It feels good because I haven’t laughed much since the whole suspension thing went down.
Xavier is always intense, so I’ve come to expect that from him, but with everything going on, it’s been hard to get him out of his own head. He worries so much, and looking back, we’ve been having a lot of heated discussions lately. I hope that when all of this is settled and he’s able to get back into the ring, playful Xavier will return. I miss that side of him.
We pull up to the hotel, and Liv drives under the awning of the building, but I don’t see a sign for valet parking.
“You didn’t have to pull up here. I can walk in with you after you park the car.”
“Brian and I aren’t staying at the hotel. We live not too far from here, so we prefer to stay home when Tension travels close. Kami sleeps better in her own bed, which means Brian and I actually get to sleep, too.”
“Speaking of Kami, is she with Brian?”
She nods. “Yes. They rarely get quality time together. Kami keeps him on his toes.”
I chuckle, picturing such a large man like Brian at the mercy of a little blonde two-year-old girl.
Liv pushes the button to pop the hatch on the trunk, and a bellhop in a burgundy suit makes his way to the back of the SUV.
“Call me if you need anything. I’m only about fifteen minutes away.”
I smile, thankful for her kindness. “Thank you so much, Liv.”
“Of course. What are friends for?”
My grin widens. It’s nice to finally have some friends after so many years of being cooped up with my father’s rules.
I hop out of the SUV and turn toward Liv. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the show?”
“You can count on it. I’ll be out there, front and center, to watch what they do with you, Anna Sweets.” She winks at me after calling me out on my stage name.
I roll my eyes. “I doubt they’ll use me tomorrow. Xavier isn’t here, so there’s no point in putting me in the show.”
“I don’t know, Anna. If they’re paying you, they’ll find a way to work you into the ring.”
My stomach flips, and I suddenly feel uneasy at the thought of heading out into that arena without Xavier. I’m not sure if I can do it alone.
Liv tilts her head, and by the expression on her face, I can tell that I’m not hiding my worry very well. “Aw, Anna, don’t be nervous. You’ll be great.”
“You think so?”
“I do. Don’t give it another thought.” Her cell phone rings from the console next to her. She glances down at the screen and shakes her head. “It’s Brian. I’m sure there’s an emergency, like a dirty diaper, and he’s freaking out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I tell her good-bye, close the door, and then watch her pull away, laughing to myself as I think about Brian unable to handle Kami on his own.
“Checking in, miss?” the bellhop asks as he holds the handle of my bag.
“Yes. Thank you.”
I follow the short, pudgy man into the hotel lobby. “Would you like me to bring your bag up?”
“I can manage.”
He smiles and releases the handle. “Here you go. The front desk is straight ahead. Enjoy your stay.”
Tons of people are milling about with cameras and cell phones in hand. Over the past few weeks, I have learned these people are wrestling fanatics. They follow the superstars on social media so that they can figure out exactly where the guys will be. Autographs and pictures with their favorite wrestlers are a hot commodity among fans.
I’m sure a lot of them are looking for Xavier. It’s sad that he can’t be here because he loves his fans, and I know he probably misses giving back to them, like he usually does.
I weave around the crowd, and then I hear the name that Tension dubbed me with being shouted.
“Anna Sweets! Is X with you?”
I shake my head, a little dazed that they know who I am. “Sorry, guys. He’s not.”
The collective sound of disappointed fans echoes around the lobby as I continue to walk around them.
A rather skinny man wearing a T-shirt with Tension’s logo on it steps in front of me while holding a silver Sharpie. “Will you sign my shirt?”
The corner of my mouth turns up. “I’m flattered. Of course I will.” I scribble my name on his shirt, trying to be as neat as I can while giving my very first