Chapter 3

The next week Candy made her first on scene video promo with Retribution. They were talking to the Justice team about joining forces to get an edge over Mr. Preston and his corporate cronies. How Sam, the nephew, and Candy were not getting along and they could use it to their advantage. She finally was turning away from her short on-stage romance with Sam that night. Sam had been cheating on her on the show. In real life, Sam was really nice to her. A little nerdy but seemed okay.

Later that night Candy rushed out to the ring saving Tomi from an attack from Sahara. Another show of loyalty to Retribution. The idea was Candy helping Retribution from time to time to later become one of them. Davis decided not to have her interact with Slade until the end of the show so they wouldn’t fight all night with each other.

They stood in position by the stage curtains ignoring each other while waiting to go to the ring.

“Try not to botch this move and get us hurt,” Slade said coldly.

He didn’t mean to come off that way. He was just trying to focus before hitting the stage.

“Try to get your head out of your ass and watch for me to get in the ring. Neither of us wants to do this. It’s high risk and…” Candy got suddenly silent realizing the finishing spot was really putting trust in Slade not to hurt her.

A soft wavering voice came out of her. “Please don’t hurt me.

Slade looked over at her seeing she was honestly scared. “I would never put you in danger like that. In the ring, it’s business not personal. We watch out for each other in there. Do what we talked about and it will be ok. I got you, Sprinkles.” He reached over to squeeze her hand to confirm his sincerity.

His music hit and Candy watched the match start with one of Davis’s bodyguards/wrestlers and Slade going toe-to-toe. Once Davis came beside her with Sam backstage she got ready. Davis and Sam rushed to the ring to interfere showing Slade being ambushed by the men. She waited patiently for the right time to hit the stage.

This was her big chance to show she was really a star. Candy ran out and the crowd erupted. A girl saving men was rare. She slid into the ring giving a low blow to Davis as Sam and the bodyguard’s focus went to Slade. She grabbed Sam throwing him over toward Davis, who was getting back to his feet, making him trip over Davis’s body.

Steve, the bodyguard, turned to her while giving Slade a chance to get himself back up. Steve went for Candy. Slade grabbed her pulling her behind him. He kicked Steve in the chest sending him staggering backward. Slade turned to check on Candy.

“Ready?

“He’s in the right spot, Slade. Do it.

Slade picked her up slingshotting Candy into mid-air ending with a dropkick to Steve in the chest pushing him over the top rope. Slade gave Davis a piledriver and Sam rolled out helping his dad to get out of the ring. The wrestlers all did as they had all planned. Candy was feeling good about what she and Slade accomplished together.

Slade looked over at Candy to make sure she was okay from the hard hit to the mat. He hadn’t meant to launch her into the air so high and far. She was back up on her feet looking back at him. Maybe for approval? He didn’t know? He walked over grabbing a mic.

“One more step to...” Slade put the mic in front of her chanting.

“Retribution!” She smiled devilishly at Sam to give the allusion the on-screen romance was over. Sam ranted at her as he helped his uncle from the arena and Slade raised Candy’s hand in victory.

Slade and Candy celebrated in the ring for a while before heading backstage. No matter how much they hated each other, they both knew in the ring they had to leave that all behind. Slade was surprised at how great they worked together when they really wanted to.

“Good job, Sprinkles.

“Thanks for not killing me and launching me into the crowd,” She half-smiled.

He went over and gave her a side hug.

“Some other time,” Slade chuckled.

Sahara ran up looking at them shocked. “Wow! You managed to not kill each other. That was so freaking cool! Everyone was cheering backstage. How did you do that Candy? You guys looked great out there!” She hugged her best friend.

Candy watched Slade walked away disappointed she couldn’t celebrate the official first night working with Retubition with him.

“Well, that was short-lived. Guess I should be happy he didn’t kill me out there.

Sahara looked back at him. “You know him. He takes the ring seriously. He would never hurt you. I know you were scared to go out there. Your acrobatics is so cool but it has to be scary letting someone else launch you like a bullet. I actually think secretly he had fun tonight.

“I don’t know? Maybe. Let’s go grab the Raven brothers and go to the club. I need a drink. Braxton is a great dancer. He’s funny too. We always have fun with them.

“Sounds great. Maybe I can talk to Drake and Nick about going too. Candy. Don’t let Slade ruin your shine. You were great out there.

Candy turned in the direction Slade left. He was standing talking to Gage and smiled back at her with a reassuring nod. It wasn’t much but it warmed her heart.

***

A few weeks later it was business as usual with Candy and Slade.

“My gosh man! Do you hear yourself? You seriously can’t be that dense! You think you are God’s gift to women don’t you?

“Why don’t you shut up, Candy. No one is talking to you. You’re lucky you’re traveling with Retubition, instead of the loser jobber bus.

“Those losers make you idiots look good. Without the random jobber for you to beat up on, fans would figure out what a worthless piece of shit wrestlers that you assholes really are.” Candy drank from her juice box.

“Hey! Stop it you two. I really don’t want to hear you both bitching all the way to Atlanta.” Colt threw pillows over his ears blocking out their voice. “Just watch the damn movie!

“Don’t worry, Sprinkles. You’ll be back with them soon enough. Why the rest of us make history.

“At least I didn’t have to sleep with the boss’s daughter to get noticed.” She smirked crossing her arms in front of her.

All the bus got quiet and instantly looked at Slade waiting for him to explode. They knew that would set him off. Slade turned a deep angry shade of red. He got up grabbing Candy by the arm throwing her in the bus restroom shower turning on the cold water.

“Aaaah! You fucking crazy bastard!” Candy screamed trying to turn off the cold water.

Slade laughed at her shoving the door closed while the guys just tried to ignore them. Tomi watched in shock trying to figure out what she should do. Tomi was Trent’s girlfriend, and an experienced female wrestler, but she couldn’t stand up to Slade without the guys backing her up. She just sat silently stewing at what he had done.

Slade went back to his seat watching the movie. He looked over at Tomi who obviously was mad at his actions. He just ignored it and went back to watching the movie.

Candy stayed in the restroom hiding. Not long after, Slade could hear sobs coming from the restroom. He thought he would die hearing her sobs. He looked over at Tomi feeling a little remorseful rubbing his lip. Tomi stood up shaking her head at Slade.

“Smooth asshole. She’s crying.

“She’ll be fine. I’ll have the driver stop to get her dry clothes from her bag in cargo.

Tomi went to the door. “Candy. Are you ok? Can I come in?

She heard the door creak open.

Tomi went inside the small restroom space sitting on the toilet. Candy still in the tiny tour bus shower; wet, shivering, and crying. Candy held a small photo in her hand.

“It’s ruined.

Tomi kneeled down next to her. “Who is that?

“My little brother, Jacob.

“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. Do you have others?

“My mom does. But, this one is special.

“He’s cute. Come on. We can dry it. It doesn’t look too bad. Let’s get you changed. We can dry your photo and go to the back of the bus and talk. Get away from the guys for a while. You need some space.

Tomi went and got her dry clothes and they climbed into one of the travel beds in their pj’s talking.

“Tomi, I don’t know what to do. We just keep fighting. I try but he always finds a way to upset me.

“To be honest, Candy, you are just as bad to him. Every day it’s like watching a boxing match between you two.

“I know. I don’t know what Davis expects. He can’t force people to be friends. It’s been worse traveling together.

“It takes both people to try. I don’t think either of you takes much effort to get along. You would be surprised to see that you have a lot in common. If you took an effort to get to know each other, you might even be friends. He’s really a great guy once you get to know him.

Candy sighed holding her photo looking at the warped image. “Sahara says that too. What do we have in common but fighting?

“Music for one. The only time you both don’t fight is picking the radio station. From the talks we have, you seem to have grown up in similar households. Great mom and siblings. The only difference is he grew up with a single dad and you had your mom. You would be surprised to know Slade loves kids as much as you do. He actually loved it when you were doing that full candy raver thing. He loved watching the kids flock to you. He won’t admit it but he thought it was cute. He told me that a few weeks ago. He does a lot of charity stuff for kids with cancer. Did you know that?

Candy was surprised. “No. I didn’t know. That’s nice.

“See. You aren’t so different. And, there’s the fact that you both have to have the last word. Which is why you fight so dang much.

Candy laughed, “True.

“Why don’t we go to watch the next movie with the guys. Just try to enjoy it.

“Okay. I’ll try.

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