55
A few weeks later, it was business as usual with Candy and Slade.
“My gosh, man. Do you hear yourself? You seriously can’t be that dense. You think you’re God’s gift to women, don’t you?”
“Why don’t you shut up, Candy. No one is talking to you. You’re lucky you’re traveling with Retribution at all, instead of the loser, jobber bus.”
“Those losers make you idiots look good. Without the random jobber for you to beat up on, fans would figure out what a worthless piece of shit wrestlers you assholes are,” Candy grumbled as she drank from her juice box.
“Hey! Stop it, you two. I don’t want to hear you both bitching all the way to Atlanta.” Colt threw pillows over his ears, blocking out their voices. “Just watch the damn movie.”
“Don’t worry, Sprinkles. You’ll be back with the jobber crew soon enough, while the rest of us make history.”
“At least I didn’t have to sleep with the boss’s daughter to get noticed,” she said with a smirk, crossing her arms in front of her.
Everyone on the bus fell silent as they looked to Slade, waiting for him to explode. They knew that would set him off. Slade turned a deep, angry shade of red. Quickly he jumped from his seat, grabbing Candy by the arm to throw her in the bus restroom shower, turning on the cold water as payback for that remark. Even she knew that people insinuating that would upset him. Fans had insinuated it since the start of his and Jenna’s relationship.
“Ahhh! You fucking crazy bastard!” Candy screamed, trying to turn off the cold water.
Slade laughed while shoving the door closed. Meanwhile, everyone on the bus tried to ignore them. Except for Tomi, who watched in shock, trying to figure out what she should do. Tomi was Trent’s girlfriend and an experienced female wrestler in her own right. She couldn’t stand up to Slade without the guys backing her, so she sat silently stewing at what he had done.
Slade went back to his seat watching the movie as if nothing happened. Hearing a mumble coming from across the bus, he looked over at Tomi, who was clearly angered by his actions. Pretending to ignore it, he went back to watching the movie.
Meanwhile, Candy stayed in the restroom, hiding from her embarrassment. Not long after, Slade could hear sobs coming from the small compartment. He thought he would die hearing her sobs. He looked at Tomi, feeling a little remorseful while rubbing his lip in frustration.
Tomi had enough and stood, shaking her head at Slade. Furious he could be so cruel, she scowled at him, saying, “Smooth asshole. She’s crying.”
“She’ll be fine. I’ll have the driver stop to get her dry clothes from her bag in cargo.”
Tomi went to the door, tapping lightly on the door. “Candy. Are you okay? Can I come in?”
She heard the door creak open, and went inside the small restroom space, sitting on the toilet. Candy, still in the tiny tour bus shower; wet, shivering, and crying.
Candy held a small photo in her hand to her heart. “It’s ruined.”
Kneeling next to her, Tomi asked, “Who is that?”
“My little brother, Tyler.”
“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. Do you have others?”
“My mom does. This one’s special.”
“Can I see?”
Candy nodded, showing her photo.
“Awe. He’s cute. Come out of here. We can dry it. It doesn’t look too bad. Let’s get you changed, and we can dry your photo and go to the back of the bus and talk. I think you need some space.”
Tomi got her dry clothes, and they climbed into one of the travel beds with their pajamas to talk.
“Tomi, I don’t know what to do. We just keep fighting. I try, but he always upsets me.”
“To be honest, Candy, you are just as bad to him. Every day it’s like watching a boxing match between you two.”
“I know. I don’t know what Davis expects. He can’t force people to be friends. It’s been worse traveling together.”
“It takes both sides to try. I don’t think either of you takes much effort to get along. It would surprise you to see that you have a lot in common. If you took an effort to get to know each other, you might even be friends. He’s a great guy once you get to know him.”
Candy sighed, holding her photo, looking at the warped image. “Sahara says that too. What do we have in common but fighting?”
“Music for one. The only time you both don’t fight is by picking the radio station. From the talks we have, you seem to have grown up in similar households with great parents and siblings. The only difference is he grew up with a single dad and you had your mom. Did you know Slade loves kids as much as you do? He loved it when you did that candy raver thing, watching the kids flock to you. He won’t admit it, but he thought it was cute.”
“Yeah right. He laughed at me then.”
“Nope. It’s true. He told me that a few weeks ago. He does a lot of charity stuff for kids with cancer. Did you know that?”
“No. I didn’t know. That’s nice.”
“See. You aren’t so different. Also, there’s the fact that you both insist on having the last word. Which is why you fight so dang much.”
Candy laughed. “True.”
“Why don’t we go to watch the next movie with the guys. Just try to enjoy it.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“And Candy, don’t worry. It will get better.”
“Well… it sure couldn’t get much worse.”
