The Contender (Wrestling Diaries #1) (6 page)

  I left my sanctuary and almost ran into a fan. The man was dressed like Richmond from head to toe and I laughed before I could stop myself.

  “Sorry ma’am.” He said. “I just heard the wrestler, Mesquite, is in the lobby and he’s the only autograph I don’t have.”

  Well, a die-hard fan would know where a wrestler was, that’s for sure.

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah! And there’s something big going on. My buddy said people were congratulating him.”

  This made me pause. I already knew what the news was.

  I followed the fan to the lobby. Sure enough, Mesquite was there. LaTonya was right about everything. He was a fucking liar and I was a fucking fool. He was surrounded by people and
she
stood at his side, smiling. I wanted to hate her. I truly did. But I couldn’t. In another world, we probably would have been friends.

  They made a striking couple. She was petite next to his tall, muscular frame. Where he was blonde, she had naturally dark hair. And they way she looked at him… sweet lord… I knew how she felt.

  She loved him as much as I did.

  What in the hell was I thinking? I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t brave enough. I changed my course and avoided eye contact with anyone. There were a lot of familiar faces in that lobby and they were chomping at the bit to see some drama.

  I made it to the elevators before he reached me. I had known he was coming, as I always did.

  “Jamie…”

  I turned to face him. I owed that much to myself.

  “I don’t want to hear your lies, Mesquite. Just leave me alone.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “Jamie, please let me explain. It’s not like that.”

  “Like what, exactly? How do you think I think it is? I’m curious to hear.”

  The doors opened and he pulled me onto the elevator. I raised my eyebrow. Wow. Who in the hell did he think he was?

  “We need to talk, but I won’t do it in the lobby where anyone can hear what we’re saying. Hell, half the locker room is already placing bets on what’s going to happen.”

  That revelation made me angry. So the locker room knew what was going on between us? Had he been talking about me? Had
she
been at the shows all along when I wasn’t there?

  “Are you sure it’s not so your fiancée hears us?” I stepped closer to him. “What would she say if she knew, Mesquite?”

  His throat bobbed as he swallowed.

  “She knows, Jamie. I told her everything before we left. I… I had a feeling you’d be here after I saw LaTonya.”

  I felt dizzy. No. This couldn’t be happening to me.

  “And what did she say?”

  “She was upset, of course. But she’s willing to work things out.”

  Yes, she would feel that way. Why wouldn’t she? She was getting everything both of us wanted.
Him.

  We reached my floor and the doors opened. I got off first, but he was close behind. He was right. We needed to have this conversation behind closed doors because I was fairly certain I was going to lose my shit when he started explaining everything.

  I flipped the lights on as we entered the room. I sat in a chair – a much safer choice than the bed. He sat across from me. This man I had come to love now felt like a stranger.

  “I’m waiting for some answers.”

  “I told you when we first me that I was seeing someone-”

  “I’m going to stop you right there. You said you were on a break and that she was a like a habit. That you didn’t love her…”

  My voice broke.

  “Jamie… it kills me to see you hurting.”

  “Then please explain to me what’s happening. How did we get here?”

  “She found out a few months ago that her mother was sick. She came to me as a friend, seeking comfort. One thing led to another and we reconnected about a month ago.”

  A month ago - after I had left him in Tampa. I closed my eyes and asked him to go on.

  “I didn’t plan on getting back with her. But I realized I missed her and what we had.”

  I asked, “Was it because I wouldn’t move to Tampa?”

  I had to know if it was because of my choices that we were in this situation.

  His face was honest as he replied, “That was part of it, yes.”

  “I told you I was still considering your offer. Five months isn’t a long enough time to make that kind of commitment. And I had just got the promotion…”

  “I know, Jamie.”

  I stood, needing to move.

  “What happens now?”

  I was fairly certain I knew, but I needed him to say it. I’d never be able to move on if he didn’t say it.

  He stood, too, and went to the window overlooking Detroit.

  “We have to stop seeing each other. I care for you, Jamie, and I don’t want to lose you. But I need to give my relationship a real chance. Maybe in a few months we can get to a point where we can hang out…”

  “So you want to be friends.” The thought was laughable. That we could be friends after everything we’d shared. “I have plenty of friends, Mesquite.”

  I didn’t, though, not really. And now I was losing the person I cared about most of all.

  He turned to face me. “Please Jamie. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  And yet he was picking someone else.

  I walked to the door and opened it.

  “I think you should leave now. I promise I won’t do anything to come between your relationship with her, but right now the thought of being around you makes me sick.”

  “Jamie--”

  “No, I’ll be fine. And I’m sure you will, too. And one day our paths may cross and we can laugh about this moment. But not now.”

  He nodded and walked past me. Just as I thought I could shut the door and lock myself away, he stopped and looked down at me.
Eyes of an angel
. I wanted to beg him to change his mind, but I couldn’t. If I did that and he said no then I would be shattered.

  He smiled and leaned down and kissed my forehead. It was goodbye - I felt it.

  He left without saying another word and I was finally able to close my door and cry until no more tears would fall.

October 11

  I don’t really remember much after Mesquite left me. LaTonya said I was in shock as she wrapped her arms around me.

  “I just want to go home.”

  Richmond pulled some strings and I found myself sitting first class as I flew back to Texas. The flight attendant asked if I had lost someone dear. I had lost more than that. Somehow I’d lost myself.

November 11

  I saw LaTonya unexpectedly. We ran into each other at the airport. She was flying to Miami for the PPV and I was going to New York City for a work conference. She couldn’t hide her surprise when she saw me. I’d been avoiding her calls until eventually she stopped trying.

  “Jamie, you look stunning. When did you cut your hair?”

  I wanted to say the day after my life ended, but that was dramatic.

  Instead, I said, “A few weeks ago. Do you like it?”

  In all truth, I was still getting used to my new shorter locks.

  She replied, “Yes, girl!” She looked around and asked, “Are you going to the show?”

  “No, I’m headed to New York for the week.”

  “There’s an event there next Monday. Are you going?”

  I had seen that they were going to be there, but wasn’t sure if going would be a good idea.

  I must have had a look on my face because she touched my arm.

  “I’m positive you won’t run into Mesquite.”

  “Oh? What makes you say that?”

  “He’s taking some time off to film a movie. He won’t be back for several months.”

  They called her gate overhead, which was now boarding.

  She hugged me and said, “Even if you don’t come to the show, you should come have a drink. I miss my drinking buddy.”

  I waved at her and walked toward my own gate. Should I go? Mesquite wouldn’t be there, so at least I wouldn’t have to worry about having to talk to him. Hell, it’s not like he’d even tried to contact me in the last month.

  So… to go or not to go… that was the question.

November 17

  New York City was experiencing an exceptionally cold fall and I shivered as I walked from the cab to the hotel entrance. I looked up at the tall, beautiful building and wondered what in the hell I was doing there.

  Someone touched my arm and I turned, seeing a familiar face smiling down at me.

  “Jamie! I’ve missed you baby girl!”

  Denver pulled me into his arms and hugged me until I giggled. His hug was different, but much appreciated.

  “I’ve missed you, too, Denver. Do you know if LaTonya is already inside?”

  He shrugged and opened the door for me. “Not sure. I just got back from the arena. Even if she’s not here yet you have to come have a drink with me.”

  I nodded and followed him through the lobby. It felt strange being there with someone other than
him
. I shoved the thought away. Denver and I entered the bar and I saw so many familiar faces that my eyes filled with tears. God, I had missed this more than I realized.

  LaTonya sat next to Richmond. They were staring into each other’s eyes and it made my heart ache at the sight.

  Denver tugged on my hand. “Come on. Let’s sit over here. LaTonya can come see you when she’s done ogling Richmond.”

  I laughed and let him lead me to a table in the corner. I was glad he understood, though. A waitress came and Denver ordered vodka for us.

  “This isn’t what I usually drink,” I said as we raised our glasses to each other.

  He threw back the drink and replied, “Yeah? Sometimes trying something new is a good thing, Jamie.” He watched me for a moment. “Drink up.”

  I couldn’t ignore the tingling I felt in my stomach. Was he flirting with me? Is that what this was? I lifted the glass to my lips and drank the contents. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that bad.

  “See?”

  “Not bad.”

  We ended up chatting for about an hour before LaTonya came over to the table. She hugged me.

  “I’m glad you’re here. It’s not the same without you.”

  “It’s weird being here, though.”

  “I know, honey. I know.”

  Richmond joined us and it felt like old times. Denver told joke after joke and had us all rolling. Around midnight, Richmond tugged on LaTonya’s hand.

  She said to me, “You can come hang out with us…”

  No, I couldn’t. I shook my head.

  “I’m going to head back to my hotel. I’ll text you later, though. Maybe we can go shopping before you leave tomorrow.”

  I had a bonus check that was burning a hole in my pocket.

  “Yes. I’d like that.”

  She hugged me and they left the bar.

  When they were gone, Denver ordered us another round of drinks.

  “Are you trying to get me drunk?” I asked with a giggle.

  In all honesty I was feeling lightheaded, but that didn’t stop me from taking the shot.

  He leaned forward. “Maybe I’m hoping I won’t have to sleep alone tonight.”

  “I’m not a rat.”

  My words echoed the same thing I’d told Mesquite.

  Denver brushed the hair from my face. “And I’m not looking for sex, Jamie. I just want to cuddle.” He stood. “Come on. It’s too cold for you to catch a cab and I’ve got a king size bed.”

  He held out his hand and I stared at it. Mesquite hadn’t tried to contact me once in the last month. That chapter seemed to be over. Was I ready to start a new chapter? I looked up into Denver’s chestnut eyes. I put my hand into his and stood. Time to see what this new chapter had in store for me.