One
you excited brother?
can't wait to see you on the telly!
tell that hot box Randy I said 'ello
stop ignoring me! i know your ringer is on
'ello
'ELLO!
The texts came into his mobile with a loud chirp, reaching into his blazer Fergal thumbed through his messages with a smile. His sister, Emily was over eager and overzealous as always. He paused outside of the locker room for a quick reply.
Jus' getting to the arena. Yes I'm excited, can't wait for you to see me & YOU'RE A MARRIED WOMAN EM! Calm your hormones!
He smirked pressing SEND. It took seconds for her response.
you ass just tell the fella i said hi!
He chuckled half-heartily.
I'll see what I can do.
Leaving it at that, Fergal locked his phone before stuffing it back into his pocket. Taking a deep breath Fergal set his hand on the door knob to the men locker room. This was it, today was the beginning to the rest of his life. Just breathe Devitt, breathe. New places always brought Fergal the jitters. He couldn't explain why, he'd been in this profession for most of his life but there was just something about new ground that released butterflies throughout his entire being.
"Hey, it's the new guy" the door opened before Fergal could push it in, and out stepped Claudio. "My friend," he embraced Fergal in a familiar hug, "it has been a long time".
"It has, how're you?" Fergal walked into the room, with a pat on his shoulder the veteran directed him to an empty locker in the corner.
"I am fine my friend, set up here" Claudio instructed, taking a seat on the bench he waited as Fergal settled in. "I am 'specially glad now that you are here".
"Yeah?" Fergal laughed lightly, dumping his boots and kick pads to the floor of the wooden locker. "I thought you'd be nervous that I'd kill your run".
"Nothing better than new competition" Claudio pushed Fergal on the shoulder, "besides I'm not the same Swiss bastard you faced all those years ago".
"I hope not," Fergal moved to sit next to his old friend. "That guy was a real arse..."
"You paddies and your off sense of humor".
They bumped shoulders as Fergal continued to empty his bag, locating his trunks for the night and some warm up gear before the show took off. "Is it always this quiet 'round 'ere?" The locker room was practically empty except for two other superstars, who greeted him faintly upon his appearance but otherwise kept to themselves. "Not exactly what I was expecting".
"That's because you're early Fergal-boy". Claudio stood up, making a grab for his head phones and iPod. "Give it a few minutes and this place will become alive, until then I'll be going for a run, yeah, why don't you finish getting settled in and come find me when you're done. I'll bet you a pretty pound that I can still out run your arse without a sweat".
"Ha!" A wide grin spread across the Irishman's face. "I'll take you up on that".
"Alright pretty boy." The Swiss superstar tucked his iPod away and headed for the door. "I'll see you in a few".
At the bottom of his bag Fergal found his old NIKE's he'd been sporting since senior year of high school and set them on the floor.
yeah you had better
Emily's text came through once he'd powered his phone back on. He typed quickly on the keys.
Be lucky I love you
Hitting SEND again, Fergal placed his phone on the top shelf and started to undress. He changed quickly ignoring the rush of text coming in from Emily and laced his running shoes.
"Fergal?" A dark hand outstretched itself in his line of vision. Fergal looked up to find a bulldozer of a man fitted into a grey track suit stand before him. "It's good to meet ya' man. I'm a huge fan".
"Uh, thanks ... Big E, right?"
The big man scratched at his frohawk. "Yeah," their hands locked into a shake. "Name is Ettore actually but you can just call me E, the rest of the guys do".
"Well then its good to meet you E".
A huge smiled stretched across Ettore's face and he took to emptying his luggage in the locker across from Fergals, "you excited about your first day?" He called from over his shoulder.
Fergal stood, mindlessly setting a play-list in his phone. "Absolutely" his accent was thick as he muttered the word. He figured his music selection was as good as it was going to get for an hour workout.
"You're all this place has been talking about for the past month." Fergal caught the last of what Ettore was saying. "Cant wait to watch your debut."
"Thanks man. I 'ppreciate it truly but I'm," he motioned towards the door. "S'posse to catch up with Claudio soon". He didn't want to be rude but the locker room was starting to fill up and he knew from past experience that all the good places to warm up would be of short supply soon.
"No man I understand, hey I'll find you later, yeah?"
"Sure," Fergal nodded, taking his leave. "Looking forward to it". Outside a rush of Superstars and Divas passed him by, eager to unload, some to unwind before the show got started. He received a few stares and smiles along the corridor as he tried to locate Claudio in the mass. The stares were getting to be a bit much as people started to gawk in his direction, he tried his best to put on a friendly smile but eventually nerves took over and he retrieved his phone. Reading Emily's rants would be better he decided.
U'v got me wife in a frenzy ya' right bastard A text from his brother in law, Phillip, appeared instead.
who the bloody hell is Randy?
Shld I be worried
Tonk and Perry say hello btw
luck tonight n remember to be safe
His thumb swiped across a few keys before he found himself at the entrance of the stage, nothing to worry about you git, and thanks I will... ;) He looked down towards the ring to find a couple hands setting up for the show tonight. Thankful to be out off the rush backstage he made his way down to the crew.
"'Ello boys," he caught sight of two females and smiled sheepishly, "and ladies" he added. "Mind if I join you?" They looked at each other in surprised unison.
"...Sure" one of them, Andre his badge read, responded.
"Thanks" he hoped that Claudio would make an appearance soon but until then he minded the crew, helping to unfold the ring mat, spreading it among the squared circle. He was fully aware that this was not his job, but coming over from the Japan where everyone helped everyone it was itched into his nature; and besides he enjoyed it. The time seemed to pass hurriedly and before he knew it, the ring and first few rows of chairs were set up.
"Hey thanks for the help," Andre appeared at his side at the end of the ramp. "I'm Andre by the way".
"Its nice to meet you Andre. Fergal" Fergal introduced himself, with a firm grip of the hand.
"Oh I know who you are, everyone knows who you are man." Andre trailed off with a slight laugh "but seriously thanks again, I'm looking forward to having you around".
"Yeah?"
"Yeah man," Andre patted him on the back. They made short talk as some of the tech guys started up the boards and worked on the lights. Andre got a call to make his way to the back, leaving Fergal to watch the lesser known people put the show together.
"You worthless shit," Claudio's voice rang out from the stands. "You're doing a worthless job of finding me".
Fergal met him at the rail, smiling "I was unaware this was a game of cat and mouse, you puss".
"Either way you're doing a terrible job. Now do you wanna go 'head and give me, me money now or later?"
"Best 2 outta 3," Claudio's heavy Swiss accent panted as they finally stopped to catch their breath. Fergal shook his head, trying to reign in his laughter.
"No way, that wasn't 'part of the deal," he leaned against the high glass window, relishing in the coolness against his hot neck, "I tell ya' what though mate... instead of paying me that pound I'll take a round of drinks later on t'night, yeah".
"Come on..." Claudio tried again, "2 outta 3! I'll make it worth ye' while".
"No... no, smart men quit while 'dere ahead, 'sides I need to get ready for tonight".
"I guess... we'll discuss those round o'drinks later though".
"Yes, right after you buy 'em ya' cheap arse. Now come on, we've got a show to get ready for".