When one thinks of traditional British cuisine, one thinks of bangers and mash, steak and kidney pie and fish n’ chips. Amongst other delicacies. The problem however when in London is finding a place that serves these dishes made the traditional way that is not a pub. Usually when visiting and in search of British fare, you can indeed find many a five star restaurant that serves it, but there’s a catch. These places modernize the dishes in regards to both ingredients as well as presentation so you would never know you were eating the classic. This was the dilemma Carter McKinney presented his fiance Miles Kasey with when they arrived in London to surprise his family with an impromptu celebration of their engagement. Carter could have made things easy when Miles entrusted him with finding a great place to take his family out to eat to celebrate, and booked one of those very pubs. He knew Miles missed his native British foods terribly, but they could have that any time while visiting London while Miles’s mom and sister most likely had it relatively often. This called for something more special…

(See, this is where you really should pause in case you have yet to read the first roleplay of Miles Kasey, otherwise you risk not understanding what was going on! Go on now, get!)

Alexander the Great Greek Restaurant -
London

I know, Greek food, am I right? But Carter spent the better part of three hours researching the best restaurants London had to offer, and while there were plenty of French and Indian restaurants alongside modernized British places, he saw only one Greek place and the very atmosphere called out to him. From the moment you set foot inside, you could simply feel the Greek atmosphere even were you unable to see it. From the olive wood architecture to the vines creeping up the structures and authentic Green clay archways and all along the ceiling. The Greek influenced sculptures of the restaurant’s namesake were positioned around the restaurant's interior so that they would be noticed while not being overdone in number. Traditional white tablecloths with dianthus centerpieces and olive wooden chairs.

It was perfect.

“Oh my…” Mora - mother to Miles and his sister Brianna - said as she was the first to set foot inside of the fine Greek establishment while her son held the door for her, followed by Brianna, her husband Garrett and finally, Carter himself before Miles brought up the rear. Mora went on to say, “This is lovely.”

“Haven’t you ever been?” Carter asked, shaking his head and feeling the constant pangs of whether he had made the right choice for dining out with his future in-laws.

“No.” Mora answered heartily. “Oh we’ve seen it often enough and it was always one of those places we meant to visit but it just never worked out.”

Carter smiled as Miles gripped his shoulder in a reassuring comfort. He knew his love well enough to know Carter was confident to the point of cocky - save for wanting to make a positive impression on Miles’s own family. Not that he had much trouble concerning that, mind you. While this was his first time meeting Garrett, he had already met Bri and Mora in Las Vegas during Miles’s last birthday celebration. And his family adored him.

Carter moved past the group to the hostess stand and once the young man looked up, he said, “Reservation for Carter McKinney?”

The host looked down at his meticulously cared for book and scrolled the names until he arrived at the right one and looked up with a smile, and in his Cockney accent, said, “Right this way.” as he picked up five menus. Before he escorted the party through the web of tables until they arrived at one table along the half-wall adorned with olive plants and Greek wine bottles.

“Is this satisfactory?” the host asked, to which everyone present assured him that it was and offered him their thanks as they took their seats. He then handed out the menus, ladies first of course, and finally said, “Your waiter will be with you momentarily.” before he took his leave to resume his duties at the forefront of the restaurant.

The group then proceeded to spend the next few minutes offered to them to browse the menu, Miles idly speaking up to say, “I am starving.”

“You’re always hungry.” Carter quipped as his eyes searched for the wines and, of course, deserts, to which Mora smiled while perusing her own, adding, “It’s nice to know some things haven’t changed.”

“Oy!” Miles looked up over his own menu and asked, “What is this? Pick On Miles Day?”

“Yes.” Everyone present responded in unison, as if it couldn’t have been planned any better. Miles then turned to Carter who was nodding along with the others but one arched brow from his fiance and he immediately switched to shaking his head in the negative. Satisfied, Miles went back to looking over the menu when a young woman approached, with the host not far after.

“Hello, I’m Amara.” She said with the brightest of smiles. “I’ll be serving you this evening. Can I get you anything to drink while you look over the menu?”

But before the young lady could continue or anyone present could place their drink orders, the host arrived at her side. He said, “Excuse me, Amara? A moment.” he then addressed the party at the table to say, “The last member of your party just arrived.”

“Last member?” Carter looked to Miles as everyone present appeared confused. “But we are… who…?”

“Oh bloody hell!” Miles exclaimed as their heads turned and Garrett audibly groaned and Brianna almost threw her cloth napkin in a gesture of vast frustration as approaching was none other than her mother-in-law, and Garrett’s mother - Wendy Barnes. The atmosphere immediately shifted from one of positivity and joy to tension and annoyance as the outspoken and homophobic mother of Garrett Kasey approached the table with a stiff smile that nobody present was buying.

“Mom?” Garrett was the first to break the awkward silence. “What are you doing here?”

“Well I had tried to phone you at work and your secretary kindly told me about your family dinner here.” Wendy answered stiffly, her emphasis on the word ‘family’ evident. Garrett turned to his wife and muttered, “I’m going to need a new secretary.”

But she placed a hand on his shoulder and not one of comfort as she openly asked, “Now may I ask why you didn’t tell your own mother about this ‘family’ dinner?”

“Because you weren’t invited.” All heads turned in surprise to none other than Carter who spoke up, but none more so than Wendy herself who looked affronted at there mere thought she was not invited to a family dinner.

She wrinkled her nose as if there were a bad smell under it, asking, “And who are you to say that I’m not invited to have dinner with my son and daughter-in-law?”

But Carter, being who he was, happily accepted the gauntlet and answered, “Maybe because we’re the ones who invited them? And I’m the one who picked the restaurant?”

But his words practically fell upon deaf ears as Wendy simply made a face and an indifferent “Hmph” as she pulled out the vacant chair to have a seat, as if he had not even spoken. Basically inviting herself to dinner.

Miles leaned over in his chair to say to his fiance, “Just be yourself, love.” To which carter turned to him and said, “Miles, there’s no reason to scare the woman.”

But Miles’s sister Bri leaned over from her own chair and made a pleading face, whispering “Oh pleasepleaseplease…!” Causing a snort of laughter to be held back, but whatever else could be said or felt quickly evaporated as Wendy insulted the waitress by snapping her fingers at her and speaking up, “Perhaps we can order now?”

And once everyone had told Amara their drink orders – Wendy a sparkling water. Mora, cranberry juice. Miles, Garrett and Bri both ordered Coke and finally Carter, a pineapple juice. No sooner did Amara leave to put in their orders than Wendy started to fuss, “Visiting London and taking us to a Greek restaurant rather than somewhere … nicer. Greeks…”

To which Carter replied, “Yeah, if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have philosophy or democracy or even medicine... the bastards!”

Wendy shifted in her seat and said, “You’re very mouthy for being a guest in our country.”

Carter answered right back, “And yet out of respect for Garrett I haven't yet said anything crass like I hope you take a diuretic and can't get your pantyhose off.” Mora’s eyes opened wide as Bri bit at her bottom lip to try not to take too much glee in Carter’s sass directed at her husband’s mother. Garrett looked away so as not to let anyone see whether or not he himself was smiling, while Miles just hung his head but his trembling shoulders spoke volumes toward his own reaction. Meanwhile, Carter just engaged in a stare down with the woman who had taken an immediate dislike toward him and Miles as a couple.

“I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised at your lack of respect.” Wendy finally broke the tense silence between the pair. She then acted as if he didn’t even exist as she turned her attention to Miles and looked him up and down before speaking, “Pleased to see at least one of you looking the part of a man. When did you grow your facial hair?” She asked idly.

“About a year ago.” Miles answered. “When did you grow yours?”

At that, Wendy bristled at Miles's caustic words as everybody turned to him wide-eyed, somewhat surprised that he went there. Carter himself stared at his fiance in a mix of awe and adoration. Wendy instinctively touched her chin with her fingertips before she pulled away and regained her composure.

She sniffed and turned to her son and asked, “And you're just going to sit there and let them speak to your mother that way?”

Garrett however looked up from his menu and feigned innocence, “Sorry mum. Wasn't listening.”

“Unbelievable.” She half muttered, shaking her head. “I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. This one…” She nodded toward Brianna. “Has completely poisoned you against me!”

“Excuse you!” Brianna started to speak up, clearly affronted just as Garrett massaged the bridge of his nose and exclaimed, “Mum..!”

“Could we all please stop and just enjoy a nice meal?” Mora spoke up as the voice of reason.

“Thank you “ Wendy said as if Mora spoke up in her defense before opening up her menu to glance it over for the first time. Everyone else follows suit, the tension thick in the air. Wendy then, seemingly unable to help herself, said, “And if I don't start getting a little bit more respect, I will not be attending this blasphemous ceremony!” Causing one and all to glance up at her as if she had just stayed at the most ludicrous thing in the world.

And to everyone present, she just did!

“Excuse how I phrase this,” Carter broke the uncomfortable silence amongst them. “But what in gay hell are you talking about!?”

Miles added, “Did you say something about attending our wedding?”

“No,” Wendy contradicted, “I said something about not attending your … wedding!”

“Good, because you’re not invited.” Miles said. “You never were.”

Wendy couldn’t have been more surprised had you slapped her across the face, jerking her head back and looked around the table with relatively wide and surprised eyes.

“What… What are you talking about?” She asked. “How could I not be invited?”

“Why would you be?” Carter frowned, to which Wendy answered, pointing across the table at More and her daughter, as well as her own son, stating hotly, “But you’re inviting them!”

“Of course we are!” Miles answered. “They’re going to be Carter’s in-laws!”

“Face facts…” Carter said, drawing her attention back to him. “You have a better shot at attending by someone looking in a mirror and saying your name three times than by my inviting you.”

Even Garrett proceeded to choke on his water as he took a drink while the waitress Amara was delivering the drinks. Wendy was fuming beneath her calm facade, even though the flush to her cheeks and neck spoke volumes as to just how angry and embarrassed she truly was.

She shrugged and said, “Suit yourself. Just know that if I don’t go, my son won’t go either!”

And for the first time, Garrett Kasey set his glass down firmly, perhaps too much so. He then looked at his mother and said in a tone that would brook no argument or debate, “Mother? I am a grown ass man! You do not dictate to me where I can go or when! And I will definitely be there as Miles is family and Carter is about to be!”

“You are seriously going to support this!?” She came close to shrieking but managed to hold it in. “This…” She waved a finger across the table at Carter and Miles. “This is not normal!”

“Normal is an illusion.” Carter stated calmly. “What's normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.”

Mora, Miles and Bri's mom, placed a hand on his arm and said, “That's very profound, Carter.”

“Thanks, but I can’t take credit,” He replied. “Morticia Addams. 1958.”

Miles smiled at his fiance’s fast wit and then turned to Wendy and said, “It’s funny to hear you of all people talk about the sanctity of marriage and what is and isn’t normal.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning,” Miles replied. “Weren’t you married three times?”

“That’s different!” Wendy declared hotly. “My marriages ended because we were unhappy and they were abusive…”

“Oh stop playing the victim, Mother!” Garrett said all of a sudden. “True the marriages were unhappy but it was you who made your husbands unhappy and nobody was abused! At least not physically and if anyone was…”

“Stop…” Wendy ordered, but Garrett was not finished putting his mother in her place. He said, “It was father when he told you he was leaving you for his business partner!” Garrett then turned to Carter to emphasize, “Another man.” Causing Carter to make a comical gasping/choking noise as he jerked his head around to look at Wendy with eyes as wide as his open mouth!

Wendy stood up and she pressed her hands on the edge of the table as she glared daggers at her son, seething, “I would play this very carefully, son. If you ever want my help in watching that child of yours ever again!”

Mother and son engaged in an epic stare down, but the fact was in this case Wendy did have Garrett backed into the proverbial corner. This was when Carter turned to address Brianna and he casually asked, “What do daycares in London go for these days?”

Not quite getting why he was asking, Bri answered, “Around £138 per week…?” And Carter turned to look at Miles silently and there was a mutual, unspoken understanding between the two young men. That was when Wendy stood up and almost knocked her chair over in the process.

“I will not have it!” She declared hotly. “I will not stand for…!”

“One more word out of you and I'll sew your lips shut!” Carter raised his voice to match Wendy’s own, pointing a finger at her. “And while I'm at it, I'll put tape over your mouth too!” Resulting in a mass expulsion from everyone’s lips who had been taking drinks from their glasses at the worst possible time. But this was enough to have drawn the attention of the rest of the patrons as well as staff.

The manager himself, a middle aged but still imposing man of Greek descent approached the table and asked, “Excuse me but is there a problem?”

“There certainly is…” Wendy started to answer but Carter interrupted, addressing the manager himself and saying, “This woman invited herself to our table and has been causing trouble since she got here.”

“That is a lie!” Wendy gaped like a fish on a hook, looking around for someone - anyone - to speak up in her defense. “Garrett…?” But her own son just turned his head away so that he did not have to look at her - his own mother.

The manager then looked at Wendy and said with finality, “Ma’am? I am sorry but we are going to have to ask you to leave.”

“I will not…” Wendy started to speak loudly again, but the manager put up with none of her brash bullshit as he held a hand up in her face, cutting her off and he said, “You are disturbing our guests. Leave now or I will be forced to call security.”

Wendy took one last look at those at the table and then for the first time, felt the stares of everyone in the restaurant directed solely at her and her alone. She flushed a deep scarlet and cleared her throat, attempting one last time to salvage her pride, “Fine.” She said, “I didn’t want to be here anyway.” And that being said, everyone watched as she grabbed her purse and took her leave.

Poor Amara looked crestfallen, as if this was somehow her own fault. She stepped back up to the table and cleared her throat, drawing all eyes to her.

“I-I am sorry.” She said, “Would you like to order now…?”

“Yeah, can we get a bottle of Agiorgitiko?” Carter asked with as much soothing politeness as he could muster. “I feel like celebrating!”

“O-Of course.” Amara smiled, thoroughly soothed and she turned to retrieve the bottle of Greek red. That was when Bri leaned over in her chair to address her future brother-in-law. “You know if you weren’t marrying my brother, I'd marry you myself.”

“Oy!” Garrett objected jokingly.

---

“Okay, I’m going to be open and honest to get things started. I really wasn’t expecting to be booked this year for Blaze of Glory XII, and if I am going to be perfectly honest? I was fine with that. I think I made things pretty clear over the past few months and in seeing how the card was filling up pretty quickly with every available name save for my own, I realized my chances at getting a spot for Flagstaff were growing fewer and further between. But see, that’s where the Fates intervened in the form of my kitty Kat and the actions of one daft bitch.”

“I, like so many others, was watching everything happening in Phoenix and I couldn’t believe that Bea Barnhart was so shallow as to assault someone over something so simple as bumping into her. Oh I’m pretty certain that given her past, she already had a yarn spun by the time she got back to her dear, protective hubby to make herself the victim and Kat the aggressor. I mean, she’s done it often enough in the past and Bill has proven he’s as blind as a bat when it comes to her faults. I just couldn’t believe it though that Bea refused to face Kitty Kat one on one. She just had to insist on her husband being by her side to avoid direct conflict. And why? Probably because she knew that Kat would tear her apart so badly until there wasn’t enough to make Iris the Bulldog a decent lunch. In a tag situation, maybe she was confident enough due to the fact the Barnharts held the Mixed Tag titles in the past, or that Bill would be her saving grace if Bea herself got in over her head. I can say for certain that Bea made this demand because she figured that with Mac Bane active elsewhere and Peter Vaughn busy, Kat would be forced to go without a partner and Bea wouldn’t have to be bothered at all.”

“Cue me, entrance - stage right!”

“You see, Bea's grand failure in this instance was a lack of imagination. Kitty Kat and I’ve made it no secret that we get along, we hang out sometimes. In other words, she wasn’t as alone as the Barnharts would have believed. The moment that I heard Kat put out the call that she was in need of a tag team partner, I decided to kill two Bulldogs with one stone! Not only do I get a spot on the big show, but Kitty Kat gets someone she can trust to stand by her side while she punts Bea up the backside so hard that she’ll be able to smell boot polish from the inside out!”

“But the funniest thing out of all of this is the fact that I fully believe that out of everyone present that Bea has overestimated, her husband is the one she took for granted the most of all. See, Bill Barnhart is what you might call ‘old school’. He’s the hardcore, grizzled veteran of the locker room. Believes in pounding away at an opponent when inside of the ring but he goes out of his way, win or lose, to give that opponent mad props after everything is said and done. I should know. I’ve been in the ring with the man once or twice. I’m half the man’s size with not even a third of his experience and yet he never treated me with anything but respect. The times we met in the ring, he beat my ass from pillar to post and on the flip side, took me aside backstage to offer me advice in order to better myself.”

“That’s what ring veterans do. They help pave the way for the next generation and Bill Barnhart is one of the precious few vets who isn’t selfishly clinging to their spot and refusing to help the younger generation. That’s ‘Bulldog” Bill Barnhart. So that being said, and having stressed the level of respect and admiration I have for the man, what I have to ask Bill Barnhart this week is this…”

“Don’t you ever get tired of answering for your wife’s actions, Bill?”

“Look at her track record. Take the situation with Vinnie and Fenris when Bea helped blind Fenris and took him out of action for months. MONTHS! That was a man that you, Bill, admitted respect for time and again and your wife pulled a stunt like that! And what happened after? She denied doing it. Despite the fact the world saw it happen! Despite the fact the evidence was right there for all to see – she blatantly lied about what happened! Claimed innocence! Refused to admit fault in any way, shape or form! Then to add a bit of saving grace, she told everyone how the cologne sprayed in Fenris’s eyes had been diluted. Diluted poison is still poison, and it could have cost him his sight and she - LIED!”

“And she does this all the time, Bill! She’ll do something to some random person and then lie to the world! I don’t know if she does it as an insult or she honestly believes her own stories, but it is a repeat process and you enable her! No matter what she does, you either believe her or just say you do as a means of support. And if that’s the case, I get it. I get that spouses are supposed to support one another and show a united front but Billy? There comes a time when enough is enough, especially when her lies draw you into the line of fire like they’ve done this time around!”

“Because this time she didn’t just back herself into a corner when Kat called her out on her attempts to refrain from competing one on one. This is a mixed tag after all, and because of SCW rules, she might as well have just gone with the singles match against my Kitty Kat because I’m half tempted to just not tag in and let Kat have her fun. And on the off chance she has to tag out or - in the more likely case, Bea tags out to save her own ass, that’s when you get drawn into the fray and aren’t you just getting tired of that? Aren’t you tired of cleaning up your wife’s messes?”

“Because if the time comes that you and I do have to lock up again, you’re probably going to wish you had told Bea from the very start these five wise little words;”

“Clean. Up. Your. Own. Messes!”

Chionophile. From the Greek word khion, which means snow, this term better describes people who tend to favor colder weather. These people find the coldest months with snowfall to be their favorite times of the year. A person who is extremely fond of dark cloudy and rainy sky is commonly known as a pluviophile. This term is derived from the Latin word pluvia, which means rain. Pluviophiles find comfort and joy in the sound of raindrops, the smell of wet earth and the sight of dark clouds. Both of these nature related “philes” is a perfect description of Carter McKinney aka Sin City Wrestling’s young star; Helluva Bottom Carter.

Growing up in his home state of Washington, Carter was indulged since birth in both forms of the weather that he had grown to love and prefer over the years. Due to its coastal location, Washington state might see an annual rainfall of seven to nine inches and the winter months ranged as far cooler than any other time of the year with fifty to seventy-five inches in snowfall. The state was the perfect fit for someone who had such preferences where the weather was concerned. And those preferences carried over even when Carter left his home state for the wonders of Nevada and the desert oasis known as Las Vegas in order to live out his dream and become a professional wrestler.

One might assume that having grown up under such circumstances would make his new surroundings something of a discomfort - and you would be correct. By his own admission, Carter found the summer months in Las Vegas to be damn near unbearable, running the AC practically 24/7. He lived for those wonderful fall months where the temperatures started to dip and how the winter months would just slowly arrive without you even realizing. You just so happened to notice how the sun was setting earlier and rising later. How the temperatures slowly dropped and the chilly winds blew across your bare skin, sending those delightful shivers coursing through your body. When he first came to Nevada, he was surprised by just how cold it could get in a virtual desert during the fall and winter months. It was something of a blessing but there were things he had to learn to do without in Nevada that he took for granted in Washington for so many years. During the fall, there was always that array of color everywhere you looked, when the leaves of every tree turned to shades of reds, yellows and oranges before falling to the ground below. And during the winter? The snowfall was something many complained about often, but never Carter. He missed it terribly.

Needless to say, it was always this time of year that left Carter feeling somewhat melancholy. It’s those times when you notice it getting lighter earlier in the morning and the sun was still out when just a few weeks ago, it was dark out at this time. Oh, and the fact that the weather was noticeably warmer than before. But there was still a chill to the air for the time being and Carter almost routinely took advantage of the fact, keeping the screened windows open in the morning and night - and as you might have guessed, things took something of a rougher turn when Carter's preferences toward colder weather bit him in the butt - figuratively of course.

Under most circumstances, Carter was healthy as a horse throughout the year, always taking very good care of himself with regular exercise and diet. But the cold had taken hold of his upper respiratory and developed into a very nasty bout of bronchitis, worrying his loved ones to the point his mother almost took time off of her job to travel to Las Vegas to help Miles take care of her baby boy. However, Miles assured her that he was more than capable of nursing his fiance back to health and Joanna relented, albeit reluctantly. However she obviously knew something about her son that Miles grew to discover himself over the past week and a half, and that was that Carter made for a terrible patient. Not that he was one of those men who made any small illness into something epic while demanding to be waited on hand and foot. Far from it! It was more to the fact that Carter was so used to doing things for himself, that he drove Miles nuts chasing him back to bed when he tried to get up and get his own soup or hot tea rather than let Miles do it himself. It didn’t matter that he was on breathing treatments and antibiotics. Carter was just used to taking care of himself.

But – Miles won out in the end. He finally convinced (sort of) his love that he had to rest and let him take care of him. It was simply a new experience for Carter, but considering the fact the two would be married, it was something that he was just going to have to get used to. By nature, Miles has proven himself to be a very formidable protector. He had faced down threats to the man he loved with all of his heart but never was he more frightened than when he had to take Carter to Urgent Care when the coughing and shortness of breath became unbearable.

And that was where we were now, in the shared condo that Carter and Miles called home. Carter had recovered almost completely and was almost a hundred percent save for that damn coughing that seemed to take forever to recover from completely. Miles was still insisting Carter rest up but no longer fighting him on wanting to leave the bedroom so long as he took it easy. The hour was just after six and the sun was just starting to go down, and Miles had just left to go pick up dinner for the two of them to enjoy along with a movie. Their first such evening since Carter had fallen sick, and this Carter’s first actual meal since.

Carter was curled up on the sofa in the living room, a comforter draped over his lap with his laptop resting against his thighs, the screen illuminated against the darkened room. He had decided to use this time wisely, doing some research that he had been unable to undertake while sick. He had grown too tired, too easily to be able to do much other than sleep but now that he was on the road to recovery, he wanted to get some things accomplished.

That was when the pop up alerted him to an incoming request for a video call. He saw who was on the other end and his face lit up with the name of his best friend, Ariana Angelos. He immediately clicked ‘accept’ and in less than an instant, the face of Ariana filled the screen. The bond between them was strong, but neither was used to not spending much time together, all too used to random trips to each other's homes, coffee shops, restaurants and yes - shopping. But it had been two weeks since they had really spoken, as Miles had laid down the law that Carter needed to get as much rest as possible. They had very short chats on the phone, but it just wasn't the same.

“Hi bestie!” The ever-cheerful voice of his closest friend called out, the smile on her lovely face all but matching her friendliest of tones. “You’re looking sooo much better!”

“Thanks.” Carter replied, his voice still hoarse from the constant coughing that he was yet enduring. “I’m finally feeling better. Good enough that Miles is out picking up actual food so we can have a nice night in. It’s been forever since I’ve had an actual meal.”

“Well I offered to bring you some homemade soup.” Ariana pointed out, to which Carter smiled despite himself and he said back, “I know Ari, and I love you for it but your famous bacon and dill pickle soup probably wouldn’t have been the best thing for my bronchitis.”

Ari just bit at her bottom lip and shrugged her slim shoulders while Carter paused, trying to refrain from the coughing that he felt building up but you know how that works. The harder you try not to cough, the more you need to. Until ultimately Carter started a small coughing fit while all Ariana could do was watch with concern from her end until he recovered and righted himself.

“Poor Carter.” Ari shook her head with honest concern. “Are you going to be okay for our title match this weekend?”

“I’m not letting it get postponed again and letting you down again.” Carter said, but Ariana was not so easily fooled and she just tilted her head down just en9ugh to gift her best friend with that look you get when you know you’ve caught someone with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar.

“That didn’t answer my question, Carter.” Her brows rose. “You know that, right?”

“I’ll be fine, Ari.” Carter relented. “I’ll be ready.”

Ariana just watched him from her end, not satisfied completely as to whether or not he was being one hundred percent up front and honest with her. But before she could say anything further to the subject at hand, Carter spoke up, “I’m glad you called though because I needed to talk to you about something wedding related.”

To which Ariana practically squealed, her excitement for Carter and Miles’s impending nuptials almost eclipsing their own. “I can’t believe my bestie is getting married!” She was almost shaking from the sheer excitement. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Well,” he sighed. “I have some good news and bad news. Which would you like first?”

“Bad news, definitely.” Ari answered. “I never understood why people ask for the good news first when the bad is just going to bring them down. I’d much rather go the opposite.”

“Okay then,” Carter drew in a deep breath. “Here goes. Ari, Miles and I decided to hire a caterer for the wedding.”

Ariana stared at the screen for a moment as if she wasn’t certain that she heard correctly, before ultimately her face fell to one of disappointment before she could even try to hide it away. From the moment she had learned Carter and Miles would be getting married, she had just assumed she would cater the wedding given her love for cooking. So much so she had started planning the menu weeks ago! And for Carter – and Miles – to decide to go with a virtual stranger to provide everything instead, she couldn’t help but feel both disappointed as well as hurt.

She shook her head and asked, “But – why?”

“Don’t look so hurt, Ari. I know you were looking forward to it but that’s where the good news comes in.” Carter assured her. “The simple truth is that you won’t have time to do both.”

“Both?” Ariana frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” Carter answered. “... I want you to be my Best Woman.”

Ari paused, then her fingers covered her mouth but her eyes grew wide. She held this pose for seemingly forever but her eyes gave everything she felt away. They were misty – joyful. She lowered her hands and the smile was all the answer he needed.

“Really?”

“Really.” Carter stressed. “I can’t think of anyone more that I’d want by my side when I get married. And the truth is that and catering a wedding would be just too much work for one person.” Ariana started to protest to the contrary but Carter held a hand up and smiled, “Ari, please? Will you be my Best Woman?”

What could she possibly say, but yes. Ari smiled, her eyes now wet with raw emotion as she nodded. And that was the precise moment when the “Lady of the house” aka Ms. Thang decided to make her own presence known, or to perhaps let Carter know that he’d been online too long rather than pay her proper attention. The black and white short hair feline hopped up onto the end of the sofa and casually walked the length until she arrived to greet one of her two boys with a demanding meow.

“Uh oh!” Ari teased. “I think someone wants attention!”

“Oh when does she not?” Carter smiled as he extended a hand to gently stroke along the back of her neck, her favorite scratching spot. That was all the invitation needed as Ms. Thang walked right up onto the laptop’s keyboard, her rear paws sending Ariana a lengthy text of numbers, symbols and letters while sticking her butt hole right in the camera.

“Um, Carter?”

“Ms. Thang says hi!”

“So long as it’s not that end that speaks up, I’m fine.” Ariana teased. “I’m going to let you go! I have to start planning … whatever it is that a Best Woman does! Thank you for thinking of me bestie!”

Carter finished another brief coughing fit before he smiled around his demanding cat and said, “Anytime, Ari.” And the call was promptly ended. This allowed him to give his full and undivided attention to Ms. Thang who just plopped her rear end on the keyboard and her eyes were closed with a soft contentment whole Carter gave her all the rubs and scratches she desired. And minutes later, the front door opened and in walked Miles, his arms overloaded with bags from a local Indian place the two had grown fond of.

After locking the door behind him and dropping his keys in the ceramic dish on the accent table to the door’s side, Miles carried the bags through the condo’s foyer, pausing at the sight on the sofa and he shook his head, “I see the queen is receiving her due reverence.”

“Yes, she interrupted a call with Ari to get it. Stuck her bunghole right in the camera until Ari ended the call.” Carter mused and looked up at Miles. “But I think she knew what she was doing.”

“`Course she did.” Miles declared, turning back to deliver the food to the dining room table, but rather than unpack it right away, he simply set it down before rejoining his fiance in the living room. He took a seat on the armrest of the sofa, right by Carter’s head and reached over to giving Ms. Thang some additional stroking.

Carter asked, “Have you decided on a best man?”

“I have a couple names at the top of my list.” Miles admitted. “But nothing finalized. We have plenty of time.”

“Do we?” Carter pointed out. “We haven't even set a date yet.”

Miles replied, “So let's set a date. When do you want to get married?”

Carter answered, “I don't know. When do you want to get married?”

Miles said, “I don't know.” Leaving the two men staring into each other’s eyes until Carter broke the amused silence and he said, “We suck at this, don’t we?” Eliciting a bark of laughter from his man.

“So you asked Ari to be your best Woman?” Miles finally asked, to which Carter nodded and said, “Yeah. I broke the news to her that she wouldn’t be able to handle that and the catering.” He glanced up over his shoulder to the man that had captured his heart so effortlessly. He added, “I think she was happy with the consolation prize.”

“So I suppose that means no Spam and marshmallow Hors D'oeuvres.” Miles teased, all too familiar with Ariana’s rather … unique outlook on cooking. “Or candied giraffe.”

“Dare to dream.” Carter jested, and something on the screen of Carter’s laptop attracted his attention and he cast a brief glance before looking at his fiance, asking, “You’re looking up locations for the wedding? I thought I told you to rest.”

“I was resting, Miles. It doesn’t take any effort to scroll through websites.” Carter answered before he finally closed the laptop, prompting Ms. Thang to hop off to the floor and to amuse herself.

Miles asked, “So what did you come up with?”

“Anything but at a show.” Carter shook his head derisively. “After so many times it’s started to become a sociological cliche for wrestlers to get married at Pay-Per-Views or major events. I don’t want to go that same route. I really want this to be special.”

Carter drew in a heavy breath and he continued, “Besides, I stopped searching before Ari called. I think I know where I’d like the ceremony to take place, but I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Oh yeah?” Miles rested his hands on his knees. “Talk to me.”

“Well, Mom was pretty disappointed when we told her we didn’t want to get married in the church.” Carter then looked up at Miles and he said, “Oh and I’m still not over you handcuffing me to the desk so I couldn’t get away from that chat!”

But Miles just had that smug smile on his otherwise handsome face, the one coupled with such boyish charm that you couldn’t help but not stay annoyed or upset. He just shrugged his muscled shoulders with a faux sense of indifference and said, “I warned you, didn’t I? And besides…” He leaned in and whispered in his ear, his hot breath sending shivers through Carter’s body. “And don’t tell me you didn’t like it.”

Carter just gave him ‘that’ look and Miles swatted his shoulder playfully, saying, “Come on. What’s the idea?”

Carter answered, “I was just thinking … What if we got married in Olympia? At the house?”

“You want to have the ceremony at your Dad’s house?” Miles asked, having not expected this of all possible locations. Botanical gardens, maybe. Maybe even a public park with ponds and a fountain, perhaps. But the house he had inherited from his late father? Carter answered with a nod. “We agreed on a smaller ceremony, and we can’t deny the house has the space for an outdoor ceremony. Or indoors if the weather sucks.”

“It certainly has the ambience.” Miles agreed, to which Carter teased, “Oh look at you using those big words!” Getting a side eye from Miles in return. Miles then said, “Is this about your dad, babe?”

This gave Carter a moment’s pause to collect his thoughts until ultimately he had no other course but to yield with a nod. He said, “I guess so. It still hurts knowing he won’t be there. I guess this way, in a way, he will be. I figure Mom would approve given the church debacle, but I was more worried about how you’d feel.”

“Babe, I could marry you in the drive thru at McDonalds and be happy.” Miles looks deeply into those lovely eyes and finds himself smiling. He nodded, “But those are good enough reasons for me. That’s where we’ll get married.”

“Yeah?”

Miles stood up, taking Carter by the hand and pulling him up along with him, wrapping his arms tightly around him and simply holding him. Carter looked up and smiled, to which Miles reassured him, “Yeah.” Before kissing him.

---

“You ask the average person what brought them into the rough and tumble world of professional wrestling and you’ll get a wide variety of answers. Some will tell you that they want to travel the world while others will say that they want the chance to meet the fans. If you’re lucky, you’ll get signed to a major promotion and have the chance to earn a big paycheck which will go down as a pretty good reason to get involved, even though some critics will try and argue that the paycheck will be small compensation compared to the hell that you put your body through multiple times a week. But here’s the thing; every one of these different reasons ultimately boils down to the exact same thing; glory”

“World travel? Having fans ask you for autographs and photo ops? Big money? Glory. But once you’re a part of the business, every single person has one common goal, and not only does it lead to all of the above, but it is the very epitome of the term ‘glory’ and that is to be able to call yourself a champion.”

“Veterans of the sport will tell anyone willing to listen that if you’re not in the business to call yourself a champion, then you are clearly in the wrong business. I mean, everyone wants to be the very best and there’s no better way to rise to the occasion than by beating the best and winning for yourself a championship.”

“I should know. When I graduated from the GO Gym and was signed to Sin City Underground, I was that exact same cocky kid as everyone else. I mean, you have to be if you want to get anywhere in the sport. And I have to admit that I am proud to admit that I went the distance and then some while I was in SCU. Singles championships, tag team championships… I couldn’t have asked for any more. And when I came here to SCW, I just naturally assumed the same track record of success would follow me. But, not so much. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve run into my share of stumbling blocks during my quest to win my very first championship in the major leagues, and it is humbling to have to admit that thus far, I haven’t had much success. I’ve come close, and have beaten some of the best SCW has to offer, but the old saying goes that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”

“No, seriously, they really do say that!”

“And, after a while and enough unsuccessful attempts, you start to wonder if maybe you peaked too soon. You are left wondering after that latest loss in a championship match if this path was really meant for you. You love the business and everything that it encompasses, but the constant string of disappointments when it matters most does tend to drag you down. It leaves you in a dark cloud of self doubt over shadowing almost everything else in your professional career, and you just want to enjoy the highs without having to deal with those lows. That’s where I find myself at this stage of my wrestling career.”

“I’ve gone public and private both, and told everyone with two ears that I was finished with championship opportunities because I felt that they were wasted on me. I told everyone that I didn’t belong in the Main Events and was quite content with being mid-card for now and, for as far as I can say, the near future. So why then, might I ask, do I find myself in not just a Main Event, but yet another championship match? It’s almost as if everything that I’ve said these past several weeks have gone in one ear and out the other. I’ve had people say I’m crazy to give up on title matches but still want to remain in the business. I’ve had people closest to me tell me that I’m ungrateful at all of these opportunities being given to me when most people would give their right arm to be given the same chances that I’ve been blessed with.”

“And who knows? Maybe they’re right. Maybe I am crazy, but I know better than anyone that of all things, I am not ungrateful. I thank the bosses for each and every chance they’ve given me in the past and the faith that they have in me that I might have that something special that will take me that one step further to become the so-called King of the Mountain. J2H personally chose me as one of his Elite Eight and that speaks volumes because that man never has anything positive to say about anyone – ever! I really thought that that tournament was my big chance. That it was going to be the beginning of my defining moment … and I got completely screwed out of it. But I’ll get to that later.”

“I’m in the match that had to be shelved because I went and got sick, and even though I’m not completely one hundred percent, I am well enough to go in there and give it my very best. And why am I saying that when it pretty much contradicts everything that I’ve just said? Because unlike all the previous chances and attempts to win my first title, this time I have someone special depending on me. This time I look into the corner of the ring and I find the young woman who has been my best friend for the last several years, since before we ever graduated from the GO Gym. She’s been my roomie, my confidante, and my sister all rolled into one. That is why I’m going out there with every intent to win.”

“Because my Ari is depending on me.”

“There is no better incentive to haul my head out of this dark cloud and go out there to kick some ass. I’ve sat back long enough while Ari took the reigns of this opportunity so far and she’s done all the hyping on social media, having a few exchanges back and forth with our esteemed champions, but I can’t let her do that on her own any longer. She has me in her corner, she has me as her partner, and this is where I show her that the faith she’s had in me for all of this time is not misplaced.”

“I know going into this last defense, Kayla in particular is hoping to repeat the same chances of success that Finn had when he won the Elite Eight tournament and became a double champion. SCW’s ONLY double champion. And nothing, I repeat - nothing, is going to sting more than when Kayla has to go into Blaze of Glory XII without her tag team title around her waist and thus, unable to fulfill that particular goal. And don’t doubt for an instant that Ari can’t make that disappointment a reality because she’s had her share of championships. She’s beaten a number of top ranked women where titles mattered most. Names like Luna Pasilno and Melissa to name just a couple. ‘Dreamkiller’ Kayla Richards? Ariana has every chance and all the ability in the world to end the dreams of the Dreamkiller.”

“Now while Ari has Kayla, my business is with none other than our esteemed World Champion, Finn Whelan. You see, this is where I come in from before. This is where I say what is really on my mind, and why I left that tournament as angry - as pissed off - as I really was! And that’s the fact that Finn didn’t deserve to advance to the Semi-Finals over me! That’s right, I said it! Because the simple truth is that Finn Whelan did not beat me in Loveland, Colorado! Oh sure, the record books mark you as the winner but you didn’t beat me, not really. My leg was in the ropes Finn, that is a hard, cold truth and a blotch on your road to the championship! And had Drew worn his glasses, he would have seen it!”

“So you’ll excuse me my bitterness but anyone else would think things the same way! Anyone who has gotten screwed out of a big win through no fault of their own would feel my pain. I’ve gone through this same disappointment a time or two in the past down in SCU, because two times it took a cheap shot for some jack off interfering to walk away with a championship at my expense. Either a foreign object or they had help. Granted, you never sunk so low and these circumstances are different, but the end is still the same. And what I did after those cheap losses is going to be the same thing I do this Sunday. I corrected those mistakes. I moved on, and I won bigger and better! I went from the very bottom of the SCU ladder to the peak of the mountain, and the exact same thing will happen in a matter of days.”

“I see this as not only a chance to get Ari her next championship and win another title with my best friend, but this also serves as a means to an end for me, personally. This is the match where I deliver a very simple message to Finn ‘Two Belts’ Whelan.”

“I will never acknowledge you as the World Heavyweight Champion, until the day you pin my shoulders to the mat.”

When Carter McKinney had envisioned what the perfect way would be to celebrate the one-year anniversary to Miles Kasey, he had meticulously planned what he had thought would be a day that would forever ingrain itself into the mind of Miles. However Miles himself had obviously been doing some planning of his own, and his one, loving act had thoroughly overtaken the evening in the most wondrous of ways and spelled out for the both of them a whole, entirely new future. Together.

It was now late into the evening and the door to their hotel suite opened and Miles held the door open wide with his right arm so that his now fiance’ could set foot inside first. Miles then followed him in and closed the door behind him, smiling as he noted that Carter had not taken his eyes off of the ring on his left hand since Miles had first placed it there. The fact alone soothed Miles in both heart and soul as he had been privately fearful in how Carter would react to his proposal, and whether or not he would actually accept given his past torments.

“Moonstone.” Carter whispered, finally tearing his eyes away from the bejeweled ring and looking up to Miles as he approached his side. “I still can’t believe you proposed with moonstone.”

“Nothing but.” Miles answered back with a smile, snuggling up to him from behind, both wrapping his arms around his waist and nuzzling his chin into that crevice between Carter’s neck and shoulder. “I know you’re built a bit backwards.” Miles teased in a joking manner. “You like orchids and not roses. Silver over gold and …” He lifted his chin and jetted it slightly toward Carter’s hand and observed, “And you prefer moonstone over diamonds because it’s your birthstone.”

Indeed, every point Miles stressed over the fact was made evident as while the moonstone was the jewel embedded in the band of the ring, the band itself was a specialized black silver that Miles had the jeweler custom made, unbeknownst to Carter. It fit the translucent blue of the moonstone perfectly. Say what you might, but Miles Kasey had great taste in jewelry and knew by instinct what would capture Carter’s heart and attention the most.

Miles turned his head gently so that his lips were closest to his fiance’s ears and he whispered, “Shall we go to bed?” And he felt that familiar shudder course its way through Carter’s lithe body, a familiar reaction that forever did Miles’s own ego a world of good. A year passed and he still had the same effect as when they first grew to know one another.

“Not yet.” Carter surprisingly answered over his shoulder with a twinkle in his eye. “I have to make a call first.”

Carter found a way to pry himself from out of Miles’s arms and he crossed the hotel room to the small desk in the far corner of the suite where his personal laptop was left lying. Miles slowly followed, his head tilted to the side in wonder as he asked, “A call? At this hour?”

“I have to tell Mom. And Grams.” Carter answered simply, pulling out the desk’s chair to make himself comfortable. Miles had a seat on the corner of the bed and his brow knitted into a concerned frown as he said, “Babe, it’s after midnight. Do you really want to wake them up?”

Carter looked back to Miles with a smile of his own, one he felt he would be wearing for a very long time, as he responded, “For this? I think they’ll understand.” His fingers started to rapidly click on the keyboard, bringing the personal computer to life. “Besides, Grams sometimes has trouble sleeping and leaves her messenger on, just in case.”

Carter had the app opened and sent off the video call request before Miles had the chance to point out to Carter that his Grams might mistake a late call for bad news. The excitement of the evening simply had been overwhelming and Carter had not taken the fact into account. The call request was going through and the ‘ringing’ of the messenger request went on, and just when it looked like Carter would give up for the night - the call was answered from Seattle and the face of his beloved grandmother filled the screen.

“Carter?” Joan “Grams” McKinney spoke up, her eyes tired from the aforementioned bouts of insomnia she suffered from. “Why are you calling so late? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine, Grams.” Carter spoke up to assuage her initial fears. “And I’m sorry for calling this late but I have to talk to you and Mom. Can you get her?”

“Dear, she’s asleep.” Grams responded. “She works in the…”

“It’s important, Grams.” Carter stressed. “You’ll have to trust me. I wouldn’t be calling you if it wasn’t.”

Something in the matriarch’s face and eyes spoke of worry despite his assurances, but she gave him a nod and stood up, saying, “Give me a few moments to get her up.” Before she walked off camera.

Carter watched the screen bravely before he turned in a slight apprehensive expression of worry crossed his youthful face and he took a deep breath, saying, “Maybe you were right…”

Miles cocked his head to the side and shook it slightly with the fairest traces of a smile, responding with, “Too late now, babe. But I'll make sure to have that printed on a t-shirt to remind you next time.”

Carter smiled nervously as he and Miles both waited for Joan to return along with her daughter. A handful of nerve-wracking moments passed until finally the screen popped back to life, Joanna, who had obviously been awoken from a sound slumber, taking a seat at the table while Grams leaned into the frame.

Joanna wiped at her eyes with her fingers in an attempt to drive the sleep away as she asked, “Are you okay, dear? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong, Mom.” Carter answered. “But I have something important to tell the both of you and it couldn’t wait.”

“Well dear, much as I love hearing from you, it had better be important.” Joanna said as she finally appeared to be more alert. “I have to be up in five hours for work and…”

“Miles proposed!”

Joanna had been running a hand down her cheek, her fingertips gliding over her eyes when she froze at the words her son had just uttered. She and Grams both stared hard at the camera from their end of the call and Joanna finally broke the silence, her hand now covering her lips. “Say again?” She all but whispered.

“Miles proposed.” Carter repeated himself, this time bringing his left hand into the camera to show the black silver and moonstone ring that had been placed on his finger less than an hour ago. Both women stared at the ring as if attempting to process the overwhelming information all at once.

“When?” Was all that his Mom could bring herself to ask at the time, to which Carter answered, “About an hour ago. We were at dinner to celebrate our anniversary and he… he popped the question!”

Grams leaned in and asked, “And…?”

“And…” Carter felt himself smiling like he had never smiled before, as he answered, “I said yes.”

“Y-you’re getting…” By now Joanna had tears welling in her eyes at the news of her only son getting married to such a wonderful man as Miles, who had captured the hearts of the two most important women in Carter’s life. Carter could only nod in the affirmative when Joanna all but cried, “And you’re just NOW telling us!?”

Carter could not help but laugh, “Mom! He just proposed an hour ago!”

“Is he there?” Grams asked as she looked about the room from where she could see on the camera. She said aloud, “Miles Kasey! I heard you choke back that laugh!”

And in a fraction of a moment, Miles was now standing behind Carter, his arms outstretched to either side of his fiance and hands gripping the edge of the desk. If the idea of proposing and risking a denial had Miles feeling the proverbial butterflies, that sensation was compounded as he was now looking into the eyes of two women who he had come to adore as his own family, and in a matter of time, they soon would be.

Miles and Carter could see the tears in both women’s eyes as Grams had a tissue and dabbed at her eyes but the smile in her eyes was bright enough to light up the dimly lit room from their end of the call.

Grams then offered her daughter a tissue as she said, “Congratulations dear.” She shook her head. “And it’s about time.”

Miles broke into a toothy grin as Carter ducked his head low for a brief moment, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. He looked up and his Mom’s eyes were on him alone, but the smile on her face was the smile of a proud mother whose happiness was in the fact her only son had discovered his own.

“I am so, so happy for you both!” Joanna removed her glasses and wiped at her own eyes before saying, “My boy is getting married!”

Joanna leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, the tears from the joyous news streaming down her cheeks as her own Mom rubbed her shoulders with her hands. Grams looked down at her daughter from over her shoulder and leaned in and whispered something to her, to which Joanna shook her head. Grams then looked back into the camera and said, “I don’t think your Mom is going to be in much condition to go into work now. She’ll never get to sleep!” She then waved a finger back and forth between Carter and Miles. “And you boys had better be in Washington soon so we can celebrate in person!”

“Yes ma’am.” Miles said with the utmost politeness and respect, as Carter said, “Love you both!”

“We love you too dear.” Grams said as Joanna was still trying in vain to compose herself. “That goes for you both! We’ll be seeing you boys soon!”

The goodnights were said and soon, the call was ended. Carter held his eyes closed as he breathed in deeply, drinking in the scent of Miles’s cologne but more so, that this night had really happened, and he had just shared the news with his Mom and Grams that he was getting married. That was when he felt Miles’s arms snake around him again from where he stood behind him and he heard the words whispered in his ear, “Not to cheapen the mood but… where is that Twister game of yours?”


The weather in Olympia, Washington had been cold and wet, not altogether that unusual of an occurrence for this time of the year. The winter cold front that had moved in had caused more than just what many locals had expected to be freezing rain and sleet and had turned into a light snowfall that had blanketed the state capital and the large waterfront caused the temperatures to dip far below normal, currently just over forty degrees. And while locals were used to such weather changes in their home state, visitors not so much. One such as the man behind the wheel of the cobalt blue Chevrolet Equinox as it coursed down the road, alongside waterfront properties that had become a calling card to this capital city. Weaving amidst traffic, Miles Kasey was taking great care as he followed the directions of the GPS. Miles, being from London, had no qualms or issues at driving in wet weather, be it rain or snow as he had dealt with both back home in England during his years there.

“You know, I could have driven.” Carter broke the silence between them as Miles was focused on driving as carefully as he was able while the usual lunatics drove around him; men and women who seemed more likely to have received their drivers licenses from the bottom of a box of cereal rather than a DMV.

“Yes, well…” Miles cracked a smile as his eyes remained on the road ahead, his eyes flickering only briefly to the illuminated screen of the GPS on the dash to ensure he was going in the right direction. “I didn’t want to say anything at first but your Mom made me promise I’d be the one doing the driving.”

Carter turned his head and was about to question this random fact when Miles held up a hand, “Don’t pout. Your Mum said she rode with you enough to know what you’re like behind the wheel. And Mum knows best!” Carter all but rolled his eyes at the “audacity” of his Mom thinking he was anything but the perfect driver. But he was quick to forgive. He and Miles fulfilled the promise they gave to visit Seattle at the earliest possible convenience, and of course by then Carter was receiving numerous texts and messages of congratulations from family members from across the states. His Mom and Grams both obviously had been unable to contain the news for very long. And from the moment they arrived at the McKinney household, both Carter’s Mom and Grams had been all over Miles, welcoming him into the family.

“Thank you for coming with me, Miles.” Carter said from the passenger seat, having torn his attention away from the beauty of the light snowfall around the surrounding scenery and waterfronts. Miles made a face and said, “Like there was any reason I wouldn’t! Face facts babe, you’re stuck with me!”

Carter laughed, but he said, “No, I mean… I’m just glad we took the time to come to Seattle so Mom and Grams could get it out of their system. If we hadn’t, you never would have heard the end of it.”

“You mean ‘we’ never would have heard the end of it.” Miles corrected him, but Carter laughed and shook his head. He said back, “No, I mean ‘you’. You’re the one marrying into the family so ‘you’ never would have heard the end of it!”

From the driver’s side, and from out of the corner of Carter’s eye, he saw Miles smile. Not one of his toothy, pearly white smiles, but a softened smile that Carter had come to understand about him that it came from deep within. Carter had never suspected Miles would have been as nervous as he was when he proposed over two weeks ago, or that the source of those nerves was the fear that Carter might somehow turn him down. But now it just felt like Miles was radiating from the inside. Miles stole a glance at the GPS and said, “We should be getting there soon.”

Carter turned to the window and watched as the interstate had turned into more of a neighborhood rich in the lush life that his home state of Washington was known for. Carter had never been to Olympia before but visiting his family gave him the excuse he needed to finally do what he had been putting off for months; visiting the house that his dad had left him in his will. The sudden and overwhelming pain of his dad’s death, especially after they had reconnected, hit him so hard he had been avoiding doing this very task ever since the reading of the will. Now.. he had no further excuses.

The waterfront continued around them but the homes grew further apart, and each one had a rich lifestyle to its own. Some seemed Victorian in architecture, others more modern. Some houses were small and others more grand, but there was something classy… posh … no, luxurious about each one they passed. It had Carter wondering if they were in the right part of the city when the car turned into what was a private drive and they passed several towering trees on both sides until the SUV slowed to first a crawl and then to a full on stop. Carter turned to Miles who stared straight ahead but said not a word. Carter turned to look and did a double take at what laid before them….

“Wow…”

---

Even though the holidays had long since passed, there was still something magical about this time of the year in the state of Seattle. The weather, while unpredictable by nature (pun intended) could range anywhere from bright, blue skies but with snowfall to gray and overcast with a freezing cold rain falling from the heavens. But it was on one such cold morning, on the front of the quiet and tranquil Lake Saint Clair, where we found Carter McKinney standing on the edge of the lake, dressed in his favorite feathered jacket, his hands tucked in the pockets while his eyes, hidden behind a pair of violet shades, roamed across the surface of the lake while snow gently fell to the surface.

“The past several weeks have just been one chaotic turn after another. For every step forward I managed to take inside of the ring, it seems something happened that set me several steps back. I know that sounds cliche and like some bad eighties pop rock hit, but I’ve never really been one to mince words when it comes to my own career just for the sole purpose to try and puff myself up and make things appear to be going better than it has. I’ve received a number of chances at championships which trust me - I am and was infinitely grateful for. I just haven’t had the same luck in taking advantage of those chances as I have been in getting them in the first place. And do you know where my eyes were truly opened?”

“It was when I got pitched out of the first round of the World Heavyweight tournament by Finn Whelan, who is now in the finals. It was the catalyst that opened my eyes and made me realize a few things about myself. Maybe I peaked too early in my career in SCU. Maybe the talent comparisons between SCW and SCU are really just that vast that I can’t seem to replicate the same level of success in SCW that I enjoyed down in SCU. And maybe, just maybe, I am right now where I am meant to be in the grand scheme of things. When you find yourself at peace with these realizations and what comes of them, then overall … you’re fine.”

Carter shrugged.

“Championships are not the ‘be all, end all’ in this sport. Those are the words I’ve heard from a certain ‘White Wolf’ who had his own dominant run a few years ago. He told me that championships come and go. It’s the quality of your competitive spirit and your competition – now that is infinite. That’s why I’m here, and that’s why I’m up[ against the high and mighty ‘Mr. Golden Briefcase’ Rodrigo Afonso. Well that and I was told he was after new names to face inside of the ring, rather than the same old ones, time after time.”

Carter turned toward the camera and gave it a friendly wave, smiling almost comically. He frowned and then pointed toward the camera.

“You are here, right Rodrigo? I mean, after some of the complaining that I’ve heard about you wanting to face fresh faced talent in the ring… Well, it would have made both of us look pretty ridiculous if you didn’t show up. And not that I blame you for wanting to face new challenges rather than a dozen matches against Bill Barnhart or Matty Mallow or… whoever. Facing the same people so many times won’t accomplish anything but to cause what skills you already have to pretty much atrophy. The only way to sharpen things and evolve would be to face new people, challenges you haven’t yet faced before so…”

Carter tilted his head back and spread his arms wide.

“Here I am!”

Carter then turned aside and he started to walk along the banks of Lake St. Clair, all the while continuing on with his thought process.

“Here’s something you might not be aware of Rodrigo – as much as you’re looking forward to facing someone new … so am I. See, we – you and I? We’ve never faced one another before so this will be just as much a change of pace for me as it will be for you. The only difference being which of us is going to be able to take advantage of the situation to our own benefit. That … is where I come in. Now I know that you’ve been strutting around backstage, carrying that Golden Briefcase of yours and teasing and taunting the champions that you could cash in at any given moment but really… not to sound too catty but winning that briefcase wasn’t exactly the pinnacle of your career. I’ve never been fond of ladder matches because to me, climbing a ladder doesn’t determine who the better wrestler is. Just who is the fastest or the luckiest. It’s the same reason I’ve never been high on hardcore matches because how the hell does hitting someone with a chair or garbage can prove that you’re the better athlete? I mean I’ve been in them when warranted but it’s just not my bag. The only way that you’re going to prove who is the better wrestler is by actually wrestling. And yes, you have done spectacular for yourself in that regard. You’ve pulled off some pretty impressive wins for yourself and that just makes me all the more excited to be able to be inside of the ring with you.”

“You see, it’s not that often that I get to be in the ring with someone my size, or even a bit smaller by comparison. While I have a couple inches on you (pun not intended), you have a few pounds on me. Not enough of a gap to really play any factor so what about our training? While I don’t know who was responsible for who brought you into the sport, I was trained by Gabriel and Odette Stevens at the GO Gym so if you’ll excuse my frankness - advantage … Carter.”

“Our ring styles aren’t even altogether that different from what I’ve seen and trust me when I tell you. I’ve seen plenty. We’re both high flyers. And when we’re not risking our necks up in the air, neither one of us are incapable of putting on a more ground based attack. I don’t know about you, but when I first entered this sport, I was convinced taking to the air was made for me and it was the only way to go.”

Carter shook his head.

“I had Gabriel beat that right out of my head on day one. He opened my eyes and made me see that being one dimensional inside of the ring was a one-way ticket to going literally nowhere in this sport. If all I did was take to the air, the risk of injuries went from here…”

He held a hand down to waist level.

“To here.”

He held his hand high over his head.

“Not to mention that no matter how fast you are, no matter how many risks you’re willing to take, there is always going to be someone faster than you and more death defying. So where does that leave you when you find yourself up against someone just like you inside of the ring?”

Carter tilted his head back and lifted his shades just enough so that his eyes could focus on the camera, unhidden. He smiled his pearly whites.

“I guess we’ll be seeing soon enough, won’t we?”

Carter then continued along his way.

“When I was going back and re watching some of your matches, I couldn’t help but notice that you had Bill Barnhart’s number. You’ve beaten men like Matty Mallow and shown what you’re capable of against greats like Peter Vaughn and Goth. I’m not ashamed to admit I tried once or twice to strip that Roulette title from around Vaughn’s waist and he handed me the same losses that he handed you. And Goth … well… That man is a legend in this business and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for a reason. And there is a reason why he is in the finals of the World Heavyweight tournament. But unlike you, when I went up against him. I won.”

Carter held up two fingers and mouthed ‘twice’.

“And I felt damn lucky to walk away with the wins against that man, make no mistake. I’m not one to gloat and lie and say I had his number because the fact was, I didn’t. He beat me senseless and I felt sore for days but I. Still. Won. And the more I think about where you and I stand, the more I am anticipating this match because it just might be the shot in the arm that I need. So if you'll pardon my saying that in all honestly -- you are just that damn impressive Rodrigo, and when the time is right and if you cash in that briefcase smartly, you’re going to be a champion. I mean, we can all see it from the outside looking in.”

Carter then paused mid-step and frowned.

“Funny thing about that is I’ve had one or two people say the same about yours truly. Most recently, I had Ben Jordan call me a future champion and predict that I’d be a World Heavyweight Champion one day.”

Carter looked down and smiled, albeit somewhat subdued.

“I thought he was just bullshitting me or paying me lip service - and you’d understand if you’d been inside of my own head the past few weeks. Or if you were more familiar with the past I’ve shared with Mister Jordan. Let’s just say that I was a right prick and be done with it, m’kay? Right! Anyway, I’ve gotten off track here. My point is, having a man like the “Cockney King” put such faith in my future in this sport really got me here…”

He tapped his fingertips sharply over his heart.

“When a man like Ben Jordan, who many of us look to as a locker room leader, says something like that? It makes you sit up and listen. It makes you open your eyes and see what lies ahead. And right now, you’re what’s ahead of me, Rodrigo. How about you and I steal this show?”

Carter saluted at the camera and continued walking along the lake as the scene faded out.

Aristotle once said that a friend is one soul abiding in two bodies. Many in this world consider it an accomplishment to have as many friends as possible, almost as if quantity superseded quality in regards to the friendship. But most anyone will tell you that if you're able to make one true friend, the type of friend who is always there for you and it's more like family than friendship? Then you have truly found something special in this world to cherish.

Throughout history, there have been prime examples of such friendships that have solidified bonds between two souls. The friendship and love between Achilles and Patroclus in ancient Greece has lived on for millennia in the minds of scholars and romanticists. The bond between Alexander the Great and his closest friend, Hephaestion, was so profound that when  Hephaestion died, it tragically sent Alexander into a downward spiral of alcoholism and pancreatitis. Brought about by a broken heart.

In more modern society, there are other prime examples of strong friendships. Mark Twain and Helen Keller. Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim. Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were so close as friends that upon parties passing, Stan retired as he stated “It simply wouldn't be the same without Ollie.“ Famed comedians Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance remained as close as sisters until Vivian's passing in 1979.

Friendships in the sport of professional wrestling, tried and true friendships, are something of rarity to this day. This might seem unlikely given the close camaraderie we witness on camera week in and week out, but the fact remains that in the sport, it’s every man (or woman) for themselves and the glory of being at the top can be celebrated by only one. So more often than not we have seen these very friendships either tossed aside or at the very least, put at great risk all in the name of personal glory. That is why when you have the distinct honor of finding that one special person in your life that you can call a trusted friend, you hold onto them with all you have in your heart.

And where Carter McKinney is concerned, he has not one but two special people in his life that he can call exactly that. Carter, by his own admission, was not the most popular of kids when he was in school. Because of his own inner demons and hidden sexuality, he felt closed off and isolated. He was the student that always sat at the back of class and rarely If ever raised his hand to answer a question whether he knew it or not. And when it was discovered that Carter indeed was homosexual, that circle of what friends he had grew even scarcer. But by then, he was relatively unconcerned about making friends in the hostile environment known as the public school system. He was concerned only with surviving long enough to graduate and go against his family’s wishes by moving to Las Vegas to make a dream become a reality.

And that was where he met his closest friend, a young woman who he had come to love like a sister; Ariana Angelos. They say that in life, opposites tend to attract and such as indeed the case when Carter met Ariana at the famed GO Gym when they had joined the same class of students. Where Carter was outgoing and up front in how he dealt with life around him, Ariana was far more reserved and quiet in nature. Carter was always doing or saying something that made Ariana blush and want to duck beneath the nearest table, and if he was to be perfectly honest, such reactions only egged Carter on even more. But when they were on lunch and dinner breaks, the two talked about everything under the sun - from mutual likes and dislikes to their families and homes. It was then that Carter had learned Ariana had been disowned by her own family, simply because she had chosen to follow her own dreams rather than the ones her parents had chosen for her. She had confided in him that what little money she had was going to a hotel where she was staying - and no more need be said. Carter insisted that Ariana come to live with him in his little studio apartment in town. There was barely enough room for one person, let alone two, but Carter decided then and there that he would make room for the young woman who had fast become his best friend forever. Carter would do anything for Ariana, and she, him.

But as easily as opposites can attract, there are instances where people who have much in common can celebrate just as likely of bonds. From the moment they had met backstage in Sin City Wrestling, Carter and the young lady Dawn Warren had quickly become like two peas in the proverbial pod. Carter had discovered in Dawn a kindred spirit, a friend who could be just as loud and flamboyant as he himself was. Dawn was second only to Ariana when it came to Carter’s closest of friends.

Las Vegas

Any tourist in the famed City of Sin would readily admit that one of the highlights of visiting this city was the Las Vegas Strip and all that it had to offer. The dazzling lights of all the hotels, casinos and businesses were something to see during the day, but they were even more profound at night. And if you thought it was something from ground level, either walking along the Strip or driving down in on the street, it was nothing compared to witnessing it from high above in one of the famed helicopter tour rides – which was exactly what Carter had surprised Dawn and Ariana with following a sumptuous steak dinner at the famed Herbs and Rye restaurant.

He had presented both ladies at the very start of their “girls night out” with a late Christmas gift each; for Ariana, that studded leather jacket she had her eyes on since the previous year but never brought herself to buying it. And for Dawn, a pink feathered jacket, much like his own trademark garment.

And that was when we found this fun loving trio of friends casually walking down the famed Las Vegas Strip amongst the masses of tourists and locals alike. The hour had grown late and the weather was bitter cold, and that was quite enough reason for Carter to stop at one of those ‘famous’ food trucks to buy the three largest hot cocoas seen by man for he and his two close friends. Sipping at the hot drink and walking arm in arm, and doing little else but enjoying one another’s company.

“You know bestie,” Ariana said from Carter’s right, leaning into his body in both a gesture of support and to get some body heat to stave off the chilly air. “Dinner was enough. You didn’t have to take us on that helicopter ride.”

“Yes he did!” Dawn said from Carter’s left, her voice a touch boisterous but her smile making the humor behind her words all the more evident.

“I know, I just still feel bad over that little fuck up the other day when I was driving.” Carter sighed, shrugging his slim but muscled shoulders as he all but forgot his own hot drink. Less than a week ago while on a shopping excursion with his girls, Carter had been tailgated by the same car relentlessly until Carter slammed on the brakes, brake checking the man. Luckily the man’s brakes worked well but in the heat of the moment, Carter had forgotten about his passengers. Ariana was jerked forward in her seat but was wearing her seat belt. As was Dawn but the sudden movement threw her forward and she hit her head on the passenger seat behind Ari.  “Dawn here could have been hurt and I just need to work on my road rage problems.”

“Well, we can’t say that the jerk didn’t deserve it for tailgating you.” Dawn mused. “It's a pet peeve of mine too.”

“I think mine is when people wait until they’re halfway through turning their car before they turn on their car signals.” Ariana added to the conversation, prompting Carter and Dawn to look to one another and nod in agreement.

Carter then went on and admitted, “I told Miles what happened and he told me I need to get my act together when I’m behind the wheel. Especially when I have passengers.” He looked between the two young women on either side of him and said, “This was just my way of apologizing.”

“Well, apology accepted.” Dawn said as she gave him a friendly cuddle. To which Ariana wrapped an arm around his neck and drew him in for a friendly hug and a peck on the cheek. Ariana said, “You never have to apologize to me, bestie.”

“So, is everything okay with you and Miles?” Dawn asked out of the blue, turning both Cater and Ariana’s heads in her direction.

“Miles?” Carter replied. “Yeah,. Why?”

“How come he didn’t come with us?” Dawn found herself asking. To which Carter answered, “We’re not joined at the hip 24/7, Dawn!” Both Dawn and Ari gave their friend a knowing look and Carter laughed, “Okay, most of the time! But we just had different plans tonight. He wanted to hit a pub for a few beers and I wanted to spend the evening with my girls.”

He bumped his hip into first Ariana and then Dawn, drawing smiles and laughter from both ladies as they stopped at the famed Fountains of Bellagio, watching along with dozens of others as the colorful lights in the fountains worked their magics for all to appreciate. Making this night between friends even more special.

---

Turnberry Towers

And as much as the trio had enjoyed themselves and wished the evening could continue on, it sadly had to come to an end. Fun times were had by all and forgiveness for his driving gaffe given, they had gone their separate ways after an evening of enjoying each other’s company. Ariana had to get back home to Francisco, and while Carter had invited Dawn to stay the night at the condo, Dawn had already made other accommodations. And thus, that brought us to the familiar sight of the Turnberry Towers and the parking garage reserved for residents, where the lime green beetle drove into the quiet surroundings, its headlights illuminating the way ahead. It was well after ten PM by now, and Carter figured Miles was probably home by now as he drove the familiar path around the reserved parking spots until he pulled into the one reserved solely for him.

Upon a closer look, Carter saw that the car inherited by Miles from his own father was still in its spot, but Miles’s own car was nowhere to be seen. Figuring Miles was tying one on with some buddies and he himself might get a call to pick his boyfriend up, Carter put the car into park and turned the engine off. Stepping out of the ‘beetle’ and locking the door behind him, Carter suddenly felt a strange and yet sinister pang of isolation for some reason. You know, that sensation you get when you feel as if someone was watching you from afar but when you looked up, there was no one about? Well, that was what Carter experienced as he stopped walking toward the entrance to the lobby of the Towers and looked up from the light of his phone, but saw nobody.

He looked around full circle in every direction but saw nothing but empty vehicles of all of the Tower’s residents and their guests. Not another living soul to be seen and that fact alone turned Carter’s stomach into a sudden knot and made him feel that sense of isolation a hundred times over. An adult male of 24 years, this still gave him the feeling of being a small child that was afraid and his steps picked up in pace as he walked quickly through the garage, his eyes shifting back and forth to the phone in his hand when a chill down his back that he could not ignore alerted him to sudden movement from out of the corner of his eye.

Carter turned his head and just BARELY ducked out of the way of a crowbar, swung wildly by someone wearing a dark hoodie that kept his facial features cloaked in shadow! The weapon struck the concrete pillar, obviously where the attacker had been lying in wait! Carter stumbled back, wide eyed at what was suddenly happening around him and at his own home. He tripped over his own foot and fell back and just managed to roll out of the way before the crowbar came down where his head had been!

Survival instincts kicked into high gear for the young man and he realized that whoever this attacker was, he had cut him off from the lobby entrance, preventing a quick and easy escape route! He could try to get back to his car but that would only serve as a deterrent and not a solution! Carter rolled to his feet and just in time as the attacker threw an overhead swing of the crowbar right at him but this is where his training from the GO Gym and some self defense lessons from Fenris had come in handy enough as he used his right forearm to block the blow, using his left top grab at the weapon! But before Carter could attempt to wrest it free from his grasp, the attacker used his own free hand for a straight shot into Carter’s mouth, causing his lips to literally explode in a spray of blood!

Carter fell back against the nearest car and the assailant swung the crowbar with both hands but Carter again moved, the crowbar shattering the passenger side door of a black, 2020 Jeep Gladiator! This was enough of a distraction to give Carter the chance to kick the crowbar out of the attacker’s hand, sending it scattering across the cement pavement of the garage! This did not deter whoever this was, as the attacker swung a hard right into Carter’s face, striking just above the cheekbone! The man then bulled himself against Carter’s smaller frame, driving him back against another car!

If this was a simply mugging, the man would have come at him with a gun and demands for his wallet or whatever else was on his agenda! But no, this attacker was literally hiding and waiting for him and attacked him with a weapon! A set up? A gay bashing? Whatever it was, Carter’s survival instincts had kicked into high gear and the moment his body was struck back against a Nissan Versa, his adrenaline was coursing through his body to where he barely felt the pain of bone striking back against metal! He tasted the coppery flavor of his own blood in his mouth but he all but ignored that as he brought blow after blow down into the man’s back, trying to break free! The man retaliated quickly, swinging a hard fist into Carter’s stomach, doubling him over and sending him to his knees! This was all happening so suddenly and from out of the blue! They say that we are in the greatest danger the closer we are to home and Carter had been caught completely off guard by this ambush-like attack! Whoever this was, he was cold and calculating and had the advantage of surprise! But Carter had been trained by the best and perhaps more importantly, he was a self-professed survivalist! The attacker turned his head as if to see where the crowbar had fallen when Carter swung his fist right up between the man’s legs!

“YOU MOTHER FU…!!!!” The attacker did not have the option to finish as his mouth fell open in a silent scream, doubling over at the waist and clutching at himself! Grabbing the man by the head in an unorthodox but tight side headlock, Carter proceeded to ram the man straight forward into the nearest car, shattering the window with the attacker’s own skull! The man stopped fighting. He simply hung there in the frame of the shattered car window. Carter took a step back and away from the scene as the weight of the attacker’s body slowly pulled him from the car window and he hit the pavement. He continued to clutch his genitals but his hood had been thrown back in the chaos and Carter could now see that whoever this was, he could have been Miles’s own age.

That was the precise moment when the adrenaline had worn off, and Carter’s legs had given out from under him. He sank to the ground and fell to his backside, the emotional turmoil of this life or death situation now taking its toll on his emotional well being and he started to shake, his body convulsing. His eyes remaining on the body of his attacker, he reached blindly for his phone, grasping at it when he heard the sound of running feet…

“What is going on… oh my god!” It was the head of the Turnberry Tower’s HOA, Anne Thompson. Carter had only met her in passing but Miles spoke highly of her time and again, and she was followed by two other tenants whom he did not know. They had heard the sounds from the garage and came running, and Anne came rushing right up to where Carter sat in shock, his hand finally having found his phone.

“Carter? Carter!” Anne tried to rouse him from his shock. “What happened!? Are you alright!?”

Not answering her, his eyes misted over and he pressed the right call button on his phone…

“9-1-1, what is your emergency?”

Carter’s tremors grew worse as he choked out, “I’ve… been … attacked!”

---

“For as sporadic as your time with us in SCW has been, you’ve had quite the ride for yourself, haven’t you Finn?”

Carter said from where he stood on the patio outside of his and Miles’s bedroom, bearing the signs of what had happened to him earlier. A dark scab covering both lips and the mark from where he had been struck just below his eye. Carter had just returned from the hospital where Miles had taken no lip from him and forced him to get examined and file a police report all at the same time.

Still shaken up from the harrowing experience, Carter had stepped out onto the patio without a jacket, seemingly all but ignoring the frigid air that had to have dipped into the mid-forties by now. He stared over the railing into the darkened sky, his eyes focused solely on the lights of the Vegas Strip where mere hours ago he had been having the time of his life. How circumstances change.

“I have to admit that when J2H vacated the title and the tournament was announced, I was less than thrilled. Not about having another chance to become the World Heavyweight Champion, because – c’mon! Who in their right mind would bitch about that? No, this was more about J2H abdicating his throne. I really wanted to see if he’d be able to break his own record and who would be the one to eventually topple him. But there’s more to it than that. There has always been something exciting about a championship tournament, and when J2H named Miles as one of the participants, I was proud of my man. Then when my name was announced, a part of me felt a touch of dread, like right here.”

He patted himself on the midsection.

“Not for the fear of taking part and failing, or facing the pressure of a championship run. I’ve been there before a few times in Sin City Underground. No, I think the butterflies started hitting me at their hardest when I realized how likely the chances would be of Miles and I both advancing and ending up against each other at some point in this tournament.”

He shook his head, folding his arms and running his hands along his bare arms.

“I don’t know how couples in this business can do that and nothing changes. Keira and Roxi have done it a few times. Crystal and Seleana… Miles and I wrestled once before for the Roulette title way back when but that was then – this is now. And times have changed. But that’s just one of six other possibilities in the future. For the time being, I have someone else watching me from across that ring, wanting to accomplish the very same thing that I do; make it to the Quarter-Finals and eventually the championship round at My Bloody Valentine V. Finn Whelan. Probably one of the most enigmatic men on the entire roster.”

“You watch Finn Whelan and you literally don’t know what to make of him as far as personality, but that’s not what you’re dealing with inside of the ring. You know from many past experiences that you are dealing with a thug - and I mean that in the nicest sense of the word. Finn Whelan has been around these parts as far back as April of 2020 and while the man isn’t undefeated like I initially thought when I started my research on him, he still has one of the most impressive win-loss records in either division. In the middle of everything else that I have had going on around me this past week, I sat in the GO Gym for literal hours and watched every single match I could find of his. From his official debut in 2020, right up until his most current tag title defense at December 2 Dismember V. And while I can best describe Finn’s career path in SCW as Hobbit-like … There And Back Again … I can’t deny the fact that when he does grace us with his presence, he certainly makes the most out of each and every opportunity handed to him. It was Finn Whelan who ended the six month long Roulette title run of “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart. It was Finn Whelan who ended “Godly” Ken Davison’s first World heavyweight title run. And even though that World Championship[ reign didn’t last as long as I’m sure he would have wanted, the fact remains – he knows what it feels like to win the big one.”

“And of course, let’s not forget the fact that Finn – and Kayla – did the entire Mixed tag division a favor by stripping the titles away from Ollie and Eiley, and so far? Nobody has come close to ending their run. And that … that right there … is the reason why I think I have the edge going into this first round match against a man that many tend to overlook! Because while I’m sure he wants to become a two-time champion, in the back of his head he knows he has other commitments and that he has a tag team partner that is depending on him to fulfill them. Finn is splitting himself into two totally opposite directions and one can do that only for so long before you inevitably break in two.”

“I’m going into this match with the odds stacked against me, but when have I ever allowed that to stop me? The majority of my success stories have taken place elsewhere, down in SCU when it was still a thing in the sport. When I came up here to SCW where the stakes were even higher, I have to admit that I found myself to be a small fish in a HUGE ocean! And while my first taste of championship gold still eludes me in SCW, I still know the feeling. The taste. I’ve come close to winning the Internet and I am proud to say that I took J2H to the limit, earning respect from the man and that fact alone is almost as valuable as the championship itself! But now, I am being given another opportunity and I have to get past seven men in order to do so. And it all begins just between us, Finn.”

“See Finn, I admit fully that inside SCW and in outside territories, you have had one HELL of a run! And the scary thing is that your career is still in its infancy, much like my own. But this isn’t WWH or Union Battleground or anywhere else that you’ve set foot inside. This is Sin City Wrestling and I am not like any other man you’ve faced before. Because facing me is not going to be entirely unlike facing yourself. I noticed that when I was watching you, you know? How many similarities there are between us, despite our differences in age and experience. I know that you see yourself as something of an underdog.”

From behind, one can see the pearly whites of Carter’s smile shone through as he shakes his head.

“And that is a feeling I know all too well and can easily relate to. After I graduated from the GO Gym and signed with SCU, the Boy’s Club in the locker room didn’t look past me because they didn’t even see me. I went in there being myself and when the macho men of this sport see someone like me, they either have a hard time accepting the fact that I’ve made it this far or that they have to share a dressing room with me. There were times where I was made to feel so unwelcome that I had to get dressed either out in the hall or the bathrooms, but that’s fine. That’s alright. Going through all the hazing and the bullshit just made me ready for even more that came my way. I came to realize they didn’t resent me for who I was. They resented me because I was there to take their spot at the top. And they made the graven error in judgment thinking that  just because I looked soft, I did business inside of the ring the same way.”

“And that right there was where and when I proved them all wrong. That was when I started fighting and winning to earn the respect of the big dogs in the backyard. I was winning matches and tag titles with my bestie Ariana at my side but that wasn’t enough for them because I had a partner. I was depending on someone else. Nobody thought I stood a snowball’s chance in hell when I was entered into the Combat division because … look at me! But I went on to win that title and was fighting in everything from MMA battles to boxing matches and everything in between! That is when the boys started to wonder if they misjudged me. But from that point on when I was winning the TV title to the Underground Championship, right up until I came here, even my strongest supporters had their doubts when I would be booked against someone that was bigger and more experienced. And yes…”

He nodded with sincerity.

“I have lost my share of matches. We all have! It’s the nature of the game. But I’ve also won my share against some of the biggest and baddest they could put against me. Men like “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart! Senor Vinnie! Goth! We are talking about the best of the best and what did all of them have in common? They didn’t take me nearly as seriously as they should have. And I can admit there was a time when I ranted and raved about being overlooked like that but a wise man told me that in the end, it was a lot like being carded for buying alcohol. You’ll come to appreciate it in time. It only works to my advantage and the detriment of my opponents. And one day, and with this tournament I can only hope that it is soon, one day I’LL be joining that Boys Club!”

He poked himself in the chest with a forefinger.

“And the days of that indirect advantage will slowly erode away. And all of the doubters will look back once that World title belt is fitted around my waist and realize just how wrong they had been from the very beginning! And I sincerely hope that they choke on all of those doubts that they’ve had about me!”

Having been leaning against the railing, Carter stood upright.

“There’s a lot to be said for you and me going into this match, Finn. Similar styles. Similar outlooks. And neither one of us is going to take any bullshit from the other. And while it’s not going to be easy for either of us, it is going to be fun! And when you think about it, it’s appropriate that I’m going to go all the way to the first Supercard of the year to win my first championship in SCW. Because 2024 is going to be MY year. The year of Carter. And all due respect Finn, you’re going to be the first of many to get me to that point.”

Just then, the patio door opened and Miles Kasey stepped out onto the terrace with Carter’s feather jacket in hand. Having no need to say anything, Miles slipped the jacket over Carter’s shoulders and gently guided him back inside.

Las Vegas, Nevada - Black Friday

“2AM…” Miles said through a giGANTIC yawn as he and his boyfriend Carter stood outside in the cold of the Las Vegas morning, just outside of the doors to the local Target nearest to their home. With eyes filled with sleep, Miles cast a sidelong glance to Carter as he sipped from an extra large cup of coffee purchased from a nearby gas station. Miles mumbled, “Remind me again why we had to be here four hours before the stores even open?”

Carter looked up at Miles with an innocent quirk to his expression and he shrugged as if the answer were obvious, “Because they have some kick ass deals and we need to start our Christmas shopping?”

“You just inherited the better part of almost six digits!” Miles yawned again. “So again, why do we have to be here so damn early to try and get … what are we even here to get anyway? The 55 inch TV I can get behind, but what else could be so important?”

Carter answered, “The new iPad is only $229!”

Miles blew a raspberry.

Carter then said, “I want that new crockpot…”

Miles rolled his eyes rather dramatically.

“There are a few things I want to get for Ari and Mom and Grams and…”

Miles shrugged, accepting this while Carter rattled off a list of names they had to shop for.

Carter then said, “I also see they have deals on those Resident Evil 4 and Diablo III games you were after…”

Miles held up a forefinger and said, “To which I approve heartily!”

“Oh thank you.” Carter replied as he went for a drink of his coffee and Miles then took more direct notice.

“Give me some of that?” Miles then said, nodding his head toward the steaming cup of java, to which Carter playfully pulled the cup away from Miles’s “grabby hands” and he said, “No! You had your chance when we stopped at the store! You snooze, you…”

“Gimme!” Miles snatched the cup from out of Carter’s hand, but Carter did not even try to stop him. In fact, he wore a smile on his face and allowed it to happen. Under most circumstances, Carter would have bitten the hand of anyone who reached for his coffee – but this was Miles we were talking about! Plus, Carter had a sharp mind and came prepared. He reached down to the drink carrier on the pavement at his feet and removed another large coffee flavored to his tastes. Miles started to take a drink but instead did a comical double take.

“You had more this entire time and never told me!?” Miles said sharply, to which Carter countered, “You said you didn’t want any at the time so I didn’t think to!”

And before Carter could get even so much as a single sip, Miles had this one right out of his hand as well - even though he had yet to finish the first cup he had just confiscated! Carter just stared at him with bemused eyes, then reached down and instead of grabbing yet another drink, which would probably be taken anyway, he instead grabbed a white paper bag and removed a jelly filled donut.

Which was promptly snatched from out of his hands!

"Miles!" Carter laughed, to which Miles replied, "What donut?" With the tell-tale ring of powdered sugar and jelly around his lips. Carter huffed back a bark of laughter before leaning over to look at the elderly couple who were standing directly behind them in line.

“Do you see how he treats me?” Carter asked playfully, to which the old woman waved him off, saying, “My boyfriend treats me the same way!”

The old man looked at her through his own thick-rimmed specs and said aloud for everybody to hear, “You ain’t got no boyfriend you old bag!”

The old woman promptly swatted the old man in the arm with her beaded handbag, causing Miles to almost choke on his donut - giving Carter all the opening he needed to grab his own drink, the only remaining one that Miles had not confiscated for himself. Carter stole one more glance back at the comical old couple before looking up to his own loved one and he smiled, stating the obvious, “We always meet the most interesting people.”

Garnering a nod of agreement from Miles as he drained his cup.

***

Just about four hours later, there was a noise of movement from within the store, alerting everyone in line which had now grown considerably larger, stretching the length of the building. The movement from inside the doors caused a start from Carter who quickly jostled Miles who appeared to be dozing standing up!

“Miles…!”

“I’m not tired, you’re tired!” Miles called aloud, before he blinked the sleep away and saw what Carter was alerting him to! “Well it’s about…”

“Do you remember the plan?” Carter asked excitedly. To which Miles replied, “How could I forget?”

Carter and Miles, and for that matter, the entirety of the gathered crowd of holiday shoppers behind them, all readied themselves as the doors opened and the employee said, “Hi! Welc-!”

And the line surged forward! Carter jumped INTO the nearest shopping cart and Miles grabbed it and took off racing into the throng of furious bargain hunters!

We’d spare you the intricate details of this rabid shopping excursion. Suffice to say, if you live in the United States, you've heard of some of the horror stories about Black Friday ordeals. If you live outside and are unfamiliar, well just a handful of what happened in this particular Target….

A mother all but abandoning her kids at the entrance for not being able to keep up and ignoring all employees intercoming for her to get to the front of the store – all so that she could get her hands on a brand new Macbook…!

A man stole an ice cream maker out of the previously seen elderly woman's hands and made a run for it, prompting her husband to trip the offending shopper with his cane so he could easily retrieve the goods for his wife…!

Miles could have sworn he saw Despayre and Gabriel Stevens in the midst of some of the chaos, Despy baseball sliding under a group of brawling shoppers and snatching the last Looney Tunes BluRay from their grasp…!

Two ample sized women brawling over a lace bra that would have been too small to have even been used as a Band-Aid for them, let alone cover their… you know…!

But perhaps the most notable moment was just as Carter and Miles had gathered everything they Carter had set their his sights on - they detoured around the toy department to reach the end of the L-O-N-G checkout line when something bright and blue caught Carter’s attention. Carter made an excited squeal and he ran off down the aisle, prompting Miles to look on, “Babe…?”

There was a new Stitch plush toy on the market – and just the one left on the shelf! Carter just barely snatched it off the shelf when a football player-sized man snatched it from out of HIS hands!

“Hey, I had that first!” Carter yelled as he grabbed the man’s wrists to pry Stitch loose without damaging the plush toy!

“You little bitch…!” The hulking brute growled as he pulled away. “I don’t give a shit! I’M taking it so let - GO!” And the man’s superior strength won out as he practically threw Carter around and down, causing the young man to lose his balance and fall against the shelves!

The man sniffed triumphantly and turned to make his getaway – only to meet an angry, sleep deprived and VERY protective Miles used the shopping cart to shoulder check the man, sending HIM back and tripping over Carter! Stitch went flying into the air to which Miles caught him with one hand and with the other, reached down to gallantly assist his man to his feet.

“You were right!” Miles exclaimed, breathless. “This IS fun!”

Turnberry Towers

“So at least now I understand why you wanted me to come with you.” Miles said as the elevator door to their floor slid open with a soft chime, and the Brit stepped out into the hallway with his arms laden with shopping bags while Carter carried – exactly one bag and the keys to the condo. Miles muttered sourly, “To do all the heavy lifting.”

“Now that is simply not true, Miles.” Carter objected as he fished the keys to the condo from out of his jacket pocket. “And I am wounded that you would suggest such a thing. Wounded I say!”

“Mm hmmm!” Miles muttered, clearly not believing a word that Carter was saying. “It’s true!” Carter stated outright. As he turned the key to the deadbolt, he looked back over his shoulder to give his man a devilish grin, he added, “You also make one fine human battering ram!”

Miles made a face and then playfully stuck his tongue out at Carter, making the young man laugh merrily. He pushed the door open and stepped inside of their shared home – and almost dropped the bag he was carrying at the sight that was immediately set in front of his eyes, front and center in their living room. A shimmering seven foot tall Christmas tree - white in color and decorated in shades of blue lights, garland and baubles. But it was the tree topper and the random ornaments hanging from the artificial branches. They were all Stitch related. There was even a brand new plush Stitch stationed right under the lowest branch, ready for the taking and mandatory cuddling.

Carter just stared, caught completely off guard as to where this all came from when Miles set the bags down in the foyer and walked past his boyfriend, giving him a smug grin along the way, “You’re not the only one who can pull off a surprise!”

---

“Oliver Zahn…”

Carter winced, holding up a hand in mock surrender.

“Sorry, I know you have a preference for being referred to as OZ for some godforsaken reason, but we’ll get into that theory later. For now, I suppose since the holidays are upon us and I’ve had a pretty good past few days, I can play along. I imagine OZ is just your boyish acronym for your first and last name but I’d like to think better of you than that. I mean, indeed you are a graduate of the Jet City academy and as such, one would think you had a bit more of a creative output towards what you want others to call you; nicknames, ring names, you know… that lot. But just wanting to go by your initials but a word made out of your initials just…”

Carter cringed, then held up a finger and nodded.

“Yeah, exactly that. Cringe. Just like when we tune in on the monitors backstage to keep up to date on what’s happening both inside of the ring and backstage in interviews and such and Oli-OZ? What in the world has happened to you? You came into SCW with both guns a blazin’ as the old timers might say, and in the past few weeks you just started shooting nothing but blanks. I mean, first you and Eiley drop the tag team titles to a virtual brand new team, when you had been beating established teams left and right. Then after that you try and regain your footing and… well, how had that been going for you? You thought you could use Ari and myself as a means to an end to get the momentum back on your side for your rematch and, what happened again? Oh yeah, that’s right! Eiley tried to rob us and it backfired and we put one over on you instead. Now I’m not the biggest fan of how it happened but…”

He tucked his hands deep into his pockets and shrugged.

“Omelets and eggs, y’know? Then you went and challenged a team that you had beaten once before - Sam Marlowe and Ben Jordan. I guess since you thought you beat them once, it made them easy pickings to be beat again and looky at what happened! Now I know a few people have been accusing you of being the so-called **air quotes** ‘weak link’ of the team but more often than not, it looks to me more like Eiley is the one who’s been causing your team’s losses, even though your shoulders are the one getting put down to the canvas. And now you want to, what? Prove yourself to her and to the entire SCW Universe by using me as an example?”

Carter closes his eyes and waves a finger in the negative.

“No, no. For one, I am not going to be used by anyone without specifically asking to be - and two, your name isn’t Miles Kasey so the odds are nonexistent! I have been placed against bigger, badder and more experienced men than you Ollie, and I’ve won some and I’ve lost some but I have never been used as an example! Not by them, and certainly not by you! You see, I absolutely love going up against guys like you. Guys who are so full of themselves that they think they’re the greatest thing to hit the ring since turnbuckle pads! That means I get to stand there and watch their faces fall when they realize they’re flat on their back and my hand is being raised, leaving them wondering what the hell just happened! I like facing egocentric guys like yourself because I enjoy serving them a big slice of humble pie, and being the weekend after Thanksgiving, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate dessert! This time around, your greatest strength is going to become your greatest weakness. You rely so much on your speed and your aerial game to upend the guys you’re in the ring against but SURPRISE! This time you’re in there with a guy who can match your style and then some! This time you’re in the ring with a guy the same size as you, but who can compete in ways that you can’t! A guy who might be two years older than you but I also have a good four years experience edge against whatever it is that you bring to the table!”

“I don’t know. Maybe I’d take you a little more seriously OZ if you weren’t constantly being made a fool of by a group of grade school children seemingly on a weekly basis, backstage in front of the world. Maybe I’d take you more seriously if you weren’t calling yourself ‘the Miracle of Oz’ when Oz is either some make-believe land you reach somewhere over the rainbow, or some prison show that was the Hallmark of male genitalia being shown for all to see.”

“Take notes, Ollie. Whatever you think you’re going to accomplish against me this weekend, isn’t going to happen. This match is just going to be another loss on your record, only this time you won’t have Eiley to blame. Just you, yourself. We just passed a day in which we celebrate our thanks, and I am going to leave you with nothing to be thankful for!”

Seattle, Washington -
Today

The McKinney homestead, located in what has been affectionately coined as the Emerald City aka Seattle, was under most circumstances a home filled with both love and laughter alike, but over the past week, such was not entirely the case. Because it was just six days ago where Cillian McGuire, ex-husband of Joanna McKinney and the father of her son Carter – tragically passed away from kidney failure. To say Carter was devastated would be putting things mildly, considering the unlikely and miraculous reunion between father and son after more than a decade apart. So much so that Carter had been prepared to risk his life with surgery to try and prolong his father’s life. Sadly, sometimes life is not so much a case of black and white. Sometimes terrible things just … happened.

And now, Carter sat alone in his bedroom, reminiscing over those very same lost times, and wondering the two most painful words that a person could torment themselves with - “what if?”. His room remained practically unchanged since his childhood, before he left Seattle to venture to Las Vegas to join the rough and tumble world of professional wrestling. Carter had always had such an affectionate adoration for Disney’s Stitch, and the decor everywhere the eye could roam and see would be a testament to the fact. Being surrounded by Stitch ordinarily would put Carter in a fun and playful mood, but given the circumstances? His surroundings and the tragedy his family was currently going through simply made him feel like a sad, little orphan. No matter when it happens, whether you’re young or old, to lose a parent was enough to make you feel as if life itself had abandoned you.

Carter sat on the edge of his bed, dressed in a black suit and tie, befitting the occasion. His shoulders were hunched as in his hands was a framed photograph. A photograph depicting much happier times with his mom seated in a garden setting with little Carter perched on her lap, and just behind the pair was Cillian, Joanna’s then-husband and Carter's father. The smiles on each of their faces filled with genuine love and warmth. Carter’s fingertips traced the surface of the picture, along the visage of his father as if he were trying to burn every detail into his mind’s eye so that he might never forget.

After a moment, there was a soft rap on his closed bedroom door, followed by the tell-tale voice of his Mother, calling out softly, “Carter?” And although he heard her, he somehow could not find it within himself to respond or alert her that she had been heard. His eyes and attention were focused entirely on the picture in his hands. He did hear, however, the door gently open and he glanced up from the corner of his eye to see his Mom standing in the frame of the open door, dressed in a tasteful, black dress suit.

“Carter?” She again spoke aloud, finally giving him cause to look up into her eyes and for the first time, he could see the same amount of pain in his Mother’s eyes that he felt in his own heart. The same, if not as intense. Because Carter had always been well aware that despite the divorce that forever broke their family apart, his Mother and Father never stopped loving each other. And for that, there was a small piece of Carter that blamed himself for his parents’ separation.

Joanna finally said with a sad smile, “Our ride is here.” The limo ride reserved by the funeral home that would take her, Grams, Carter and Miles - who had been nothing short of supportive and a rock for all three immediate members of this family over the past week.

Carter flinched, and his eyes roamed down to the picture again as he said in a choked, sad voice, “I’m not sure I should go.”

To this, Joanna frowned. She took that first step forward into her son’s private sanctuary and approached his bedside, taking his silence as an open invitation to sit beside him. Her hand gently caressed his arm as she asked, “Why don’t you think you should go say goodbye?”

Carter shook his head, his head downcast but looking up through his brow as he replied, “I-I just keep thinking back to what I said to him on the cruise.” Carter bit his bottom lip as his words came back to haunt him, asking his Dad when he was going to just die and stop ruining his life… and here… now? He closed his eyes as tears streamed down his cheeks, his voice cracking, “Why did I say that to him…?”

“Because you didn’t know, dear.” Joanna smiled sadly, feeling the obligation of a mother being there for her child despite the amount of pain she herself was feeling deep inside. “You didn’t know about any of it.”

“No excuse…” Carter half mumbled, and Joanna interrupted, “No dear, it wasn’t. And it was harsh, but do you want to know something?”

Her fingertips under his chin lifted his gaze into her own, and Carter could see the wetness in her eyes, behind her glasses. Joanna smiled despite her heart breaking and she said, “The last talk your Father and I had? I asked him what he remembered most over the past few months. Do you know what he told me?”

To which, Carter shook his head in the negative, and Joanna answered, “It wasn’t what you said to him. He said what he remembered most was that hug you gave him when he visited you in Las Vegas. And how you told him you didn’t want to lose him.” Her arm stretched out and around his shoulder for a loving embrace as she drew her boy up against herself. She said, “After everything he blamed himself for – everything he said that he said ended our family – for you to hug him and not want to lose him again… honey? That is what he remembered most.”

Carter clenched his eyes shut tight as Joanna drew his head to her shoulder, hugging him tightly. The affectionate gesture giving her as much strength for what was to come….

---

Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home

It seemed something of a tragic joke that despite the sad circumstances of saying goodbye to a loved one, the weather in Seattle was about as perfect as one might ask for; with clear blue skies and nary a cloud to be seen. The winds were mild and the temperatures reached just over eighty for the comfort of all those below the heavens. Drawing down to where the final farewells to Cillian Macguire would be given at the Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, a cream-colored stone structure resembling a church more so than a funeral home. Founded in the year 1923 and named after the historic tree that symbolized the promise of rebirth, it was a fitting place to say goodbye in accordance with Cillian's wishes.

And it looked like more than expected were going to want to be here to say their farewells or be there in support of those who were in need, as many cars pulled up and around to drop mourners off at the front doors, while many other cars parked in reserved spaces and emptied of their occupants who made for the building.

Inside, the first thing to be seen was the framed picture of Cillian, along with the dated years 1971-2023. People lined up to sign the memory book that had been put out for the family, a kind and loving gesture for any who wished to say their own goodbyes and offer their heartfelt messages for the family.

And inside of the funeral home’s cathedral, the pews were filled with those who were there as both friends and family. People who either knew Cillian in life, or who were there for those that did. Seated in the front pew was, of course, Carter as Cillian’s only son, along with his ex-wife Joanna and his former mother-in-law - Joan aka Grams. And seated beside Carter by the family’s insistence was, of course, Miles Kasey. Miles who loved Carter and was loved in return, and who had been taken into the warmth of his immediate family as one of their own. And Carter knew that he and his Mom and Grams were supported by more than just the man who sat at his left with his fingers interwoven within his own. As the first of many eulogies were being read, Carter had glanced around and his heart soared at seeing so many familiar faces here in Seattle, having taken time away from their own business and travels in the wrestling industry to be there, to support him.

It came as no surprise to see the Stevens family there, as Gabriel and Odette were among the first to arrive and offer their condolences. But as Carter looked further, he saw notable names such as other members of the GO Gym, such as O’Malley and his wife Darcy and brother Alastair. Even Fenris and his brother Aron were sitting in attendance, along with Fenris’s husband, David Shepherd. Carter’s best friend, Ariana, was there of course. You never would have been able to keep her from attending to be there for Carter and his family. Alexandra Calaway had even made the trip, and despite them not being that close – Bobbie Dahl and Artie were right there in traditional black, offering all the comforts that they could.

Bobbie, in fact, almost crushed Carter’s ribs with one of her patented “Bobbie Bear Hugs” before she gathered herself. But if you were to ask him, he adored every ounce of the discomfort because it was, in fact, comforting. Just having them all be there for him was.

The priest conducting the funeral rites, a woman in her middle years, had asked if there was another who wished to say a few words - and Carter himself was set to be the last to speak as Cillian’s only child, but before he could rise to take his place at the pulpit, there was an interruption as a loud, weeping woman who was his own Grams’ age interrupted the process and took the initiative to go in Carter’s stead. She was holding a lace hanky to her eyes as she was ‘assisted’ to the pulpit by two men Cillian’s relative age - and there was a sudden swell of tense discomfort - at least on the right hand side of the church where Carter’s family side had been gathered.

As the old woman wailed without a tear in her eyes, she started to speak into the microphone about the pain of losing a child. Carter felt the curious gaze of Miles on him and he leaned over just enough to whisper, “Dad’s mom. Putting on quite the show, isn’t she?”

Both men sat straight as Miles could feel the burning sting of Carter’s gaze on the woman telling the entire service that she was Cillian’s mother and as such, NOBODY was suffering like she was at the loss of her oldest child. Miles then heard Joanna mutter, “She hasn’t even seen him in years!”

Carter whispered again to Miles, “Dad’s family never forgave him for marrying Mom and not forcing me into that camp.”

Miles sat back and drew in a deep breath, not knowing the woman but the fact taking nothing away from the sudden swell of disdain he felt burning deep inside of himself. He watched as the same men - Cillian’s brothers as Carter half explained, helped their mother down from  the pulpit and back to her place in the pew alongside her family. She, and the rest of her brood, assumed that she had just usurped Carter’s place in bringing the services to a close, but Miles knew his boyfriend and he knew that above all else, Carter did not allow anyone to steal his moment.

Carter’s eyes were staring directly on his ‘other’ Grandma as he pushed himself to his feet and approached the pulpit, and Miles watched and saw the burning daggers being shot in his boyfriend’s general direction for taking his rightful spot and NOT allowing this woman to steal it and be the center of attention.

Carter looked out at everyone gathered, his eyes lingering on both Miles as well as his Mom and Grams before he found his voice, “I wasn’t originally going to come here to speak. I didn’t think it was my place or my right because for the past several years, my Dad and I didn’t really have a relationship to speak of. I was angry at the man, for a lot of things that were said and done in the past. I said some cruel things – terrible things – because of things that happened years ago and were no longer really relevant. I used to believe that people did not change.”

Carter’s eyes focused then solely on his Mother.

“I could not have been more wrong.” He said. “My Dad was no longer the same man that I was angry at. He wasn’t the man I harbored a terrible grudge against. He proved to me that in his heart, his family really did matter because he did everything he could to reach out to me. I wasn’t what you might call receptive.” Carter shook his head. “I was stubborn, or as my Mom said, I was my father’s son.”

There were some scattered chuckles in the room, save for Cillian’s side of the room who simply stared at the young man, the grandmother so upset that her bottom lip had practically disappeared.

Carter continued, “My Dad loved me. I found that out – perhaps a bit too late, but I know it now. And I love him. I tried to do what I could to save his life near the end, but we ended up saying goodbye before I could.”

This bit of news caught both Joanna and Joan off guard, as neither knew that Carter was prepared to donate a kidney to try and save his Dad’s life.

Carter went on, “But I was told even if I had done so in time, my Dad wouldn’t have accepted. Because he would not have allowed his only child to give up any part of themself to save himself. Earlier today, I told my family that I was prepared to stay in Seattle for a while, to not return to Las Vegas for a show this weekend that my Dad was going to come to.” Carter felt the sting of hot, salty tears well up in his eyes as he thought what it would have been like had his Dad been there in the front row to cheer him on. What it would have been like to bring him backstage and to introduce him to all of his friends.

“I am not ashamed to admit that I was wrong about Cillian Macguire – my Father. I am, however, ashamed that it took me this long to realize and to understand just what I meant to him. That he did indeed love me as a parent should - unconditionally. I was ready to give up on everything when my Mom gave me something from the night Dad was taken into the hospital.” Carter said as he reached into his suit jacket and withdrew a folded piece of paper. Carter unfolded it and laid it flat on the stand and he began to read, “‘Carter. I had hoped that the days of breaking a promise to you were a thing of the past, but I suppose you know by now that I am going to have to break just one more. I’m not going to be able to come to Las Vegas to watch my boy become a World Champion. The sad part was I was truly looking forward to being there in the front row to watch and cheer you on, and tell anyone who would listen - willing or not - that this was my son in that ring. I never got to know many of your friends when you were a boy, and there was a part of me that was super excited to have you introduce me to the people who have been there for you when I wasn’t able. I don’t want you to give up on your dreams, just because I’m not there.’”

Carter closed his eyes and drew in a shaky breath as he read the final line, of the last note his dad ever gave him, “‘Because I haven’t given up on my dreams and hopes for you.’”

By now, many in attendance were clearly affected by the words delivered from father to son. Carter continued to speak, telling those in attendance of some of his favorite memories of his Dad, and the last time that they got to hug one another. There was nary a dry eye in the house, save for a fair few who simply stared at the young man who was remembering his father - with anger and annoyance in their eyes.

---

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas had long since been set up for what was going to be one of the most epic wrestling events of 2023 - High Stakes XIII. Even now, the staff worked tirelessly to ensure all was ready and so that things would go off without a hitch. The six-sided ring was front and center in the middle of the arena floor and rows upon rows of chairs were lined up amidst the stands for over ten thousand plus that would be in attendance. Sound and video equipment were at the ready for the live broadcast and being tested currently. The stage and ramp way had been finished and all of the lightning were having the finishing touches put on. In affect, no expense had been spared for what was affectionately coined as the ‘Grand Prix of Professional Wrestling’.

And right in the center of the stage, set up for various news reporters and wrestling journalists, was the now-vacant SCW World Heavyweight Championship belt. Encased in a glass case and resting on a wine colored, satin pillow, the grandest prize for the men of Sin City Wrestling was a sight to behold, and coveted greatly by six men in particular this coming Sunday.

One of whom stepped up onto the stage with his eyes on that very prize.

Helluva Bottom Carter said softly, “Hard as it may be to believe, there was a point in time where I was convincing myself that I really didn’t belong in this match, competing with five of the best the Superstar division has to offer. All to determine the next heir apparent for Sin City Wrestling. To decide which man would step up to the plate and become the new champion, the one that would lead the SCW Universe into 2024 and beyond.”

He nodded.

“And I am in there with the best of the best. Men who have each held championships many times over and a few who have even been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Yet here I am, set to go up against these very same men and walk out of Vegas as the brand new World Heavyweight Champion. But then one of my own opponents said something that made me think twice and think that maybe I really do have my place here. And I’m talking about Alexander Raven. Now I will be the first to admit that I probably said one or two things that might have been a bit rough around the edges when really – Alexander never did or said anything to me to make me be anything less than respectful. And I never thought I said much of anything that would make him want to paint a target on my back, until I looked back and realized I still have so much to learn in the finer details of this business. You see, friend or foe, coming out here and talking to everyone who you're going up against inside of that ring is not always as easy as some might make it appear to be. Oh sure, sometimes when you’re a J2H or a Jack Washington, the world is your proverbial oyster and each man you’re against is an enemy keeping you away from what you think you’re entitled to. Key word being - entitled. Those type of guys are never at a loss of things to say, but – and maybe I’m tooting my own horn here –  I never really saw myself as much of that type. Okay, maybe I am a little cocky.”

Carter shrugged, glancing up into the lights.

“Okay, so I can be a smart ass bitch when the mood strikes me. But I never saw myself as being disrespectful toward anyone that I didn’t think deserved it first. But when it comes to promos and talking to your opponent, no matter who they are, I just always thought shoot off at the mouth first and ask questions later. But Alexander raven, of all people, made me think twice where that mindset comes into play. The man who has put down the shoulders of some of the best talent in SCW never had an unkind word to say to me. Not really. He even told the world that I was one of the only ones who truly belonged in this match because I pinned Michael Harris, the former champion. That says a lot about Alexander Raven the man and the competitor, and the integrity that he has. So win or lose, thank you Alexander. For lifting the cloud from in front of my eyes and helping me to realize and to understand that I do in fact have my place here.”

“Now Jack Washington? I’ll be the first to admit the only thing I know about the man is what he can and has accomplished inside of the ring - which is plenty - and the things he says in front of the masses when he decides to run his mouth and talk some trash. And, let’s face facts – Jack is one of the best trash talkers out there. It doesn’t matter who he’s in the ring against, whether they are a friend of his (*snort*) or foe, a heel or a face, you can bet that Jack will have plenty to say and chances are, it’s going to be spot on. Although sometimes you have to wonder if the man pays attention to much of anything that doesn’t involve himself or the men he’s already faced, because he and I have never met before inside of the ring, and he’s openly questioning why I’m involved in this match. He called me a joke and questioned why I was in this match with the rest of them, when just a week prior I pinned the World Champion at the time! If that doesn’t qualify me for being in a World title match, then what the hell does? And you - Jack?”

Carter leans closer toward the title belt on display, his hand cupped over his ear.

“You may have gotten a few wins here and there against some of the others in this match, but when was the last time you were ever even close to the World title? When was the last time you pinned a World Champion? By those odds, I’d say I deserve this spot more than you do. I’d say it gives me a better shot at walking out of this arena as the champion than any odds in your own favor.”

“And when you talk about greatness, you can’t ignore everything that Goth has accomplished not just here in SCW, but everywhere else that the man has stepped inside of a wrestling ring. There is a reason why he’s been inducted into more than one Hall of Fame, and he might not have done everything by the book, but his record speaks for itself. And ever since Goth returned from his injury and J2H had become the top man – again, Goth has had this very bet in his sights. I can tell how he feels because while I don't have one iota of the experience that he does, I have held my own share of titles in SCU and truer words were never spoken when I heard ‘Once a champion loses a title, the hunger to regain that feeling is insatiable’. Goth is living proof. He’s held how many championships in his career, and now counting just World titles? This is a man that has paid his dues and could easily retire and live comfortably the remainder of his days – but he can’t. Because he has that hunger. He has that passion. He wants to hold the World Championship again and will do anything in his power to make that happen. Psychologically, Goth is the most dangerous man in this match, and I don't mind admitting. He’s going to be a bitch to overcome.”

“But then we have the most dangerous man in this match from a physical standpoint, and I am speaking from personal experience because I have been in the ring with Austin James Mercer before. I can’t deny that the one time that Austin had me at his mercy one on one - he literally had me at his mercy! I have NEVER taken a beating before the way that he damn near put me six feet under - figuratively of course. He put me through a table. He powerbombed me over and over and simply would not take the pin because he wanted, I thought, to beat the life out of me so bad, it’d totally and completely eclipse any friendly influence that I might have had over the man when he wasn’t such a … oh what’s the word I’m looking for?”

Carter paused in thought, and then snapped his fingers.

“... A raging asshole. And now Austin, I literally don't know what to make of you. Because on one hand, you’d bury me alive inside of that ring to separate yourself from me. You think yourself something of a relationship expert apparently given you think I either weigh Miles down like an anchor or I inspire him as he is now a champion, but let me tell you what I think. I think you overestimate me in what influence you think I have on others - including yourself. And I think you underestimate me now in thinking that I will be anything less than a stepping stone for the other five men in this match. You say my win over Harris is going to make you come at me the same way you come at the others? Fine, great! Because I’ve seen you at what I THOUGHT was your worst. Congratulations, Austin. You’ve piqued my curiosity. Bring it!”

“And of course when I spoke of Jack earlier, his sense of entitlement doesn’t even begin to compare to the final man of the hour. Last but least, and perhaps the best of the greatest - J2H. The Karen of professional Wrestling. Since this Main Event was announced, all J2H has done is bitch and moan. How he should have been named champion or the rest of these guys don’t belong in this match. This coming from a man who has time and again told the world that he doesn’t need a championship to prove that he’s the best, but time and again he returns to the ring on a whim and a championship always conveniently on center stage! I guess I can’t blame you. You are J2H after all, and where you go, gold tends to follow. Or at least, it used to. Times are a changin, J2H. The sad fact is, however, that you’re not changing with them. Every time you deign to grace us with your presence, it’s the same insults and the same boasts about who you are and what you’ve done for the sport. Now granted, you do give credit where it’s due with opposition. I never thought I’d see the day you gave me props. But then you go and tell the world that without Michael Harris in SCW, there will be nobody to stop you…”

Carter turned and smiled those pearly whites. He shook his head and pointed to himself.

“Not true. I’m the last man who put Harris down for the count, J2H. Not you. And who knows? Maybe you’re right. Maybe by all rights it should have been a one on one between the two of us to decide the new champion rather than having these four other guys getting in between us and what matters most. But just as you’ve learned in recent weeks, you can’t always have what you want. But this Sunday, perhaps the world can. Perhaps every fan and expert out there will get to see J2H-Carter II, only this time, they’ll get to experience something new. Your dreams of a fourth title win dashed, and my first World title reign beginning. I’ve watched your entire career. From the moments you teamed with Giani and were saw as a joke, to when you emerged from the proverbial cocoon and became a genuine Superstar! All of your accolades are well deserved. Everything you’ve accomplished - you built from the ground up. But it’s my turn now James. I’ve fought just as hard as you have and I am leaving High Stakes XII with both the World title, and your respect.”

“Like it or not.”

Las Vegas, Nevada

If there is one universal truth about all gay men, everywhere in every corner of the Earth, it’s the fact that they all have the exact same thing in their bedroom. And no, I am not talking about shackles on the bed so get your minds out of the gutters you pervs! There will be no kink shaming on my watch! It’s a full-length mirror, all the better to gaze at and admire their utter fabulousness. And the star of our time together, none other than Carter McKinney - aka Helluva Bottom Carter - had been standing in front of his own floor-length mirror for what seemed like an eternity, simply staring at his reflection. Not out of vanity mind you, despite the stereotype that all gay men went to extreme lengths to look good and take care of their bodies. Truth be told, Carter did fit the proverbial bill where that particular stereotype was concerned. He always took great care to look as good as possible, especially where Miles' own enjoyment was concerned, but in this circumstance, it was simply not the case. He was not dressing to impress his boyfriend because truth be told, Miles found his attractive in just about anything. Let alone what he was wearing now.

Carter had found a new love for the color magenta, and was wearing a long-sleeve, button up shirt of that very color with black skinny jeans to match. And here’s a little secret for all of you nosey Nellies; Carter did indeed wear glasses when it suited him. All those photos he’s posted on social media of him wearing specs? They weren’t just for show. Carter was somewhat near-sighted and wore either glasses or corrective contacts to better address the problem. He preferred contacts as glasses tended to hide his eyes, something he considered his best feature. (Miles might dispute that fact but we digress.) Today, he wore his Tower Grey style, busily scrutinizing himself.

 His eyes roamed over his reflection, and what had to be the fourth straight outfit that he had put together for what he was about to put himself through, in what would most assuredly be a roller coaster ride of his own making. Privately, he could not believe that he had made a special trip to the mall just to shop for new clothes for where he was about to go and who he was going to meet. Why was he even bothering to dress to impress this particular individual? In between changes, he had been half tempted to dive into his closet and come out wearing the gayest, most garish clothing he owned – but he just couldn’t bring himself to be that petty. Which is saying something because Miles himself had stated that his boyfriend could bring petty to an art form. 

He could not remember the last time he felt as nervous as he did now. Probably the moment Miles had made his desires known, but this was nothing of the kind. Circumstances were entirely different. When Carter was getting ready for his first official date with Miles, the butterflies were caused by the anticipation of spending the evening with the man he had fallen head over heels for. Whereas this time, the butterflies were more like a squadron of Boeing F/A-18Es, and caused by the idea of meeting his dad, the very man that for over a decade had hated the very existence of. But as both Miles as well as his Grandmother had told him, times change, as do people. Hence why he had placed the call to his mom to deliver the message to his dad. Things simply weren’t the same as they had been over a week ago…

Carter stepped out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him out of mere habit while Miles was prone to leave it open when they weren’t entertaining company. Carter made sure that he had everything… wallet, phone.. And once satisfied, he walked from out of the hall and into the main living foyer of his and Miles’s shared home to be greeted by a soft whistle of appreciation…

“Look at you…” Miles said with a smile from where he was lounging back on the worn out sofa that Carter still believed he had to have picked up at a garage sale at best. Miles set aside the PS5 controller so that he could give his man his complete and undivided attention. “You look great.”

“You just keep up with your flattery.” Carter half teased as he walked toward the front door where he and Miles put their respective car keys in a dish on an end table. He quipped, “It just might get you everywhere.”

“Counting on it.” Miles replied in kind, to which Carter turned around and for the first time, realized Miles was not dressed to go, but sporting his pajama pants and a muscle shirt that best defined his upper torso.

Carter raised his brow and waved a hand toward Miles, “Erm, Miles? Aren’t you a little underdressed for meeting my dad?”

“Yeah, about that…” Miles pushed himself up to his feet and crossed their threshold to gaze down into his man’s blue eyes, placing his hands on his shoulders in a comforting reassurance. “Babe… I’m not going with you.”

“What are you talking about?” Carter blinked with slight disbelief, shaking his head as if he had heard Miles incorrectly. “Miles, I need you…”

“Babe? Listen to me.” Miles interrupted what he knew was going to be a well performed protest on Carter’s part. “What you need right now is to talk to your dad … alone. I’ll just end up being a distraction neither of you need.” Carter was about to say something to the contrary, the worry in the pit of his stomach now turning into a knotted ball with spikes to match. Miles went on to say, “I’ll be right here with my phone, just in case things go bad. But…” He shook his head. “I don’t think they will. Not after what Grams told us. Not after what you found in your dad’s journal.”

Carter held Miles’s gaze within his own, drawing in a deep breath. He was right. He didn’t like the fact, he had been relying on Miles being there as a means of emotional support. He said with a faux sense of indignity, “You could have told me this sooner. I was counting on you being there.”

“I know.” Miles smiled. “That’s why I waited to tell you. You would have found a way to change my mind.”

Carter huffed and opened the front door and stepped through, but before he could close it, Miles turned him around and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Miles pulled away and smiled, telling him, “It’ll be okay.” And only then did Carter finally take his leave for what was going to be a very emotionally draining experience.

---

Carter stood alone on the balcony of his shared home with Miles Kasey, several stories up from the Las Vegas streets below. The sun had long since fallen, and the lights from the nearby Las Vegas Strip were illuminating the skyline in a colorful display as far as the eye could see.

“I have to admit that when I first was told about my match this week against Michael Harris, I wasn’t certain if I should feel flattered or insulted. I mean, any match against a reigning World Champion is something to be celebrated as it puts the eyes of the wrestling world directly on you. It gives you the chance to shine, especially when it’s a non-title match, like this week’s match is. The championship isn’t up for grabs but this is the next best thing, as everyone wants to see if you can take this shot and elevate yourself at the champion’s expense. And, if you can, the sky's the limit! You beat a champion, and a title shot is sure to follow! So, win?”

“But on the flip side, a Beat the Clock challenge? Meaning I’m reduced to, what? A warm up for the champion before he inevitably loses the gold to J2H. And yes, that’s my prediction for the Main Event of High Stakes XIII. That J2H will secure his legacy and end the career and the second title reign of one of the luckiest sons a bitches to ever hold the most prestigious championship in wrestling! But, Beat the Clock! Meaning Harris’s match against me and the outcome will be timed against J2H’s, and the winner gets to choose whatever stipulation they want for their big match in just a few weeks. Hm!”

Carter nodded, his teeth nipping at his lower lip while he wrapped his arms around himself.

“Much as I like the idea of another match against the World Champion so soon after my title shot at J2H, I have to say the circumstances do sort of overshadow myself and even Jaycee. Because even if one or both of us somehow come out on top in our respective encounters, all attention shifts away from what it could possibly mean for us and to what it definitely means for this feud between Michael Harris and J2H. But, as the old saying goes, you have to look at the glass and decide whether it's half full or half empty.”

Carter’s eyes shifted to a sidelong glance toward the camera and the viewer could spot the mischievous nature in those lovely blue orbs.

“As for me? I just drink whatever is inside the glass. Meaning, I am going to take the situation as it is given me and make the most of it. Also, considering – as I understand it – that they chose each other's opponents, that J2H thinks highly enough of me and the match I gave him, that I can fend Michael off for longer than Jaycee can hold J2H at bay. And, well… not to toot my own horn but, toot toot!”

“As for the champion himself, well there’s not enough time to really put into words just how I feel about that egocentric, hypocritical jackass. You see, way back when I was one of the outspoken critics who didn’t think he should have been put in that title match between Chris Page and Mac Bane. After all, that was the match that everybody wanted to see! Adding Harris to it on a technicality was like putting A1 steak sauce on prime rib! It became watered down as far as World title matches go, so much so that Page couldn’t even take part for his own reasons. But, credit where it’s due I suppose. The title match happened and Michael Harris took advantage and made the most out of it. He won the title and started one of the single most controversial reigns since Jeremiah Hardin screwed Rage out of the championship way back in `17! And the reason why Harris’s first reign was so full of bullshit is because he proved he had absolutely no respect for that championship or any of the men who came before him! If he had, he wouldn’t have resorted to any of the underhanded tactics he did in order to keep such a hold on the title for as long as he did! It didn’t matter who he was up against, he saw everyone as a threat to his reign as well as his manhood – and with good and obvious reason! Whether it was Austin James Mercer or Miles Kasey or any one of the other many men he defended against, he would pull the tights or use the ropes! He would grab the first weapon he could lay hands on from out of the official’s sight to use to his advantage! And if THAT didn’t work, he always had his wives out there to save his ass and that was when you knew SCW had sunk to a new low as far as top champions go!”

“I mean, relying on your wives to interfere in your match outright or to cause a distraction because you’re not tough enough - or man enough - to win on your own speaks more about you than it does for your defeated challenger. Oh and you can also throw in that old adage that Harris has used time and again that ‘the only thing that mattered was the outcome of the match’.”

Carter nodded, gazing out into the Vegas sky before he pondered in obvious contemplation.

“Unless of course those same tactics are used against him and then it’s an entirely different story. Then he cries and protests like a great big man baby, crying foul and accusing everyone of conspiring against him. Even going so far as to bring in his personal attorney to try and fight his battles for him behind the scenes when he can’t get in done where it counts. And here’s the thing… you would think that when looking at Michael Harris, for all his experience in this business, that he wouldn’t need to resort to those cheap wins in order to secure his standing in the sport, but I suppose when you get to be his age, you start to grow desperate. Your body just can’t take the beating that it used to so you start to sink to new depths and use tactics that you never had before in order to make life easier before you find yourself in one of those crooked old folks homes you see on an episode of Hard Copy.”

Carter tapped a forefinger to the side of his head.

“The mind starts to go so you use flawed logic and reason to explain away your actions, but the only one that you manage to delude into believing your bullshit is yourself – and your wives but they’re probably supporting you more because you serve as their meal ticket rather than any true sense of loyalty. How else can you explain having your own son run J2H down? What did you even think was going to happen after that, Michael? I mean obviously you were trying to take J2H out for the long haul, but even if it had been successful, did you think the bosses would let you sit the show out and not have to defend? Uh uh! They would have just found another challenger for you to try and lie, cheat and steal your way past! But unfortunately for you, and luckily for everyone else watching from the stands to the dressing rooms, it didn’t work. J2H came back and whipped your ass and took your title. My only regret is nobody even bothered to try and lure your rotten apple of a son into a match for his part in all of this, just for the sheer joy of watching someone – anyone – wiping that smug smile from the little ass hat’s face!”

“But I have to admit that once you lost your title to the better man – and J2H IS the better man – you didn’t react the way that I suspected you would. I half expected you to drop to the ground and kick and scream until someone gave you your title back just to shut you up. I thought you would cry foul and raise hell, but you did neither. The way you reacted – well it disappointed me if I’m going to be perfectly honest. You went radio silent. You said NOTHING. The most the world got out of you was a social media pity party, and us users get quite enough of that, thank you very much. You gave us the random tweet and hint that maybe retirement was on the way, and that sob story made me lose whatever minute amount of respect that I may have had for you. And considering how low I thought of you before, that bar was set about so high…!”

Carter bent low at the waist and held his hand down about shin-high before he stood back upright.

“And that’s being generous. Winning the title a second time, besting J2H in that cage? I think we can all agree that it was nothing but sheer, dumb luck. A dark cloud fell on SCW that night, but it’s a cloud that is going to be lifted in a matter of time. J2H has your number but if not him, then you can damn sure fire bet I’ll be cashing in after jumping the line with a win against the World Heavyweight Champion.”

“So let me close things out by giving you a harsh dose of reality Mikey. I can call you Mikey, can’t I? This is no longer about how long I can last against you in a Beat the Clock challenge. This is about how you’re going to react when I send you into High Stakes XIII with your tail tucked between your legs. The last person you probably ever expected to be booked against, title or no, putting your shoulders to the mat and feeding you to J2H on a golden platter. My time is now, and yours is up.”

---

The Hello Kitty Cafe

Okay, so maybe Carter did work in a touch of pettiness for this meeting in where he had told his dad to meet him. His dad was always the mature individual, often quite serious in his dealings so he could not begin to imagine the very same man sitting there in the Park MGM venue dedicated to the world’s most adorkable feline. And yet, there he stood, seemingly un phased by his surroundings. His dad, Cillian Maguire. As far back as Carter could remember, his dad always dressed to impress, and today was no different. Whether by habit or design, he was a handsome sight in his light gray dress jacket with matching slacks and white button up shirt.  He had yet to take a seat, obviously waiting on his son’s arrival and judging by his stiff posture and the expression on his face, perhaps unsure if his son would show or if it was perhaps some cruel trick.

Only when Cillian shifted his gaze far enough to the right did he see his son and realize the exact opposite was true. His dad had begun to approach but Carter took that first step and beat him to the proverbial punch. Carter worked his way around the predominantly younger aged crowd until he stood face to face with the man himself. Neither spoke for several long, intense moments until…

“Carter…” Cillian started to speak but Carter found himself interrupting, saying, “Do you…?”

“I need to get a drink.” Carter said suddenly, turning to the nearby vendor of the cafe and quickly approached in the attempt to gather his thoughts and second guess himself. But if he were trying to create some distance between his dad and himself, it was in vain as Cillian dutifully followed him, his own posture poised and calm. A stark contrast to the inner turmoil his own son was going through.

Once he found himself at the front of a long line, Carter asked the vendor, “Can I get a peach iced tea?” And at the vendor’s glance to the man beside him, Carter then asked his dad, “Did you want anything?”

Cillian smiled and was about to decline the offer, but saw it as something of an olive branch being offered between father and son and opted to say, “A green tea.” And despite the fact Carter had asked, by instinct Cillian reached for his own wallet to pay for them both, but found his son’s hand on the wallet, pushing it aside.

“Put that away.” Carter said. “I deal enough of that with Miles.” And he paid for his father’s and his own drink, and moment’s later, the two had found a shady spot in the Las Vegas sun, seated at a small table beneath a colorful umbrella stand.

“As far as places to meet at, this is an interesting choice.” Cillian said all too casually as he looked around, his cool, blue eyes returning to Carter and he finally took the initiative. “I was surprised when your mom called me to tell me you wanted to talk in person. After the way we left things on the cruise, I had pretty much given up hope.”

“Yeah, well…” Carter drew in a deep breath. “That makes two of us.”

“Grams told me.” Carter interrupted his dad, and let the words simply hang there. Cillian stared momentarily at his son, unsure of his meaning before it finally took root and he sighed, closing his eyes. He said, “She shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, you should have.” Carter replied. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Pride, I suppose.” Cillian pushed his drink aside and now looked every bit as uncomfortable as Carter himself felt. He then said, “Despite everything that I put you through, I didn’t want you knowing what was happening. No father wants his son to see him as anything less than…”

“Perfect?” Carter questioned him openly. “I think we’re pretty well past that, don’t you?”

Carter had a hard time believing it, but the stricken look in his dad’s eyes tore at a part of his heart that he had long thought dead and buried away. Cillian reached again for his tea and nodded. He said, “I was … horrible to you. It was worse what I wanted to do at the time…”

“If you know that, admit that… Why are we here? Now?” Carter found himself asking aloud. “I mean…”

“I know what you mean.” Cillian nodded, a sad smile on his face. He raised his mug of hot tea to take a careful drink before saying, “I don’t fool myself into assuming you would ever forgive me for not accepting you when you told your mother and I that you were gay. You were at your most vulnerable and I didn’t give you the support or love that you deserved… Hell. I can’t even say I would have forgiven my own father if he had treated me the way I treated you. All you wanted to be was accepted and at the time, I just couldn’t.” Cillian paused and corrected himself, “Or I just didn’t.”

“So why now?” Carter asked. “I’ve been looking through your album ever since Grams gave it to me. I saw the pictures you had of Miles and myself… what changed your mind? Or, did you even?”

“I did.” Cillian admitted, finding it a difficult challenge to look his son in the eyes given the shame he felt at having failed so as a father. “I couldn't say when exactly. It was well before I ever found out about … you know. Even after the divorce, your mother was still giving me updates on how you were doing. I was as concerned as she was when you decided not to go to college and instead become a wrestler, but…”

Cillian paused, as if in either deep thought or reflection, before he continued, “I watched your first match and before I realized it, I thought to myself … ‘that’s my son’.” He chuckled to himself before he looked at Carter and shook his head. “I think that was the moment I stopped caring about your sex life and realized what I had lost all those years ago. I totally and completely failed you as a dad.” Cillian’s gaze seemed so very far away at that given moment. “And even if you ever do find a way to forgive me, it’s not something that I will ever forgive myself for.”

Carter drew in a shaky breath, struggling to restrain his emotions. He did not want to let his dad see him react to what he was saying. He never thought he’d see the day his dad ever admitted fault to anything, let alone how he was as a dad. Rather, Carter looked at his drink and took a sip through the straw and shrugged his shoulders, saying, “It wasn’t all bad. You know… before.”

“You’re being kind.” Cillian started to say, but Carter quickly said, “No, I’m being honest. There’s a difference. Before I came out, to me you were the perfect dad. You played with me. Tried to teach me sports or things about cars. You let me watch movies that Mom forbid me to see. Came to my school plays and you were at every PTA meeting… all of that is why I loved you so much!” Carter caught his voice raising before gathering himself. “That’s why it killed me when you wanted to send me away! When you…!” Carter bit his lip and looked down, the first tear streaming from his eye. One that he hurriedly wiped away with the misguided belief that his father would be fooled into its nonexistence.

“I know.” Cillian nodded sadly. “I know.”

“That’s why you started coming to the shows?” Carter asked. “Why you’ve been following me?” To which his dad nodded with a silent affirmation.

“Yes,” He admitted. “And no. It was around that time I had been told by my doctors about my kidney failure. I knew I had low priority on the donation registry, so after some difficulty in accepting things for how they were, I called your mom – and I wanted to see my son again.” And despite Carter’s denial, at that moment all he could do is reflect on how he reacted to seeing his dad… and the last thing he had said to him on the cruise.

“Why didn’t you come to talk to me before that?” Carter asked, swallowing a choked sob. His eyes misty with emotion. “Why didn’t you try to talk to me before you found out…”

“Because your Mom and Grams had given you the life that you deserved after I had left.” Cillian admitted. “And I just felt that you deserved better than to have me in your life.” And Carter’s own reactions to seeing him had justified that assumption, Carter again thought to himself. Cillian rested his chin on his curled fingers and said, “And after I found out I was sick and was going to… “ He sighed. “I just wanted to see you and your mom again.” Both let those words simply remain between them, and neither spoke after several moments, simply preferring to enjoy the evening between them with a bit of people watching.

“So…” Cillian finally broke the emotionally silent barrier between the two. “Tell me about this ‘Miles’.”

“Seriously?” Carter arched his eyebrow. “You want to go the protective dad route? Now?”

Cillian smiled gently and shrugged his shoulders. “Father’s prerogative.” Which caused Carter to laugh, despite himself. And with that one barrier down, Carter started to talk, and his dad listened…

And before either man realized it, two hours had passed since they had sat down across from one another and the sun had begun its slow descent into the horizon. Realizing their time together had started to draw to a close, father and son found themselves simply walking along the Vegas Strip, mostly silent and simply experiencing the forgotten feeling of each other’s company.

Carter finally said as they passed the famed Bellagio Fountains, “The next pay-per-view is in a few weeks, here in Vegas.”

“Is that an invitation?” Cillian asked.

“Yes.” Carter found himself admitting. “It’s an invitation. I can nab you a ringside seat… maybe a backstage pass?”

“I’ll be there.” Cillian said as they finally arrived at the spot where Carter had parked his car. Carter turned to his dad but neither moved, neither spoke. Moments of silence passed between father and son, but neither man could find a suitable way of ending the evening. Neither wanted to.

“Are you scared?” Carter finally found himself asking.

“Terrified.” Cillian smiled softly. “Anyone who would tell you otherwise would be a liar. But I’ve skipped past all of those other stages and I’ve accepted what I can’t change.”

The tears started to flow as Carter finally broke down, “I don’t know what to say to you…”

“You don’t have to say anything. You’ve said enough.” Cillian smiled, placing a reassuring hand on his boy’s arm. “You meeting me halfway here tonight was all I could have asked for.” And in that one moment, Carter did something he had not believed himself capable of for the better part of ten years. He found himself in his dad’s arms, hugging him with everything he had. And in that one moment, Carter felt like a little boy again, the floodgates now completely open.

“I don’t want to lose you!” Carter cried hard as Cillian smiled, hugging his son tightly against him and stroking his hair like a child… and as the father glazed up, his eyes were wet as well.

Beijing, China
July 30th

Tiananmen Square served as a prominent location for not only tourists the world over, but also for the very citizens of the city of Beijing itself. The Square is perhaps best known for the tragic massacre in 1989, following protests and a military crackdown the square is best known for the 1989 protests and massacre that ended with a military crackdown, watched the world over by a global media coverage. These days, however, Beijing citizens as well as people from all across the world visit for the wondrous attractions such as the beautiful floral displays and attractions such as the Tiananmen Tower, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China. But on this particular day, something else was taking place that has attracted the attention of wrestling fans worldwide. Today, Tiananmen Square would serve as host for Sin City Wrestling. Although China was not known for professional wrestling, there was still a great interest in the sport in this country and the fans were hungry for the type of wrestling action that only SCW could provide.

And thus far, the show had been a rousing success with eager fans reaching out to the men and women of SCW, cheering them on their chosen favorites. But while the action continued inside of the ring, more was taking place “backstage” that would affect future happenings. Due to the open nature of the program, special tents and trailers had been brought in for the privacy of both wrestlers and staff alike, allowing them to prepare, get dressed and conduct all business both before and during the show.

One of the more important trailers set up was for the wrestlers’ physical benefits as it served as a proverbial first aid station. Although China did not have a recognized paramedic career for sporting events, Chinese officials worked with Mark Ward and Christian Underwood for a physician and nurse to lend their professional talents for the evening, the better to ensure all were physically well for the evening. In fact, it was just such an instance that had brought our attention toward the First Aid station where Carter McKinney, known best by his in-ring moniker Helluva Bottom Carter, stood stoic as he watched the physician and nurse give his boyfriend Miles Kasey a careful examination.

Miles sat on the table, sans shirt which MIGHT have had something to do with Carter’s intense stare, as the physician lifted his arm and added some pressure just below near the ribcage, asking “Téng ma?”

Miles, like Carter, shifted a look to the nurse who loosely translated, “He asked if that hurt?”

“Be honest.” Carter said simply, arms folded over his chest and Miles shot him a look, knowing how seriously Carter had been taking his injuries. He supposed it was only fair, given Miles acted the exact same way when Carter had been laid up for weeks on end thanks to Austin James Mercer - the very same man who was responsible for Miles’s own injuries.

Carter coughed into his fist, “Payback!”

“What was that?” Miles asked, to which Carter feigned innocence and Miles sighed, then turned to the nurse and admitted, “They do still feel sore when I take in deep breaths.”

The nurse relayed the information to the doctor who took a step back and said, “Ta keyi chóngxin chuan shàng chènshanle.”

“You can get dressed.” The nurse translated loosely, to which Miles grabbed his short that was laid out across his lap while Carter murmured, “Damn.” Miles, of course, overheard this and looked up at his boyfriend with a playful smile before he struggled to get the shirt on over his head with his ribs crying out in protest. The nurse and Carter both lent a hand, and once he had managed, Miles turned to the doctor who was jotting something down on a clipboard.

The doctor looked up and said, with the nurse translating…

“Ni de laoban ràng wo pínggu ni de jìnbù.”
“Your bosses asked me to evaluate your progress.”

“Suirán ni yijing cóng wo dé zhi de qíngkuàng zhong qudéle jìnzhan, dàn wo juédé ni zuì hao zhìshao zài jìngguan yizhou.”
“And while you have made progress from what I have been told, I feel it would be best if you were to sit out at least one more week."

Miles closed his eyes and groaned, disappointed as he had hoped to be back in action the following week in Peru. He asked, “Are you sure?”

The nurse relayed the question to the physician who looked almost affronted at his expert opinion being questioned, to which Miles held up his hands, begging off his own query. Satisfied, the physician then said something additional to the nurse, “Wo quèshí xiangxìn ni de feixíng suo chansheng de qìya shì ni de lèigu réngrán rúci suantòng de yuányin. Rúguo ni méiyou chéngxíng, wo cai ni de jiànkang zhuàngkuàng kenéng huì haozhuan.”

The nurse turned to Miles and Carter to translate, “I do believe the air pressure from your flight here is why your ribs are still so sore. Had you not made the trip, I would guess you could be medically cleared.”

Miles immediately shot a look up at Carter and said, “Don’t say it.”

Smiling with a smug sense of playful righteousness, Carter said, “Hey when you’re as right as I am, you don’t have to say it.”

Moments later, the door to the trailer opened and Miles stepped out first, followed closely by Carter. Waiting outside for word was none other than SCW’s Co-Owner, Christian Underwood. Knowing what is to be asked, Miles turned to face the boss man as Christian asked, “Well? Are you medically cleared?”

Miles could have risked a little white lie in order to get back inside of the ring a week earlier than expected, but it just was not his style. Instead, he openly admitted, “No.” Hands on his hips, he tilted his head back and the frustration was evident on his face, even at that angle.

Carter added, “The doctor said it’d be about another week before he’d get released without risk.”

Christian nodded, having had a suspicion that might end up being the case. He ran his fingers through his hair and said, “Damn shame. I had you scheduled for a shot at J2H next week, Miles.”

If the disappointment was not evident before, it sure as hell was now at the news that he was this close to having a crack at the World Heavyweight Championship only to have it taken away from him just as easily. Mac Bane had once asked when Miles would be challenging for the top tier title in SCW. The answer was seemingly pushed back even further on his professional calendar.

“Christian, I…” But whatever else Miles was going to say to possibly endeavor toward going ahead with the match of a lifetime was stalled by Christian holding up a hand and he said, “Save it. I’m not the nice boss, remember? There’s nothing you can say that is going to put you at any further risk. Especially against someone like J2H.”

Miles nodded, disappointed but altogether understanding of the situation he had been put in. Christian drew in a breath and shrugged his shoulders as he spoke up, “Still, that does put us in a spot because we have scheduled J2H for next week in a title defense so he is going to need a proper challenger.”

Christian’s gaze then turned toward Carter, and the boss clapped him on the shoulder and he said, “Congratulations.” Before Christian took his leave. Christian blinked, then looked first at Miles who seemed just as surprised or caught off guard, before he spun about to the retreating visage of the boss, “Wait… what!?”

 

---

Cuzco, Peru

The weather in Peru had not lived up to what preceded it across the world. China. Jordan. Each stop thus far during the 2023 World of Wonders tour had been graced with blue skies and warm temperatures, but such was not the case in Cuzco, Peru. The skies had been gray and overcast since the arrival of Sin City Wrestling earlier in the week. And just this previous evening, the sky had seemingly opened up and a heavy downpour had erupted from the clouds. Rain poured for hours on end, lasting almost the entirety of the evening and well into the night. It was now the next day, and while the rain had not ceased completely, it had been subdued to more of a light drizzle.

One would think this would be quite enough to keep everyone indoors, but such was not the case where Carter was concerned. He loved the bright sunshine, but one of his favorite scents was the smell of ‘morning after rain’. There just was nothing to compare it to, and that was why Carter worked to convince Miles to go on an extended walk with him out in the countryside of Cuzco. For both a breath of fresh air as well as a break from the confines of their hotel room. After all, how many times could they pass the time by… well, you know!

Thanks in passing from the advice of his own Mom in London, Miles had made certain he and Carter both had packed some form of gear for possible weather related changes. Thus, they were both sporting light jackets to stave off the chill of the wet weather in this higher altitude. The hotel was far enough behind them now and the cityscape slowly faded in the distance as the pair walked comfortably at one another’s side, their fingers interlaced with the other’s hand in a genuine display of comfort at the other’s company and touch. They walked on the side of the road to keep their distance from the random vehicle that passed them by as pavement gave way to grass and buildings to trees and shrubbery. The famed Macca Picchu could be seen in the distance as the sprinkle from the heavens pelted both men’s hair and faces as they simply walked in a comfortable silence.

That is, until Miles broke the silence and asked, “So, did you tell your family about your big match on Sunday?”

“Miles, you know they don’t approve of my wrestling.” Carter answered casually, but still after a brief pause, he admitted, “I did call and tell Grams though, about having a shot at the World Heavyweight title.”

“What did she say?”

“What she always says.” Carter half-laughed. “‘Try not to get hurt.’” He said in his best imitation of his lovely Grandmother. He then added, “Then she wished me luck.”

“And your Mom?”

“I don’t know.” Carter said in a  low tone of voice. “I just talked to Grams.”

“Carter…” Miles stopped walking, and given Carter’s hand was linked to his own, his boyfriend wasn’t given much choice in stopping as well. Miles turned Carter around to face him and he could easily read Carter’s face, knowing this wasn’t a discussion his boyfriend wanted to indulge in. Well… tough.

Miles went on to say, “You haven’t talked to your mom since the cruise.”

“I don’t have anything to say to her.” Carter shrugged. “Not after she brought my Dad onto that ship. Not after everything…”

Miles pointed out, “You know you’re not going to get answers to the ‘why’ until you speak to her, right?” He took Carter’s chin in his fingers and lifted his gaze so he could see those gorgeous blue eyes that always caused a lump in Miles’s own throat. “Right?”

“Miles, I don’t think there’s anything she can say for ‘why’ that’s going to make me feel any better about betraying me.”

“Betray is a little harsh…” Miles started to say, having taken Carter’s Mom and Grams into his heart as if they were his own, and so he felt a subconscious desire to defend or understand what had happened and why. But before he could finish what he wanted to say, Carter turned to continue their walk and Miles had little alternative but to catch up and walk at his side.

Carter said, “Don’t get me wrong, I still love her. I’m just angry with her. Hurt by her. I always knew she never stopped loving my Dad and… vice versa I suppose. It’s just…” He tensed and shook his head, “I’ll talk to her … eventually. But I’m just not ready.”

Miles nodded, understanding completely and it was a start toward fences being mended. Miles knew well enough just how much Carter loved his Mom, and to be separated from her like this was just killing him inside, even if he put on a brave face to deny it.

“How about Grams?” Miles finally asked. “Does she know anything?”

“I think so.” Carter answered. “But she’s so tight-lipped when someone confides something to her that she… Oh ho HO!”

Carter then came to a stop, and a look of utter delight crossed his youthful, handsome face.

“What?” Miles asked. “What is…?” Miles then turned to where Carter’s attention was solely focused and saw a large puddle just off the side of the gravel road and in the grass. He turned as Carter leaned heavily on his shoulder with one arm to remove his shoes with his free hand.

“Seriously?” Miles choked back a laugh. “Aren’t we a little old to be playing in puddles?”

“You’re never too old to play in a puddle in the rain!” Carter protested, stripping off his socks and tucking them into the shoes on the ground. “Growing older isn’t an option, but growing up is!”

Miles just shook his head, but the smile on his face couldn’t be smothered at Carter’s enthusiasm over something so innocent. Carter walked up to the edge of the puddle and Miles called after him, “If you get sick, don’t come crying…” But Carter jumped onto the puddle for a good stomp – and practically vanished beneath the surface of the water! Only the top of his blonde scalp could be seen before he struggled and erupted from the near six foot deep, water-filled hole and Miles fell over onto the grass in a hysterical fit of laughter!

---

“Well, here I am J2H. The challenger you didn’t expect. Probably the last person right now you expected to be setting foot inside of the ring against with your title at stake, hm? Well, if I’m going to be perfectly honest, I have to admit I wasn’t expecting this either. At least I wasn’t expecting it to happen at this point in time. I had a lot of success down in Sin City Underground before its closure, and when I came to SCW, I would like to think that I’ve done pretty well for myself even if not at the same level. I’ve had a number of hurdles thrown in my path. Some I’ve overcome and others… not so much.”

“So imagine my surprise when I get taken aside by Christian Underwood himself and I am told I was next in line after Miles Kasey to get a shot at the top championship for the Superstars. Well, all I can say is deep down I firmly believe that Miles should be the one with this title shot and trust me J2H – you’re damn lucky it’s not him or else you’d be kissing that shiny gold best of yours bye-bye sooner than you’d care to admit. But I suppose you owe Austin James Mercer a fruit basket or something because he’s the reason right now you’ve got me in the ring instead of Miles. But don’t make the mistake of thinking this means things will be going any easier for you because… they won’t.”

“I’ll be the first to admit I was questioning the logic of giving me a title shot at you, because I had a plan of my own. I wanted to work my way up from the bottom to the top, just like I did down in SCU. I wanted to start with the Roulette Championship, then go after the Internet and THEN … the World Heavyweight Championship. I even went so far as to try and talk to Mark Ward about this, thinking it had to have been a mistake. He wasn’t the only one to assure me that my being the next choice as challenger to you wasn’t an error in judgment. Miles. Ariana. And plenty of others have been messaging me, giving me all the support a person could ask for and then some. I was even met with a handful of protests when people suspected I wanted to back out of this match because I didn’t think I was ready or worthy.”

“Of course, that was then. This … is now. You see, you and I J2H? We’re not so different. Oh sure, there’s the simple fact that you have millions of dollars in your bank account and your track record inside of the ring is second to none. But we’re only a few years apart in age and where I am right now? It’s not so different from where you first got your start. I mean… your real start. Not where you started where you were losing matches to teddy bears and were basically the joke of the men’s division. That was not you. Even I can admit that. That was a rich little punk who didn’t know what the hell he was doing and believed his bank account could buy all the success and respect that he THOUGHT that he deserved. No.”

“This is the real you, J2H. The man that is going to be standing proudly across the ring from me. The man that swallowed his pride and went to Atlanta where one of wrestling’s finest tore you down and built you back up to being the man that you are right now. That I can admit. That I can respect. The only thing I ask is that you think hard and acknowledge just how parallel things are between you and I. You see when you entered that Gauntlet match eight years ago, nobody in the world gave you a chance in the world at walking away with the championship. Everyone thought based on your past showings that you’d be eliminated before you even had a chance to start. But… that’s not what happened, is it? You literally shocked the world by outlasting everyone and pinning GOTH of ALL people! After that, you set the world on fire. You set a record for the longest reign ever, and you even came back after losing it to win it a second time – and now, a third.”

“Me? People took one look at me and how I dressed and the way that I acted, and thought I’d be a joke for no other reason than I was a gay kid in a sport filled with macho men. They thought I was in it for the cheap thrill of rolling around with a bunch of men and had no real hopes for any success. But whereas you had Austin Parker to thank for turning you into the man you became, I have the GO Gym, and Gabriel Stevens for doing the same for me. And for all those assumptions of how I’d never make it?”

“SCU Pride Tag Team Champions. Combat Champion. TV Champion. And the youngest ever Underground Champion. And now, here I am… challenging you for the SCW World Heavyweight title. The thing you hold most dear in your professional life. And like you when you first challenged for this title, I don't think too many people are looking at me too favorably right about now. They see me going up against the Great One, and thinking I don’t stand much of a chance. But like you, I intend to shut those critics right up and surprise the world by walking out of Peru with the World Heavyweight title.”

“So do yourself a favor James, and don’t make the same mistake everyone else did when they set foot inside of the ring against me. Don’t look past or through me. Look AT me. Because otherwise you’re going to be leaving the ring, minus something.”

“And it’ll be MY turn to set the world ablaze.”

It’s funny how things come about full circle in the sport of professional wrestling. Upon his in-ring debut in Sin City Underground, Carter McKinney aka Helluva Bottom Carter was being heralded as one of the more promising young recruits on the roster. Having graduated from the famed GO Gym, Carter indeed lived up to his potential during his stay in SCU, reigning not only as one-half of the Pride Tag Team Champions alongside his BFF - Ariana Angelos, but Carter also surprised many by capturing every singles championship available to the male superstars in SCU even before he celebrated his twenty-third birthday. Including reigning as the youngest Underground Champion in SCU history, a feat that would never be broken due to the closure of the promotion. And once the closure was finalized, Carter was one of a handful of SCU talents signed almost immediately by Mark Ward and Christian Underwood.

Excitement was imminent by the SCW Universe, fans anxious to see if the path to success would continue in SCW as it had in SCU. But, unfortunately, as Carter would put it; “This path had more rocks in it.” Carter had experienced quite a bit of success, but not the same level as he had enjoyed in the previous two plus years. He had suffered not only defeats, but also a couple of injuries that had derailed any momentum that he might have started to build up for himself. By his own admission, he wasn’t giving the bookers much of a reason to keep his name at the top of the contracts when it came to big matches and title opportunities. It’s now why he is here… today.

Summer XXXTreme was one of SCW’s most anticipated shows of the entire year, one of the top three if you will alongside High Stakes and Into the Void. Not only because of the stacked show from beginning to end, but also because of the unique nature of a wrestling show taking place ON the cruise ship itself! Carter had been in attendance at least twice to support Ariana and their then-friend Krystal Wolfe. But he had yet had the opportunity to actually compete. And unfortunately at this point in time, it appeared as if he was again going to be left on the outside looking in while others gained the opportunities that he himself craved.

Tuesday

“I will never get tired of this.” Carter said casually as he leaned against the railing of the ship, his tanned forearms resting on the rails as his dazzling blue eyes looked out over the ocean waters. In times past, the weather had been less than cooperative during the Summer XXXTreme cruise, but in 2023, it had been nigh on perfect from the very moment the ship had left port in Los Angeles. The sky was the brightest of blues and there wasn’t a cloud to be seen as the ship continued its journey, churning waves though the water in its wake. Even this went as smoothly as could be expected, like a hot knife cutting through soft butter. And no, he was not talking to himself, even though there really was nothing wrong with such a thing.

It’s when you have to repeat yourself because you weren’t listening is when you should start to worry.

Carter was, in fact, speaking to the man that was standing beside him; tall, tanned and buff - his boyfriend and fellow SCW Superstar, Miles Kasey. Something that was still taking some getting used to saying, although a part of Carter gleefully believed he would never would. He had spent so long denouncing himself at the very idea of having someone like Miles as both boyfriend and lover, he still wondered if the time would ever come when he would wake up and it would all end up as some wonderful dream.

Carter tilted his head to the side, giving his man his very best comical yet withering stare (yet mostly comical) as he stated, “It almost makes one forget that you got Mom and Grams a suite with a private balcony.” The camera panning out just wide enough to show the two lovebirds stood on the upper deck of the Princess, other passengers and their SCW peers going about their own business alongside them. They, like many of the other SCW stars - both male and female alike - had enjoyed this cruise as intended; a working holiday. Many fans, both young and old, male and female alike, had approached both Carter and Miles for autographs, photo ops and just to chat - to which they happily obliged to each and every request. But this little corner of the ship was their own personal time for each other and the SCW Universe seemed able to read into that fact and left them to their own devices, namely one another. For the time being at least.

“Don’t be jealous now.” Miles teased. “You get something in our suite that they don’t.”

“Oh yeah?” Carter asked. “What's that?”

“Me in your bed.” Miles leaned over and whispered into his ear in a husky voice, his accent only added to the tantalizing tease behind the words of promise.

This, of course, caused a rippling shudder to go through Carter, just the effect Miles was hoping for. It did the self confidence a lot of good when you could cause such a natural response in your loved one by mere words alone, or perhaps it was the implications behind those very same words.

“But if you think that this is something, wait until tonight.” Miles said just as casually, but to Carter who had a perpetually playful mind, he glanced up at the taller man beside him and smiled that bright, dazzling smile of his and asked, “Is that a flirtation?”

“No you horny toad, it’s a fact.” Miles quipped, but he then paused and shrugged. He pinched together a thumb and forefinger, adding, “Maybe a little bit of a flirtation.” Miles stood upright, the fingers of one hand wrapped around the railing while his free hand stretched out to drape an arm comfortingly alongside the shoulder of the young man who had so unexpectedly captured his heart over the past year. Miles said, “I just meant that being out here watching the water under the stars is special too. Better in my opinion.”

Carter found himself leaning into Miles’s strong upper body almost instinctively from the moment that muscled arm wrapped itself around his shoulders. One thing Carter had come to discover about his boyfriend the past few months was that he was big on cuddling. Not something Carter could or would complain about.

“It would have been nice to get to experience this with an actual match, especially with Mom and Grams here for the first time. Not that they’d watch me compete but still…” Carter sighed, still not happy with the fact that his open challenge had not been accepted from anyone in or out of the promotion. He went on to say, “Still, there are certain consolations.”

“Wow. Talk dirty to me, why don’t you?” Miles piped up, causing Carter to close his eyes and snort back a laugh.

“I just mean…” Carter closed his eyes and in a state of relaxed bliss, he found himself stating the simple truth, “It’s just nice being able to experience this with someone you love, isn’t it?”

And the moment he felt Miles’s fingers on his shoulder grip just a little more tightly did Carter realize what he had just said. Carter had long had strong feelings for Miles, even before the two had become an official couple. It was, in fact, one of the worst kept secrets in the locker room, even when Carter was in that abusive relationship with Lazarus. But to come right out and state he loved Miles? That was something that he had been struggling with since the relationship’s inception. Miles had stated his feelings time and again, but Carter had always managed to reciprocate those feelings without saying it outright. Not because the feelings weren’t genuinely there, but because he was simply afraid to say it after convincing himself he wasn’t worthy of those feelings.

Carter opened his eyes wider than normal, casting a sidelong glance toward Miles whom he could see was staring at him with an unnerving intensity. But Carter could also see that playful wisp of a smile on Miles’s lips.

“That’s the first time you’ve told me that you loved me.” Miles half-whispered, to which Carter turned his gaze toward the ocean’s waters and he nodded his head about as fast as the wings of a hummingbird. Miles asked, “Are you okay?” Again, a rapid nod.

Miles smiled genuinely and he drew Carter closer against him as the couple looked out over the water, Carter half mumbling, “Oh my doctor is just going to love this…!”

Thursday

You know what one of the best things about any cruise is? The food, of course! From morning until late into the evening, the kitchen was in perpetual motion, putting forth a delectable array of gourmet edibles for the entirety of the ship’s passengers. For many, you could look at and order from a menu just as in any restaurant, but the best thing to be offered on the Princess Cruise was the buffet that stretched almost endlessly across and around the vast dining hall of the ship. Foods; appetizers, entrees and desserts from around the world were offered, fresh and tantalizing to the taste buds. And considering the ship was filled with hungry wrestlers, those buffets were being constantly refilled more than usual!

Carter, alongside his loved ones, both friends and family alike, gathered at one of the tables reserved for his respective party of his Mother and Grandmother, Miles, Ariana and Francisco, and of course, Dawn Warren and that special lady of hers.

“Don’t touch my lobster!” Miles smiles, having taken note of Carter’s wistful stares at the King Lobster legs on his plate that were piled high, but not so high he couldn’t playfully hold his arms over them so as to keep them from Carter’s reach.

“Not to worry!” Carter replied, sighing and resuming his own meal, having taken great delight in the bountiful offering of many types of sushi. He stated, “I’d just as soon rather not go into Anaphylaxis shock.” Referring, of course, to his genuine allergy to shellfish and most forms of seafood. A tragic thing considering his own favorite food was sushi, one of the few seafood's that he could eat safely.

“Wait, you’re really allergic to shellfish?” Francisco asked, a curious frown on his handsome face. “I thought that was just something you said to keep from eating Ar-” Francisco then noted Ariana’s own gaze right toward him and he quickly corrected himself, “Ar-tificial ingredients?”

“Smooth.” Joan aka Grams said as she lifted a goblet of a dry red to her lips, earning a smile from her daughter and a snicker of appreciation toward the elder’s wit from the rest of the table. It was then that the SCW Co-Owner, the ore pleasant of the two - “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward, approached the table with a gentle discretion.

Hot Stuff said, “Excuse me?” Mark gave Joanna and Joan both that charming smile of his. He then looked around the rest of the table, prompting Carter to start, then said, “Oh, I’m sorry. Mom? Grams? This is Mark Ward, he owns and runs SCW.”

Mark smiled, extending a hand to both women and graciously saying, “Ladies. I’m sorry for interrupting your meal, but I needed to speak with Carter for a quick second.”

“Is something wrong?” Carter asked, to which mark shook his head in the negative, albeit with a smile. Mark answered, “No, quite the opposite. You know that open challenge you issued? Well, someone wants to take you up on it.”

“Wait, what? Seriously?” Carter leaned in as if he was having difficulty believing his ears this late in the week. “But – I took that off the table when nobody took me up on it.”

“Well, someone is offering to do just that.” Mark said, offering Carter a reassuring grip on the shoulder.

“Who?”

“Jaycee MacDonald.” Mark answered. Carter just stared at Mark, leaning toward him almost comically with a blank expression on his face. Mark snorted a laugh, taking the not-so-subtle hint and he reiterated, “A Jet City student. He just inked his deal and wanted on the show. So…” He patted him heartily on the back and said more in a statement rather than a question, “You interested?”

“Very!” Carter was all smiles as Mark nodded, stating, “I’ll get the contract drawn right up.” He then took his leave, pausing to again offer his apologies at the interruption to Carter’s Mom and Grandmother.

Carter called after the boss man, “Thank you!” And turned back, a smile as bright as the sun over the ocean, thrilled that he would get to compete after all. His table guests also congratulated them, each one thrilled Carter would get his first Summer XXXTreme match after all. Everyone save for his Mother and Grandmother, both who wore tight smiles despite themselves. They did not like the sport, nor the fact their boy had risked his body and mental well being by entering it. But they could put on a brave face given the circumstances because that is what moms and grandmas do, after all.

“Well…!” Carter exclaimed, his enthusiasm threatening to erupt. “This is perfect! And it makes my show tonight even better!”

“Yes, you know you still haven’t told us what exactly it is that you’re doing.” His mother casually observed, to which Miles turned and added, “Yeah, you haven’t even told me! What do Mark and Christian have you doing?”

Carter just smiled at Miles until…


THAT is what SCW had Carter participating in as part of his cruise duties, and he could have been any happier at this as he had quickly recruited his favorite girls – Ariana and Dawn – and then in needing a third, he accosted none other than  Kim Pain the moment she and the rest of the Saviors had boarded the ship! The endeavor took place in the largest nightclub aboard the Princess Cruise where the T-shaped stage was most prominent. The spotlight turned on above the stage and there it all began!

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Carter, front and center - dressed as a rarity in drag with a shimmering, black sequined mini dress with spaghetti straps, slit up the thigh, matching high heels and curly blonde wig, and the three ladies right behind him as his ‘backup’ singers! Hands on his hips, Carter grooves to the beat of the music as he sashays down the stage, putting on the performance of a lifetime as the music continued!

“Does he love me?
I wanna know
How can I tell if he loves me so?”

Is it in his eyes?
Oh, no, you'll be deceived
Is it in his sighs?
Oh, no, he'll make believe
If you wanna know if he loves you so
It's in his kiss
That's where it is, oh, yeah”

Carter spins and blows a kiss to the crowd, directed right toward Miles who sat front and center at a reserved table at the end of the stage, seated alongside his Mom and Grams, each having a thrilling time. Dawn Warren, dressed in a black, fringe-trimmed pants suit, steps forward and Carter takes her fingertips in his hand and gives her a spin as she takes over the stage with the others in the background, dancing in sync!

“Or is it in his face?
Oh, no, it's just his charms
In his warm embrace?
Oh, no, that's just his arms

If you want to know if he loves you so
It's in his kiss
That's where it is
Oho, it's in his kiss (That's where it is)”

Now it was Dawn's turn to take her leave from the spotlight, kidding a fingertip and blowing toward her fiance in the crowd. She then rejoined the others as Kim herself took center stage in the performance, much to the rousing approval of the fans and in particular, her Saviors comrades that were right there, cheering her on! Dressed in a sleek red and silver, long sleeved gown chosen for her by Carter himself, Kim strutted down the T Stage comPLETELY hamming it up!

“Whoa, Hug him and squeeze him tight
Find out what you wanna know
If it's love, if it really is
It's there in his kiss”

But behind her, something else was taking place. Something, or someone had caught Carter's eye, causing him to stumble over himself. So surprised by what he was seeing, he came to a brief hope, causing Ariana to walk into him. This made him come to quickly to resume the performance. The four  lined up, back to front at the rear of the stage, as the song ended, the performance reaching its climax much to the crowd's swelling approval! The four stepped down off stage, and their friends and loved ones proceeded to swarm them offering them their congratulations on the performance, as the fans whistled and applauded. But as Miles, along with Joan and Joanna, expected them to approach their table, they were surprised when he instead walked right past them. A dark expression of alarm on his face.

"Carter…?" Miles started to say, along with Joanna's "Honey?" They looked at each other and rose to see what the trouble was when Carter walked right up to, of all people, his estranged father - Cillian Macguire!

"What are you DOING here!?" Carter bellowed, startling everyone in the area, even causing the DJ to stop the music. Heads turned from all directions as Cillian rose from the seat he was on at the bar counter, fully or hopefully prepared for this inevitable clash.

"It was bad enough at the shows!" Carter hollered. "But now here!? On a cruise ship!? What is this, you're sick idea of a joke!? What, you think this makes me your captive audience for whatever bullshit you want to hand out and call ice cream!?"

"Carter…" Cillian started to say, but the young man was having none of it. He barely noticed his family approaching through the looky loos. Miles, his girls, even Mac and Whisper were coming over to see what was going on. And once they saw who Carter was talking to, their expressions darkened as one.

Cillian said, "I just want to talk to my son."

"You don't HAVE a son, 'Dad'!" Carter countered. "Remember!? I believe your exact words were 'I can't have a GAY son!' Well congratulations Dad!"

Carter reached up and tore the wig from his scalp and threw it at the man.

He shouted, "You don't! Oh and this…?" He waved a hand over his drag attire. "Not to worry! This is a rarity for me! I'm not into the drag scene or anything so I would hate to further bruise your narcissistic sensibilities!"

"Carter, lower your voice!" Joanna implored, her tone of voice pleading as she and the rest of their little group was quickly attracting the attention of those passengers around them, both fan and SCW star alike. Eyes and heads turned in their direction from Carter's first outburst, and all his mother wanted to do was calm her boy down before this entire cruise was ruined

"No Mom, I won't!" Carter answered in simple defiance, his gaze never leaving that of his father. "This man hasn't wanted a damn thing to do with us for TEN GODDAMN YEARS and he suddenly shows up like the last decade didn't even happen!?"

"Carter…"

"TEN! YEARS!!"

Cillian pleaded, "Carter, I just want to talk to you. Please!"

"Talk!?" Carter scoffed. "Sure, Dad! Let's talk! Let's talk about how after I came out, YOU tried to convince mom to have me sent to conversion therapy!"

This particular revelation had been unknown to the majority of Carter's inner circle of friends, save for Miles and Ariana. Those who did not know and were standing there at the time? Their gazes turned even darker than before and those gazes were directed light at Cillian.

Carter suddenly grabbed his father by the shirt, both hands wound tightly around the material and he pushed him up against the bar. This was the point where his mother stepped in, taking hold of his wrists, "Carter, stop!"

"Why are you even here stalking me!?" Carter yelled, years welling up in his eyes. The pain the memories of so many years of regret now exposed to the world. "Why the hell are you HERE…!?"

"Carter, stop this! Carter…!" Joanna pulled at his hands. *I did it! I invited him!"

And at once, everything froze. Everything went silent as all eyes turned towards Carter's mother. Carter's eyes were filled with a pained betrayal as he shook his head, trying to make sense of or come to terms with his mom’s startling confession.

"Mom…?"

Joanna, eyes closed from behind her glasses, nodded. "I invited him."

"Dear…" Joan aka Grams shook her head. "What were you thinking?"

Even Ariana and Miles, both of whom adored Carter’s Mom as if she were their own, and for Ariana who had been disowned years ago, she was. They both appeared shocked at this revelation. Carter swallowed hard, then turned back to Cillian with anger practically radiating from off of him. Through gritted teeth, Carter asked, "When are you going to die and stop ruining my life!?"

"CARTER!!!" Joanna scolded him, absolutely horrified by the words that had just escaped her son's lips. Yet Carter all but ignored his mother’s admonishing words, instead staring right into his father’s eyes and refusing to give him the satisfaction of breaking eye contact first. What Carter was not prepared for, however, was the pain he saw in return. Not the performance pain that an expert manipulator would feign in order to play the victim card, but real, genuine pain deep within his father’s eyes. Only then did Carter turn away from him, no longer caring. He walked past his Mom and Grams, past even Miles and Ariana.

“Carter…” Whisper attempted to place a comforting hand on his arm but he, perhaps surprisingly, shrugged it off and continued on, leaving the room, all eyes on his retreating form save for his father and mother, both who shared a pained look to each other.

TBC…

---

How does one go about simply relaxing while on a cruise? Some indulge themselves in the many shows that take place, everything from movies being shown while under the stars to a stand up comedian or if you’re lucky, a magician. Others take part in the games of chance at the casino or a drink in one of the many bars. Still, others prefer to spend their leisure time simply laying back and relaxing at poolside, soaking in the crystal clear water of the pool while perhaps playing games such as volleyball or chicken. Others, such as Carter, will find a random spot where the sun is shining at its brightest and lay back on a lounge chair on the deck, clad in nothing more than a small, lycra swimsuit of a teal color. And that was, in fact, where he was now. The sun was bright overhead, and the weather warm but the breeze that blew over the ocean in which the Princess Cruise allowed some semblance of additional comfort to the warm temperatures. A pair of shades worn over his eyes to protect them from the sun, Carter was simply content to relax while working on his already impressive tan that complimented his platinum hair color and dazzling blue eyes.

“I have to admit that I find myself in something of a pickle. You see, I finally got what I wanted, and that was my first match at the Summer XXXTreme event. Now, I have to admit that I would have preferred that I be in a championship match, but it seems that it was not meant to be – yet. I tried to work my way into the Ultimate X match for the Roulette Championship but I wasn't able to pull it off against the champion Peter Vaughn. Then there were high hopes for Ari and myself attempting to get into the Fatal Fourway match for the Mixed Tag Team titles, but once again – Peter Vaughn. Only this time things didn’t end so decisively as the first time around because Peter had to be a Dick and cheat to win, holding my tights so I couldn’t escape the pin.”

Carter shook his head derisively.

“It just goes to show that you think you know someone… It also goes to show that I really can’t wait to see the look on Vaughn’s face when that mancake of mine drops him into the pool and claims the Roulette Championship for his very own! Won’t that be nice, Peter? Now I know, I was also offered the third spot in the title match despite my losses to Vaughn, but no. I don’t know how others manage it but I can’t face someone that I care about so much inside of that ring when the competition is at its highest and tempers begin to flare. For me, it would be too awkward and that is why I turned them down and Miles and Vaughn instead got saddled with the Troll as the third man in that match. Sorry guys…! Had I known…? Anyway..! In turning down that spot, I took a big risk in that I might not have a spot on the show, and it looked like I was right. I issued an open challenge to anyone, even men who weren’t signed to SCW. I half expected Mark Cross to jump at the chance but then again the World title wasn’t at stake or even on the cards. And if there isn’t a championship in line for him, and he thinks the opponent is a legit threat, then he simply won’t accept or acknowledge the challenge.”

“And so there I was for the longest time, thinking I was going to be left off another Pay-Per-View when lo and behold, my prayers were answered in the form of Jaycee MacDonald. I know!”

Carter held his hands up and out.

“If you were like me, you were probably thinking – who? But that was before I did a little digging around and would you believe it? The man is a graduate of none other than the Jet City Academy, the second best wrestling school in the sport today. Right after the GO Gym, of course. Wait… on the other hand there is Hellsgate with my buddy Mac Bane and my favorite ladies; Kim Pain, Kat Jones and of course – Whisper. So I guess that makes Jet City the third best wrestling sch– no. Wait…”

He tapped a forefinger against his lips as he casually glanced about, his eyes remaining hidden.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about Hero Academy with Keira and Roxi and any school with those two ladies in charge has to be top notch, so… Well sorry Jaycee. I guess that makes Jet City maybe fourth? Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. After all, we are talking about a school where Kris Ryans is associated … or was. I can never really remember where he’s concerned. But the simple fact is the man is a former World Heavyweight Champion in SCW AND a Hall of Fame honoree two years ago so… cheers! Evidence enough that if you come from Jet City, you probably have all the potential in the world to take this business by storm. That is if you are willing to put in the effort and from everything I’ve seen so far, Jaycee doesn’t have that spirit in him. He seems more the sort that expects to have things handed to him and that right there is one of the key differences between him and I. No sooner did he sign Jaycee sign his contract with SCW than did he start complaining and whining about being left off the show when he really didn’t give Mark or Christian any reason to go out of their way to find him an opponent. Now me? I made the effort. I tried to work my way onto the card the old fashioned way.”

Carter leaned forward briefly in his deck chair.

“By earning it! And even though things didn’t work out quite like I had hoped, I still didn’t give up. I missed out on the two championship matches so I went out and tried to find an opponent myself. Jaycee didn’t do either of these things. He just started complaining and calling out the higher ups for…” **air quotes** “Not being invited to the party. Okay, sure. He did well enough in the 2022 Blast From the Past tournament, but after that? The man practically fell off the face of the earth. He gave us nothing, he gave SCW nothing and yet he expects things to be handed over to him like he’s some sort of God's gift to the sport.”

He chuckled, shaking his head and even though his eyes couldn’t be seen, the smile of mirth was evident enough on his lips.

“But you know what really gets me about this guy? More so than his not being willing to work his way up the proverbial ladder in order to earn his spot in the business? It’s the way he openly and brazenly tries to use the names and reputations of other men, bigger and better men with actually established resumes in this business, as a means to an end! I mean, why else would he be running off at the mouth from the safety of his computer screen on social media, naming some of the best the Superstars division has to offer? Names like Ben Jordan and Alexander Raven to name just a couple! Accusing their work of being ‘shit’ and saying that he could run circles around them! I mean like – Seriously!?”

Carter lowered the shades from over his eyes, down the bridge of his nose so he could give the camera a condescending, knowing look.

“Jaycee, no offense but have you been forgetting to wash the fruit off before you eat it? Every one of those names that you mentioned is your better in every way! Let’s take count, shall we? Ben Jordan?”

He held up one finger on his hand.

“Former World Heavyweight Champion, Two-time World Tag Team Champion and Roulette Champion! Not to mention the ACW Triple crown winner! What exactly have you done to even compare to those accomplishments you self-deluded asshat? Oh that’s right! Nothing!”

“Then there’s Miles Kasey, who not only is a former Roulette Champion but has  SMOKIN’ hot ass to boot! Again, no real comparison between the two of you. Ben Jordan himself, you know the guy I just spoke about? He called Miles the future of this sport. Not Jaycee – Miles.”

“Alexander Raven might not be my favorite guy in the world but the man is a former Internet AND Roulette Champion, and people are saying it’s only a matter of time before he reaches the top with the World Heavyweight title! The guy had one of the best runs as the Internet Champion and for you to think you could even rate above him… no.”

“Then there’s Peter Vaughn who I’ve already talked about, and I said enough to already prove my point where that guy is concerned. I’m not happy he had to cheat to beat me but his record so far is damn near impeccable! If I’m going to be perfectly honest, I’d say the Roulette title is holding him back but that’s just me. Vaughn could chew you up and spit you out until there wasn't enough left to make a decent lunch!”

“Then there’s Oliver Zahn, and him I am familiar with because he’s another Jet City grad. But unlike you, at least he’s going somewhere? At least he’s earning his way rather than acting like a Karen and crying out for the manager so he can get his way? Yes, he is in a spot that I wanted to be in, namely the World Mixed Tag event, but he also earned his way there. But you – Jaycee – you haven’t earned a damn thing and yet you think you’re already the next best thing! Well here’s a bit of friendly advice. A dose of ‘tough love’ if you want to call it that. Don’t worry about Ben Jordan. I don’t want you to worry about him or Raven or Miles or any of the other names that you dropped in a sad attempt at manipulating the system in order to get yourself bigger and better matches before you ever earned them. It’s me you have to worry about.”

He tapped a forefinger to his bare chest.

“All five of those men have accomplished more in SCW than I have – I can admit that. But if you’re seriously looking past me as a guaranteed win?”

Carter paused as none other than Miles Kasey, clad in nothing more than a tiny white speedo with green palm tree prints on it walks onto the scene and hands his boyfriend a drink with an umbrella in it. Carter smiles his appreciation – at both the drink and the view, before finalizing his promo. He shrugged toward the camera.

“Then I’ve already won. You’re just like any other guy who has delusions of grandeur, Jaycee. You’re suffering from what’s known as a dreaded case of the ‘Me, Me, Me’s’. You have a condition known as Entitlement, which is easily diagnosed as believing you’re owed something for doing absolutely nothing. That’s you, Jaycee. And that is why this is going to be the sweetest win – for me. I am going to love nothing more than putting your shoulders down to the mat, then sitting back and listening to you come up with every excuse in the book as to why you lost.”

He raised his glass in a toast toward the camera.

“Cheers Jaycee. Things are over for you before they even got started.”

The Chronicles of Carter
Act 1; Scene 2

Las Vegas, Nevada
The waiting room to the office of Gail Delacore; LMHC - NCC

Carter had been coming here to see Doctor Delacore since the middle of March. Her rule from the very first session was that she wanted him to visit her every other week by default. Same as any of her other patients, his celebrity status as a professional wrestler meant nothing to her as a professional. She was his doctor, and he her patient. Nothing more, no less. But he had to take a break from his session because of the overseas tour in recent weeks, of which she was not pleased but accepted with the expectation that she would be providing him with additional 'assignments' outside of their one on one meetings.

The issue was that these sessions were getting more difficult to explain to Miles. Carter refused to lie to Miles, but he also didn't want to lay any additional burdens at the feet of a man who was fast proving himself to be a very loving and understanding boyfriend - which just made Carter feel even worse in not divulging to Miles the fact he was in therapy -- or the reasons why. Oh he had little doubt that Mikes would understand and accept the fact, it was simply the sort of man that he was. But the sort of man that he was would also want to be there for him and  Carter already felt as if Miles was doing too much for him already. What with providing him with a place to live until he got his own place, not that he was in any hurry, to simply being there for him, body and soul. Miles was simply everything Carter wanted and more.

The issue was that there were times in the deepest part of his mind that made him feel that it wasn't about what he did or didn't want. It was more about what he deserved. And he had this deep rooted fear that someone like him didn't deserve someone like Miles.

"Why do you continue to believe that?" Doctor Delacore asked, bringing Carter from out of his ramblings. Gail Delacore was a professional in her mid to late fifties, and carried herself as a consummate professional. Her office was designed to bring abut comfort to not only the body, but the mind as well. There was minimal decor save for a handful of tasteful artistic paintings adorning the wall, local Las Vegas artists that she had chosen to support and appreciate. She had some hanging potted plants descended from the office ceiling, not only pleasing to the eye but the green and colorful fauna gave off scents that seemed to have a calming effect to the mind. Whether this was because the good doctor was a true fan of gardening and plant life, or because the plants had the previously mentioned effects, she refused to answer to him. She just gave him a coy smile and told him to start talking.

The doctor leaned forward against hr desk, opposite of her patient. She said, as her eyes bared down into his own, "Don't think I didn't notice how you'd ever so subtly change the subject or slip into another topic of conversation with me."

Carter felt his cheeks flush and could feel the heat rising at his neck. He hadn't even been entirely certain that he had been avoiding the subject. But she wasn't to be deterred and she rested her chin on the curled fingers of her left hand as she observed, "You hadn't said anything like this in our last two sessions, Carter. I was beginning to hope that little cloud over your eyes had been lifted and you started seeing yourself the same way this young man seems to see you."

Indeed, from the start, Carter had told her all about Miles and their history together. And while to the untrained mind one might believe this to be the catalyst of why Carter had started visiting her, Gail Delacore knew the reasons ran deeper. From everything Carter had told her, Miles Kasey was a wondrous and caring individual. One of the chief reasons he had been able to escape the abusive hell he had found himself in with Lazarus. One of Carter's greatest worries at the beginning was that this was something akin to a rebound relationship, to help him heal from what Lazarus had put him through.

But it was Doctor Delacore who had helped him come to realize that his feelings for Miles predated his relationship with Lazarus. It was also she who helped him to accept that his heart had never truly been in what he and Lazarus had together, and that fact was one of the reasons why their relationship had been doomed from the start. Lazarus's abusive behavior simply escalated the inevitable.

Many therapists and psychiatrists had a strict and rigid way of doing things as far as bringing out the best in their patients. With Doctor Delacore? Not so much. From the first moment he had sat down opposite of this older, more experienced woman, she had defied all expectations of him. Carter had never been to a therapist before, even following his parents' divorce. But whatever his expectations were -- they did not include the lecture she gave him from the get go. She even insisted on the young man calling her by her Christian name of Gail when the egos of many doctors would forbid such a thing.

She had told him all she wanted him to do was talk to her. Just talk - about anything and everything that was troubling him and bit by bit, she would ask questions and offer nuggets of wisdom. Things he desperately needed to hear. She didn't force things out of him as others in her field might. Not because she was stringing him along like a cash cow, but because she believed it best that people opened up to her best when they did so naturally. Her questions helped, but she felt their minds healed best when they did so at their own pace.

In past sessions, Carter cried. He screamed. All things the doctor not only tolerated but actively encouraged. And it had been working splendidly for the both of them -- until recent weeks when something from out of the blue happened and had seemingly caused a setback. Something he was not quite ready to discuss. Not yet.

Carter rubbed his forehead, his eyes downcast and he said painfully, "I thought so too. I-I don't even know where this came from. For weeks, everything seemed to be going so perfect! I know I have a bad habit of thinking the other shoe is going to drop and for once, it didn't. I thought -- I mean, I was really starting to accept everything for what it is."

He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head as he admitted, "Well, everything but our living situation."

"What about it?"

Carter finally looked up to her and confessed, "I've been living with Miles since the breakup with Lazarus. I was homeless, and Miles gave me a place to stay. Then... well, you know what happened.  Miles and I just -- clicked. Sort of naturally. I don't think I've slept in the room he gave me ever since he and I got together. I got comfortable, maybe a little too comfortable, and then last week the loft I had with Lazarus sold."

"So?"

"So..." Carter followed up. "I can finally afford my own place. Problem is, I already feel like I'm where I belong."

To her credit, Gail smiled at the young man. She was as open minded a person as Carter could have hoped for when looking for an impartial ear to help him. She came highly regarded and it had been easy to see why, despite her unique way of doing things.

"Carter," She said gently. "You said yourself that what evolved between Miles and yourself happened naturally. That is why this is no mere rebound between the two of you, but something more. I mean, I've never met the man but if you've been one hundred percent honest with me..." She rose a silent brow in questioning and Carter nodded in the affirmative. She then went on, "Even I can see what's in front of you. And I want you to be able to see it and accept it too. Whether it's your relationship with Miles, or your living situation. I can tell you through personal experience that when things happen naturally, on their own?" She smiled. "Those make for the best of experiences."

---

"Have you ever went into a given situation, whether it be at you workplace or some social gathering, not knowing what to expect? That's sort of where I am this week. You see, I have to be the fist to admit there ever since SCU closed and I was hired on to the SCW's Superstar roster, I haven't exactly given Mark Ward and Christian Underwood every reason under the sun to consider me a good hire. I mean, yes. I held every title that was imaginable in SCU, but I'm not really living up to that hype very well. Don't get me wrong! I've had some great matches and some pretty good wins, if I do say so myself -- which I just did. Someone still in his younger years in this sport doesn't just get a win over a veteran bad ass like Bill Barnhart through sheer, dumb luck. (Or maybe they do, but I'd just as well toot my own horn with that win. Toot, toot!) But even I can't lie and say I've been making people sit up and take notice. I probably have people wondering how on earth I managed to win so many titles down in Sin City Underground but have been on something of a losing streak in Sin City Wrestling. Some may try and tell you that SCU simply wasn't as competitive but I can tell you that's a load! SCU was wild and unpredictable and had just as high a competitive level as SCW has, but they were just at different levels. That's all."

"If anything, I think I can testify that I came into SCW thinking... well, not to be too crude but thinking I was the shit. I'm not even 24, and I was the youngest Underground Champion in SCU history and won every title they put me up for. I came here thinking that the same success was just going to fall into my lap and -- it didn't. Men like Malachi and Vaugh and a number of others put me in my place, for lack of a better term."

"My point is, I've done well, but I am nowhere near where I would like to be at this stage of my career. My last time around, I went down to the Roulette Champion, and trust me losing a match to Peter Vaughn is nothing to be ashamed of! But I wanted that non-title win so bad I could taste it! I wanted to prove myself and move on to the Ultimate X match at Summer XXXTreme XI but... it just wasn't meant to be. I don't know if I'll be given another opportunity to earn my way into that title match, but I can tell you right now that it won't be coming as a result of this match coming up."

"I asked for another chance in the ring, and I think the higher ups lack of faith in me is starting to show through. Not because I'm in the opening match because I was taught a long time ago when I first stepped inside of the GO Gym that there are times when the opening match is just as important to the night's events as the main event. Only... not this time. I think this time is either a punishment or a last chance sort of situation that I find myself in because -- I'm wrestling -- Sal Darius. Yeah, I know! Two matches in and I still don't know anything about the guy except he would have made the perfect attraction during the Unsolved Mysteries tour because he is SCW's biggest enigma! He's a ghost to the men's roster and to the public because nobody knows anything about him! He doesn't show his face backstage or with the fans. He doesn't cut your basic promo as even the most common of courtesies. He just pops into the ring against some poor schmo - who in this case just so happens to be moi, and loses. Then wash, rinse and repeat for his next encounter."

"Which just boggles the mind because why in hell would anyone work so hard as to earn a contract with Sin City Wrestling -- only to totally and completely squander it? You're being given the chance of a lifetime in the top promotion, getting to compete against the very best and you just piss it away! You make no effort. It's almost like Sal thinks he made it here and that's the important part. What else is here for him to accomplish and why should he even bother..."

"Okay, I get the message. I'm not entirely sure if it's Mark or Christian sending it to me, but I think I know where I stand. Maybe they think the same thing of me that I think of Sal. That I got the bosses to sign me, why work any harder when I'm already a proven commodity elsewhere? And ... I don't want them thinking that of me. Because I may be a lot of things, but I am NOT the same as Sal Darius! Unlike him, I try. I may not have the best win-loss record, but I try! I put in the efforts expected of me. The problem is, I'm not putting in the efforts that *I* expect out of myself and that is what I am going to change, starting Sunday."

"That is why I'm here, that is what has me wondering. If the bosses put me up against a guy who doesn't even try, is it more of a reflection on him or on me? Well, after Sunday the answer is going to become crystal clear because the fog has been lifted. I am going to scratch and claw my way back to where I want to... no, to where I deserve to be! And as for Sal Darius? I am going to leave him with every reason to never want to show his face around here ever again."