Unexplainable [Original Version]

[chapter twenty-eight: "quite frankly"]

Chapter 28: "Quite Frankly"
Jolene Milford's POV

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As I walk into the arena for Nitro, I inhale a deep breath of crisp, emotionally intoxicating air. This building isn't any different from the countless ones that I've been in over the course of my profession wrestling career, but tonight is so fuckin' special. I know I must look like a damn fool, smiling the way that I am, but I can't help it!

Jolene Milford is back at World Championship Wrestling!

"You look like you can barely control yourself over there." Kev jokes as he wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to his side. "You're finally back, babe!"

"I didn't expect to be as floored as I am. This is just... It's great." My heart is throbbing so damn quickly, but in a good way. I'm so fucking happy.

"It really is. Everything is the way it should be again." Kev gives me a one-armed hug before dropping his arm from around me. As soon as his touch is gone, I miss it.

I look up at Kev and give him a quick smile as we walk, something that he returns. These past few days as I've prepared for my return, Kev has helped me so very much. God, I love this man.

We head to the backstage area, and after dropping our bags off in the locker room, Kev and I hunt down Eric. He's standing off to one of the sides, talking to Hulk. Eric spots Kev and I first, and once he lays eyes on us, he claps and waves us over.

"I'll talk to you later, brother. I'll give you three some space." Hulk nods to Eric, and then to Kev and I. "It's good to see you back, Jolene."

"Thanks, Hulkster." I wave to Hulk as he walks off. He's a good guy, deep down. I mean, we rarely talk, but I'm glad he likes me enough.

"It is nice to see you back here, Jolene! It's been too long, hasn't it?" Eric grins as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Welcome back!"

"I'd have been back several weeks ago if you'd have let me." I point out, trying to not sound too bitter about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely thrilled to be back tonight! I just wish that I had been able to come back earlier. "But, it's great to be here. I'm glad I'm back."

"Well, you know we have big plans for you. You're an important piece of our New World Order puzzle." Eric's eyes quickly scan over me, but as soon as Kev clears his throat, Eric goes back to acting as if nothing had happened. Asswipe. "When will Sean and Scott be here?"

"Don't know. We tried calling Scott last night, but he didn't answer. As for the Kid, he said he'd be here before noon; unless we missed him, he's not here yet." Kev replies. We all three look over to a nearby clock on the wall. It's after two.

"They'd better show up before too much longer. If they don't, we're going to have come up with a different for plan tonight." Eric warns. "You may be taking Sean's match tonight, Kevin. If he no-shows, it's yours. Your pre-match and post-match segments will be the same, but without the two of them."

"They'll show up." I tell Eric crossly. "Why would they miss tonight?"

"I don't know. I would've thought that tonight would be one of the most important ones to them, but we never know what's going on in those two's heads." The way Eric says that makes me sick. He fuckin' knows that they've not got the best mental track record, and he wants to say shit like that? I instantly tense up, but Kev places a hand on my hand on my back and begins to rub it. I relax under his touch. "Come talk to me an hour before air and we'll settle it all. I have things to attend to right now, okay?"