Post by Nick Knight on Apr 16, 2021 9:13:52 GMT
Nick slid the keycard into the lock of his hotel room door and stumbled inside using the wall to stay on his feet. His head was pounding and he felt dizzy after taking that DDT face first into a steel chair. The IWF doctor had wanted him to go to the hospital to get checked out properly, but he had survived much worse and just snuck out the back door as soon as someone stitched up his forehead. He could only imagine what he looked like to other people; his shirt covered in blood, six fresh stitches in his head. He had to have looked a little bit like Frankenstein’s monster, but he really didn’t give a fuck.
“Oh my god.” He looked up to see Penny look at him with a look of concern on her face. When the fuck did she get to Wales, and how the fuck did she get into his room. “What are you doing here?”
“Nicky, are you alright?”
He looked over and Cin was standing beside Penny. Now he was really confused. “You’re here too?”
“I think you need to sit down before you fall down.” Penny takes him by the arm and leads him to a chair in the corner of the room. “Tell me how you’re feeling?”
“Happy to see you.” He tries to smile but it quickly turns into a wince of pain. “My head hurts.”
“I’m sure it does. Do you know where you are?”
“I’m here with you and Cin, so I’m going to say heaven. I’m in heaven.”
“Normally I would say good answer, but you need to focus and answer my fucking questions. What city are you in right now?”
“Given the amount of cheese toast I’ve ate this past two days I’m going to say Wales, and the only place that there is to visit in this godforsaken country is Cardiff, I’m going to guess I’m in Cardiff.”
“How want fingers am I holding up?”
“Two because you’re flipping me off with both hands, you bitch.”
Cin kicks Nicky in the shin making him jerk away. “What did you do that for?”
“Don’t you ever call her a bitch,” the petite blonde said. “That’s my job.”
“Thank you sweety.” Penny gave Cin a peck on the lips. It was a sight that Nick would never grow used to. Sure he had seen Penny kiss other girls in her movies, but this was different. There was affection behind it, the same affection that he felt for both of the women. “Can you please help him into the shower while I figure out who in the hell to call about him.”
Cin nodded and helped Knight out of his chair and into the bathroom leaving Penny alone in the bedroom. Grabbing her phone off of the bed side table she took a deep breath and let it out slowly before dialing the number. She was about to talk to the last person on Earth she would ever want to, but it was the only person she knew to call. “Hello Lou.”
***
“I need some help for Nicky.”
***
“He has a concussion and I think needs to be seen by someone.”
***
“Thank you.”
Penny hung up the phone and went into the bathroom to check on her significant others. Nicky was in the shower leaning on the wall and letting the warm water cascade down his back. Cin paced back and forth in front of the stale just in case he needed help. “How are you guys doing in here?”
“I’m worried about him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’ve seen him take a worse ass kicking and then came back to the hotel and fuck all night.” Penny gave her girlfriend a smile. “I did make a call and someone will be here in a few minutes to check on him.”
There was a knock on the door and Penny opened it to reveal a handsome man of middle years. His hair was steel grey and tortoise shell horned room glasses covered his cold blue eyes. He was impeccable dressed in in a black suit with a Church of Crosse skull tie tack. It was amazing how quick Lou was able to get someone over to check on his brother.
“I am here to see ‘The Unholy One,’” the man said in a German accent.
“Please come in, he’s in the shower.”
The doctor walked past Penny and straight into the bathroom where Nicky had just stepped out of the shower and was drying off. “Who the fuck are you?”
“My name is Heinrich Mueller, I’m the head of neuroscience at the University of Hamburg. I have been asked to come check on your condition ‘Unholy One.’”
“How did Lou know where to find me for fuck’s sake.” A very angry Nick staggered into the bedroom naked and sat down on the edge of the bed. “So what do you need to do some I can get some fucking rest?”
“Nicky get dressed and come sit in the chair so the doctor can check you out,” says Penny.
“My bag over in the corner if you want to toss me something.”
Cin digs through the suitcase and pulls out a pair of athletic shorts. “Do you need help putting them on sweety.”
“I think I can manage, thank you.” Nick slides on the shorts and walks over to the corner of the room holding onto the furniture to keep his balance.
“I watched the match and I can see why you have a concussion. Did you lose consciousness at any time ‘Unholy One?’”
“Please call me Nick, doc. No I didn’t lose consciousness.” Knight pauses for a moment. “Well I’m pretty sure I wasn’t knocked out. Just got my bell rung a little bit.
“How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve drank an entire fifth of Jager and about a dozen pints of Spaten at Oktoberfest the night before and woke up still drunk and hungover all at the same time.”
“Being dropped head first onto a steel chair will do that I’m sure. Now please allow me to examine you, sir.” The doctor pulled a pen light from his shirt pocket and checked Nick’s eyes, before testing his reflexes, grip strength, and memory. You are showing signs of a mild to moderate concussion. Normally I would recommend staying overnight in a hospital for observation, but ‘The Voice’ has already warned me of how you would react to that, so I am going to leave you in the enviable position of being cared for by two very beautiful women.”
“It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
“I’m sure it is. Please rest, but don’t be angry when you are woken up every two hours. I will be by in the morning to check on you."
"Thanks doc," Nick says weakly.
"It's my honor to serve 'The Unholy Son.' See you first thing in the morning."
Penny showed the doctor to the door and Cin climbs up into Nick's lap. "You scared me tonight."
"I'm sory." Nick wraps his arms around the petite blonde and pulls her close. "You should have known what to expect."
"I did, but it's different now. You aren't some stranger that I have a schoolgirl crush on getting beat up on TV. You're my boyfriend now and I care about you and hate watching you get hurt."
"Trust me, I hate getting hurt." Nick starts to laugh, but it quickly turns into a groan. "Shit my ribs are bruised. Probably when I got slammed into that tree."
"Should I go get the doctor?"
"No. You're going to stay right here and keep me distracted from the pain." The two share a passionate kiss. “That’s a good start.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea,” Penny asked in her best mom voice.
“What is that old saying ‘A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down,” Nick answers. “I know no physical activity until the doc can check me out tomorrow. This is not my first rodeo with one of these.”
“Well it sure seems like you’re trying to start some physical activity to me,” she scolds.
“No I’m just trying to thank Cin for being here for me despite my being a total dumbass the past few weeks. Get over here and I’ll thank you too.”
“You can thank me later. Right now you are going to call your son and let him know that you’re alright, because I’m sure he’s worried sick.”
“God I’m the worst dad ever.” A tear began to run down his cheek. “I should have called him two weeks ago, but I’m just so ashamed about what is happening.”
“You are not the worst dad ever Nicky, but you’ve not been the best dad the past few weeks. I know you love JC with all of your heart, but you need to make sure that he knows that you love him. Now call him!”
“Where is he staying while you guys are here?”
“My parents house.”
“You mother is going to skin me alive if I call this late.”
“Can she really hate you anymore than she does.”
“Probably not. Hand me my phone.”
Nicky dials the number and a little voice picks up on the first ring, “Dad?”
“Yeah buddy it’s me.” The sound of his son’s voice just about breaks his heart. “I wanted to call and let you know that I’m alright. Just a little banged up, but I’ll live.”
“That DDT into the chair was pretty gnarly.”
“Yeah I got a few stitches from that one. I’ve got a concussion, but I think that was from hitting the back of my head on that tree. Pretty sure I also bruised my ribs a little bit also, but I’ll live.”
“Don’t do anything stupid until you are cleared from that concussion alright.”
“I won’t buddy, I promise.”
“Can I ask you a question, Dad?”
“You know you can ask me anything buddy.”
“What’s going on with you and Cin?”
“I know you hate this answer, but it’s complicated. We’ll talk about it next time I see you in person.”
“When’s that going to be?”
“I’m not sure. Let me talk with your mom and I’m sure we can figure something out. Now get some sleep I’m sure you have to milk cows or something in the morning.”
“No, just goats,” the younger Knight says with a giggle.
“Good night James Christopher.”
“Good night Dad.”
Nicky hangs up the phone and looks at Penny. “I want him at No Way Home. It’s been too long since he’s got to come to a show and I’m not sure the next time I’m going to get to come home. This tour is another month and then I’m not sure where I’m going from there.”
“I think we can do that,” Penny says
Penny and Cin both looked at him with grins on their faces and Cin asks, “So what are you going to tell him about us?”
“The truth,” Nicky answers. “He is smart enough to know that we have some sort of a relationship, so I see no reason to lie to him. Hell he probably knows more about throuples than we do.”
“I agree,” says Penny.
“I think we should all tell him together,” Cin says.
“No this is a conversation we need to have man to man. When I’m done talking with him I guess we can all get together and have a family discussion, but not before I get to talk with him.”
“You know he’s going to hound me for the next two weeks,” Penny says.
“Me too.”
“I have an idea on how we prevent part of that. I would like you to stay with me the next couple of weeks Cin.”
“Really?” The blonde throws her arms around his neck and gives his a kiss. “Is that alright with you Penny?”
“I think it’s a great idea. You guys never get to spend any time together as just the two of you and it will be good for you both.”
“Wait, what about my classes?”
“Are you just taking the massage therapy classes right now,” Nicky asks.
“Yeah, why?”
“What would your teacher say if you got an internship with the biggest professional wrestling company in the world. We have a couple of massage therapists on staff that are amazing a could teach you a shitload of stuff.”
“Do you think they would do that?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Nicky grabs his phone and picks a number from his contacts. “Hey Bryan I have a huge favor to ask.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn’t matter how much you offer me I will not give you a happy ending,” says the voice on the other end.
“Fuck you! You only wish I would let you rub on this grade a piece of meat. Seriously though I have a huge favor to ask for my girlfriend.”
“Please tell me you are asking me to give that sexy ex-wife of yours a massage, because that would be a fantasy come true.”
“You do this favor and I’ll let you give me a massage,” Penny says.
“You had me on fucking speaker phone? You fucking prick! So what’s the favor?”
“My girlfriend is studying massage therapy and I was hoping you would be willing to take her on as an intern until No Way Home. You know show her a few tricks of the trade when dealing with sports injuries and such.”
“Wait, Penny Dreadful is studying to be a massage therapist?”
“No, it’s my other girlfriend.”
“Your other girlfriend? Penny isn’t enough for you? Jesus Christ are you human?”
“I’ll tell you what I told my son, it’s complicated. So can you do this for me?”
“Sure Nick I’m happy to help you out.”
“We’ll be around tomorrow. I’m going to seriously need some treatment after my match tonight.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”
“I vote that we order some room service and then climb into bed. My head hurts like a bitch and I have to admit that I’m sick and tired of sleeping alone,” says Nick.
“That sounds like a brilliant idea,” Cin agrees.
“Here is the menu.” Penny hands over a binder with a smile. “I looked at it earlier and it’s pretty standard hotel food.”
“Just order me the usual,” Nick tells her.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having,”
says Cin.
“Three ribeyes medium rare, loaded baked potato, vegetable medley, and chocolate cake coming right up.”
An hour later they were all well fed and in bed cuddling. An exhausted Nicky fell right to sleep and he had no problem being woken up every couple of hours as long as it was by one of the angels that shared his bed.
____________________________________________________________________________
One Week Later: Before The Show
“Mister Knight I am not letting you go to that ring unless you allow me to examine you,” one of IWF’s staff doctors said.
“Doc I’m just going out to cut a promo. There’s nothing physical about walking out to the ring saying a few words and coming back here and getting a bottle of water,”
Nick replies.
“There may not be anything physical, but you need to be examined. I don’t give a shit what your German specialist says. If something happens to you it’s my ass on the line.”
“Fine, just be quick. I need to catch up with my brother and figure out what in the hell is going on with him.”
The doctor quickly gives Nick a neurological evaluation and shakes his head. “Nick you failed. I cannot clear you to compete, but I’m fine with you going to the ring. You get into any kind of physical altercation and I’m going to personally report you to Mr. Verona to be punished.”
“Alright Doc, I’ll be a good boy.
After The Show
Nick is standing around chatting with a couple members of the staff when Cin walks up and puts her arms around him. She is dressed in an official pair of IWF scrubs like the other massage therapists wear and she has a huge smile on her face.
“Hey sweety,”Nick greets her. “How is your night going?”
“It would be great if you weren’t such a fucking idiot! I know you haven’t cleared concussion protocols yet there you were getting ready to mix it up with Steve Awesome and Jayson Matthews. What if something happened Nicky?
“Let’s go somewhere a little bit more private while you yell at me.” The pair soon found themselves alone in a small office space. “Cin I know what I’m doing, really. I’ve been doing this for a long time.”
“Nicky I’ve seen some of the stupid shit you’ve done through the years, so I know how much you know what you’re doing. You would have stood in that ring and went toe to toe with those guys if you had to, and you know it.” A tear runs down her cheek. “You have to make a choice between being Nick Knight or Nicky Nightmare.”
“I can’t choose, because I’m both. Cin we’ve not known each other for a very long time, but I’m pretty sure I’m in love with you.”
“I’m in love with you too Nicky. That’s why I can’t stand to see you do stupid shit like you pulled tonight.”
“I need you to understand something if you are going to be in my life, which is where I want you to be. There is a monster inside of me that is very fucking dark and I try my hardest to keep him under control; but sometimes he’s going to get out. That’s who Nicky Nightmare is, the part of me that loves hurting people. The part of me that loves bringing weapons to the ring and bashing mother fuckers over the head with them.”
“Oh, don’t give me that monster inside bullshit! You were just being...being...just being a man!”
“Sweetheart the monster is very real and Steve brought him out last week, probably when he dropped me on my fucking head. I more than a little bit pissed off about that and I’m damn sure going to get my pound of flesh. I think you’ll understand the other reason I did what I did tonight.
“What’s that?”
“You have brothers, right?”
“Yeah three of them.”
“What would you do to protect them?”
“Anything.”
“Well I feel the same way about my brothers. I might not agree with everything that Lou does, but I damn sure will fight for him. Why do you think Gregor and I accepted Steve’s challenge for next week?”
“What if you aren’t cleared for the match?”
“I guess Gregor goes alone, or Jack has to fill in for me. I’m sure I’m going to be ready though, I mean Dr. Mueller cleared me two days ago, but that jackass said I wasn’t ready.”
“It’s better to be safe, Nicky.”
“I guess, but it pisses me off.”
“I know. Let’s go back to the hotel now, I’ve got to meet up with Bryan early for treatments.”
“Are you still mad at me?”
“Yes, but I can think of a few ways you can make it up to me.”
“Oh my god.” He looked up to see Penny look at him with a look of concern on her face. When the fuck did she get to Wales, and how the fuck did she get into his room. “What are you doing here?”
“Nicky, are you alright?”
He looked over and Cin was standing beside Penny. Now he was really confused. “You’re here too?”
“I think you need to sit down before you fall down.” Penny takes him by the arm and leads him to a chair in the corner of the room. “Tell me how you’re feeling?”
“Happy to see you.” He tries to smile but it quickly turns into a wince of pain. “My head hurts.”
“I’m sure it does. Do you know where you are?”
“I’m here with you and Cin, so I’m going to say heaven. I’m in heaven.”
“Normally I would say good answer, but you need to focus and answer my fucking questions. What city are you in right now?”
“Given the amount of cheese toast I’ve ate this past two days I’m going to say Wales, and the only place that there is to visit in this godforsaken country is Cardiff, I’m going to guess I’m in Cardiff.”
“How want fingers am I holding up?”
“Two because you’re flipping me off with both hands, you bitch.”
Cin kicks Nicky in the shin making him jerk away. “What did you do that for?”
“Don’t you ever call her a bitch,” the petite blonde said. “That’s my job.”
“Thank you sweety.” Penny gave Cin a peck on the lips. It was a sight that Nick would never grow used to. Sure he had seen Penny kiss other girls in her movies, but this was different. There was affection behind it, the same affection that he felt for both of the women. “Can you please help him into the shower while I figure out who in the hell to call about him.”
Cin nodded and helped Knight out of his chair and into the bathroom leaving Penny alone in the bedroom. Grabbing her phone off of the bed side table she took a deep breath and let it out slowly before dialing the number. She was about to talk to the last person on Earth she would ever want to, but it was the only person she knew to call. “Hello Lou.”
***
“I need some help for Nicky.”
***
“He has a concussion and I think needs to be seen by someone.”
***
“Thank you.”
Penny hung up the phone and went into the bathroom to check on her significant others. Nicky was in the shower leaning on the wall and letting the warm water cascade down his back. Cin paced back and forth in front of the stale just in case he needed help. “How are you guys doing in here?”
“I’m worried about him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’ve seen him take a worse ass kicking and then came back to the hotel and fuck all night.” Penny gave her girlfriend a smile. “I did make a call and someone will be here in a few minutes to check on him.”
There was a knock on the door and Penny opened it to reveal a handsome man of middle years. His hair was steel grey and tortoise shell horned room glasses covered his cold blue eyes. He was impeccable dressed in in a black suit with a Church of Crosse skull tie tack. It was amazing how quick Lou was able to get someone over to check on his brother.
“I am here to see ‘The Unholy One,’” the man said in a German accent.
“Please come in, he’s in the shower.”
The doctor walked past Penny and straight into the bathroom where Nicky had just stepped out of the shower and was drying off. “Who the fuck are you?”
“My name is Heinrich Mueller, I’m the head of neuroscience at the University of Hamburg. I have been asked to come check on your condition ‘Unholy One.’”
“How did Lou know where to find me for fuck’s sake.” A very angry Nick staggered into the bedroom naked and sat down on the edge of the bed. “So what do you need to do some I can get some fucking rest?”
“Nicky get dressed and come sit in the chair so the doctor can check you out,” says Penny.
“My bag over in the corner if you want to toss me something.”
Cin digs through the suitcase and pulls out a pair of athletic shorts. “Do you need help putting them on sweety.”
“I think I can manage, thank you.” Nick slides on the shorts and walks over to the corner of the room holding onto the furniture to keep his balance.
“I watched the match and I can see why you have a concussion. Did you lose consciousness at any time ‘Unholy One?’”
“Please call me Nick, doc. No I didn’t lose consciousness.” Knight pauses for a moment. “Well I’m pretty sure I wasn’t knocked out. Just got my bell rung a little bit.
“How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve drank an entire fifth of Jager and about a dozen pints of Spaten at Oktoberfest the night before and woke up still drunk and hungover all at the same time.”
“Being dropped head first onto a steel chair will do that I’m sure. Now please allow me to examine you, sir.” The doctor pulled a pen light from his shirt pocket and checked Nick’s eyes, before testing his reflexes, grip strength, and memory. You are showing signs of a mild to moderate concussion. Normally I would recommend staying overnight in a hospital for observation, but ‘The Voice’ has already warned me of how you would react to that, so I am going to leave you in the enviable position of being cared for by two very beautiful women.”
“It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
“I’m sure it is. Please rest, but don’t be angry when you are woken up every two hours. I will be by in the morning to check on you."
"Thanks doc," Nick says weakly.
"It's my honor to serve 'The Unholy Son.' See you first thing in the morning."
Penny showed the doctor to the door and Cin climbs up into Nick's lap. "You scared me tonight."
"I'm sory." Nick wraps his arms around the petite blonde and pulls her close. "You should have known what to expect."
"I did, but it's different now. You aren't some stranger that I have a schoolgirl crush on getting beat up on TV. You're my boyfriend now and I care about you and hate watching you get hurt."
"Trust me, I hate getting hurt." Nick starts to laugh, but it quickly turns into a groan. "Shit my ribs are bruised. Probably when I got slammed into that tree."
"Should I go get the doctor?"
"No. You're going to stay right here and keep me distracted from the pain." The two share a passionate kiss. “That’s a good start.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea,” Penny asked in her best mom voice.
“What is that old saying ‘A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down,” Nick answers. “I know no physical activity until the doc can check me out tomorrow. This is not my first rodeo with one of these.”
“Well it sure seems like you’re trying to start some physical activity to me,” she scolds.
“No I’m just trying to thank Cin for being here for me despite my being a total dumbass the past few weeks. Get over here and I’ll thank you too.”
“You can thank me later. Right now you are going to call your son and let him know that you’re alright, because I’m sure he’s worried sick.”
“God I’m the worst dad ever.” A tear began to run down his cheek. “I should have called him two weeks ago, but I’m just so ashamed about what is happening.”
“You are not the worst dad ever Nicky, but you’ve not been the best dad the past few weeks. I know you love JC with all of your heart, but you need to make sure that he knows that you love him. Now call him!”
“Where is he staying while you guys are here?”
“My parents house.”
“You mother is going to skin me alive if I call this late.”
“Can she really hate you anymore than she does.”
“Probably not. Hand me my phone.”
Nicky dials the number and a little voice picks up on the first ring, “Dad?”
“Yeah buddy it’s me.” The sound of his son’s voice just about breaks his heart. “I wanted to call and let you know that I’m alright. Just a little banged up, but I’ll live.”
“That DDT into the chair was pretty gnarly.”
“Yeah I got a few stitches from that one. I’ve got a concussion, but I think that was from hitting the back of my head on that tree. Pretty sure I also bruised my ribs a little bit also, but I’ll live.”
“Don’t do anything stupid until you are cleared from that concussion alright.”
“I won’t buddy, I promise.”
“Can I ask you a question, Dad?”
“You know you can ask me anything buddy.”
“What’s going on with you and Cin?”
“I know you hate this answer, but it’s complicated. We’ll talk about it next time I see you in person.”
“When’s that going to be?”
“I’m not sure. Let me talk with your mom and I’m sure we can figure something out. Now get some sleep I’m sure you have to milk cows or something in the morning.”
“No, just goats,” the younger Knight says with a giggle.
“Good night James Christopher.”
“Good night Dad.”
Nicky hangs up the phone and looks at Penny. “I want him at No Way Home. It’s been too long since he’s got to come to a show and I’m not sure the next time I’m going to get to come home. This tour is another month and then I’m not sure where I’m going from there.”
“I think we can do that,” Penny says
Penny and Cin both looked at him with grins on their faces and Cin asks, “So what are you going to tell him about us?”
“The truth,” Nicky answers. “He is smart enough to know that we have some sort of a relationship, so I see no reason to lie to him. Hell he probably knows more about throuples than we do.”
“I agree,” says Penny.
“I think we should all tell him together,” Cin says.
“No this is a conversation we need to have man to man. When I’m done talking with him I guess we can all get together and have a family discussion, but not before I get to talk with him.”
“You know he’s going to hound me for the next two weeks,” Penny says.
“Me too.”
“I have an idea on how we prevent part of that. I would like you to stay with me the next couple of weeks Cin.”
“Really?” The blonde throws her arms around his neck and gives his a kiss. “Is that alright with you Penny?”
“I think it’s a great idea. You guys never get to spend any time together as just the two of you and it will be good for you both.”
“Wait, what about my classes?”
“Are you just taking the massage therapy classes right now,” Nicky asks.
“Yeah, why?”
“What would your teacher say if you got an internship with the biggest professional wrestling company in the world. We have a couple of massage therapists on staff that are amazing a could teach you a shitload of stuff.”
“Do you think they would do that?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Nicky grabs his phone and picks a number from his contacts. “Hey Bryan I have a huge favor to ask.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn’t matter how much you offer me I will not give you a happy ending,” says the voice on the other end.
“Fuck you! You only wish I would let you rub on this grade a piece of meat. Seriously though I have a huge favor to ask for my girlfriend.”
“Please tell me you are asking me to give that sexy ex-wife of yours a massage, because that would be a fantasy come true.”
“You do this favor and I’ll let you give me a massage,” Penny says.
“You had me on fucking speaker phone? You fucking prick! So what’s the favor?”
“My girlfriend is studying massage therapy and I was hoping you would be willing to take her on as an intern until No Way Home. You know show her a few tricks of the trade when dealing with sports injuries and such.”
“Wait, Penny Dreadful is studying to be a massage therapist?”
“No, it’s my other girlfriend.”
“Your other girlfriend? Penny isn’t enough for you? Jesus Christ are you human?”
“I’ll tell you what I told my son, it’s complicated. So can you do this for me?”
“Sure Nick I’m happy to help you out.”
“We’ll be around tomorrow. I’m going to seriously need some treatment after my match tonight.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”
“I vote that we order some room service and then climb into bed. My head hurts like a bitch and I have to admit that I’m sick and tired of sleeping alone,” says Nick.
“That sounds like a brilliant idea,” Cin agrees.
“Here is the menu.” Penny hands over a binder with a smile. “I looked at it earlier and it’s pretty standard hotel food.”
“Just order me the usual,” Nick tells her.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having,”
says Cin.
“Three ribeyes medium rare, loaded baked potato, vegetable medley, and chocolate cake coming right up.”
An hour later they were all well fed and in bed cuddling. An exhausted Nicky fell right to sleep and he had no problem being woken up every couple of hours as long as it was by one of the angels that shared his bed.
____________________________________________________________________________
One Week Later: Before The Show
“Mister Knight I am not letting you go to that ring unless you allow me to examine you,” one of IWF’s staff doctors said.
“Doc I’m just going out to cut a promo. There’s nothing physical about walking out to the ring saying a few words and coming back here and getting a bottle of water,”
Nick replies.
“There may not be anything physical, but you need to be examined. I don’t give a shit what your German specialist says. If something happens to you it’s my ass on the line.”
“Fine, just be quick. I need to catch up with my brother and figure out what in the hell is going on with him.”
The doctor quickly gives Nick a neurological evaluation and shakes his head. “Nick you failed. I cannot clear you to compete, but I’m fine with you going to the ring. You get into any kind of physical altercation and I’m going to personally report you to Mr. Verona to be punished.”
“Alright Doc, I’ll be a good boy.
After The Show
Nick is standing around chatting with a couple members of the staff when Cin walks up and puts her arms around him. She is dressed in an official pair of IWF scrubs like the other massage therapists wear and she has a huge smile on her face.
“Hey sweety,”Nick greets her. “How is your night going?”
“It would be great if you weren’t such a fucking idiot! I know you haven’t cleared concussion protocols yet there you were getting ready to mix it up with Steve Awesome and Jayson Matthews. What if something happened Nicky?
“Let’s go somewhere a little bit more private while you yell at me.” The pair soon found themselves alone in a small office space. “Cin I know what I’m doing, really. I’ve been doing this for a long time.”
“Nicky I’ve seen some of the stupid shit you’ve done through the years, so I know how much you know what you’re doing. You would have stood in that ring and went toe to toe with those guys if you had to, and you know it.” A tear runs down her cheek. “You have to make a choice between being Nick Knight or Nicky Nightmare.”
“I can’t choose, because I’m both. Cin we’ve not known each other for a very long time, but I’m pretty sure I’m in love with you.”
“I’m in love with you too Nicky. That’s why I can’t stand to see you do stupid shit like you pulled tonight.”
“I need you to understand something if you are going to be in my life, which is where I want you to be. There is a monster inside of me that is very fucking dark and I try my hardest to keep him under control; but sometimes he’s going to get out. That’s who Nicky Nightmare is, the part of me that loves hurting people. The part of me that loves bringing weapons to the ring and bashing mother fuckers over the head with them.”
“Oh, don’t give me that monster inside bullshit! You were just being...being...just being a man!”
“Sweetheart the monster is very real and Steve brought him out last week, probably when he dropped me on my fucking head. I more than a little bit pissed off about that and I’m damn sure going to get my pound of flesh. I think you’ll understand the other reason I did what I did tonight.
“What’s that?”
“You have brothers, right?”
“Yeah three of them.”
“What would you do to protect them?”
“Anything.”
“Well I feel the same way about my brothers. I might not agree with everything that Lou does, but I damn sure will fight for him. Why do you think Gregor and I accepted Steve’s challenge for next week?”
“What if you aren’t cleared for the match?”
“I guess Gregor goes alone, or Jack has to fill in for me. I’m sure I’m going to be ready though, I mean Dr. Mueller cleared me two days ago, but that jackass said I wasn’t ready.”
“It’s better to be safe, Nicky.”
“I guess, but it pisses me off.”
“I know. Let’s go back to the hotel now, I’ve got to meet up with Bryan early for treatments.”
“Are you still mad at me?”
“Yes, but I can think of a few ways you can make it up to me.”
Well howdy there pardner.