The Cruiserweight (10 page)

“I figured that out when he had us doing
jumping jacks at seven this morning.”

“That’s why he’s one of the best SCE
trainers.”

“Hey, Sanchez-Garcia, here for more
punishment?” Ron asked. “Wait a minute
…
I don’t
recall you being added to the card.”

Patrick gave the burly man a hug. “Love to, but
I haven’t been medically cleared to wrestle. I’m doing a movie down
the street.”

“Good to see you again. How would you like to
stick around awhile longer and watch Kerrigan? I may toss him
around a few times.”

“You wish throwing me everywhere was that
simple!”

“This is coming from a guy who had his ass
kicked by Crazy Train in his early wrestling days,” Patrick
replied.

“Shut up, Patrick, you ended up squashed by
Giant Bob Dell in your debut. I would also like to add
I
was
the one who saved you from being pounded to death
afterward.”

“On that subject, Kerrigan, it’s time for us to
get back to work. We can’t have you being sloppy in your Squared
Circle Express debut, can we?”

“Oh, hell no!” Brett stretched to his full
height. “I’m ready to make an impact this city will never
forget!”

*****

Graham Sobeck arrived in town that weekend to
meet with Dragonfly officials and finalize deals. In what was fate,
the only wrestler he encountered was Brett Kerrigan. He shouted
across the hallway, “Hey, Brett!”

He turned around, surprised to see Sobeck.
"What are you doing here, Graham?"

Sobeck smiled and said nothing.

"Come on. You’re up to no good. I don’t think
you called me over to discuss your mall purchases.”

“I’ve tried to contact you all morning. Japan
informed me they found the perfect challenger for you.”

“Is it anyone I know or wrestled?”

“I think you’ll be astounded. Dragonfly Japan
suggested Shima.”

“You want me to work
Shima
in a singles
match? Graham, that’s the opportunity of a lifetime! Yes, count me
in!” He pumped a fist in the air with enthusiasm and felt a shot of
adrenaline spurt through his body.

Sobeck was stunned by his response. Shima vs.
Brett Kerrigan, a dream match no one imagine made on paper, would
soon become a reality. In a mall corridor, the deal was struck.
Brett would come to Sobeck’s office to make their contract
official.

*****

Brett was grumpy all morning. He’d gone to the
mall to clear his head and his mood improved when he’d seen Sobeck.
Their chance meeting led to Brett’s contract signing at Dragonfly.
After he’d signed the contract, Brett skipped out of Sobeck‘s
office, not caring what onlookers thought. “I never had an offer
like this from the last place I worked. Those idiots only used me
for stupid gimmicks and dumped me when something better came
along!”

In less than two months, Brett went from
jobbing with a major company, which was essentially becoming a joke
to both fans and media alike, to booked opposing legends such as
Shima. Dragonfly wasn’t a billion-dollar sports entertainment
empire, but Brett still considered their offer a positive step in
his career.

He was also looking forward to wrestling his
old training partner and friend Brent Dillard in the Squared Circle
Express show’s grudge match less than two weeks away. He and Brett
shared a long history, stemming from their days as training
partners at Michael Sloane. “Remember the early days when you’d
crash at my apartment on the living room floor because you had
nowhere to live?”

“Dude, how could I forget? That carpet smelled
like cat piss, and you didn‘t even own a cat. I even remember the
hooptie you drove when we traveled to shows. Damn, you had to get
in through the passenger side door because the driver‘s side didn‘t
open.”

“What the hell,” Dillard said. “It
ran!”

“The good old days when we didn’t eat very
often.”

“Is that what caused you to be delusional?
Damn, I thought you’d scored some good drugs.”

“We didn’t even have enough change for a
hamburger most of the time, let alone to buy even the shittiest
drugs.”

“I know, I was just messing with
you.”

“Nice to see you haven’t changed, Dillard. It’s
going to be a pleasure mopping you up in the ring before I head to
Chicago to face Shima.”

“Now you’re being delusional, and this time, it
isn’t from the lack of food.”

CHAPTER 14

"May I help you?"  Carol, the newspaper’s
receptionist, greeted the deliveryman before her. 

“Delivery for Karen Montgomery. Will you sign
for it?”

“Sure.”

He watched as she scribbled the signature
screen and handed her the package. Carol took it back to where
Karen was engrossed in work. “Delivery for you.”

“Thanks, Carol.“

Karen turned the small, flat parcel over in her
hands, puzzled. “What’s this? I don’t recall ordering anything.”
She leaned back on her chair and tore open the package. Spying the
contents, an audible gasp escaped her lips and she felt her cheeks
flush a little.
First class plane tickets to Los Angeles from
Brett!

The phone began to shrill on her desk, jarring
her back to reality. She picked up the receiver. “Karen
Montgomery.”

“Good morning,
mio bell'un.
”

“Brett! Funny you’d call. I’m looking at the
plane tickets you sent.”

“I was about to say you were going to receive a
surprise. Looks like someone beat me to it.”

“First class? That’s rather
expensive.”

“Beats sitting in economy with smelly old men,
screaming kids, and fighting to use the postage stamp-sized john.
Plus it‘s been a long time since we saw each other and I‘d like you
to be here for my first Squared Circle Express show.”

Good thing I haven’t talked to Mr. Sullivan
about using my remaining personal time
.
“Guess I have no say. I still have to arrange to get time
off.”

“All taken care of.”

“You talked to Mr. Sullivan?”

“Yeah, about two weeks ago. He said there was
some time you hadn’t used yet and to name the days you’d
need.”

“I can’t believe you two discussed that without
saying a word to me.”

“Wouldn’t be much of a surprise if we did,
sweetheart.”

“Maybe not, but why have me come out there
instead of us getting together when you either have time off or
you’re scheduled to do a show here?”

“Because it’ll give my favorite writer an edge
on all of your competitors by doing actual live coverage for local
outlets.”

“So I’m going to cover the SCE event and then
come home the next day? Doesn’t sound too difficult.”

“Oh, there’s going to be a lot more involved
than that. I’m going to give you a night you’ll never
forget.”

“Such as?”

“That, my dear, will remain a secret until you
get here.”

CHAPTER 15

Karen’s job required her to travel frequently,
but she hated flying. Each time she did, she always had an odd
premonition that she would someday die in an airplane crash or
there would be another terrorist attack not unlike 9/11. She
avoided airline travel whenever it was possible. For shorter trips,
she rode with one of the other reporters. For longer ones, she took
trains, and even boats, unless it was an overseas assignment, then
she had no choice but to fly.

A train trip to Los Angeles for Brett’s show
would have taken two to three days, in contrast to several hours by
plane. Not that she had the option anyway; he sent the plane
tickets and she would have felt guilty not using them. “I know he
meant well, but flying is such torture. I hope we arrive in L.A.
soon.”

A flight attendant noted her nervousness. “Are
you all right, ma’am?”

“I’ll be fine, thanks. How long until we land
in Los Angeles?”

“About an hour.”

Karen sighed with relief. “Thank
goodness.”

“Is this your first flight?”

“No, I’m just not a good flyer.”

“May I get you anything?”

“Something strong to drink wouldn’t
hurt.”

When her beverage came, Karen sat back in her
seat, feeling a little better. Despite her skittishness when it
came to air travel, she admitted first class was far more
comfortable and reassuring. “Too bad I can’t fly in this style more
often.”

*****

Brett was anxious as he paced around the
airport terminal, Patrick in tow, waiting for Karen‘s flight to
arrive.” Do you think she’ll find us?”

Patrick rolled his eyes.
Jesus, it’s like
being around a junior high school kid about to go on his first
date. “
Dude, I think we‘ll have a better chance of her spotting
us if you stay still.”

“Do you know how long it’s been since she and I
saw each other?“

“Yeah, way back when you met after that last
show in Pittsburgh.” He sat down in one of the plastic chairs.
“When‘s her flight due?”

“Should be here any minute. Shit, how’s my
hair? Is this shirt okay?”

Patrick made a big production out of looking
him over before he said with a smirk, “I don’t give a flying
fuck.”

“This isn‘t the day to be an asshole!” Brett
rushed toward the men’s room to check his hair.

“You might want to pop a breath mint too,”
Patrick called after him.

*****

Karen’s plane arrived at LAX without incident.
She moved through the crowded, busy airport to the luggage area,
spotting her luggage and grabbed it off the conveyor. “Now I can
get a cab to the hotel and enjoy a good hot bath before I call
Brett.”

She almost reached a waiting taxi when someone
bellowed through the warm afternoon air,
“Karen!”

A warm smile crossed her face when she found
Brett and Patrick catching up. “Isn’t this a treat! I wasn’t
expecting you to meet me here.”

“Service with a smile,” Brett said. “It
would’ve been rude of me to have you wandering around in a strange
city.”

Patrick pulled her into a bear hug before she
could react. “Nice to meet you!”

Karen felt the wind being sucked out of her.
“Same to you.”

Brett pulled him off. “Pat, let the lady
breathe, and remember, she’s here to see
me.”

Patrick stepped back and ran his hands down his
body. “What’s so appealing about short stuff when she can have all
of
this?”

Brett shook his head, bewildered. “Is it that
impossible to think some women find a guy’s personality more
attractive than just looks? Unless you had a change of heart
overnight, she isn‘t your type anyway.”

“And this blond creature is just too cute and
funny,” Karen said, giving Brett a hug. “It’s good to see you
again.”

“You okay, sweetheart? You’re a little
pale.”

“I’m fine. Just forgot to mention I’m not big
on flying, to say the least.”

“You got airsick? I wish I knew.”

“Not airsick, just a white-knuckle flyer. I
don’t take planes unless I have to.”

“Damn, I should have sent train tickets
instead. Sorry to put you through all of that hell.”

“It’s okay. Train ride would have taken two
days. Seeing you is worth being nervous, and I never flew first
class before. Thanks again for inviting me out here.”

“Did you eat yet? Brett and I were planning on
lunch today before he told me you were coming to L.A.,” Patrick
said.

She shook her head. “I was too nervous on the
plane to even think about food. Now that I’m back on land, lunch
sounds great.”

“Good, because I have another surprise for
you,” Brett said.

“Haven’t you done enough?”

Patrick gave him a playful pat on the shoulder.
“Yeah, man, quit showing off. You won her over months
ago.”

“You’re just jealous,” Brett presented her with
an envelope. “Now I have done enough. By the way, Pat’s buying
lunch.”

“Wait
…
what? I
didn’t say anything about
…
”

“Work with me, dude.”

Karen tore open the envelope and studied its
contents. “A front row seat? You really want me to see your match,
don’t you?”

“Well, I didn’t bring you all the way out here
to sit back where the cheap seats are, sweetheart.” Brett flexed
his muscles and swaggered around. “After all, you should have a
clear view of me in action.”

“Oh God, I think I’m going to puke,” Patrick
said. “And you have the balls to rag on me about ‘strutting like a
peacock’.”