57
At the hotel, they were sitting at the table eating in silence. Candy watched as Slade rubbed his chin, thinking to himself.
“I’m sorry I got you into this, Slade,” Candy said, playing with her food, trying to break the silence.
“We both are responsible, but I should have known better. After we eat, we can open this envelope.”
She agreed. “I don’t want to have to leave Retribution and go back to the way it was. I know you don’t like me, but I love being part of your group. It’s the only thing we don’t fight about and I’ve made a few friends with your team.”
“Candy, that won’t happen. I enjoy having you as part of the faction too. You’re doing great and everyone loves you. At first, I hated the idea, but you’ve proven to be a good fit. It’s just behind the scenes that have become a problem.”
“I don’t think you have ever told me I’m any good until today.” Candy fidgeted with the handcuffs. “This is heavy. My hand hurts.”
“It is? I didn’t notice. We’ll get used to it, I guess. We don't have a choice in the matter anyway, do we? At least some charity will get something good out of this shit storm.” Slade shrugged as he ate his burger.
“Wraith scares me,” Candy mumbled.
“Huh? Why?”
“He just seems scary.”
Slade chuckled. “I guess he’s doing his job right then. He’s a good guy. Everyone looks up to him and his brother Cyrus. He wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t think we could do it. I trust his judgment.”
“But… Do you believe we can make it work? We hate each other.”
“You really hate me, don’t you?” Slade looked up, wiping his mouth while waiting for a reply.
Candy shook her head. “Not really. I just wish you were nicer to me.”
“Well, you get on my nerves, but I sure as hell don’t hate you. Well, honestly, for a while I might have. Especially after you speared into me in the gut and sucker-punched Dustin. You think I really hate you, don’t you?”
She looked at him sadly. “Yes. I think you do, even though you don’t want to admit it. I just don’t know what I did to make it that way. The first day we met you weren’t nice to me except for when I got hurt.”
“Maybe it’s the fact that you are always so high-strung and can’t take a joke.” He frowned, raising his voice a little.
“Well, being made fun of isn’t exactly fun for me, jackass. I can take a joke. I can’t take someone making me feel like I am a joke.” Candy snarled her nose at him, taking a drink of her soda.
“You think I see you as a joke?” That comment took him aback, making him quickly calm down. His intention was never to make her feel that way, but maybe his teasing seemed more like bullying to her. Until now, he had never even considered it.
“You do, and so do your friends. You guys don’t realize how hurtful you can be.” Candy pushed her food aside. “Can we look at the envelope so I can go to bed?”
“Sure.” He opened it, inspecting the contents and handing it over to her. “It’s a list of questions. I guess they want us to talk about our likes and dislikes.”
“That’s not so hard. You first.” She perked up, taking the paper. “Favorite food... wait. I already know that. You like pancakes but don’t eat them much because of your healthy eating schedule and workouts.”
“Yes. You’re addicted to candy and sushi,” he said with a chuckle.
“You know that?” She smiled with surprise.
“Sure, I do. I think you can live off pink Starbursts,” he teased with a smirk. “It surprised me it wasn’t candy sprinkles, Sprinkles.”
“Why do you call me that? It seems to be your go-to nickname.”
“Because, when we met, you looked like you tasted like those little candy rainbow sprinkles on top of ice cream.” He licked his lips, looking her over.
“Tasted?” she asked, raising a brow and blushing.
“I thought your lips probably tasted sweet. You dressed like a candy shop.”
She stared at him questioningly with a sly smile. The idea he wondered what she tasted like had her mind reeling at the possibility of sexy Slade Logan being a little attracted to her at some point.
Slade chuckled. “What? You did. Don’t look at me like that.”
“You are the one who wondered what I taste like. Freak,” she giggled.
“Okay, smartass. Next question. Keep it rolling. Favorite color?...”
They continued for a while and even started asking their own questions. It was becoming fun, and they even relaxed once things got rolling.
A knock came on the door and Slade went to answer before he realized they tethered him to Candy. Halfway to the door, he ran out of slack, accidentally yanking her out of the chair.
They both started laughing as he helped her up, noting, “This might take some getting used to.”
They went to the door laughing, and Sahara and Colt seemed surprised.
“You haven’t killed each other yet?” Sahara said as she walked past.
“No. Slade forgot we’re attached and pulled me out of the chair like a rag doll. I’m little and he tosses me around like I am weightless.” Candy giggled, nudging him with her shoulder playfully.
Colt chuckled. “This is going to either be hilarious or end in bloodshed. Too early to tell which. Did you do the first exercise?”
Slade sat down on the bed, reaching to help her to his side. “Yep. It went well, but this is pointless. How does knowing she likes vanilla ice cream and pink have to do with anything?”
Sahara unlocked the cuffs responding, “Because if you have something in common, maybe you can come to common ground.”
Candy rubbed her now free wrist, relieving the pressure of the cuffs. The sudden change in pressure made her sigh in relief. “Well, Slade and I agree on one thing. This whole thing sucks.”
Sahara knowingly hummed in agreement, looking at her friend. “I’m sorry, Candy girl. I know this must be hard. Listen, you two go get ready for bed. Colt, Isis, and I will take turns when you need to change clothes and shower.”
“What’s the camera for?” Slade rolled his eyes, already having some idea, as he pointed to the camera in her hand.
“Media stuff. We’re going to take pictures of the two of you from time to time for social media. Go change. I want to go to bed.”
Once they changed into their nightclothes, Sahara took a picture of them. They were both frowning and looked like inmates on a chain gang, making her and Colt laugh.
As their friends left, Candy stood looking at the bed like it would bite her. The room fell quiet as Slade was pulling down blankets. Getting ready to turn in, he noticed her silence. Looking to see the fear in her eyes, he was unsure why she seemed so disturbed by the idea of being in bed with him.
“Never slept with a man before?” He chuckled.
“It’s just —”
“Oh, relax. It’s not like we’re asked to have sex. It’s just sleeping.”
Candy sat down on the bed, fidgeting with the handcuffs. “I haven’t in a long time,” she sighed.
“Haven’t what?” He looked over, realizing what she meant. “Oh, that. I can sleep on the floor.”
“No. It’s fine. I just didn’t think the first time I was in a bed with a man again would be with someone who’s repulsed by me. Last time I was alone in bed with a guy we planned to be married. He dumped me because he told me being a wrestler was stupid and that I was just trying to live out a pointless dream that would never happen.”
“Well, I guess you proved him wrong. You’re better off without a jerk like that.”
“I guess. He treated me worse than you do, so I’m glad he’s gone. I sort of expected if I were in a bed with a man again, it would be someone who cared for me. Not like this. Even if it is just sleeping, it’s something I don’t take lightly.”
“I get that, and I agree. But, trust me, I’m not repulsed by you. You just get on my nerves. You’re beautiful, Candy. I promise it won’t be weird. I respect you for seeing it that way. It’s a refreshing change from the girls I know. Do you know how many ring rats just want to jump in my bed? It’s not what I’m about because I’m modest too. I’m not a total jackass. Come on, Sprinkles. Let’s get some rest.”
She climbed into bed and they struggled to get comfortable from the tether. After about ten minutes, she flopped back onto the pillow, pouting. “This won’t work. My hand hurts wearing this thing.”
“You’re telling me. It’s bugging me now too. Tomorrow we need to find some padding for it. I’m afraid you’re going to choke me in my sleep, yanking on the line like that though. Stop moving around.” Slade sat up, trying to figure out how to get comfortable. “The only way either of us is going to get sleep is if we’re closer. Come here.”
He slid his hand around her waist, pulling her back to him. Without another thought, Slade adjusted the cord and wrapped his arms around Candy. Reaching up, he turned off the light on the nightstand, snuggling up to her back.
Candy snuggled back into him and laid silent for a while. “I thought you said this wouldn’t get weird.”
“Shh! This whole thing is weird. Why should this be any different?” They snuggled into each other, finally in a comfortable spot.
It was silent in the room, but both were not sleeping. It was too awkward for two people who just a few hours ago were yelling at each other.
“Are you awake?” Candy’s soft voice filled the room.
“Yes.”
“We really screwed up, didn’t we?”
Slade let out a deep breath. “Yes, we did. You smell like candy.” He breathed, rubbing her arm.
Her giggles radiated through the dark room. “I have some Starbursts in my pocket. Want one?”
Slade chuckled. “I like Sprinkles.” He tickled her playfully, biting her shoulder.
She wiggled away, giggling at his hair tickling her neck. “Shut up and go to sleep.”
“Easier said than done,” he thought to himself.
Slade lay back on the pillow, resting his head against Candy’s. Listening to her soft breathing as she drifted to sleep, he thought about how she said she thought he hated her. It was quite the opposite, but how would he prove that to her now?
Whispering to himself, he closed his eyes. “Goodnight, Sprinkles. I promise I’ll make this work.”
