Roadmance

Chapter 6

For having such a small roster, the event felt like the longest one Rebecca had been involved in. The promoter was worried that a triple threat between her, Kevin, and Rami would look too much like bullying, so he made another handicap match against Kevin. Colby's intended opponent was so hungover he could barely stand up, so Rami did in fact end up wrestling twice that night anyway. Then on the way back to the hotel, the bus had engine trouble, causing them to pull over in the middle of nowhere. She hadn't quite got to the point of reconsidering her stance on the bus's bathroom—Colby's opponent had been sick in there, so it reeked—but she wasn't above scoping out likely hiding spots so they could sneak away while everyone was waiting for the bus to be repaired.

After the delay on the road, she assumed everyone would be tired and want to go to bed, but Kevin and Rami were heading to the courtyard, ready to spend all night talking. Ordinarily, it was the kind of bonding she loved, especially with friends as interesting and knowledgeable as they were, but this was one night she was going to have to pass. "Sorry, lads. Not tonight for me. I'm not feeling great." Hoping to add a bit of realism, she added, "I hope I don't get whatever Robby had. I've got another tour set up for the end of the month."

"I'll go up with you," Colby offered. "Then if you need anything...."

Rebecca held his gaze for a moment, hoping he understood the ruse. "That's okay. You don't have to. If you want to hang out down here...."

It wasn't much of a surprise when Rami shook his head. "No, he's right. If you need help or medication or something, then someone would be there."

She tried to look reluctant as she nodded. "I guess. I just don't want to ruin anyone else's night."

"You won't be ruining my night." Colby gently nudged her towards the elevator. "Come on. Let's get upstairs. If you think you're up to a shower, take one and then get in bed. If there's anything you think you can eat, I'll come back down and get it for you."

"Want us to check in on you when we come up," Kevin offered, "or would you rather rest?"

Rebecca felt her heart stutter. If she was legitimately ill, she would have appreciated the concern, but under no circumstances did she want Kevin or Rami interrupting tonight. "I'll just rest. Colby will be there," she added, "and I've got my phone and laptop so I can tell you guys if I need help."

"Sounds good." Rami came over and gave her a hug. "Hope you're feeling better soon."

"Thanks, Rami." Guilt pinched her gut when Kevin came over and hugged her too. "Thanks, Kev. I'm sure it's nothing. I bet I'll be as annoying as ever in the morning."

"Looking forward to it." Then Rami glanced over at Colby. "If she needs anything, we'll be down here for a while and then up in our room."

Colby nodded, taking her bag. "Thanks. Have a good night, guys." His composure was starting to crack as soon as he turned away from Kevin and Rami, but thankfully he managed to hold it together until they were on the elevator. He shut his eyes for a moment, swearing under his breath. "Okay, that was all for show, right?"

"Yes." Rebecca stepped around their bags and kissed him. "I just didn't want them interrupting. Again. I know they mean well and I appreciate it, but...." The guilt bubbled up a bit again, but as soon as Colby grabbed her ass to bring her closer, it was quickly forgotten. "Careful. We don't want to break the elevator."

"If we did," Colby grinned, "then Kevin and Rami couldn't interrupt us at all."

The elevator groaned a bit when it stopped on their floor, and Rebecca had enough experience with lifts in old buildings to know to get off when she could. She reached for her bag with one hand and Colby with the other, and he got his bag off just before the doors closed. "And then we would be stuck up here with no food."