Chapter 28

Becket walked Nova to the curtain, heading to the ring. She was shaking like a leaf. Her first match and she had been a train wreck all day worrying about it.

"Sweetheart, do you want me to go out there with you?"

"No. I can do this. Just stay here so I can find you when I leave the ring."

Becket turned her to face him. "I'm here. You can do this. This is what you've been training for. You just have to go out there and show them who Nova Quinn really is; a fighter."

"I'm scared. What if I botch the match? I don't want to hurt Tasha."

"Tasha has been in that ring with people a lot more inexperienced than you. She can hold her own. Just keep your focus and do what we practiced."

"Rocker girl. Are you nervous?" Raven walked up behind her.

"Sort of."

"Don't be. You've worked your ass off for this. You got this. Get out there and kick some ass."

"Thanks, Raven."

Raven threw her title over her shoulder. "Just don't get too cocky thinking you're going to take my tile."

Nova giggled. "That's what I'm here for. I'm coming after that gold."

Raven winked at her. "That's the spirit. Good luck out there, and watch about getting stiff. If you do, Tasha will tear you apart out there. Keep it loose."

"Thanks. I'll remember."

As Raven walked away, Becket raised Nova's chin to look him in the eyes. "You're going to be great. Now, get out there and make history as the first rockstar in Powerbomb Global."

As the Colossus faction music started, Nova ran out to the stage boosting up the crowd. Becket was so proud of how far she had come. Just a few months and she was in the ring with her first match. He had been wrong about her. She was a go-getter and she was made for this.

As he watched backstage, he was truly surprised by her endurance and skill. Nova dominated most of the match. In the end, she didn't win due to the script being in Tasha's favor, but she made an impact on the crowd and earned their respect. That's what mattered most.

Nova made her way off the stage and ran into Becket's arms giggling gleefully, clearly proud of herself. "I did it! I had my first match on live TV!"

Everyone around them gave her a round of applause and several of the other female wrestlers were coming to congratulate her on a job well done. She was finally beginning to feel like one of them.

Becket smiled down at her with pride in his eyes. "You did it. You proved me, and everyone here, wrong. You have what it takes and you looked great out there."

"You think so?"

"Baby, I know so. You're a star on stage and you're going to be a star in that ring." Becket started to kiss her as Ace ran up to them in a panic.

"BECKET!"

The couple turned to their friend as Jake and Kevin ran behind him.

"Ace? What's going on?"

"It's Claire. She's been hurt. I have to go to her," Ace said in a panic.

Nova's ecstatic high from the ring went crashing to the ground as she heard her friend was hurt. "Ace, what's wrong? What happened?"

"I don't know. She was at headquarters for her internship training. She called me as she was leaving the office building because she worked late tonight. I heard tires screeching and Claire screaming. The next thing I heard was someone from the office calling 911 and trying to keep Claire calm. They said it was a hit and run."

Nova looked up at Becket. "It was Liam. I just know it. She's the closest person to me, besides you and my father. He's trying to warn me."

Ace grabbed her arm. "About what?"

"I didn't listen. He warned me about not telling anyone. It's my fault. I'm so sorry, Ace."

Becker pulled her into his arms. "It's not your fault. We need to go and take Ace with us to Chicago. The rest of the guys can stay here to finish the show. Let's get going."

Ace was in a panic unsure what to do. "How? We can't get a flight at this hour?"

Becket looked around. "We'll have to get Holt to allow us to use his private plane. Take Nova and go get our bags. I'll take care of it and meet you at the airport. Go!"

Ace and Nova ran to get their bags and headed to the exit. In the cab, Ace broke down in hysterics. "I can't lose her, Nova. I love her."

"I know you do. She's my best best friend. I'm worried too."

"No. You don't understand. I was going to ask her to marry me when her internship was over. I already bought the ring." He covered his face leaned over crying so hard he was sucking air.

"Oh, Ace. It's going to be okay." Nova scooted next to him, rubbing his back.

She feared the worst. This was far from over and her choices were hurting the ones closest to her.

"You're right. It's all your fault," Ace cried.

Nova sat in silence. She couldn't argue because felt in her heart that he was right. She brought Claire into this situation and blamed herself as much as he did.