63
The next day, Candy woke up feeling tender kisses trailing up the back of her neck. She shifted back into Slade’s embrace. His thick bulge pressed hard against her Hello Kitty pajamas and the powerful arms surrounding her. The warmth from his embrace felt like Christmas morning.
They woke with Slade holding her every morning for a week out of necessity. Today was loving and tender.
“Morning, handsome.”
“Good morning, Sprinkles. Sleep well?”
“I did. Waking up in your arms is so much better this way.”
He cuddled her close with a loving hum. “You know, everyone is going to think we have finally lost our minds. From going from fighting to doing a total 360°.”
“Sahara always teased that she thinks I like you. I’m going to get razzed for this. But it’s worth it.”
“I hope so. I care about you. If you can promise to take a joke every once in a while, I promise not to be a douchebag.”
Candy giggled. “But you're so good at it.”
“Hush you. Roll over and kiss me good morning so we can start this new day.”
She rolled over on her back, pulling him in for a kiss. “Want to know something crazy? I might miss being this close to you.”
“Me too.” A knock came on the door. “Shit. It’s Sahara. I was comfortable cuddling with you.”
They got up from the bed as Sahara pounded on the door yelling, “Hurry, you two! What’s taking so long? Answer the damn door!”
Slade opened the door and Candy stood behind him, blushing, trying to not look at her friend.
Slade looked away, too. “Come on in.”
As Sahara walked in, she noticed they were acting weird. Once she saw Candy’s face, it was clear.
“You two made out! Oh. My. Gosh!”
Slade tried to hide his smile, and Sahara looked up at him with a sassy tilt to her head.
Slade rolled his eyes. “Just come in.”
“I knew it! I asked you and you said you didn’t like her anymore. I knew you were lying.” Sahara taunted.
Candy looked confused. “You knew?”
“Yep. He said he had a crush on you, but you kept fighting. Just like I knew you liked him, too. You would bitch about him and still get all doe-eyed when he was around. You two realize you’re not fooling anybody but yourself, right? The entire roster was placing bets on how long it would be until you hooked up. So, is he a good kisser? Does he make you do that thing where your leg lifts like in the movies?” Sahara giggled.
Slade got a little cocky swagger about him saying, “How do you know I didn’t get laid and made her toes curl and her eyes roll back?”
“Because I know my bestie. She has enough self-respect not to jump into anything. She’s also a hopeless romantic. One day of mini-golf and a movie will not get you laid, Romeo. Candy’s not some trampy little show hoe.”
“Thanks, bestie! She’s right. Yes, we kissed, but that’s it. Please don’t tell anyone. We’re still working on this.”
“Deal. I’m glad you are. Maybe we can get some peace and quiet for a change. You two give me a migraine.”
Slade looked at Candy and threw up his hands. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“No idea. I’m a delight.”
“Hardly. You two are annoying. Go get ready for the gym. I got stuff to do, and Drake and I are going out for lunch. I think he’s going to pop the question soon. I love that man.”
***
After sparing in the ring for a while, Sahara and Candy sat at the announcer’s table watching Slade and Gage practice while snacking on popcorn. Candy’s phone rang, and she looked down to see who it was.
Sahara glanced over, seeing the instant sadness in her friend’s eyes. “Who is it?”
Candy tugged at Sahara’s arm and whispered in her ear. “It’s the health care facility.”
Sahara yelled to the men in the ring. “Guy’s we will be back. Ladies’ room break.”
Gage nodded and went back to grappling with Slade.
Sahara grabbed Candy’s hand, pulling her to the locker room. “Let’s get you some privacy.”
Inside the locker room, Candy called back the care facility director, who had just called. “Hello. This is Candace Smith.”
“Candy. Thank God. We have been trying to reach you. Your step-father was here.”
Candy shivered. The man was vile. The same heartless man who left her mother when her brother was sick. That was just the tip of the iceberg of the pain he inflicted on their family.
“Is he still there? Is mom all right?”
“No. She’s safe. He’s gone. The police had to remove him. Our staff found him attempting to break into the medication cabinet. Your mother’s very agitated and we can’t calm her down. You know how much I hate to sedate patients unless I must. I'd rather see if I can help her relax. We thought hearing your voice would help. I want to video chat so she can see your face.”
Isis walked in, seeing how upset her new friends looked. “What’s wrong?”
Sahara motioned for her to stay quiet, and Isis sat down on the bench with her friends, taking Candy’s free hand. The girls knew her story. Candy had only confided in the girls, and Gage, with whom Isis had recently made peace. The trio of women watched out for each other from the start.
Candy’s mother struggled with mental illness. After losing her son, she went into an almost catatonic state of depression; never speaking or responding to anyone around her. After several years of physical abuse from her drug-addicted ex-husband, the woman was a shell of her former self. It forced a teenage Candy to take the role of mother. Shielding her sick brother from the man’s abuse, often taking on abuse herself for his protection.
For years Candy gave the outward impression of a good childhood. Behind the scenes was a life that no young person should be subjected to. Her mother was the only loving adult in her life and the woman tried for many years to shelter her children from a life of poverty and abuse. Years of abuse found her emotionally broken, leaving Candy to pick up the pieces.
The breakdown forced Candy to place her mother in a care facility after her brother’s passing. The string of torment, and loss of her son, was more than the woman could handle in her fragile state. Candy placed her mother, Sophie, in the facility to be taken care of properly soon after. It was something only a few friends knew about her.
“Okay. Let’s try it.”
The video feed from her phone showed her mother screaming and flailing around in her bed. The nurses were trying to keep her from hurting herself as she scratched and pawed.
“Mommy. It’s your Candy cane. Mommy. You need to calm down.”
The shrill screams simmered down, and her mother looked into the nursing home director’s phone. Slowly the woman relaxed and just lay back, looking at the screen.
“Yes, Mommy. It’s me. I miss you. Have you been seeing me on TV? I know Mrs. Olson says you watch IWX every week.”
The woman didn’t respond, but a slight glimmer showed in her eyes.
“That’s right, Mommy. I am a real wrestler now. Remember? I met Cyrus. I know you like him a lot. Look. My friends Isis and Sahara are here. Do you remember seeing them on the show? Guess what? I’m going to come to see you soon. Would you like that?”
“Tyler?” is all the woman said.
“No mommy. Tyler passed away. Remember? He was sick. He went to heaven with Nana and Pop-Pop.”
Without notice, the broken woman looked away and zoned out. Candy hummed a tune, and her mother closed her eyes. One tear dropped on Sophie’s cheek, and Candy thought her heart would break. Sahara and Isis joined in, humming the tune softly while laying their heads on their best friend’s shoulders to comfort her. They needed to stay strong if only to give Candy support
“I love you, Mommy. I’ll be home soon, okay?”
The director turned the phone to face her. “Thank you, Candy. That seemed to calm her down. We will call if we need anything else.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Olson.”
After the video chat ended, Candy hung her head, looking at her phone. “She’s really upset. I’ve never heard her screaming like that. Usually, she just stares into space.”
Isis squeezed her hand. “Is there anything we can do?”
Sahara agreed. “Maybe we could all go to visit her before the big show next weekend? You said she always loved wrestling. Maybe she will respond to seeing us all.”
Candy shrugged. “Maybe? She used to tease me about how I had a thing for Slade. She liked him. Cyrus was her favorite, though. I think she had a crush on him.”
Isis perked up. “I bet Cyrus and Wraith would go, too. My cousins are the best and they would love to help.”
“I can’t ask everyone to do that. I think I need to go on my own. I just can’t until the stupid handcuffs come off.”
Isis tilted her head. “Hey wait? Do you like Slade?”
Sahara giggled. “They made out.”
“Yes! That means I won the… crap. Sorry.” Isis blushed, covering her mouth, looking very guilty.
Candy wiped the tears from her eyes and laughed. “I already heard. I can’t believe you bet against me.”
“Well, it’s enough money for us to go to the spa. Girl’s day after the cuffs come off. You in?”
“Sure. Thanks, Isis. Could you both not tell Slade about this? I’m not sure how to explain that my mom is in that place. Not to mention I have some reservations about us getting close, anyway.”
Sahara and Isis hugged her supportively.
Sahara smiled devilishly, saying, “Sure, Candy girl. We won’t tell. How much did you think we will make on the bet about Isis and Gage?”
“Nothing. No one bet. They are afraid Gage will spank them.” Candy and Sahara started laughing.
Isis’s mouth dropped in shock. “We don’t… oh, fine. You guys suck,” she said with a blush.
Candy looked over to see her friend hiding her shy smile. “I knew it! You’re a freak. When he spanks you, do you call him daddy?”
Isis shrugged with a blush.
A knock came on the door. “Candy?”
Candy jumped up. “Shit. It’s Slade. Don’t tell.”
Sahara made a motion that her lips were sealed as Isis nudged her to go to the door. Slowly, she walked out, avoiding eye contact.
Slade could see the hurt written across her face and leaned to meet her eyes. “Candy? Is something wrong?”
“I think we need to talk.”
“No man has ever wanted to hear those words,” he noted.
