58

As Cyrus and Mia made their way down the block to her apartment, her nerves took over again. “Umm, Mr. Evans? What should I call you? I want to be respectful.”

“Sweetheart, you can call me Cyrus. There’s no need to be formal.” He looked over at her as they walked, shoving his hands in his pockets. Cyrus was nervous too but desperately trying to not let it show. “You don’t have to be so nervous around me, flower. You know that, right? I’m still the guy you have been talking to all this time.”

“Oh, I know. It’s just… different. I expected some geek who lived in his mom’s basement. Oh, and the cats,” she giggled.

“Nope. My cousin has a cat. The thing is a cute, fuzzy, tiny demon. And the only thing in my basement is gym equipment and sporting goods. I’m glad I finally get the chance to meet you.”

“Why’d you come all this way? I’m sure you could have any woman in the world. Why come to see me?” Mia asked, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers, watching her feet as she walked.

“Well, you intrigue me. It was nice meeting someone and not worrying if they were just talking to me because of who I am. You had no idea who I was. Even though you thought I was a creeper, you still were nice and talked to me. I liked that. I had to meet the amazing woman who just wanted to talk and be a friend.” He took her arm, placing it through his.

“Well, Cyrus, I’m glad you came. I’m a little embarrassed though. I told you some humiliating things about myself in the last few weeks. Especially about my feelings for you.” She looked up at him with worried eyes.

Cyrus winked with his sly, adorable smile, “You sure did. Some intimate things too. It’s okay, flower. Fake Cyrus won’t tell.”

She covered her face. “I’m dying right now. Okay. We’re here. Just up those steps. It’ll only take a minute to get ready. Come on up. Can I get you something to drink? I only have water, lemonade, and tea. I might have some wine left from last night’s dinner.”

“Water’s fine.” Cyrus looked around her small apartment as they entered. “Nice place. Did you do all the artwork? It looks like a gallery in here.” He walked around looking at the art.

She smiled, waving her hand around the room. “Yep. This is my private collection. I sell some of my work at indie art galleries. My place is small, so I must sell the pieces, or it would look like I was a hoarder. I guess you could fit my place in your bathroom.”

“No, really, this is cool. It’s a nice place and you’re incredibly talented.” Cyrus focused on one painting that caught his eye immediately. “What’s this piece about? It’s very sensual. An ex-boyfriend maybe?”

He walked over to a large one hung over her bed in the far corner of her Southern Indiana apartment admiring her work. The image was a couple in the heat of passion. The woman’s expression was full of lust as desire while a man caressed her curves, kissing the woman’s neck.

Mia handed him a bottle of water and went to grab some clothes from her closet.

She gave a shy smile, saying, “It’s what I picture making love is like.”

“What do you mean, picture? Haven’t you ever made love before?” He asked looking at the photo, trying to not be rude to question.

“Well… no. I messed around a little with guys before. Just never had sex,” she said, feeling her face go flush.

Mia continued to look in her closet to avoid eye contact, hoping he would change the subject. Unfortunately, his curiosity got the best of him.

“So, you haven’t at all?” Cyrus asked as he turned, seeing he had embarrassed her. “Sorry. That was rude.”

“No. It’s fine. I want to save myself for marriage, or at least until I find someone I genuinely love. I’m a little old-fashioned, and as I told you before, I didn’t date much. It’s not like I don’t want to. I just never found the right guy. It’s hard sometimes. Guys gravitate to my friends because they are all pretty and super skinny. I’ve always been the fat chick of the group. I work out and keep in shape, but I stay the same size. It’s just how I am.” She grabbed a nice dress from the closet.

Cyrus walked over and took her arm gently, turning her to face him. “Well, Miss Mia, I think that’s wonderful you set such high standards for yourself. I didn’t expect that since some things you said about me sounded like a girl who had done those things before. I’m sorry, I just assumed. For the record; out of all those girls at the salon, I would have chosen you. I think you’re beautiful.”

“Thank you. I think you’re handsome too. You don’t think it’s weird? The girls at the salon think I’m crazy. Being in my thirties, and a virgin has this stigma attached to it. Most guys at this point are ready to run out the door.” She looked down, embarrassed that he now knew her most intimate secret.

“I’m not going anywhere, Mia. I’m right where I want to be. I think it’s admirable. Few people these days have that kind of self-control. I’m a grown man, not a horny teenager.” Cyrus lifted her chin with his fingertips so her eyes would meet his. “Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s sweet. You are my precious flower, aren’t you? Now... go get ready. I want to know more about this beautiful woman in front of me.”

With a nod, Mia rushed to get showered and ready. She went simple with a white boho knee-length dress with lace embellishment and braided her long blonde hair. When she exited the restroom, Cyrus was standing looking at one of her new charcoal pieces on the art easel she had sitting in the room's corner. Mia walked up slowly behind him, gauging his expression.

Cyrus heard her coming up from behind and swallowed hard as she approached. The image was like nothing he had ever seen before.

“Is this me?” He asked, staring at the image in utter disbelief.

“It is. I forgot I was working on that.” She went to cover it with a drape.

“No, please. Don’t cover it. It’s nice. I look… peaceful.” He studied the piece.

“I saw a backstage photo of you once. You had your head leaning down like that and I could see your scar. It was the first time I noticed it looked like an angel wing.”

“You don’t mind my scars?”

Mia walked up to him, running her fingertips over them. “I think they’re fascinating. I always loved them. Cyrus, I know from interviews, and our conversions online, that you worry about how you look. You shouldn’t. You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Cyrus took her hand and kissed the pressure point on her wrist. “You mean that?”

“Of course, I do. The night I started this art piece, it looked like you had the entire world weighing on your shoulders. But a calmness fell over you, as well. I saw something in you I’ve never seen in anyone, so went straight to sketching. It flowed so easily. I was going to give it to you when you were in town for a show. Guess I can give it to you now.” Mia looked over at him, hoping he approved of her depiction of him.

“Thank you. But, you don’t have to do that. You worked so hard on this.”

“I want to. Cyrus, why did you come for me?”

He turned his head to look her in the eyes. A sadness rested there that almost broke Mia’s heart.

“Do you remember the night we talked about being lonely?”

“Yes. It scared me to admit it, but it was how I felt.”

“Well… I needed to be near you. I can’t explain it. We’ve talked for months. Not once did you ever talk about me like I was just Cyrus the Crusher the famous wrestler. You don’t say things that other fangirls do about me. It’s like you see me as a real person. One night we were talking, and you said something. You said that you liked me and didn’t care if I walked away from wrestling. Even if I were a garbage man, you’d still feel the same. Did you mean that?”

“Yes. Wrestling has nothing to do with who you are. I fell for Cyrus Evans. Not Cyrus the Crusher. Yes, I am a huge fan, but that’s not why I like you. Your stage persona is not who you are as a person. The real Cyrus is much more special.” Mia realized she just admitted that out loud and quickly changed the subject. “How long are you in town?” She asked while fidgeting with her dress. Hoping it was more than just one night.

“A few days. I’m going to be going to the training center in Louisville to check out some new talent. It’s close to here, so this was a chance to meet you. I wanted to spend some time with you too if that’s okay.”

She touched his arm, smiling up at him. “I would love that. You know, it’s odd. It’s like we already know each other. You’ve been my only friend lately. I don’t have a lot in common with the girls at work. They like to bar-hop and have husbands or boyfriends. This feels... natural. I’m ready to go if you are.”

She grabbed her purse from the island counter in the kitchen area, leading him from the apartment.