“Ugh! Get off me, big butt!”

The morning arguing had started the moment they woke up. Slade got up early and Candy always slept in. Candy tried pushing Slade off the bed. When he finally slipped off the bed she was pulled with him. The cord was tangled around them causing him to wiggle around and somehow end up on top of her.

“Sit still. Damn it, Candy! Stop moving. You almost kicked me in the nuts!”

“You mean your vagina? I have to pee! Hurry up.”

Slade rolled his eyes. “There! Get up! Now how do you expect us to do this? I’m not watching you on the toilet.”

“Just stand on the outside of the restroom. The line will reach.” She pulled him to the restroom yanking the cord hard. “Dang it. It won’t reach far enough. Stick your arm in.”

Slade did as she requested but already annoyed he just grunted. “Hurry up! I have to go too.”

She came out to wash her hands. “Your turn. Do you need a tampon? You’re being so bitchy. I figured you were on the rag.”

“Do you ever shut up?” Slade growled.

Slade went to the restroom and Candy waited patiently eventually flopping down on the tile floor resting her head on the door frame. “What’s taking so long? Break it off. Let’s go.”

Slade laughed, “These things take time.” He waved his hand toward the crack in the door near her head.

“Eww! Oh my gosh! What did you eat! Deep-fried asshole? You stink.” She started coughing holding her breath. Candy tried reaching for her cosmetic bag on the side of the sink to spray her perfume. “Oh gosh hurry! I’m dying!”

Slade just laughed coming out to wash his hands. “Get used to it, Sprinkles. We have two weeks of this.”

“Disgusting. Where is Sahara? I need to get dressed, showered, and away from you.”

He pulled the cord. “We can shower together. I’ll wash your back and you wash mine. Great bonding experience.” He slapped her butt as she got off the floor.

Candy smacked him on the back of the head. “I rather wash my coochie with sandpaper than let you shower with me.”

“Damn. Is your coochie that messed up that that’s even an option?”

She scowled, “Actually, after a night in bed with you, I might need to sandpaper my whole dang body to get the revolting feeling of your touch off me. For the record, everything is just fine down there.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. You loved having these big strong arms around you. I felt you grinding on my junk this morning when I woke up. I know you want this.” He flexed his chest.

Candy rolled her eyes. “You think way too highly of yourself.”

A knock came on the door.

“Thank God! The cavalry has arrived. I need to get away from you before I choke you with that cord.” Slade opened the door.

“Feelings mutual ass wipe! Sahara! Unlock me. I need a shower.”

“Geez! Calm down. Here. You both have thirty minutes each. Ten in the evening. So shower at the hotel or at the stadium. Your choice. I have bad news too.” Sahara unlocked them.

“Spilled it.” Slade rubbed his wrist.

“They decided to start the promotional stuff tonight. Davis is working it into the show somehow. Something about Davis challenging you to be together till Summer Mayhem as payback for Candy leaving Sam and turning on Davis corporate group the Alliance.”

Slade rolled his eyes. “Super Nerd probably really had a crush on her.”

Candy snarled her nose. “Gross. He is such a butt kisser. He is like Davis’s little puppy. So how will this work?”

“You will only have an hour up until the promo with Davis to not be tethered. You still have to stay together though. You won’t have a match this week or next week. Just promos to build for the big show. You have to take a bump tonight from Steve why still attached to each other. So be careful. You have to wear the cuffs on the show until the pay-per-view. Davis is going to allow gym and ring time for training. That way Slade will be ready for his match in two weeks. You don’t have to be cuffed then but have to still be together. Gage agreed to help so Slade can spar with him in the ring during training. We have to go to the stadium after you two are done here. Candy, I thought we could work on some stuff together. I need help with grappling if that’s ok.“

Slade paced around. “Damn it! Fine. Sahara the cuffs are hurting her wrist. Can you find us some sort of wristbands or wrapping? The fabric should protect her wrist from bruising.”

Sahara gave a half-smile seeing Slade worry over Candy. “Sure. I’ll bring them to the show tonight. I brought you guys breakfast too.”

Candy grabbed her clothes. “I’m going to go shower. I need a minute alone.”

Slade went over to the bag Sahara brought in. “Yum. This looks good. Thanks.”

Sahara sat down at the table across from him waiting for the shower to turn on. A while later she spoke up. “Slade, can we talk?”

“Sure. What’s up?” He opened his food smelling it. “I’m starving.”

“Candy is my best friend. I know her better than anyone here. Can you please try to work things out with her for real? Not just to keep your title and position in the company. I know she is really hurt that you don’t like her. She told me once she used to be a big fan of Retribution. This is important to her. I think it bothers Candy that you make fun of her and fight so much. She thinks everyone here thinks she’s a joke because of the candy gimmick.”

“Yes. I’ll try. It’s not just about the title, Sahara. I’m not that vain. I don’t want her to lose all she worked for. She mentioned that all last night. I never said I don’t like her. Sahara, I’m going to tell you something and I’ll kick your ass if you tell anyone this. Especially her.”

“Okay. I won’t tell.”

Slade sat back looking toward the restroom door to make sure Candy didn’t hear.

“I need to get this off my chest. I... sort of... liked her… at first. When we met. I thought she was hot and really sweet. Jenna and I were not broken up yet then. I was teasing her because I guess I was a little attracted to her. I didn’t want anyone to know because I didn’t want to upset Jenna. Candy got really offended thinking I was making fun of her. I was just joking around. I tried to apologize and she just kept flipping out. I said and did things I regret these past few months. I know I can be a little insensitive sometimes. She’s just really combative. We both have a pretty big superiority complex.”

“Well, what about now? Do you still like her?”

Slade looked at Sahara like she was crazy.

“Your kidding right? She can’t stand me and I’m pretty sure we’re going to kill each by the time this is over.”

“Right. But you didn’t say no, did you?” Sahara smirked leaning back. “Anyway, her little brother was teased a lot when he was in school. He was a lot younger. She used to try all the time to protect him. She thinks you do it to be mean to her. I honestly think you secretly like each other and are too stubborn to admit it.”

The bathroom door opened.

“Slade, your turn.”

Slade looked back at Sahara. She just crossed her arms smiling mischievously.

He leaned toward Sahara speaking in a low growl. “Well, you’re wrong.”

Slade grabbed his clothes and headed to the restroom slamming the door.

“Whoa. What is that about?” Candy grabbed her food.

Sahara just shrugged smiling.

***

Colt and Isis had gone to the Retribution locker room a few days later to be with the chained duo.

“That’s it! You two are driving me nuts! Colt, let’s go! You two are on your own tonight. I was ok with driving you two around yesterday, but you’re on your own now. Stop fighting! I hear enough of this shit from Gage.” Isis slammed the door as she left.

“Damn it! Candy you squirted my body wash all over me! My clothes are a mess. Now I have to go to a freaking store strapped to you like an inmate to get more body wash.”

“Well! You broke my phone you douche!” She huffed.

“I told you I didn’t mean to. You tripped me!”

Candy yanked the cord. “It wasn’t me. It’s this damn cord! You called me a freak!” She started yelling.

Slade rubbed his head wanting to scream.

“Damn your voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Ok… let’s calm down. Candy, I didn’t mean to break your phone. I didn’t throw it. It slid out of my hand when I thought you were going to hit me. I don’t know you were just trying to adjust the cord. I’ll get you a new one.”

“No. It’s ok.” She slipped down in a chair covering her face.

“You can use my phone to call your mom, alright? Let’s go. We have a long drive. Davis told us to skip the next two house shows. I think everyone is pretty mad at us.”

“So we can’t even go home a few days? I miss my mom.”

“No. Listen… maybe next couple of days we can do some of those bonding things. I don’t like fighting with you all the time.”

Candy looked up. “We did them all yesterday. It doesn’t work.”

“Then we come up with our own. Candy, why can’t we do this?”

He pulled her up from her seat. She looked up with tears in her eyes and Slade wiped the moister from her cheek. Looking down at her he pulled her close and their eyes locked. Candy laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

“I don’t want to fight anymore, Slade. I’m tired of fighting.”

Slade kissed the top of her head, not sure what to say. Fighting with her was killing him. Since his confessions to Sahara, he hadn’t been able to get his growing feelings for Candy out of his mind. He knew he really hadn’t stopped being attracted to her. Spending so much time with her, Slade was afraid his feelings were much more than the physical now. He was really feeling something but they were both too stubborn.

“Let’s go, Sprinkles. We have a long drive.”

She looked up scrunching her nose playfully. “I really don’t mind when you call me that.”

“I know.” He winked touching his nose to hers.

***

Once they reached the next hotel they were both still wide awake. Colt had come and let them change for bed. They nestled into the bed as if it routine now.

“What do you want to watch on TV?”

Candy sat down grabbing her travel bag. “Watch whatever you want. I’m going to read or something.”

A little while later Slade looked over at her seeing her back turned to him and noticed she seemed upset.

“Sprinkles, are you okay?”

He turned her shoulder so she would face him. She was holding a photo in her hand.

“What are you looking at? What’s wrong?” He scooted over closer.

She turned her hand to show the wrinkled photo from when he shoved her in the shower. She let out a soft sigh looking at the photo.

“Who is that?”

Candy looked heartbroken. “He was my little brother.”

“What do you mean was your brother?”

“He died. Jacob had leukemia. My mom didn’t think she could have another child after me. She tried for years. I think that’s why my dad left us when I was a kid. She got remarried after my parents split and then Jacob came along. He was six years old. She thought she was in menopause when she got pregnant. That picture was the last photo we took together.”

“When did he die?”

“Right before I came to IWX. About six months before. The little stinker was a huge fan of yours. It’s weird having a brother so much younger than me. I was 18 when she had him.”

“What happened to the picture?”

She looked at him, not sure how to say it. “You. When you threw me in the tour bus shower.”

“Oh, Candy. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” He moved her hair from her face. “He’s adorable. I feel awful.”

“It’s ok. You didn’t know. I hear you do charity stuff for kids. That’s nice.” She put the photo away.

“I love kids. I really want kids of my own one day. Guess I need to stop being such a jerk and find a woman to marry me.” He nudged her.

“Poor woman.” She giggled. “When you’re not being a jerk you could actually be a decent guy. I think you would probably be a good dad. I see how you are with fans. Kids love you.”

Slade smiled. “Thanks. You too. Kids flock to you. It’s cute. Sorry about the picture. I promise I will make it up to you. I feel like an ass.”

“You are. However, I forgive you. Slade. I really don’t hate you.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “We fight over stupid stuff. You know that, right?”

He chuckled, “Yes. I can’t even remember half the time what we’re really fighting about.”

“Me too.” She rubbed her palm.

Slade noticed and took her hand in his. “This scar from the day we met? When you fell down?”

“Yes. I ended up having to get stitches that night. It started bleeding again.”

He kissed her scar and ran his fingers over it. “I wish that night was different. I was being an ass all night. I was upset at Jenna, I lost my match, and I was rushing to talk to Davis about the next pay-per-view. When I knocked you down and hurt you, I was embarrassed. I was joking to try to cover up how bad I felt about it. It honestly was funny seeing candy all over the floor though.”

She laughed. “I have to admit it was a hot mess. It was just an accident.”

“Later on, outside, the guys and I were being jerks. I shouldn’t have made jokes about you. Dustin feels bad about it too. I know he apologized. But I never really did. So… I’m really sorry. Especially for starting all of this.”

Candy smiled. “That means a lot. Thank you. I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have freaked out. I have a habit of overreacting. I know I have a bad temper. It’s just when my brother went to school and lost his hair from chemo kids bullied him. I still think about it and it bothers me. I couldn’t stop them. All he went through being sick and had to deal with bullying too. My mom sent me to the school with him to stop it. Mom has issues with dealing with things and I had to step in sometimes. I tried everything to make them understand that he was sick. I had been thinking about it all day. I guess your taunting me set me off.”

“Sahara told me. I didn’t know he was sick or had died. I can’t imagine how hard it must be.”

“It was. My mom had a really hard time dealing with it. She was devastated and got really depressed. My stepdad was a loser and walked out on her. He was a really horrible person. I took care of Jacob to help her out. You would like my mom. You both have the same sense of humor. Always picking at me. Now I think about it, you’re really just playing around most times. Right?”

“Yes. But, you always take it the wrong way. Candy, I don’t ever want to hurt you. This fighting is pointless. Honestly, I wish we could start over.”

She sat thinking, “Why can’t we? You said we can do things to bond. Why don’t we just have fun and relax? Try to be friends.”

“If you’re willing to try, so am I.” He hugged her.

Candy smiled feeling his hand sneaking into her pajama pants pocket as he hugged her. “Are you stealing my candy?”

Slade jerked his hand back laughing. “Yes! Score! Red.”

“Just don’t eat my pink ones.” She giggled.