Chapter 17

The next day, at the hotel, Nova was watching her friend get ready for her date.

"I'm so excited. Ace is so cute, don't you think? He's only a little older than me. I'm 21 in a few days so he says our age difference isn't much of a big deal to him. Are you sure you will be okay alone?" Claire asked excitedly.

"I'm happy for you. Umm... Becket asked me to dinner tonight." Nova gripped the pillow on her lap to her chest.

"That's good, Nova. Maybe you can come to some mutual understanding. He's been a lot nicer lately. Actually, I think he's coming around. I think he was just worried about you getting hurt and took things too far," she said fixing her hair.

"I'm not sure. Maybe. Can I talk to you about something?"

Claire stopped what she was doing and looked through the mirror. Nova looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

Claire sat next to her and pushed Nova's hair from her face. "Always. You know that."

"I used to have a huge crush on Becket."

"You don't say? I thought you sort of still do," Claire teased.

"Oh, hush. He just makes me so dang frustrated. Have you ever had feelings for someone that you thought would never like you in a million years?"

"Yep. A guy in high school. He was my first real love. He wouldn't give me the time of day because he said I was too shy. It's funny. People think it was just puppy love but I think I really loved him. Until I graduated and realized I deserved better than someone who didn't show me any respect."

"Becket used to think I was just an annoying kid, but I get it. He was twenty-two, and I was just sixteen. I can't blame him for not wanting to hang out with some goofy teenager. I just really looked up to him and have always thought he was the best wrestler there is. Do you remember when I came up with being with Colossus?"

"Yes."

"It's because I sort of... still like him. It's not just a silly crush either. I really think he's amazing, despite what happened when I came here. I hate to say this - and I kill you if you repeat it - but I know it was my fault he was being such a jerk. He's right. I was being a spoiled little rich girl."

"Well, I can't disagree," Claire said with a shrug. "It's not like you to act the way you have been recent. He and the guys are probably the best factions in Powerbomb, and Becket is one of the best. I can see why you would want to join them."

Nova smiled saying, "He really is special. I hope to be as good as he is in the ring someday. He might annoy me but I'm learning a lot. Ya know? I fantasized about him for years. My first hit song was about him."

Claire giggled. "Oh, my gosh! I knew it! My friend and I used to argue about who we thought it was about. She thought you were talking about some MMA fighter. Fight for Me was my all-time favorite song. It was the best balled I think you ever wrote."

"I meant every word too. Even though he's always been a total asshole to me. When I was a teenager, I thought he was hot. There were a few times he would let me hang out with him, but he thought I was just some bratty kid. How do I convince him I'm not that same girl anymore? He thinks I'm an immature child. After what I did to get here, he may be right. To him, I'm just the girl that runs to Daddy about her problems." Nova scooted back on the bed sitting with her legs crossed, pulling her pillow tight.

"Nova, once he sees the real you, he'll see you're very mature. You're not a child. When people who treat you like a child, or are mean to you, you get mean back. Who wouldn't? Everyone has a defense mechanism. Especially considering the things you face being a superstar. No one can even measure the amount of pressure you have been under lately."

"I guess that's true."

"Know what? You should go out with him tonight. You never know, it might change the way he feels about you. Show him who Nova Quinn really is."

"Claire... there's more. I'm scared. You know I don't like to be alone with men. Ever." Nova shivered at the thought.

Claire turned to face her, seeing the fear in her friend's eyes. "Nova, can I ask you something personal? Did Liam do something to you? Did he hurt you? Is that why you would never let him around us unless someone else was there? Is that why you won't be alone with men? You can trust me. I won't tell anyone unless you want me to. You know that."

Nova sighed admitting, "Yes. It was terrible. He did unspeakable things. He's an evil man, Claire. That's why I forbid you to be around him. I didn't want you to end up hurt too. I couldn't save myself, but I had to protect you."

"You want to talk about it?" Claire reached to hug her.

"No. I'm not ready to talk about this yet. It's just too hard right now."

"If it means anything... I think you can trust Becket. I do think he was a jerk at first, but deep down, I think he has your best interest at heart. He's just serious about his work. Maybe a little too serious sometimes. I've noticed he's very protective of you. He never allows people say anything bad about you. Even though he says things sometimes, he acts as if he is your guardian angel or something."

"I noticed that too. Since he started realizing I really love wrestling, he's warmed up to me. Know what? I think I will go tonight. No security either. Just the two of us. I need to show him the real me, and that I'm 100% ready to be on his team." Nova got up to get ready. "It's time I stop being afraid and start being me again.

"That's my girl. Get out there and get your man."

"Speaking of man. Do you have protection? I know you like Ace, but you need to be safe."

Claire hit her with a pillow laughing. "Don't be weird!"