Chapter 16

Two weeks later, Becket made it to the stadium early. He was there to meet with Holt, but the older man was nowhere in sight.

He hadn't planned on working with Nova that day before the show, so he figured he may as well head to the ring to get in some practice in for himself. The tension between them had settled a little, and he was coming around to seeing she had what it took to succeed. He just hoped Nova kept up the pace and wouldn't flake out on her responsibilities to move on to some other hair-brained scheme.

Becket went out to the ring area and found his best friend, Kevin, standing just outside the curtain.

"Hey, Beck."

"What's going on, bro?" He looked to the ring finding Nova working on bumps.

"She's been at it for hours. She won't stop until she gets it right. Tasha and Raven were here helping her this morning as soon as the stage crew set up the ring. It's just like when she was a teenager. Have you seen her back? It looks like hamburger meat. Raven told her to take it easy, and she refuses to stop."

"No way? She's hurt and still in there?" Becket seemed impressed with her work ethic.

"She wore that body-hugging thing last night at the house show to hide bruises and ring rash. That one-piece catsuit thing. I'm sure you didn't notice, but it was a long sleeve and covered everything but her cleavage. Her whole side and back have bruises and cut up with gashes. It looks like someone flogged her. I went to her room to hang out with her last night and Nova was lying on the bed crying out in pain. Claire was treating the cuts and trying to help her. The thing is, she won't take anything for the pain because of her old drug addiction. She's out here every morning and every night after shows. Even when you're not working with her."

Becket rubbed his fingers through curly locks trying to take in the information. "You think I'm being too hard on her, don't you?"

"Do you?" Kevin turned his head to look at his friend who sincerely looked worried.

"Ya, I guess so. Something isn't right, Kevin. She's not the same girl I remember. We're warming up to each other, and her attitude is a lot better, but she still gets really combative and blows up at the smallest little things."

"You see it too? Jake, Ace, and I were talking. Ace said he tried to hug her, and she freaked out. She used to be a huge hugger and loved Ace like a brother when she was younger. He told me she won't be in a room alone with you guys. Claire has to be there, or she leaves. Is that true?"

"Yes. Last night we were in the locker room and Nova came in without her. As soon as she saw Claire wasn't there, she left. It's like she's afraid of us and couldn't get out fast enough. Maybe it's my fault? Maybe when I had Raven shoot on her, it scared her."

Becket stood watching Nova struggling in the ring as guilt started building inside him. He hadn't seen it until now, but Nova had something deeper than a career change going on.

"No, it's not that hit job you and Raven did. She's had people shoot on her before. I think something is up. She doesn't even like to be alone with me. She used to be up my ass all the time at WEC. Our old crew was all close, and she was always bugging us to be part of the group. I have to go, but we need to watch out for her. I feel like she needs this, Beck. It's like she needs us." Kev fist bumped him, and Beck nodded as he left.

"Thanks, buddy." Becket took a deep breath and headed down to the ring. "Hey, goth Barbie. Looking good in there."

"I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, Beck? I used to be good at bumps. Will you help me?"

She looked down at him from the ring for help. Trying to keep up her strength she held back her emotions, but it was getting too hard. Nova was in so much pain she wanted to cry.

"Sure." Becket jumped up on the mat. "Try this. Maybe it's just balance? See... You're holding your neck weird when you land. Relax a little and just take the hit. I think you are afraid it's going to hurt. Let me show you one more time."

"Okay. Like this?"

"Yes! Perfect. See. You got this," he praised.

"I did it? Hey... I did it! Thanks, Beck. That even felt good." Nova looked proud of herself and tried once more.

"Nova, take a break. Come here for a second. Can I see your back?"

"Kevin told you, huh?"

He shook his head yes. "It's okay. I won't hurt you."

Nova slowly went to him and lifted her t-shirt.

"Oh, God. Nova... That's bad. Really bad. It looks like someone has beaten you with a bullwhip. You have to take it easy. I know you're trying hard, but I don't want you to hurt yourself. I have to admit, you proved me wrong. You're dedicated. And...," he hesitantly noted, as he helped her lower her top. "You're damn good too. You don't have to abuse yourself to prove it."

She winced trying to keep the fabric from rubbing her skin. Nova was taken aback by his kindness. Looking over her shoulder into his eyes, she saw a hint of regret she had never seen before.

"I think another week and you should be ready. Let that heal first. You can't be in your first match and look like someone has been abusing you. You have enough media harassing you the way it is."

"Really? You're going to let me wrestle? You think I'll make it to Mega Bomb one day?"

"Yes. If you keep at it. It's the biggest show of the year, but I think you'll make it."

"Becket. I was thinking about... well... everything. I'm sorry for being so hateful to you. Also, for pushing my way in without talking to you about it first. I know that's why you've really been so hard on me. There are real reasons for what I did. One day I hope I can tell you the truth because I trust you. There is a lot you don't know about regarding my personal life. You have no reason to trust me, but please understand that I did what I had to do to make things better for me."

"You trust me? Then why do you leave the room when it's just me or the guys? You won't be alone with us without Claire, even for a second. She's sweet, but it's hard to tell if you want to be part of this team or not. You only hang out with her, and we've been trying to let you be part of this. I know I was hard on you, but I'm trying to be better. I need you to meet me halfway."

Becket leaned against the ropes waiting for some answers. He wasn't sure they would sort this out, but it was worth a try.

"It's personal. I'm trying too. I really am. This is just odd to me. Remember, for a year I have only had Claire by my side. Before that, Liam wouldn't let me socialize with anyone but his industry buddies. When we went to celebrity clubs, and events to get media attention, was the only social interaction I received. Claire was the only friend I had on the road. I was friends with Jade and Emma from Roxxy, but he separated me from them because we were getting too close," she tried to explain.

"So, he wouldn't let you have friends?"

"No. Being a rockstar isn't always as exciting as people may think."

"I didn't know it was that bad. I..." Becket looked down at his feet shuffling back and forth. "I was thinking. Would you be interested in having dinner with me tonight? Maybe we can talk? Just us. I know Ace is taking Claire out tonight. He really likes her. I've never seen him act like this over a chick before."

"I don't... I can't." She said with a tremble to her voice. She got wide-eyed trying to hold back her anxiety as her hands started to tremble.

"I'm not a bad person, Nova. You used to like to hang out with me. You can even have security come along."

"Really? You wouldn't mind them being there?"

"If it makes you feel more comfortable, but I'd rather have some time alone. It's just dinner. I figured it's about time we get to know each other a little better. We need to settle all this tension between us. No pressure. I just thought it'd be nice."

"Back in the old days, you would have died to have to be seen with me. The little lanky brat hanging out with you would be a huge no-no," she teased. "You thought you were too cool for me. It... it really hurt my feelings sometimes."

She looked down trying to not make eye contact. That old feeling of rejection from her lifelong crush weighed heavily at the moment.

"Back then you were just a kid. You're a woman now. Things are different," he said honestly.

"A few days ago, I was a spoiled brat who acted like a child. Right?"

"It was wrong to say that. I have a feeling you have reasons you are acting this way. I didn't realize until spending some time with you that there is something deeper going on. It's not for me to judge why you do the things you do. It was wrong to be so hard on you, but it is my job as a person to be a decent person and stop pressuring you. So? Dinner, goth Barbie? I'll be a good boy. Scout's honor." He winked, throwing two fingers in the air.

"I highly doubt you were ever a scout. Fine. 6:00 tomorrow tonight. I have a photoshoot tomorrow, but I'll be ready. And stop calling me that." She giggled and smacked him playfully on the arm.

Becket pretended it hurt, rubbing his arm. "Good. Now get out of the ring and have a few recovery days before you end up getting really hurt. I can't have my girl looking like someone beat her up."

He helped her out of the ring before realizing what he had just said.

"Your girl?" Nova whipped her head back to look at him.

"What? What'd I say?"

Nova shook it off. "Oh... nothing."