, ever since that conversation we had at the Starmaker a month ago and his not very subtle comment about me 'proving' I wasn't lying about actually being interested... he'd made a handful of similar comments. During training, at the club, one or two times where Tommy heard him. Tommy and I hadn't really talked about it, other than agreeing that he'd changed... and it was our fault.
Even with all of that though, it seemed like things were slowly getting better. Over the month the snark, the tension, had dialed back bit by bit. But Tommy and I decided that it might be better if I asked him about the party instead of Tommy, because even though things were getting better, Ashley still seemed to respond to me better. I watched as he set his bag in one of the open cubbies along the wall, and then walked to the weights where he liked to warm up. I decided to shoot my shot before he got too deep into his reps, and before any of his classes. Especially since one of them was mine, and I didn't want any weirdness hanging over it in front of the other five or six students who usually showed. So, I walked over, sort of nonchalantly. Ashley lowered the handweight he was curling as I stepped up.
“Hey doll, you're here early.”
“Trying to be a little more professional, y'know?”
“You were never unprofessional.”
“Sure Ah was. Skipped some classes, dint really participate proper in the ones Ah did show up fer. Was just having a time of it, y'kmow? But Ah think Ah got me head on straight na, An showing up here early to stretch and whatnot is part of my... new an' improved Ash.” He smirked as he started the curls back up.
“Hey, anytime someone wants to make themselves better? I'm in full support.”
“Are ya? Good t'know. Cause I weren't sure you were comfortable with the other part of me makin' changes.”
“What part is that?”
“The one where Ah speak my mind, rather than keeping comments to meself.” He switched the weight to his other hand, continuing the curls.
“That explains a lot. I won't say I don't like it. It's just... different, for you.”
“Tha's the point, love.” He gave me a wink. “So did ya need sommat, or were you just commentin' on me punctuality?”
“Actually, I did. I wanted to ask you about Tommy's party.”
“Ahh. That one. I was wondering if you'd bring that up.”
“You know I'm up front about most things, so I'm just gonna ask you point blank. Are you coming or not?”
Ashley finished his curl set, and put the weigh back on the rack. “Yeah. Ah'll be there.” He crossed his arms, still with that smirk.
“Great. Was there something you had to work out before you could decide, or...?”
“Nah. Honestly? It were fun to watch Tommy stress about it. And maybe Ah were just waiting for you t'ask me.”
“Me? Why? It's Tommy's house.”
“Nah, it's both of ya. I helped ya move in, remember?”
“I remember. But it's still his place. And the party was his idea.”
“Right.... but Ah wanted to see if you wanted me there.”
“Why wouldn't I? Look, I know things have been a little... weird, between us all lately-”
“Y'could say that.”
“And I also know that it's our fault. We're just.... trying our best to make up for it.”
“Ah know it. Ah'll admit Ah did debate comin to this thing for a day or two. But Ah figure, it's best to put everythin' behind us and move forward. Tommy did what he thought were best, it were kinda fucked up, but done is done, y'know? Can't say Ah dint get anythin' good out of it, yeah?” He gave me a smirk, not sarcastic-like as most of the ones before, but more flirtatious, as he eyed me up and down along with it. This flip-flip between being upset about it and being glad he got to hook up with me regardless was making my head spin.
“That's one way to look at it.”
“After Ah decided to go, as long as you asked me yerself.... the more Ah thought about it, the more Ah look forward to it. Should be a good time. Havin' some fun right before Rise to Greatness, lettin' loose, getting rid of all the stress that comes along with that show. Jus' like ya taught me about not letting things stress me out too much. Been just about a year since that lesson, remember?”
In that split second I decided to call his bluff and see what happened. Did he really want me still, or was he fucking with me as some kind of revenge plot? I put on my sultry smirk.
“How could I forget? You were a very good student.”
“You made sure the lesson... sunk in. Pretty well I'd say too, for only having two... er, classes.” He flicked his eyebrows up, emphasizing the pun. A clear reference to the fact we'd fucked two times.
“Sometimes that's all that's necessary to really get the message.” And that was my very subtle question... did he want more?
“Hmm. True. Although I wonder... do I need a refresher course?”
I was going to ask if he thought he did, but before I could even open my mouth to speak, Ashley turned and walked off, leaving me hanging. What the fuck had just happened? Did that mean what I think it did... he does actually want me, even though we fucked him around?
A year ago Ashley was this timid young guy who came to the US to train, specifically here because of Tommy. He was quiet and shy. But Tommy had this crazy idea to throw me at him. I loosened him up a bit I admit but since he found out the scheme? Holy fuck did he have an an attitude. Maybe he'd had a thing for me all along and never felt comfortable acting like it or saying anything to me. But that door was busted off the hinges now and the blatant flirting was... I don't even know. It was like he was mad at Tommy but wanted me. Was he trying to fuck with me to get Tommy back? Or just taking advantage? What bothered me the most was... I couldn't decide if I liked it or not, or if I really wanted to bite.
July 23
Santa Barbara
-------------------
It was Friday afternoon, we had told everyone to be at Tommy's for the party at 4. We had every manner of alcohol you could think of, courtesy of the Starmaker. We planned to order a fuckton of pizza for dinner. After all the making us wait to see if he would come, Ashley was the first to arrive. Soon after was Gable Winchester and his... girlfriend? I think. She introduced herself as Harmony. Seemed like a nice enough person. After that was Sydney and another woman. I assumed it was a friend of hers from work or something. I walked over to welcome them.
“Hey Syd, glad you could make it.”
“Of course, thanks for the invite. I want you to meet Amanda.”
The thin blonde gave me a smile. “Hi, I've heard a lot about you, good to meet you.” She offered me her hand.
“You too, any friend of Syd's has to be a good person.”
“Oh... um, she's not my friend...” Sydney then looked at Amanda with adoration. Oh. OH.
“Oh. Well okay. You're more than welcome, no matter what you are.”
Amanda smiled. “Thanks. Um.... is there a place to change?” She held up a small backpack, that I figured she brought her bathing suit in.
“Sure. There's a changing room just under the porch there. On the left.”
“Thanks!” Amanda walked off in the direction I pointed. I gave Sydney a look.
“Okay, so since when is this a thing?”
“Um... a few months? I wanted to tell you, I just didn't know how you'd take it.”
“So you just brought your girlfriend to jump into the deep end, literally and figuratively?”
Sydney shrugged. “Yeah? I mean, I got tired of trying to find the right moment. So... what do you think?”
I shrugged. “I don't care who other people fuck. As long as she's not a bitch.”
Sydney smiled big and hugged me, it caught me off guard. “I was so worried you'd hate it, thank you.”
“Why would I care? I mean, it explains a few things.”
“Oh, you mean like why the thing with Ashley went nowhere? Yeah...”
“So you think you've been this way a while, or..?”
“Probably forever. I went out with Tyson cause Dad introduced us and.... I didn't really know how to be different. Then I came here, and he dumped me. And I thought, maybe I can explore this, you know? But then Ashley was nice to me, and I told myself... give it a shot. Maybe I was wrong. But clearly I wasn't. I met Amanda at work a few months ago, and... well, I probably should have had a talk with Ashley sooner than I did. I kinda sorta... messed around. He doesn't know that though, please don't tell him?”
“Oh... I would never.” Fuck, someone else that played him, even unintentionally? No fucking way was I gonna spill that tea.
“Thanks... I see he's here, do you think he'll think this is weird?”
“Probably not. He's pretty easy going.” That, and I had an idea he had other things on his mind.
“Okay. I'll try not to worry about it. I'm gonna go change too.”
I gave her a nod and she walked away.
Holy shit. I hoped I hadn't just lied to her and Ashley wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
While I was talking to Sydney, other people showed up. Thomas and his girl Tory. She was already dressed in her bathing suit, a one piece that was almost as revealing as my bikini. She had shorts over it but took them off almost as soon as they walked in. She was the first one to go into the pool too, by diving into the deep end. I'd met her a few times at the Starmaker, that woman could put away some liquor, more than me and that's saying something. Tish got there, with Bella. I had forgotten that Tommy invited the young student. They had a strange relationship, she came to Ante Up as part of some program that helped at risk young people. Like, she had been homeless. I didn't know the details of how it all worked, but she did pick up training pretty well, she kicked harder than her small frame suggested. Tish gave me a hug and Bella gave me a shy smile, then she went to talk to Tommy.
I was starting to wonder if Coral wasn't going to show, when she finally walked in through the gate. She looked around at everyone there, people swimming and having drinks. I had been sitting on the steps in the pool watching Tory and Harmony race swim each other for shots... I got out and met Coral near the drink table.
“Hey... I'm so sorry I'm late. My GPS went stupid and I had to reboot my whole phone. Tech, am I right?”
“Don't worry about it, you made it. And I gotta say girl, you look hot. We should have invited more single guys for you to meet.”
Coral laughed. “Girl stop, I don't need that drama. I came to drink and swim. In that order.” She laughed. I pointed behind her to the drink table.
“Well, there you go. Take your pick.”
“Oh my fuck, did you bring the whole bar home?!”
“Pretty much.”
“This is already the best party ever.” Coral went to the table and grabbed a plastic cup while she looked at all the choices. Just then Tommy walked up, he was in black swim trunks and nothing else. He and I kinda matched, my bikini was black, except there were white stars over my tits. It looks pretty hot when it's wet.
“Hey, good to see you again. Glad you came, we're gonna have a great time.”
Coral gave him a big smile. “Damn right we are. Thanks for including me.”
“Hey, Kandis' family is my family. You're welcome anytime.”
“Thanks.”
After fixing her first drink, Coral removed her shorts and top, revealing that she had a bikini similar to mine, complete with the white stars, except hers was navy blue. We'd gone shopping together a week ago or so and she thought it would be funny or cute or whatever if we sort of matched, so we bought the same style, different color. I didn't mind, she was really leaning into the whole 'sister' thing and I had to admit.. I liked it. When she took her shorts and top off, I heard a hoot sound from the pool. I turned, and Thomas was clapping.
“Hey, looka you two, ya look like twins or sommat!”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
“Ya should, it were meant as one!”
Coral did a little twirl. Thomas clapped, getting the attention of the other guys. Soon, Gable and Ashley were clapping too. Tory though swam up behind Thomas, then dunked him. Everyone laughed. When he came up, sputtering, he turned to her, and she was smirking at him.
“Sorry, just thought you needed to cool off.”
Thomas just shook his head and swam off, laughing.
Tommy had lots of pizza delivered, everyone ate and joked around, and had drinks. It seemed like Tory was trying to outdrink everyone, including Thomas, Tommy, and me. I gave up trying to keep up, I didn't want to drown out of drunkeness. I can hold my liquor pretty well, but Tommy and I did have a FanFest bullshit thing for SCW the next day, and I didn't want to be hungover and look a hot mess in pics with fans. Tommy had slowed down a bit, but I think he was more fucked up than me. He never seemed to get hangovers though so I didn't say anything, he's a grown man and he knew what he was doing.
After eating, Gable and Harmony found lounge chairs and laid back, relaxing. Sydney and Amanda were in a corner of the pool talking with Coral, Tish., and Bella. At one point while we were all swimming, Coral had sat on the steps and put her hair up in a braid like mine. She said it was bothering her loose and my style looked convenient. I told her it is and that's why I keep it in braids so much. It looked good on her.
Later, Ashley was swimming lazy laps. Tommy had gone inside to put away the leftover pizza, and bring out some more beer. I was on a floating unicorn trying to sober up a bit. I had my eyes closed, and I guess I dozed off cause of the alcohol, until all of a sudden I was flying through the air, and then splashed down into the water. When I came up, Ashley was standing there, chuckling at me. I noticed that the sun was setting.
“What the fuck was that for?”
“Ya looked a bit too dry, had to get ya wet.” He smirked. The balls of this guy. I sure the fuck can't refer to him as 'the kid' anymore. Not only did I know he was packing like a man, but he'd grown a whole swagger, too.
“There's better ways to do that, you know.”
“Oh yeah? Ya wanna teach me some?”
I just laughed a bit, and swam to an unoccupied corner. Ashley followed me, holding on to the side of the pool.
“Come on, I'm just teasin'. Yer not mad about the dip, are you?”
“No. You're right, I did need to jump back in. But I might have to get out again and grab another drink. Now I'm thirsty.”
“Stay here.”
Ashley pulled himself out using the side of the pool. It looked like a goddamn movie scene or cologne commercial or some shit. He gave me a wink as he went over to the liquor table. I watched him fix two drinks that I was almost sure would turn out to be gin and tonic. I looked around, Tish and Bella had left the pool, they were sitting at a table under the porch, having drinks. It looked like while I had floated around the pool for about an hour, Gable and Harmony had left. I guess they didn't want to sta after dark. I never saw Tommy come back outside. Coral was talking to Sydney and Amanda near the gate, they looked ready to leave. Sydney saw me looking and waved.
“We have to go, Kandis, sorry! Tell Tommy we had a great time.”
“Sure thing Syd. Y'all be safe.”
“Always! Call me.”
I waved again, and she and Amanda left, holding hands. Okay, that was cute. Ashley was walking back over with the drinks. He handed me mine, set his on the pool's edge, then slid back in.
“So... I see why Syd an me had no spark or whathaveyou. I'm not playing with the right current.”
“I was wondering what you thought about that.” I sipped my drink – I was right gin and tonic.
“Good for her. Glad she figured herself out, and everything makes sense.” He had some of his drink, then tilted his head as if he thought of something. “Well, maybe not everything.”
“What else don't you get?” The gin going through my system seemed to have reawakened the beer and tequila from earlier, because all of a sudden I felt my buzz coming back. I looked at my cup, wondering how strong he'd made the drink.
“You.”
“Me? I'm an open book, I think you know that by now.”
Ashley looked around, as if looking for someone. Or maybe just to see who was around. I noticed that Bella and Tish were gone, I assumed they either went in looking for some of the leftovers, since I saw Bella's bag still on the ground near the table. Coral was nowhere to be seen, but her shorts and top were still where she left them on a chair. Thomas and Tory had disappeared at some point, too. Ashley and me were the only people still outside. It was now dark, the sun was fully set. There were lights in the pool, and two outdoor lights on either end but no one had turned those on yet. So we just had the pool lights.
“Are you, though? Sometimes Ah wonder.”
“You don't have to wonder, Ash. Just ask me whatever is on your mind.”
He floated himself a little closer to me. “Alright. Remember when Ah told ya Ah might ask ya sometime to prove ya meant what ya said?”
I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I decided to play dumb. I wanted him to actually say it, because I felt like that would tell me if he really still wanted me, or if he was playing games.
“Prove that I meant what?”
He smirked. “Yer playing innocent now? You know what Ah mean.”
I smirked right back, and finished my drink. That was a feat since it was more than half. I was tired of the innuendo and dancing around the issue. “Fine. You mean prove that I wanted you?”
“There you go. That's what Ahm askin' ya. Unless, you don't anymore... but Ah think you do, given how determined ya were to get me to believe that ya weren't just using me.”
The playful banter we'd had going on today, and really for the last month, had just turned serious. I was tired of the back and forth anyway. If he didn't want to show his hand, I would show mine, and see how the rest of the cards fell. “I wasn't using you, Ash. If you think about it for three seconds you'd know that. I wouldn't have done what I did after finding out about my mother if I didn't really want or trust you.”
He nodded, had some of his gin then set it aside on the edge of the pool. “Alright... Ah guess that's a fair point. But that begs the question... why'd ya back off? And don't try to bullshit me, be honest for once.”
I sighed. That cut deep, cause he was right. I'd played him, and probably embellished a few things, if not outright lied. “Okay. It was never meant to be an ongoing thing. I was supposed to just... get your attention, get you in bed at least once, to make things awkward. But then the day I freaked out happened. And it seemed to be turning into an ongoing thing. You were more interested. And, okay I admit it was getting a little too real.”
“Real? As in you wanted t'keep on, too?”
“I... yeah.”
We were both holding on to the side of the pool to keep from drifting, and Ashley grabbed my free hand with his. “That's what I wanted to hear. That it weren't just me.”
“It wasn't.” I looked at my empty cup, wishing there was more gin in it. I couldn't believe I was admitting this, not knowing if he was only going to use it against me. I would deserve it.
“But...?”
“But... then you started hanging out, hooking up with Sydney. And it was easy to back off, because I don't mess with taken men.”
“Am not taken now, am I?”
“Ashley...”
“Just answer one more question.. is it still real? Do ya still want me?” He slid his hand from my arm up to my side, resting on my ribs. It felt warm, even in the warm water. It was hyper aware that no one else was outside.
“I would... I mean, yeah. I do. But me and Tommy decided a few months back that we weren't gonna play around anymore. Just be us, you know?”
“Oh yeah? An' where is he now? Inside with onea those other birds who were here?”
I hadn't considered that. He and Tish always got along well, and Bella.... I was certain the young woman had a massive thing for Tommy. I saw how she looked at him, how she was nervous talking to him. I had told him a long time ago that I didn't care what he did, if an opportunity ever came up he wanted to take, I was okay with that. He never had, thus far. Was he right now?
“You don't know that.”
“What Ah do know, is that this thing between you an' me exists because of him, and he wouldn't have a leg t'stand on if he got mad at either one of us now, would he?” It wasn't that long ago that Tommy said something very similar to me himself, when he asked me if I'd been more interested in this scheme of his than I had acted like.
“I guess you're not wrong.” I rested my hand over his arm that was holding me. He pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around me. Our chests were nearly touching. “I can't say that I've never thought about it.”
“About me? In bed?”
“Yeah. Or on a couch, or a weight room, or... anywhere.” I started to ask myself how drunk I was, but I wasn't even sure I could blame the liquor. Maybe it helped but I wasn't fucked up.
“What about a pool?” I smirked. I mean obviously I was thinking about it right now. I realized I had wrapped my leg around his. He was pressing into me.
“Isn't that obvious?”
“Are ya gonna prove it then?”
Fuck it. I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down to kiss me. It was hard, deep, breathless. He pulled me tighter against him. I remembered where we were, and pushed him away.
“I will prove it... but not out here. Anyone could walk back outside and see. We should go in.”
Ashley just nodded. We pulled ourselves out. Dripping wet, his trunks clinging to him, making his erection clear as day if anyone had stepped out just then, we went inside through the back door rather than the door near the kitchen.
Not hearing any voices, I led him up the back stairs and straight into my studio room. We neither heard nor saw anyone. I locked the door, and when I turned around, he was on me. Kissing, hands all over, tugging at my bikini strings. We peeled our wet suits off and I pushed him to the couch in the room... my old one from my apartment before I moved here, the same one we'd fucked around on before I had brought him to my bed. There was no bed in here so the couch had to do. He sat down and I was immediately on him, straddling him. We kissed hard again, he reached down and felt me. I was soaked and not from the pool water. I groaned and couldn't wait any more, we'd flirted and teased and hinted at each other for a month, since the day in the Starmaker when he said he'd ask me to prove it one day. That day was today, and I flicked my hips, he removed his hand and I sank myself down onto his cock.
We changed positions a few times, stopping right before coming each time to make it last longer. I laid down and he got on me, then we both got up and I leaned over the couch and he was behind me. We finished the way we started, me straddling his lap. I collapsed when I was done, and he was out of breath. We laid side by side, as the couch is a pretty wide cushioned one, so we both fit side by side. After the alcohol, the swimming, and the sex we were both exhausted and fell asleep, naked.
Hours later, I woke up needing the bathroom. I didn't even have my phone with me so I had no idea the time. The studio room was a spare bedroom that Tommy gave me for my art, and it had an ensuite bathroom. I went in, careful to not wake Ashley up. After taking care of my business, I realized we both needed clothes, and I probably shouldn't stay in here with him. I quietly went out into the hallway, and opened the door to me and Tommy's room slowly. When I could see inside.... he wasn't there. The bed was empty. I thought that was strange, but it wasn't my immediate concern. I saw on the bedside clock that it was just after one AM. I grabbed clothes from the dresser and got dressed. I then remembered Ashley had left his clothes downstairs, he'd changed in the half-bath near the kitchen. I went downstairs as quietly as I could, still seeing and hearing no one else. I found Ashley's clothes, and took them back upstairs. I went into the studio, he was still sleeping. I didn't want to wake him up just to put clothes on, so I left his bag there, then went to the hall closet and grabbed an extra blanket. Going back in, I covered him up, noting that the package was still pretty damn impressive even soft. I shook my head at myself and left, going back into my own bedroom. Maybe Tommy had given someone a ride home? I didn't see anyone else in the house. I laid in bed, deciding to ask him in the morning.
Somehow, I'd brought Ashley into the house, fucked him dry, and no one heard or saw anything. I wasn't going to go hunting Tommy down in the middle of the night and risk being found out.
What the fuck was gonna happen now?
ON CAMERA
I'll be fucking damned!
I always knew something like this was gonna happen. For the last year... year! Since Tommy and I lost the Tag Team Championships at Rise to Greatness to Regan and Selena... the titles have been treated like garbage. And don't come at me talking about this whole Tag League nonsense, that shit turned into a joke when we kept getting fucked over and the titles changed hands because Regan and Selena didn't give a shit anymore, just like Tommy and me knew they wouldn't. I mean, Regan got the box checked she needed to be a Supreme Champion, and Selena got her ass kissed for helping, and we all know how much Selena Frost lives to have her ass kissed. Once they got what they wanted.... it didn't matter anymore. Did they try to get them back?
No!
Did they act like they gave a fuck that they lost?
No!
So, the titles bounced around. Suited and Booted. Golden Boys. And now... Autumn Fucking Valentine.
This bitch.... I guess maybe I can't be too mad at her about the Television Championship, she got it from me in much the same way I took it from Bison. Stolen. Here's the thing though, at least when I stole it, it was me and my man who did the deed, we didn't merc the job out! I don't know or care who set it up, Autumn or Lexy. But the fact is that if they wanted to steal my championship, they should have had the balls to do it themselves! But nah, they got Bison and his bitch involved instead, probably playing on the fact they were mad at me for how we played them. So much drama around a championship that Autumn Valentine doesn't even give a fuck about!
Nah, everyone knows she only cares about the tag. She's a career Tag Team talent. She and Gable Winchester held the titles for what seemed like forfuckingever. They lost, she dumped him, she teamed with her new man Ryan Watson... they won the titles, played games with them, lost. Ryan fucked off, I heard about some injury or something but knowing him he just didn't want to work anymore once he wasn't carrying a belt for his wife so he made something up and here we are. It seems like any time Autumn isn't teaming with someone... she fades into obscurity. That's what happened after Ryan fucked off. Poor Autumn, with her passive aggressive comments about spending time in catering and getting no attention. Lexy saw how sad and lonely and emo she was and talked her into this stupidity with Ace Marshall... and once again, suddenly Autumn is relevant! She's a tag champion again! She's getting TV title shots, which she seems to only get when she's a tag champion.
Has everyone else figured out why Autumn only cares about the Tag Titles? I have. It's the only thing that makes her relevant. It's the only thing she knows how to do.
And that's pretty sad for someone who's been doing this for as long as she has. You'd think she would have learned something new by now. But she hasn't. She doesn't want to. Why fix what isn't broken, right? Why leave your comfort zone?
Who knows, I don't care. What I can tell you though is that her comfort zone is about to get real fucking uncomfortable. I mean let's take a look at this shit, okay? Autumn wins the Tag Championships with Ace Marshall... then that motherfucker went and won the Flame. All of a sudden... Autumn isn't his priority anymore. Nah, he's got a bigger and shinier goal dangling in front of him now, and suddenly the fun and games with Lexy and Autumn and whoever the fuck else is involved in their little outfit isn't enough. So much so, that now Ace has been replaced by some Japanese chick no one has ever heard of, who can't even aim a punch correctly.
And this bitch is gonna help Autumn keep the Tag Titles? Give me a fucking break!
Here's the best part though. Are y'all paying attention? Mr. D sees all of this. He knows his Tag Titles are in danger because Ace fucked off for bigger prizes. Makes sense to book a rematch against the Golden Boys, except it's not really a rematch, since the team is different. On top of that, you have Adam Allocco who should be in rehab... I thought he said he went? Then why is he still wrestling and drinking? Look, I know it's been a few years but SCW already had to deal with one alcoholic possibly coming to the ring drunk and hurting herself. They sent her to rehab. Why not Adam? Instead, let's throw him into this clusterfuck Tag Title match to keep him and his boy Bison happy, since they didn't get a rematch after losing the titles. Maybe D is waiting until after Rise to Greatness because he thinks the Golden Boys are a draw. Who knows, doesn't matter.
Then we have Kim Williams and Jessica... whatever the fuck her name is that I can't pronounce. Sorry doll. These two cunts nosed their way just because they saw some chaos and wanted to play. Listen, I know who they're related to, I know they come from a long line of talent. It just seems like the strain is getting a little thin, if you know what I mean. Kim's out here threatening people with bullshit and Jessica stands back and lets her fuck around. The problem I have with that is, I've worked with Kim. We were Trios partners. I know she's better than this. She doesn't want anyone to think so, but I know better. Yet here she is... preferring to fuck around for laughs and make a mockery of what we fight for. So, Mr. D saw some fun in that I guess, and tossed them in too.
So you had Autumn Valentine and... the Japanese wonder, versus Bison Jones and Adam Allocco, assuming Adam can stumble his way to the ring, versus Kim and Jessica... the last dregs left at the bottom of the Jones family pool of talent.
Does that sound worthy of Rise to Greatness to you? Of course it doesn't!
So... good old Mr. D had to do what I'm sure he was trying to avoid, what he didn't want to do... forget everything he's said and done to me and Tommy in the past and put us in the match too! Because despite the way he hates what we stand for, he hates that we stood up for ourselves against the people who tried to take us down and push us aside, he despises the fact that we've aligned ourselves with Minerva and Raab and Drake as Jackals.... in spite of all of that? He knows that we are the only team that can save this division and drag it out of the dumpster fire that it's currently in!
He knows that! We've done it before!
So here we are. About ready to do it again, at Rise to Greatness. It's almost a full circle moment, isn't it? We lost the titles at this event last year, we were pushed aside while other, inexperienced and untested teams were given shots over us... and look how that ended up. Autumn benefited a few weeks ago from Bison finding a way to fuck me, not in the way he wants.... but out of the Television Championship. So that's gonna be two receipts in one. And Kim and Jessica? Well, maybe Kim will pay attention and realize that Tommy never fucking went anywhere, he's been here the entire time he was injured. Maybe if she stopped fucking around with fake titles she might have a clue what the fuck is going on in the company that just handed her a title shot for no fucking reason.
Are any of these teams really capable of carrying the Tag Titles out of Rise to Greatness, into the future, with any sense of honor? You already know the answer, and Mr. D does too.
That's why we're in this match. That's why all six of you are going to find out real quick that we're not fucking playing around, like the rest of you seem to be. These titles aren't a joke! They're not a prop, or something to be used to keep yourself in the public eye so you don't starve from not getting attention.
They're the motherfucking Tag Team Championships. For real tag teams to carry!
Autumn and whatshername aren't a real team. This little girl is a replacement for Ace who found something better to do. Adam and Bison are a one man team thanks to Adam's habit he can't control. Bison is big enough for two men, but he can't tag himself in and out, can he? And Kim and Jessica? They're in way over their fucking heads and that will be seen very quickly when I take every toy and gadget that Kim has and break it over her unobservant face!
There is no other team in this company, in this business better suited than Tommy and me for this. Everyone knows it. They just don't want to admit it.
After Rise to Greatness, in practically our backyard? You won't have a choice.