The Main Event (3 page)

  “I’ve missed you.”

  He kissed the top of my head and replied, “Not as much as I’ve missed you.”

  He grabbed my pink luggage when it came around and we made our way to the rental car area. I wasn’t surprised to see a large group of fans waiting – they knew that the wrestlers flew in and would therefore need vehicles.

  Plus, it was warmer inside than standing in the frigid temperatures outside. Boston was no joke in the winter. I recognized one of the same women who had been in Kentucky the week before.

  “She’s a long way from home,” I said under my breath as we approached the group.

  They had positioned themselves so there was no way around them. Several already had items out to be signed and others had their cell phones ready to take photos.

  Mesquite nodded. “Yeah. Not surprising since she’s a fan of Denver’s. She’d want to be here for the pay-per-view, especially since it leaked online that he’s losing the belt.”

  Ouch. That had to make Denver feel awful. It was one thing to know it yourself, but when it hit the web it probably felt like rubbing salt in an open wound. The woman’s eyes narrowed as we approached.

  “Hey guys. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to stop today, but I hope to see you at the show tonight or at the pay-per-view on Sunday.”

  This was the first time I’d seen Mesquite refuse to stop for fans and I was kind of surprised. Several of them made sounds of protest and one guy even yelled out an insult, which made the others laugh. Knowing wresting fans, this was about to turn into a chant.

  Mesquite must have known this, too, because his pace increased as we passed the group. Sure enough the chants started as we went outside to the kiosk to pick up his keys. All his traveling meant VIP service everywhere.

  We made our way to the stall with his car and I noticed a couple of fans were following us.

  “Looks like we have company.”

  He glanced over his shoulder and said, “I’ll stop for them, since it’s only a few.”

  He popped the trunk and put our luggage inside before closing it and turning to the fans.

  “Sir, could we get a photo with you?”

  I was impressed with their manners. Sometimes fans just assumed that the wrestlers owed them.

  Mesquite smiled at the women and replied, “Sure. Are you all going to the show tonight?”

  The dark-haired woman who’d been in Kentucky replied, “No, we’re just going to the pay-per-view on Sunday. We came to see Denver.”

  He said, “I can leave some comp tickets for the house show tonight, if you’d like. I know you’re a long way from home.”

  The woman shook her head. “Denver said there weren’t comp tickets left when he came through earlier. We’ll just wait.”

  Mesquite’s forehead crinkled, but he didn’t answer. Instead he posed with the woman while her friend took the picture and then did the same in reverse. I was starting to get cold, so I reached into Mesquite’s coat pocket and got the keys.

  “I’m going to start the car,” I said with a smile.

  The woman glanced at me and then continued talking to Mesquite as if I weren’t even there. Mesquite winked at me, so I winked back and got into the car. The leather seats were quickly warmed and I’d never been more thankful for little luxuries.

  A few minutes later Mesquite got in the car and took my hand into his own.

  “Oh my gosh, you’re freezing,” I exclaimed as I rubbed his hand.

  He replied, “I didn’t think they were going to stop talking.”

  “That was nice of you to offer them comp tickets.”

  He laughed. “We got a memo email that said the show hasn’t sold out tonight and that there are plenty of comp tickets. No big deal.”

  “I wonder why Denver told them there weren’t tickets?”

  “He probably doesn’t want to encourage the brunette. As you could tell, she’s pretty enthusiastic.”

  The woman was now standing off to the side and watched as Mesquite pulled the car from the parking spot. A shiver ran through me – unexpected, as the warmth of the car was seeping in. I just wasn’t cut out for this cold weather.

  When we were on the highway, I turned to Mesquite and said, “If you don’t want me to meet up with Denver, I won’t.”

  “Jamie- don’t put that on me. You know I don’t like it, but I also think you should hear what he has to say.”

  He was repeating what he’d told me the night before on the phone.

  “I just… I just don’t know what he’s going to say.”

  Mesquite smiled wryly. “I have an idea or two. He’s going to say that he never left you for another woman, much less got engaged. Then he’ll remind you of all the good times you had, which I’m sure really were enjoyable.”

  He was right. That’s exactly what Denver would say. And how was I supposed to reply? To some I’m sure I appeared weak for going back to Mesquite after everything that’d happened. Hell,
I
even thought about it. He’d left me devastated. But here I was – sitting with him in a car like nothing had happened.

  Mesquite went on. “But it will also give you a chance to end things properly, if that’s what you want. I’m no fool, Jamie. We still have a lot of things to work out ourselves and it might not end well for us. But this way you’ll know you’re not leaving him hanging.”

  “You’re right. I think I’m scared because I know how much it’ll hurt him.”

  “Denver’s a grown man. It’ll hurt for a while, but he’ll move on. He always does.”

  That was another reason I felt bad. He’d told me once that he wouldn’t settle for being someone’s second choice again. I’d put him in the same situation he’d wanted to avoid.

  Mesquite changed the subject. “I think the show is going to end early tonight. They want to make sure everyone gets to the next town before the snowstorm hits.”

  We’d flown into Boston and the next city was Providence, Rhode Island. We’d end up in Hartford, Connecticut, on Sunday for the pay-per-view. It was a risky move considering the time of year, but the show must go on.

  “I’ll be ready to go when you are.”

  We settled in to easy conversation as we made our way to the arena.

  When we were parking, Mesquite casually said, “I’d also like to discuss when we can start having sex again.”

  My mouth fell open and he laughed.

  “You know – so you have something to think about,” he added with a grin.

  I swatted at him and laughed, too. That punk. He certainly knew how to take my mind off something… or put it
on
something.

January 23

  Mesquite was right – the show in Boston had ended early and we made our way on snow-covered roads to Providence. Driving in the snow was bad enough, but driving at night was even worse. The closer we got to Providence the worse the conditions became.

  The hazard signs on the highway began to flash, urging drivers to get off the road.

  Mesquite gripped the wheel. “I feel bad for the ones who decided to stay in Boston. They’re probably not going to make it tonight.”

  He was right. Our trip was already taking longer than it should have. We finally arrived around 6 a.m. and were greeted by a hotel staff member who offered to park the car for us. Inside our room I collapsed on the bed with a sigh.

  Nerves and stress made my head ache and all I wanted was sleep. Mesquite must have felt the same way as he fell next to me onto the mattress. We both slept until early in the afternoon. He woke me with a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’m going to run by the arena and check in before going to the gym.”

  I sat up, stretching. “Okay. I’m going to give Denver a call and see when he’s wanting to meet up.”

  Mesquite gestured toward the window. “Make sure it’s close. Looks like the snow’s been coming down pretty good since we’ve been asleep.”

  He gave me another quick kiss and left. I decided to send Denver a text instead of calling him. When he didn’t reply, I decided to shower. By the time I got out, he’d replied. Crap. I only had a few minutes before he wanted to meet in the lobby.

  I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. My hair was swept into a ponytail and I grabbed my jacket before leaving the room. In the lobby I saw Denver talking to the same fan that Mesquite and I had met in the parking garage.

  When I approached them he said to her, “I have to run. This pretty lady and I have a date.”

  She glanced at me and said, “I thought she was with Mesquite. Why are you going on a date with her?”

  Wow. That was pretty dang nosy of her!

  Denver didn’t miss a beat and replied, “Jamie’s
my
girl. I’ll see you at the show tonight.”

  He took me by the hand and led me away.

  As we left she called out, saying, “Thanks for the comp tickets.”

  He didn’t acknowledge her as we went outside. Mesquite hadn’t been kidding – it had snowed a lot since we’d arrived to Providence and the wind was making it feel colder than it was.

  Luckily the car was waiting and I slid into the passenger’s seat.

  When Denver was inside I said, “We saw that fan yesterday in Boston. She said she was only going to the pay-per-view on Sunday.”

  He replied, “Yeah, I think that was her plan. There’s going to be a lot of empty seats so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to offer her a comp seat. She’s on her own tomorrow, though.”

  “So where are we going for coffee?”

  “There’s supposed to be a great little bistro a few miles from here. Several people recommended it to me when I asked on Twitter.”

  I laughed. “You do realize that anyone who saw that will probably show up, hoping to get a picture with the champ.”

  He frowned and said, “I hope they do. There’s not telling when I’ll get the belt back after I lose it tomorrow.”

  Ouch.

  I tried to smooth things over. “I’m sure you’ll be champion before you know it.”

  He laughed, but it sounded more bitter than happy. “Come on, Jamie, we both know that’s not going to happen. Mesquite is their golden boy. He’ll be champion for a while, probably until Richmond returns. Then the two of them will feud.”

  He was right – that is more than likely how it would go, but I didn’t want to agree with him.

  He went on. “And they’re going to keep me off live events until they think I won’t be popular with the fans.”

  Ugh. That was the worst thing that could happen to a wrestler.

  “Why don’t they just go with it? It wouldn’t be the first time someone was more popular than anticipated.”

  “My visa has a lot to do with it. They want to make sure I can get it renewed before they push me.” He shrugged. “Who knows – maybe it’ll be a good thing if I have to go back home.”

  Had I made him feel this way?

  He must have guessed my train of thought because he said, “My mum’s been sick. She told me that the doc doesn’t think she’s going to get better.”

  “I had no idea. Denver, I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t like talking about it, so it never came up when we were together.”

  No, we’d been too busy having sex so I could keep my mind – and heart – off of Mesquite. I was saved from replying as we pulled up to an old brick building. The parking lot was fairly empty and we made our way through the snow covering the ground.

  “Damn, I wish I’d dried my hair,” I said, shivering as my damp ponytail hit my neck.

  Denver laughed and held the door open for me. Inside, I was pleased to see there weren’t any fans. The conversation we were about to have was going to be emotional and private – something I didn’t want anyone to witness. We ordered our hot drinks and then sat at a small table by the window.

  “Jamie, I know you’ve picked Mesquite, but I have to know if you’re sure? Is this really what you want?”

  Wow, right to the big one.

  I warmed my hand on my coffee mug and replied, “Yes. Denver, you helped me through one of the hardest times in my life, and you’ll-”

  He held up a hand. “Please don’t say I’ll always be your friend. I don’t know if I can do that, Jamie. I love you. And not like a friend.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say, then. I can’t tell you what you want to hear. And you were the one who said I needed to figure out my feelings for Mesquite before our relationship would have a chance of working.”

  The bell over the door chimed as someone entered, but I paid the person no attention.

  “I
am
sorry that I’ve hurt you, but I’m not going to sugarcoat things. We both know that doesn’t help anyone in the end.”

  He watched me before saying, “And now I’ll have to see the two of you together. Maybe this tour isn’t a bad thing after all. And who knows how things will be when I get back?”

  He had a point. There was no way to know if things would work out with Mesquite. But I knew one thing – I loved Mesquite.