The Bully

Chapter Twenty

Our arrival in Connecticut was a blur of meetings and events for the next few days. I was working every hour of the day and night it felt like either at the arenas taking photographs or developing them. I spent more time with Ed than seeing Bret and worse hadn't even caught sight of William yet, though I knew he was supposed to be joining the main roster. I'd assumed I might be asked to do a shoot with him but it hadn't happened and I didn't get the opportunity to see or speak to him. Ed told me that he'd met William in passing backstage but it had been at an event I wasn't scheduled to photograph so I'd been back at the hotel in the dark room. Tuesday could not come quick enough for me as I was exhausted.

Monday I was in attendance at Raw, photographing the matches when unfamiliar music played and I looked up to see William heading to the ring, wearing a red floor length jacket and a snooty expression on his face. He met my gaze briefly and his lips quirked up a little, but then he swept into the ring. He was in a match against Razor, emphasising the world of difference between them; the tough, greasy fighter and the clean cut, aristocratic Englishman. I almost giggled at the thought as William was hard as nails and there was nothing aristocratic about his Blackpool background. William won his match which I was pleased to see as it meant that the company must be invested in him and he'd had the opportunity to show off his technical skill. During the interval I went in search of him, finally finding him in catering, sat with Razor, chatting about their match. Spotting me, he got to his feet and threw his arms round me, lifting me off my feet and swinging me round.

"God I've missed you Lina!" he exclaimed, kissing my cheek. I giggled.

"Me too! How has it been? What was developmental like?" He shrugged.

"It's all just wrestling, pet. But it was fine. Jay sends his love. Well... maybe not his love but his best wishes." He gave me a searching look and I nodded.

"How is he doing?"

"Good. I think he would have been tearing the walls down if it weren't for the fact his good friend Adam arrived shortly after us. It won't be long until he's here too. Will you be ok with that?"

"I guess I'll have to be. Anyway it wasn't a horrible split between us."

"Any chance you'll get back together?" William asked and I reddened, saved from answering by a pair of arms snaking round my waist.

"Was hoping I'd find you here." I turned to face Bret who gave me a lingering kiss and then held out a hand to William. "William isn't it? I'm Bret."

William stared at him for a beat but then took his hand, shaking it warmly.

"The Bret?" he asked me in a stage whisper and I rolled my eyes, nodding. William beamed. "Pleasure to meet you sir." William took his seat again and Bret sat down, pulling me onto his lap while we talked.

"I've heard good things about you from just about everybody," Bret said.

"That's nice to hear," said William. "Hopefully your good opinion will remain intact now I'm actually here. It's very different to Blackpool."

"Yeah different to Stampede too," Bret replied. "Much, much busier for a start and not much down time but I love it."

"It gets into your blood doesn't it? The thrill of being in the ring, the audience, even the travel to a degree. That's why it suits young Lina here. She's constantly got itchy feet."

Bret chuckled at that and gave me a small squeeze.

"Well working here should cure her of that. She'll be desperate to put down roots. Maybe even back home."

I stiffened at this and William glanced across at me but he didn't reply. He was well aware that the chances of me putting down roots in Canada were practically non existent as we'd had that conversation when I was with Jay. Bret suddenly stood, just as the claxon sounded, gently putting me on my feet. He leaned down to kiss my lips again.