The Cruiserweight

by L. Anne Carrington

  “Damn, just when I think things can’t get any better.”

  “Glad you’re happy. I’ll get those changes sent over to you ASAP.”

  “Thanks, man. See you Monday.”

  CHAPTER 59

  “About time you brought your ass back here, sweetie,” the stylist said as she prepared Brett for a haircut. “There’s more splits in this hair than in a Vegas divorce court.”

  Brett rolled his eyes. “Can you bypass the commentary and just give me a trim, Bethany?”

  “Going to need more than a trim to clean up this mess. Come on, big boy; over to the sink.”

  He followed her, feeling ridiculous in the pink cape ties around him. “So tell, me,” Bethany said once Brett was seated at the shampoo bowl, “what brought you in? Let me guess, job or woman? If it’s a woman, anyone I know?”

  “Jesus Christ, can’t a guy get a trim without an interrogation? If you must know, it’s for work. Orders from the creative staff for my new gimmick.”

  “Oh? Anything good?”

  He grinned. “For me to know and you to find out.”

  “You’re no fun.” She led him back to her station.

  “Sorry, but I’m not at liberty to give away story lines before the shows air.”

  “Judging from your mood, I’d like to guess it’s something you’ll enjoy.”

  “I already do, even with the changes that were sent earlier. Man, I can’t wait for this week’s tapings. You should come down this week. We’re taping Monday night. I can get you in if you’d like.”

  “Now that you mentioned it, I’m off early Monday, and since you invited me, I’ll give you a discount today.”

  “Does this mean I won’t have to leave a tip?” Brett asked.

  “Even think that, and I’ll shave you bald.”

  “I was just teasing, sweetheart. You should know by now you’ll get something from me for doing a great job.”

  “Hmm, too bad you don’t come around very often.” Bethany turned the chair. “Have a look.”

  Brett glanced in the mirror, pleased with what he saw. “Nice. You didn’t get scissor happy for a change. This will work.”

  “Glad to be of service. You really should come back every four to six weeks to keep the splits under control.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Kind of hard with my schedule.” He handed her a credit card. “Take an extra ten out for you.”

  Brett signed the receipt handed to him. “Thanks again for fitting me in. Like to chat a bit longer, but I have twenty minutes before my ass has to get fitted for my new gear.”

  Bethany nodded. “Call me when you get home, and we can make plans for Monday.”

  *****

  “About time you came,” Karen said when Eddie arrived at quarter to four. “Three-thirty isn’t three-forty-five. Good thing I didn’t have to go anywhere else.”

  “Sorry, K. Traffic was pain in the ass, and then they had an accident on one of the main roads, forcing me to take a few back streets. Everything okay at the doctor?”

  “Couldn’t be better. I’m close to the big day.”

  “Whoa, you aren’t going to labor in my car, are you?”

  “Relax, if I was, trust me, you and everyone else traveling on this road would know. No, he said it’s at least two more weeks.”

  “Oh…well, that’s good. Listen, uh, if Brett can’t make it when you have the baby, I could step in and—”

  “Phoebe’s already volunteered.” She pecked Eddie on the cheek. “It’s so sweet of you to offer, though. Sorry for snapping at you about being late.”

  “Pregnancy hormones. No big deal. At least let me drive you to the hospital when you‘re in labor. Pheebs is always going on about ‘my lead foot.’ My fast-ass driving would come in handy, provided there‘s no traffic like today.”

  Karen laughed. “Indeed it would, but you don’t need any more speeding tickets, especially on my account.”

  “That’s one ticket I wouldn’t mind paying. Anyway, almost forgot to tell you the boss will have a staff meeting Monday. He wants you to come. Think you can manage?”

  “Sure. It’s always nice to see everyone, even if it’s for a few hours.”

  They arrived at Karen’s building, and Eddie parked as close as possible to the entrance. “Get some rest after a nice gourmet dinner of dill pickles and some ice cream,” he said, helping her out of the car‘s passenger side. “I’ll pick you up around two on Monday.”

  “Two o’clock,” she reminded him in a teasing manner. “Not two-forty-five.”

  CHAPTER 60

  One of Brett’s fan sites released a sneak peek of his new look before the following week’s show aired, courtesy of a fan who attended the previous Monday’s taping. The pictures turned out well, but some fans weren’t sure how to take his new image.

  Karen found the new style refreshing. Much as she’d liked his previous ‘rocker’ look and the Speedo, it had grown stale and was too much of a throwback to his previous promotion‘s gimmick. Now as the New Legend Extremes’ newest member, Brett needed something fresh, and the wardrobe department worked its magic.

  Eddie glanced at the photo. “Jesus, he looks like an extra on the set of Star Wars.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Phoebe replied. “Brett also looks like he’s buffed up a little. Nice abs, and his butt still looks fine.”

  “Hey,” Karen said. “That’s my child’s father you’re drooling over, lady.”

  Eddie gave Phoebe a look. “Yeah, what’s up with that?”

  “Don’t even start on me, Eddie Romano,” Phoebe said. “I didn’t say a word when you were ogling your girlie magazine’s Honey of the Month while we were in bed last night.”

  “Eddie, really.” Karen shook her head. “Didn’t your father ever tell you not to read those things when you’re with your fiancée?”

  “I needed ideas,” he replied with a grin. “It had good articles, too.”

  “Riggggggggggggggght,” the women said in unison.

  “Any idea what Mr. Sullivan is planning to discuss at this meeting?” Karen asked.

  “Probably the usual shit,” Eddie answered. “It’ll start off thanking us for coming back earlier than normal, even if we had to cut off our lunch breaks, then a sermon about deadlines, maybe a joke about your belly if he’s in a good mood, then more sermons about other stuff we’ve heard before. These meetings are predictable.”

  As if on cue, Sullivan and other staff members arrived in the conference room. “Good afternoon,” he greeted them. “Thanks for coming in earlier than normal, despite you all ending lunch early…”

  *****

  “There you are,” the creative team head writer said when he spotted Brett the following Monday, and handed him a stack of papers. “Got some new ideas for you.”

  “Are you guys trying to drive me insane, Chris?” Brett asked, joking. “You just changed my story line last week.”

  “Most of that’s still the same. The boss lady came up with something new to add. I think you’re going to like what she has in store.”

  “Okay, but if it’s something stupid, I’m kicking your ass right where you’re standing.”

  “I think I’m safe in that respect. Check out page six.”

  Brett flipped to the requested page, and skimmed over it, before something caught his attention. “Whoa! A face off with Park Perry for the TV Title?” A huge smile crossed his face.

  “Told you you’d like it.”

  “I thought she’d penned me in for the Florida Title.”

  “Original plan, but then we all decided it was time for you to advance to something bigger. Miss Cross really likes you. Of course, she likes anyone with a good work attitude and who contributes something to the company, even if it’s the smallest thing. You’ve done more than your share since you signed, and it’s time you were rewarded for your efforts.”

  “Guess that explains my attire makeover,” Brett said.

  “That’s part of it, and the fact you n
eeded something a little more bad ass as part of New Legend Extremes. Nice haircut, by the way.”

  “Thanks, bro. My stylist is out front if you need any ideas. I invited her as a guest tonight.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Good luck tonight, man. You and Park are going to set that ring on fire!”

  CHAPTER 61

  “97…98…99…100!” Brett leaped up from the floor, completing the one-arm push-ups he’d mastered over the last several months, just as Park Perry walked in the room. “Quit showing off,” he said with a laugh. “No way are you getting this belt from me.”

  Brett was psyched about that night’s upcoming TV Title championship match. He grinned at his colleague and friend. “Don’t count me out just yet, dude.”

  “Okay, but you’re asking for an ass beating.”

  “Like I never heard that line before. Bring it on.”

  “Whatever you say. I’m not the one who’s going to make an ass of himself wearing some weird Biblical-looking outfit while fighting a guy almost twice his size.”

  “Least I don’t go out in a fag robe covered with sequins and feathers.”

  “Hey, wearing this thing was not my idea.”

  “I know, man; I’m just fucking with you.”

  They shook hands. “Going to be a good match, buddy,” Perry said. “The hard part is me going out there and pretending to hate your guts, when it’s actually an honor to wrestle you.”

  “Honor’s mine,” Brett replied. “We should do this more often.”

  They heard music start. “There’s your cue, soon-to-be-former-champ,” Brett said with a grin. “Go do what you do best, and amaze your fans.”

  *****

  “I thought that meeting would never end,” Eddie said with a groan as he and Karen headed home. “I always knew Sullivan was a gas bag, but he was really full of wind today.”

  “He went over a lot of material,” Karen replied.

  “Jesus, what does he do in his office all day, think up new ways to bitch at us during meetings?”

  “Come on, it wasn’t all bad. He did have some ideas worth considering.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. It would be nice to see him crack a smile now and then, though.”

  “Being editor in chief can’t be all laughs, Eddie.”

  “I wouldn’t want the job, that’s for sure. You hungry?”

  “You buying?” she asked, teasing.

  “Yeah, why not? It was nice seeing you in the office today.”

  “Thanks. I’m up for about anything, so you pick.”

  “You’re close to giving birth for sure.” He started laughing.

  “Just find a place that isn’t crowded and save the smart remarks.”

  “What specialty does the lady crave? Pizza with anchovies and pineapple? Sardines in honey mustard sauce? Strawberry shortcake with a dill pickle—”

  “Eddie, I’d like my appetite intact, not taken away. Good lord.”

  “Well, you’ve eaten some weird stuff in the last several months. Hey, there’s a good place right up the road.”

  They moved through traffic at a smooth pace for several minutes, chatting about other things, before two pedestrians darted out in front of the car without looking.

  “Christ!” Eddie said, taking a sharp swerve to avoid hitting the pair.

  Another car had also turned, but traveling at a high rate of speed, didn’t have a chance to stop in time. It was the last thing both Eddie and Karen saw.

  *****

  Perry was in the ring, accompanied by Dazzle, when Brett made his way down the ramp. Until Perry became the current champion, fans hadn’t held much interest in the TV Title. But now with two popular names facing each other, all eyes were on the two contenders that evening.

  Brett sold a right punch to start off the match. Perry caught his quad with a round kick, then celebrated like he‘d captured the victory. He shuffled a bit, and Brett clubbed him on the back. He tossed Perry into the corner and drove his shoulder into his abdomen.

  “Give up?” Brett muttered into Perry’s ear.

  “You wish.”

  Brett tossed Perry halfway across the ring. Dazzle ran in to attempt to pull Perry out of the ring, but Brett grabbed onto Dazzle and pulled him halfway into the ring before he let go. Perry got some distance and tried to slingshot into Brett, but he caught Perry in a military press, then tossed him to the ground.

  “Let’s go Kerrigan!” the crowd shouted in unison, followed by stomps and claps.

  To the crowd’s amazement, Brett lifted up Perry for a power slam, but Perry punched him in the eye and nailed another kick. He went at Brett with a spinning jump kick, but Dazzle had the referee distracted.

  Perry went to shoo Dazzle off the apron, which enabled Brett to execute a school boy move for a count of two. Perry hoisted up Brett, but Dazzle tripped him from the outside by accident, which gave Brett the opportunity for a counter submission for the winning three count

  Brett Kerrigan was the new Orlando Wrestling TV Title holder!

  CHAPTER 62

  Karen woke propped in a bed, with dimmed lights from a ceiling shining in her eyes. She heard indistinctive hushed noises in the background, and glanced toward an open doorway.

  What happened? Where’s Eddie?

  A nurse appeared in her room. “Karen?”

  “Yes?” she asked in a faint voice.

  “Just came to give you a shot to keep you comfortable the rest of the night.”

  “What time is it? What’s going on?”

  “Nine thirty. You were in a car accident this afternoon, and admitted through the emergency room.”

  A nurse appeared in her room. “Karen?”

  “Yes?” she asked in a faint voice.

  “Just came to give you a shot to keep you comfortable the rest of the night.”

  “What time is it? What’s going on?”

  “Nine thirty. You were in a car accident this afternoon, and admitted through the emergency room.”

  “What…what happened to the man who was driving the car I was in?”

  “Treated for a broken arm and released. He came earlier to ask about you, but you were in surgery.”

  Surgery? Karen’s hand slid to the upper part of her stomach. She became anxious when she discovered she was no longer pregnant. “My baby. Where’s my baby?” She started to sit up.

  The nurse stopped her. “You need to stay lying down. You have a couple of broken ribs and Dr. Sheppard delivered your daughter by C-section at quarter after seven.”

  Karen’s panic turned to joy. A girl! “She’s okay? No injuries from the accident?”

  “Doctor examined her thoroughly after the C-section. She‘s perfect and in the nursery.”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Maybe in the morning when you’re a little stronger. The babies are asleep. In the meantime, maybe you can think of a name.”

  ******

  Phoebe panicked when she saw the cast and sling on Eddie‘s left arm. “Oh my God, what happened?”

  “Try turning on your damn phone once in a while. I’ve tried to call you for over three hours. Karen and I were on our way to dinner after the meeting when some kids texting walked out in front of us. I moved the car to avoid hitting them, and then some nut ran the light in a cross street. We were hit.”

  “Karen…the baby…”

  “They’re keeping her for a few days. Delivered the baby by C-section. It’s a girl. Yes, before you start gloating, you guessed right all along.”

  “But the baby’s okay?”

  “Doc said she’s fine. Sixteen inches, seven pounds, two ounces. I can’t say the same about my car, though. It’s totaled.”

  “I’m just glad you guys weren’t hurt any worse.”

  “We both got our bells rung, Karen broke a couple of ribs, my arm’s broken, and the little one arrived two weeks early. But the good sides are that we’ll all recover, I can replace the car, and still use my right arm.”

  �
��Do you think you’ll be up for a visit tomorrow?”

  “Sure, up for anything after a good night’s rest. Hey, wonder if anyone got hold of Brett to tell him the news?”

  Phoebe dialed a number on her phone. “No time like the present.”

  *****

  “Hey, Brett!” Park Perry called out to him in the corridor. “Boss wants to talk to you. Says it’s urgent.”

  Now what’s wrong? Can’t think of anything I did off-script. “Did she say what it was about?”

  “No, but she had a big old grin plastered on her face when she told me. First time she’s smiled tonight, so it must be something big.”

  “Maybe me beating your ass some more.”

  “You just got lucky, bite size.”

  “That’s Mr. TV Champ to you. Anyway, thanks for the message, and give my love to the wife and kids.”

  “Sure, man. Later.”

  Brett made his way to Stephanie Cross’ office and tapped on her door. “You wanted to see me?”

  She looked up with a bright smile and rose from her desk. “There you are! Congratulations to my newest champion. You and Park performed very well tonight.”

  “Thanks. Park said you wanted to discuss something urgent?”

  “Oh, yes. You’re owed congratulations for something else tonight.”

  Brett was confused. “I don’t get it.”

  “Someone named Phoebe Sellers tried to contact you, but your phone’s turned off, and she didn’t want to leave anything on your voice mail. She called the switchboard and explained to the operator what happened. I had the call patched through to me.”

  “Yeah, I know Phoebe. She works with my girlfriend. They’re good friends. Did something happen?”