Chapter 7:
Seven days and seven nights of thunder
The water's rising and I'm slipping under
I think I fell in love with the eighth world wonder
"Hi Dave!" An ear to ear grin split Haley's face as she flipped open her ringing cell phone. "I was just thinking about you."
"Oh yeah?" His deep voice was full of curiosity at her statement. "Good thoughts I hope."
"Of course!" She exclaimed brightly. "I was thinking about how I wish you were going to be at the hotel waiting for me when I leave the arena. I miss you."
"I miss you too, baby." He sighed. "A couple more days and we'll see each other again. We're going to Boston on Thursday night, right?"
"I just worked it all out with Stephanie." Haley nodded, even though she knew Dave could not see her. "Maria and Mickie are going to cover the Diva matches at the house shows I miss and I booked our flight this morning."
"Great." He grunted in contentment. "I'm looking forward to this weekend getaway. It'll be like a mini-vacation."
"With my family, it won't be much of a vacation." She scoffed. "It'll be like a Western Stand-off between my mother and me, the entire time."
"Haley, it's a family gathering, surely, she will put in an effort to keep things pleasant." He attempted to reassure her.
"And that statement alone if proof enough that you have not met my mother, the controlling, OCD freak, that is Erin Mariano." She huffed out dramatically. "I hate these Lobsterfest things my mom throws every summer. I mean, I miss my brothers and my father and I can handle both of my sisters-in-law, but my mom is what kills me."
"She's your mother, she can't be that bad." He replied doubtfully.
"You don't think she can be because your own mother is the most accepting person on the planet. My mom is a control freak who has to have a say in everything her family chooses to do with their lives. She won't be blunt about her disapproval of my career in front of my other relative, but she'll toss out snide little barbs at every chance." Haley ran a hand through her hair exasperatedly. "Plus, she's going to disapprove of you because you too are a wrestler."
"She's never met me." Dave argued.
"No, but you're a steroid pumping meathead in her mind." She countered. "That's all she's going to see when she looks at you. It doesn't matter, because that's not what I see, but I don't want to deal with her comments on that aspect of my life either."
"I don't pump steroids." He stated firmly.
"I know you don't." Haley soothed. "You just drink those disgusting protein shakes like water."
"Hey, you've got a boyfriend with a jacked body, don't be complaining." He teased.
"Dave, are you sure you want to come with me this weekend?" She asked hesitantly. "My family can be overbearing and I don't want you to be uncomfortable. You can still back out now, I won't think any less of you for it."
"Haley," His voice turned serious and stubborn. "They're your family. So what if their not perfect? I want to meet them because I plan on being with you for a very long time, so we're going to have to get used to each other. Don't worry so much, I grew up on the streets of DC, I can handle it."
"Okay." She agreed reluctantly.
This weekend marked her mother annual Lobsterfest party. She held one every year to welcome in the summer and always served surf and turf. Every single one of Haley's relatives and close family friends were invited. She had been hesitant when she asked Dave if he'd like to come with her. After all, she was the last of the Mariano children who remained single since her younger brother married last summer. Bringing Dave would prevent the awkward how to snag a guy conversation every woman in her family would try to thrust upon her.
Haley's train of thought was interrupted by a knock on the door to her locker room. A head peeked around the door, blonde hair, goatee, intense blue eyes and a championship belt over one shoulder; Triple H.
"Hey Hunter, come on in." Haley waved her mentor and friend into the room.
"Well Haley, it looks like you're in capable hands right now." Dave commented. "I'm going to catch some sleep, but I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay Dave." Haley smiled softly. "Sweet dreams. I love you."
"I love you too, Haley." He spoke honestly. "Good night."
"Good night." She closed her phone and gave the Cerebral Assassin her full attention. "What's up?"
"You and Dave still going to that family thing of yours this weekend?" He asked gruffly, his mood still sour from the RKO he'd received out of nowhere from Randy earlier.
"Yes, we leave on Thursday." Haley nodded. "How's your neck?"
"A little sore." The Game shrugged. "I'll feel better once I pedigree Orton in return."
"You guys act like five year olds, you know that." Haley rolled her eyes and shoved the last of her ring gear into her gym bag.
"You got a ride back to the hotel, punkin?" He asked kindly, losing some of his earlier edge. Besides Dwayne and Dave, Hunter knew Haley better than most. She was moving rather stiffly from her match earlier, where she had been double teamed by Melina and Katie Lea.
She raised an eyebrow at the switch from gruffness to affection, but didn't comment on it. "I was going to attempt to track Chris down."
"Send him a text and I'll give you a ride back." He went into protective brother slash coach mode. "You need to take a hot bath and stretch those strained muscles." He advised.
"I hit that turnbuckle really hard." She winced at the memory of her body ricocheting off one of the corner turnbuckles after a double Irish whip from Melina and Katie Lea.
"Don't worry, Hales, we'll get you back to the hotel and all straightened out. Remember, Hunter knows best." He grinned cheekily.
Although he was being purposefully smug, she was grateful for the ride and the advice on how to relieve the sore muscles. Hunter truly was one of the best guys to have in your corner, especially when things were at their worst. That was how she'd won her championship in the first place. Plus, it was always nice to have someone to turn to and talk to about wrestling and non-wrestling issues.
Hunter had become family to her and she loved him for it.
