Nerdy Girl Nation (Nerdy Girl #1)

by Lindsey Gray

  “Yes.”

  Robert Senior was silent for a moment before he began again.

  “You know all about my career as well?”

  “I do.”

  A wicked grin spread across Robert Senior’s lips. Warning bells went off in Emma’s brain at the sight.

  Thus began the two hour-long IWA trivia session where Emma felt like she’d lived a weird combination of a game show and police interview nightmare. At the end of the night, Robert Senior seemed satisfied with her as the new GM of the IWA, but most importantly as his son’s girlfriend.

  Once his parents had retired to their room, Rob poured a club soda for Emma and sat with her on the couch.

  “No wonder you’ve never had a steady girlfriend. I felt like I was taking the SAT’s again.” Emma sipped at the bottle of water he’d given her.

  “Yeah. No one but you could’ve ever passed my father’s test. I’m sorry he put you through that, but you held your own. I’m proud of you.”

  Emma turned and cuddled into Rob’s side. “Thanks for standing up for me.”

  “Anytime.” Rob moved closer and placed a light kiss on her lips before he’d pulled back. Emma groaned with disapproval. “If we start something tonight I won’t be able to stop myself.”

  “Okay.” Emma leaned in for one last kiss before she stood. “I need to get going. Big day tomorrow.”

  “Right.” Rob stood and walked her to the door. “What time are you heading over to the arena?”

  “Eight. Kelly and I need to work before my workout with Cherry and one of the match coordinators.”

  “Workout?”

  “Guess I hadn’t mentioned that yet, huh?” Emma noted the confusion on his face as he shook his head. “Aaron wants to get me in shape. I think he plans to put me in a match at some point. Never too early to start preparing.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “I think fighting in a real match will be easier if I start out practicing in the empty arena. Maybe imagine I’m back at Bill’s gym. Am I nuts?”

  “No. You’re not.” Rob pulled her into his arms. “I can’t wait to see what they come up with for your ring wear. Definitely purple.”

  She pulled back. “Without question.” She gave him another kiss before she said a quiet goodnight.

  Once she was back in her room, she stripped and fell into bed. Her dreams were full of purple-studded leather and knee-high black boots. If she ever did make her in-ring debut, she had a good idea of what she wanted to wear.

  Sweat dripped from places on Emma’s body she’d never sweat from before. Every muscle, every bone ached. She was stupid to think she could take a few weeks off and not hurt.

  “Again,” Lazlo, the match coordinator, yelled at Emma and Cherry.

  “One more time, Emma.” Cherry winked at her from the other side of the ring. “You got it in you?”

  “I’m ready.” Emma stared Cherry down.

  Cherry ran at Emma full force. Emma grabbed Cherry around the waist and used Cherry’s momentum to hip toss her to the mat.

  The crowd of IWA talent and employees around the ring applauded and Emma helped Cherry up.

  “Good job, girl.” Cherry hugged Emma tight and groaned. “Knocked the wind out of me.”

  “You okay?” Emma asked.

  “I’m good.” Cherry pushed Emma off and turned to bow to the crowd.

  “I want a crack at her.” Steffi, the reigning Bombshell Champion, stepped into the ring.

  Emma’s mind went on alert. Images of Steffi’s matches and signature moves filtered through her brain.

  “Just a few minutes,” Lazlo cautioned before the two women began to circle the ring.

  “How do you want to start this?” Emma asked.

  “Wing it,” Steffi answered.

  The two continued to walk around the ring. They measured each other with every step.

  Steffi lunged at Emma and the two held each other back by the shoulders. Emma decided to pull out one of her brother’s favorite moves. She turned Steffi around so they were back to back, hooked their arms together, and flipped Steffi over her back and on the mat.

  The crowd cheered again while Cherry and Peaches wolf whistled.

  Steffi got to her feet and stretched her back. “Not bad. Next time we will work on submission holds.” Steffi held out her hand to Emma.

  Emma shook the champion’s hand and realized she had made another friend.

  “His name is Kieran Finley. Irish, but dark hair. He’s been working the smaller circuits for about a year. We need him,” Aaron insisted as he pulled up some film of the young Irishman on his laptop.

  Emma recognized Kieran’s potential right away. She imagined him working well with several of their wrestlers. A belt belonged around Kieran Finley’s waist.

  “When can we meet with him?” She shut off the film.

  “Within the next couple weeks.” Aaron’s voice dropped off.

  “I feel a but coming next.”

  “Yes, there is a little complication.”

  Emma threw her hands up in the air with a huff. Her first possible acquisition for the company and there was a problem from the bang.

  “What’s the catch?”

  “He’s Patricia Finley’s nephew.”

  “Oh.” Big problem. They had family members who were wrestlers, but none were related to the human resources director. “I’m sure we can get some exemption if we sign him. Can we find someone who can deal with any of his HR concerns instead of Patricia?”

  Aaron smiled wide and tilted his head to the side.

  “Of course. You like making my job a little harder every day.” Apparently, she would be adding HR specialist to her resume.

  “It’s your fault. You’re so talented. You can do anything.”

  She laughed. There were many things she couldn’t do and he knew about most of them.

  “Don’t think for one minute I didn’t see your turn in the ring this morning.”

  Heat rose to her cheeks. While she was in the ring, she wasn’t thinking about anything except her opponent.

  “I think I did okay.”

  “You put Steffi on her ass. She hasn’t been in that position in quite a while.” Aaron laughed with a twinkle in his eye.

  “You are up to something.” Her stomach turned.

  What the hell does he have in mind for now?

  “Me.” He pointed to himself. “President. You.” He pointed to her. “Vice President. I have the right to keep a few things to myself.”

  “Fine. If I look like an ass in front of millions of people, I will put you on yours.”

  He clapped his hands together. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

  Aaron did drive her crazy, but she did love and respect the guy more than most.

  “Now, get a hold of Kieran’s agent and set up a meeting as soon as possible.” He handed her a folder with Kieran Finley’s relevant details.

  “Yes, Mr. President.”

  Rob was edgy. A scorching sizzle crawled under his skin and slithered through his muscles, making him feel the fire. His fire wouldn’t be destroyed by a bout in the ring. Something was lurking on the horizon. He wished he had the faintest idea what the hell it was.

  He felt his father behind him while he and Chance stood backstage and waited for their entrance music to begin.

  “You got this, Dad?”

  “I’ve done this thousands of times. Don’t worry.”

  Rob turned toward his father. He looked better than he had in years. Robert Senior’s dark brown hair with streaks of gray was short on the sides but messy on top and made him seem several years younger. Most of his physique had held up well since he’d retired, his chest still broad and his arms still hard as cannon balls. The black suit jacket, gray tee shirt, faded blue jeans, and Doc Marten’s fit with the image Emma and Lisa had suggested. His dad’s persona said laid back, yet classy. Something his tightass Big Bobby persona had never displayed. Rob prayed his dad pulled off th
e new façade.

  “Now or never.” Chance squeezed Rob’s shoulder as music alerted them to get to the ring.

  Rob turned to his dad. “See you out there.”

  Robert Senior nodded and appeared relaxed.

  Chance and Rob received a huge Chicago welcome on their way to the ring. The duo even stopped to take a picture with a five-year-old set of twin boys. One had a Baltimore Bruiser shirt on and the other’s shirt read, “Take a Chance on a Robicheaux”.

  The ring announcer brought the mic in front of him. “At this time, ladies and gentleman, we have a special guest we would like to welcome to the ring. He hardly needs an introduction. Eight-time heavyweight champion, three-time international champion, and four-time tag team champion. The only man to knock William J. Bell unconscious. Chicago, welcome Big Bobby Breyer!”

  Big Bobby’s theme music began to play and a new video montage flashed on the big screen above the entrance. The man himself strutted out with a confidence Rob hadn’t seen in years. He waved to the crowd and high-fived several people on his way to the ring.

  “He’s doing great,” Chance said as Rob watched his father’s every move.

  Big Bobby stopped to chat with the same twins Rob and Chance had. Before Rob figured out what was happening, Big Bobby had a twin sitting on each of his guns while he flexed. A happy father snapped several pictures before the boys were returned to their seats and Big Bobby shook their hands.

  Rob let out a hardy laugh at the sight. It was as if he was seeing a whole new man strutting up to the ring. If he hadn’t seen his father’s swagger live and in person, he wasn’t sure he would’ve believed it.

  A mic was handed to Big Bobby when he entered the ring. He clapped Rob on the shoulder before he began.

  “Great to be back in Chicago!”

  Ear piercing screams came from the crowd. Rob was a little shocked at the reception but was overjoyed to see the wide grin on his father’s face.

  “I never expected to be in a ring waiting for my son to win a tag team match.” Robert Senior rolled his eyes.

  Rob froze. This was not the way it was supposed to go. He felt Chance move to his side and wait.

  “The fact is my son is an amazing singles competitor.” More screams of adoration came from the crowd. “Never in a million years did I see my son depending on a partner to help win a title. Especially not one like Chance Robicheaux.”

  Rob held his hand up to keep Chance from launching at Big Bobby. He didn’t understand what his father was doing, but if Chance went after Big Bobby the match would be in jeopardy.

  “My son has been living and breathing this existence since he could walk. He was pinning kids twice his size at the age of four and never did he need anyone’s help.”

  Rob was about to launch at his father himself. Fortunately, Emma’s entrance music began to play and she made her entrance into the arena. She waved and hit several hands on her way down the ramp, but she seemed to be in a hurry to get into the ring to dispel what Big Bobby had spewed.

  With her own mic in hand, Emma entered the ring.

  “We’re so happy you’re here tonight, Mr. Breyer.” Emma smiled, but she was definitely pissed off. “And while we are happy you are here, we will not let you upset this match. These tag teams have worked hard to move on to this round and I will not allow you to physically or mentally disrupt this match.”

  “Hang tight, little lady. You didn’t give me a chance to finish.” Big Bobby winked at Rob and continued. “What I was going to say was I never imagined this partnership. After seeing for myself how well these two work together, I can’t see those belts anywhere but around their waists after Breaking Rules.”

  A collective sigh was released from Emma, Rob, and Chance and the crowd went wild.

  “Now, let’s get this match over with so these boys can start training for a real match.” Big Bobby turned and stared down the opponents, The Patton Boys.

  Big Bobby extended his elbow to Emma to escort her out of the ring. She accepted with a somewhat shocked expression fixed on her face. The two donned headsets at the announcers’ table to help commentate the match.

  Chance stripped off his tee shirt and launched it into the crowd and smacked Rob on the back to get him to do the same.

  Rob ripped his off and did his signature muscle ripple which excited the crowd.

  Chance grabbed Rob behind the neck and put their foreheads together.

  “I think that was your old man’s way of saying he’s proud of you. Now, let’s do what we were born to and win this fucking match.”

  “You bet, brother.” Rob moved back a bit and they bumped foreheads. Chance left the ring and the bell rang. “Showtime!”

  “Done. Only twelve stitches this time.” Dr. Marino snapped off his surgical gloves.

  Rob laughed and rubbed the dried blood from his forehead. He sat up on the exam table to face Dr. Marino.

  “Next time, let me know of any pre-existing head wounds before you go in the ring.” The doctor crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at Rob.

  “Sorry. It was a little cut over two days ago. Smacked my head on a coffee table.” He laughed again and shook his head. If Charlotte found out about this, she’d feel horrible. He’d need to give Harry a call and make sure she was okay.

  “Will he live, Dr. Marino?”

  Rob turned to see Emma enter the room with Al and Ben behind her.

  “For now, but if he goes out into the ring with so much as a cat scratch, I’m kicking his ass.”

  “We do want to keep Mr. Breyer healthy.” He sensed she wanted to reach out and touch him, but she held back.

  “I’ll keep track of all my nicks, I promise.” The cut was almost healed. A kick to the head and a hit on the bare turnbuckle bust the tiny sliver wide open.

  “You better.” Dr. Marino put his hand on Rob’s shoulder. “You are taking a few days off. You are off the roster until Kansas City.”

  “A whole week? How am I supposed to prepare for the final round?”

  “Mentally, my boy.” Dr. Marino left the room with arrogance, ticking Rob off.

  “A whole week?” Rob asked.

  “Better safe than sorry. Why don’t you stay here for a couple of days, spend some time with your parents.”

  God, how he loved her. His palms itched to touch her. Later.

  “We can take in a game at Wrigley Field. Go to the Brookfield Zoo. Oh, oh! We can go to Legoland!”

  “Legoland?” Emma pouted.

  “What if I promise to get you something?” He raised his brow in question.

  “I have a lot of Legos. I don’t know if you could find something I don’t already have.”

  A challenge. He rubbed his hands together. “Oh, I bet I can find something.”

  Emma shook her head. “My collection is quite extensive. I even have my own Millennium Falcon. Charlotte and I put together the last time she visited me in LA.”

  “I’ll get creative, but I think I can come up with something worthy. It’s the least I can do for my new boss.” He winked at her and she countered the gesture with an eye roll.

  “Since you’re not in any real danger, I’ve got work to do. See you back in Boston.”

  “Yes, I’ll be back by Thursday. I have dinner plans.” The dinner at her grandmother’s house wasn’t something he would miss. He’d dreamed about the home-cooked meal since the second Annie offered a standing invitation.

  “So I heard.” Her eyes twinkled while she smirked. “Have a safe trip and enjoy some time with your parents.”

  “I will.”

  Emma left the room, but Al and Ben stayed behind to give him a thumbs up before they left.

  He lay back on the table and detected the throb of his scalp for the first time.

  “Oh, thank God!” Lisa Breyer rushed to Rob’s side with her husband close behind.

  “Mom, I’m fine. You saw dad in much worse condition.”

  Lisa parted Rob’s hair, unintentionally
causing more harm than good. “Not too bad.”

  “The bare turnbuckle? I can’t believe they haven’t figured out a way to secure those things better.” Robert Senior seemed more pissed than worried.

  “Yeah, but I had a little cut I thought had healed. The turnbuckle busted it open again.” Rob reached for the bottle of pain medication along with a bottle of water. He took two pills with a swig of water. “Good news is they are giving me a couple days off. If you can make arrangements, would you guys like to stay for a few extra days? I need to be back in Boston on Thursday, but I figured we can spend a few days here seeing the sights.”

  Tears ran down his mother’s cheeks. “This is the best birthday present ever.” Lisa hugged Rob tight.

  Rob peered over his mother’s shoulder to see his father’s smile. Robert Senior mouthed “Thank you” which Rob responded with a smile and held on to his mother even tighter.

  “This is the one,” Rob told his mother as he picked up the gift from the shelf.

  “I never saw Emma as a Lego kind of gal. Are you sure she’ll like this?”

  He turned to his mother in the middle of the Chicago Legoland gift shop. “You have no idea how perfect this is. When I told her I was thinking of coming here, she actually pouted. When she lived in California, she would go to Legoland every chance she could.”

  “I like her.” Lisa linked her arm through his and led him down the aisle.

  “I do too. She’s the one, Mom.”

  “I had a feeling.” Lisa squeezed his arm and turned them down the aisle featuring all the IWA themed Legos.

  “Robert!” Lisa hollered for her husband.

  He turned the corner and caught up with them. “Wow. I didn’t realize they had this much stuff.”

  “This is kind of cool.” Rob looked at a large set with a wrestling ring and several minifigures, including him. “I don’t have this one. I’m getting it.” Rob took the box off the shelf and held it with Emma’s gift.

  “Hand me your phone,” Lisa urged.

  “What?”

  “I want to take a picture and you can put it on insta whatever.”

  “Instagram?”

  “Yes. What a silly name.” Lisa held out her hand.

  Rob handed over his phone and discovered his father trying to hold back his laughter. He handed Emma’s present to his dad and held the ring set in front of him. Lisa snapped a few pictures of Rob and pulled Robert Senior into the picture.