Flames

Creating and Evolving, part 2

"Girl, not that gear again!" Naomi set down her Money in the Bank briefcase beside Becky's gear bag and sighed. "How many times have you worn that now? Don't get me wrong: you look good in black, but is it Selfish Era Becks?"

Becky had to hold back her own sigh as she looked down at her ring gear. She had definitely worn it more than once, and while she wasn't a snob—or superstitious—in that regard, she agreed with her friend. The second Evolution might have had a shitty build and be looked at as little more than 'counter programming', according to a certain subset of fans, but anything that put the women's roster front and centre was something she wanted to celebrate. "I know. I had different gear planned, but then...."

Naomi sobered instantly. "Seth's leg. I saw him with the crutches." She leaned over and gave Becky a tight hug. "I'm sorry. I never even thought—"

"No, no. It's fine. I had different gear," Becky repeated, "but... yeah. The closure on the top was iffy anyway and I was going to get it fixed, but... priorities." She reflexively glanced towards the door, as if expecting an update on her husband at any time. He had just been injured the night before and wouldn't be able to get an MRI until Monday.

"Any news yet?" Naomi asked gently. As someone with a fellow wrestler as a spouse, she knew exactly what Becky was going through.

Becky shook her head. "He's got an MRI scheduled for tomorrow, so...." She took a deep breath and added, "I told him he didn't have to be here, or at least not backstage. He'd probably be more comfortable on the bus...."

"Girl, as if he wouldn't be here to watch you if he could." Naomi sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "If Roux's good with it, we can reschedule the weekend no problem." Patting her briefcase, she added, "I won't have this one to work on anyway, but the prototype's almost as good."

"What do you mean?" Becky eyed Naomi's custom case. Whether it was Naomi or the props department, she wasn't sure, but over Naomi's current run, someone had clearly bought every last thing that had the word Caution on it. "What happening with your—oh! Cashing in?" She glanced around to make sure no one outside the company was within earshot. Cash-ins were often open secrets backstage so people knew not to interrupt the moment, but she hadn't heard anything about Naomi's.

Naomi's grin lit up the whole room as she nodded. "Tonight."

Becky nudged her Intercontinental title to the side. "Not looking to make history by cashing in on one of the mid-card titles, are you?"

"Ha! No. I'm cashing in at the end, during Rhea vs. Iyo," Then Naomi shrugged. "Part of me hates it, because I know they'll be putting on a banger and they deserve their moment, but on the other hand... I think it'll really cement my crazy, you know? Who in their right mind would go up against Iyo or Rhea, let alone both at the same time?"

"I won't tell Roux, I promise. But she's going to love it. Expect a very happy video message congratulating you," Becky added with a laugh. Roux would probably be sleepy, but she never passed up a chance to send some love to one of her favourite aunties. "And you'll be a champ at SummerSlam!" Now that she knew her own title was safe, Becky grabbed it and clinked it against Naomi's case. "Look at GlowFire now, bitches!"

"Damn right!" Naomi gave her another tight hug. "It took us both a while," she sighed, "but look where we are. Finally at the damn top!" Then she cast a wary look at Becky's title. "Unless you're losing...?"

Becky shook her head. "Retaining, and I think Bayley and Lyra are fighting for a shot at SummerSlam on RAW." She tried to inject some enthusiasm into her voice, but she could feel the strain in her jaw. "I'd really love to see what Bayley could do with it," she admitted, "but on the other hand, it could really help build up Lyra."