Masked Heart

Chapter Nine

Rain stared at him, her eyes searching his face, seeing the familiar roundness of youth which had been chiselled somewhat as he matured but was still there. His dark curls framed his face, those warm brown eyes which used to smile at her secretly from behind her ex husband's back met her gaze. And she remembered those days and nights of finding quiet corners to sit and talk together about everything wrestling, sharing their hopes and dreams. They had been barely more than children really she reflected for all that one was married and the other worked. But then darker thoughts came to her mind, the memory of Marc completely destroying him in the ring and then the abrupt message that he was leaving and didn't want to be in contact with her at all. She remembered the heartbreak of not knowing where he was or what he was doing, whether he hated her for what had happened or if she was forgiven. But he was here; he was standing right here. The boy she had known had somehow morphed into this muscle bound luchadore whose finesse in the ring had caught her eye and enabled her to start pushing him to the stars. Surely that would be enough to help them both move on from their shared past...

"I'm sorry, Renee... Rain. I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell you so bad that it was me but I was scared you wouldn't want me here," he said. Rain shook her head, trying to find the words and then she let out the breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

"Joe?"

"Yes, it's me," he said and she came round the desk and grabbed him in a fierce embrace. Slowly his arms came round her and she felt tears spring to her eyes.

"Oh my God Joe," she sobbed. "I can't believe you're here. I can't believe you're wrestling!"

"And you! Look at you, leading the writing team here," he responded. "We're both living our dreams! Oh Rain I didn't know if you'd be ok after I left and I felt so bad about everything. My dad told me I needed to cut everyone out, turn my back on wrestling for good after what Marc did to me, but it hurt. It hurt so much to tell you I wanted nothing more to do with you, but please believe me I was a mess. And it wasn't you... it was just having to give up my dream was agony and if I'd stayed in touch with you I'd have stayed in touch with something I didn't think I'd ever have. I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course I can forgive you!" she exclaimed. "Oh Joe, we have so much to catch up on."

"Maybe we could go for food after work tomorrow? Catch up properly?" he asked.

"I'd like that," she replied. He gave her an anxious look.

"And Bret, he would be ok with this? I don't want to cause trouble between you and your husband."

"Well what if I bring him too?" she suggested. Joe's gaze darkened a little but then he nodded.

"Sure, why not? I'd like to get to know your husband better," he said. "I have missed you Rain, so very much." And he leaned down to kiss her cheek. Rain beamed up at him.

"Me too. Oh Joe I can't wait to catch up properly."

Joe smiled and then picked his mask up, pulling it back over his face.

"Well let me know the time and the place  and we can. You have my number so just message me."

"I will," she said, watching as he left the room. As soon as the door closed she sank into her chair, the shock beginning to sink in. Tears trickled down her cheeks; after years of guilt and worry he was here. Joe was here, living his dream and maybe, just maybe she could let go of her past and move on.

***

Bret was still in his ring gear when he came in later and by the look on his face she surmised it had not been the best night. He threw his jacket down on the chair and lowered the straps of his singlet before stomping out to the kitchen and grabbing a beer. She watched as he took a seat at the kitchen table, drinking his beer and staring moodily at the wall, his mind still in the match, going over the parts that he felt had gone wrong. Rain hadn't been watching tonight; her head had been too full to focus so she wasn't sure what had happened.