Book One: The Viper's Bite

Thirteen

After talking with Vince and Creative, and explaining the situation, we got my next role on Monday's show settled. I walked through the buzzing halls of the stadium, looking for Cody and trying not to get stopped.

"Cory! Hey, Cory, hold up a second." Stifling a groan, I turned to face Jimmy Uso, with a not-quite frown. He stepped up, smiling a painfully oblivious smile. "Cody told me about your wrist. Is it okay?" He looked down at my bandage, tight and changed to a Mickey Mouse patterned fabric. I shrugged, lifting it between our faces.

"Well, it hurts like hell and I can't turn it at all," I stated bluntly, "but it's gonna heal pretty fast, probably. Until it does I've got some other stuff set up to get me through. Hopefully they won't lose interest in me. Wait... When did you see Cody?" I saw the sudden change in conversation give him a start, but he shook it off quickly and shrugged, looking behind him over his shoulder.

I looked, too, and saw the man in question walking over, talking to a petite blonde dressed in ring gear and smiling cheekily at him. My brow furrowed as I waited for them to approach... Who was this? They turned slightly, as if they were gonna head down to the Green Room, so I patted Jimmy's shoulder and went forward. "Hey, Cody, can you talk?"

He stopped, the girl turning her head and shooting me an assessing look. Cody smiled, his dimples peeking out. "Cory, what's up? Don't you look colourful." His eyes took in my paint splashed T-shirt, my bandage, and the bright red leggings I wore. "Is something going on?"

"There was a party at my place, man. This is the aftermath." I smiled slyly and held up my arms. "But that's not what I called you for. Could we...?" I trailedoff, gesturing away from the stranger.

He glanced down at the girl before nodding and stepping over to the wall with me. I touched the bandage across his forehead, frowning, before flicking a look at the woman. "How's your head? Haven't seen you in a few days, so...?

Cody shrugged, his eyes meeting mine, the grey-green depths swimming with something unfelt. "I'm cleared to go, but I just wanted a week or two of healing time. Doesn't hurt much."

I nodded, then placed a hand on his arm. "That was a good thing you did, so it's just a battle scar, y'know. Rock it, 'cuz you're a hero." I felt the woman's burning gaze on my cheek, on my hand, and couldn't take it one second longer. "So who's the arm candy that's drooling all over you?"

His jaw dropped in shock, before his face lit with a smile and he smothered a laugh. It took him a few seconds to pull himself together before he responded. "That's the newest diva, she was over at OVW but since they don't host the training anymore she left to come and try her hand. Her name's Evelyn Dobson but they're calling her Dana Dobs. I was drafted to introduce her to everyone." He raised an eyebrow. "Why, you wanna talk to her?"

My eyes narrowed on his vaguely smug expression. "Why would I need to? You just gave me everything on her, and, not to be full of myself or anything, she should already know who I am. I know as much as I need to." The lingering expression on his face told me there was something else. "What is it?"

"Well. I figured they'd tell you first, but since I'm here, I'll do it. Evelyn's gonna be joining Tamina and AJ, as a tag partner. They're gonna debut as the Sirens tonight. That also means she's gonna back AJ and Tamina up in promos, matches... attacks..."

"Bullshit," I whispered. This was crap. They were gonna give me another Diva to deal with, on top of the two - well, three if you included Dolph - already on my plate. "When do I get backup?"

Cody shrugged, shifting from foot to foot. I nodded, punched him playfully in the shoulder. "I'll see you later then. I might need a ride back to the hotel."