“I'm impressed, somebody knows their shit! Just call me Kristen, that's my real name. And yours?”
“Mila Stevens, huge fan!”
The two shook hands and were engaging in small talk when a curvy, voluptuous dark-haired woman sauntered up to Trevor and snaked her arm through his.
“Miss me, baby?” she purred.
“Baby?” Mila thought. Her senses went crazy. Suddenly she felt a combination of jealousy, anger and embarrassment at the fact that she felt that way.
“Oh, for God's sake”
Violet's voice was barely above a groan as she rolled her eyes.
“Who's this baby?”
The dark-haired beauty turned her gaze to Mila, simultaneously making her feel self-conscious and giving her a chance to get a good look at her face.
Mila immediately recognized her.
“Star Carano, one-time Women's Champion, full-time social climber. And, apparently, Trevor’s girlfriend” she thought, making mental note to avoid both from that point forward. Suddenly, Trevor spoke up.
“Seriously Star? Not your baby, and have you ever heard of personal space?”
As he said this, Trevor removed Star's vice grip from him.
Violet scoffed. “Pfft. Star, knowing boundaries? That'll be the day!”
Star’s eyes seemed to fill with rage as she turned to Violet.
“Look here Barney, I've got half a mind to-”
“You could've just stopped there; we all know you've got half a mind Star. And what are you going to do, huh? What?”
The 2 were getting closer, Violet bowed up, ready to knock Star into next week. Mila slowly backed up and started to quietly leave. As she did, she heard Violet yelling.
“Look Gothic Barbie, nobody has time for your shit so hop on your broom and head back to your dream house!”
Suddenly there was a strong hand on Mila's arm, stopping her from leaving.
“Mila, wait, please!”
But just as Trevor started to make his plea for her to stay, another male voice cut in.
“Ladies, ladies, relax. Violet go brood somewhere; Star go find your next ‘ride’ to the top!”
“Screw you, Randall!” Violet snapped.
“In your purple-headed dreams love. Trevor, man, you got these ladies that worked up?”
Mila slowly turned to see another face she instantly recognized and made mental note of.
“Randall Davis, current and 4x PEW Champion. And, if the dirt sheets are to be believed, world-class douche.”
“Not hardly Randy. It's just Star and Violet being.”
“Star and Violet?”
Randall finished Trevor's sentence and they cracked up laughing. That is until Randall noticed Mila quietly standing slightly behind Trevor.
“And where have you been hiding this one?”
Mila had to mentally brace herself for the cheesy lines she knew were coming.
“Must resist the urge to vomit all over this guy and threaten to shove his gym bag right in his Under Armour!” she thought.
Instead, it was Trevor who spoke up first.
“Down boy! This is Mila Stevens, the new intern in the writing department. I was showing her around when World War III broke out!”
“Well, hey man, I'd be happy to show her around. As Champ, I have a bit more experience performing here in this particular arena.”
Trevor just laughed in response.
“A blacked-out Suburban in the parking lot doesn't count Randy, see ya later!”
Trevor's hand glided across the small of Mila's back to guide her away from Randall and his cologne that had been assaulting her senses for about 15 minutes.
“Sorry about him, he's-”
“A bit much?”
“That's one way to put it!” he said with a smile.
“So,” Mila sighed, “you and Star, huh?”
“No! God no! We went on one date 4 months ago and she's been. . . well, like that ever since!”
“You always have that effect on women?”
The words slipped out before Mila could catch them and she couldn't hide the instant look of panic and shock that seemingly took over her face.
“Nah, I wouldn't say all that.”
Trevor was smiling, his hand still on Mila's back.
“So, this is your office. It's uh, not fancy since it's in the back of an arena but uh, it's all yours.”
Trevor was tripping on his words and clearing his throat a lot. He seemed nervous for some reason, which made Mila nervous.
“Oh, uh, thanks. I appreciate the tour.”
She blushed again and when she looked up, she was staring right into Trevor's eyes.
“So, Mila, I uh. . .”
He leaned in, never breaking eye contact for even a second.
Mila’s brain was on overload, a thousand thoughts tumbling over each other.
“Oh God, is he going to kiss me?!”
Chapter Three
M ila stood there. Frozen to the spot she was standing in, yet it was hot enough to melt hell. She closed her eyes in anticipation of Trevor's kiss. When suddenly. . .
“Trevor! Get your ass to the locker room, your segment's on in 20 and you're not even in your gear yet!”
Trevor hung his head, looking equal parts defeated and pissed off.
“Leave it to Donahue to show up now! I'm so sorry Mila.”
“No, it's ok, you go and get ready to dazzle them!”
She put on her best "no, I'm not disappointed at all" face in an attempt to reassure him. She didn’t know why she cared so much about how this stranger felt.
“Raincheck on this?”
As he said this, that disarmingly gorgeous grin played across his face.
“Umm, sure, yeah.”
Mila grinned and looked down at her feet.
“I'm in so much trouble!” she thought.
After looking around her very temporary, very makeshift office, which she was going to have to get used to with her new traveling lifestyle, Mila decided to peek out from behind the curtains to get a look at Trevor's match.
Just as she looked out, Trevor was standing on the top rope, and then executed a picture-perfect Frog Splash.
Watching him glide across that ring, high flying spots, submission holds, brute strength, you name it Trevor had it. Watching him wrestle was magical. Mila could see all the passion he had for this business in his eyes as he went to work in that ring. His second home.
“He's amazing, isn't he?”
A woman's voice startled Mila out of her trance
“Excuse me?”
When she turned, Mila was face to face with Britani Regal, an unbelievably talented wrestler she'd always admired. And looking at her this closely not only was she talented, but she was also absolutely gorgeous! Flawless fair skin, deep blue eyes, and her black hair cut into an angled bob. She smiled sweetly.
“Trevor. He's fun to watch out there, isn't he?
He's crazy talented!”
“Yeah, yeah he is!”
As she said this to Britani, she realized once again that her mouth had a mind of its own.
Britani eyed Mila up and down, a smirky smile playing on her full lips.
“You're the new writer, right? Mila, is it?”
“Yes, Mila Stevens. How'd you know about me?”
“Mr. Perfect out there!” Britani said, nodding towards the ring.
“What?”
“He hasn't shut up about you for weeks now. He's pretty into you, ya know?”
She winked as she finished her sentence and Mila could feel the smile creep across her face.
“Trevor? Nah, he's just a nice guy.”
“Agreed, he's very nice,” Britani said. “He's like a brother to me.”
Suddenly the crowd erupted into cheers, signaling the end of the match.
“Want to grab a coffee from Craft Services?”
“Um yeah, sure that'd be nice!” Mila responded.
“I got a good fee
ling about you kid!”
Mila had to admit, it felt nice to have a female ally.
Just then, another female voice called out "Mila!"
Mila and Britani turned around, just in time to see Star approaching.
“Hey, can we talk?”
Mila stood there, next to her newfound friend Britani, looking into the dark eyes of Star Carano, and all she could think was.
“There is absolutely no way anything good could come from this situation!”
“What can I do for you Star?”
“Can I talk to you, IN PRIVATE!?”
As her eyes narrowed, she uttered those last 2 words through her teeth and with serious looks of annoyance.
Britani spoke first, arms folded defensively across her chest.
“What do you want with her Star? She's the new writer who I highly doubt has time for your childish drama!”
“Oh, I just wanted a little girl talk! C'mon Mila, I won't take much of your time, I promise!”
Her words were dripping with saccharine sweetness. Rich, thick, phony as all hell sweetness.
Mila didn’t know what Star could want, but she knew she was not going anywhere alone with her.
“Star, I'm not sure what you have to say to me that can't just be said out here.”
Star let out an exaggerated sigh before seemingly snapping right in front of Mila and Britani.
“Okay, I tried to spare you this embarrassment, remember that!”
As she spoke, she was walking closer and closer.
“Why do you always have to be so damn dramatic girl? This isn’t ‘Days of Our Lives’!”
“Stay out of this Brit! This is between me, Mila, and well, now that I think about it, everyone within the sound of my voice!”
Her voice got louder with each word, it seemed.
“Let me make myself clear. Trevor is my boyfriend. So, you will learn the pecking order around here newbie, and show me some respect!”
“Oh really? You want to repeat that Star because I know I can't have heard you right?!”
Trevor suddenly walked up from behind Star. He was drenched, partly in sweat, partly in the contents of the water bottle in his hand. He looked Mila right in the eyes as she heard Britani try and fail to stifle a laugh.
If Star was at all sweating Trevor’s presence, she certainly wasn’t showing it.
“Trevor. . .baby!”
“Again, not yours. Not interested, not going to be interested!” he said, as calm as could be.
Star screamed in frustration and took off out the side door.
Britani was practically doubled over in laughter.
“Oh God that was great! I got to start bringing popcorn to work for shows like that!” she said, walking off towards the locker rooms.
“Uh, Mila, can I talk to you a minute?”
“Yeah, sure”
She followed Trevor over to a secluded corner by some vending machines.
“What's-”
“I just want to apologize ahead of time.”
Mila looked at him, completely perplexed.
“Apologize? For what?”
“This...”
And just like that, Trevor's lips came crashing onto hers.
**
Mila sat in the window seat of her bedroom, staring out at the rainy New York Saturday before her. Well, her body was there. Her mind, however, was a million miles away.
It had been 2 weeks since that kiss. Trevor's kiss had turned her entire world upside down. It was amazing. From the moment his lips touched hers to the moment she freaked out and ran out of the arena.
“Smooth Mila, real freaking smooth!”
Since then, she'd been avoiding Trevor like the plague, which, given the fact that they worked and traveled together was no easy feat. She mostly kept her head down at work, barricading herself in her makeshift offices, only speaking to Britani and Violet, aside from Mr. Donahue of course.
“I can't tell him, I just can't. He'll look at me differently. This is why I left that life behind in Millville. This is why I don't speak to any of my old friends and barely speak to my parents.”
Of course, Britani and Violet had asked. They were concerned, as any good friends would be. But Mila couldn't bring herself to get into all the details. She simply told them that she was carrying around a lot of baggage that she THOUGHT she'd left in Indiana.
She soon found herself on the phone with Phoebe, who was somehow even more relentlessly cheery than usual.
“Morning Mila, how ya doing babe?”
“Morning Phoebe. I'm. . . here, that counts, right?”
“Oh, honey you've got to snap out of this! That’s why I'm calling. Me, Vi and Brit are going to breakfast why don't you come with us? We're going to that little corner cafe over on 3rd street you love so much!”
Mila sighed into the phone.
“Phoebe, I don't think I should...”
“Yes Mila, you should. You've done nothing but work and sit in that house of yours for weeks now! It's time to make like Taylor Swift and shake it off girl!”
As much as she'd grown to love Phoebe, there was one trait that remained both endearing and maddening, her persistence. Seriously, you'd probably have to run her over with a car to get her to stop once she's locked in on something. Even then she'd probably end up making calls from her hospital bed!
“I'm sorry but I'm not up to it right now Pheebs. I'm sorry and please tell Brit and Vi I'm sorry too. It's not personal, believe me. I'm just going through it right now. I'll talk to ya later.”
She hung up before Phoebe had a chance to try and convince her to go yet again. Just as she rested her head against the tall dresser behind her, she heard her doorbell, followed by incessant pounding on her front door.
“What the hell? I know damn good and well they didn't detour over here on their way to breakfast!”
Mila made her way over to the door, fully prepared to give her girls the earful they so rightfully deserved.
However, when she opened her door, there, standing on the other side of her glass storm door was a very dejected and slightly angry-looking Trevor.
“Trevor, what are you do -”
“Let me in Mila, we need to talk!”
“Trevor, I don't-”
“Please Mila, it's been 2 weeks of silence, you owe me some kind of explanation. Even if it's a literal slap in the face!”
And that's when she saw it in his eyes. Not anger, not even frustration. Pain. If anyone knew that look it was Mila.
Slowly, she opened the door to let him in. Maybe in more ways than simply the literal.
“Can I, can I get you something to drink?” she offered.
“Sure, thank you, what do you have?”
It was clear at this point that this was nothing more than awkward small talk. Hence why Mila suddenly said.
“I have some red wine if you're suddenly into day drinking.”
She forced a smile, knowing she was only half kidding.
“Actually, that's not a bad idea. . . not a bad idea at all!”
Those last words were said as if they were just a part of the deep exhale that Trevor let out as he muttered them.
Mila grabbed her bottle of red and poured Trevor a glass before pouring herself some.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
This was now crossing over from awkward to out and out painfully uncomfortable.
Mila got up from the couch and started to get a fire going in the fireplace. Without even looking over her shoulder she said
“So, you uh, you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes Mila, I really do. I just don't understand what happened. I thought we had a connection, chemistry. Something that made kissing you just feel right.”
Mila took a swig of her wine. Oh, if only he knew how she felt, what she'd been through. Maybe then it wouldn't be so tough to open her heart and spill all the secrets, the pain, the reason she was the way she was.
“It… it felt right to me too Trevor.”
“Then I don't understand. If it felt right to us both, why are we here?”
Mila took a deep breath, completely unprepared for how this was going to go. She wasn't sure how he would take it, but she knew she had to tell him. He at least deserved that much.
“Here goes nothing,” she thought, “There's no turning back now.”
“I don't know how else to say this so I'm just going to get it out there.” she began.
“Okay?”
By now Mila knew she was swimming in some deep, dark, uncharted waters. The mere thought made her start fidgeting with the edge of the throw pillow on the couch.
“I'm... I'm married, Trevor.”
The stunned silence that hung over them was deafening.
“Trevor, please say something.”
“I should probably, I should go!”
His words came breathlessly as he quickly hopped up from the couch.
Mila jumped up too, trying to block Trevor's path out of her house and out of her life.
“Trevor please listen to me!”
“No, go back to your husband Mila. I'm sure he misses you, wherever you left him.”
Trevor pushed past Mila and just as his hand was on the doorknob, he heard Mila's painful scream.
“HE'S DEAD TREVOR!! He's dead... my husband... he's gone!”
Mila collapsed onto the floor, leaning against the couch, violently sobbing and shaking.
“Mila!”
Trevor ran to her side and pulled her into his arms trying to slow down the shaking, suddenly abandoning his anger and frustration.
“Shh, it's okay Mila, it's okay, I'm here, I've got you!”
***
Mila didn't know how long they sat like that on the floor. Just like she didn't know when her tears gave way to sleep, or when the rain outside had switched to snow.
“Hey, you.”
Mila looked up from her spot on the couch. She suddenly realized she was wrapped in the throw blanket from the couch, and perhaps more importantly, in Trevor's arms. The fire glowing from the fireplace illuminated the living room.
“How - how long have I been out?”
“Just a couple hours.”
Suddenly Mila recalled the conversation that had led to her tearful exhaustion.
Wrestling With Love Page 2