CHAPTER THREE
ELLIOT
This was the last way I'd expected to spend my night. Dean loaded all four of us into his rental and we drove to a restaurant a few miles away.
"Where do you live?" Dean asked me.
"Tonight?" I asked. "Probably Matt Tremont's couch."
"You could crash with me and Jess if you want," Sami offered. "She'll be home late tonight, but you know she doesn't mind."
"You're homeless," Dean said bluntly.
"No. My home is the Dojo," I replied defensively.
"She hasn't spent a single night on the street since she got here," Sami reassured him. "We take care of our own. You know that."
It was true. I wasn't the first stray who'd found their way to CZW. Rich Swann had once been basically homeless. He'd also become a couch surfer at CZW, and now he had made it all the way to WWE. This wasn't the end of the road. It was just one step on my journey.
"But you don't have your own place. You don't have a steady job. You can't get emancipated." Dean shook his head. "If anyone finds you, they have every right to either send you back or stick you in foster care."
I felt panic begin to overwhelm me. I was an indy wrestler. He was right. It wasn't steady work, especially since I was still green and wasn't always booked. I'd hoped he would understand, but it seemed like my brother might be planning on sending me back to a situation I'd barely escaped to begin with.
"How often do you work?" April asked gently.
"As often as I can," I replied. "I wrestle, I work crew... I've even played tally person at signings. I'd do more, like get a day job, but..."
"But that's impossible when you're on the run," Dean said. He parked the car. "Everyone out. I need food and caffeine to make my brain work."
We all got out of the car and walked toward the diner he'd chosen. "Nice," Sami said. "I haven't been here in ages."
"It was Manny's favorite place," Dean replied. "We used to come here all the time." He looked haunted.
"Manny was a friend of ours," Sami explained. "She, um... She died a couple years back."
"Right before I left for FCW," Dean added. "Manuela Perez... She should have been the next big star." He shook his head. "I don't know why I came here. Habit, I guess."
"Food's damn good. You'll love it," Sami promised me. He led me inside. I noticed April stay back. She took Dean's hand in hers and squeezed it before they caught up to us.
We sat in a booth at the back. It was hidden from most of the other people there and we could talk fairly freely.
"Look... You can pretend you never met me," I said quickly, "but please don't turn me in. I can't go back there."
"I'm not turning you in, Kid," Dean said. "Not as long as you cut the bullshit and tell me the truth. Why'd you run?"
I wasn't sure how to explain just how bad things had been. I decided to start with physical evidence. I rolled up my shirt to reveal a scar between my ribs. "I got this when I was eight. I told him I didn't want to go out to his friend's house because I wasn't feeling well, so he stabbed me. Then he decided I had a reason to stay home."
"Goddamn," Sami whispered as April gasped in horror. Dean remained silent.
I lifted up my hair to reveal another scar. "I earned this when I was four. I wet the bed, so he took me into the bathroom and bashed my head into the toilet seat... Twelve times. Maybe more, but I blacked out after that. It was my first concussion."
Dean reached toward me. I flinched, but forced myself to relax as he traced the scar with his fingertip. I let my hair drop back down as he pulled away. "I'm betting you have a lot of other stories," he finally said. "Ones that didn't always leave physical marks."
"I do," I confirmed. "I lost my virginity before I was old enough to remember." He wanted honesty. I was prepared to give it to him. I expected a million reactions, but not the one I got.
"Me, too," he said calmly. April looked heartbroken by our conversation. She said nothing, but automatically reached for Dean's hand again. He didn't even seem to realize he was taking it. I vaguely wondered if they were a couple.
"Excuse me. I gotta go castrate your dad before I go for Hyde," Sami said firmly. He started to get up.
"Sit," Dean said. He shook his head. "Look, Elliot... My dad wasn't around much, but when he was, it was bad. I literally don't have a single good memory of him. Mom wasn't much better. I get having a shitty upbringing. So if you want, you can come stay with me. I'm nuts, but I won't hurt you, and I won't let anyone else do it either."
I stared at him. "Seriously? But you don't even know me... And you're famous," I said lamely.
"And you're my sister... Besides, you need someone."
"Legal won't like it," April said gently. "You'll have to do this the right way."
"Legal can suck my left nut. I'm her family, April... And I'll fight for her."
I was stunned. Was this actually happening?
"But... My training," I objected. "I can't stop."
"And you won't. I can help you train on the road, and I'll bring you back here on my days off. How much is tuition now?" Dean asked Sami.
"It's paid through the year," I replied. "Matt covers it for me."
"Is Tremont good to you? Did he demand anything?"
"No, never. Matt figured out I was underage and to stop me from sleeping with Hyde for lessons, he insisted on paying."
"Remind me to thank him for that... Look, Elliot, you're allowed to make your own choices, and I won't send you back to him... But I'd like to help... And it only seems right that we get to know each other, being siblings and all."
I nodded. "Okay," I said.
"You'll need to get a DNA test done," April said. "If you want to get legal custody of her, you need to prove she's your sister."
It was strange to decide all this before we even ordered our food, but it was happening. My brother was swooping in and taking me with him... I didn't know what to do, so I just ate my burger. Sami was right. It was awesome. It was also much easier to focus on than the fact that my life was about to be flipped upside-down.
DEAN
It had turned out to be a hell of a night. The last thing I'd expected to find at CZW was my little sister, yet here she was. I wondered if taking her back to the hotel for a night before I got custody was considered kidnapping. I didn't care. She was still a kid, and she needed help.
After dinner, we drove Sami back to his car before heading to New York. April curled up in the backseat and let Elliot sit beside me. It might have been awkward, but I decided to blast some music and sing obnoxiously along. That's how I usually relax myself. It turned out that Elliot knew the words to all of the songs, too, and soon, we were both singing. I could hear April laughing from behind me.
When we reached the hotel, I looked at Elliot. "If I get you a room, you need to promise not to run off on me," I said.
"I'll stay for now," she replied. I understood why she wouldn't commit to more. It wasn't like the kid knew me. I was amazed she'd trusted me enough to even get in my car with me.
There was a room down the hall from mine and Colby's. It was directly across from Joe's room, and I decided that meant it was safe enough. I booked the room, then walked April back to hers before knocking on Joe's door.
Joe answered the door in just his jeans. His hair was soaking wet. I could see my new sister taking in the visual with some serious appreciation. Maybe I should have thought this through more, but I never do that. I act on instinct. It comes from growing up fighting for my survival.
Joe looked at me questioningly after looking at Elliot in confusion. "What's up?" He asked.
"Joe, Elliot. Elliot, Joe," I said. "She's got the room across from yours. Can you do me a favor and look out for her tonight?"
"Sure... But who, exactly, is she?"
"This is my kid sister."
Joe stared at me. "I thought you didn't have any family besides the mother you never go see."
"I didn't... This is news to me, too. She's my dad's kid."
"And you're sure?"
"I'm positive... But the doctors can verify it tomorrow. She needed a place to stay. She's been couch surfing at CZW."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Elliot."
"Nice to meet you, too," Elliot said. She was still looking at him in shock. Joe has that effect on people sometimes. It's not just his magical hair... He's got really intense eyes. They're not lost and crazy like mine or soft and overly friendly like Colby's. It's more like Joe's trying to read your soul when he looks at you.
I handed her the keycard for her room. "If you need anything, my number's in your phone... And I'm just down the hall. Or you can knock on Joe's door if it's an emergency," I said.
She nodded. "Thanks," she said.
She turned around and unlocked her door, dragging her suitcase behind her and disappearing inside. "Do you wanna talk about it?" Joe asked me.
"Not tonight," I said. "Just make sure she stays safe tonight, okay?"
"I will."
I nodded before heading to my room. Colby looked up as I walked inside. "How was the show?" He asked.
"I liked it so much I brought a wrestler back with me," I said.
Colby looked at me in confusion. "For a hook-up?"
"Nope. To adopt."
"Wait, what?"
"I have a sister, Colby. And she's probably even more fucked-up than I am."
"How can I help?"
"I don't even know..." I shrugged. "I'm going to bed." I didn't even change. I just threw myself on my bed and tried to shut the rest of the world out.
Sometime later, I was regretting that choice. My subconscious was never one for being kind to me. I dreamed of him... My father.
He was angry, like always. He put his hands around my throat and squeezed. He loved doing that. He tried to pull my pants down and I fought. I always fought. He slapped me and my mother came over with a needle full of who knew what. She shot me up with way too much for my still tiny body and I blacked out. I woke up to both of them doing things to me that no one should ever do to a child. I was too weak and high to fight them. All I could do was lay there and whimper…
"Dean... Dean, it's okay," someone said gently.
Dean? Who's Dean? I'm Jonny, I thought.
"Dean, wake up... It's okay," the voice said again. A hand was gently running through my hair.
"Colby..." I mumbled. I opened my eyes and realized he was in my bed holding me and trying to calm me down. I couldn't bring myself to say anything else as I buried my face in his chest and cried.
There are very few people I'll cry in front of. Colby and Sami are at the top of the list. Joe had seen it happen once, when Colby nearly died on us. He'd been hysterical, too, so I hadn't felt the need to hide my weakness. That was pretty much it. I used to cry in front of Manny, too, but she was dead now. That no longer counted.
I knew Colby wouldn't judge me as I freaked out. He didn't even ask what was wrong until he could tell I was calmer. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Nope," I replied. "But I'll fake it."
He nodded. "Want me to stay?"
"Yeah... I'm not sleeping on my own tonight."
At some point, I passed back out with Colby beside me. That kept the nightmares away for the rest of the night.
ELLIOT
I didn't plan on the next part... I was just feeling anxious, so I left my room shortly after Dean left to take a walk. I ended up at the hotel bar. I needed a drink, so I ordered a shot of Jack... That was followed by three more.
"Easy there, Baby Girl," Joe said charmingly as I tossed the fourth one back. "Are you okay?"
"I'm good... Just had a rough night," I replied.
"Why don't we go back upstairs?"
"What are you doing down here?"
"Keeping my word. I had a feeling you'd be here when I realized you weren't in your room."
"I like to party. I had to learn, hanging out with all those CZW guys."
"Let's go upstairs," he said again.
I agreed. I was bored, anyway. When we got to our rooms, I pressed him against his door and started playing with his hair. "You're sexier in person," I informed him.
"And you're drunk." He smirked at me.
"Not really. This is nothing." I grabbed his key out of his pocket and opened his door, pushing him inside.
"Elliot..."
I kissed him, not caring how crazy this was. I was terrified, in a new environment, and had no idea what might happen later. It seemed like a good idea to go with something familiar. One thing I was very used to was sex. Something about Joe called to me.
He responded to the kiss. I pushed him down on his bed and ran my hands under his shirt. Joe let out a moan before gaining control of himself. "Elliot, Dean's gonna kill me-"
"I've known Dean for one day. He doesn't get a say." I kissed him again and straddled him.
Joe was through protesting when I unzipped him and wrapped my mouth around him. He barely managed to get out, "Condoms... In the drawer..."
I pulled one out as I released him from my mouth. Then I pulled off my pants and slid it over him before starting to ride him.
We went at it for a while before I finally passed out. Once Joe took control, it reached a whole other level and exhausted me. Only when I woke up in his arms the following morning did I wonder if I'd crossed a line by sleeping with my brother's best friend. I wasn't sure if I cared yet... But I also didn't want to upset Dean. He was trying to help me. The least I could do was try not to mess up his life.
APRIL
I spotted Dean as he walked down the hall toward Joe's room. "How are you feeling?" I asked. He looked awful.
"Like crap," he admitted. "It was a rough night."
"Do you want a lift to the hospital?"
"Yeah, sure... After breakfast. Company would be nice."
He knocked on Elliot's door. There was no answer. He looked concerned and knocked on Joe's door next. As soon as Joe opened it, I knew trouble was coming.
"Dean... I..." He started.
"Where is she?" Dean asked.
"Right here," Elliot called from inside the room. She walked toward the door. Joe looked horrified.
"Seriously, Joe?!" Dean demanded. "I asked you to keep her safe!"
"I am safe," Elliot pointed out.
"Yeah, well, I didn't mean for him to protect you with his dick!" Dean declared.
I was torn between running and pulling up a chair and some popcorn. I was also struggling not to laugh. It wasn't exactly funny, but my crazy mind disagreed with me.
"Dean, I... I didn't mean to-" Joe began.
"Did you fucking trip?!" Dean demanded.
I covered my mouth to hide the laugh that slipped out.
"It was my choice," Elliot insisted. "I pushed."
"She's seventeen, Joe!" Dean shouted.
"She... What?" Joe asked. "You were in a bar!"
"Um... About that... I have a fake ID." Elliot informed him. "But I wanted to mess around. It was my idea."
"Dean, I didn't know," Joe insisted.
Dean looked at Elliot and sighed. "I know... This kid's way too much like me." He said.
"Breakfast?" I asked to break the awkward silence. "My treat."
"Fine," Dean said. "But Joe better keep it in his fucking pants!"
Breakfast was awkward, to say the least. I thought Dean might stick a fork in Joe any second, but he somehow resisted the urge. I only had to stop him once, when Elliot made a flirtatious comment to Joe and he laughed at it. Dean calmed down at my touch. I kind of liked that I had that effect on him.
Not the time, April, I scolded myself. Had I suddenly started crushing on Dean? That was impossible.
After breakfast, I drove Dean and Elliot to the hospital. While they got blood tests done, I called an old friend.
"League of Assassins. How may we service you?" She answered cheerfully.
"Hey, Sellie," I replied with a laugh. Selena Klein was the top WWE lawyer. She never lost a case and the McMahons ran her ragged. She was also a gigantic nerd, and we'd bonded years ago over a shared love of comic books and superheroes. I'd called her because whenever she wasn't winning cases for the McMahons, she was doing pro-bono work for abused kids.
"April! What's up?"
"I need a favor... Actually, Dean does."
"For you, or him, sure. What's going on?"
"Dean found out he has a sister. She ran away from an abusive situation... He wants to take her in."
"I can be there in an hour." Sellie lived in Connecticut. "How old is she?"
"Seventeen."
"How bad's the abuse?"
"Really bad."
"I'm on it. Get a DNA test run."
"We're already working on that."
"Great. I'll see you soon."
I hung up, relieved to have done something helpful. If anyone could make sure Dean got custody of his sister, it was Sellie.
"We just need to wait on results," Dean said as he and Elliot joined me.
"Sellie's on her way," I said.
"Sellie... You're brilliant, April!" Dean hugged me. "Thank you."
I smiled, enjoying his touch more than I'd expected. Maybe there were some feelings there. I kind of wanted to explore that, but for now, it would have to wait.
