I roll my eyes. “I doubt they’ll use me tomorrow. Xavier isn’t here, so there’s no point in putting me in the show.”
“I don’t know, Anna. If they’re paying you, they’ll find a way to work you into the ring.”
My stomach flips, and I suddenly feel uneasy at the thought of heading out into that arena without Xavier. I’m not sure if I can do it alone.
Liv tilts her head, and by the expression on her face, I can tell that I’m not hiding my worry very well. “Aw, Anna, don’t be nervous. You’ll be great.”
“You think so?”
“I do. Don’t give it another thought.” Her cell phone rings from the console next to her. She glances down at the screen and shakes her head. “It’s Brian. I’m sure there’s an emergency, like a dirty diaper, and he’s freaking out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I tell her good-bye, close the door, and then watch her pull away, laughing to myself as I think about Brian unable to handle Kami on his own.
“Checking in, miss?” the bellhop asks as he holds the handle of my bag.
“Yes. Thank you.”
I follow the short, pudgy man into the hotel lobby. “Would you like me to bring your bag up?”
“I can manage.”
He smiles and releases the handle. “Here you go. The front desk is straight ahead. Enjoy your stay.”
Tons of people are milling about with cameras and cell phones in hand. Over the past few weeks, I have learned these people are wrestling fanatics. They follow the superstars on social media so that they can figure out exactly where the guys will be. Autographs and pictures with their favorite wrestlers are a hot commodity among fans.
I’m sure a lot of them are looking for Xavier. It’s sad that he can’t be here because he loves his fans, and I know he probably misses giving back to them, like he usually does.
I weave around the crowd, and then I hear the name that Tension dubbed me with being shouted.
“Anna Sweets! Is X with you?”
I shake my head, a little dazed that they know who I am. “Sorry, guys. He’s not.”
The collective sound of disappointed fans echoes around the lobby as I continue to walk around them.
A rather skinny man wearing a T-shirt with Tension’s logo on it steps in front of me while holding a silver Sharpie. “Will you sign my shirt?”
The corner of my mouth turns up. “I’m flattered. Of course I will.” I scribble my name on his shirt, trying to be as neat as I can while giving my very first autograph. I re-cap the marker and hand it back to the guy. “There you go.”
He smiles. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
I walk away from the mob of people, completely overwhelmed and humbled and totally smiling like an idiot.
Steps away from the front desk, I’m in line, waiting to check in, when a familiar voice sounds, reminding me of nails on a chalkboard.
“Who would’ve ever thought that the fans would ask for your autograph? They’re almost as pathetic as X with the way they’re fawning all over you.”
I turn to find Deena in a skintight blue dress, staring down her nose at me.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her and stick my tongue out like a five-year-old. “What do you want?”
She smirks and then throws her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Am I not allowed to make small talk with you?”
I shake my head. “I’d prefer if you didn’t.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Well, we don’t always get what we want in life, do we?”
It’s not hard to tell that she’s still hung up on Xavier blowing her off, but I refuse to argue with her.
When she sees that I’m ignoring her, she folds her arms over her chest and continues to talk without invitation, “What does X think about your upcoming storyline with Rex? I bet he’s dying to watch you make out with another man on television.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Of course it is,” she says as she pretends to be occupied with her perfectly manicured nails.
“You heard Mr. Silverman the other night. It’s going to be weeks before Rex is back in the ring.”
“To wrestle,” she corrects. “He said it would be weeks before Rex returns in the ring for a match. It doesn’t mean that they can’t put the two of you into the show. Rex has excellent mic skills, and that pumps the crowd up nearly as much as the high-flying maneuvers he does.”
My brow furrows. “Are you telling me that Rex is here this weekend?”
Deena nods. “Of course he is, and I believe he requested a room right next to yours.”
If I could see my own face, I’m sure I’d see that all the color has completely drained from my face. My plan was to ignore Rex as best as I could when he returned from his injuries. I thought that would be a few weeks from now. I never dreamed he would be around so soon.
Xavier and I aren’t on the best of terms right now. Things are still so rocky between us. How is he going to handle knowing that Rex is back so soon and staying in the room right next to mine?
My panic must greatly amuse Deena. A catty witchlike laugh bubbles up from her throat as she turns and walks away, no doubt feeling like she accomplished her mission at getting me frazzled.
“Next? I can take the next person in line, please.”
My attention snaps to the lady at the front desk, wearing a required smile.
“Hi. Sorry. Anna Cortez.” I hand over my debit card and driver’s license.
The dark-haired lady types my information into the computer. “Okay, found you. Seems you were added on to the reservation originally in Mr. Cold’s name.”
“Yes. Is there any way you can confirm if my room is next to someone else’s?”
“Yes, ma’am. Name?”
“Rex Risen.”
She types in a few more things and then nods her head. “Yes, ma’am. He’s right next door.”
I sigh. “I hate to be a pain, but can I be moved?”
“Let me check.” Her eyes scan the screen. “Not at the price range you are currently in. Those rooms have all been checked in, but we can upgrade you to a suite for an extra four hundred per night.”
I grimace, knowing that I need to be careful with what I spend. “That’s okay. I’ll stay where I am.”