“Thanks, and stay the fuck out of my email. I’m able to check it more often.”
“Okay, okay. Go back to your boozing, and if I don’t get in touch before the next show, have a good time in Pittsburgh. Give Karen a big, wet smooch for me.”
“Asshole.” Brett shut the phone and placed it back in his pocket.
“Who was that?” Dillard asked.
“Pat. We’re scheduled as speakers for the International Wrestling seminar taking place the day before their show.” Brett made a face. “Remind me to change my password so there’s a definite guarantee some nosy best friend isn’t reading my email.”
“Should’ve done that before you moved, man.”
“I know, too bad I forgot. There hasn’t been anything earth-shattering. Just a few notes now and then from friends, and booking requests.”
“Thank God your woman isn’t into the steamy email thing.”
“Yeah, I’d never hear the end of it if Patrick came across those things. Christ, even with him still in L.A., he’s worse than a wife. By the way, he sends congrats on you being on Future Stars.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. He ever think of coming back?”
Brett shook his head. “We’re on the same page in that respect.”
“How is Karen?”
“Last we talked, she was okay. One of her co-workers was supposed to fly up to cover tonight’s show, but he had to cancel because of the weather.”
“Too bad, maybe he’d brought her.”
“I thought the same thing. Makes no difference, since I’m heading to Pittsburgh for my next booking.”
“How lucky can you get?”
“You can thank Kyra Dimes for pushing for a spot for me after the original wrestler they’d booked had to back out. Signed a major contract with another federation. It’s going to be great working with her again.”
“Seeing Karen will be a bonus.”
“You know it. Working in a show with an old friend and seeing my lady. Life can’t get any better.”
CHAPTER 46
Karen watched videos featuring several wrestlers of Orlando Wrestling touting the promotion’s move to Monday nights, taking notes for an article she‘d planned. Viewing Brett’s, she expressed concern on how scruffy and tired he appeared, and annoyed with various comments below his video.
“I’m so tired of idiots posting comments about him using marijuana! They don’t know Brett at all, or even paid attention to his current touring schedule that would tire out the average person. It’s rather funny how there’s wrestlers who have done far worse drugs than he has, yet he gets shit about a little pot!”
Eddie looked up from his computer. “What’s the matter?”
“Mr. Sullivan wants me to do a feature on Orlando Wrestling moving to Monday nights. They have a lot of videos promoting the new night. The other ones have comments about how those guys should be on TV more or their ‘awesomeness’, yet every other one under Brett’s video is either a weed referral or how ‘high’ he looks. Just appalling!”
“So don’t read them.”
“I can’t help it. I have to read everything to have an idea of fans’ reactions to the new broadcast night.”
“K, you and Brett have known each other a little over a year. I think it’s safe to say you know him better than almost anyone, so I don’t get why you’re ruffled by a few comments from people who are nothing more than ‘marks.’ Didn’t you say not long ago that he was giving up weed?”
“Yes, he mentioned cutting back. The only reason he smoked both pot and cigarettes in the first place was that his old boss hated smoking. Brett would smoke a half a pack of cigarettes a day at work when he wasn‘t doing pot. He said smoking was ‘an excuse to get the fuck out of the building for ten minutes at a time.’ His words, not mine.”
“The whole anxiety thing?”
“That too,” Karen said. “He was always wound up before shows back then, and not in a good way.”
“Explains why he’s getting fat.”
“He’s not fat!”
“Hey, speaking of which, how’s Mini Brett?”
Eddie grinned. “Well, even if your belly isn’t sticking out much further, the rest of you has gotten a little rounder the last few weeks.”
“My stomach always stuck out before I started doing ab exercises. It was starting to get flatter before I was pregnant. All that work down the drain.”
“I don’t think Papa’s going to complain when he sees you this weekend. You excited?”
“Yes, to say the least.”
“Any big plans after the show?”
“You’re so nosy. I guess we’ll go to dinner, depending how tired he is after his match.”
“I heard Kyra Dimes is on the card. She’s Brett’s old girlfriend, right?”
“No, Eddie, they never dated. Kyra’s married, but she and Brett were close friends when they used to work together. She and I hit it off when I did an interview with her, and she and Brett keep in touch when they can. She got him a spot in this weekend’s show when the person who was booked had to cancel.”
“I have a feeling Brett’s going to have one interesting weekend while he’s in town.”
“What does that mean?”
“He’s going to have two gorgeous ladies, one in the same wrestling show, and the other waiting for him afterward. I think I’m going to be jealous.”
“Even better, she’s his valet for the show.”
“Since when does Brett Kerrigan need a valet?”
“His idea as a ‘thank you’ to Kyra for getting him on the card.”
“Couldn’t have a hotter chick in his corner. She looks a little like Pheebs. Cute face, nice round ass, and a great set of—”
“Eyes,” Karen said. “I get the idea. You’re starting to sound like Brett when it comes to women.”
“Can’t blame the man for having good taste. By the way, Pheebs is also a hot lay. A screamer and likes to be tickled.”
“Eddie, I don’t need to hear about yours and Phoebe’s sex life. Some things are better off not known to the world.”
“Sorry.”
“Save it for the guys. I’m sure you’ll draw a more captive audience.” She rose. “This is a good time to take my lunch break and grab a milkshake. Want me to get you anything while I‘m at The Burger Stand?”
“A Giant Angus, medium rare, with the works.”
Karen grimaced. “How gross.”
“What happened? You always liked burgers.”
“Just the thought of beef makes me queasy.”
“Damn, and you’re in the early pregnancy stage. Hate to see what happens later.”
“Oh, those stages are more fun. Soon, I’ll look forward to backaches and peeing every ten minutes.”
“Thank God Pheebs is on NuvaRing. I don’t think I could go through her being knocked up.”
“Good thing men can’t get pregnant. I think you’d never survive nine minutes, let alone nine months. I’ll be back in about half an hour.”
*****
Brett granted a rare interview with Wrestling Today’s radio program Friday afternoon, promoting the Pittsburgh show where he would face local star ’Wild Man’ Warren Garrett the following night in a non-championship ladder match.
“I’ve been studying Wild Man’s matches this week,” he said. “Why isn’t he with a major federation or at least a national independent promotion? The guy has some of the best in-ring talent I’ve seen. He’s extreme, takes a lot of risks, just like me. Garrett can go places with the right company.”
“Garrett says he can’t wait to take you down a notch,” the host said.
“He‘s welcome to bring it on. I’ve had more than my share of ladder matches the last ten years. I can do them with my eyes closed, even with guys as good as Wild Man.”
The subject soon changed to Brett’s 331-day reign as World Tag Team Champion with Patrick Sanchez-Garcia, the fourth longest tag team title reign in history. Brett was also th
e interim World Champion during a championship scramble match at a major pay-per-view event in 2008. When he turned heel later that year, he’d gained a following for his eclectic wrestling style.
Things had gone downhill when he was moved to another show and his accomplishments soon forgotten. Brett had no qualms in making it known the experience of his last days on the show—with the exception of his guest hosting stint—left him disillusioned. “I was no longer happy, though I felt that my work was beyond satisfactory. I was there to wrestle. I’m not an actor, but a wrestler, and a good one. I put myself out there without being asked. I also know that certain behaviors were encouraged, others were frowned upon, and I didn't give a shit.”
“The house shows were a blast, and I enjoyed traveling and meeting fans, but TV tapings were a circus, full of backstabbers, power hungry people and suck-ups. On the other hand, there were lots of others who were funny and nice to work with. Most of the time, I felt like a tool sitting in the bleachers waiting in case they needed me. It wasn’t the direction I’d envisioned my career. Being released from my contract last year was the best thing that happened to me, but that release could’ve been done in a more honest way.”
“Honest? Weren’t you cut for economic reasons?” the host asked.
Brett‘s voice became terse. “Let me explain the real reason, Danny. Sure, I got the ‘released because of the economy’ excuse, but it was over the phone. Then the company’s vice president had the balls to say that I wasn't doing the job they expected. What a crock of bullshit. I made a 60-year-old man look like he was still a wrestling icon. Hell, I even jobbed to a midget and made him look good. Reggie had always been very supportive of my work to my face, but I knew he was full of it. Then he said, 'Do you want help getting to Japan?' What an insult! He’d been the last person I’d asked for anything. My name carried clout in the independents long before I hit television. Why would I need his help?”
“Instead, I pressed for the real reason I was let go, and asked, 'Was it the pot fines?' I was prescribed the stuff for anxiety, in case anyone wondered. I went back and forth with the company doctor and refused a piss test on purpose to get Reggie Redmond to call me. No one would admit to anything. I wanted honesty, but dealt with a coward. After all, he fired me over the phone.”
“You seem very happy back on the independent circuit in addition to appearing with Orlando Wrestling.”
Brett beamed. “It’s fantastic! I hope everyone’s following this amazing journey of mine. Life couldn't be better. It's great to be reunited with Patrick and other guys I’d worked with in the past, as well as wrestling new talent on the local scene. We’re all having a blast working together. I’m lucky to be a position to wrestle according to my own vision. Not where I am running a show that is according to what I think wrestling should be, but able to wrestle my matches more like I pictured wrestling, or how I think it can be done.”
“With that, Orlando Wrestling fans should keep an eye out for my appearance on their next pay-per-view, and Wild Man Garrett shouldn’t get too confident about his ladder skills, because Brett Kerrigan is in town!”
CHAPTER 47
When the radio interview was over, Brett headed over to practice at the small arena where the show would take place Saturday night. He just finished his warm-up routine when he felt a loud whack on his ass. “Looking good, sexy man!”
He turned around and saw Kyra. “You’re lucky I like you, or I’d have to turn you in for sexual harrasment.”
“Since when do you object to being ‘sexually harassed’?”
Brett pecked her cheek. “Can‘t remember the last time. Ready for the run-through?”
“Sure. Where is everyone?”
“Should show up in a few minutes; otherwise, I guess you‘ll be my opponent instead of valet.”
“Mmmmm, I like the opponent idea.”
He laughed. “You would, kiddo.”
“Is this Garrett guy going to have a woman escort him to the ring?”
“From the tapes I’ve seen, he’s never worked with a valet either, but I guess there’s always a first time. Chances are, if that’s the case, she won’t be as sexy as you.”
Kyra quirked an eyebrow. “Still a shameless flirt.”
“You complaining?”
“Can’t say I am. You always made me feel gorgeous.”
“Because you are, and don’t let some so-called ‘fashion and beauty expert’ say any different. You’re a nice weight for your height and look like a real woman, not some pre-teen kid or some plastic bimbo.”
“Like Karen.”
Brett glowed at the mention of her name. “Now you’re getting the idea.”
“Oh, I’ll get the ‘idea’ even more after the show tonight.” She patted his ass. “I have a feeling the three of us are going to have fun.”
“Easy, lady, it’s not a good idea to get me worked up before a match. I’m doing the ladder thing, remember?”
“Right. Not that you haven’t gotten that way during some bouts.”
“Hey, that’s an involuntary reaction to contact, not because I’m into guys. Jesus, just seeing some of them in the locker room is enough to shrink my dick rather than give me a boner.”
“I don’t know, that Wild Man guy is sort of hot.”
“Thanks, but not my type.” Brett looked across the room where a group of people appeared. “Looks like my opponent’s arrived. Time to get busy practicing knocking his ass down a ladder or two.”
*****
Both Brett and ‘Wild Man’ Warren Garrett received respectable reactions from the crowd when their match came up that night. Before it got underway, Brett cut a promo. “Wild Man and I are similar in wrestling style. We like flying high, and we like duking it out on the mat. For Wild Man and I, it’s about wrestling minus the bullshit. There’s one difference. Wild Man is still a lowly local, whereas I’ve had international success, so I don’t have to tell you who’s the better man.”
He introduced Kyra. “I also had no trouble turning this beautiful lady’s head and having her manage me for tonight. Wild Man’s so ugly, he couldn’t get his own mama to accompany him. Miss Kyra and I are here for one reason, and that’s to climb to the top of the ladder, something your Wild Man will never do in my presence of greatness.”
Insulted by Brett’s taunts, Garrett went after Brett and speared him before confronting Kyra. Brett jumped Garrett from behind and they brawled to the outside as the bell rang. Both returned to the ring, where Garrett hit a jawbreaker on Brett.
“Okay, local yokel, you asked for it!” Brett nailed Garrett with a ladder to his head, and then dropkicked him out of the ring. He tried to climb the ladder, but Garrett rushed back in. “Where do you think you’re going, Mr. Superstar?“ he asked before he dropkicked Brett off the ladder.
Garrett tried to hit a springboard on Brett as he once again attempted climbing the ladder, but Brett moved, so Garrett crashed and burned, landing on the ladder when it tipped. Brett got to the ladder’s top on a third try, but was shoved off by Garrett, landing on his feet before Garrett clotheslined him. He climbed up again, but was pulled away from the ladder by Garrett, who tried to suplex him, but Brett broke free and hit a dropsault, sending Garrett onto the ladder, which was dangling on the ropes. Garrett went after him, but fell to the mat after being tripped by Kyra, and Brett double stomped him.
Garrett pulled free and hit a German suplex on Brett, sending him upside down in the corner. “Let’s see who reaches the top in your presence!” He climbed the ladder but before getting to the top, Brett followed and attacked Garrett to stop him. “Not so fast, big ape.”
Garrett struggled to the top, but Brett returned and hit Slice of Kerrigan off the ladder, almost decapitating himself on the ropes in the process.
“Jesus, man, is it worth killing yourself to win a local show?” Garrett asked in a low voice.
“Follow the script and just keep working me over.”
They both climbed the ladd
er. Brett attempted to pull Garrett down, pummeling him with punches. Garrett tried to get the top once more, but Kendrick returned and backdropped him from the ladder before he reached the top, winning the match. Kyra cheered for her wrestler, encouraging more crowd noise, before joining Brett on the ladder, where they posed for the fans.
“You could’ve been killed with that Slice of Kerrigan move,” she muttered in his ear. “I bet you scared poor Karen to death.”
“Done a lot worse and lived to tell about them, kiddo,” he replied.
Afterward, Garrett helped Brett down from the ladder and the pair shook hands. Kyra stood between the two men, raising the hand of each into the air as the crowd cheered their approval. “Thank you, Brett!” fans chanted in unison as confetti rained down on the three stars inside the ring.
“Was an honor, man,” Garrett said to Brett. “I can die a happy man since I had the pleasure of wrestling a star like you.”
“The pleasure was mine. I wasn’t kidding yesterday when I said on the radio show that you could go places. Give me your number when we get to the back, and I’ll see if I can pull some strings with either Dragonfly or one of the better independents. You’re wasting your talent.”
As the threesome were leaving the ring, Brett spotted Karen in the first row, a worried look on her face. “I’m okay,” he mouthed silently, giving her a seductive wink. “I’ll see you in half an hour.”
*****
When the show ended, Karen saw some friends and talked several minutes before heading to meet Brett at the talent entrance. Someone grabbed her from behind as she neared the meeting spot. She screamed, ready to fight her attacker.
“Relax, baby, it’s just me,” Brett growled in her ear, flicking it with his tongue.
“Brett Donald Kerrigan, you’re going to do that one time too many, and I will not hesitate to kill you.”
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