My kind of night (Dixie and Gretchen)

[Winston Family Values]

“One might think it’s been a month of Sundays since we were last booked. And they’d be right. We ain’t been on TV since the last Pay Per View. I’m not one to complain, we get paid and that’s what matters. A triple-threat tag team match? Well, I reckon this is a chance to really prove how good a worker we are.

Bella Morte ain’t nothing to sneeze at. Two ladies partners in wrestling as well as love. It’s a sweet thing. I don’t know if ya’ll think that there will be much of a fight here, seeing as my baby sister married Abby’s baby brother and that do make us a little family. And yeah, I am dating her big brother. It’s a complicated situation for sure. But I think Abby knows wrestling is a job and we all do what we gotta do. I have no hard feelings about Abby or her girl. I don’t know Eternity. I know she sometimes be speaking in riddles and acting crazier than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Mama had a touch of the madness towards the end. Speaking of the Hatman, the devil, ghosts and things that just were too much to really understand. So I get that. I get that sometimes the ones you love need a special kind of hand to love and care for em. She’s clearly not so lost in the field to still wrestle, so I assume anything done to keep things even is fine by all involved. I ain’t holding nothing back and I assume neither will Abby and Eternity. It’ll be a good match and one I hope we can all shake hands with after.

Course… there’s the other team.

Starling…Mai. Shit.

I know your cross at us for reasons I don’t rightfully understand. I don’t know why you got abandoned like you did. I don’t know why you didn’t get to live with the rest of us. I ain’t saying we were living high on the hog or nothing, but having a family the loves and supports you is important. We do care about you, sugar, even if you don’t want to interact with us. I don’t know if its because we’re white trash or because you didn’t know you were adopted before. But that ain’t our fault. We care about you. We just… we just want to be family. I don’t think that’s a terrible thing. Please? Please just give us a chance.

As for the girl who ain’t got the sense God gave a goose, Vivienne? Can’t you tell the Murder is dead on arrival? Can’t you tell that ain’t nobody buying what ya’ll were selling. Maybe at the beginning, but now ya’ll ain’t got shit. From what I hear Brooklyn completely abandoned her little sister all cause she got fleeced by a devil with a golden tongue. I don’t know what kinda family the Madox are but clearly not one where they really care about one another. If that shit happened to Denny, Birdie or hell, even Mai which I guess is what is happening, I would never toss them out into the cold like that. Family is meant to be a place you can find a home even after the worse.

And you, Vivienne, you’re more concerned with trying to be a kept woman with a temper of a Kane than a leader. You wrestle fine, so but you ain’t doing any of those girls in that faction in any favors. You talk about power and empowerment but we all had to watch that man chain and collar you. It’s disgusting and uncomfortable.

We might not win this match but I’ll be damned if we don’t make an impression.”

Gretchen was trying not to put the cart before the horse. She was trying to just live in the moment. To enjoy the time with Spencer as it was. She’d met his family a dozen times and he’d certainly seemed to like the dates they had been on so far. A little public as they were, but today it was just them, hiking up one of the beautiful mountains together. It had been a wonderful experience seeing the country in the distance as they walked the path. Gretchen stopped to look at it as she drank from her water bottle.

“Beautiful isn’t it?”

“Not as beautiful as ya,” Spencer smiled.

Gretchen blushed whilst looking over at him, “Aw, you really are a charmer.”

“With you, it’s easy.”

Gretchen smiled shyly and hugged him, “You make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

Spencer hugged her tightly in return, and the two couldn’t help but continue to smile at each other as their eyes met. Gretchen got on her tiptoes and kissed him softly. He was surprised, but responded gently, as he held her firm against himself. She melted into his embrace kissing him with everything she had for a long moment before breaking it.

“Sorry… I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I ain’t. Why would I be uncomfortable?” He asked softly. “You’re my girl, ain’t ya?”

“I am. But some folks don’t like public displays of affection. And I don’t want you to think I’m trying to do something to dishonor ya.”

“Hun, if you’re okay with bein’ seen with me, I’m okay with people seein’ us together. We shouldn’t be afraid ta love an’ love proudly, I believe. So I ain’t got no problem with the world seein’ how blessed we are in each other’s company. I don’t think ya could ever do anythin’ ta dishonour me.”

“You are literally the best man I’ve ever dated.” Gretchen beamed up at him..

Spencer blushed, clearly struck deeply by her compliment, “Ain’t ya a peach?”

“So… not to rush ya or anything but what are your life plans?”

“Long term? Marriage and a buncha kiddos with the right woman,” Spencer said softly, and without hesitation, implying he’d reached that conclusion years ago about what he wanted from his personal life.

“So we match there. Where would ya like to live?”

“Currently I still help manage the family farm, but I don’t know if that would be your vibe. Texas ain’t for everyone, I know but it’s still home ta me and always will be.”

“I grew up in a trailer in the poorest city in the state. I don’t mind Texas or a farm.”

“We ain’t rich or nothin’,” Spencer said, “But yeah, I’d like ta stay where I am, not too far from Ma an’ Pa so they can take it easy in their golden years after they’ve done so much for us, y’know?”

“I really admire how you take care of your family.”

“Thank you,” Spencer smiled. “There ain’t nothin’ more important ta me than family…an’ that includes ya.”

Gretchen smiled shyly and looked back over the landscape, “I like the idea of being considered family already…”

“Why wouldn’t ya be? Ya became part of my family in my eyes ever since Birdie an’ Ricky got hitched. I hope that ain’t weird, an’ I hope we can still be family even if for whatever reason, God forbid, we don’t work out like I’d like us ta.”

“Oh, I mean yeah I guess in that sense we are family already. Does that make us dating weird?” Gretchen laughed a little, “Jolene keeps saying it’s like seven brides for seven brothers… ever seen that musical?”

“I’m sure Jeb an’ Abby have, but I don’t really sit an’ watch much at all. I prefer more active hobbies, somethin’ with real physical engagement ya know. Somethin’ ta get the heart goin’ though admittedly that’s been less of a problem around ya these days.”

Gretchen laughed until she snorted, embarrassed she covered her mouth, until she regained control, “I… yeah, I prefer fishing or hunting or hiking. Mountain climbing and stuff. But we get together as a family once a month for dinner and movie night. Well.. we used to. Don’t guess Birdie will be making those trips much anymore.”

“I doubt Ricky would stop her. We were all raised with the same…family values, I guess you could say,” Spencer chuckled, teasingly. “Your laugh is adorable by the way.”

“You think it’s adorable?” Gretchen turned her face into his chest as she blushed even harder. “And it’s not like I think Ricky will stop her. I just think..you know… there will be a pregnancy announcement soon.”

“Ya know somethin’ I don’t?” Spencer asked. “Or are ya just guessin’ with how crazy those two are about each other?”

“Mama always said only took a mixed load of laundry to get her pregnant. I just assume it’s coming.”

“I see,” Spencer said softly. “And what about you? Would ya wanna mix laundry before or after a weddin’?”

“I was in my parents' wedding photo, course Dixie was on Mama’s hip. I was just making the thrift store dress look small.” Gretchen smiled up at him, “One of the reasons I’ve insisted on being careful. I’m not against having a baby out of wedlock but I’d prefer at least an engagement ring first.”

“If that’s your wish, I can respect it,” Spencer nodded. “Though ya know it’s nothin’ tha do with laundry, right? Does that mean ya want us ta wait ta make love too?”

“If you had a condom with you I’d be tempted to find some place off the trail to do it now.” Gretchen smiled, “doubt you packed one though. Guess it’s a after the hike reward.”

Spencer fished out his wallet, opened it and held up a packet. “Wasn’t sure what you’d consider too early, so…I prepared just in case the wind took us there.”

Gretchen looked at the condom with a smile, “Well, butter my ass and call me a biscuit! Were you a boy scout?”

“As a foodie, I may well take ya up on that offer,” Spencer smiled. “And yeah, I was. It seeded my love of the outdoors and fitness early in life.”

Gretchen laughed so long she snorted again, “Okay, do you wanna go now or… wait until we get back?”

“Depends what type of outstandin’ natural beauty ya wanna explore next,” Spencer winked, clearly more confident and overt in his flirting the more they talked. Like he was coming out of his shell for her.

Gretchen considered, “We’d need to be sure not to get caught. I don’t think I want to leave Dixie to the match alone if I got arrested for indecent activities.”

“Not like ya don’t have other siblings ta fill in,” Spencer teased, “But I take your point. The only arrest I’m interested in is the cardiac arrest that occurs every time ya smile at me an’ my heart skips a beat.”

Gretchen beamed up at him, “Shall we?” She offered him a hand as they explored off the trail.

“So here we are again. Fighting an uphill battle. But that’s just fine with me. I ain’t scared to earn my paycheck.

Gretchen and I faced down more than our fair share of uneven fights. Growing up in the shittest small town no one ever heard of. You got cute sisters and a brother that don’t fit the mold? You get into a few scraps.

I’m not going to be too worried about this fight. This is just another day at work for the most part.

Vivienne… girl, let me just be straight with ya. You are fucking stupid as hell. Do you think you gonna have any friends left after that last display from your no-good husband? Do you think anyone is gonna give a shit about you? Half your fucking faction is gay as a two-dollar bill. And you tied your life to a man who hates gays and anyone who ain’t white. That’s the life you signed up for. You might be given in to that good dick but even you have to know that you are going to have nobody but that fucker left soon enough. I saw the way an evil man with a pension for crime robbed my mama of every spark of life and sanity she had. That’s gonna be your future and your boys are gonna end up just as hateful and violent as that man. I get wanting to have them raised by their daddy but if not for yourself think about the life you are subjecting those boys to.

Belle Morte- Abigail and Eternity- are sorta family, sure. Bound by siblings in marriage. I ain’t got nothing against either of you. You both powerful and former champions. You hold your heads high and you don’t fuck around and waste time with potshots…mostly. Abigail does sometimes sure. But I ain’t done nothing to no one to get that kind of stray shot from her so I’m fine. You wrestle good and you are in love. That’s sweet as hell. I don’t imagine you even think twice about me and my sister with the battered wife over there who used to be your friend but don’t overlook us. We got all kinds of skills that will surprise ya.

Starling. Kid, you got a chip on your shoulder. I don’t know why you got left where you got left. You dont want nothin’ to do with us and I’m willing to let you live your life if that’s what you want. But you can’t be mad at us. We didn’t abandon you. Mama was too busy talking at shadows and screaming about things that ain’t there. Pa probably figured one less mouth to feed was fine. They weren’t good parents. But I tried to raise the rest of them as best as I could. I would have protected you if I coulda. I see how you fell into the Murder nonsense. You see girls that seemed to be smart and successful. But you got to see they don’t give a shit about you. You can come to us for comfort if you want. You want to be alone that’s your choice. If you step at me I’ll put you the fuck down, you hear me?”

What had started as an impassioned mistake before her youngest sister’s wedding had suddenly become a recurring situation. Dixie was in bed, naked and catching her breath next to Bucky Spencer who was smiling that self-satisfied smile that made her want to suffocate him with a pillow or kiss him.

“Should we setup ground rules for this?”

“Why complicate a good thing, Doll?”

Dixie moved to sit up to start getting dressed again, “Friends with Benefits or are we both free to fuck other people and this just happens if it happens?”

“I mean ya can fuck others if ya wanna settle for less,” Bucky said. “But the way I see it if ya had someone in mind who could measure up you’d not keep comin’ back here.”

“And are you gonna be fucking someone else?” Dixie asked as she put her hair up in a messy bun.

“Depends if anyone comes along with a better offer than what we’ve been doing these last few weeks,” he said honestly, reaching up to pull her hair back down, the way he liked it. “Bun don’t suit ya, Doll.”

Dixie felt her cheeks heat but tried to ignore the flutter in her stomach, he didn’t care about her as anything but a free fuck. “I assume this is a strictly bedroom situation and not somethin’ you want to risk being seen in public? Might damage your rep.”

“Ya make it sound as if I’ve never been exclusive,” Bucky said. “I can be faithful to one if she’s cool with bein’ my special lady friend. Problem is, most ain’t an’ always want more in the end. They get too emotionally attached, an’ somehow make that my issue.”

Dixie laughed, looking over her shoulder at him with a come hither smile, “I think I’d like a different title than Special lady friend. That makes me sound like a hooker. But I’d be fine with it sugar.”

“Naw, if ya were a hooker Doll, you’d at least be a high-class one,” Bucky joked. “I’ve never had one who was as open-minded as you’ve been so far. Why are ya broads always so obsessed with labellin’ everythin’ anyway?”

“Because some asshole who thought his crowing raised the sun took our trust and stomped it into the dirt.” Dixie shrugged before leaning over to get her socks on. “Maybe after my match we could try dinner somewhere. Gots to have something decent to eat out here.”

“Oh and who might that be?” Bucky said, taking off the one sock she just put on, he smirked. “In such a hurry, gets a boy thinkin’ ya didn’t enjoy yourself this time out.”

“Atticus Creed. Piece of shit football star, I was head cheerleader. You know how that story goes.” Dixie looked at Bucky, “And it ain’t as if I didn’t enjoy myself. I’m pretty sure the neighbors know your name by now. Just figured you’d want me out of your hair.”

“Why would I want that?” Bucky tucked a golden lock of hair behind her ear neatly, held her gaze and spoke softly. “‘Cause Atticus did, an’ I remind ya of him? What with bein’ the football star who got his dreams crushed by an unfortunate field injury an’ all.”

“Trust me, you’re nothing like him, and that’s a good thing.” Dixie leaned into his touch, “If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.”

“Good,” Bucky smiled, as he pulled her into a deep kiss. “I was hopin’ you’d say that.”

It was unclear if he meant when she said he was nothing like her former boyfriend, or when she said she’d stay or maybe both.