Page 45 of False Comeback

Usually I loved talking about work, telling him about my matches, but I didn’t want to think about it tonight. Any of it.

Still, I forced myself to say, “The pay-per-view thing is going really well. And we’ve got some new wrestlers starting soon.”

“New wrestlers?” he asked with interest. “The online thing was a good idea. I’m getting too old to keep going in person. Means I still get to watch your matches without leaving my recliner.”

My chest warmed with pleasure as I grinned at him. “You’re not old yet.”

He waved a hand and dropped back into his seat. “So what’s this about new wrestlers?”

“Don’t know who they are yet, or when they’re starting, but I think it’s soon.”

“That’s exciting.”

Or worrying. If Holt somehow found out that Crossbody and I had done something as unprofessional as have a brawl followed by sex in the arena, he could just fire me and replace me with someone else.

Then again, I was pretty sure he and Taylor fucked in their offices. And Gabe and Biff fucked in their dressing rooms a lot.

But those were more private spaces. Not the goddamn arena.

Where there were security cameras.

Fuck.

My gut bottomed out as the realisation popped into my mind. My fingers tightened on my beer can, making it crinkle.

I hadn’t thought about that.

Fuuuck.

Chapter Fifteen

Holiath

Vince

“Hey there, buddy.”

Rafe about jumped out of his skin at the sound of my voice. He’d just been minding his own business, making himself a coffee in the tiny kitchenette near his office, but when I’d seen Dan show up at work I’d immediately headed over here, knowing that meant Rafe would be in too.

“Damn it.” He reached for the paper towels, and I realised he’d tipped his mug over and spilled coffee all over the counter.

“Shit, sorry.” I hurried over. “I’ll get it.”

“It’s fine.” He glanced at me while he mopped up the spill, hunching his shoulders a little awkwardly. “Uh, what’s up?”

We’d only hung out once, with Dan, so he probably wasn’t all that comfortable around me yet. I knew he was quiet and kept to himself, but I already liked him. He was funny in a low-key, dry way, and he seemed like he could hold his own against Dan, which was saying something. My buddy was a force to be reckoned with.

“Just wanted to see how you’re doing,” I said with perhaps a touch too much cheerfulness. I was already reaching for the pot to pour him more coffee, and I saw Rafe’s pale green eyes narrow with a hint of suspicion.

“Let me make you a fresh cup,” I said brightly, and his eyes narrowed even more. Maybe I was laying it on a little thick.

“It feels like you want something.”

I managed a carefree shrug, hesitating before I let out a light laugh and finally said, “Well, now that you mention it…”

He huffed in amusement and crossed his arms, leaning his hip against the counter. “Yeah?”

I cautiously peered over my shoulder at the doorway to make sure Taylor or Holt weren’t in the hall, then cleared my throat and said, “I was just wondering if you do all the… security cam stuff.”