17
The next day, all the Justice crew had a photoshoot and an update for their entrance video. Gage made his way down to Isis’s hotel room early that morning, wearing casual jeans and a t-shirt. He looked relaxed for the first time in a while.
Gage knocked on the hotel room door with a whistle and a smile as he ran his fingers through his hair. Pushing a long lock from his face, he started humming to himself. Something about that day felt good, and he was feeling himself again.
Isis rubbed her sleepy eyes, dragging her body from the bed. “Ugh! This better be important. If you’re waking me up at six in the morning, it better be freaking good!”
She slung open the door, only wearing a t-shirt and panties. “Jeez. Just great,” she mumbled under her breath. “Can I help you?”
“Nice shirt, sexy legs.” He chuckled at his playful banter.
She looked down, realizing she had slept in an old Gage logo t-shirt. Isis had worn it plenty of times and never thought about who the shirt was for when she put it on. Cyrus brought her lots of IWX shirts for her collection. She quickly covered herself, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Don’t flatter yourself. Cyrus used to bring me IWX shirts. I had pretty much every t-shirt in the company since he started. Last night it was the Tyson brother’s old shirt. So, don’t feel as if you’re special or something.”
“Gross. Those losers? They are a couple of traders. Them and their entire crew. I can’t stand the Arch Rivals.”
“I thought they were your old friends.”
“Well… Okay, yeah. They still are. I just don’t like that they betrayed our company. Wrestlers have a code.”
“Pfft. Ego, you mean,” she huffed, rolling her eyes. “Cyrus feels the same way. I like them. I met them once at an autograph signing. Landon Tyson is a nice guy. Come on in. Is there something I can do for you? It’s early.”
Her morning voice cracked as she rubbed her tired eyes. She knew full well she bought the twelve-inch Gage t-shirt on her own. It had a shotgun with a ruler on the barrel. His tagline insinuated he came somewhat endowed and made her have some steamy thoughts in the past.
Gage walked past and sat on the bed, leaning on the headboard, crossing his legs and arms. “Well, it looks good on you. I can picture you wearing just that shirt, walking around my house in the morning. The twelve-inch Gage isn’t just a tagline, queenie.”
She rolled her eyes and grumbled something under her breath.
Gage leaned over and picked up a pair of panties from the side of the bed she had laid out for the day. Holding them up, spinning them around his finger, he teased, “Yummy! A red lace thong. I like that. Maybe you should model these for me with my shirt there?”
Rushing over, she tried to take them out of his hand, and he pulled them from her reach. He chuckled, making a playful face, teasing her.
“Gage! Give them back!”
“Come get um'.”
Isis struggled to grab them from his grip, leaning over his lap. Gage grabbed her around the waist, playfully holding her back until she shoved him away and almost fell off the bed. Before she hit the floor, he pulled her to him to catch her fall, not wanting her to get hurt.
“Whoa there. Now, this is not being nice and submissive, is it? Calm down, Ice Queen. It’s okay. I’m just joking around. Don’t be so uptight.” He let her take the lace fabric from his hand. “See. No harm done.”
Isis stood up next to the bed and looked down at the red thong in her hand. She turned around, seemingly upset.
“May I ask you to please not call me that? It hurts my feelings.”
“What? Ice Queen?”
“Yes. Cyrus is the only one that’s ever allowed to call me that,” she said shyly.
“Why? Tell me?” Gage relaxed and calmed his voice. Seeing the comment hurt her, he sat up straight to listen.
“It bothers me just as much as being called a whore. My ex-boyfriend used to call me that. He heard Cyrus say it one day. He turned it around to upset me and said my heart was cold as ice. Cyrus always called me that because I liked The Chronicles of Narnia. He called me the Ice Queen because I read it so many times. Isis... Ice.. get it? So, when Cyrus does it, I don’t mind. Everyone else… It’s just mean. So please don’t call me that.” She turned to him, looking him in the eye, hoping he understood.
Gage got up from the bed, understanding it hurt her feelings. He realized at that moment he did a lot to hurt her. Walking over, he grabbed her gently by the waist.
“I’m sorry, Isis. I didn’t know. I won’t call you that again,” he said with a sigh. “I’m sorry about calling you a whore, too. I know you’re not. I heard about some guys at the show hitting on you in the last few weeks. You never take them up on it. I know you don’t mess around. I... I’m sorry.”
She looked up in his eyes, hoping he meant it. “And, that night? The strip club? Are you sorry for that too?” She looked down, fidgeting with her fingers as she did when upset. “You humiliated me. Do you know that? No one has ever treated me that way. It scared me.”
“Oh, sweetie. Yes, I’m sorry for that too. It’s not an excuse, but I drank too much that night. I’ve been a jerk and I realize that. I came here to mess with you some and joke around; not be mean. I want to lighten this tension between us. Now I see I’m really your feelings. Listen, I stopped by to take you shopping. I wanted to let you get all fixed up for the photoshoot. I’m not here to hurt your feelings. I’m trying to fix this.”
He was being sincere. But how long would it last?
“Truce?” He tilted his head to meet her gaze.
She pulled away from his grip on her waist. “So, my outfits aren’t good enough for you? Typical. More control, I guess?”
“Well, actually... I like your outfits. Even that first ultra-sexy one. You’re fashion-forward. Not afraid to take a risk. I like that. I figure we could get to know each other better today. I just wanted to do something nice, but if you’re not into it…” He started to walk out.
“Hmm... wait... all right. I don’t want you buying stuff for me, though. Can you promise me something? Just for today,” she asked.
“I guess. What?” Gage stopped and turned to her.
“Don’t be mean to me. I’m sick of crying all the time. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll be a more passive person if that’s what will make you stop being mean to me. This argumentative girl isn’t me. You are just hateful, and it hurts,” she begged.
“All right. No attitude, though. Allow me to be in charge today. I don’t like people trying to control me or my surroundings.” Gage looked at her intently, and she nodded in agreement. “Good, now go get showered. We can have lunch and shop. I want to make it special. I’m sick of all the bickering too, so today let’s just try to have a nice time together. We may have a little fun.”
