53

Candy won her first match two weeks after the ordeal in catering and was on cloud nine from her win. She always impressed Davis with her talent, but the conflict between her and Slade was getting old. Three months of their constant feuding was too much for anyone to endure. Even the other talent on the roster was becoming annoyed by it. They calmed down for about a week after the night Davis yelled at them, but it didn’t take long before the duo were going after each other all over again.

Davis was ready to bring Candy to the main roster full-time but had been holding back from the start. His ideas for the storyline up to the next big showcase event wouldn’t work if they were constantly fighting.

Candy had been in a small rivaling storyline with her friend Isis to ease the new girl into the fold. She was still jobbing out to her friend, but she enjoyed being on the main stage for the first time in her career. The woman had no idea Davis had such high hopes for them. He wanted to build a buzz with the crowd, believing they would be big stars, and it was time to give them the push they deserved. But at the rate Candy was going behind the scenes, she may have ended her push before it even began. Her real-life feud with Slade could potentially ruin her dreams of being a famous pro wrestler if she didn’t get her anger under control.

Davis had worked to change Candy’s image, a little at a time. He had planned to transition her character into more of a threat, but still the fun-loving, flirty candy girl in the ring. It meant the changes would make her into a ruthless bad girl instead of like a life-size doll. The only thing that remained was her uber-girly image with colored hair and a sucker she licked playfully on her way to the ring. She was turning into the leather-wearing glam rocker chick now. For Candy, it felt natural to show the real woman behind the color-coded candy girl. Her new look fit her to a tee.

Slade had made his way to meet the boss before the nights’ TV taping, whistling as he went. Reaching for the door at Davis’s makeshift office before the IWX live show, a hand was already on the doorknob.

“Do you mind?” Slade rolled his eyes at the pink nightmare blocking the door.

Candy looked up and huffed. “Uck. Not you again. I have a meeting with Mr. Preston.”

“I do too. Move.”

“You move!” she snapped.

As they struggled for dominance, trying to push each other out of the way, the door swung open and Davis was there, glaring at them. A threatening silence filled the area while the older man looked at them like he was ready to have them shot on sight. With wide eyes, Candy’s mouth slacked like a kid who just realized they were in trouble.

Slade gave a slight grimace, seeing the boss standing before them angrier than he had ever seen him. “Hey, boss.”

“Don’t you two ever get sick of this constant bickering? Both of you. Inside. Now!”

Both struggled to get in the door first, like two children pushing each other out of the way.

Slade yanked her back by the collar of her leather jacket into the hall and went inside. Once again, whistling. Candy, regaining her balance, rushed in yanking a chair from underneath him and sat down in it fast. Watching Slade fall flat on his butt, Candy tried not to laugh. A little squeak came out, and she covered her mouth before Davis heard her.

Davis turned to see Slade snarling at her from the floor while candy sat innocently with her legs crossed, smiling sweetly, and batting her eyelashes. Davis let out a sigh, watching Slade turtling on the floor.

He was mad, but even the boss almost broke into a smile, seeing Slade flat on his back.

Candy let out a snicker and quickly covered her mouth again to hide her smile.

Finally settling in the seat next to her, Slade straightened his leather jacket. “Boss, she is driving me nuts! I can’t deal with her anymore. Evil Rainbow Bright is a fucking nightmare.”

“Me? What about you? You are such a self-absorbed asshole. And stop calling me those stupid names,” Candy snapped.

“Enough! You two are going to have to figure it out. Starting tonight, Candy is starting her fresh look. Full character image change, and a new spot on the roster. This is the perfect time to turn Candy against Isis on the show for good. Candy starts with Retribution — Tonight!”

“WHAT?” they yelled in unison, jumping from their seats while trying to argue with Davis.

“We don’t need a girl, Davis! Jenna just changed her storyline to be with Jason. Tomi is doing great as the only girl on our squad. We don’t need Candy Land’s evil princess ruining things.”

“Like I enjoy the idea of being stuck with you and your sissy boy band?”

“Boy band! Do you know who you are talking to? I will —”

“Will what? Hit me. Go ahead, Slade. I’ll lay your bitch ass out right here. You weak-ass wannabe Gage reject! You’re nothing but a second-rate poser.”

“Poser? That’s rich, coming from the girl who has to dress like a candy store to get attention.”

“Stop! Both of you, stop arguing! I’ve had enough of your childish behavior. If you two can’t get along, I’m going to force you to. Slade, welcome your new Retribution member. Now get out of my sight before I send you both packing. You’re giving me a migraine. I swear this company and the constant drama are getting out of hand. First you and Candy, now Isis and Gage. Wraith and Cyrus are on edge, threatening to kick Gage’s ass. You all need damn anger management or babysitters.”

Candy looked at Slade with a hint of sadness. “Please, Davis. Slade hates me. You know that. Why can’t I just build up the romantic storyline with your nephew? We can make it look like I’m going to make up with Sam again.”

“Candy, if you want to keep your job, get out of my office right now. Slade, that goes for you too! Out!” Davis pointed to the door.

Once out in the hall, Candy stomped away as Slade followed close on her heels.

“Wait up, Vanellope von Schweetz. If we don’t figure out how to get through this, we’re both going to be miserable.”

She stopped in her tracks, turning back to Slade with hands on her hips. “Then start by treating me like a human being. I’m going to find Sahara. Unlike you, she is a good person and cares about me.”

“Well, now I know why you don’t date any guys on the roster. Sahara is taking care of you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He raised his eyebrows teasingly. “Need your special girl time? Sahara’s bisexual. Do you two have a special bond you want to talk about? Can I watch, or has Drake been doing that already?”

“She is my best friend. She and Drake Durham are getting engaged and you know it. Hell, everyone does. If I were gay, it wouldn’t be any of your damn business. Unlike you, she has a big heart and doesn’t do things to step all over mine. She cares about people. For example, she takes up for you sometimes. Even though you’re a colossal ass who doesn’t deserve it. Why are you always making fun of me?” Candy asked, dropping her head.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I shouldn’t have said that. I like Sahara. She’s cool, and I didn’t mean it. I know you two are best friends. You look out for each other, and it’s sweet. Now you both take up for Isis, too. Honestly, I think Sahara is so protective because of me picking on you. I’m not the monster you think I am, Candy.” Slade softened his voice, reaching to rub his hand down her arm to soothe her.

She hesitated to look at him. “You could have fooled me.”

Quickly, she turned away, leaving him standing to think about how his words hurt her. Slade watched her walk away, realizing it was just one more time that he managed to screw things up with her. Standing alone in the hall, he wished he to go back to the day they met and fix everything.

Slade sighed, looking down at the floor. “She’s never going to trust me. Why do I keep messing this up? I just wish I could tell her the truth, but I doubt she’d ever listen to me. Someday, Candy, I hope you can forgive me.”