Brett shook his head. “I have family responsibilities, remember? We also have a wedding to put together.”
“I’m glad you mentioned that. Your mother called and said she’s flying down this weekend to help you shop for a suit.”
“Oh, God. Does she not remember that I’m thirty-one years old and not twelve?”
“Look at it this way, at least I won’t have to worry about you showing up at the courthouse wearing something in either hot pink or lime green.”
“Wait…courthouse? No fancy stuff with a singer, twenty bridesmaids, two thousand guests, the paparazzi, a six-tiered cake, and all that shit?”
“Do I look like a Bridezilla? A simple wedding ties the knot just as tight, not to mention will be more intimate. I was thinking just family and close friends.”
Brett nodded in approval. “I like the way you think.”
“As for that ‘six-tiered cake,’ I was considering more along the lines of three. Speaking of which, do you have house shows next week?”
“No, why?”
“We have an appointment for something I think you’ll enjoy. Cake tasting.”
Brett raised his eyebrows. “Cake tasting, huh? Sounds right up my alley.”
“I knew you’d approve. Clear your schedule for next Thursday afternoon.”
“Consider it done.” He kissed her cheek. “I have to go. Meeting with the creative team at eleven, and then we have run-through before the first taping. I’ll give you a call on break.”
“Have fun. Don’t run off with any of those gorgeous Cover Girls.”
“Why settle for hamburger when I have filet mignon at home? See you tonight. Give Little Bit a kiss for Daddy.”
CHAPTER 71
“You mean I have to wrestle your ugly mug tonight?” Brett asked Park Perry, laughing. “I thought I was done with you when I became TV Champion.”
“Oh, you’re just getting started, small fry,” Perry replied. “Didn’t you read the script? We’re now feuding.”
“Not easy killing each other week in and week out without either one or both of us breaking out laughing.”
“Yeah, you aren’t kidding.”
“Got to admit that promo you cut a couple of weeks ago was sharp. Then again, I’m not surprised, since you‘re great with those anyway.”
“Thanks, dude. I’m heading over to warm up before the match. I’d ask you to join me, but, you know…”
Brett nodded. “The whole kayfabe bullshit. Can’t be seen together if we’re supposed to hate each other’s guts, right?”
“Ha, ha. You got it.”
“See you in the ring, and prepare to once again have your ass kicked”
“In your dreams, short stuff. In your dreams.”
Brett laughed, dropped to the floor, and prepared for his ubiquitous set of push-ups.
Whether he was jobbing or in his current state as a champion, he couldn’t help but reflect on how good it felt to enjoy wrestling for the first time in as long as he could remember.
*****
Perry and Brett’s non-title match followed the break. The bout began with Brett catching Perry off-guard with a punch as the referee was talking to him. He followed up with an enzuigiri.
Brett knocked Perry off the ring apron, and then both went over the ringside barrier. He caught Brett from behind for a moment. “You little shit,“ Perry hissed in his ear while trying not to laugh. “I’m going to fuck you up for that.”
“Got to catch me first, ass wipe.” Brett broke loose from Perry’s grip and took off, running back toward the ring before both were counted out by the referee.
Perry made a comeback at the eight-minute mark with a flying forearm, clothesline, and dropkick. Brett responded with a running bulldog and then a lionsault attempt. Perry moved, but Brett, like a cat, landed on his feet.
When Perry went for a dropkick, Brett caught his legs and pinned him into a schoolboy. Perry powered his way to the bottom rope to force a break. The arena filled with a mix of cheers and boos. They exchanged leverage near falls. It was Perry‘s turn in an attempt to pin Brett, but Brett managed to escape before giving Perry the Slice of Kerrigan and then pinned him to capture the win.
When Brett returned to the locker room, he’d noticed his wrist was swollen. Oh shit, when did that happen?
The injury also didn’t go unnoticed by Perry. “Better get your arm checked, little buddy,” he said. “Might be broken.”
“No, I can move my hand and fingers okay. I don’t know how it happened, though.”
“Probably during the schoolboy. Remember when my one hip was on your wrist?”
“Ah, should’ve known your fat ass was involved.”
Perry slapped his ass. “Go get an X-ray.”
CHAPTER 72
"What on this green earth happened?” Karen asked when Brett came home, his left arm wrapped in an Ace bandage from his thumb to the middle of his forearm, accompanied by Park Perry.
"There I was," Brett said, “in a dark place, near the park. There was a girl in trouble. Five big dudes had her cornered. I think one of them had a gun, but I tackled all of them and saved the girl. Right, Park?”
Perry rolled his eyes and laughed. "Your boyfriend’s full of shit. He sprained his wrist during our match tonight.”
"I liked my story much better than saying you were a klutz and landed on me wrong.”
“How bad is the sprain?” Karen asked.
“I can still work through it,” Brett answered. “By the way, don’t tell anyone since the show didn’t air yet, but I beat Park’s ass again.”
“Next time, you’re walking home, Kerrigan,” Park said, joking.
“Sore loser,” Brett replied. “Thanks for the ride, man. See you in a couple of weeks.”
“My pleasure. Always fun watching you pinch the male nurses’ asses in the emergency room.” Perry darted out the door, howling with laughter, before Brett could catch him.
“What?” Karen asked.
“He was jacking my chain,” Brett said. “You should know by now my only other love is Patrick.”
“Very funny.”
“Little Bit still sacked out, huh?”
“Yes, she’s now starting to sleep through the night. You haven’t noticed?”
“Guess I’ve been too tired.”
“Good point. By the way, your lover boy Patrick called earlier.”
“Oh, cool. It’s still early out in L.A.; I’ll call him back before Little Bit decides to wake up and expand her lungs.”
“Don’t forget to tell him the tale about how you saved a damsel in distress from being attacked by five big men tonight.” Karen started to giggle.
“Sure, sweetheart. I love you too.”
While Brett was making his phone call, Karen checked on Autumn, who was still sleeping. I never thought I’d see a night when Autumn would sleep through her father coming in the house sounding like a team of horses.
She returned to the living room, baby monitor in hand, and Brett was off the phone. “Thought I’d give you a heads up. Patrick’s going to be in Orlando this weekend signing autographs and doing a show for anti-bullying awareness,” he said. “I told him he could stay here.”
“So what’s the problem? You know I enjoy Pat’s visits. It’s also wonderful he’s part of such a good cause.”
“Hey, I have an idea,” Brett said. “Since he’s going to be here the entire weekend, but only doing the show one day, why don’t you take some time for yourself on Sunday? Pat and I can watch Little Bit.”
“That’s very nice, but you guys should spend some time together.”
“I’ll go to his show Saturday night and we’ll hang out after. You’ve been busy with Autumn since she was born, and you need a little time to yourself. Go shopping and charge everything to me if you’d like.”
“My, being Orlando Wrestling TV Champion has made you even more generous. All right, but make sure all of the blondes are out of here by the time I get home.”
“Oh, you’re a real comedian, Karen.”
She giggled. “I have to mess with you once in awhile. In all seriousness, I think it’s very sweet of you to spend time with Autumn.”
“Yeah, it isn’t like I have many opportunities, you know?”
“Of course, and I also know how much Daddy enjoys spoiling his Little Bit. Now come on, it’s almost one-thirty in the morning. We need to get to bed.”
Brett yawned. “Not a bad idea, baby. I think those pain pills they gave me at the ER are finally starting to kick in.”
CHAPTER 73
“Guess it’s just you and me the rest of the day, ladybug,” Karen said to Autumn on Saturday once Brett and Patrick left to go to Patrick’s appearance. “I’m not as exciting as Daddy, but I’m sure we can find something to do.”
She took a sniff. “Oh my, smells like you need a change. How can someone so pretty be such a stinky girl?”
Karen took Autumn to the changing table, cleaned up her daughter, and put on a fresh diaper before she redressed her. “There. Now we can go play.”
Autumn yawned, indicating she had something else in mind. “Is it already that time?” Karen asked before she glanced at the clock. “Looks like it’s later than I thought.” She lay the baby in her crib. “I guess naptime it is. At least you’ll have a peaceful sleep while Daddy and Papi Pat are gone.”
*****
“As much as I love making daytime appearances before wrestling shows, my ass is tired,” Patrick said. “I never was an early riser.”
“How well I know,” Brett replied with a laugh. “Lord knows I’ve dealt with you countless times before you’ve had a cigarette and a few cups of that nasty Mexican coffee.”
“Got to have my morning smoke and spice. On the other hand, meeting fans is worth getting up early.”
“Yes they do, my man. Fans are the backbone of our business, and I’m glad to see you haven’t forgotten that.”
“Shit, how else would we get paid for meeting such cool people?”
“You know it.” Brett high-fived him. “We going to lunch?”
“You buying?”
“Why do I always get roped into buying?”
“Because you’re the one with the Orlando Wrestling contract and championship bonus. The indies don’t pay much, remember?”
“Aren’t you getting a percentage of the sales for your Internet show DVD?”
“Yeah, but I’m not a fucking millionaire.”
“Neither am I. I also have a kid to support and a wedding to plan these days to boot.”
“Wait…wedding? Why didn’t I hear about this?”
“Because I was waiting for your ass to get here before asking you a favor.”
“Oh, hell no! Brett, I love Autumn, I really do, but I’m not spending a whole night cleaning up baby puke, piss, and shit while you and Karen go off and elope, and then screw all night. No thank you.”
“That wasn’t what I was going to ask, dumb ass.”
“Then what?”
“Pat, you’ve been my best friend for almost ten years. We were tag champs at our last job for almost a year, and I couldn‘t have had a better guy for a tag partner. We always had each other’s backs, even at times we’d piss off the other. We know each other so well, we may as well have been brothers in another life. With that in mind, I can’t think of anyone better I’d like to stand for me at my and Karen’s wedding than my top homeboy.”
A goofy grin crossed Patrick’s face. “You’re serious?”
“Will you do it?”
“Damn straight I will! I’ll even buy lunch today.”
Brett patted his shoulder. “I knew I always dug you for some reason.”
*****
“Phoebe! It’s good to hear from you!” Karen said when she heard her friend and old co-worker‘s voice on the phone that evening.
“Is this a good time?”
“Never better. Brett is at Patrick’s show and Autumn’s napping. Plenty of time to talk. What do I owe the honor of your call?”
“Eddie and I set a wedding date.”
“That’s wonderful! When?”
“Next July Fourth.”
“Should I ask whose idea that was?”
“Of course, Eddie’s. He thinks it would be awesome to have fireworks on our anniversary.”
Karen chuckled. “I should’ve known.”
“Have you and Brett decided on a date for your wedding?”
“Brett wants to do it over the Christmas holidays while his family’s visiting. By the way, while I have you on the phone, what are you and Eddie doing for the holidays?”
“Probably dinner at his father’s and the yearly party at the paper. Why?”
“I was hoping you’d stand for me at my wedding.”
Phoebe was elated. “Me?”
“Unless you can think of someone better.”
“I’d be honored! Thank you. Just stay in touch when you get a date.”
“Sure I will.”
“How’s Autumn doing?” Phoebe asked.
“Growing like a weed. Hard to believe she’s almost nine weeks old. I’m taking her Monday for her well baby checkup.”
“Sounds like things are going great down there.”
“I can’t complain.”
“Eddie said Brett got hurt at Monday’s taping. He okay?”
“It’s just a sprained wrist. He won’t miss any work time.”
“Thank God. It seems not long ago since he won the TV Title.”
“The night Autumn was born,” Karen reminded her.
“That’s going to be quite a story to tell your daughter when she gets older,” Phoebe said.
“I know, and I don’t know who’s dying to tell her first, though I think Brett has me beat.”
Noises from the baby monitor distracted Karen. “Much as I hate to end this call, Autumn’s awake, and Brett’s due home in a few hours. We need to chat more often. Do you still have your Instant Messenger?”
“Yeah, and maybe I can zip you an email now and then too.”
“Great idea. Talk to you soon!”
Karen hung up and retrieved the baby, noting it was Autumn’s feeding time. Quite a way to spend one of our mother-daughter moments. Well, I may as well cherish these days while I can. Before we know it, Brett and I will be planning Autumn’s wedding.
CHAPTER 74
On Sunday, Karen left early to shop and check out the town’s sights. Between caring for Autumn, organizing Brett‘s schedule, and developing her book, there hadn’t been much time for Karen to explore her new surroundings since moving to Orlando.
Brett was happy to offer her a little freedom outside their home. He knew Autumn required attention, and he made the effort to help when he could, which was why he offered Karen a day to herself. Plus, Brett adored his baby daughter and doted on her as often as he could.
He plopped a confused-looking Autumn in Patrick’s lap. “Say hi to Papi Pat, Little Bit.”
Patrick raised an eyebrow. “You enjoy torturing me, don’t you?”
“You’re the one who said you wanted to know your goddaughter better, so there’s your chance.” Brett handed him a bottle and burp cloth. “Time to feed her. Karen left instructions.”
“You want me to give your kid a bottle?”
“It’s not difficult, dude. You saw me do it dozens of times. Just read the note on the table. I’ll get us a couple of beers.”
“I’m going to need more than a couple after this.”
“Come on, man, you’ll do great. Besides, the other beer is for me.”
“Should we even be drinking in front of the baby? Won’t Karen bitch your ass out for that?”
“Karen isn’t here, and one beer won’t hurt either of us.” Brett returned from the kitchen and sat beside Patrick. “Hold up Little Bit’s bottle, remember?”
“Right. Don’t want to give her gas. How do you manage this every day?”
“More Karen’s department than mi
ne, but I read the baby books she gave me.”
"My God, Kerrigan," Patrick said with a goofy grin, "I’d swear your ovaries were tingling for another one of these if I didn‘t know any better.”
“Oh, you’re hilarious, Sanchez-Garcia.” Brett rolled his eyes and pulled the bottle from Autumn’s mouth. He checked to make sure Patrick hadn’t given her more than Karen indicated in her note. “It’s burping time.”
Patrick was ready to hand over the baby. “Your turn.”
“No, no, you’re seeing this all the way, holmes.” Brett put the burp cloth on Patrick’s shoulder. “Remember, quality time with the goddaughter.”
“Fine, I’ll burp her.”
It was Brett‘s turn to grin. “That’s the spirit.”
The room went quiet as Patrick patted Autumn’s back for several minutes.
“See? Is that hard?” Brett asked.
Autumn let out a loud belch.
Patrick jumped and made a face. “Jesus Christ, Kerrigan, your kid almost shattered my eardrum!”
“Told you she was Daddy’s girl.”
Patrick gave Autumn the bottle’s remaining contents before he burped her a second time. “Man, this girl can eat. She really does take after you.” He held up the empty bottle for Brett to look. “She sucked it dry!”
“Yep, that’s about all babies do around that age. Eat, sleep, and shit. Want another beer for a job well done?”
“Thanks, I think I will.”
While Brett was in the kitchen retrieving the beers and some snacks for the two of them, he heard Patrick cry out.
He rushed back into the living room. “What’s wrong? Is Little Bit okay?”
“Your daughter just smiled at me!”
“Dude, you’d smile too if you farted. It’s gas. Don’t get excited.”
“I’m telling you, this baby smiled.”
“Maybe I should cut off your beer.”
“We only had one can. Look! Get your camera phone, man; she’s doing it again!”
The Cruiserweight Page 26