Post by Nick Knight on Jan 31, 2021 12:23:24 GMT
September 26, 2020
7:00 AM PDT
The sun was barely peaking up over the horizon when the Uber driver dropped Nick off in front of his building. After four days hiking all over Joshua Tree all he wanted was a hot shower and a long nap in his soft bed. The time in the desert had been good for him, he needed a chance to step away from being a boyfriend, a father, and the ‘Unholy Son.’ He needed time to just be Nicky and try to figure out what the next few weeks would be like.
Dr. Goode had told him that going against Lou’s delusion could be disastrous, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could play along. Each week things seemed to be spiraling further and further out of control. Sitting on the weird throne cutting a promo was one thing. Hell being a part of attacking Gregor Winter was fine, stuff like that has been happening in wrestling for decades. This being worshiped like some sort of a messiah was something completely different.
The elevator doors open and before he could even step into his penthouse he could feel something was off. Just the vibe of the whole place was weird, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Then he flipped on the lights and saw it, the giant blood red throne sitting in his living room instead of his favorite chair. A chill ran down his spine, how the fuck did he manage to get the fucking thing into his home.
Walking towards it he saw that there was an sitting in the seat. Opening it he found beautiful cream colored stationary with the skull logo of The Church of Crosse across the top in blood red.
Every king needs a throne from which to rule. I hope you don’t mind my taking the time to have one made for you. It is far more comfortable than the one that you’ve been using I assure you. You might even find that it’s big enough for you and Penny to snuggle up for a little Netflix and chill.
Love,
Lou
All of the peace he had found in the desert was instantly gone and he was filled with anxiety. He thought about calling Dr. Goode to discuss things, but he really didn’t have time. He had a noon flight back to the east coast, which gave him just enough time to shower and pack a bag. At least this week he was actually going to be getting back into the ring.
10 PM EDT
Nick dropped his bags onto the bed and pulled his phone out of his pocket to call Penny. He had a nice flight, remembering to book a seat in business class this time. The throne sitting in his living was still weighing heavy on his mind, but he knew that hearing a friendly voice after almost a week would help.
“Hey sexy,” Penny said. Picking the phone up after three rings.
“Hey yourself.” He tried to sound happy to be speaking with her, which he was, but everything with his brother was really starting to fuck with his head.
“Whats wrong,” asked Penny. She knew him like the back of her hand. Sometimes she seemed to know him better than he ever knew himself, which was kind of scary.
“He was in my home.”
“Who was in you home, sweety?”
“Lou.”
“Why was Lou inside your condo?”
“He left a fucking giant throne in my living room. It’s a fancy version of the one that he’s been hauling around the country for me to sit in. I’m a little freaked out about it.”
“You really need to do something about him, Nicky. This is gone on long enough and he’s taking it too far. Talk to Dr. Goode about him again, and see what he has to say. There has to be an appropriate point to get Lou help.”
“I’m not sure there is any helping Lou, but I’ll talk to him. Maybe getting him to agree to some kind of personal boundaries or something.”
“Do you think it will do any good?”
“Probably not, he’s never been very good at boundaries; even when he wasn’t bat shit crazy. He was that guy in the locker room that would borrow shit without asking and never bring it back.If I don’t want him coming into my home whenever he wants I have to try. I do have to give him credit for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“That chair is pretty fucking cool!”
“You should be pissed off or scared, not excited about the piece of furniture your creepy fucking brother left in your living room.”
“I’m freaked the fuck out about it, but he does have really good taste in furniture. If you don’t believe me swing by the condo and see for yourself. It has Penny Dreadful written all over it. Lou even said in his not that he made it big enough for us to cuddle in, which is sort of sweet in a creepy kind of way.”
“I just think it’s creepy and I think you do to.”
“Penny I...I honestly don’t know what to think. Right now I’m going to get naked and climb into this hotel bed and rub one out, while wishing you were here.”
“Don’t start yet.”
“Why?” Nick’s text messaging beeps and he is greeted by a naked selfie of a gorgeous barely legal blonde. “Who is that?”
“That’s Cin.”
“I can see why JC likes her so much. Why are you sending me naked pictures of her?”
“She wanted me to,” Penny said sweetly. “She grew up watching wrestling with her brothers and she thinks you’re kind of sexy.”
“Penny, I…”
“Need to get some sleep. Try not to stay UP all night.” She giggled wickedly and hung up. Nick’s phone beeped five more times, each message making him smile more.
September 27, 2020
It was four o’clock before Nick arrived at the arena in a taxi. Normally he would have been backstage for hours preparing for a match. Tonight though he was doing his best to avoid seeing his brother. He knew that he told Penny that he would have a conversation with Lou, but he just did not feel like it was the right time. He wasn’t really sure when the right time would be, but it was definitely not know.
I panicked producer met him at the door screaming at him about being late cutting his promo. Normally he would take it all instride, but it took all of his effort just to not the little headset wearing dick around the throat. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he allows the camera man and producer to lead him to a candle lit set in a far corner of the stadium.
The brothers nail a damn near perfect promo on one take and the producers scampers away happy leaving Jimmy Knight’s eldest sons sitting alone. Nick is still very much on edge about the throne he found sitting in his living room, but he’s also lost in thought about his conversation with Penny the night before; about both Lou and the barely legal girl that lived down the street from her. How in the hell was a guy supposed to concentrate on a match with all of this crap in his head.
“You seem troubled by something, brother,” said Lou. “Is it the throne? Do you not like it?”
“Do you remember when Jake Jett beat the shit out of you that night in Wichita?”
“Who,” Lou replied.
“Jake Jett.”
“Who the fuck is Jake Jett.” The brothers laugh hysterically.
“That never gets old for some reason. Seriously though, you remember how he beat the shit out of you for taking his Marilyn Manson CD?”
“I was just borrowing it,” Crosse says, defensively.
“Taking something without asking and not giving it back is not borrowing, it’s stealing. Lou I get it, your mind doesn’t work the way that others do, but you have to learn personal boundaries. Thank you for the gift, but unless I invite you over stay the fuck out of my home.”
Nick walked away to get ready for his match with Draco Wolfe.
September 30
It is a beautiful late summer night when Nick pulls up in front of Penny’s house in his tricked out purple Mustang. The engine growls one last time as he puts it into neutral before setting the e brake and turning off of the ignition. He is barely out of the car before a pair of scrawny arms are thrown around his his neck.
“I’ve missed you, so much.” The boys voice said from against his chest.
“I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry I’ve away from home for so long, but I’m probably going to be able to stay home for a couple of weeks.” Nick couldn’t but smile as his son nearly jumped up and down with joy. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“What’s that,” JC asked. Nick into the pocket of his sport coat and pulled out an envelope. The younger Knight takes it from him and slowly opens it. “We’re going to see The Harlem Globetrotters!!! When?”
“Right now, duh.”
“Wait. I’m just supposed to drop everything and take you to a silly basketball game,” JC teased.
“What did you have planned sitting in your room playing Fortnight and eating chips?” Nicky returned fire. “I dropped everything for you, did you ever stop to think that maybe I had a date tonight?”
“Seriously Dad, what woman would ever want your ugly ass.”
“JC, watch your mouth!”
“Sorry.” The gleam of mischief never leaving his eyes.
“No you’re not,” said Nick with a smile. “Go say goodbye to your mom and lets go.”
The normal half an hour drive to The Staples Center took nearly two in the crazy L.A. gridlock. Normally Nick would have been ready to suplex someone on the hood of their car by the time they reached the arena, but he enjoyed the extra time talking with his son. When finally they made it to the arena Nick parked in a spot in the VIP lot and they made the short walk into the House that Kobe Built.
“I’m sorry our tickets aren’t better,” said Nick. “Your Uncle Randy saw a commercial for the show last night and bought the tickets for us. They were the best that they had left.”
“I don’t care if we have to sit in the rafters. I’m just happy to be spending some time with you,” JC said, nearly making his father break down in tears. Things with his career were going great, but sometimes he considered retiring just so he could spend more time with the kid.
“Have you ever wrestled here, Dad?”
“Once in a six man tag with your Uncle James and Un…”
“Dad, it’s cool. I know about her transitioning and I understand.”
“I’m glad you do, because I struggle sometimes,” Nick admitted.
“Why? She’s still the same person.”
“I get that and I still lover her like...well I guess like a sister now.” Nick tried to explain his feelings to his son. “It’s just that you get that close to someone and you’ve been best friends for twenty years and you find out that they have this hugh secret. It fucks with you a little bit.”
“I can see that,” JC says, with a shrug.
“Listen to me sharing my deepest thoughts with a twelve year old.” Nick hugged his son close and kissed him on the forehead. “James Christopher I’m so proud of the young man you’re becoming. Your Mom is doing a great job of raising you.”
“That’s the only time you’ve wrestled in The Staples Center?”
“Yep. I’ve wrestled at The Forum quite a few times and shit loads of indy shows in L.A., but only the one time here. You’re Uncle James and I tried to catch a couple of Kings’ games every year and I brought your Mom here for a few concerts through the years. In fact there is a really good chance you were conceived after an Aerosmith show here. I had to put up quite the fight to keep your Mom from naming you Steven.”
“Eww gross. I don’t want to hear about you and Mom having sex.”
“You shouldn’t grossed out by the wonderful moment that made you. Trust me it was way better than the quick pump and dump in the backseat of a rented Lincoln that brought me into the world.”
“Pump and dump?”
“Don’t bullshit me JC. I know you aren’t that innocent, even if I wish you still were.”
“Can I speak with you Mr. Knight.” Nick looked over to see a twenty something guy in a Staples Center polo.
“Sure, what’s this about,” Nick asks.
“Well it’s our policy to move celebrities into better seats if they are available. One of the ushers recognized you when you came in and we would love to give you an upgrade. Would you and your son please follow me.” The young man leads the pair down stairs to a pair of premium courtside seats. “Here you go.”
“You guys really didn’t need to do this,” Knight protested.
“Someone will be by to check on you in a few minutes.” As he’s walking away the young man leans down and whispers in Nick’s ear, “Reach out and touch faith.”
“This is so cool.” JC squealed in excitement as he watched the players warm up.
As promised a waitress was around a few minutes later to take their order. When he tried to tip the young lady she told him that it would not be necessary. Just before walking away she pulled back the sleeve of her shirt to show him a tattoo of The Church of Crosse’s skull logo. Nick could not help but wonder what kind of effect The Church of Crosse was having on his life. He was being drawn deeper and deeper into his brother’s delusions and he was at a lost on what to do.
Despite his worry, he and JC had a fantastic time. They both spent the entire night laughing and crying and at one point the younger Knight was pulled out on the floor to participate in the hijinx. When it was all over the boys were sent home happy and JC had one of the trademark red, white, and blue balls autographed by one of the players.
“Dad, why did he autograph this ball ‘Reach Out and Touch Faith,” JC asked when he finally got a good look at the ball.
“I don’t know, he must be really religious.” Nick hated lying to his son, but he was in no way prepared to bring his son into this stupid game.
October 2
Nick was standing in front of the restaurant talking with a tall and handsome black man when Penny arrived dressed to kill in a little black dress. She sashayed up and gave the big man a hug before turning and giving Nick a long toe curling kiss that left him with a stupid grin on his face.
“I didn’t realize this was a working dinner,” she says to them.
“It’s not,” Randy explained. “We were both just waiting on our dates, and here is mine.”
A very attractive man with an olive complexion and raven hair approaches and Randy takes his leave. Nicky offers his girlfriend his arm and they make their way into on the of the fanciest restaurants in all of L.A. It was the kind of place that stars came to be seen spending money. That was the last thing on Nick’s mind, that was why he asked for a table in some dark corner away from all of the attention hounds. Instead they were led to a little table just inside of the kitchen where the chef would be taking care of them personally.
“How did you manage to get seats at a chef’s table,” Penny asks.
“I have a pretty good idea, but you’re not going to like it.”
“Lou.” Nick just nods. “I thought so. JC told me all about you guys getting upgraded the other night, because you’re such a big star.”
“We weren’t upgraded because of anything I’d ever done inside of the ring. Both the kid that moved us and our waitress were members of The Church of Crosse. I’m willing to be someone here at the restaurant is too,” Nick explained.
“Don’t you think it’s a little fucked up that your brother has people just giving you…”
“It’s so good to see you Mr. Knight and Miss Dreadful,” said a sandy haired woman in chef’s whites. “I’m Chef Myra and I’m going to be presenting you with our tasting menu. Tonight you are going to be the envy of every foodie in Southern California.”
“That sounds amazing Chef, but how in the world did we get this table on a Friday night,” asked Penny.
“We had a last minute cancelation and our front end manager’s son is a huge wrestling fan. He was hoping that he might be able to get an autograph.” The chef smiled widely show off a row of perfect teeth that was perfectly at home in Hollywood.
“I think that can be arranged.” Nick returned the smile, but as soon as the chef walked away it turned into a grimace of pain. “You kicked me!”
“That’s what happens when you flirt with another woman when you’re out on a date with me,” says Penny, with a smile.
“I wasn’t flirting, just being nice.”
“Well she was definitely flirting with you.”
“No she wasn’t.”
“Nicky are you ever going to get over being so damn oblivious. Women find you attractive and they flirt with you all of the damn time.” Penny shakes her head in amazement. “You have a smoking hot little nineteen year old asking me to send you nude pics of her because she thinks you’re sexy. Are you that innocent or is your self esteem that low?”
“I’ve never thought of myself as good looking. I was the guy that would sit in the corner getting fucked up and telling a few jokes. Then, maybe if I got really drunk, I’d do something stupid; but I was never the good looking guy.”
“Nicky you aren’t a pretty boy rock star type like James or Chris was, but you have this kind of dark brooding sexiness about you.” She gave him a sly grin as she ran her foot up the leg of his pants to his crotch. “The fact that you have this natural instinct to want to take care of people just makes you irresistible.”
The chef began bringing food to the table a few minutes later and the conversation began to wane after small plate after small plate made its way to the table. When they finally finished the last flight of desert Nicky asked for the check and to meet the front end manager that hooked them up with suck an amazing meal.
A moment later a middle aged ginger in a thousand dollar suit came back to meet Nick and Penny. He was obviously intelligent and well spoken with just a tint of an Irish brogue. They chatted for several minutes, and except for the occasional peak at Penny’s tits he was the perfect gentleman.
“Chef Myra said that you would like me to sign a couple of autographs for your kid.” Nick finally said after the small talk had slowed to a crawl.
“That would be fantastic.”
“Would you like Penny to sign anything for you?” The man’s cheeks turned bright red, the curse of a ginger. Then he ran off to grab something for his son to sign.
“That wasn’t not very nice,” she scolded.
“I couldn’t help it. I mean he’s been staring at your chest unabashedly for the past five minutes.” Nick tried to defend himself.
“Wait, you notice when a guy is checking me out; but you don’t know when you’re being flirted with? You are something else Nicky Nightmare. I’ll be right back, I have to use the ladies.”
The manager came back with a DVD and a leather bound book for Nick to sign. ‘The Hollywood Butcher’ took the DVD first and shivered when he saw that it was a copy of the Extreme Endurance pay-per-view. This particular case had was the aftermath of him power bombing Abraxes off of the stage through a flaming table.
“Nate say that is his all time favorite match, and it is sure to win Match of the year,” the manager was grinning from ear to ear.
“That match sucked so bad. It probably took two years off of my career.” Nick took the DVD case and a Sharpie from the manager. “You said your son’s name is Nate?”
“Yes sir, and can you sign it Reach Out and Touch Faith.” Nick quickly signed the DVD and took the book from the manager, it was of course a very fancy copy of The Book of Crosse. “That’s going to be a birthday present for him. He’s not going to believe that ‘The Unholy Son’ signed his copy of The Book.”
“I’m glad I can make him happy,” says Nick with a weak smile. “Can I please have my check now.”
“Your money is no good here, sir. In fact you are more than welcome to come back any time you want and I will make sure Chef Myra has something special for you.”
“I appreciate that.” Nick walked out of the office at damn near a jog and almost bowled Penny over. Not saying a word to her he just left the building through the back door and into a narrow alley.
“What in the hell is wrong with you,” Penny asked.
“I was right, that guy is one of Lou’s followers. He had me sign a fucking leather bound Book of Crosse that he’s giving to his kid for his birthday.” Nick was trying his best to slow his breathing to keep from hyperventilating.
“Nick this is really fucked up and you need to do something about this right now,” Penny screams at him.
“No shit!”
“Don’t you dare yell at me Nicholas James Knight!”
“I’m sorry, I just don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do.” He begins to pace, tears rolling down his cheeks as he has a full on panic attack.
“You’re going to Greensboro this week, right?”
“Yeah,” he answers between sobs.
“Don’t you know some preacher there or something?”
“Yeah, George Cane. He was Jimmy’s tag partner back in the day.”
“Talk to him. I’m sure he can give you some good advice on how to deal with this shit, because it has to stop Nicky” Penny slowly walked up and pulled Nick into her arms. “This stuff is really starting to scare me.”
“I know.” He squeezed her tight and fought off the urge to cry. “You coming over tonight?”
“I don’t think so. What time do you leave tomorrow?”
“Noon, I think. My plan is to be home Tuesday.”
“Call me when you get settled into your room.”
“Yes boss.” Penny gave him a smile that did not quite touch her eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too Nicky, don’t ever think that I don’t.”
October 5
Noon EDT
Nick was tucked into a booth in the back corner of the dinner when Reverend George Cane walked in the front door. Even at seventy years old he was still a big man with wide shoulders and hands that reminded Nick of frying pans. Dressed casually in a golf shirt and khakis the preacher took his time chatting with parishioners as he made his way to where Nick was seated.
“Nicky, it’s great to see you.” Nick had forgotten that the preacher that had a smile that could light up a room.
“You look good, George.” Knight shook the once tag team partner of his father and offered him a seat.
“Thank you. I’ve started playing tennis recently and I’ve lost a little weight and got a tan. If I can be blunt, you look like shit.” George waved over a waitress to fill his cup with coffee. “I’m guessing that there is a reason that you called me.”
“Yeah, my brother.”
“I figured as much,” the preacher said, taking a sip of black coffee. “So it’s not just some gimmick?”
“No it’s very real. He’s bought an old ass church out in the desert and is converting it into some kind of compound. There’s a cathedral for regular services and they’re building dorms so he can train more disciples.”
A waitress comes back and sets two plates of food in front of them.
“How did you know this is what I have for lunch when I come here,” George asks.
“I asked the waitress,” Nick answered with a smile. “I figured that if you get it every time it must be good, so I ordered the same thing.”
“You are a smart man.” George returned the smile before taking a big bite of American fries smothered in sausage gravy. “I can see why you’re worried about the things that your brother is doing. Cults can be very dangerous, even deadly things. I mean look at the Branch Davidians, or the Peoples Temple. Heck even the Manson Family could be considered a cult and you know what they did.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. These people are insanely devout and worse of all they wear masks to services so you don’t know who they are in the real world. They could be the kid bagging your groceries or a fucking senator, pardon my french.”
“You have a mouth just like your old man.” George laughed and took a bite of his burger. “I can see how you’re scared about not know who is a member of the church. It makes keeping things under control much harder.”
“Well I know who a few members are now. My lawyer, a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, somebody high up at The Staples Center, several waiters and waitresses all over the country, and the manager of the hottest restaurant in L.A. I know all of this, because I haven’t paid for anything in weeks. Hell the kid at McDonald’s this morning wouldn’t let me pay for my egg McMuffin.”
“That sounds handy,” the preacher jokes.
“Not really. I’m not Bill Gates rich, but I’m doing alright. It’s embarrassing when you go out on a date and you aren’t even allowed to pay.”
“That never happened before the cult thing?”
“Every once in a while a fan would buy me a burger at Steak n Shake or something like that. A few times I’ve been out with Penny and one of her fans has bout us dinner. This seems to be every single time I go out.”
The two men eat in silence for several minutes. George Cane thinking over the problem that the eldest son of one of his oldest friends has brought to him. Finally the minister clears his throat and takes a sip of his now cold coffee. The bacon cheeseburger that Nick had so kindly ordered for him was gone and it was time for him to come up with some kind of advice.
“Nick I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t know what the right answer is on this one. I know that you’re old man was a pretty good man, at least in the end, but he sure as heck wasn’t any kind of god. I also know that you aren’t any kind of messiah, you’re just a regular guy that’s a pretty good wrestler.”
“I appreciate your honesty, George. I’m bumfuzzled myself, because my shrink says that fighting Lou on this will just make things worse for him. I’m also afraid that shit with his followers has just gone too far.”
“I’m sorry I can’t offer you any advice but at least let me buy you lunch.”
“No, I invited you for lunch so it’s on me.” Nick signals to the waitress that they would like their check and she comes around and hands it to ‘The Unholy Son.’ Knight takes one look at it and just rolls his eyes when he sees that all it says is Reach Out and Touch Faith! “See what I’m talking about?”
“What the hell?” Cane says looking at the check. “I’ve been coming to this place for twenty years and I’ve never got a free meal.”
“Hang out with me and you’ll get an embarrassing number of them,” Nick complains.
“Give me a call next time you’re going to be in town and I just might do that.” The two men share a quick hand shake and a hug before Nick takes off in his rented Dodge Challenger.
11:00 PM EDT
The fans were just shuffling out of the Greensboro Coliseum when Nick arrived at the airport to catch the last flight to Atlanta. If every thing worked out he would be in his own bed before sunrise. He had no idea why he had even been forced to come to North Carolina. He played along when Lou attacked Gregor Winter, but he really didn’t need to be in Greensboro for it; and he sure as hell wasn’t booked in a match.
He would probably get fined for leaving the arena early, but he really didn’t give a fuck. All he wanted to do was to get away for a few days. No IWF, no Lou, and most importantly no Church of Crosse. A little family vacation was in order and he knew just the place. Picking up the phone he called his buddy Sal who managed one of the nicest resorts in Cabo. Ten minutes later he had a three bedroom suite reserved and it wasn’t going to cost him a penny. This time it was because of an old friendship and not Lou’s stupid church.
October 6
Nick slept until noon before driving to Hollywood. It had been four days since he and Penny had their first fight since getting back together and they seemed to have ended things in a good place he had to be sure. That and he wanted to surprise her with the tickets for the flight to Mexico.
Knight opened the gate with the remote that Penny gave him when they first started hanging out and he parked on the driveway. She was waiting at the door looking sexy as hell in yoga pants and a skin tight tank top. She had had her hair done and it was now dyed a dark purple, which Nick had to admit got his motor running. It took every single ounce of will power to not carry her inside and have his way with her.
“Hey stranger.” She greeted him with a quick kiss. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Can’t I just want to come see my girl?”
“You can, but I’m usually the one that comes to see you. Which makes me think that you’re up to something.” She gave him a smile that nearly buckled his knees. Silently Nick hands her and envelope and she tears into it. “A plane ticket?”
“We are going on a family vacation,” Knight said, with a smile. “I’ve booked us a three bedroom suite in Cabo and the three of us are getting away for a few days.”
“I don’t know Nick.”Penny led Nick into the open floor plan living area of the house and he was amazed at how much it had changed since he lived there. “JC has school and I’m super busy getting ready to shoot the first movie for the new company. Now really isn’t the best time.”
“It’s all taken care of sweety. JC can miss a few days of school, they’re even sending his work home with him today. I also talked to Randy and he’s going to hold down the fort. I just hope a giant fucking throne doesn’t show up in your living room.”
“That’s seriously not funny.”
“Who said I was joking.” Nick gave he a dead serious look before breaking out in a huge smile. “I’m pretty sure Lou isn’t that fucking stupid. I like what you’ve done with the place.”
“Nicky I’m sorry after you…”
“Penny I honestly like what you have done. It’s very classy and beautiful just like you.” Nicky smiled at his girlfriend trying not to blush. “So what have you done with the bedroom?”
“Nick Knight are you trying to get into my bedroom?”
“Maybe. Is it working?”
She bit her lip and signaled for him to follow her deeper into the house. Everything was different and he felt like a stranger in the home that they had once shared, but that made it exciting. It was like they were doing things for the very first time. He had to admit that he had butterflies in his stomach for the first time in he did not know how long.
“This is going to have to be a quickie JC will be home in less than an hour.” Clothes were flying off before she even finished the sentence and they were attacking each other, hands and mouths all over. It was not love making, just pure unadulterated passion.
Forty five minutes later they were freshly showered and enjoying a beer when JC ran into the house and threw his arms around his dad. The two Knight men shared a hug and the younger giggled as Nick lifted him up and slammed him down onto the sofa.
“What are you doing here,” asked JC, once he was able to catch his breath.
“Well I came to give you a present.” Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Open it.”
“It’s a plane ticket, to Mexico? Why am I going to Mexico?”
“We’re all going to Mexico numb nuts,” Nick answered, giving his son a noogie. “Shit’s been crazy here lately and I thought we could use a little vacation.”
“So that’s why my teacher gave me that homework packet!”
“Exactly. So pack your swim trunks and lots of sunscreen so your pasty pale ass doesn’t burn to a crisp. I’ll see you in the morning.”
October 7
The flight from L.A. to Cabo was a short one and they were through customs in no time, although Nick wasn’t convinced at least one of the agents wasn’t a member of The Church. A quick ride in the back of fifteen passenger van and they were at the beautiful resort. The hotel manager, a chubby Mexican with dark just showing the first signs of grey met them at the front desk.
“Blanco,” he yelled, running up to Nicky and giving him a big hug.
“Rojo!” Nicky returned the embrace and the two men began to laugh and cut up. “Sal there are a couple people I’d like you to meet. This is my son JC and his mother Penny.”
“You have a good looking boy and I can see where he gets his looks from,” Salvador kissed Penny on the hand. “You will be in a three bedroom private cabana overlooking the ocean. I hope that will work for you?”
“That is more than I could ask for, Rojo.”
“Why did you call that man Rojo,” asked JC, as they followed a bell hop to their cabana.
“He was one of my tag team partners when I first broke into the business in Mexico. There were three of us; I was El Luchador Gran Blanco, Sal was El Luchado Gran Rojo, and we had a few partners that all had different colors.”
“What does El Luchador Gran Blanco mean,”JC asked.
“It basically means The Great White Wrestler,” Nick answered. “I was the only gringo in the company at the time, and the promoter thought it was a hilarious joke. A friend of mine worked for him a few years later and he was The Great Black Wrestler. I think you can guess why.”
The cabana they were in was massive with a living and kitchen area easily as big as Nick’s condo and three large bedrooms with king sized beds and en suite bathrooms. The master bedroom had a balcony over looking the ocean that had a hot tub that would easily fit eight adults. It was a little slice of heaven and Nick reminded himself that he would have to do something special to repay Sal.
“You can take the master bedroom Penny, Junior and I will take the two in the back. You just have to promise to share that hot tub with us a couple of times this week.”
“I think I can manage that.” She gave Nick a wink as soon as JC ran off to pick out his room.
The rest of the day they spent on the beach splashing in the water and enjoying the sun. That night they enjoyed a fantastic meal of fish tacos made from the local catch and homemade tortillas. Once they were back at the hotel JC crashed almost immediately and Nick and Penny took the time to enjoy the hot tub looking out over the moonlit ocean.
“This is just about perfect,” Nick said.
“Yeah, if were only not wearing these bathing suits.”
“That can be taken care of real fast.” Nick fumbles around under the water for a moment and pulls off his swim trunks. Tossing them onto the wood deck he just smiles at his girlfriend. “Your turn.”
Never one to back down from a challenge Penny quickly removes her bottom, leaving on her top as a tease. Minutes pass in silence as they just enjoyed each others company the way that only people that truly know one another can do. Finally Nick breaks the calm by sliding across the hot tub and giving Penny a long, slow, passionate kiss.
“Nicky we shouldn’t. What if JC catches us in a compromising position?”
“Penny it’s like the Beatles song says, ‘I want you so bad that it’s driving me mad.”
“You know that I’m more of a Stones kind of girl.” She pushed him away to his side of the hot tub, following him and climbing up onto his lap. There kisses become more and more frantic until finally she stands and grabs him by the hand and leads him to the plush bed. “Make love to me Nicky Nightmare.”
Nick snuck back into his room just before dawn and was able to catch a couple hours of sleep before being Five Star Frog Splashed by his son. A cold shower later he was ready to get the day started. As a surprise Nick had made a reservation for them all to go on an ATV adventure on the beach and into the desert. It was an absolute blast and by the time they were done they all had sand in places they did not know that they even had.
That evening they decided to go to the high end steak house that was a part of the resort. Penny looked absolutely amazing in a sapphire dress that showed off all of her assets without being over the top. Nick wore a well tailored grey suit with a thin cornflower blue pinstripe, and as a surprise for his son he bought the younger Knight a suit to match.
“You boys look fantastic,” Penny complimented them.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” said Nick.
Dinner was amazing, probably the best steak any of them had ever had. When they were through they returned to their cabana and Nick and Penny sat on the sofa enjoying a glass of wine. That was until JC walked into the room and through a red lace thong onto the coffee table in front of them.
“When were you going to tell me that you’re back together?” A mix of hurt and confusion painted all over the boys face.
“Where did you find that,” asked Penny.
“In Dad’s sock drawer.”
“JC there…”
“Mom don’t even try to play that it’s not yours,” the younger Knight said. “I’ve helped you do laundry.”
“Please sit down, Son.” Nick said pointing to the spot between his parents. “I guess we need to have a talk as a family.”
“You want to start or should I,” Nick asked Penny.
“You can,” she answered, on the verge of tears.
“JC your mother and I weren’t sure if we were going to work as a couple. We had already failed at it once for a lot of reasons that I won’t go into, but we knew that we were incredibly attracted to one another. We’ve been taking it slow and seeing how things go and once we were at least more sure that things were going to work out we’d tell you.”
“It sure as hell sounded like things were working out last night!”
“Oh my god! You could here us,”[/font] a very red faced Penny asked.
“The entire resort could probably hear you. I thought you were supposed to save the loud moaning for your movies.”
“How do you know…”
“Mom chill, I’ve known for like three years. One of the older kids at school told me about it. I don’t have a problem with it, really. I just thought all of the moaning and shit was fake.”
“Watch your language JC,” Nick barked.
“Why, Mom sure wasn’t last night.” This comment made all three of them laugh, clearing the air.
“I’ll be honest with you, since you know everything. Most of the time in the movies it is all fake, or at least exaggerated. What you heard last night was not, because your old man has got some skills. He does this one thing…”
“La la la,” JC sings putting his fingers in his ears.
“So how much porn do you watch Son?” Now it was JC’s turn to turn beat red. “I mean it’s perfectly normal to need a little inspiration from time to time. When I was younger all we had was the Sears catalog.”
“Ew. I don’t do that!”
“Just wait you will,” Nick and Penny say at the same time.
“You guys are gross!”
“Alright back to being serious. Does your Mom and me dating bother you, because if it does we will stop. I don’t want to, because I love her, but I will if it means you are happy.”
“It’s kind of weird to me, and it’s going to take some getting used to; but I think I can get used to it. Are you guys going to get married again?”
“For now we’re just going to be boyfriend and girlfriend,” Penny answered. “Would you be ok with your Dad staying over at the house or me staying at the condo?”
“Only if you promise not to keep me up all night,” The boy said with a giggle.
“I love you both.” Nick gave his son a hug and his girlfriend a kiss.
The rest of the vacation went by quick with the family spending the day doing outside activities and Nick and Penny sharing a bed. They all had to agree that the time went by way too fast, but Nick had a commitment for IWF. He saw his family off at the airport before boarding a separate flight to Las Vegas. He was meeting Warren Kane and they were going to cut a segment for Sacrifice for The Cathedral of Crosse.
7:00 AM PDT
The sun was barely peaking up over the horizon when the Uber driver dropped Nick off in front of his building. After four days hiking all over Joshua Tree all he wanted was a hot shower and a long nap in his soft bed. The time in the desert had been good for him, he needed a chance to step away from being a boyfriend, a father, and the ‘Unholy Son.’ He needed time to just be Nicky and try to figure out what the next few weeks would be like.
Dr. Goode had told him that going against Lou’s delusion could be disastrous, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could play along. Each week things seemed to be spiraling further and further out of control. Sitting on the weird throne cutting a promo was one thing. Hell being a part of attacking Gregor Winter was fine, stuff like that has been happening in wrestling for decades. This being worshiped like some sort of a messiah was something completely different.
The elevator doors open and before he could even step into his penthouse he could feel something was off. Just the vibe of the whole place was weird, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Then he flipped on the lights and saw it, the giant blood red throne sitting in his living room instead of his favorite chair. A chill ran down his spine, how the fuck did he manage to get the fucking thing into his home.
Walking towards it he saw that there was an sitting in the seat. Opening it he found beautiful cream colored stationary with the skull logo of The Church of Crosse across the top in blood red.
Every king needs a throne from which to rule. I hope you don’t mind my taking the time to have one made for you. It is far more comfortable than the one that you’ve been using I assure you. You might even find that it’s big enough for you and Penny to snuggle up for a little Netflix and chill.
Love,
Lou
All of the peace he had found in the desert was instantly gone and he was filled with anxiety. He thought about calling Dr. Goode to discuss things, but he really didn’t have time. He had a noon flight back to the east coast, which gave him just enough time to shower and pack a bag. At least this week he was actually going to be getting back into the ring.
10 PM EDT
Nick dropped his bags onto the bed and pulled his phone out of his pocket to call Penny. He had a nice flight, remembering to book a seat in business class this time. The throne sitting in his living was still weighing heavy on his mind, but he knew that hearing a friendly voice after almost a week would help.
“Hey sexy,” Penny said. Picking the phone up after three rings.
“Hey yourself.” He tried to sound happy to be speaking with her, which he was, but everything with his brother was really starting to fuck with his head.
“Whats wrong,” asked Penny. She knew him like the back of her hand. Sometimes she seemed to know him better than he ever knew himself, which was kind of scary.
“He was in my home.”
“Who was in you home, sweety?”
“Lou.”
“Why was Lou inside your condo?”
“He left a fucking giant throne in my living room. It’s a fancy version of the one that he’s been hauling around the country for me to sit in. I’m a little freaked out about it.”
“You really need to do something about him, Nicky. This is gone on long enough and he’s taking it too far. Talk to Dr. Goode about him again, and see what he has to say. There has to be an appropriate point to get Lou help.”
“I’m not sure there is any helping Lou, but I’ll talk to him. Maybe getting him to agree to some kind of personal boundaries or something.”
“Do you think it will do any good?”
“Probably not, he’s never been very good at boundaries; even when he wasn’t bat shit crazy. He was that guy in the locker room that would borrow shit without asking and never bring it back.If I don’t want him coming into my home whenever he wants I have to try. I do have to give him credit for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“That chair is pretty fucking cool!”
“You should be pissed off or scared, not excited about the piece of furniture your creepy fucking brother left in your living room.”
“I’m freaked the fuck out about it, but he does have really good taste in furniture. If you don’t believe me swing by the condo and see for yourself. It has Penny Dreadful written all over it. Lou even said in his not that he made it big enough for us to cuddle in, which is sort of sweet in a creepy kind of way.”
“I just think it’s creepy and I think you do to.”
“Penny I...I honestly don’t know what to think. Right now I’m going to get naked and climb into this hotel bed and rub one out, while wishing you were here.”
“Don’t start yet.”
“Why?” Nick’s text messaging beeps and he is greeted by a naked selfie of a gorgeous barely legal blonde. “Who is that?”
“That’s Cin.”
“I can see why JC likes her so much. Why are you sending me naked pictures of her?”
“She wanted me to,” Penny said sweetly. “She grew up watching wrestling with her brothers and she thinks you’re kind of sexy.”
“Penny, I…”
“Need to get some sleep. Try not to stay UP all night.” She giggled wickedly and hung up. Nick’s phone beeped five more times, each message making him smile more.
September 27, 2020
It was four o’clock before Nick arrived at the arena in a taxi. Normally he would have been backstage for hours preparing for a match. Tonight though he was doing his best to avoid seeing his brother. He knew that he told Penny that he would have a conversation with Lou, but he just did not feel like it was the right time. He wasn’t really sure when the right time would be, but it was definitely not know.
I panicked producer met him at the door screaming at him about being late cutting his promo. Normally he would take it all instride, but it took all of his effort just to not the little headset wearing dick around the throat. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he allows the camera man and producer to lead him to a candle lit set in a far corner of the stadium.
The brothers nail a damn near perfect promo on one take and the producers scampers away happy leaving Jimmy Knight’s eldest sons sitting alone. Nick is still very much on edge about the throne he found sitting in his living room, but he’s also lost in thought about his conversation with Penny the night before; about both Lou and the barely legal girl that lived down the street from her. How in the hell was a guy supposed to concentrate on a match with all of this crap in his head.
“You seem troubled by something, brother,” said Lou. “Is it the throne? Do you not like it?”
“Do you remember when Jake Jett beat the shit out of you that night in Wichita?”
“Who,” Lou replied.
“Jake Jett.”
“Who the fuck is Jake Jett.” The brothers laugh hysterically.
“That never gets old for some reason. Seriously though, you remember how he beat the shit out of you for taking his Marilyn Manson CD?”
“I was just borrowing it,” Crosse says, defensively.
“Taking something without asking and not giving it back is not borrowing, it’s stealing. Lou I get it, your mind doesn’t work the way that others do, but you have to learn personal boundaries. Thank you for the gift, but unless I invite you over stay the fuck out of my home.”
Nick walked away to get ready for his match with Draco Wolfe.
September 30
It is a beautiful late summer night when Nick pulls up in front of Penny’s house in his tricked out purple Mustang. The engine growls one last time as he puts it into neutral before setting the e brake and turning off of the ignition. He is barely out of the car before a pair of scrawny arms are thrown around his his neck.
“I’ve missed you, so much.” The boys voice said from against his chest.
“I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry I’ve away from home for so long, but I’m probably going to be able to stay home for a couple of weeks.” Nick couldn’t but smile as his son nearly jumped up and down with joy. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“What’s that,” JC asked. Nick into the pocket of his sport coat and pulled out an envelope. The younger Knight takes it from him and slowly opens it. “We’re going to see The Harlem Globetrotters!!! When?”
“Right now, duh.”
“Wait. I’m just supposed to drop everything and take you to a silly basketball game,” JC teased.
“What did you have planned sitting in your room playing Fortnight and eating chips?” Nicky returned fire. “I dropped everything for you, did you ever stop to think that maybe I had a date tonight?”
“Seriously Dad, what woman would ever want your ugly ass.”
“JC, watch your mouth!”
“Sorry.” The gleam of mischief never leaving his eyes.
“No you’re not,” said Nick with a smile. “Go say goodbye to your mom and lets go.”
The normal half an hour drive to The Staples Center took nearly two in the crazy L.A. gridlock. Normally Nick would have been ready to suplex someone on the hood of their car by the time they reached the arena, but he enjoyed the extra time talking with his son. When finally they made it to the arena Nick parked in a spot in the VIP lot and they made the short walk into the House that Kobe Built.
“I’m sorry our tickets aren’t better,” said Nick. “Your Uncle Randy saw a commercial for the show last night and bought the tickets for us. They were the best that they had left.”
“I don’t care if we have to sit in the rafters. I’m just happy to be spending some time with you,” JC said, nearly making his father break down in tears. Things with his career were going great, but sometimes he considered retiring just so he could spend more time with the kid.
“Have you ever wrestled here, Dad?”
“Once in a six man tag with your Uncle James and Un…”
“Dad, it’s cool. I know about her transitioning and I understand.”
“I’m glad you do, because I struggle sometimes,” Nick admitted.
“Why? She’s still the same person.”
“I get that and I still lover her like...well I guess like a sister now.” Nick tried to explain his feelings to his son. “It’s just that you get that close to someone and you’ve been best friends for twenty years and you find out that they have this hugh secret. It fucks with you a little bit.”
“I can see that,” JC says, with a shrug.
“Listen to me sharing my deepest thoughts with a twelve year old.” Nick hugged his son close and kissed him on the forehead. “James Christopher I’m so proud of the young man you’re becoming. Your Mom is doing a great job of raising you.”
“That’s the only time you’ve wrestled in The Staples Center?”
“Yep. I’ve wrestled at The Forum quite a few times and shit loads of indy shows in L.A., but only the one time here. You’re Uncle James and I tried to catch a couple of Kings’ games every year and I brought your Mom here for a few concerts through the years. In fact there is a really good chance you were conceived after an Aerosmith show here. I had to put up quite the fight to keep your Mom from naming you Steven.”
“Eww gross. I don’t want to hear about you and Mom having sex.”
“You shouldn’t grossed out by the wonderful moment that made you. Trust me it was way better than the quick pump and dump in the backseat of a rented Lincoln that brought me into the world.”
“Pump and dump?”
“Don’t bullshit me JC. I know you aren’t that innocent, even if I wish you still were.”
“Can I speak with you Mr. Knight.” Nick looked over to see a twenty something guy in a Staples Center polo.
“Sure, what’s this about,” Nick asks.
“Well it’s our policy to move celebrities into better seats if they are available. One of the ushers recognized you when you came in and we would love to give you an upgrade. Would you and your son please follow me.” The young man leads the pair down stairs to a pair of premium courtside seats. “Here you go.”
“You guys really didn’t need to do this,” Knight protested.
“Someone will be by to check on you in a few minutes.” As he’s walking away the young man leans down and whispers in Nick’s ear, “Reach out and touch faith.”
“This is so cool.” JC squealed in excitement as he watched the players warm up.
As promised a waitress was around a few minutes later to take their order. When he tried to tip the young lady she told him that it would not be necessary. Just before walking away she pulled back the sleeve of her shirt to show him a tattoo of The Church of Crosse’s skull logo. Nick could not help but wonder what kind of effect The Church of Crosse was having on his life. He was being drawn deeper and deeper into his brother’s delusions and he was at a lost on what to do.
Despite his worry, he and JC had a fantastic time. They both spent the entire night laughing and crying and at one point the younger Knight was pulled out on the floor to participate in the hijinx. When it was all over the boys were sent home happy and JC had one of the trademark red, white, and blue balls autographed by one of the players.
“Dad, why did he autograph this ball ‘Reach Out and Touch Faith,” JC asked when he finally got a good look at the ball.
“I don’t know, he must be really religious.” Nick hated lying to his son, but he was in no way prepared to bring his son into this stupid game.
October 2
Nick was standing in front of the restaurant talking with a tall and handsome black man when Penny arrived dressed to kill in a little black dress. She sashayed up and gave the big man a hug before turning and giving Nick a long toe curling kiss that left him with a stupid grin on his face.
“I didn’t realize this was a working dinner,” she says to them.
“It’s not,” Randy explained. “We were both just waiting on our dates, and here is mine.”
A very attractive man with an olive complexion and raven hair approaches and Randy takes his leave. Nicky offers his girlfriend his arm and they make their way into on the of the fanciest restaurants in all of L.A. It was the kind of place that stars came to be seen spending money. That was the last thing on Nick’s mind, that was why he asked for a table in some dark corner away from all of the attention hounds. Instead they were led to a little table just inside of the kitchen where the chef would be taking care of them personally.
“How did you manage to get seats at a chef’s table,” Penny asks.
“I have a pretty good idea, but you’re not going to like it.”
“Lou.” Nick just nods. “I thought so. JC told me all about you guys getting upgraded the other night, because you’re such a big star.”
“We weren’t upgraded because of anything I’d ever done inside of the ring. Both the kid that moved us and our waitress were members of The Church of Crosse. I’m willing to be someone here at the restaurant is too,” Nick explained.
“Don’t you think it’s a little fucked up that your brother has people just giving you…”
“It’s so good to see you Mr. Knight and Miss Dreadful,” said a sandy haired woman in chef’s whites. “I’m Chef Myra and I’m going to be presenting you with our tasting menu. Tonight you are going to be the envy of every foodie in Southern California.”
“That sounds amazing Chef, but how in the world did we get this table on a Friday night,” asked Penny.
“We had a last minute cancelation and our front end manager’s son is a huge wrestling fan. He was hoping that he might be able to get an autograph.” The chef smiled widely show off a row of perfect teeth that was perfectly at home in Hollywood.
“I think that can be arranged.” Nick returned the smile, but as soon as the chef walked away it turned into a grimace of pain. “You kicked me!”
“That’s what happens when you flirt with another woman when you’re out on a date with me,” says Penny, with a smile.
“I wasn’t flirting, just being nice.”
“Well she was definitely flirting with you.”
“No she wasn’t.”
“Nicky are you ever going to get over being so damn oblivious. Women find you attractive and they flirt with you all of the damn time.” Penny shakes her head in amazement. “You have a smoking hot little nineteen year old asking me to send you nude pics of her because she thinks you’re sexy. Are you that innocent or is your self esteem that low?”
“I’ve never thought of myself as good looking. I was the guy that would sit in the corner getting fucked up and telling a few jokes. Then, maybe if I got really drunk, I’d do something stupid; but I was never the good looking guy.”
“Nicky you aren’t a pretty boy rock star type like James or Chris was, but you have this kind of dark brooding sexiness about you.” She gave him a sly grin as she ran her foot up the leg of his pants to his crotch. “The fact that you have this natural instinct to want to take care of people just makes you irresistible.”
The chef began bringing food to the table a few minutes later and the conversation began to wane after small plate after small plate made its way to the table. When they finally finished the last flight of desert Nicky asked for the check and to meet the front end manager that hooked them up with suck an amazing meal.
A moment later a middle aged ginger in a thousand dollar suit came back to meet Nick and Penny. He was obviously intelligent and well spoken with just a tint of an Irish brogue. They chatted for several minutes, and except for the occasional peak at Penny’s tits he was the perfect gentleman.
“Chef Myra said that you would like me to sign a couple of autographs for your kid.” Nick finally said after the small talk had slowed to a crawl.
“That would be fantastic.”
“Would you like Penny to sign anything for you?” The man’s cheeks turned bright red, the curse of a ginger. Then he ran off to grab something for his son to sign.
“That wasn’t not very nice,” she scolded.
“I couldn’t help it. I mean he’s been staring at your chest unabashedly for the past five minutes.” Nick tried to defend himself.
“Wait, you notice when a guy is checking me out; but you don’t know when you’re being flirted with? You are something else Nicky Nightmare. I’ll be right back, I have to use the ladies.”
The manager came back with a DVD and a leather bound book for Nick to sign. ‘The Hollywood Butcher’ took the DVD first and shivered when he saw that it was a copy of the Extreme Endurance pay-per-view. This particular case had was the aftermath of him power bombing Abraxes off of the stage through a flaming table.
“Nate say that is his all time favorite match, and it is sure to win Match of the year,” the manager was grinning from ear to ear.
“That match sucked so bad. It probably took two years off of my career.” Nick took the DVD case and a Sharpie from the manager. “You said your son’s name is Nate?”
“Yes sir, and can you sign it Reach Out and Touch Faith.” Nick quickly signed the DVD and took the book from the manager, it was of course a very fancy copy of The Book of Crosse. “That’s going to be a birthday present for him. He’s not going to believe that ‘The Unholy Son’ signed his copy of The Book.”
“I’m glad I can make him happy,” says Nick with a weak smile. “Can I please have my check now.”
“Your money is no good here, sir. In fact you are more than welcome to come back any time you want and I will make sure Chef Myra has something special for you.”
“I appreciate that.” Nick walked out of the office at damn near a jog and almost bowled Penny over. Not saying a word to her he just left the building through the back door and into a narrow alley.
“What in the hell is wrong with you,” Penny asked.
“I was right, that guy is one of Lou’s followers. He had me sign a fucking leather bound Book of Crosse that he’s giving to his kid for his birthday.” Nick was trying his best to slow his breathing to keep from hyperventilating.
“Nick this is really fucked up and you need to do something about this right now,” Penny screams at him.
“No shit!”
“Don’t you dare yell at me Nicholas James Knight!”
“I’m sorry, I just don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do.” He begins to pace, tears rolling down his cheeks as he has a full on panic attack.
“You’re going to Greensboro this week, right?”
“Yeah,” he answers between sobs.
“Don’t you know some preacher there or something?”
“Yeah, George Cane. He was Jimmy’s tag partner back in the day.”
“Talk to him. I’m sure he can give you some good advice on how to deal with this shit, because it has to stop Nicky” Penny slowly walked up and pulled Nick into her arms. “This stuff is really starting to scare me.”
“I know.” He squeezed her tight and fought off the urge to cry. “You coming over tonight?”
“I don’t think so. What time do you leave tomorrow?”
“Noon, I think. My plan is to be home Tuesday.”
“Call me when you get settled into your room.”
“Yes boss.” Penny gave him a smile that did not quite touch her eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too Nicky, don’t ever think that I don’t.”
October 5
Noon EDT
Nick was tucked into a booth in the back corner of the dinner when Reverend George Cane walked in the front door. Even at seventy years old he was still a big man with wide shoulders and hands that reminded Nick of frying pans. Dressed casually in a golf shirt and khakis the preacher took his time chatting with parishioners as he made his way to where Nick was seated.
“Nicky, it’s great to see you.” Nick had forgotten that the preacher that had a smile that could light up a room.
“You look good, George.” Knight shook the once tag team partner of his father and offered him a seat.
“Thank you. I’ve started playing tennis recently and I’ve lost a little weight and got a tan. If I can be blunt, you look like shit.” George waved over a waitress to fill his cup with coffee. “I’m guessing that there is a reason that you called me.”
“Yeah, my brother.”
“I figured as much,” the preacher said, taking a sip of black coffee. “So it’s not just some gimmick?”
“No it’s very real. He’s bought an old ass church out in the desert and is converting it into some kind of compound. There’s a cathedral for regular services and they’re building dorms so he can train more disciples.”
A waitress comes back and sets two plates of food in front of them.
“How did you know this is what I have for lunch when I come here,” George asks.
“I asked the waitress,” Nick answered with a smile. “I figured that if you get it every time it must be good, so I ordered the same thing.”
“You are a smart man.” George returned the smile before taking a big bite of American fries smothered in sausage gravy. “I can see why you’re worried about the things that your brother is doing. Cults can be very dangerous, even deadly things. I mean look at the Branch Davidians, or the Peoples Temple. Heck even the Manson Family could be considered a cult and you know what they did.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. These people are insanely devout and worse of all they wear masks to services so you don’t know who they are in the real world. They could be the kid bagging your groceries or a fucking senator, pardon my french.”
“You have a mouth just like your old man.” George laughed and took a bite of his burger. “I can see how you’re scared about not know who is a member of the church. It makes keeping things under control much harder.”
“Well I know who a few members are now. My lawyer, a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, somebody high up at The Staples Center, several waiters and waitresses all over the country, and the manager of the hottest restaurant in L.A. I know all of this, because I haven’t paid for anything in weeks. Hell the kid at McDonald’s this morning wouldn’t let me pay for my egg McMuffin.”
“That sounds handy,” the preacher jokes.
“Not really. I’m not Bill Gates rich, but I’m doing alright. It’s embarrassing when you go out on a date and you aren’t even allowed to pay.”
“That never happened before the cult thing?”
“Every once in a while a fan would buy me a burger at Steak n Shake or something like that. A few times I’ve been out with Penny and one of her fans has bout us dinner. This seems to be every single time I go out.”
The two men eat in silence for several minutes. George Cane thinking over the problem that the eldest son of one of his oldest friends has brought to him. Finally the minister clears his throat and takes a sip of his now cold coffee. The bacon cheeseburger that Nick had so kindly ordered for him was gone and it was time for him to come up with some kind of advice.
“Nick I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t know what the right answer is on this one. I know that you’re old man was a pretty good man, at least in the end, but he sure as heck wasn’t any kind of god. I also know that you aren’t any kind of messiah, you’re just a regular guy that’s a pretty good wrestler.”
“I appreciate your honesty, George. I’m bumfuzzled myself, because my shrink says that fighting Lou on this will just make things worse for him. I’m also afraid that shit with his followers has just gone too far.”
“I’m sorry I can’t offer you any advice but at least let me buy you lunch.”
“No, I invited you for lunch so it’s on me.” Nick signals to the waitress that they would like their check and she comes around and hands it to ‘The Unholy Son.’ Knight takes one look at it and just rolls his eyes when he sees that all it says is Reach Out and Touch Faith! “See what I’m talking about?”
“What the hell?” Cane says looking at the check. “I’ve been coming to this place for twenty years and I’ve never got a free meal.”
“Hang out with me and you’ll get an embarrassing number of them,” Nick complains.
“Give me a call next time you’re going to be in town and I just might do that.” The two men share a quick hand shake and a hug before Nick takes off in his rented Dodge Challenger.
11:00 PM EDT
The fans were just shuffling out of the Greensboro Coliseum when Nick arrived at the airport to catch the last flight to Atlanta. If every thing worked out he would be in his own bed before sunrise. He had no idea why he had even been forced to come to North Carolina. He played along when Lou attacked Gregor Winter, but he really didn’t need to be in Greensboro for it; and he sure as hell wasn’t booked in a match.
He would probably get fined for leaving the arena early, but he really didn’t give a fuck. All he wanted to do was to get away for a few days. No IWF, no Lou, and most importantly no Church of Crosse. A little family vacation was in order and he knew just the place. Picking up the phone he called his buddy Sal who managed one of the nicest resorts in Cabo. Ten minutes later he had a three bedroom suite reserved and it wasn’t going to cost him a penny. This time it was because of an old friendship and not Lou’s stupid church.
October 6
Nick slept until noon before driving to Hollywood. It had been four days since he and Penny had their first fight since getting back together and they seemed to have ended things in a good place he had to be sure. That and he wanted to surprise her with the tickets for the flight to Mexico.
Knight opened the gate with the remote that Penny gave him when they first started hanging out and he parked on the driveway. She was waiting at the door looking sexy as hell in yoga pants and a skin tight tank top. She had had her hair done and it was now dyed a dark purple, which Nick had to admit got his motor running. It took every single ounce of will power to not carry her inside and have his way with her.
“Hey stranger.” She greeted him with a quick kiss. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Can’t I just want to come see my girl?”
“You can, but I’m usually the one that comes to see you. Which makes me think that you’re up to something.” She gave him a smile that nearly buckled his knees. Silently Nick hands her and envelope and she tears into it. “A plane ticket?”
“We are going on a family vacation,” Knight said, with a smile. “I’ve booked us a three bedroom suite in Cabo and the three of us are getting away for a few days.”
“I don’t know Nick.”Penny led Nick into the open floor plan living area of the house and he was amazed at how much it had changed since he lived there. “JC has school and I’m super busy getting ready to shoot the first movie for the new company. Now really isn’t the best time.”
“It’s all taken care of sweety. JC can miss a few days of school, they’re even sending his work home with him today. I also talked to Randy and he’s going to hold down the fort. I just hope a giant fucking throne doesn’t show up in your living room.”
“That’s seriously not funny.”
“Who said I was joking.” Nick gave he a dead serious look before breaking out in a huge smile. “I’m pretty sure Lou isn’t that fucking stupid. I like what you’ve done with the place.”
“Nicky I’m sorry after you…”
“Penny I honestly like what you have done. It’s very classy and beautiful just like you.” Nicky smiled at his girlfriend trying not to blush. “So what have you done with the bedroom?”
“Nick Knight are you trying to get into my bedroom?”
“Maybe. Is it working?”
She bit her lip and signaled for him to follow her deeper into the house. Everything was different and he felt like a stranger in the home that they had once shared, but that made it exciting. It was like they were doing things for the very first time. He had to admit that he had butterflies in his stomach for the first time in he did not know how long.
“This is going to have to be a quickie JC will be home in less than an hour.” Clothes were flying off before she even finished the sentence and they were attacking each other, hands and mouths all over. It was not love making, just pure unadulterated passion.
Forty five minutes later they were freshly showered and enjoying a beer when JC ran into the house and threw his arms around his dad. The two Knight men shared a hug and the younger giggled as Nick lifted him up and slammed him down onto the sofa.
“What are you doing here,” asked JC, once he was able to catch his breath.
“Well I came to give you a present.” Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Open it.”
“It’s a plane ticket, to Mexico? Why am I going to Mexico?”
“We’re all going to Mexico numb nuts,” Nick answered, giving his son a noogie. “Shit’s been crazy here lately and I thought we could use a little vacation.”
“So that’s why my teacher gave me that homework packet!”
“Exactly. So pack your swim trunks and lots of sunscreen so your pasty pale ass doesn’t burn to a crisp. I’ll see you in the morning.”
October 7
The flight from L.A. to Cabo was a short one and they were through customs in no time, although Nick wasn’t convinced at least one of the agents wasn’t a member of The Church. A quick ride in the back of fifteen passenger van and they were at the beautiful resort. The hotel manager, a chubby Mexican with dark just showing the first signs of grey met them at the front desk.
“Blanco,” he yelled, running up to Nicky and giving him a big hug.
“Rojo!” Nicky returned the embrace and the two men began to laugh and cut up. “Sal there are a couple people I’d like you to meet. This is my son JC and his mother Penny.”
“You have a good looking boy and I can see where he gets his looks from,” Salvador kissed Penny on the hand. “You will be in a three bedroom private cabana overlooking the ocean. I hope that will work for you?”
“That is more than I could ask for, Rojo.”
“Why did you call that man Rojo,” asked JC, as they followed a bell hop to their cabana.
“He was one of my tag team partners when I first broke into the business in Mexico. There were three of us; I was El Luchador Gran Blanco, Sal was El Luchado Gran Rojo, and we had a few partners that all had different colors.”
“What does El Luchador Gran Blanco mean,”JC asked.
“It basically means The Great White Wrestler,” Nick answered. “I was the only gringo in the company at the time, and the promoter thought it was a hilarious joke. A friend of mine worked for him a few years later and he was The Great Black Wrestler. I think you can guess why.”
The cabana they were in was massive with a living and kitchen area easily as big as Nick’s condo and three large bedrooms with king sized beds and en suite bathrooms. The master bedroom had a balcony over looking the ocean that had a hot tub that would easily fit eight adults. It was a little slice of heaven and Nick reminded himself that he would have to do something special to repay Sal.
“You can take the master bedroom Penny, Junior and I will take the two in the back. You just have to promise to share that hot tub with us a couple of times this week.”
“I think I can manage that.” She gave Nick a wink as soon as JC ran off to pick out his room.
The rest of the day they spent on the beach splashing in the water and enjoying the sun. That night they enjoyed a fantastic meal of fish tacos made from the local catch and homemade tortillas. Once they were back at the hotel JC crashed almost immediately and Nick and Penny took the time to enjoy the hot tub looking out over the moonlit ocean.
“This is just about perfect,” Nick said.
“Yeah, if were only not wearing these bathing suits.”
“That can be taken care of real fast.” Nick fumbles around under the water for a moment and pulls off his swim trunks. Tossing them onto the wood deck he just smiles at his girlfriend. “Your turn.”
Never one to back down from a challenge Penny quickly removes her bottom, leaving on her top as a tease. Minutes pass in silence as they just enjoyed each others company the way that only people that truly know one another can do. Finally Nick breaks the calm by sliding across the hot tub and giving Penny a long, slow, passionate kiss.
“Nicky we shouldn’t. What if JC catches us in a compromising position?”
“Penny it’s like the Beatles song says, ‘I want you so bad that it’s driving me mad.”
“You know that I’m more of a Stones kind of girl.” She pushed him away to his side of the hot tub, following him and climbing up onto his lap. There kisses become more and more frantic until finally she stands and grabs him by the hand and leads him to the plush bed. “Make love to me Nicky Nightmare.”
Nick snuck back into his room just before dawn and was able to catch a couple hours of sleep before being Five Star Frog Splashed by his son. A cold shower later he was ready to get the day started. As a surprise Nick had made a reservation for them all to go on an ATV adventure on the beach and into the desert. It was an absolute blast and by the time they were done they all had sand in places they did not know that they even had.
That evening they decided to go to the high end steak house that was a part of the resort. Penny looked absolutely amazing in a sapphire dress that showed off all of her assets without being over the top. Nick wore a well tailored grey suit with a thin cornflower blue pinstripe, and as a surprise for his son he bought the younger Knight a suit to match.
“You boys look fantastic,” Penny complimented them.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” said Nick.
Dinner was amazing, probably the best steak any of them had ever had. When they were through they returned to their cabana and Nick and Penny sat on the sofa enjoying a glass of wine. That was until JC walked into the room and through a red lace thong onto the coffee table in front of them.
“When were you going to tell me that you’re back together?” A mix of hurt and confusion painted all over the boys face.
“Where did you find that,” asked Penny.
“In Dad’s sock drawer.”
“JC there…”
“Mom don’t even try to play that it’s not yours,” the younger Knight said. “I’ve helped you do laundry.”
“Please sit down, Son.” Nick said pointing to the spot between his parents. “I guess we need to have a talk as a family.”
“You want to start or should I,” Nick asked Penny.
“You can,” she answered, on the verge of tears.
“JC your mother and I weren’t sure if we were going to work as a couple. We had already failed at it once for a lot of reasons that I won’t go into, but we knew that we were incredibly attracted to one another. We’ve been taking it slow and seeing how things go and once we were at least more sure that things were going to work out we’d tell you.”
“It sure as hell sounded like things were working out last night!”
“Oh my god! You could here us,”[/font] a very red faced Penny asked.
“The entire resort could probably hear you. I thought you were supposed to save the loud moaning for your movies.”
“How do you know…”
“Mom chill, I’ve known for like three years. One of the older kids at school told me about it. I don’t have a problem with it, really. I just thought all of the moaning and shit was fake.”
“Watch your language JC,” Nick barked.
“Why, Mom sure wasn’t last night.” This comment made all three of them laugh, clearing the air.
“I’ll be honest with you, since you know everything. Most of the time in the movies it is all fake, or at least exaggerated. What you heard last night was not, because your old man has got some skills. He does this one thing…”
“La la la,” JC sings putting his fingers in his ears.
“So how much porn do you watch Son?” Now it was JC’s turn to turn beat red. “I mean it’s perfectly normal to need a little inspiration from time to time. When I was younger all we had was the Sears catalog.”
“Ew. I don’t do that!”
“Just wait you will,” Nick and Penny say at the same time.
“You guys are gross!”
“Alright back to being serious. Does your Mom and me dating bother you, because if it does we will stop. I don’t want to, because I love her, but I will if it means you are happy.”
“It’s kind of weird to me, and it’s going to take some getting used to; but I think I can get used to it. Are you guys going to get married again?”
“For now we’re just going to be boyfriend and girlfriend,” Penny answered. “Would you be ok with your Dad staying over at the house or me staying at the condo?”
“Only if you promise not to keep me up all night,” The boy said with a giggle.
“I love you both.” Nick gave his son a hug and his girlfriend a kiss.
The rest of the vacation went by quick with the family spending the day doing outside activities and Nick and Penny sharing a bed. They all had to agree that the time went by way too fast, but Nick had a commitment for IWF. He saw his family off at the airport before boarding a separate flight to Las Vegas. He was meeting Warren Kane and they were going to cut a segment for Sacrifice for The Cathedral of Crosse.
Well howdy there pardner.