"More Than You Know"

3. Rumor Mill

--

Autumn and Salinas had ended up driving all night non-stop to their next location, and were beginning to regret it as they ate breakfast at a Denny's not far from the arena the show would take place in that night. Autumn let out a groan as she poked at her stack of pancakes with her fork, "Ugh...energy drinks are so brutal when they wear off."

Salinas, elbows propped on the table and holding her face in her hands, nodded in agreement, "I swear to God--I'm not drinking them anymore."

"You're the one who slept most of the drive. I was up all night!"

"I slept for like, an hour. Maybe!" Salinas bit into her toast and made a face, "And it doesn't even count cause the way you drive I felt like I was taking a nap on a rollercoaster."

Autumn ignored the comment and took a sip of coffee, trying to decide if it would be wise to get a motel room and grab a few hours of sleep or just tough it out until after the show. She asked Salinas, who shrugged, "It'll be a waste of cash to get a room--I say we stock up on Full Throttle and tough it out."

"What happened to swearing off energy drinks?"

"Ok, after today."

Autumn rolled her eyes, laughing softly before indulging in her pancakes.

--

"Oh man, this thing is awesome! I can't believe I've never used this thing before. Come on, Daniels, you've gotta try it! It's great!"

Christopher raised an eyebrow, "Be glad Sharmell can't see you right now."

Booker frowned as he ceased exercising and stood up from the Bowflex, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat off his face, "Whatever. What'd you do?"

Chris shrugged as the two started walking, "Weights, mostly. I don't like to work out too hard before a show." The two made their way to the health bar and ordered two protein shakes, both of them taking seats to wait on their orders. Christopher let out a sigh, propping his elbows on the bar and running his hands over his bald head. He'd barely gotten any sleep the previous night after driving non-stop and finally checking into a motel around five in the morning, and truthfully he felt like crap. The fact that he had a match at that nights house show against Raven didn't help matters, either. After their run in the previous night, he knew Raven would be trying to give him hell in the ring, even if it meant getting disqualified for using weapons. He was a guy who held grudges, and tended to act on them--violently. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, and Booker nudged him in the arm with his elbow, "Heads up, Daniels--we got trouble."

Frowning, Christopher looked up in the direction Booker pointed to see Raven and Robert Roode walking in from the cardio section of the gym. Christopher felt his jaw clench as he looked back at Booker, "I'm not a betting man, but if I were..."

"Hell, I am. Fifty bucks say they try to start somethin'."

"Yep."

The woman behind the counter set their protein shakes down in front of them and Christopher picked his up, and set it back down. He was on edge just being in the same room with the other two wrestlers. It wasn't long before they made their over to the bar, not far from where Christopher and Booker sat. "Well, if it isn't the Fallen Angel and the Five Time champ. You guys here patrolling for trouble? I guess I should back out now, huh? No chance in me getting any action with any of the hotties in here, today." Raven laughed smarmily, and Booker resisted the urge to punch him, "You better watch yourself, Raven. I ain't in a good mood today."

"Yeah, yeah, can't you two take a joke?" Raven shook his head, "Besides, I got all the action I could want last night. Seems Daniels' little girlfriend changed her mind when she knew he wasn't around to 'protect' her anymore."

That was all it took for Christopher to snap. He stood up from his seat and grabbed Raven by the collar of his t-shirt, jerking him forward, "And just what do you mean by that, Raven?" He spat. Raven acted innocent, "Oh don't worry, nothing really happened. But that's not what I told half the TNA locker room."

Christopher's eyes widened and he tightened his grip on the little man, "You son of a..." He shut his mouth, jaw clenching so hard it gave him a headache. He had to remind himself he was a better man than that, as he released Raven and shoved him backwards, "I swear you better be lying to me, or else you should find a way out of our match tonight."

Raven chuckled, exchanging glances with Roode who stood behind him, "You don't scare me, Daniels. Our match tonight should be the last thing on your mind--we all know I've already got it won. You just worry about how you're gonna protect your pretty little angel and her job once all the dirty rumors start spreading around." He smirked and nudged Christopher with his shoulder as he passed by, he and Roode giving Booker the evil eye on their way out. Once they were gone, Christopher still stood in a silent rage, and Booker laid a hand on his shoulder, "They're just talkin' shit. Raven probably hasn't said anything--he doesn't have the balls."

Christopher shook his head, running his hands over his face, "I hope to God you're right. But Raven wouldn't have any problem starting something with Autumn. She isn't a threat to him in any physical way. He likes to prey on the weak, in order to make himself feel like the strongest man alive."

Booker nodded, "Come on, let's get to the arena. Autumn and Salinas usually arrive early."

--

"Hey, Homi." Salinas grinned as she walked up Homicide and slipped her arm around his waist. He kissed her on the top of her head and sighed, "I told you not to call me that."

"But it's funny."

"No, it's not."

"Ugh--are you guys gonna get all lovey-dovey on me?" Autumn asked, rolling her eyes, "Tell me now so I'll know which direction to barf in."

"Ha ha, very funny, poco-loco." Homicide smirked, "What are you doin' here, anyway? We're not on tv--we don't need a backstage interviewer."

"Yeah, go home!" Salinas stuck her tongue out and Autumn punched her in the arm, "I feel so grateful to have you two as friends." She said sarcastically, "And I'm here for the live broadcast, remember? Me and Jeremy are doing the play-by-play audio for all the house shows so fans can stream it live on TNA's website."

"Oh, cool! So you won't forget to mention how sexy I am when I enter the ring, right?" Homicide nudged her and she rolled her eyes, "Get real, Homi."

"Oh, not you, too!"

Autumn laughed and left the couple to catch up, as she headed down the hall and walked into the makeshift dressing/locker room set up for the women. She dropped her backpack and collapsed on the couch, leaning back and closing her eyes. She knew she'd be kicking herself for choosing to "rough it out", seeing as how she could easily fall asleep right then and there. She hoped she wasn't too stiff and distant on the audio broadcast that night, or else they'd probably replace her. Which would suck, since she'd been looking forward to it ever since Jeremy Borash recommended her for the job. He was one of the few in the business who had complete and total faith in her commentating skills, and she loved him for it.

The door to the dressing room opened, and Autumn lazily opened one eye to see Velvet Sky and Angelina Love enter. Autumn waved her hello, and the two gave each other a look and completely ignored her. The two weren't exactly the nicest people Autumn had ever met, but they usually acknowledged her if she was in the same room. "Whatever." She mumbled and went back to her semi-nap on the couch. The other two women started talking, and it was impossible not to hear their conversation.

"Isn't it amazing how some people think they can waltz in and do whatever they want just cause they slept with somebody?"

"Yes, it is. And you'd think if they were going to sleep with somebody to try and make it to the top, they'd atleast pick someone who, you know, knows what the top actually looks like."

"Yeah, really! Like Cornette--I mean, ew, but I'd understand. But come on...Raven?"

Autumn's eyes popped open and she stared at the backs of the two blonde heads in front of her, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Oh, and she eavesdrops, too." Angelina rolled her eyes and she and Velvet walked out of the room giggling. Autumn stood up, exiting the room and heading down the hall in search of Salinas. Was she being paranoid, or were certain members of the TNA roster eyeing her differently? Most of the Knockouts always glared at her, but tonight they seemed especially judgmental. She spotted Salinas talking to a few other Knockouts and Autumn grabbed her by the arm as she passed by and dragged her away. Salinas had a look on her face like she was expecting it. "Alright, spill." Autumn said under her breath, "I heard the Ugly People talking about something..."

"Yeah. I hate to tell this, mami, but..." Salinas looked away before locking eyes with Autumn, "Raven got pretty pissed about you and Daniels and he started saying shit."

"What kinda shit, 'Nas?"

She sighed, "He said after Christopher left, you found Raven and the two of you hooked up."

Autumn's eyebrows flew up, "What?!" She growled, and Salinas held up her hand, "That's not all."

"Oh, come on!"

"He also said you were...tranquilo, ya know?"

"Easy? He said I was easy?!" Autumn covered her face in her hands, a combination of embarrassment and anger written on her face. She knew he was a creep, but this was just low. Salinas slipped an arm around her shoulders in a half-hug, her teeth bared, "Trust me, I want to break him and all these skinny little bitches running around talkin' shit in half. But I know the truth, and you know the truth, and anyone who says otherwise to me or you is gonna get it, ok?"

Autumn nodded, appreciating the effort Salinas put into making her feel better, but it wasn't working. The last thing she needed was to get a bad rep and lose this job, or any potential of rising up in the business. She wanted to continue working for TNA as long as she possibly could, earning her way to the top. Now the higher-ups were gonna think she slept her way around every opportunity she got. What if word reached the wrong person and she lost the online commentating gig with Jeremy? She sighed, "Thanks 'Nas. I'll see you later, ok?"

"Babe, are you gonna be ok?"

"Are you kidding? I'll be fine. Especially when I see Raven--I swear I'm gonna kick him in the nuts if I can find any." She forced a smile and went on her way, ignoring everyone she passed and fighting back tears. She was humiliated, she was pissed, and she was tired. She just wanted to crawl into a hole and go to sleep. She needed to breathe. She pushed open the doors that lead outside and leaned back against the side of the building, burying her face in her hands.

"Autumn!"

Oh, great...She thought and looked up as Christopher jogged towards her, Booker not far behind. The look on his face spelled trouble, and she wondered if she was in for more bad news or if word had reached him already. He walked up to her, taking her gently by the arms and staring down into her eyes. He let out a deep sigh, "Raven, he..."

"I know."

"You know?" He clenched his jaw, "Autumn, I..."

She shook her head as she fell into him, bursting into tears. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and pulled her close, "I'll make him pay."