13
Later that night, Isis sat in her hotel room video chatting with her cousin, Holly. Holly was the polar opposite of her shy cousin. While Isis was quiet and demure, Holly was a bundle of energy and loved to fight. Had it been her dealing with Gage, she would have already kicked the living daylights out of him and ended up in jail. She had a history of getting into trouble and loved every minute of it.
Holly, who was cat-sitting Cello, held up the kitten using its little paw to wave while talking in a baby cat voice. “Mommy, I peed in cousin Holly’s favorite shoes today and I might end up skinned by morning. I’m a bad kitty.”
“My baby wouldn’t do that. Cello is a sweet little darling. Isn’t that right, my little fur baby?”
"Meow!"
"That's right, baby. Auntie Holly is just a big old meany, isn't she? Poor little thing."
"Meow."
“Whatever. The cat is a living terror. Good thing it’s cute or I would have already made a fur coat out of the little monster. So, little cousin. How’s being the new biggest IWX star going?”
“An absolute nightmare. It’s nothing like I expected. On the upside. I have become friends with Candy, though. She’s a lot like you. She has no filter and says whatever she thinks,” Isis said, picking at her fingertips.
“You’re picking at your fingers. Something’s wrong. Who do I need to go kick their asses? Is Wraith giving you shit?”
“No, it’s nothing. Warith and Cyrus have been great.”
Holly scrunched up her face, saying, “I call bullshit. Fess up. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Gage Stone. We haven’t been getting along.”
“Oh. Now I get it. Lover-boy problems,” Holly said with a laugh.
“Holly. He’s not my lover-boy. Stop saying that.”
“Whatever. It’s not like it isn’t obvious, to everyone but Cyrus, that you have a thing for the guy. Cyrus still thinks you should wear pink tutus, prancing around the living room, and playing with your dolls like a little girl. So, what’s wrong? Why are you talking to me instead of in bed with that fine ass man?”
“Holly, he hates me.”
“Isis, I seriously doubt that. You’re too sweet to have anyone hate you.”
“Well, he does. We have been fighting nonstop and he's so bossy,” Isis pouted.
“Fuck him. Take a cue from me and punch him in the face one good time. Show him who’s boss.”
“I'm not strong like you. Besides, that sort of thing doesn’t work with him. It’s like he has to be in control all the time.”
“Are you telling me he’s some Alpha male? Girl, he’s a professional wrestler. It’s ingrained in his DNA to be an asshole. It's like it comes with the territory.”
“Is it bad that I still sort of like him? He’s so handsome and when he’s near me, I melt. That is until he opens his big mouth and pisses me off. He said something about me submitting to him more and —”
Holly chuckled. “Is he into BDSM or something? Maybe he’s a Dom.”
“A what?”
“A Dom. A Dominant. Like super kinky fetish shit. I can see you being submissive for some Dom. You like people being in charge of you. Miss always follows the rules.”
Isis gave her cousin an annoyed look. “I do not follow the rules. I can be a rebel when I want to.”
“Isis, if there was a manual for people to follow for life, you would have it highlighted with notes in the margins. Other than a few years when you got a little crazy, you’ve always been a follower. Nothing wrong with it. It’s just who you are. You like rules.”
“Holly, stuff it. I am not a follower. I take charge when I have to.”
Holly smirked, knowing that was a lie. “Name one time.”
“Um... I... okay, fine. I’m a follower. I just feel more comfortable when I have rules to follow. When I don’t, I end up getting in trouble.”
Holly saw the knowing look on her cousin's face. The one that showed Isis blaming herself for past mistakes. She was always far too hard on herself.
“You know you can forgive yourself at some point. It’s not healthy for you to carry that baggage. You made mistakes in your past and are making up for them now. Look at you. You’re a big IWX star and are overcoming your fears. At least you didn’t get put in jail for a bar fight... I mean... fights.” Holly cringed, thinking about her many times behind bars.
“One day you are going to end up in prison If you don't stop fighting all the time. Wraith told me he bailed you out again, and when Cyrus finds out, he's going to be furious.”
“Hey, those jackasses deserved it. I'm no pushover and you know it.”
Isis giggled. “Sure they did. It wouldn't have anything to do with you loving to fight at any chance you get.
"That's beside the point. Those jerks needed to learn a lesson. They messed with the wrong chick, so I kicked their asses."
"Well, at least you stand up for yourself. I guess I could learn a thing or two from you. Especially with dealing with Gage."
'That's the spirit."
"Anyway, thanks for the chat, Holly. Love you.”
“You, too. Isis, you’ll figure something out. If he doesn’t like you for who you are, that’s his problem. Any guy would be glad to have you. You’re pretty, super smart, and talented. You’re a triple threat,” Holly noted.
“Thanks, bestie. Stay out of trouble, okay. I don’t want to have the jail on my speed dial to talk to you.”
“Just send me smokes and cookies while I'm in jail. I’ll be good to go.”
“Holly, you don’t smoke. Why do you need cigarettes?”
“I need to have something to give my cellmate to keep the ladies off me. I’m a hot commodity.”
"You're crazy, but I love you. Talk to you soon"
Isis laughed as she hung up the call. Holly was a tough girl who showed little emotion, but she always made Isis feel better no matter what the problem was.
