A/N: I got really good responses about this version of the story, so I'm going to stick with it. I'm really excited to keep this story going and I hope you all enjoy it. I will try my best to update once a week. I also forgot to mention before, but although I use real events and names, obviously I only own my OC, Kassie Wyatt, Myron Neilson, Jada Wilks, Kirk Wilks, and the Wright family. I have a few more characters that will be introduced, but other than that, no copyright intended. As always, take a second and review at the end - I would love to know what you think.
xoxo
In the first five seconds of waking up, Carli forgot where she was and how she got there. But when she completely opened her eyes, she was familiar with the lightness in the room. Her muscles ached – like she had been in some sort of a scuffle, yet her body felt warm. It wasn't until she realized that she was naked that everything came flooding back to her - Colby and the events of last night. Carli had to admit, as annoying as he seemed and as much as he talked, he was great in bed – he made her feel sexy, yet warm inside. She turned over, realizing he wasn't in the bed with her. She ran her manicured fingers over the spot where she last saw his body, it was cold. This meant he was gone – probably been gone for a few hours. She looked on the floor to see all his clothing gone. She sat there frozen, not sure of what to do. She grabbed her phone off the nightstand, quickly realizing it would be no use. She didn't have his number and he didn't have hers. It was a rule that she was quickly regretting now that she couldn't contact him and question his sudden departure. But then again, maybe him jolting off in the middle of the night was best since it would stop the awkward next morning niceties that came with a one-night stand.
Carli yawned as she walked out of her bedroom, throwing her robe on before she got out into the hallway.
"Good morning, sleepy head." Carli's roommate Jada chimed cheerfully as she watched Carli plop down onto the couch in the living room and turn the TV on. Jada was Carli's roommate in college. When Carli moved back to Alabama, Jada welcomed her as her roommate again with open arms. She was also Kirk's niece.
"What time did you get home last night?" Carli looked over at Jada making breakfast in the kitchen. The aroma of bacon permeated throughout the house, making Carli's stomach growl loudly.
"Like 2 in the morning.' Jada paused as she looked over at Carli, whose hair read guilty of her night activities. 'How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling exhausted." Carli answered with a smirk, getting up and venturing into the kitchen.
"You should be.' Jada took a sip from her coffee cup. 'You were up pretty late last night."
"Me?" Carli feigned offense. 'I don't know what you're talking about." She walked past Jada nonchalantly, grabbing a coffee cup from the cabinet.
"Oh no, don't play stupid with me.' Jada laughed. 'I heard you and your guest last night when I came in. You both were very freaking loud."
Carli rolled her eyes, trying to avoid laughing. "I was not that loud."
"Carli, a deaf man would have heard ya'll.' Jada laughed. 'Who was the lucky guy this time?"
"Why do you and Myron insist on trying to make me out to be some kind of a whore."
"Uh, you are." Jada laughed, causing Carli to roll her eyes.
"I'm not!' Carli replied disapprovingly. 'I just like to have sex, what's wrong with that?"
"Yeah, with strange men."
"Well, this guy was not strange."
Jada arched a brow at Carli. "So who was he?"
Carli was trying not to blush. "His name is Colby. He was a patient at the center."
"You fucked one of your patients?!' Jada frowned. 'That is an HR violation waiting to happen."
"He is not one of my patients. I mean he was a patient, but not exclusively mine."
"Carli.' Jada paused, running her fingers through her curly blonde hair. 'Make it make sense."
"I was having car trouble after work, and he offered me a ride. One thing led to another and yeah, things happened."
Jada rolled her eyes. "So, is he or is he not your patient?"
"He is actually your uncle and Kevin's patient. But Kevin is getting married this weekend so, he became my patient. But just for a day."
Jada crossed her arms along her chest. "This is a disaster waiting to happen."
"No.' Carli shook his head. 'No it's not. Yesterday was his last day. He is flying back home today and I'll probably never see him again."
Carli could see the uncertainty in Jada's eyes. "And he left in the middle of the night, saving us the whole next morning awkward goodbye thing. He's probably on a plane right now, there is nothing to worry about. Kirk will never find out."
"You sure about that?"
"Positive.' Carli insisted. 'There is absolutely nothing to worry about."
"Kirk, have you given any thought to what we talked about a few weeks ago?" Jeff Dugas, lead orthopedic surgeon, and specialist for WWE and the Anderson Sports Medicine Center asked as Kirk entered his office and slid into one of the oversized leather chairs in front of his desk.
"Yes, I have."
"Well, I need an answer." There was a stony look of impatience on Jeff's face. Kirk had spent the last few weeks pondering over Jeff's request to send the best physical therapist of theirs to work for WWE for three months, while WWE's PT would be out on maternity leave.
"Well um, it's been a bit of a back and forth between two candidates." Kirk replied, shifting in his seat.
"Well, which two?"
"Kevin Miller and Carli Wright."
"Carli Wright?' Jeff sounded surprised. 'No offense, but Miss Wright is a bit of a handful and the last thing we need is a slacker or someone with a bad attitude representing us or better yet – me."
"I know, I know.' Kirk pleaded. 'But hear me out."
Jeff steeled his jaw, but he sat back in his chair, allowing Kirk to explain. "Carli is a handful I will agree on that, but she is far from a slacker."
Jeff arched a confused brow at Kirk, but he didn't interrupt. "Carli is by far one of the best physical therapists we have here. She's smart, she's dedicated, and her recovery turn-around rates are impressive.' Kirk paused, watching Jeff's expression. 'Now, I'll admit Carli is rough around the edges, but I do believe that she has what it takes to fulfill that position."
"And Kevin?"
"Well, Kevin is a good candidate as well. He's been here for eight years, he works hard, and he has an impressive recovery turn-around rate as well. They are both extremely knowledgeable in finding solutions and treatment plans. Kevin definitely has better patience and knows how to work with the wrestlers exclusively. But Carli has shown that she is adaptive."
Jeff folded his hands atop his desk now that Kirk's exposition was finished. Jeff knew this would be a hard choice for Kirk to make, which was why he was going to make it for him if he was still indecisive. Kirk did have an enticing case concerning both Kevin and Carli, but there could only one.
"Ok, Kirk.' Jeff paused as Kirk shot to attention. 'I'm giving until the end of the week to give me one name: Kevin or Carli. If you can't decide, I will make the choice for you."
Kirk nodded, quickly dismissing himself.
After a long hot shower, Carli cleaned her room, removing all traces of Colby and their night together, including his scent. She spent the rest of her day on the couch watching television. This was one of her first weekends off from work in almost two months, so she was looking forward to spending the day in the house and catching up on all her TV shows.
Her phone started buzzing aside her. She smiled when she saw Kassie's name and photo flash across the screen before picking up.
"Car!' Kassie didn't even give Carli a chance to say hello. 'How are you this morning?"
Carli rolled her eyes. "You sound mighty happy this morning."
"Oh, I am.' Kassie answered cheerfully. 'Don't mind me asking, but what happened to you last night?"
Carli instantly realized she never did make it out for drinks with Kassie and Myron. But neither of them called or texted her last night, so Carli figured they didn't mind.
"Shit, sorry Kassie. I got caught up last night."
"Caught up or tied up?"
"Kassie!" Carli fought hard to keep from laughing.
"What?! I figured you were probably somewhere in bliss and ecstasy."
Carli smiled sheepishly. "Very funny, Kassie."
"So what did you do last night?' Kassie asked. 'Better yet, who did you do?"
"If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. Including Myron."
"Oh, this must be serious.' Kassie teased. 'But I promise I won't tell a soul."
"It was Colby." Carli sighed.
"The wrestler dude?"
"Yeah."
There was a pregnant pause on Kassie's end. "Well, I'll be damned."
"I know, I know. I wasn't expecting it either."
"Hey, I support it.' Kassie sighed. 'I'm just a little surprised. He doesn't seem like your type."
"He isn't, which is why it only happened once and will never happen again."
"Wasn't yesterday his last day at the center anyway?"
"Yeah."
"I just hope this doesn't come back and bite you in the ass. I don't want you to get into any trouble. You are already on thin ice with Kirk."
"Well if you don't tell anyone then I shouldn't."
"My lips are sealed."
Colby struggled to sit still as he sat in the terminal at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth, waiting to hear his flight being called. He usually was never nervous before boarding a flight, but after the night he spent with Carli, he hadn't been able to relax. He wasn't concerned about the flight, but rather, what would happen once he landed. He was stressing about what would happen when he came face to face with Zahra. Suddenly, images of Carli popped into his mind, causing a smile to play along his lips. Since he left her house last night, he could not stop thinking about her. He wished he wasn't such a coward and had waited until the proper time to leave, at least he would have had the chance to say good-bye. Colby had told himself that he would never see Carli again, but truthfully, he wanted to see her again. But the possibilities of that was slim.
He pulled his phone out of pocket, searching through his most recent dialed numbers. He figured that maybe he'd called her one last time and say goodbye properly.
"Damn it!' He spat, shaking his head. He never got her number.
As soon as he exited out of his phone and the screen went black, it lit up again as it started ringing. He swallowed hard, before picking up.
Zahra.
"Hey, what happened to you last night?" Zahra wasted no time asking questions. Colby had to think of a lie quickly.
"Hey, babe. Um, I pretty much passed out last night after PT. I'm sorry." He gulped.
"And this morning?' She wasn't letting up. 'I've been calling and texting all night and this morning. You didn't think to call or answer me back?"
"…Well.' He paused, feeling the sweat forming on his top lip. 'My phone died. When I woke up, it wouldn't even turn on. Then, I couldn't find my charger. I just had a rough morning."
"So how did you wake up then?"
"Huh?"
Zahra sighed. "If your phone was dead then how did you set an alarm to wake up?"
Colby could tell that Zahra didn't believe him for one second.
"I got a wake-up call from the front desk. They got me up this morning. Thank goodness or I would have missed my flight."
He was now sweating uncontrollably. Zahra's end of the phone got dangerously quiet. Colby knew that whenever Zahra got this quiet, he was most likely in trouble.
"Next time, you need to be more responsible.' Colby sighed loudly. 'Charge your phone before you go to bed and keep up with your shit from now on."
"Yes, babe. You are right."
"By the way, I'm flying back to Iowa tonight so I'll be home around 9 or 10."
Colby nodded as if Zahra could see him. "Great. That sounds great."
The line grew quiet again. "Ok well, I'll see you tonight. I love you, Colby." Colby instantly felt guilty. The way she said "I love you" wasn't like other times. He wasn't sure what would happen when he and Zahra got face-to-face. But he was sure, it wasn't going to be good.
"Uh, I love you too, baby."
A week later.
"Ohh Car, you're in trouble." Myron joined Kassie and Carli at their lunch table in the employee cafeteria.
"Why?' She asked with a mouthful of salad. 'I haven't done anything."
"I don't know. But I heard Wilks is looking for you."
Carli swallowed hard, sharing a nervous glare with Kassie. For the past week, Carli had been on her best behavior. As she looked over her long list of troubles, she kept drawing blanks. Her day's roster of mischief was completely clean.
She got up from the table without saying another word and left her friends to watch her in anticipation. She headed for Kirk's office without another word.
"Can I come in?" Carli peeked her head through the crack between the wall and door of Kirk's office. She wasn't sure if she was about to walk into a minefield or a field of daisies. Kirk's blank stare didn't help her read the situation any better.
Kirk didn't say anything. He just motioned for her to come in. Carli quickly slid into one of the uncomfortable chairs in front of Kirk's desk once she closed his door.
"Coffee?" Kirk asked, standing and walking over to his Keurig. Carli nodded.
"Black, please."
Silence descended between them as Kirk handed her a mug.
"I know you're pretty busy today, so this will only take a moment." Kirk broke the silence as he swiveled to face her. He took a sip from his mug, fixing the tie around his neck.
"Tell me,' He started. 'How do you feel about taking a three-month break from here…"
"Three-month break? Have you suspended me or something?" Carli jumped to conclusions.
"Let me finish.' Kirk returned. 'How do you feel about taking a three-month break from here and working at another faculty; in another state."
Carli's eyes began to swell. "You're trying to transfer me? What did I do?"
Kirk stared back at her, blankly. "I am not transferring you, Carli. I'm offering a new job opportunity."
Carli used the back of her hand to wipe her nose. "A new job opportunity. Doing what?"
"Jeff is looking for someone to fill a physical therapist position for WWE and I want it to be you."
The seconds had stopped chiming and Carli was sure she had stopped breathing. She definitely misheard Kirk. "What?"
Kirk sat up straighter, shifting his weight in his chair as a smile caused his gray mustache to curl. This was the sort of reaction from Carli that he was expecting.
"WWE's physical therapist is going on maternity leave at the start of the new year. Jeff wanted me to pick one of our PT to fill that position temporarily and I chose you."
Carli shook her head. "No."
"No?' Kirk repeated as he stared at her, dumbfounded. 'What do you mean no? I thought you'd be excited."
"Well, I'm not. I can't take that job."
"Why not? I think you would be perfect for that job."
"I can't.' She repeated, standing to her feet. 'I just can't."
"You better have a good reason for why not because I put my ass on the line for you for this."
Carli paused, one foot already out the door. "You did what?"
Kirk sighed, leaning back in his chair. "You have no idea what I had to do to get Jeff on board with me picking you. He wanted Kevin to go."
"So why isn't Kevin going?"
"Because,' He obliged. 'You deserve it and Kevin is being eyed to move up as assistant director next year."
"So, I was the next best thing?" She scathed.
"Look, Car.' Kirk paused. 'You might not think so, but this could be a good opportunity for you."
"That doesn't mean I have to take it." She carelessly returned.
Kirk nodded, entwining his fingers atop his desk. "You know what I think?"
"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me." Carli rolled her eyes.
"I think you're scared.' Kirk's eyes began to twinkle. 'See around here, you're a big fish in a small pond. But out there.' Kirk pointed his finger in the direction of the window behind him. 'Out there, you are a big fish in a big pond."
"I'm not scared of anything."
"And you and I both know that's not true.' Kirk paused. 'If you don't want to go, then fine. You stay right here but you are standing in your own way. You never know where an opportunity like this will take you."
Carli stood up straight, glancing down at her Apple watch. She had less than 10 minutes to get to her next appointment. Sure, Kirk had a point. She had been working for the last 18 months to prove her dedication and determination for treatment and rehabilitation for her patients. She always wants her best for her patients. She wanted that respect and regard, but she also wanted an opportunity and this was it.
"Where would I be stationed at if-' Carli saw Kirk's eyes light up. 'Not when; I chose to take this job."
Kirk sighed. 'Orlando, Florida."
Carli collapsed back into her seat, staring at him in horror. "Kirk, I can't go back there. I can't go back to Florida, you know that."
Kirk got quiet, taking a sip of coffee from his mug. 'You not tired of running yet?"
"Running? I'm not running."
"Listen.' Kirk reasoned. 'I know you came out here to run away from your problems back at home. But you are not the same woman you were a year and a half ago when you got here. You're stronger and you're wiser and I believe that you will make the right decisions. Don't you?"
Carli ran her fingers through her straight black hair, thinking about the memories that took place almost two years ago. The people she had met over the past year would describe Carli as a tough woman. She was good at giving the impression that she was assertive, independent, and has somewhat of a hard shell. The reality of it was, she was not a steel woman, just a clay warrior. She was good at hiding her feelings and her fears. She was good at pretending that she was in control over the different aspects of her life. The beauty of moving to a totally different state; hours away and starting over, she was able to reinvent herself over the last 18 months. She was now independent, motivated, and sometimes – harsh. She was fine with these qualities as long as it kept people at a distance. She didn't want people to get too close to her. Going back to Florida, and possibly being back around her family, scared her. Because behind all that toughness, was a broken shell of a woman with the influence of an abusive ex-lover and a destructive and disoriented family still looming over her. No matter how much she tried to cover it up, the poison within her still remained. It would be only a matter of time before Carli would unravel because self-destructive people can't be cured, only controlled. And she believed this would happen if she took this job.
Carli glanced down at her watch again. She was surely going to be late if she sat with Kirk any longer. Indeed, she understood Kirk's reasonings, but this was a decision she really had to think over. No matter what Kirk believed, Carli didn't think she was the right person for this. She wasn't strong enough to handle this.
"I'm going to have to think about this." She replied as she stood to her feet. Kirk nodded without uttering a word, as he watched her turn on her heels and leave.
Do you think Carli should say yes? Do you think Zahra will find out what happened between Colby and Carli? Sound off.
