Perfect Match (25 page)

Noelle needed to go into that room, but
couldn’t get her legs to move. She also knew that she looked
foolish pacing back and forth. She never thought she’d ever see him
again, and truthfully her life would be perfect if she didn’t. She
thought she was safe here and that he’d never come back. He did
burn his bridges in her opinion, but there he was, as smug as ever.
Why? He couldn’t be working here again. That would be just way too
much for her to handle.

“Hey!”

Noelle jumped and turned to see Kayla, of all
people, standing there with her usual catty expression. It became
clear to Noelle at that moment that the universe hated her. “Oh,
hey,” she said trying to sound nonchalant.

“Um, what are you doing?”

“I have to get something out of that
room.”

“So go get it.”

“It looks like they are having a meeting or
something. I don’t want to bother them.”

“Hmm,” Kayla said and looked around Noelle to
see what was going on in there, “Oh, wow! That’s Demon! What’s he
doing back?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I didn’t go
in.”

She rolled her eyes and replied, “If it was
important, they would not be sitting in the lounge. Just go in,”
Kayla said and really looked at Noelle. “What’s the matter with
you? You look sick. Not happy when Jackson’s away, are we?”

Noelle sighed. “I’m fine.”

“Fine, I’ll go in with you. I’ve been wanting
to meet the infamous Demon for a long time.”

Before Noelle could do anything else, Kayla
had pushed her into the room and she followed her announcing their
arrival. Noelle hated that she always ended up acting and feeling
like a teenager whenever Kayla was around.

“Oh, please excuse us,” Kayla said loudly and
all the men in the room turned in their direction.

“Hey Ladies,” Tony said in his usual cheerful
tone, “Come here and meet and old friend of BRAWL’s. Ladies this is
Derek Kincaid, otherwise known as Demon. Derek this is Miss Kayla
Divine, future Champion Goddess and Noelle Reid, our onsite PT and
Larry’s daughter.”

Noelle didn’t want to be rude especially in
front of Tony, so she said gave a brief hello and went to grab her
folder reminding herself to never forget anything again for as long
as she lives. He made brief eye contact but it was enough that she
was able to see the spark of recognition in his eyes. He raised his
eyebrow and gave her his signature smile. Her stomach instantly
felt nauseous. Thankfully, Kayla didn’t give him a chance to say
anything to her. She commanded his full attention, which allowed
Noelle to sneak out.

For once she was glad that Kayla thought the
world revolved around her. She felt sick to her stomach over ever
being involved with him. He looked so smug, like he was always
about to get laid. Had he always carried himself that way and
Noelle was just too blind to see it? His dark hair was cut into a
form of a Mohawk and was more muscular than she remembered, and his
skin looked awful. It looked like he spent a year in a tanning bed.
She was glad that Jackson was nothing like him, both in his
appearance and how he treated her. Oh, Jackson! She had to tell him
about her past before it blew up in his face.

****

Kayla agreed to meet Derek for drinks for two
reasons. First, she was dying to get to know Derek and she knew
that she had her shot tonight to really make an impression on the
wrestling icon. Second, there was some kind of history between him
and Noelle. She knew there was especially with how Noelle was
acting. She needed to find out what it was, and she had a feeling
Derek was going to be more than happy to talk.

She sat down in the stool next to his and
said, “I’ll have a rum and coke. On him.” She told the
bartender.

Derek just chuckled, “Miss Divine, so glad
you’ve joined me this evening.”

“You should be.”

Another amused chuckle out of him. “I get the
feeling you are going to make for a very interesting night.”

“You got that right,” Kayla said giving him a
sweet smile, “So what are you doing back? Are you back for
good?”

Derek took a sip of his scotch and shook his
head. “I’m coming back for a few weeks. They asked me to do a match
at the Holiday in Hell event that is coming up. The great part is,
I can pick who I want to compete against.”

“You can’t be convinced to stay longer?”
Kayla asked giving him her pout.

“No interest in coming back full-time.” He
finished off his drink and motioned for the bartender for another.
“So that girl you were with today…Noelle? Did I hear Tony say that
she is Larry’s daughter?”

Kayla looked at him directly in the eye and
said, “Somehow, I think you already know the answer to that
question.”

“So you’re not only beautiful, but you also
have a brain.”

“I think I should be offended by that
comment, but I’m not.”

“Don’t be. I’m beginning to like you.”

Kayla smiled, “So what do you want to
know?”

“When did she start working there?”

“A few months back.”

“Are you two close?”

“Not hardly. I can’t stand her. She starts
working here and of course she gets all this attention because she
is Larry Reid’s daughter. He goes on this tirade to all the guys on
how they better not even think about trying anything with her
because she is off limits. No wrestlers for his precious girl, and
next thing I know she is dating my ex-boyfriend. Some rule.”

“Your ex-boyfriend?”

“Yep. Pisses me off that she appears so sweet
and she sweeps him up when I was just about to win him back.”

“Wait, are we talking about a wrestler?”

“Yes. She is involved with Jackson Smith.
Things are pretty serious, I guess. Kind of disgusting if you ask
me.”

“Noelle is dating Bullet? Does Larry know
this?”

“Yes and yes. He actually gave them his
blessing, I guess.”

“What the fuck?” Derek didn’t sound happy. He
sucked down his second drink and didn’t say anything for a moment.
Finally he reached for her and put his hand on her cheek. He leaned
in and kissed her lightly. When he broke the kiss he said, “Miss
Divine, you have helped me decide who I want to compete against at
Holiday in Hell. The golden boy Bullet.”

“Really? He’s just the American
Champion.”

“It’s not a belt I am after. Let’s get out of
here.” Derek said with a wicked grin. He gazes at Kayla’s Goddess
inspired body and Kayla no longer cared about what his connection
was to Noelle. She had a feeling that by giving him the information
he wanted, her plan to make their lives miserable was going to fall
in place. All she cared about at that moment was going home with
Derek.

****

Noelle was about to scream. She hasn’t had a
relaxing moment since she saw Derek sitting in the lounge giving
her that smile that he used to give her when he was trying to win
her over. That whole thought sickened her. She absolutely hated
that man and was so relieved when he succumbed to his addiction and
went to rehab. Never in her wildest dreams did she believe that he
would ever step foot inside a BRAWL ring again. She wishes now she
would have told Jackson. She only felt relief when Jennifer’s car
pulled up the driveway. Noelle flung the door open and ushered her
sister inside.

“What’s wrong with you? You beg me to come
over and you pull me inside like I’m going to get hurt if I stay
too long on your porch. Are you okay? Is Jackson okay?”

As soon as she saw Jennifer’s concern, she
started to cry. “He’s back, Jenn.”

“Who? Jackson?” She hung her coat and purse
up on the rack by the door and took Noelle’s hand and led her to
the sofa. “You are scaring me.”

Noelle sat down beside her sister and blurted
it out, “Derek is back!”

Jennifer sighed and pulled her sister in for
a hug. “It’s okay. He can’t hurt you. Jackson won’t allow it.”

Noelle couldn’t respond. She only sobbed
harder.

“Noelle, calm down. Did he threaten you?”

“No, Jenn. You don’t understand. Jackson
doesn’t know.”

“Wait. You told me that you told
Jackson.”

“I did tell him that I dated a wrestler that
hit me. I never told him who.”

“Oh, shit.” Jennifer said. “When is Jackson
coming home?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Why didn’t you tell him?”

“It wasn’t easy for me to tell him any part
of it, Jennifer! And Derek has such a horrible personal life and I
was too embarrassed to let him know that I fell for the charming
ways of a drug addict that liked to beat me. I never even told
Chelsey any of this because I am so ashamed. I never thought that
Derek would ever show his face at BRAWL again. That is one of the
reasons why I took the job there. I’m not worried if he tries
something with me because I am so much stronger now, but Jackson
doesn’t know and that has me scared.”

“Did Derek see you?”

“Tony introduced him to me. He knew right
away that it was me.”

“Wait, what if he has to do a feud with
Jackson?”

Noelle thought about that and didn’t think
that was likely. “I don’t think so. Jackson is just the mid-level
champion. Derek was a five-time World Champion. Jackson is beneath
him in terms of matches.” Even as she said those words she prayed
they were true. Noelle jumped up at the sound of her phone
signaling a text message and hoped it was from Jackson. Her heart
sank as she read it.

YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE WHO WANTS A
MATCH WITH ME AT HOLIDAY IN HELL! IT WILL BE THE BIGGEST MATCH OF
MY CAREER.

Chapter Seventeen

Noelle kept pacing back in forth in the
lounge. She was glad that Jennifer came with her to work for moral
support and used seeing Pop practice as the reason why she was
there. The morning was tough because Larry of course wanted to show
off his other girl and kept them busy as he praised her to everyone
about her carrying his first grandbaby. She couldn’t concentrate
and was annoyed that she couldn’t get a hold of Jackson. It
irritated her that even after she replied to his message last night
about her really needing to talk to him that he didn’t have a
moment to call her back. He didn’t ignore her but he said that he
had a lot of research to do, in regards to Derek. She knew that
meant watching old matches so he could see his style. Tonight was
live show night and they were going to meet for the first time in
the ring. She hoped that she could catch him before he met
Derek.

Finally she sat down at a table and ran her
hands through her hair. “No matter when I tell him, this is going
to affect this whole thing with Derek. He is not going to be able
to keep in character. Neither is Derek.”

“He needs a chance to at least be warned. You
have got to tell Jackson as soon as possible!” Jennifer warned, “I
cannot believe you did not tell him sooner!”

“Tell me something I don’t already know. I
thought I was doing the right thing at the time by telling him I
dated a wrestler. Being with Derek was not one of my proudest
moments.”

“Well, Derek is going to let him know in more
ways than one. He is going to see Jackson as his enemy. He is not
going to care that what the two of you have is real. All he is
going to think is Jackson got out of you what he could not - using
you to advantace his career. Noelle, you cannot let him get into
the ring without him knowing the full story.”

Noelle’s eyes filled with tears, “I know.
What have I done?”

“Scout!” Jackson called as he came rushing
through the lounge. She could see the excitement written all over
his face for getting to fight Derek. It broke her heart because in
reality, he was being thrown to the wolves. She was the one who
threw him. “Can my life get any better?! “ He swooped her up in a
bear hug and spun her around. “I have you and now the match of my
career is coming up!”

Just nodding, she reached for his hand, “I
have to talk to you.”

He was about to protest, but he saw the
serious expression she wore. He nodded and she guided him out of
the room where hopefully she could tell him what he needed to know
before facing Derek.

“Noelle, are you alright?”

“Jackson, I’m sorry.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Derek…”

The doors flew open with a bang. Tony was
there calling for Jackson. He was needed in his office and there
was no time to talk. Jackson looked helplessly at her before
saying, “What about him?”

She wasn’t able to answer him. He was pushed
out too quickly. She hoped that Derek had changed, but she knew in
her heart that he had not.

Jackson felt that whatever Noelle needed to
tell him was important, but he also knew that he had to get it out
of his mind. He was about to meet the man he was going to feud for
the next few weeks and at his first Holiday in Hell. This was going
to be his biggest opponent so far, and he was getting caught up in
the excitement of it all.

He never actually met the Demon. He was still
at the Ruckus Room when Demon ruled the ring, but he knew all about
him. All of the stories of the man inside and outside the ring,
even though Jackson did not agree with how the man chose to live
outside of the ring, no one could take away the achievements he
made in the ring.

Tony made the introductions quickly and said
that since they were pressed for time, they were going to go
through the run through for the show. Jackson tried to listen, but
he couldn’t help but notice the odd way that Derek was looking at
him. He never actually smiled at Jackson, but would smirk. Odd, but
that could be how he wore down his opponents. Although they were
not in the ring yet so he didn’t have to be in character. Damn, did
he have another Kayla on his hands here?

After Tony went over what he wanted for the
show tonight, Derek came up to him. “So you are the newest golden
boy?”

Jackson instantly felt like he had to be on
the defense. “Golden boy?”