56
The next week, Retribution was getting off the bus to head to the night’s arena show. Slade and Candy were arguing about something pointless, as usual, and the crew was glad to get off the bus, away from them. They were driving everyone insane and one moment more they were ready to set them on the side of the road and leave them there. The day’s war of words started with a dispute about their favorite bands ending in a bickering match.
“You’re nuts. That song was weak. The other song you’re thinking about is not Ozzy.”
“Who sang Fairies Wear Boots then, smart ass? Like you know anything about music. You are probably into techno shit and are just trying to look cool in front of the guys,” Slade complained.
“I just went to see Ozzy a week before I came to IWX and that song was not Ozzy. It was Black Sabbath,” she taunted, sticking her tongue out at him.
Slade stopped and thought for a moment. “Huh? You’re right, it was. But Sabbath is still Ozzy.”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you.” Candy walked away, satisfied she was messing with him just enough to get a rise out of him.
“You’re impossible! How could you get any more annoying?”
“I can. Just wait,” she giggled.
Slade snarled, following her. “Brat.”
Colt watched them walk away together, arguing once more.
He stopped Trent and Dustin, stating, “Guys, this is insane. They are driving us all crazy. Slade is my best friend, but damn. I can’t take much more of this.”
Trent agreed. “I thought it was just me. Those two are going to kill each other one day. They were fighting over what flavor pancakes were the best at breakfast. I’m about to gag-and-bound them both just to get some peace.”
“We have to get Davis to change his mind. Candy and I cleared the air between us about our differences, but I can’t stand another day of this. She’s been great with Retribution, but this can’t go on another day. The entire roster is ready to beat the crap out of them.” Dustin ran his hands over his head in frustration.
Colt agreed. “We have to tell Davis he has to separate them for a while. I like Candy, but I’m afraid he’s going to snap. I don’t want either of them doing something they’ll regret.”
“Let’s give it a try. Worst he can say is no.”
The crew headed to Davis’s office, finding a lot of other people were already there; all talking at once. It looked like a mutiny was in the works.
Davis held up his hands in defense. “All right, all right. Everyone, calm down.”
Jacob Justice was pacing the floor like a madman. “Davis, we’re fed up. Do something.”
Cyrus Evans agreed. “Take them to Court Xtream. Let’s take care of it.”
The Retribution members went into the crowd and Trent spoke up. “What’s going on?”
Sahara stood, tapping her fingers on the wall. “Take a wild guess. Candy and Slade are driving everyone bonkers. They walked into catering a few minutes ago arguing again and started a food fight.”
Gage walked up looking a mess with mashed potatoes all over him. Isis was quick on his heels, trying her best not to laugh, and he just glared at her. “I got in the firing line.”
Everyone snickered, even Davis.
Davis held up his hands. “Okay. We all agree. Wrestlers court?”
The entire crowd yelled, “Yes!”
“It’s settled then. Jacob, you are on the side of the roster as the prosecutor. Wraith, as always, is the judge. Sam, are you okay with representing them?”
Sam agreed. “I’ll go tell them. We can convene the court in the morning.”
***
The next morning, the duo had made their case to the wrestling judge. IWX tradition was for the roster to settle their disputes through a makeshift court of their peers when things got out of hand. It had been over a year since the last court-like event, and Davis agreed it was time to set an example to his roster.
“See what you got us into?” Slade paced the floor in his locker room, waiting for the verdict.
“Me? You threw food at me! That’s what started this.”
Sam held his hands over his ears. “Stop. Please. You two are giving me a migraine. It started the day you two met. Truth is, I think you both like each other and are too damn stubborn to admit it. It’s like two kids on the playground. So, sit down and shut up before I knock you both out!”
Slade chuckled with a hint of annoyance. “Like you could, super geek. Fine. My luck they will suspend us, and I will miss Summer Mayhem. Davis would make me drop the title to Gage.” He sat down, looking defeated, rubbing his head with nothing but disappointment written on his face. “I worked too hard to get here for this to happen again.”
Candy looked up, concerned. “They can’t do that. Right, Sam? Your uncle has the last say.”
Sam looked worried for Slade, saying, “Yes. Uncle D and Wraith started a wrestling court to allow the roster to settle things like this. If he loses it this way, he might not get another chance for a long time; if at all. He got into trouble a while ago and this would screw things up for him.”
“That night wasn’t my fault. That stagehand lied, saying I attacked him for no reason. He was taking nude pics in the girl’s locker room. Not my fault he got his ass kicked. He deserved that beating,” Slade noted.
“Well, he’s gone now. But you didn’t have to fight with Cyrus, too. Cyrus didn’t know what was going on. All he knew was the guy was looking at his phone and you started kicking the shit out of him. You knew better than to start anything for no reason with a Doom brother. He, Wraith, and Uncle D are close.”
Slade shook his head in frustration. “The guy said I set him up. I almost lost my job over that. Cyrus knows me better than that. I still got in trouble for fighting with Cy, and all I did was take up for the girls. I still think it was punishment because of… never mind.”
Candy saw his expression turn to sadness and asked, “Because of what?”
“Because... I’m a recovering addict, Candy. I screwed up a lot back then. I had a drug test after that and my test came up dirty for pain killers. Pills, alcohol, and lots of lonely nights can destroy a man. If it wasn’t for Colt, Davis, and Gage; my career would’ve been over. They helped me get my life back on track. We’re a family here, Candy. You just haven’t been here long enough to see IWX for what it truly is.”
“Oh, no. I… I didn’t know. Slade, I didn’t know.” Candy’s lip quivered.
“How would you? You’re still pretty new here. It’s my fault for fighting with you all the time. I’ll take the heat if I have to.”
Candy sat down beside him, crossing her hands on her lap. “I don’t want you to lose your title. I know you work hard.” She looked at him with sad eyes, pleading, “Please forgive me.”
“I thought you said I only got the title by sleeping with Jenna.”
Candy reached out to take his hand, holding it to her heart. “I don’t really think that. I was just mad at you. You belong on top, and I don’t want you punished because of me.”
He squeezed her hand with a faint nod. “Whatever happens, we’re both at fault. We’ll take the punishment together.”
A knock on the door came, and Sahara and Isis walked in. “The verdict is in. They’re in the backstage area by the monitors.”
Slade stood up, pulling Candy with him. “Let’s get it over with.”
Candy was shaking and seeing her fear, Sahara and Isis rushed to hug her. “It’s going to be okay.”
***
Reaching the backstage area, the entire roster was there while Wraith sat in front of them at a desk. Looking as intimidating as ever, he commanded, “Come forward.”
The duo went and stood in front of him, ready to hear the verdict. Slade stood tall, crossing his hands in front of him, ready for whatever punishment came. Candy just stood there, scared and trying to not cry.
“You both understand why you’re here?”
“We do,” Slade spoke up. He stood bravely, staring emotionlessly over Wraith’s head.
“After deliberating, I went along with Davis’s original idea. If you can’t get along, we will help you get along.”
He pulled out a set of handcuffs, setting them on the table. One handcuff on each end with a long cord connecting them.
“Cyrus., brother, do the honors,” Wraith said.
Cyrus took the cuffs, cuffing one hand to each of them.
Slade looked confused while watching Cyrus cuff his hand.
“Slade, what’s going on?” Candy asked with a shaky voice.
“I don’t know. Candy, keep quiet.”
Wraith gave a sly grin. “Four feet. That’s how far apart the line between those cuffs is. By Summer Mayhem, in two weeks, you will get along or we will ask Slade to drop his title and succeed to his opponent. Slade, you won’t get another title shot for six months if you fail. You know what six months can do. It can make or break your career. Candace, if there’s no change, we’ll demote you back to being a match-filler. You will never return to the main roster. All you have to do is convince a jury of your peers you’re a team and everything goes back to normal. We need to see that you’ve worked out your differences and you have two weeks to make it happen.”
Candy gasped. “No. Please. Don’t take my spot away. I’ll never get a title shot being a jobber. Please. My mom needs —” She stopped herself before she said too much. No one noticed the personal tone to the comment, but her body trembled uncontrollably, holding back her emotions.
“Wraith, that’s harsh. Candy doesn’t deserve that. We all know she has the potential to be great. If we don’t work it out, it could ruin her career,” Slade noted, trying to defend her.
“She has a ton of potential. I guess it’s up to you to make sure that doesn’t happen. Slade. It comes down to you. Get along or pay the consequences. As you remember during the last incident, someone must be the one to take the heat when things go bad. You did it for the girls’ locker room. She’ll be the one who does it for you.”
“So, what’s with the cuffs?”
“Glad you asked. For the next two weeks, you’re tethered together. Except during showtimes… maybe. That’s between Davis and the writers. You still have to work. You will eat, sleep, travel, and even shit together. We’ll allow you to change clothes and shower alone. Colt and Sahara agreed to oversee the keys because frankly, no one wants you two wearing the same thing for two weeks smelling like sweaty ass. That’s punishing us,” Wraith said with a chuckle.
“You’re kidding?” Slade shook his head in disbelief while Candy was freaking out beside him.
“Nope. You have about four feet of a tether. Get cozy because you’re going to spend a lot of time together in the next two weeks. We have a few bonding projects for you to do. If you can’t get along, we will teach you how. Davis is cutting you from tonight’s house show. Head to the hotel and get started,” Wraith directed as he handed them an envelope.
“What about fans? Don’t you think that it’s going to look a little odd in public?” Slade took the envelope.
“We thought of that. Davis is going to promote it as a charity event. We’ll say it was a bet between you two against Davis. The hours you spend tethered equals more money for the charity. Summer Mayhem you both can announce what charity you choose if you can get along. If not, the roster will choose. We’ll fine you $10,000 each that will go toward the charity, taken out of your contract pay if you fail.”
Candy cringed at the thought. That much money could help her mother back home.
Slade watched Candy fiddling with the wire, tying them together. Her little lip was quivering and tears in her eyes threatening to break loose. He had to speak up. “Wraith. I can do this, but Candy is taking this hard. She can’t lose what she worked so hard for. We don’t get along, but even I can admit she has worked her ass off.”
“I figured as much. I guess you’re going to have to help her cope. Go ahead. A limo is waiting.”
Slade reached over as Candy was fully crying now. He pulled her into his arms. “I hope you guys can live with yourself if this goes bad. This may hurt her more than our little catfights. Come on, Candy. Let’s go grab some food. We’ll watch a movie or something.”
Davis smirked, leaning towards his nephew, Sam. “Hell, it’s working already.”
Sam smiled, seeing Slade protectively taking her through the crowd. “Uncle D, I think you’re right.”
