Beerbongs & Hickeys

by THEClubAtlantis

Summer 2022 After walking out on WWE, Mercedes Varnado and a select group of friends are at a crossroads with their lives and careers. While establishing side-businesses and chasing financial freedom, Mercedes starts a cannabis company and must hire a staff, and a celebration for freedom is on the horizon.

Beerbongs & Hickeys

Ungrateful.

Bitch.

Brat.

Quitter.

Entitled.

Mercedes manicured finger scrolled past another tweet vilifying and bashing her.

Suddenly, a friendly warmth blanketed her hand. Bayley had reached across the table to stop her from scrolling through her smartphone, ""Ignore those assholes." She advised, gently squeezing her besty's hand.

Mercedes sighed, "Yeah." Placing the phone on the table, leaning back and exhaling, "I just wish they thought more, ya know. I'm selfish? Me? Out of everyone in the business, I'm selfish?" Shaking her head with exasperation.

Bayley leaned back and studied her best friend. Mercedes always wore this strong coat of armor around her heart day-to-day when dealing with the politics of life, however, within, Mercedes had the biggest heart she'd ever known. Although she'd strengthened the hide and leather that sheltered her, she was still human and felt things just as much, sometimes more than, the average person.

"They just," Mercedes surveyed the local Nanacamilpan restaurant, her mocha gaze gliding through the cherry-red fluorescent lighting while they awaited their tequila, tacos and chicharonnes.

Bayley folded her hands on top of the wooden table, "Buuuuut," motioning to the abandoned smartphone, "Thanks for reminding me of what I'm going back to soon," sarcastically chuckling.

Mercedes shook her head, "I am sooooooooooooo done." She sighed as the waiter approached the table, "Senora," politely nodding before placing the shots of tequila between the two women.

"Bout time," Bayley exhaled, clutching the cylinder of muerte agave.

"It," Bayley stared at the amber-gold tequila, "is going to suck not having you there. The locker room," Bayley rolled her eyes, "Titus knocking on the door and looking for Nattie before AND AFTER every show," Bayley carried on, "Shayna leaving posters of herself in me and Mandy's lockers, Bliss awkwardly staring at Michael Hayes, Bray Wyatt and Cody spitting game to all the black women on the low, the Samoan SWAT team interrogating us in catering about any man that spoke to Naomi at Walmart, Lana being blacker-and-blacker-and-blacker each week, Carmella constantly running out of shampoo and borrowing ours after Corey took bathroom breaks, " Bayley took a deep breath, thought a bit more, "or Vince sliding money here-and-there, nah, it'll be the same as usual without you.: She said sarcastically, "But, I get it." She nodded, "You've outgrown the wrestling ring, something most of us can never do. You, Rock, Hogan, Piper, Batista," Bayley cocked her head, "Come to think of it, you could be the first female from wrestling to be a Hollywood star. Eva tried but no one would ever label her one of us. Stacy did a few B movies but you're on Star Wars, Fashion Week, and now you say there's something else you've been working on while you've been gone that you wanted to tell me about." Leaning closer.

Mercedes's eyes lit up like fireflies, a smile traced across her lips and she leaned forward and grasped her shot-glass of tequila, "So, last time I took that vacation, me and my cousin took a trip to Jamaica-"

"Snoop?" Bayley clarified.

Mercedes nodded, "And while I was working out and 'medicating' in Jamaica, I thought about what if we used ganja as a protein powder for athletes because of it's healing properties. But, I needed a connect for the cannabis. Snoop offered to set it up but you know me-"

Bayley nodded, "You wanted to do it yourself."

Mercedes smiled, if there was anyone on the planet that knew her it was Bayley, "So, I remembered our friend Kalisto had a few cousins who knew somebody, that knew somebody, that might know a few people that grow some really good ganja down here in Mexico…"

Bayley chuckled, "Don't get tangled up with El Chapo," she joked.

Mercedes thought for a moment, "I don't know," she paused, in serious consideration about something, then, she shook her head, "Well, no point in worrying about that now."

"So you, Kalisto and his more than likely cartel connected cousins started a weed company together and-"

Suddenly, Mercedes' phone beeped, "Aaand here comes one of our guinea pigs," turning and waving at the restaurant entrance.

Bayley turned, and at the entrance a very tall gringo woman with neck length tawny brown hair waved back and strode over to the table. She spoke with a voguish accent, "Hi, Bayley," extending her long arms around her colleague, "How's the leg?"

"I should be asking, how's the head?" Bayley redirected, "the doctors haven't cleared you yet?"

Rhea inhaled, "Nope. And, well, that's kinda why Mercedes invited me here."

"I've always been a,," Rhea raised her fingers to emphasize, "cannabis enthusiast," before pulling up a stool and sitting at the table, "So, when Mercedes texted me fore the chance to see if CBD would help with my head injury, I said, why not?"

"They really didn't clear you?" Bayley shook her head in disbelief.

"Politics," Rhea rolled her eyes, "Punk said a bit too much about the concussion protocol-"

Mercedes chuckled, "And yet they magically clear Alexa bump-after-bump-"

"I wonder why." Bayley shook her head.

"Politics as usual," Rhea pointed to the tequila on the table, "Did you already order?"

"Yup." Mercedes nodded, "Everyone's a bit late," looking at the clock on her phone.

"I see," Rhea motioned to the three empty seats across from them. "So who else is coming? Snoop? Wiz Khalifa? Cheech & Chong?"

"I wish," Mercedes smiled, "just a few potential business partners from the states are coming down to meet us and talk business."

Rhea blinked, "Well, I didn't sign up for that."

"WI'll do all the talking. Just be yourselves," Mercedes assured them.

"Oh," Rhea looked around, "And not to be that person, but lemme ask, 'where is Naomi?' before all the colorism conspiracy theorists start having a cow."

Mercedes blinked, "Umm, probably at rehab with her husband."

Bayley downcast her eyes, "Ouch. That was brutal."

"No," Mercedes hissed, "I am tired of everyone asking me about where Naomi is. That's my girl but I'm not married to her. I'm not her manager or agent. Dear lord."

Rhea looked around, "Oh no, better be careful, Meltzer's sources might hear you and claim you hate Naomi now."

"Fuck Meltzer." Mercedes snapped.

Bayley glanced over her shoulder at the kitchen, watching a flame shoot into the air as the meat was grilled, she was hungry and couldn't wait for the tacos to arrive. "Famished," She expressed, "So these business partners. Did Hunter or Vince set you up with them?"

Mercedes shook her head, "No. I wanted to do all this independent of my cousin and independent of WWE. I reached to a few people who might know some people, one guy is political, the other is a cuisine expert and the other is an accountant."

Bayley suddenly became nervous upon hearing the occupation of accountant stated. "What are you really getting into?" Looking around, "meeting an accountant in Mexico about some weed?" Bayley glanced around, "Dude, I'm just saying, this sounds more like an episode of Narcos or Ozark than it does two besty's contemplating life and which road to take next."

Mercedes giggled, "you got your 9?" Mercedes joked.

Bayley blinked, "Nah, I got a 45." They turned to Rhea.

"You strapped, Rhea?"

Rhea blinked and looked wary and a bit panicked.

"Kidding." Mercedes and Bayley both laughed.

Rhea rolled her eyes, "Americans," she muttered. Rhea smiled wryly at the playful hug and giggle that Mercedes and Bayley shared. They truly had a bond and chemistry that was enviable. They just always seemed to b on the same page. So different, yet so easily able to carry out whatever they agreed on.

Bayley shook off the spell of laughter and continued to probe, "So how and where did you meet these guys?"

Mercedes cleared her throat, "D Wade set it up."

"D Wade?" Bayley gawked.

"That one ballplayer that likes getting his salad tossed?" Rhea gawked, turning a few heads in the restaurant.

"Yeah," Mercedes looked around, "Well, D Wade is connected to Miami and Worcester and there was this hot-shot guy who met a few guys he knows that was working with a firm in Miami."

"Ahhh," Bayley nodded, "So he's not just some shmuck or a catfish Tinder date? He actually has folks that vouch for him?"

Rhea plucked up a glass of tequila, "I'm just looking forward to being baked again. It's tough to smoke in peace with so many fans and cameras everywhere and with how ridiculous hotels can be with smoke alarms."

"Ehh," Mercedes cocked her head, "It's CBD. It won't get you high."

"Shit." Rhea hissed.

"But," Mercedes gently clapped her hands together, "Down here, in Mexico, we have a few THC alternatives and can make an exception."

"Thank God," Rhea smiled.

For a short time, the three women drank and examined the crossroads each found herself at.

Mercedes, held every accolade a woman in her profession could have, and some accolades that even most men could never achieve. She'd climbed every mountain and kicked down a lot of doors. And now, Hollywood, fashion, finance, business and a life beyond the ring was a path available to her, but for how long? If she didn't act soon, how much time would she have before the variety of business opportunities dried up? Nothing lasts forever.

Bayley, the overlooked Horsewoman, had finally reinvented herself but gotten injured right when she was hitting her stride. Could she come back and recapture what she once had? The bigger test would be, could she do it without Mercedes?

Rhea, had finally made the main-roster but had yet to be given a proper push to showcase her talents. Finally, management had found some trust in her and she found herself injured. Cannabis was a gamble, but what if it paid off not just this time but also mentally as well?

When the three men finally arrived at the restaurant, Bayley was surprised at how unique and different each one was from the other. All three were dressed in collar shirts and slacks.

One was stocky, average-height with mocha skin and long curly hair pulled into a ponytail.

The other was tall, athletic and built like a Greyhound with almond skin, and a feral head of hair tamed into cornrows.

The other was tall, muscular with sandy-brown skin.

Bayley was surprised with each one once they sat down and began to talk.

The tall one, Carmelo, from Worcester, seemed to be all-business and a bit stiff at first. He sat with Mercedes, pulled out a tablet and laptop, they looked over charts, graphs, numbers, talked about cryptocurrency, inflation and logistics of it all and how it could potentially effect things in the future. Bayley had to admit, she was impressed. She didn't expect the guy to be dumb, by no means. However, she didn't' expect him to be as sharp as he was.

The slim one, talked about the politics and marijuana reform laws state-to-state and t he top 3 best states to station a headquarters and politically the best way to navigate the parties and figureheads of each state.

The stocky one was very keen on the taste of the product as well as the possibility for creating protein bars and edibles and also seeing how it could be tested for sports science, primarily for both football players and also professional wrestlers. The moment the stocky one mentioned professional wrestlers, it piqued Bayley's interest. "Really?" Leaning forward.

"Yeah,"The man from Miami named Dwayne nodded between bites of his taco, "You guys are athletes too and the constant wear-and-tear, if CBD can help out with that, it'd be good to see how it benefits with the wild schedule yall have."

Bayley seemed a bit intrigued.

After a few minutes, the laptop and tablet were put away and the shot glasses were raised. Bayley, who logically had been brought there as a 3rd party observer and confidant to pull Mercedes aside just in case she was in over here head with this deal, had nothing negative to say. While she was skeptical, the three seemed legit and nothing odd popped up or seemed out-of-order from their linkedin profiles or the little bit she could google between conversations.

Once the final shot glass plopped onto the wooden table, Rhea suddenly motioned to the restroom, "I'll be right back," she politely smiled at the three men before making her way to the restroom.

"Me," Bayley realized.

"Me three," Mercedes waived, and one-by-one, the three women trekked into the ladies room, leaving three men at the table.

The three women stood in front of the porcelain counter, checking their make-up under the honey-gold fluorescent lights, Bayley turned to Mercedes and said, "I already see it, dude."

Mercedes exhaled, "Am I making it too obvious?"

A mischievous Cheshire-grin spread across Bayley's face, "Erm," she thought for a second, "A little? Nah," shaking her head, "A lot." She giggled, "Yeah," she thought twice, "A lot," she nodded, applying a fresh coat of eyeliner.

Mercedes exhaled, "I can't help that he's my type."

Rhea cleared her throat and nervously pouted her lips and and turned to the other two, "We calling dibs?"

The three ladies took a deep breath and stared at eachother, Bayley standing between the two sighed, "Since the 49ers are doing a lot better than the Patriots," she trolled at Mercedes, who, at that moment, gave Bayley 'the-look-of-death', "And our Aussie mate doesn't have a football team yet," Bayley highlighted, to which Rhea innocently shrugged, "I nominate myself," Bayley raised her hand, "to quarterback this."

When neither woman objected, Bayley continued, "Mercedes' type is the low key, quiet, geeky type." Bayley explained.

Rhea thought for a moment and quickly assessed the three males, "Ahh, Rhea nodded," "So you're leaning towards the political guy?"

Mercedes exhaled, and smiled innocently.

(What about Mikaze?) Rhea nearly asked, however, with their line-of-work, there were 'special rules' that some relationships allowed to help the partner cope with life on the was newly single, whereas Rhea was always a bit of a free-spirit, however, her heart and neo-unorthodox aesthetic could be challenging at times, as well as her towering height since she was a giant to the average man.

Bayley smiled, "Me, well," She smiled, "I'm leaning a bit towards Miami." She admitted.

Rhea blinked, "The big fella?"

Bayley smiled, "I like to eat. He has a good vibe."

Mercedes turned to Bayley with a smile of approval, "I know right. He has a bit of a Rod Wave-vibe to him."

Rhea exhaled, "So that leaves," she inhaled, the one she wanted to begin with. "So that leaves the tall one," feeling the nerves already beginning to build, she exhaled, "I just don't know if I'm his type."

The two turned to Rhea,Rhea continued, "It's just," massaging the back of head, "He's been talking business and so focused on you, Mercedes," motioning towards the midnight-blue haired future mogul, "I just dunno if he's into me really."

Bayley nodded, "He does seem like he's all business and all about his money. Very serious and stoic type," she analyzed. Bayley clapped her hands together, "Keep in mind, none of this is set in stone," Bayley looked at both women, "Let's just go out there and feel em out now that all the numbers and business talk is finished."

The three nodded and returned to the mirror.

"Okay," Dwayne clapped his hands together, "Carmelo," leaning closer to the suited-and-booted accountant, "I am beyond impressed with how disciplined you are given who your client is."

Carmelo plucked up his vodka screwdriver and shrugged, "I'm about my business. I don't fuck my clients."

Dwayne shrugged innocently, "I get that. But, given who this client is, maybe you should start."

Xavier nearly choked on his glass of wine hearing that. "I mean," Xavier coughed, "You know, he's bout his business. He's not about to mess up his money over pussy. Even if his client is Mercedes."

"I was joking," Dwayne laughed, he then shifted gears, "You already know who I'm feeling."

Carmelo and Xavier simultaneously replied, "Bayley."

Dwayne lifted his glass of pina colada, "Just making sure y'all already know." He smiled.

Then, a voice called to them, "Hey," an average height athletic woman with oil-black hair strode forward, "Are you guys with Mercedes and Bayley?" Staring at the closed briefcase .

The three men paused.

"Yeah," Dwayne spoke up, "Dwayne," offering his hand, "How ya doing?"

"Tessa," She introduced, "shaking Dwayne's hand and exchanging pleasantries with all three.

Tessa Blanchard paused for a moment and reexamined the face of Carmelo, You look familiar."
Carmelo nodded, "Freelance Academy, Worcester."

"Ahhhh," She nodded, "That was awhile ago. Have your first match yet?"

"Nah," Carmelo shook his head, "Tweaked my neck real bad during training so I figured I'd stick with school, basketball and boxing. Nothing but respect for what y'all do. Most ain't built for that life and schedule."

Xavier took a step back and leaned towards Dwayne, "How do you wanna call this one?" He whispered, as they watched Tessa and Carmelo catch up.

"I mean," Dwayne nonchalantly shrugged, "She's cool with us. She ain't acting crazy. Besides, if Mercedes and them invited her, I guess she cool."

Xavier sighed, "I'm just saying, because of my position, if I'm hanging out with someone accused of racism and bullying-"

Dwayne waved it off, "Man you worry too much. We all the way here in Mexico, no one legit cares, man. Just be cool and have a good time." Dwayne paused, "She look a lot better in person for real though.

Xavier nodded in response.

"You rethinking your pick now?" Dwayne questioned.

The initial three women all intrigued Xavier in different ways but the one that had his eye from the beginning was the Australian, Rhea. Xavier always had a thing for the Amazonian fitness women. However, there was Bayley had one of these best asses he'd ever seen. He was a notorious ass-man.

Then, there was Mercedes. Mercedes was simply Mercedes from the style, grace, class she carried herself with as well as just the natural energy combined with being down-to-earth and relatable as well as ambitious.

And now, there was Tessa Blanchard. Tessa was almost like a combination of all three women. Amazonian, nice ass, style,grace with a dash of Southern-Belle. The only strike against her would be the rumors and allegations of racism

Dwayne had already designated Bayley was his target. "I don't know yet," Xavier admitted, slowly sipping his wine. "How about you?"

Dwayne shrugged wryly, "I'm good. I think I'm pretty set on what I want."

They watched a soft and jovial giggle slip between the lips of Tessa after Carmelo mentioned something.

"She is hot." Xavier admitted, "But, nah, I can't do it. I get it, some folks are into that type of thing. I 'm not one to kink-shame anyone but," shaking head, "That ain't the move for me."

Then, after a smile and a nod, Tessa stepped away, following the same trail as the other women to the restroom.

With a sigh, Carmelo strode over to the other two men, "So, Bayley, huh?"

Dwayne scoffed, "I'm going to just say it, this is you trying to downplay her flyness so you can duck off to the hotel to smoke that ounce of weed you copped." Dwayne predicted. "Because you said you don't fuck with clients but technically Tessa isn't a client."

Carmelo waved off the theory, "I got a wife."

"You got a dick." Dwayne countered.
Carmelo opened his mouth to respond, but in this instance, he had no defense.
"I'm just saying. What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico."

"Besides," Dwayne continued, "You've been away for awhile and you'll be heading back home to Japan soon. And, well, this could work out for both of y'all," He chuckled, "Tessa gets blacked so she's no longer looked at as racist-" Dwayne laughed.

"Actually," Xavier interjected, "Ricochet kinda already did that."

"Yeah," Dwayne nodded, "That was before that questionable video of him doing weird things with hi ass popped up online. Help her, help you," he chuckled at Carmelo.

Carmelo rolled his eyes. "You know what…"

"Actually," Xavier sat down his glass of wine, "Maybe you should take a break and go smoke. You are pretty uptight, man."

Carmelo exhaled, "Well, lemme wait for Mercedes to come back and excuse myself, don't wanna just disappear after the deal and seem rude."

"Right." Both agreed.

And just as soon as they did, one-by-one each woman rejoined them at the table.

Xavier carefully observed the dynamic between Mercedes and Tessa. It was common knowledge the two trained together and had known eachother for awhile. It didn't seem the rumors bothered Mercedes at all. Then again, Mercedes was more than used to dealing with rumors herself. However, majority of the negative rumors orbiting her had been proven wrong and been invented by the imagination of a basement dwelling dirtsheet writer. However, in the case of Tessa, it had been other talents that had sparked and stroked the flames of her allegations. Her attitude and the way she handled it didn't do well to deflect or disprove her detractors either.

There in Mexico, everyone was at a crossroads both professionally as well as personally.

Tessa had been blackballed from all the primetime companies and brands because of the allegations of racism and bullying. And now, Mexico was the only place she was able to work thanks to her connections to her husband Daga. Some would say she was responsible for exacerbating the situation after her deal with WOW and the nuclear radiation merchandise. And so, here she was, forced to take her lumps and live with the choices she had made. Was she a bully? No. Not in her opinion. She was passionate and had no issue letting people know how good she was.

Was Nelson Mandela's "Playing Small" wrong? Was she supposed to "play small" in order to get alone, or was she was supposed to work hard, and lead by example and hope that her presence was inspire others to get better. Well, maybe she was too much of a tomboy. She always hated the cattiness and bickering that came with feminine politics. Everyone clawing and scratching and trying to climb ontop of the same man. She preferred to just focus on her goals instead of molding herself into what society pressured most women into becoming.

Still young? Not even thirty-years-old yet, and yet to cross the over into the realm of motherhood, she still had much to give to the business and to herself.

Tessa had invited herself into the bathroom mirror huddle, and her competitive edge instantly took over. She had declared a silent exhibition match amongst herself and the other three. She would flirt with whoever she fancied whenever she fancied and if she decided to entertain either, she was more than welcome to.

Of the three, Rhea seemed the least happy about it. Mercedes competitive nature sparked to life upon the gauntlet being laid down. Bayley sighed and reluctantly agreed. Although she'd already decided on what her mark was.

As soon as Mercedes approached the table, Carmelo stood, "Thanks for bringing me and my guys out here in such style. I think we have everything we need," gesturing to the briefcase, "If there's any documents I need, I'll shoot you an email. Sound good?"

Mercedes paused for a second, "Sounds splendid."

"Now let's roll some of that special bud you copped up." Dwayne blurted out.

Almost immediately, "Everyone's eyes shot to Carmelo."

Bayley blinked, "Special bud?"

Rhea blinked, "You have a special strain with you I mean, if you don't mind,"Rhea paused and collected herself. Was she being too tomboyish? Should she approach the situation more girly? She glanced over at Tessa who seemed poised poised to saunter her way into a couple of free joints. Rhea inhaled, "Where exactly is this special stash from?"

Carmelo shot Dwayne the-look-of-death made famous by Kobe Bryant.

Dwayne only chuckled. It was an open secret that Carmelo wasn't too keen on sharing. However, Dwayne had boxed Carmelo into quite a dilemma.

Mercedes strode forward, "Well, for business purposes given that I'm entering this industry, I'm curious. What exactly is this special bud you have?"

Carmelo exhaled. And now, it had become a business situation which he couldn't walk away from or risk losing his client. Carmelo caved in, "Well, a friend of a friend has some connections in San Diego. There's a particular type of bud that's very powerful. A hybrid that's a bit sativa dominant that isn't on the market yet. My friend hooked me up and asked me to test it out."

Bayley confidently crossed her arms, "Well, if this is as strong as your friend claims, you might need an expert. A Bay Area expert," she volunteered herself.

Xavier motioned, "Wait til y'all hear the name of it." Guiding the conversation forward.

Carmelo rolled his eyes, a large part of him wanted to cry out, (did anyone of y'all put in on this?) However, this had gone from pleasure to business very quickly. So he filled in the back, "Usagi OG."

Upon hearing the name, Mercedes blinked, "Sailor Moon?" She gawked, "There's a weed strain named after Sailor Moon?" She looked up to the ceiling in disbelief, "Wow," she giggled, "Yeah, we've definitely," turning to Bayley, "Gotta try that."

"How is it?" Bayley leaned in curiously.
Carmelo shrugged, "I wouldn't know. Haven't had it yet."

"Well," Dwayne continued to steer the ship,"How about we all blaze one? Let's light up to expanding minds, friendship and making money together?"

Everyone nodded, it was the perfect proposition. Something for everybody.

Expanding minds - Everyone

Friendship - Everyone

Making money together - Mercedes & Carmelo

All three propositions fit each individual under each umbWoodsa.

They all turned to the gatekeeper. The one holding the Usagi OG, Carmelo. Waiting for his response.

For a second, he hesitated. What if the ganja was too strong and it warped Mercedes to a different planet and she wouldn't want to do business anymore? What if knowledge of this incidence circled the finance and accounting world and ruined his reputation? He hadn't tried Usagi yet. So he had no idea how powerful it was. All he knew was that he was guaranteed, it was very potent and unlike any strain he'd ever had before.

(This fool better not had laced this shit with angeldust.) Carmelo sighed to himself and downcast his eyes.

Then, Mercedes extended her hand, gently grasping his wrist, "I've always been a Sailor Moon Stan. Can I try some?"

Carmelo blinked, "You're sure? I mean, I've never tried it so I don't know if it's gonna be something cool and steady or trip us out to another galaxy. I mean, that and my lungs aren't as strong as the average smoker and-"

Mercedes laughed maniacally, "Do you have any idea who my cousin is and what I've smoked with him? I think I'll be fine."

The three men exchanged glances and nodded.

"She's kinda got a point." Xavier agreed.

Carmelo exhaled and raised his eyes, glancing into his client's pupils before surrendering, "Okay."

Bayley immediately stepped up, "I'll bring the drinks," she smiled.

Dwayne shrugged, "I'll get the snacks." Standing up and already headed for the store.

Xavier shrugged, "I guess I'll handle the music," digging through his playlist

Rhea thought for a moment, what exactly else would a smoking session need? She then exhaled, feeling a bit more laid out and wondering where exactly she fit in it all.

Almost instinctively, Xavier strode closer, "Rhea and I will rotate DJ duty." He suggested.

The women gawked. They weren't so sure that Rhea's death-metal was something one would want to listen to while smoking.

"You sure?" Rhea gawked. "My music's pretty heavy."

Xavier thought for a moment, "I'm sure we can find a few remixes to almost anything out there to give it a more party flavor."

"Cool." Rhea agreed.

Mercedes turned to her accountant and asked, "I have afew friends in town. Is it okay if I bring them too."

Before Carmelo could answer, Dwayne quoted P Diddy, "Check it, tell your friends, to get with my friends," he joked, drawing a few chuckles from everyone, "and we can be friends."

Bayley shrugged, "We can do this every weekend."

After everyone shared a laugh, Mercedes strode forward, "Your place is close, right?"

Before Carmelo could back out, Dwayne answered, "Right across the street. Our AirBNB is right there, we in Room 420."

Rhea couldn't tell if the man was joking or not. All the same, she let out a rare girly giggle, "420?"

"No lie." Dwayne affirmed.

Mercedes smiled, "See you later." She excused herself and one-by-one the women waved farewell and exited the restaurant.

The three men all turned to eachother.

Xavier gawked, "What just happened?" in disbelief.

"What just happened," Dwayne stretched his arms, "is laid my game down flat and now we're partying with some fine-ass ladies alter."

Carmelo shook his head and pointed to the table, "Yeah, you also let em walk out and leave us with the bill too."

"A sacrifice for the greater good." Dwayne rationalized. "Besides, with the exchange rate being what it is and the business y'all are about to be doing together, you're not gonna miss it."

"Easy to say when it's not hitting your pockets," Carmelo grumbleed.

"Hey," Dwayne innocently chuckled, "I stay in my lane. Eating food is my thang, paying for it, well, I leave that to the accountant," he laughed.

Carmelo shook his head, "And how you gonna volunteer my weed?"

"Hey," Dwayne chuckled, "God put this here for me and you. We're supposed to share and spread joy with Mary Jane."

Xavier could stand back and chuckle at every clever counter had for Carmelo's jas.

"What's wrong with sharing that giant sack of weed. There's no way you were gonna be able to smoke all of that by yourself in one weekend."

Carmelo exhaled, that was one point he couldn't defned against. It was, in fact, a lot of weeed.

"Well," Xavier sat his empty glass down, "I'm gonna go and get ready."

"Yup, and I gotta grab food." Dwayne remembered.

Carmelo exhaled, "Well, I gotta go get papers anyway."

"Papers?" Dwayne shrugged, "Just get a bong, since everyone here is a terrible joint roller." He suggested.

"Baykley might be able to roll really good." Xavier added.

"Yeah, she might," Dwayne agreed, "But we don't know for sure, do we? And also, I don't want my target rolling all those joints which takes away from her having a good time."

"Cool," Carmelo waved, "Fuck it, I'll get a bong."

"See yall in a bit." Dwayne hurried out.

And then, Xavier was gone.

"Wait a minute," Carmelo looked around at all the empty chairs and the expensive bill on the table, "Man, ain't this a bitch," he muttered, digging in his wallet.

Within their rented villa, Mercedes had slipped off her heels and dress then traded them for for a pair of shorts, sneakers and a comfortable T-shirt. Now that all of the business had concluded, she could unwind and relax a little. She looked over her shoulder at the elegant dress draped across the bed, debating whether to put it back on or to dress a bit more laid-back.

When the door opened and Bayley walked in, Mercedes was more than happy to ask for a second opinion, "Shorts or dress?" She asked.

Bayley scoffed, "Dude, you look good in either but I'm going to definitely say, shorts."

Mercedes nodded, "That's what I was thinking too." She stood, crossed the room, plucked up the dress and began to fold it.

Bayley leaned in closer, using her instincts and intuition before concluding, "You're into him, huh?"

Mercedes shot a death-glare at her best friend, "It doesn't matter if I am. I'm already taken."

Bayley cocked her head, "That's what you said last time." Bayley thought a bit more, "And the time before that." She thought even harder, "And the time before that." Bayley continued to ponder, "And-"

"Okay," Mercedes exhaled, "I get it. I was a lot younger," she admitted, "and a lot wilder back then. And they weren't relationships they were-"

"Entanglements." Bayley assisted. "Besides, Mikaze already gave you his approval. You're allowed to do whatever you feel to empower yourself and to share your body with whoever you want to. He won't allow himself or the double-standards of society to suppress you or your experiences and life. Or it was something like that he said, right."

Mercedes downcast her eyes. "I don't want to."

"Yeah, you do," Bayley smiled, "My mind's telling me nooooooo," Bayley sang throwing an arm around her anxious friend, "But my body, my body's telling me yeeeeeees," she joked.

Mercedes exhaled, "I think you're a bad influence on me."

Bayley giggled, "If fans only knew. Just like when they tried to say you brainwashed Trinity."

Mercedes rolled her eyes, "I swear," shaking her head.

Bayley gently hugged her friend an inspected how insecure and shy this potential new consort was making Mercedes. "You just need to relax because I have a few surprises for you tonight."

Mercedes perked up, "Like what? What's the surprise?"

"You'll see," Bayley assured her as Rhea entered the villa wearing jeans, sneakers and a tanktop.

"Putting the finishing touches on?" Rhea asked.

"Yup," Bayley dug into her pocket and held up coconut candies. "You just need to relax and I've got just the thing."

Rhea examined the coconut candy, "How strong is it?"

Bayley nodded, "It packs a bit of a punch for someone who's not a regular user but it's not going to wreck anyone. I think about 3 grams of THC."

Rhea quickly took one.

Mercedes gave in, "You're right."

"Trust me, you wanna be high for this." Bayley smiled.

It took Dwayne and Xavier more than five minutes to convince Carmelo to take off his suit and relax.

"She's my client. It's easy for y'all to say, she could be testing me to see if I'm responsible or not." Carmelo disputed.

"True." Xavier nodded, "but her entourage is also taking a risk herself by smoking with us here. For Mercedes, well, she's Snoop's cousin so everyone by default automatically associates her with cannabis in some way. Rhea, for example, though? Yeah, she's taking a risk of some random fan snapping a picture of her smoking."

Carmelo shook his head, "It's 2022, who would honestly care."

The three exchanged a glance before collectively answering, "White people."

Then, a series of knocks drew their attention to the front door.

"I'll get it." Xavier volunteered, crossing the room and pulling open the door.

"Hey," Tessa waved, "Am I early?" Inspecting the solely male population inside.

Xavier shrugged, "Yeah," he admitted.

Tessa thought for a split-second before asking, "Can I come in?"

Xavier surveyed the room. (This is how those blacked scenes start.) He joked to himself.

"The more the merrier," Dwayne smiled.

Tessa entered immediately begin to search, "So where's this special weed you guys have?"

Carmelo now wearing shorts, flip-flops and a tanktop, pointed to a large Ziploc bag on the kitchen counter.

"May I?" Tessa asked.

"Have at it." Carmelo shrugged.

"Thanks," Tessa nodded, strolling through the room. (A thick white girl in a room with three black men. Yeah, this looks like the opening of an Amanda Lane or Sasha Grey scene.) She softly joked to herself. Tessa felt very comfortable within the presence of the three men. Many women may feel intimidated or scared, in Tessa's case, she preferred the company of men over women. She'd grown up a tomboy and had been enlightened by the pragmatic and logic of men as opposed toe the emotions and cattiness of the female gender. Plus, she'd met Carmelo prior in Worcester, he was such a green wet-behind-the-ears rookie but very respectful and almost never wanted to leave the ring. (Why'd he quit?) She wondered. Perhaps after a joint she'd ask. Also, they were business partners of Mercedes and if Mercedes vouched for them then they were more than likely stand-up guys. Tessa felt comfortable being the only woman in the room for those reasons. Although, she had to admit, from the outside looking in, there were a few jokes there.

Suddenly, Dwayne's phone beeped. Dwayne smiled, "Jackpot. Well, we're about to have a lot of company really soon y'all." He smiled.

Carmelo turned to Dwayne, a look of surprise in his face, "Mercedes and Bayley coming."

"Yes," Dwayne confirmed, "but that's not who I'm referring to. Way more than just her."

Carmelo eyed Dwayne suspiciously, "Bruh, how many people are gonna be here?"

"At least fifteen." Dwayne nodded casually.

Carmelo looked around the AirBNB, "Bruh, what the fuck? Is this place even big enough to have that many people in here?"

"Relax." Dwayne advised, "Bayley's got it all handled."

"Bayley?" Carmelo gawked, "So y'all coordinating and quarterbacking together."

"Well," Dwayne shrugged, "She's a Niner's fan and they're doing a lot better than the Cowgirls right now."

Carmelo and Xavier, the two Cowboys fans in the room both silently downcast their eyes.

"When you are apart of a fanbase that overinflates your talent level, has unrealistic expectations, and turns into monsters when anyone has a valid criticism of it," Xavier narrated. He then sighed, "Yup, this is what the sensible/logical AEW fans go through for real."

Tessa suppressed a chuckle before opening the stuffed Ziploc bag and smelling it's contents. "Damn, this is some loud weed. Smells good."

Carmelo, still serious returned his gaze to Dwayne, "We were just supposed to smoke and chill. No one's trying to throw a rager. This isn't Project X."

Upon hearing that word, Xavier began to hum, "Hey, Mr. Rager….Mr. Rager, tell me where you're going, tell me where you're headed," remembering one of his favorite Kid Cudi songs.

Tessa smiled, "That song would be perfect for you to spin while we smoke."

"I'll take that into consideration." Xavier smiled.

Dwayne exhaled, "This isn't just about us smoking. You do know that Mercedes has a tough decision to make. Whether or not to go to Japan or not. And this could be the last time a lot of her friends see her so Bayley invited a few people."

Tessa exhaled, "I also heard about the Japan talks. So the era of the Horsewomen comes to an end with Mercedes leaving, Charlotte getting older and likely wanting to start a family soon, Becky is already a mom, I got blackballed because of some hating-ass heffas and Bayley is the locker room veteran to help guide the next wave of women in that company."

"So this is a goodbye party in a way." Carmelo realized. "Yeah," Carmelo shrugged, "I guess it's cool."

"Besides," Dwayne chuckled, "Professional athletes, an accountant, a politician, fenty models and a food guru partying together? There's nothing that could get damaged that we can't pay for."

Carmelo rolled his eyes, "I'd rather not pay at all and we just chill."

"Fenty model." Xavier entered the conversation. "And who might that be?"

Tessa smiled, "Ask yourself, who from Fenty would likely know Mercedes to even be here?"

"I mean," Xavier thought, "with how connected Snoop is, I wouldn't be surprised if Rihanna herself walked through that door."

Tessa nodded, "True, but Rihanna's likely kinda busy with her and ASAP Rocky's new baby."

"Bianca," Dwayne blurted, "And Jade are coming."

Xavier instantly saw the flicker in Dwayne's eyes. He'd been a huge supporter of Bianca since the beginning of her career. Consistently defended her from critics and now he was in a position to personality meet her and medicate with her. This was a big moment for him. He seemed excited but at the same time not sprung or starstruck. Which made sense giving he lived around Atlanta where it wasn't difficult to walk into a mall and run-into plenty of celebrities.

"Bianca is coming huh. I know you look you are looking forward to meeting her Ash" Xavier says to Dwayne.

"Yeah man you know how much I've much I rode with her going back to the NXT days" Dwayne replies.

"I still don't like the fact we were robbed of a Bianca Belair title reign in NXT because they had to give that role player ANOTHER title reign" Carmelo says shaking his head.

"I feel you on that but at least the old man (Vince) saw she was a star and gave her the push she deserved on the main roster. I don't agree with everyone Vince does but he got that one right". Xavier replies.

"True" Dwayne says in agreement.

"Speaking of Charlotte Flair, is she coming" Tessa asks curiously.

"Yes she is actually" Dwayne says with a reply. "Becky is coming too along with Seth but they are leaving the baby with a sitter".

"That's good. I can't wait to see Ashley and Rebecca again" referring to them by their real names instead of their character names.

"Carmelo better behave himself with Charlotte Flair here because I know he secretly wants to fuck her" Xavier says with a chuckle. "I saw how happy you got seeing her in those Calvin Klein underwear"

"Man that's the stunt double, not that damn role player" Carmelo said.

"Sure it is GMO and I'm running for President in 2024" Xavier said with a laugh.

Tessa was sitting back looking at the guys going back and forth with a smile on her face. They got along so well and all were very handsome. (I hope one of them will hook up with me despite my checkered past because I'm dealing with a lot of shit publicly and privately. A good party and a good fuck session would help relieve some of the stress I'm dealing with) she thought to herself.

"When are the girls getting here" Tessa asks Dwayne.

"Soon and we can make this a night to remember" Dwayne says with a smile.

"Was that a Shalamar reference" Xavier asks

"Maybe, maybe not"

Suddenly, there were a few more taps on the door. Then, the knob twisted and inside walked Bayley, "You left the door oooooopeeeeen," she sang in reference to SilkSonic and Bruno Mars. Her eyes scanned the room and immediately spotted the large Ziploc bag of ganja on the kitchen counter, "And that looks good," she smiled.

Xavier suddenly realized, "You know what, lemme get the music going." Pulling out his phone and linking it to his nearby speaker. Xavier was a sonic aficionado. Being so deeply connected to music his entire life had taught him every aspect of the mastery of sound and how each type of instrument with each body part from the heart to even blood flow.

The Sonic-Scientist scrolled through his playlist and decided to start with one of his go-to mood setters to ease the guests in as they arrived. Day N Nite by Kid Cudi

As the futuristic computers beeped and to the hum of Scott Mescudi, Rhea and Mercedes followed Bayley into the room.

Rhea couldn't help but feel a tinge of anxiety. She felt safe and comfortable and still a bit worried. Rhea had only recently began her relationship with Baby Yoda a few years ago during her time in NXT. What if this new strain of weed was too powerful for her lungs? What if she said or did something stupid after smoking? Rhea's eyes cross-examined each woman in the room. (What I'm not hot to any of these guys?) She thought observing Carmelo, Dwayne and Xavier. Being taller than the average woman sometimes presented an obstacle for Rhea in the dating sector. There were few women that dated men shorter than them. There were also few men that seriously dated women that were taller than them. That as well as her muscular amazonian body wasn't a turn-on for most men when she was standing next to slimmer women that fit the paradigm of traditional beauty. (What if they think I'm ugly?) Rhea worried.

Then, Rhea felt a punch in her chest. Not a punch. It reminded her of being hit with a pillow. No, not a pillow. A cloud. No, not a cloud. A-

(Am I high?) Rhea questioned. The edible was finally kicking in.

Then, a wave of warmth rose from her chest to her lips, then traced up the bridge of her nose to above her eyebrows. (Maybe they won't think I'm attractive but…there's someone out there that will.) She smiled as the futuristic chirps of Day N Nite guided her closer to the source. She watched as the Xavier scrolled through his playlist, queuing the next set of songs to usher the atmosphere towards Bliss, "Xavier, right?"

Rhea glanced up, "Yeah, it's Xavier," he politely nodded, "Good to see you."

Almost subconsciously, Rhea extended her arms, "It is," she smiled offering a hug.

Xavier smiled back, pulling her into a gentleman's hug. It was clear she was already lit. Xavier felt a tinge of envy. After selecting a few more songs, he turned to Carmelo, "Yo, Carmelo, where's the bong?"

A Cheshire grin immediately crossed Bayley's lips.

Tessa crossed her arms, "I was just about to ask the same thing."

Bayley clapped her hands together, "Although I'm tempted to, 'act like a lady…think like a man'," she joked in a Steve Harvey voice, "I'm just gonna be a lady and look at the guns on this one, pointing at Dwayne's arms."

Dwayne smiled, "It's in the genetics," he smiled as she squeezed his arms.

"That's good," Bayley nodded, "because," looking at all three men, "the drinks are outside." She smiled.

Dwayne sportingly nodded, "Where dey at though?" Walking towards the door.

"And you," Bayley pointed to Carmelo, "Let's get that bong going."

Mercedes turned to Bayley, "You a hype."

"What?" Bayley quipped.

"You a hype." Mercedes repeated.

"Dude," Bayley sighed, "There's nothing wrong with smoking weed. Weed is from the Earth. God put this here for me and you." Quoting Smokey from Friday and drawing a few chuckles.

Dwayne took one long glance at Bayley's nice-ass, "Damn," he muttered, before turning to the door and opening it.

Then, it felt like Dwayne's skeleton was going to jump through his skin.

Bianca BelAir stood in the doorway carrying bags of mescal, vodka and tequila. She wore blue jeans, sneakers and a pink tank top. Her signature braid was unraveled and her long raven-black hair cascaded down to her shoulders.

Her beauty overthrew him. Every fiber of her was beautiful to him. Every fiber.

"Is Mercedes and Bayley here?" Bianca asked.

"Yeah," Dwayne nodded, "They're right here. Let me help with-"

Bianca smiled at his proposal, "It's alright, I've got it."

When Bianca walked past him and into the room, he was once again blasted with a haymaker of beauty. Jade Cargill smiled, "Hi," before entering the room carrying a bag of liquor.

Behind her, Montez Ford nodded, "Sup, brotha," carrying a keg on his shoulders.

(Damn.) Dwayne gawked. (How much alcohol did Bayley bring? And more importantly, how did she get all of that here? There's no way Mercedes, Rhea and Bayley carried all that here by themselves.) Dwayne shrugged, (No point worrying about it now.) And headed back into the party. (May as well just leave the door open at this point.) Keeping in mind the wave of guests that had yet to arrive.

"Dude," Bayley smiled at Bianca, Montez and Jade, "You're just in time," funneling beer and water into the bong, "We're about to start a little puff, puff, give in here."

Jade exhaled, "I'm down. I can use a hit after that shoot."

Rhea nodded, "Oh, so that's why you guys are in town. Working for Rihanna."

Bianca smiled, "Working for Fenty is a win-win for everybody. It pays good, gets our individual faces out to a larger audience so we'll have more options post-wrestling, and promotes both companies."

"What is it like to have Rihanna as a boss?" Xavier asked curiously.

Bianca nodded, "It's great. From a pro-black side and a gender side of things, for once working for and with another black woman is a great change from who we typically have to work for. She's typically strictly business and very professional and prepared all the time."

Jade nodded, "There's a reason she hasn't crashed and burned after being in the music industry for over 17 years."

Montez Ford sat down the keg, pulled off his glasses and immediately walked over and offered his hand to Xavier, "I'm Tez, nice to meet you." He introduced.

"Xavier," shaking hands with Montez Ford, "And thank you for your service."

Montez Ford casually said nothing in response. It was always a difficult salutation for any soldier, sailor, marine or airman to respond to.

"Dwayne," the food guru introduced, shaking Montez's hand, "Thank you for your service. And don't tell me both of y'all," motioning to Carmelo, "are going to have a military service drinking rivalry," he smiled.

Montez Ford blinked and turned to Carmelo, "What branch?"

Carmelo passed the Ziploc bag of Usagi to Bayley and replied, "Navy, the best."

Montez Ford shook his head, "Damn squid."

"Jarhead." Carmelo shot back.

Both men chuckled.

It was the common back-and-forth between the Navy and Marine Corps. Similar to two cousins or brothers roasting each other.

Bayley leaned towards Mercedes, "So your accountant is also a military man?" She whispered. "Brains and muscles."

Mercedes turned away shyly.

Bayley mischievously smiled, "Technically, you are his boss. What if 'the boss', I mean, the CEO," she corrected, "ordered her employee to go spend some quality time with Bayley."

Mercedes gawked, "Bayley?"

"C'mon," Bayley plucked a nugget of Usagi out of the bag, "If you don't want him, why don't let me scoop him up? Let me take him out for a few laps." She teased.

Mercedes responded with a hard stare.

"Kidding." Bayley smiled as she dropped the nugget into a grinder.

"It doesn't sound like you are." Mercedes blinked. "Besides, like you said boss and employee would be a conflict of interest." Mercedes stared at the grinder, "And hurry up with that."

Bayley giggled, "And you called me a hype. Here you are begging for a hit of this weed."

"Snoop is my cousin. It's in my blood." Mercedes defended.

Dwayne waved, "Since we got more people coming, I'ma leave the door open so we don't have to keep running back and forth." He announced.

"Good idea." Xavier agreed. He then noticed Rhea, who was shyly standing by the kitchen counter. She, like most, seemed to be waiting for the bong to be lit and to smell the aroma of the ganja.

(Let's do this.) Xavier told himself approaching Rhea. "Hey, would you like a drink?"

Rhea smiled, "Yeah," and followed Xavier to the other side of the room.

"What would you like, beer, wine, a cocktail?"

Rhea smiled, "I could definitely use a cock," she said happily. "Tail." She concluded.

Xavier smiled at the double entendre joke, "Well," continuing, "I'm going to have some white wine," pouring himself a glass of white wine.

Rhea tried her best to maintain her poker face, "Well, it's a stressful life we all have," as Baby Yoda guided her, "I'm looking forward to see how strong you mix it."

Xavier shrugged, "Well, I'm not much of a drinker. I like my glass of wine and lord knows I can use one after how my Dallas Cowboys did this season."

"Oh," Rhea's eyes lit up, "American football," she nodded, "I didn't realize yanks were so wild about it until I came here. Especially down in Orlando. There's even a few Cowboys fans in Orlando."

"Yup," Xavier exhaled, "So football isn't a thing where you're from.?"

"Well," She smiled, "In Australia rugby is more of our game. If you ever wanna meet a psychopath, go find an Australian rugby fan. They're mad, I swear." She giggled, "So, what are you going to mix for me?" She asked.

Xavier glanced at all the spirits and juice.

What drink will you make for Rhea?

A) Tequila Sunrise

B) Long Island Iced Tea

C) Incredible Hulk

D) Margarita

"My specialty," Xavier held out the glass.

"We'll see," Rhea challenged, accepting the glass and taking a sip. "You didn't put a molly in my drink," leaning closer, "and I ain't even know it, did you?"

Xavier blinked, "No, believe me when I say, I don't move like that. I don't have to Bill Cosby or pull that to get a woman. That's beyond low to me. It's a margarita with a little extra Sprite and vodka."

Rhea smiled, "That song is just something I picked up down in Florida," taking a sip. "It's good." She complimented.

"This drink is just a little something I picked up in Washington DC." Xavier added.

"Washington DC," Rhea gawked, "Have you met Obama?"

"I wish." Xavier chuckled. "I've met a few people but not anyone on that level yet. Just working my way towards that and hopefully I can be something as great if not greater than what that man is and was."

Rhea smiled. The man's ambition definitely inspired something within her.

While Rhea sipped the future Sin-ator's margarita, there was a soft knock on the door.

Dwayne looked around confused, "I already texted everyone that the door was open. Who is that?"

Jade exhaled, "I'll get it." She was the nearest person to the door after all. She twisted the knob and opened the door.

Standing in the doorway, coiled cornrows, wearing a sweatsuit was Bow Wow. "Jade, baby," rubbing his hands together and licking his lips, "You deserve all the flowers in the world. And your photo shoot-"

"Jade blinked, "What the fuck? You were there?"

"It was cute," softly applauding, "really cute." He smiled, "but let's get down to business. Ya know,time is money and I'm all about money. Ya see, my tour is done and I've quite a bit of free time on my hands. So what say you drop the zeroes," motioning to all the men in the room, "And ride with me?"

Jade shook her head, "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I am." Bow Wow smiled, "I got a ride downstairs, we're gonna roll to one the finest restaurants in Mexico in style."

Bayley curiously peeled open the curtains and looked out the window, "You mean that beat-up Chevy where the driver is running up the meter on you?"

Bow Wow gawked, "Uhh, nah," he shook his head, "Of course not."

"Well," Bayley closed the curtains, "That's the only car out there."

"I mean," Bow Wow fumbled, "My car is around the corner."

Suddenly,a car horn blared. "Hey, you said just a minute!" The heavily accented cab driver shouted. "Mr. Bow Wow, it's your dollar if you want me to keep waiting."

Bow Wow shook his head, "Don't pay that no mind. OG is probably just a fan. Might want an autograph for his daughter."

Jade rolled her eyes, "I don't care what car you're rolling in or who you sign autographs for. I told you already, I'm not interested."

"Well," Bow Wow slyly smiled, "What did Aaliyah say, you might be bugging on the first day, what about the next day? If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again. So I'ma shoot my shot again." He smiled, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, right? You used to hoop, so you know what I mean. Why don't we go to the court and–",

Bayley shook her head, "Dude, I'm not high enough yet to listen to this clown."

Mercedes shook her head.

Suddenly, Dwayne stepped forward, "Look, she said she's not interested. No one invited you and this is a private party."

Bow Wow looked offended, "Private party, nah, fam. I made all the records yall partied to."

"I don't remember anyone playing Bow Wow Wow Yippy Yo Yippy Yay at any house party." Tessa scratched her chin.

Bianca nodded, "White or black."

It looked as if the blood had drained out of Bow Wow's face. He cleared his throat, "Look," gesturing to Dwayne, "I can afford to have you hurt, playa. So you'd best ease up out my face before I call my goons on you."

Everyone in the room tried their best to not laugh.

"Goons?" Dwayne shook his his best to maintain some patience and not resort to violence.

"As a matter of fact," Bow Wow continued, "I'ma give you to the count of five to get out of my face so Jade and I can continue our business."

Bow Wow counted, "Five-"

Dwayne scoffed, "Four, three, two, one. Now get your ass out of here."

Bow Wow exhaled, "You know what, you lucky, nigga. I could get in your ass but, I wanna be respectful to the presence of this goddess incarnate, Jade."

"Get the fuck on," Dwayne barked, "Punk ass."

Bow Wow leered at Dwayne, "I'ma catch you on the rebound."

"I won't box you out." Dwayne leered back.

The horn blared, "Mr. Bow Wow!" The driver called.

"Uhh," Bow Wow looked over his shoulder, "Yeah, umm, lemme get to those autographs." Hurrying off.

Dwayne shook his head, "Bum ass, nigga," he muttered, closing the door.

"Dude," Bayley raised her hand, high-fiving Mercedes, "that was awesome." She then turned to everyone, "This calls for a celebration," taking the freshly ground weed and placing it on the screen of the bong, "Who wants the first hit?"

Bianca dug inside her purse and pulled out a packet of rolling papers, "I'll roll my joint."

Everyone turned to Bianca.

Montez Ford shrugged, "Y'all know how my baby does it. She's very DIY about everything."

"No offense," Bianca smiled at Carmelo.

"None taken," Carmelo nodded, sipping his glass of lager.

Bayley passed the Ziploc bag to Bianca, "So how good of a joint roller are you?"

"Girl," Bianca gawked at the question, "I don't call myself the EST for no reason."

"That and," Carmelo added, "When you really think about it, the average woman has more training on twisting, coiling and rolling because typically women grow up doing their hair, braiding their dolls and friends hair while most men just grow up dropkicking eachother and trying to be ninja turtles."

Bianca smiled, "Ya know, I never really thought about it like that. That does make a lot of sense though."

"Girl power." Bayley smiled. "We own you men at blunt-rolling."

"Amen," Xavier raised his hand, "We'll take the L and accept defeat on that one."

Bianca delicately plucked two nuggets of the ganja out of the bag and rather than use the grinder, she began to break apart the nuggets with her fingertips.

"It's like a ritual," Montez Ford waved his hands mystically, "there is a fine art to rolling the perfect blunt and best believe, my baby got this."

Tessa turned to Carmelo, "How's your joint rolling skills?"

"Terrible." Carmelo admitted. "I'm good at a lot of things. Rolling joints just ain't one of them."

Rhea let out a soft laugh, "Maybe you just need to practice a bit more."

"I guess I'm just lazy." Carmelo admitted, "I'd rather just get a pack of cones or a bong. Faster, easier and simpler."

Tessa then turned to Xavier, "How about you?"

What is Xavier's joint rolling ability?

A) I can hold my own

B) Not good. I'm lazy like Carmelo and get by in other ways.

C) I'm still a rookie, how about you teach me?

Tessa smiled at Xavier, "Well, I'm sure I have a few secrets I can teach you if," she lowered her voice, "You cross your heart and hope to die."

Xavier finger-painted a clear x across his sternum, "Scout's honor."

Tessa took a step forward, then suddenly, Rhea injected, "I've got a few secrets of my own."

There was suddenly an eerie tension, not thick or hostile but moreso a friendly competitive synergy.

"Alrighty," Bayley meekly interrupted. She held out a cup full of straws, "Draw straws, shortest straw takes the first hit."

Carmelo rolled his eyes, "I mean, it's my weed so I should get the first hit," he countered.

Bayley shot him an odd look, "Who's team whooped who, Cowgirl? And besides," She smiled at him, "Ladies first."

Carmelo smiled back at Bayley, "Well played."

Montez Ford thought, "So none of us men are drawing straws?"

"Nope." Bayley shook her head, "But, it is 2022, if Bruce Jenner can be a lady so can you if you want."

Each of the men immediately said, "No."

Bayley giggled, "So, as the quarterback of the Niners who dominated, destroyed and defeated the Cowgirls-"

"Keep twisting the knife," Xavier sarcastically exhaled.

Bayley continued, "The ladies will hit this bong first so these Dallas Cowboys fans know their place," pointing to the shamed Carmelo and Xavier.

Mercedes giggled, "Petty much."

"I'm being competty-tive," Bayley smiled, "And I, and every other football fan, has spent every day of this season listening to the Cowgirls fan-base talk like they're the Suge Knight of the NFL."

"Ehh," Xavier thought, "She does have a point. There are plenty of delusional Cowboys fans out there. Trust me, we know."

"Yes," Bayley triumphantly smiled, "And as a result, the Cowboys will hit this bong last."

Mercedes blinked, "That's messed up."

"And," Bayley continued, "Because you're a Patriots fan you have to wait, but you can hit it before them."

Mercedes crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, "We'll be back soon. You're just mad because Zendaya wasn't alive when you guys last won a Superbowl. We've got six rings to your five."

Bayley stared down Mercedes and guess what, "We'll win another one before your overrated Patriots even get in an AFC title game again."

Everyone stood back and watched as the back-and-forth banter between the two continued. It was like watching a verbal rock 'em sock 'em robots. Punch after punch going back-and-forth.

"Jerry Rice is better than Randy Moss." Bayley fired.

"Brady is better than Steve Young." Mercedes shot back.

The tug-of-war continued until Carmelo strode forward and carefully placed his hand on the bong in Bayley's grasp, "So y'all gonna argue," looking at both of them, "or we gonna smoke?"

Bayley stared up in Carmelo's brown eyes, "You know what," she said in a low threatening voice, "in most cases I would tell you to stay in your place Cowboys fan but…because today is a special day and we have some good weed, I will spare you." She said with a smile.

"Yes," Mercedes nodded, staring up into Carmelo's eyes, "I agree. You Cowboys fans need to stay in your place."

Carmelo glanced at Mercedes, "Y'all didn't make the playoffs, how are y'all Patriots fans telling a team that did to stay in their place?"

Mercedes stared back at Carmelo, "Because we're rebuilding. Not parading around claiming we have all the firepower to win a Superbowl like y'all are."

Rhea cleared her throat, "I'm probably the only person here impartial to American football so," she reached out and drew the first straw, "There we go. I've got my straw."

The ladies one by one each took a straw and one-by-one they each revealed them.

"Yes!" Bayley chirped, holding up the smallest straw.

"You cheated." Mercedes accused.

"I don't have to cheat." Bayley smiled, "It's my home field advantage being in Mexico."

Bayley flicked the lighter, igniting a flame and lighting the bowl. She placed her lips over the tube and everyone watched every element of Captain Planet fused together.

Earth

Fire

Wind

Water

Heart

A blend of sweet aromas wafted through the room. Hints of hints of butter, citrus, and other earthy scents permeated the air.

Then, Bayley leaned back, shaking her head. "Damn," she coughed, leaning forward as the soft embrace of Usagi took hold of her.

"Bayley?" Mercedes took a closer look at her best friend.

Bayley blew the smoke out, still coughing.

Rhea blinked, "Bayley?" Patting her on the back.

Bayley sat the bong on the counter, still coughing. She slowly walked towards the nearby sofa before tumbling onto it, "Oh shit," she coughed and coughed, "I'm Queen Serenity!" She coughed.

Everyone stared at Bayley, then each other. Some curious, others scared out of their minds.

If one hit of Usagi had Bayley, a seasoned stoner on her back, what would it do to the people who's lungs weren't as powerful as hers?

They turned to Rhea, who had the next shortest straw.

Rhea plucked up the bong and the lighter. Given her profession as well as her personality, there were many things she didn't fear. Although she was nervous, she knew she'd be alright.

As soon as Rhea sparked the lighter, the door swung open. And inside walked a familiar face, snow-white skin, jet-black hair, wearing a camouflage baseball cap, tube top, sneakers and yoga pants, "I'm baaaaaaaack," Saraya announced.

Almost instantly, the energy of the entire room shifted. Whereas before it was felt relaxed and casual, now it felt electric and exhilarating.

"Did you start without me?" Saraya asked, hugging and greeting everyone.

"Hell yeah, dude," Bayley waved, still on her back on the sofa.

"Whoa?" Saraya backed away, "That's gotta be some really strong pot if it put down the champ."

Bayley could only sigh, "I'm Sailor Mars now," she giggled.

Saraya then turned to the three new faces, "Nice to meet you guys," she waved.

"Nice to meet you." Carmelo waved.

Dwayne raised his pina colada, "It's an honor."

"Nice to meet you." Xavier smiled.

"Sooooo," Saraya leaned forward, "What did I miss?"

"Just Dwayne beating down Lil Bow Wow." Jade chuckled.

"No way!" Saraya gawked.

While Mercedes filled Saraya in on the events prior to her arrival, Rhea couldn't help but envy Saraya. Saraya's uncanny ability to walk into any room and bring positivity to everyone in it without doing anything. Rhea wished she could be like that one day.

Saraya tip-toed over to Rhea, "Scared?"

Rhea looked at Saraya, "I'm easing myself into it."

"Easing?" Saraya scoffed, "Let me show you how to do this." Taking the bong, lighting it and inhaling. Saraya after two hits coughed, took two steps back, "Holy fuck," making her way over to the couch.

"Jooooiiiiiin uuuuuuuuus," Bayley waved her arms like a zombie, "Joooooooin uuuuuuuus."

"That's some heavy stuff," Paige coughed lying down next to Bayley.

"Told ya," Bayley inhaled, sitting up and looking at them all and laughing, "Usagi has turned into Goldberg," she linked her index finger with her thumbs and made goggles around her eyes, "She's looking at all of you and asking: 'who's next'?" She laughed.

"Fuck," Paige coughed, "I must've just gotten speared and jack-hammered."

Bayley giggled, "With a strap-on. Let's keep in mind, Mary is a fine lady. The finest lady's who has fucked everyone, down-low dudes included, and never caught a disease."

Everyone shook their head. Bayley was obviously beyond high.

"Well," Bayley giggled, "Who couldn't use a good jackhammer right now."

Bianca covered her mouth, "Ooooooh, no you didn't go there."

Montez Ford slid behind his wife, draping his arms around her and holding her as dropped the shamrock green buds onto her rolling papers. Bianca expertly gripped both and smoothly rolled a slim joint before holding it over shoulder, "A little practice," she smiled at Montez Ford.

The marine smiled, sliding his tongue over the paper for her to seal.

"Licking it like an envelope," Bayley giggled.

Tessa and Mercedes both turned to each other smiling.

"She gone." Mercedes giggled.

Tessa nodded, "And I'm going with her."

(I got this.) Rhea thought, she clicked the lighter to life and picked up the bong, (You only live once) she thought as she lowered the flame over the bud. She placed over her lips inside the tube and inhaled.

And instantly, "Gah-" she coughed and coughed, "oh fuck," sitting the bong down and immediately walking towards the occupied sofa. "Fuck," She coughed, trying to find a spot

"Rhea?"

"I think I need to lie down." Rhea turned to Carmelo.

"Just chill, dude," Bayley cautioned, "Just ride it out, you're going up, and up, and up and up-"

Saraya joined in, "And up, and up,"

Rhea breathed, trying her best to hold it together. Bayley and Saraya told no lies, Usagi was very powerful. It felt like every blood vessel in her body was vibrating.

(I can take this. If they can take it, so can I.) She told herself.

"Join us," Bayley and Saraya chanted.

"Come on, dude. There's a bit of room here." Bayley sat up and patted the cushion beside her.

Rhea nodded and shakily strode towards the sofa. She sat down and leaned on Bayley. "Fuck." Rhea hissed, trying her best to breathe and maintain.

As Rhea sat next to Bayley, the sensations within her body evolved. Suddenly, she felt a mystical warmth wash over her. (What if the boys think I'm a wimp now?) She worried. Rhea glanced up at the three men she'd just been introduced to today. Suddenly, she felt warmer, hotter. Then, she felt something else, her nipples grazing her shirt. Her nipples were hard, and the warmth within her body began to flow like a waterfall, raining down to her thighs, she felt an erotic heat between her thighs. Rhea glanced at each of them. Her eyes seemed locked on one in particular though.

Bianca slipped the joint between her lips, "Let's see what y'all are talking about."

Bayley raised a hand of caution, "Go easy on that, it's powerful."

Bianca took note, lit up and softly inhaled before passing the joint behind her to Montez.

Montez paused, then gestured to Tessa and Jade, "Ladies first, quarterback's order," he chuckled.

Bayley raised a fist of unity and smiled.

Bianca smiled, "More for me," returning the joint to her lips.

Tessa and Jade both stared at their straws. The longer straw of the two was between the manicured fingertips of Jade.

"Lighter," Jade glanced around the room before borrowing Bianca's lighter. Jade didn't hesitate, she lit up and the grass and inhaled. When she lifted her lips off the mouthpiece, she shook her head, "…that's pretty heavy." She nodded, feeling a bit lightheaded, passing the bong to Tessa.

Jade seemed to be holding herself together better than nearly everyone who had already smoked Usagi.

Tessa, following suit, "Here goes," she muttered, staring at the burning ganja. She stuck her lips into the tube and inhaled. Then moments later, she backed away, covering her mouth and coughing.

As Tessa gravitated towards the sofa. Mercedes realized, finally, it was her turn. She held the bong and turned to the owner, "You've never had this before?"

Carmelo shook his head, "Nope. It's my first time having this strain too. I'm as new to it as everyone."

Mercedes traded glances between the politician and her new employee. Although, initially, it was Xavier she was the most drawn to. It seemed the more-and-more she learned about the three men, another of the men's stock rose-and-rose-and-even recently, skyrocketed. She still had her eye on Xavier, to a degree. Xavier's stock hadn't fallen at all. Dwayne's stock had also risen because of how he handled Bow Wow. However, Carmelo intrigued her in a thousand different ways already. What else did she not know about him? She wondered.

Mercedes looked down at the ashes in the bowl, "Ohh," shyly smiling at Carmelo, "Refill?"

She watched as Carmelo scooped two nuggets out of the Ziploc bag, dropped them into the grinder. He quickly twisted the pokeball styled grinder before dropping the buds on the tray on the counter. Mercedes built a tiny anthill of ganja atop the screen, flattened it out and then with no fear, she lit up and inhaled. Usagi tasted earthy with a combination of mints and vanilla.

Mercedes tilted her head back and patiently waited for Mary Jane to carry her to the nirvana. After a few soft coughs, she could already feel the effects radiating through her body. The calming warmth radiated from the temples of her skull before gliding down her neck to her sternum then there was sensational tickle as her nipples hardened and. It was like lava flowing from the mouth of a volcano. Not an explosive eruption, but a smooth flow, except the lava wasn't burning everything in sight, this a warm lava flow that seemed to give life to every cell in her body. Then, the lava flooded between her thighs. "This is good," She smiled, opening her eyes and looking at Carmelo.

Then, the moment she looked at the titan of a man, a rush of sensations and thoughts enlightened her consciousness.

Then, she heard, "Joooiiin uuuuus," from the couch of already stoned women. "Joooooin uuuuussss," Bayley crooned. Mercedes smiled happily at Carmelo, "Her you go, Cowboy," she teased sauntering over to the sofa.

Mercedes found a seat in Bayley's arms. "How you feeling?" Bayley looked over the Mercedes wavy dark hair.

"Good." Mercedes nodded. Her gaze turned to the men who were now playing rock, paper, scissors over he got the first hit.

"That's bullshit," Dwayne debated, "The quarterback already said, Cowboys go last."

Xavier shrugged, "You are right but you did just lose."

"Quarterback's orders." Montez Ford added.

Carmelo shrugged, "Whatever," surrendering the bong.

Dwayne chuckled, "So," he muttered to Carmelo, "my lips get to touch the same place as Mercedes' before yours do," he teased.

Carmelo shook his head, returning to his lager and having another sip.

Mercedes smiled up at Bayley, "It's really good," she smiled.

Bayley, who had carefully followed Mercedes' eyes and gestures throughout the party, "It is crystal-clear who you're vibing."

Mercedes' smile went flat, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Rhea giggled, "Even I can see it."

"Even Ray Charles can see it," Bayley joked. "That and you're a terrible liar."

The bong was reignited and the aroma of Usagi clouded the room as Dwayne took a few hits before passing the bong over to Xavier.

"It's okay to have secrets," Bayley giggled, "We all have them. Still, I didn't know you like to get wet."

Mercedes cocked her head, "Huh?"

"Hehehehe," Bayley smiled, "That's PCP!" She smiled sinisterly, "Angeldust."

"Whoa, whoa," Rhea gawked, "Now hold on."

"Kidding." Bayley giggled immediately.

"That's not funny," Mercedes hissed.

Bayley giggled. "Come on, it was just a joke."

"That wasn't cool," Rhea shook her head.

Montez Ford finally inhaled the joint of Usagi. He shook his head and whistled, "Woo, well damn," as Bianca reached up and patted his cheek. "This is pretty strong." He agreed.

Dwayne coughed, "Hell yeah," maneuvering closer to Jade, Tessa, Bianca and Montez.

Mercedes watched as one-by-one, the two Cowboys lit and inhaled Usagi. First, Xavier. He instantly coughed and backed away and looked as if he'd seen a ghost at first. Then, moments later, he exhaled, coughed a bit more and seemed fine. "I was not expecting it to hit like that." He admitted.

Carmelo hit the bong and instantly turned away, hiding his face and coughing. It was clear that no one in that room was ready for how potent the Usagi strain was. "Good gawd," Carmelo coughed. "Damn." Leaning over the counter and searching for a bottle of water.

Bayley looked down at Mercedes, "He's," gesturing to Xavier, "what you want." She then motioned towards Carmelo, "That's what you need."

As the men recovered from the hits and Usagi took effect, Mercedes' gaze lingered on both men. There were a multitude of possibilities. Where was Dr. Strange when she needed him? He could calculate the millions of possibilities and give her the best answer like he gave Tony Stark? Or maybe she could call a psychic hotline for the best answer? Or maybe she should take another hit? Or maybe she was just very very high and lost in her thoughts.

—-

And then, liftoff, after a few moments, everyone was very relaxed. With the cast of individuals in the condo, good music and the Usagi strain, the fiesta seemed to finally be taking off as everyone seemed to be letting their hair down.

Montez stared at his hand of cards, "How many books?" Glancing across the table at his partner, Bianca.

Bianca smiled, raising a full hand of fingers, "Five" she mouthed, blowing a kiss at him.

Montez smiled back, "One," holding up one finger and pointing at her, when suddenly, a beep drew everyone's attention. "Huh?" Montez dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone.

Behind Montez, Dwayne stood, sipping his drink. And it was brief but for a split-second, he watched as Montez stared at the nudes of a familiar face.

(Mickie James?) Dwayne noted. (What the hell is going on?) He then looked at the blissful Bianca across the table. (This nigga is creeping with Mickie James on the low.)

"Who's that?" Bianca asked curiously.

Montez quickly deleted the text and opened a random group chat, "Dawkins," holding up the phone for her to see, "Just clowning as usual."

"Oh," Bianca smiled, "Well, hopefully, he's as high as we are."

Adjacent to Montez, Mercedes studied her hand and held up two fingers, "I've got two," she smiled at her Spades partner across the table."

Carmelo carefully pooled his cards together and looked them over, "We're taking seven." He announced.

Bianca and Montez looked baffled.

"You think you're taking seven?" Montez chuckled. "That ain't happening."

"We'll see." Carmelo confidently glanced back, looking over the aces in his hand.

Dwayne turned away, (I need a drink for real.) Heading over to the spirits and mixing him another cocktail. (How do you screw up being with a woman like Bianca?) He thought, watching as the game of Spades continued. (He's really cheating on her with Mickie James of all people?)

More fire was put on the bong as Rhea, Tessa and Bayley shared another hit. This time, the wave of Usagi wasn't as overpowering as the first time, it was smooth and rather than rocketing them higher like an astronaut or the turbulence of a jet, this was more like car going from 60 to 80, then slowing to 45 followed by the warming and erotic sensation pulsating from their chests to their hips.

"I love this song." Tessa commented, "I wonder if he can play the remix."

Bayley glanced around, "Maybe he went to the bathroom," unable to find Xavier, "Ask him when he comes out."

"Right." Tessa ran her fingers through her hair, once again, looking over all the men in the room.

Then, suddenly, Rhea felt her body getting warmer, hotter. (Maybe I should change out of these jeans.) She thought, looking over at her bag where there were a pair of shorts. (It definitely seemed like a good idea. (But Xavier's in the bathroom.) Feeling herself beginning to sweat. She walked over, scooped up her bag and approached Dwayne who was at the counter mixing a drink, "Hey, Dwayne," she smiled happily, "Is there another place I can change into some shorts? I think the lavatory is occupied."

Dwayne paused, his mind working over the word lavatory. "Uhh, yeah." He nodded, clearing his mind for a second. "There's a couple of rooms past the bathroom. Ain't nobody in there."

Rhea smiled, "Thanks," carefully walking towards one of the rooms.

"Hahaha," Saraya laughed as the twerk session between herself and Jade concluded and they found themselves gravitating back towards the bong.

Then, the door shot open. "EXCUSE ME!" An ear-splitting voice screamed over the music.

Everyone immediately turned to the intruder.

Vickie Guerrero with her signature bob-cut, wearing a green flowered dress stood in the doorway with a look of anger in her eyes, "I said, EXCUSE ME!"

The music and atmosphere of the party had ground to a halt, dead-in-the-water.

The bathroom door and Xavier walked out, "What in the hell is going on out here?" Drawn to the scene by the deafening screeches of Vickie.

"EXCUSE ME!" Vickie shouted again at the top of her lungs.

Xavier sighed, (Vicky is really killing the vibe for real. As the DJ, it's my duty to maintain a good atmosphere but what should I do?)

What do you do?

A) Ask Vicky to leave

B) Offer Vicky a hit of the Usagi strain

C) Ask one of the women to throw Vicky out

D) Let it play out

Xavier nodded, (I know just the thing to calm her down.) He carefully crossed the room, and picked up the bong, half of the buds had been burned but there was just enough left in the bowl.

Vicky glanced around the room. They were dancing, playing cards, smoking, drinking and having a good time. She, on the other hand, so many years ago had lost everything. She opened her mouth, ready to shout it again, "EXCUSE-"

Xavier strode forward and held out the bong, "I got just the thing to ease your mind."

Vicky stared at the bong, "Give me that," tearing it out of his hands, marching up to the counter and lighting up.

Moments later, Vicky backed away, "Oh, excuse me," her voice quieter, "this is powerful."

Vickie's calmer and quieter demeanor radiated and eased the vibe of the room. She whirled around, looking at a familiar face.

Mercedes laid her hand down and smiled, "Buenos noches," pulling Vicky into a hug.

Vicky smiled, "It's been a long time," her voice a lot calmer now.

"A simple hola would be fine, Vicky," Mercedes smiled soothingly, "Didn't we talk about that in therapy."

"I know," Vicky admitted, "I just, ya know, I miss him."

Everyone in the room nodded in understanding. Eddie's passing had affected everyone, especially her.

"And," Vicky smiled happily, "everyone knows how I am towards pot. I don't care how high you get around me, as long as you let me hit it too."

"Amen!" Montez applauded, sparking a drum of support and helping to guide the room back to a positive vibe.

(Crisis averted.) Xavier thought, checking his phone and scrolling. (Now to get the vibe back.)

What song will you choose?

It was a soft reset for everyone as the Dre drums pulsated and became the heartbeat of the party. Women, weed and weather were the trifecta for any man's good time on the West Coast.

Bayley, the Bay Area girl, nodded her head and smiled as the landmark artists of California gave CPR to the atmosphere. She pointed to Xavier and smiled. A telekinetic high-five between the two.

Everyone watched as Vicky relit the Usagi and took a few more hits, and moments later Usagi traced a smile across the face Vicky as she stumbled towards the sofa and was pulled into hugs by everyone.

"That's game." Mercedes smiled, laying the Ace of Spades down and taking the final book.

"Damn," Bianca exhaled.

"Run it back." Montez suggested.

Mercedes shook her head, "So we can beat y'all again? That's how many games now."

Carmelo collected the cards and reshuffled the deck, "Four."

Mercedes stared at her partner across the table. As a team, they were unbeatable, it seemed. Upon hearing the score, a 4-0 sweep, "Nah," Mercedes shook her head, "Let's play something else."

Montez glanced around, "I don't see Jenga or Connect Four anywhere so-"

Suddenly, Montez's phone beeped again. This drew the eyes of both Bianca, as well as Dwayne. This time, the beeping didn't cease. His phone was ringing.

"Excuse me," Montez stood and headed for the front door.

"Dawkins," Bianca giggled.

"More than likely," Montez nodded.

Dwayne shot the Marine a glare, (Liar.) He thought, sitting down his drink, "Lemme go get some air right quick. This weed loud as fuck."

Dwayne quietly headed out the door.

"Be careful," Bayley warned, "Bow Wow's goons might be after you."

"I'm already pissing myself," Dwayne sarcastically replied walking out the door.

As he walked outside, Montez suddenly became silent.

Dwayne nodded and quietly walked an earshot away and out of sight.

"Mickie," Montez exhaled, "I told you, I'm in Mexico- I'll be back in Tennessee soon-yeah, of course.-Baby, I'ma beat that pussy up like Emmett Till. You already know-"

(What the fuck?) Dwayne thought.

Montez continued, "I miss you too-Yeah-yeah-Bianca? No worries-it's cool.-We're wrestlers.-I didn't say all that.-It's just between me and you-"

Dwayne shook his head. (This fool really is cheating on Bianca. Dawkins? Nah, this fool creeping with Mickie James. Makes sense though. Impact's headquarters is in Tennessee. And they're in and out of Tennessee because it's where Bianca's from.)

(What should I do?) Dwayne thought.

A) Confront Montez about it

B) Tell Bianca

C) Keep it moving

D) Huddle with the homies

"Hey guys, do you know where Rhea went?" Xavier asked curiously.

"I think she went to the room at the end of the hallway to change clothes" Mercedes replies to him.

"Should I go check on her?"

"That's up to you" Bayley says as the playlist transitions from The Recipe to A.D.H.D by Kendrick Lamar. "You must be a big Kendrick fan, Woods."

"Yeah I am. I think he's the best rapper of the modern era even though is more my guy personally."

"North Carolina, c'mon and raise up," Tessa says. "I love too, even though I know he's #3 behind Drake & Kendrick he's #1 to me."

"I know right." Xavier says to her. "But anyways, I am just going to go check on Rhea and I'll be back."

"All right then, cool" Mercedes says with a smile.

(He's so handsome) Tessa thinks to herself. (I really would like for him to notice me but I already feel like he's got eyes for Rhea.)

"You like him, don't you?" Bianca says to Tessa.

"Am I being that obvious?" Tessa says with a chuckle.

"Yeah you are. Girl, just come out and tell him."

"I do want to but I think he has eyes for someone else." looking down at the floor.

"You don't know that unless you ask him." Bianca says to her. "Just put yourself out there and take what you want"

"Thanks B," Tessa says with a reply. "I'm surprised you are being so friendly to me considering my….history"

"Look Tess, I know you ain't racist. You may have a bit of an ego and a bit demanding but I don't think you are racist. Just very young and very misunderstood," Bianca says to Tessa.

"Thank you again B." Tessa says with a smile before letting the vibes of ironically St. Tropez by takes over her body and mind.

As Xavier strode through the party, Jade smiled at him.

Jade glanced over at Xavier, "You're really going to go check on her."

"Yeah," Xavier nodded, "I remember the first time I smoked some powerful stuff and how paranoid and freaked out I was. I just wanna make sure she's okay."

Jade smiled, "Well that's," she paused searching for the word. "Very thoughtful." She admitted, seeming impressed.

Xavier nodded and continued his trek towards the bedroom. (I wonder which room she's in.) Looking at the three doors.

This bedroom within the villa caused several fantasies to bloom within Rhea's mind. When her eyes looked over the king-sized bed and the satin sheets, she could only imagine lying underneath those sheets with a man on top of her, or better yet, her on top of that man. Or perhaps, it was the effects of the Usagi strain playing with her mind, heart and soul.

As she slipped off her jeans, just the touch of her fingertips on her thighs triggered something within her. She could feel the heat, the lava pooling and building inside. Her fingertips reminded her of just how good the touch of another felt. Particularly, the touch of a man.

(Good.) She gawked at how good it felt to feel her fingertips on her own body. Her pants lay on the ground, discarded. Her shorts rested atop the sheets, awaiting her. As she leaned over to pluck up her shorts, it was as if another punch came. Not a haymaker, but a playful jab from Usagi. Usagi's spell reminded her of just how sublime the touch of another felt.

She glanced over her shoulder at the door. (Well, they're all busy at the party.) She thought.

Rhea ran her fingers over her legs. (Not now.) Hesitating.

Then, she felt warmer, hotter, before finally deciding. (Now. I need this now.) Crawling atop the sheets.

The front door opened and in walked an average height Latin man with long slick hair, sunglasses who looked like a telenovela star. Andrade smiled, waving at some of his former colleagues and exchanging hugs with them. Then. with a smile on her face, by his side, wearing an all-white pants suit dressed for business from head-to-toe was Charlotte Flair.

Instantly, Saraya's smile faltered. (Here we go…) she sighed as Charlotte exchanged a hug with Mercedes.

"You're really not coming back?" Charlotte asked Mercedes.

Mercedes shrugged, "I don't know yet, to be honest. I'm just going to work on my businesses and we'll see if Vince and Hunter are ready to give us the respect we've more than earned."

"Dudes," Bayley scoffed, "Can we please not talk about that right now? Let's just chill and relax." She suggested.

"Si," Andrade agreed. "This," looking around, "is a good chance for me to practice my english."

Charlotte glared at her newlywed husband, "You don't get enough practice with me?"

Andrade laughed, "Well, we don't do a much talking, do we?"

"Ooooooh," Bianca whistled, "Well, the newlywed year is one of the best years." She smiled.

Charlotte looked past Mercedes, her eyes locked on the very tall man beside her.

"Oh," Mercedes gawked, "this is my-"

Bayley stepped in, "Boyfriend."

Mercedes scowled at Bayley.

Bayley only giggled.

Carmelo looked a bit confused. "Hi," he strode forward, "I'm Carmelo."

Charlotte paused, "Like the rockstar?"

"Well," Carmelo chuckled wryly, "My mother was a huge fan of his and that's how I got my name. Can't say my old man was too happy about it when he started wearing pants with his ass showing though." Sparking laughter from the group.

"So," Charlotte cocked her head, "You're Mercedes' new boyfriend?"

Mercedes quickly quipped, "He's not my boyfriend."

"Nope," Bayley shook her head, "It's an entanglement."

Everyone in the room gawked at Bayley.

Bayley giggled, "Don't mind me, I'm just high."

Mercedes frowned at Bayley and mouthed the words, I'm going to kill you.

Bayley only continued to giggle, "speaking of which," retrieving the bong, "want a hit?"

Charlotte raised her hand declining, "No thanks. I don't smoke."

Andrade strode forward, he paused for a moment, trying to remember the correct way to say it in english, then he said, "May I?"

Bayley smiled, "Be my guest," offering him a lighter.

Jade strode forward, handing Charlotte a glass of wine, "Here you go."

"Thanks," Charlotte smiled, her eyes curiously returning to Carmelo, "So who are you really? What exactly are you to Mercedes?"

What's your answer?

A ) Business Partner

B ) Just A Good Friend

C ) Her Potential Boyfriend

D ) Lover

"Just a good friend." Carmelo replied, sipping his cocktail.

Bayley leaned forward, "Yup," she continued, "Just like R Truth was a goooooooood R Truth for Dixie."

Everyone in the party gawked.

Vicky glanced at Mercedes, "Well," she nodded and turned to Carmelo, "What's your shoe size?"

"Thirteen." Carmelo answered.

Vicky nodded at Mercedes, "That makes sense now, considering-"

"Hold on," Mercedes spun around, "Are y'all serious?"

Charlotte nodded, "It does make sense." She agreed.

Mercedes glared at Bayley, "No more weed for you."

"Too late." Bayley smiled, "I borrowed some papers from Bianca and already rolled me three more, dude."

Mercedes shook her head, "You are so impossible."

"But," Bayley smiled, "always honest."

Carmelo exhaled, he was too high to calculate the metrics and science behind the women's inside jokes at the moment.

"Well," Bianca patted the table, "He is quite the spades partner though, isn't he?"

Mercedes nodded, "Agreed."

"Speaking of which," Bianca stood, "Let me go check on my spades partner."

"Montez?" Charlotte blinked, "He was on the phone outside when we walked in."

"Still?" Bianca rolled her eyes. "Maybe Dawkins is drunk again."

Charlotte paused, (It didn't sound like he was talking to Dawkins but….it's not my place. Not getting involved.)

All sudden knock on the door …

Dwayne smiling like the kool laid man who might that be

Xavier opens the door and it's

Thea Hail, Fallon Henley., Kianna James all wearing Versace robes with open toes shoes , feet done with pretty turquoise colors… Xavier mouth drop he couldn't control his emotions, if one of the women jump Andrade would be I believe I can fly …. All the women laugh …. Andrade asked why are you here and they say Dwayne invited them …. All the women walked together to the song by goldlink crew

They sat next to Dwayne and they whisper something to Dwayne … Bianca said hey to the crew if Dwayne lakers they said hey back … Thea walks over to Montez and hand him some gummies edibles and he tried 5 and she wanted him no to consume so many ….

Montez is so fuck up he ends up drunk calling Vince McMahon, Vince sends Adam peace to pick up Montez from the party he is the money maker for his next ppv .. not known at the time Montez was the plan winning off the royal Rumble … Bianca was about to hop in the car but Thea told Bianca Dwayne request she stay and promise to bring her home safe so Bianca stayed …..

Bianca walks back in the crib and goes to a room that is free and Dwayne sends his girls to talk to Xavier so he won't cock block … Dwayne walks in the room with Bianca and tells her she so gorgeous that even God question where was she when He choose mary all those years ago … dru hill starts playing in the background and Dwayne looking like the remix version of Morris chestnut with more game than Lebron James is scoring an all time record of making Bianca panties wet … Bianca tells Dwayne I don't want to cheat but Dwayne tells Bianca look at the this video… it's a video of Montez fucking Mickie James Bianca is so angry she takes off her clothes and start bouncing that ass on Dwayne . Dwayne yelling make it nasty . Bianca is coming cream all over Dwayne … Dwayne thinking about he cum inside Bianca

A) cum inside Bianca

B) cum on Bianca face

C) cum in Bianca mouth

Xavier stood, realizing he had somewhere he needed to be and returned to the crossroads. He had something he really felt he needed to do.

Bayley pressed, "So, Mercedes' good friend," leaning forward, "How does your girlfriend feel about you being in a villa in Mexico, smoking weed with a roomful of women?"

Carmelo exhaled, "Well, I'm a workaholic, I don't really have anyone right now."

Bayley turned to Mercedes with a Cheshire grin on her face.

Charlotte glanced at the party, suddenly feel a craving coming on, "Where's the bathroom?" She suddenly asked.

"Mami," Andrade turned to her.

"I'm just going to head to bathroom and powder my nose." Charlotte smiled.

Andrade blinked, "Oh, okay." Returning to the bong.

As Charlotte walked into the bathroom, she said, "Hi," to an average height man standing at a fork in the road.

"Hey," Xavier nodded. Turning back to the three doors. (I can't hear anything. Which room did Rhea go into. Let me make sure she's okay and not having a bad trip.)

Then, suddenly, he felt a strange brush against his back.

"Sorry," Tessa smiled at him, "I thought you'd gotten a bit lost. You done partying with us?."

Xavier shook his head,"No, I'll be right there."

Tessa softly knocked on the bathroom door, "It's me," before being allowed in by Charlotte.

Xavier glanced at the bathroom door behind him. (Women really can't piss alone.) He thought, turning back to the three doors.

Which door will you open?

A ) Left

B ) Right

C ) Forward

D ) Return to the party

Xavier carefully tip-toed into the bedroom. (Oh my god!) He gawked at the sight of Rhea.

Rhea laid in the bed, her back to the door, in one hand she held her cellphone, she stared at the screen which displayed what appeared to be a skin-flick. Her other hand was between her thighs.

"Mmmm," Rhea softly moaned, as the effect of Usagi enhanced every touch. She couldn't believe how wet she was. Earbuds in, she would occasionally close her eyes and just listen to the passion of the two performers and lose herself in her own fantasies.

(This is awkward.) Xavier admitted. (She has her earbuds in, so of course she didn't hear me come in.) He realized. As he watched Rhea pleasuring herself, something rose within him, and he felt his blood begin to rush. (She's hot.) Looking at her sculpted Amazonian frame, laid across the sheets. To see a woman so strong and powerful, a woman who always seemed to wear armor everywhere, to see her finally strip herself of that armor and shed strength and power in private to please herself as a woman was intoxicating.

(Well, I can confirm Rhea is okay.) He chuckled to himself.

Then, he thought of Tessa and her proposal to return to the party and have a bit more fun with the others. Yet, if there was any chance he had at being with Rhea, here it was on a silver platter.

"Mmmm….mmmmmm," Rhea's moans deepened.

Xavier stood over the bed, it was time to decide.

What's your choice?

A ) Return to the Party

B ) Ask her if she needs an extra hand

C ) Climb into the bed with her

D ) Phone a friend* (Big Herc)

(I hope I don't get slapped for this) Xavier thought to himself. He decided to tap her on the shoulder. "Rhea, Rhea!"

She came out of her state of euphoric pleasure to see Xavier standing there looking at her. "Xavier! What the fuck, man! Why are you here?"

"I'm sorry. I was just coming to check on you but I see you were handling already, handling your personal business." Xavier said looking at her chiseled but still feminine physique. "I'm going to go and leave and go back to the party," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait….I could use an extra hand here" she said looking at him with a smile on her face. "Shut the door and make sure it's locked behind you"

Xavier looked at her with a confused look before deciding to turn around and lock the door.

(Is this really about to happen or am I just really high right now?) Woods thought to himself before joining Rhea on the bed.

"Were you actually coming to check on me, or just was using this as an excuse to see me naked?" Rhea asked him curiously.

"I legit wanted to check on you because I was concerned about you," Xavier says, trying hard to focus on the wall in front of him.

"Why are you staring at the wall?" Rhea asked with a chuckle. "You afraid to be around a hot, naked woman?"

"Of course not, I just felt like I invaded your privacy and I should leave" Xavier says to her.

As the man coyly turned away, a switch flipped within Rhea. He was so cute to her in that moment, almost like a Scottish Terrier that had been scolded and glancing at her affectionately, or a Murgese stallion that had gotten out of line for a second, ready to be mounted and just seeking a bit of quality time.

She pulled the earbuds out and suddenly, the lava flow in her body intensified, here she was now, stripped of her armor on a bed in front of him. His chocolate black skin, the Usagi within her soul, "You caught me," she said.

"I, uhhh," awkwardly turning away, then, returning, then, retreating, "I was just trying to check to see if you were okay."

"Me?" Rhea asked curiously, feeling her heart-rate rising.

"Yeah," Xavier exhaled, "It's just, I wanted to make sure you weren't having a bad trip because I remember what it was like to smoke a new loud strain and how scary it can be and, I was worried and wanted to make sure you were okay and comfortable."

Rhea couldn't help but feel impressed and want him more. Out of everyone in the party, colleagues, fellow wrestlers, the one who had the most heart to care about her in a potential dire situation was him. The whole night, she worried about being invisible, in the presence of so many beautiful women, she thought she'd be eclipsed standing next to Mercedes, Jade, Bianca, Tessa and Saraya. Even through all that, he still saw her. Saw her enough to think of her.

Physically? She wanted him.

Mentally? He'd won her over. She wanted him.

Emotionally? He'd scaled the mountain and already conquered the summit.

(What does he see in me, compared to the others?) She wondered.

Reflecting on his explanation, "You were really worried about me?" She teased, "Well," lifting her toned arms, "I'm quite the lady."

"I know you are," Xavier nodded, his eyes looking over her tattooed and Amazonian physique, "And…I always see you as that, a lady. And I," he paused, questioning if he was risking talking-himself-out-of-some-pussy or was this a situation where 'the gift of gab' was necessary if he wanted to proceed further.

Should he put his foot on the gas, or tap the brakes?

What's your choice?

A ) "I think people see how strong you are and maybe forget how human you are."

B ) "I've always wanted you, Rhea."

C ) "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

D ) "I'll see you out there." Head back to the party

—-

Tessa inhaled, then felt the lightning head-rush of cocaine rocketing through her system and her heart-skyrocketed, "Dayum," she whistled, turning to Charlotte.

It was a habit they'd picked up on the road, for one the college years as way to cope with so much pressure and loss, the other, Mexico had introduced her to a new vice after being exiled from the world of wrestling and many American promotions due to sabotage and jealousy.

Both women wiped their 'powdered noses', "Always does the trick," Charlotte smiled, headed for the door first.

"Hey," Tessa called, "Leave me an extra line, I'll owe you."

Charlotte looked back at her, "Sure." Digging in her purse and handing her small packet, "Don't go too hard."

"I won't," Tessa vowed, "I just," thinking about the bedroom door Xavier had just walked through, "Could use a bit of 'help' getting what I want."

Charlotte immediately understood, "Who? Which one?"

Tessa closed her eyes, "Guess."

Charlotte paused, "Mercedes' new boy toy?"

Tessa shook her head, "Nope."

Charlotte curiously examined Tessa, "A bit too tall for you?"

"No, of course not." Tessa smiled, "I'm more than happy to ride the Titanic."

Charlotte giggled, "Aren't we all?" She thought, "Well, the other guy is outside so that leaves the DJ."

"He plays my kinda music." Tessa smiled.

"Well," Charlotte collected her purse, "Good luck." Heading out the door and back to the party.

Tessa exhaled, wondering what was the best avenue for her to get Xavier to see her. It was silently done, but Mercedes seemed to already have laid an unspoken claim over her new business associate. Whether she would act on it or not was the real question?

(The last thing I need is drama from any horsewomen, so…I know who I want.) Opening the packet and emptying it's contents on top of the toilet's tank, lining it up with her credit card and rolling up a bill of pesos and snorting.

(Let's go get him.) She thought.

As the party proceeded, there was a slight bit of tension in the air with the presence of both Saraya and Charlotte in the same room and their history. However, they were in such different places in their lives now.

Charlotte had just recently married the love of her life in Andrade, and Saraya was well on her way towards a similar relationship, possibly about to marry a punk-rock star.

Bayley navigated her way between the two and made her way towards Mercedes and Carmelo, her eyes on the prize, she sat two glasses down on the table, "Here ya go."

Both turned to Bayley.

"What's this?" Carmelo asked, examining the glass, the liquid within it was cherry-red with a slice of lime crowning.

"A local style margarita." Bayley nodded, "Try it."

Mercedes eyed Bayley suspiciously, "You'd better not be trying anything funny."

"Of course not," Bayley shook her head innocently.

Carmelo sipped the margarita, sampling it, turned to Bayley, "Not bad. It's got a nice taste."

"As do other things," Bayley hinted, motioning towards Mercedes.

Mercedes scowled at Bayley.

"Heeheehee," Bayley giggled, "Don't mind me, I'm just high," she defended, sneaking off and disappearing into the party.

Carmelo blinked, (That was weird.)

A moment later, Andrade approached and examined the glass, "Que bueno," he nodded, extending his hand to give Carmelo dap.

Carmelo nodded and politely returned the gesture, giving Andrade a pound. "Been married long?"

Andrade paused, trying to comprehend the question. "No." He finally answered. "Recently. Charlotte became mi esposa." He smiled. "My wedding night," pointing to the drink in Carmelo's hand, "I had quite a bit of toloache." He smiled.

Carmelo stared at the drink. "Toloache?"

"Si," He nodded, "That makes you, how you say in Predator, the Schwarzenegger movie, that drink makes a man a sexual tyrannosaurus," he laughed.

(The hell?) Carmelo stared at the drink.

Andrade patted him on the back, "You made a good choice, amigo," gesturing towards Mercedes. "It's in her eyes, chico, they never lie." Wandering off into the party.

Mercedes sat her glass down, "Bayley, what are you doing?"

Bayley giggled, "Come on, dude. Help me, help you." She smiled.

"That's it," cracking her knuckles, "You are so dead."

"Bring it." Bayley challenged.

And within the next second, the room exploded into laughter as Mercedes pulled Bayley into a headlock and there they were, rolling and wrestling on the floor both under the influence of Usagi and cocktails.

And within that brief melee, it all came back. The countless hours, gallons of sweat, blood, bumps and bruises, years on the road together, the sisterhood. They rolled ontop of eachother and just laughed moments later.

"Pin her."

"Cover her." They all cheered.

Andrade slid and with a smile counted to three.

"Damn," Mercedes sighed.

"See, dude." Bayley giggled, climbing off Mercedes, "You've never pinned me."

"I've made you tap." Mercedes countered, "submissions are above pinfalls."

"That may be true but this time," Bayley smiled, "I won, which means, follow along. He wants you, he's just guarded. You want him but you're guarded. This is what you need. Help me, help you."

Mercedes exhaled, "I'm too high for this."

"As you should be." Bayley agreed. "Because this is a happy house."

Mercedes sat up and stared at her.

"We're happy here," motioning to everyone, "In a happy house."

Saraya nodded, "This is fun."

"Fun." Bayley agreed.

Mercedes reminisced over the recent scrap, "This is fun." She agreed, glancing up at Carmelo, who Jade approached.

"Don't mind them." Jade laughed, "Just wrestlers being wrestlers."

Carmelo nodded, "Right." hen, he noticed, although he had spoken to Jade, he couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Mercedes'. (The hell?) He felt almost like a teenage boy locked in puberty all over again. Suddenly, every single thought within his mind was of Mercedes. Her hair, her lips, her skin, her voice, her eyes, her walk, everything. He glanced at the glass Bayley had given him and his thoughts became (the glass is a product of your relationship with Mercedes', without Mercedes in his life, would he feel this way?) Carmelo blinked.

Jade smiled, "You seem like the type to have played ball. Did you play?"

"Yeah," Carmelo answered, his thoughts on playing a game of one-on-one with Mercedes. "Did you?"

Jade nodded, "I played forward. What position did you play?"

"Started off as a shooting guard, overseas got stuck playing center a lot because of my height but I play point guard." Carmelo responded.

Jade then thought, "It's even in the initials of your name. PG, right? Perhaps it's fate. It also shows in how you move. You're very about creating for the people around you, it seems."

"I guess I am like that, a little." He realized.

Jade, following Bayley's plan, paused, "Well, as your relationship with Mercedes' gets better, maybe she'll let you see the special thing that Kobe left her cousin Snoop."

Carmelo paused, "Kobe? Are you serous?"

Jade nodded. "To be honest, I think she brought it with her to Mexico. If you ask her, she may even share it with you. It's something only people really close to Kobe got to see. So he gave it to Snoop, and of course, Bayley being a Cali girl convinced Mercedes' to let Snoop let her hold onto it."

(Kobe?) Carmelo was suddenly curious. (I am curious of what this thing is? Well, it is Snoop. Maybe it's some weed. Nah, it can't be nothing like that. I wonder what it is.)

Jade suddenly turned, "Hey, Mercedes," she waved, drawing the mogul over, "So, it turns out Carmelo is big basketball fan. Played point guard."

"Plays." Carmelo corrected. "I still play when I have time."

Jade suddenly felt the rush of a challenge, she couldn't help but feel the hooper in her surface. (Stick to the plan.) She then turned to Mercedes, "Wasn't there that special thing Snoop gave you here."

Mercedes lightly punched Jade in the arm, "Are you guys seriously going to tell the whole world about that? Just make a tiktok vid about it at this point."

"Relax," Bayley waved, pulling Sasha into a hug, "Help us, help you," she whispered.

Mercedes gave Bayley the side-eye.

"Peer pressure," Bayley teased, "peer pressure."

Bayley then glanced up, seeing the effects of the toloache combined with Usagi taking a great effect on Carmelo. He was beginning to relax finally.

"You know what to do," Bayley whispered to Mercedes.

Mercedes could feel Usagi coursing through her, although it seemed everyone made it so obvious what they were doing there really only two choices, for Carmelo and Mercedes to continue to be agitated and pretending to ignore one another and their desires or for them to go somewhere a bit more private.

Bayley, the quarterback or even the point guard in a basketball sense, had set everything up for Mercedes to get what she wanted, all she had to do was get the ball in the basket.

Mercedes looked at him, why continue to deny herself? She glanced around the room, everyone was having a good time. Why shouldn't she?

Mercedes exhaled, although he was feeling the effects, the wrong question could possibly put one as uptight as him on guard. But, Dwayne was outside. Xavier was also gone at the moment. There was little pressure among him from his entourage.

"Invite him to your villa." Bayley whispered

(I know.) Mercedes thought. She glanced up at him.

Then, he strode forward, "This Kobe memento? I'd like to see it, if that's cool?"

Mercedes was taken aback by how forward and direct he was, but very impressed. "Well," She smiled, "With great power comes great responsibility…" she teased, drawing a frown from Bayley and Jade.

Carmelo stared at her, awaiting an actual answer.

Mercedes challenged, "Right now?"

"Sure, how about a drink while we look it over and talk about Kobe memories?" Carmelo suggested.

Mercedes' felt nervous. She wasn't the biggest basketball fan and didn't know much about Kobe's actual career. But she automatically knew the answer was, "Let's get out of here."

As the two departed, Bayley quickly texted Mercedes, *left two joints in your purse, have fun*. Bayley then turned to Jade, "We did it!"

Now away from the eyes and ears and everyone and under the moonlight, Mercedes and Carmelo seemed to both relax and yet at the same time be a bit more nervous.

Was it like two boxers who'd trained for weeks, weighed in, thrown playful barbs here-and-there and now finally they were in the ring together and all the antics and shenanigans meant nothing, it was fighter vs fighter. Mercedes' maturating through her life and trained her entire life to be a woman and a wrestler and given everything. Carmelo had evolved from a boy into a man and been guided by so many mentors throughout the world and here he stood now with all his training vs hers.

Mercedes turned to Carmelo, "My place isn't that far." She said, adding conversation to their trek.

Then, almost instinctively, he strode towards her and carefully and gently his hand found hers, gently taking it.

Mercedes inhaled, a bit taken aback. She was very cautious and careful about whoever was in her presence and especially who touched her. This presented a strange discourse within her. On one hand, Carmelo had a potent energy of masculinity and machismo. It wasn't bravado or thumping his chest, it was quiet and silent but honest.

Although they were in Mexico and it was late, what if a rogue fan snapped a picture of them together holding hands?

Mercedes' still had an obligation and didn't want to embarrass Mikaze. However, walking down the street with another man was going to be taken in an over-sensationalized context regardless of who it was. And if there was a rogue fan, there were likely already pictures of them at their business meeting and being at his villa anyway, so what did it matter at this point? (I don't care what the dirtsheets write. They're full of shit in most cases anyway. But, this feels nice, looking over her shoulder at the man beside her. She had no fear of paparazzi or even Bow Wow's goons (LOL) as they walked.

What should she do?

A ) Refuse to hold his hand

B ) Squeeze his hand

C ) Make an excuse to go home alone

D ) Call Bayley

(Fuck em.) Mercedes exhaled. (Fuck em all. Fuck it all.) She thought, softly squeezing hand and smiling at him.

Ever since they'd met, he'd been all-business, never rattled, and unlike most men who would lie or 'cap' as the modern youth put it, he was everything he claimed to be. And most importantly, based on his stoic nature, he could keep a secret. Mercedes clutched his hand and led him through the streets, it was dark, most of the shops and stores had already closed but there were still a few people outside. Not a soul lifted a cellphone and snapped a picture. This was a tourist area, and typically, the occasional celebrity was seen but bothering them was very bad for business. There may have been a few whispers as she passed, maybe most assumed Carmelo was her bodyguard.

(Good.) Mercedes thought with a confident glint in her eyes. (Tonight, he'll be my Kevin Costner.) Leading him to her villa.

Xavier took a deep breath, sitting on the bed beside Rhea, the Australian had been in so many avenues his dream girl for many years.

(If you had one shot…) he mentally recited, (one opportunity…)

As he matured, struggled and grew to learn to love the soul of a being over all else, she was the perfect blend of beauty, strength, dominance, submission, independence, anxiety, boldness and unique all in one to him.

(to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment)

Whereas Carmelo, for example, would have likely preferred the younger more doll-like style of Rhea, Xavier embraced the edgy intrepid-style she carried herself with while simultaneously being conscious and aware, sometimes too aware.

(Would you capture it,) looking over at her, (or let it slip?)

"I think," Xavier began, "the world sees how strong you are and at times they forget how human you are."

Rhea blinked, surprised and overthrown by his response.

Xavier continued, "There's no one like you. No one. And me, I've always," he paused, "I've always wanted you because of that," he admitted, "There's no one like you. You're beautiful, so damn hot and at the same time you're always you. Not a character or anything phony. You've been real in the little time we've spent together and everything has been real. There's only one you." Her porcelain cheeks beginning to blush as he continued, "And, for me, that's more valuable than-"

Then, Xavier spotted something, in the corner of her eye. A tear streaked down her cheek.

"I'm sorry," Rhea apologized, wiping her cheek. Was it the Usagi playing at her heartstrings, his words, or both? Whatever it was, it didn't matter.

"Should I-" Xavier turned to the door when he reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"No." She shook her head, "Stay. I'm just….so happy right now." Turning to him and wiping her eyes and cheek.

She seemed overcome with emotion. Was this the right time? Or was this the wrong time? Xavier questioned.

Rhea was amazed. He'd done something most men couldn't dream of doing. They typically looked at her size and physique and wanted her to be this dominant borderline dungeon master that commanded and controlled them at all times, which, well, she had no issue doing. However, a man was able to move her like this. No, he'd solidified himself. Right now, especially with that door locked. (He's mine.) She thought as the warmth of Usagi washed over her.

Their dark brown eyes traded and blended energy.

Xavier gazed at her phoenix-like face, pouty peach-pink painted lips, the eyeliner that her tears had scarred. Then, the rush returned as his blood began to trail south.

He stared at Rhea. She stared back.

Your move:

A ) Let her make the 1st move

B ) Hold her

C ) Kiss her

D ) Decline and move in on Tessa

(I should make the first move) Woods thought to himself. He softly grabbed her face and gave her a soft kiss on her lips. She smiled and kissed him back and then their kisses got more passionate and Rhea opened her mouth and they began tongue kissing. Rhea began moaning softly as she traded tongues with the Georgia native. They kept kissing until they found themselves positioned on the bed with Rhea on top of Woods sitting on his lap. Woods couldn't help but admire Rhea's body in all her glory. She was such the perfect combination of strength and sex appeal with muscles carved out of granite but with an amazing set of tits and suckable pink nipples. He wanted her so bad but he let her decide what direction to go next.

"Let's get you out of these clothes Xavier" Rhea says with the mix of usagi and pure lust taking over her. She reached for the bottom of his shirt and took it off for him. (I know I'm not in the best of shape but I hope she likes what she sees)

"You are absolutely handsome, Woods" she says with a smile.

"Thank you baby" (Baby? He called me Baby? Oh, he's mine now) Rhea thought to herself.

She took her hands down to his pants and immediately went to take them off.

"Oh, so what do we have here?" Rhea said, noticing the obvious bulge in his underwear. "Is that all for me?"

"It is, if you want it to be" he said with a wink.

"Well I'll just have to take you up on that offer" Rhea then took his underwear off and let his member spring free.

(Point of no return now) Both thought to themselves. Rhea then bent down with her ass up in the down and began giving a relaxing blowjob.

(Oh shit, fuck) Woods thought to himself as he closed his eyes while enjoying Rhea's mouth on his member.

Meanwhile…..

"Guys, where is Xavier? I want to talk to him" Tessa says while coming back into the party.

"I don't know, the last thing he said was going to do was check on Rhea" Jade says to Tessa.

(Shit, he's probably having sex with Rhea right now) Tessa thought to herself. (Did I miss my chance or do I still have a shot?)

"I need something to drink or something to smoke," Tessa says to the other people left in the villa.

"I think you need to calm down right now." Bayley says to her.

"No I need to speak to Woods right now." Tessa says to Bayley.

"Dude's probably balls deep in Rhea right now. Don't ruin their fun right now," Bayley says to her.

(Bayley's right. I blew my shot with him because I was too afraid to say something. Maybe he doesn't like me because of my history after all. Maybe Rhea's more his type than me. Maybe idk fuck….) Tessa says to herself before walking back down the hallway towards the bathroom.

Her mind was going 1000 miles per hour and while part of it was due to drugs another part of it was due to the internal struggle.

What Should Tessa Do?

Go back to the bathroom and hit another line of Coke

Find Woods and Rhea and confront them

Leave It Alone & Return To The Party

Find Woods & Rhea and potentially ask to join them

Fueled by the hyper effects of the coke and her hormones erupting and nuclear as a result of the Usagi, Tessa clutched the doorknob in front of her and pushed the door open. The room was empty. Her highness guided her inside, like a crime scene detective, she circled the room looking at every corner as if they could hide or were under an invisibility cloak.

(Not here.) Tessa stumbled out of the room and looked at the two remaining doors, one left and the other right. (I think) Trying to remember which door he likely would have gone in, she turned to the door to her right. Originally, the left door. She gripped the doorknob and twisted it.

(Locked.) Tessa realized. (They're in here.)

Tessa pondered what to do?

A. Knock on the door

B. Pound on the door

C. Sigh and return to the party

D. Ask Charlotte for more coke

—-

It'd been a great night. Bayley nodded, despite the erratic Tessa, she'd gotten two of her friends some fine-tuning, she stretched her arms, looking at everyone interacting and mingling and then….it hit her.

(I know this strain of weed. Usagi. I've tasted something similar before.) The cannabis connoisseur gawked. Bayley triumphantly, "I've got it. I think I know who Carmelo got the Usagi strain from."

Everyone turned around, "Please do share," Jade giggled, "Because I could sure use some."

"And guess what," Bayley ran her fingers through her hair, "It's someone we all know." Taking out her phone and scrolling through her contacts.

Everyone quietly gathered around. The music vibed through the room but it wasn't overbearingly loud so that they couldn't communicate. She scrolled past The Godfather and went straight to another black legendary performer.

*Hello?* The baritone voice of Mark Henry answered.

"Hey Mark," Bayley cheerfully greeted, "Everyone say 'hey' to Mark."

"HEY MARK!" Everyone shouted.

Mark Henry chuckled, *sounds like quite a party. Where you at?*

"Mexico," Bayley answered, "I think we ran into a friend of your and we're partying with him. He's an accountant from Worcester."

Mark Henry coughed, *Oh shit, that's my boy right there. Carmelo. Yeah, his coach and I go back. D'Lo actually trained with his coach. It's just D'Lo got the spot and his coach went to coaching sports in Worcester. Yeah, Carmelo, he's a good kid. Stand-up guy.*

"Well, Mercedes' is learning all about that right about now." Bayley announced, drawing smiles from everyone.

*Well,* Mark Henry responded, *she deserves it might kinda need it with all bullshit she's been going through with creative.*

"That's what I've been saying," Bayley defended. "So this weed he got, Usagi. Did he get it from you?"

Mark Henry laughed, *Of course you'd figure it out.*

"Of course," Bayley bragged, "I am the grandmaster of the kush."

Jade immediately leaned forward, "I need some of this when I get back."

Mark Henry chuckled, *Cool, I'll hook you up.*

"I had a question, what strains did you cross to make this one. It's great." Bayley asked.

*That,* Mark Henry paused, likely puffing on a fine cigar, "I don't know. The Usagi strain wasn't created by me. It was a strain Mae Young used to grow."

Everyone in the party gawked, "Mae Young?"

Mark Henry laughed, *Hell yeah, Mae Young used to hang with us brothas in the nation and we'd be high as hell. Especially, Owen. Man, those were the days. But yeah, during my sexual chocolate gimmick days, Mae and I would smoke before segments. It helped me get through a lot of it. Of course, Godfather would come through and cop some from Mae. Some of the women would get some from Mae. But yeah, Usagi was a strain Mae started growing on the low. I think some anime or cartoon was big at the time and she named it after the Carmeloss from that show or something.*

"Now it makes sense." Bayley smiled. "What are the effects that you know of?"

*Usagi,* Mark paused, *I mean, if you all have been smoking it you should already be feeling it. Especially the women, it's basically kinda like a love-drug or love-cannabis. Everyone who smokes it gets horny as hell. Like ridiculously horny. Us men, and especially women."

Saraya gawked, "That explains a lot. So that's why my knickers are-nevermind," she shyly laughed.

"Telling on yourself," Bayley teased, she then returned to the call. "Well, that makes me wonder something," scratching her head, "Just how many men did Mae Young get to smoke the strain, and how many did she seduce with the strain, and…were you really just high on the strain the whole time during that storyline?"

*Hell yeah.* Mark Henry responded, drawing laughter from everyone.

"Okay, thanks, OG." Bayley smiled. "Alright." Hanging up.

Everyone looked around in amazement.

"So that's why we're all so horny." Saraya scoffed. "Hold on, you said Mercedes boyfriend or whatever brought the strain. Was he using it to try to shag us on some creep-"

"No, nuh, no," Bayley defended, "He doesn't seem the type. Even Mark vouched for him. And according to him it was the first time he smoked it too. He likely didn't know either."

"Well," Jade exhaled, "If how I'm feeling is any indication, and since Mercedes smoked a lot more and weighs a bit less than me, he's definitely about to find out."

Mercedes lay on the Egyptian-thread sheets, her heart pounding in her chest. The lava flow had only intensified with every step they took in the villa, and when laid down and stared back at Carmelo, so many thoughts ricocheted throughout her mind.

(A guy like him is probably a player.) She questioned. (Is he the type that uses women?)

(Womanizer?) Staring up into his brown eyes. (Does he want me more, or want me less than every other girl he's been with.) Mercedes breathed, her mind at war with her anxiety.

The golden lamp-light painted over his almond-brown skin gave him the glow of a sun god, or was it the burning glow of a devil?

Mercedes stared at him…longing. Longing for him to kiss her, touch her, sample her, enter her, please her, be one with her. Longing to feel him finally.

He was ontop of her, but not smothering her, he'd planked his elbows carefully, balancing his body to not crush her. Mercedes ensnared her arms around him, pulling him closer. She appreciated the gesture. (Definitely a player, or, maybe he just knows how to treat women well? Nah, he's gotta be a player.) She questioned.

Then, he planted a gentle kiss on her lips, and all her anxieties were like holding water in her own hands. She tried to hold on to them, to maintain the wall to keep others out, but as he kissed her, the water trickled between her hands and fingertips.

(He's in my world now.) Mercedes thought as his lips trailed down her cheek to her neck. "Ooo," she moaned softly, backing away a bit, "…ticklish," she smiled at him.

Carmelo smiled at her and muttered, "sorry," not sounding sorry at all.

His smile intoxicated her, feeling his muscular frame ontop of her. He had a slim-muscular build honed through years of military service, basketball and boxing and she was currently enjoying it atop her so much. (He's in my world, and he can stay.) Feeling his teeth graze her throat but not bite her, then his lips and tongue on her neck. (Now you belong to me.) She held her breath, trying not to moan. Although it tickled, she didn't want him to stop.

Holding her breath, her lungs began to ache. Did it hurt to breathe or would it hurt to move from how good she felt right now?

Then, so swiftly she felt his hand slip under her shirt and slide ontop of her breasts. She suppressed a woman, then felt a gentle squeeze and caress, not too hard, not too soft, just perfect. (Definitely a player?) She questioned. (Or maybe, he just knows how to treat a woman.)

And gentle as a pillow, her shirt drifted above her sternum, past her shoulders, neck and arms. He'd taken her shirt off so swiftly and expertly. No struggle, no battle. (How'd he do that while I was on my back?) Mercedes' wondered. (Probably very experienced.)

She felt his lips on hers once more, and then, he planted trails of kisses down her neck, to her collarbone, to her navel, and then, just as swiftly, her shorts slid down her knees, ankles, and were gone. No struggle, no battle. (That's a bit more explainable. But still, how'd he do that so smoothly?)

Mercedes' bit her lip, she knew what was coming next, and she was ready. She felt her panties slide off, then, his lips on her thighs. She closed her eyes, ready, and finally-

"The Man comes around!" A familiar voice cried out entering the room and, "Oh my gawd!" Becky Lynch gawked.

Mercedes nearly jumped out her skin, "Ahh," she shrieked, she rolled over hurricanranna'ing Carmelo to the other side of the bed in a tangle of sheets.

"What the fuck?" Carmelo groaned.

"Oh, fuck," Becky waved, "Sorry, I-"

Mercedes glared at the horsewoman.

Choice

A) What are you doing here?

B) Whoop some ass

C) Get dressed

"GO!" Mercedes shouted.

Becky paused and observed the scene, "Uh mean," shrugging innocently, "Es; nottin' I've 'ever seen before 'es 'et?" Through her thick Irish accent, she continued, "'Ee've showered tahgedder 'undreds 'ah times."

Carmelo stood, his Greyhound-framed physique now in Becky's view.

"Ohhh," Becky smiled, "'ook oo's getting' sum," she gave Mercedes' a thumbs-up, "good on you, mate."

Mercedes was torn between killing Becky and vomiting at that moment.

"Well," Becky exhaled, sitting on the bed, "Lemme tell ya-"

Mercedes looked mortified, "What are you doing?"

"Yer know," Becky nodded, "We never," turning to Carmelo, "me husband and I, never thought our wee little girl would walk in on us, but, well, et happened and-"

Carmelo was astounded by how comfortable Becky felt just sitting on the bed where her friend was naked with another man. Wrestler's had a very odd way of bonding to be that comfortable with one another.

Becky then pointed at Sasha's throat, "Already got a souvenir," pointing out the hickey, "Well, black men," Becky smiled, nodding happily at her memories, "especially the dark-chocolate men, woo," She shuddered, "Yup, the darker the better."

Mercedes glared at Becky, "What are you doing here?"

"Es the last ride of the Horsewomen, right?" Becky smiled. "An' this 'es the address you guys sent me."

Mercedes facepalmed, "Damn," shaking her head, "Nobody texted you that we were going to the party?"

"Hmm," Becky dug in her purse and looked through her phone, "Well, les' see, dick-pic from the hubbie," scrolling through her texts, "Ronda crying about being booed in the group text again, business stuff and-" turning off her phone, "Nope, nothin'."

(Did Bayley do this on purpose to sabotage me getting some dick?) Mercedes wondered darkly. (It could be revenge. Maybe she secretly wants Carmelo to herself and did this to embarrass me.)s

"'Ell," Becky shrugged, innocently digging in her purse and pulling out a Kit-Kat bar, "Don' mind me."

"I do!" Mercedes shrieked.

"Sometimes 'es important," holding up the Kit-Kat bar, "'tah take a break," holding out the chocolate.

Carmelo and Mercedes both looked lost.

Becky giggled, "Get it, because with 'break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat bar' and now 'oo two are taking a break in between-"

Mercedes shook her head, "Please go, Becky."

"Alright, alright." Becky waved, "I'll leave. Let's nah be the Karen white woman ruining all the fun for the black people," she stood.

"Becky, hold on." Mercedes waved.

"No one knows what 'es like," Becky sang as she walked out the door, "To be the bad man, to be the sad man, behind blue eyes."

Then, she tip-toed back, "Oooh," she smiled, "Mah strapping lovely big chocolate-man," gesturing at Carmelo, "be gentle with that one." Becky coached, "She's a bit of a workaholic so 'es been awhile since she had-"

Mercedes leered at Becky.

The Lasskicker waved bye, "Have fun." Before vanishing.

Carmelo and Mercedes both heard the door close and turned to each other.

"Sorry," Mercedes exhaled, "Let me text her the address to the party." Mercedes looked through her phone and instantly saw Bayley's text. "Three joints of Usagi, in my purse."

Carmelo and Mercedes exhaled and stared at each other.

The night air of Mexico was a lot cleaner than the metropolitan air of urban America. Mercedes glanced up at the stars, then turned left and looked at the man behind the steering wheel.

Drunk driving was far from her concern. The Usagi and cocktails were within both of them, and at the moment, Mercedes had lost herself within the adventure and the ride Carmelo had taken her on.

After Becky's unfortunate interruption, (Bitch.) Mercedes thought darkly. Carmelo suggested they go for a walk, during that walk, they passed Carmelo's rental car and with a glint in her eye Mercedes feeling a rush of yearning from her nipples to her thighs said, "I'm hungry," before he could say anything. And just like that, they were on the road, rocketing down the roads like a bullet and hurrying to an appointment at Mi Sushi Star.

After making their appointment, "Gracias, senor," the restaurant staff smiled, handing Carmelo a bag of sushi.

Carmelo paused, unsure of how to respond when Mercedes strode forward. "Mucho gracias por ser comprensivo {Thank you so much for understanding.}

The staff member waved, "Kalisto es un amigo. Y solo tú querrías sushi tan tarde. Gracias por ser tan amable con mi hija y siempre te estamos animando{Kalisto is a friend. And only you would want sushi this late. Thanks for being so nice to my daughter and we're always cheering for you.}.

"Beunos noches," Mercedes waved, and Carmelo followed her lead.

"Muchos gracias, senora." The staff waved.

Carmelo looked at Mercedes, seeming impressed. "You speak Spanish?"

"Just a little bit." Mercedes smiled, maneuvering to the passenger seat. "Mi Sushi Star has some pretty good sushi."

"We'll see," Carmelo sat in the driver's seat and placed the bag of sushi in the backseat.

Mercedes, driven by Usagi, temptingly stared at the backseat. Yearning for him to lock the doors and take her now.

As the engine purred and Carmelo drove back to the villa, Mercedes could help but remember how close they'd been to beginning to finally have sex before Becky walked in. How close his tongue had been towards her lilac. How good it felt. How good it would feel soon. As her eyes traced over his almond-brown skin illuminated by the moonlight and the glow sallow glow of the car's headlights. The lava-flow intensified the longer her eyes on him, she could no longer help herself. (Let's give him a preview.)

Mercedes reached over, rested her hand in his lap.

Carmelo, under the spell of Usagi and the toloache potion glanced at her. Before he could open his mouth to protest, Mercedes opened her's and seductively whispered, "Shut up and drive." She felt his shaft, it was already as hard as brick and ready for her. As she pulled his basketball shorts, she couldn't help but already want more. And as she took him into her mouth, she instantly felt the car lurch forward and swerve a bit as he struggled to contain himself.

"Oh, shit," Carmelo gawked, regaining control of the car as the warmth of her mouth and the magic of her tongue on him.

Then, suddenly, la policia, a Mexican police car rolled past them.

Carmelo exhaled, feeling lucky in life as they'd dodged a bullet and he was being pleasured by the woman of his dreams. He maintained speed, not slowing to draw suspicion. Forced to contain and control himself so that the car didn't swerve. And then, Mercedes took it step forward, freeing him from her mouth and teasing licking the tip affectionately.

(If she only knew.) Carmelo's eyes on the cop car that still wasn't over the horizon.

Mercedes slowly lifted her head.

(Shit.) Carmelo thought, placing his hand on her neck and guiding her lips back to his shaft.

Mercedes was taken aback yet did not decline. He wanted more of her, and she was more than happy to oblige.

"Good god," Carmelo gawked as he was literally on the ride of his life. The pleasure of Mercedes' skills were pushing him to the brink, but peaking now could be dangerous both legally as well as mortally. This was the ride of his life.

Woods may not have had his phone with him but luckily Rhea had hers with her and they found a good sexy playlist to play in the background while they were together.

"Do you like I flick my tongue or nah" Rhea said to Woods.

"Feels good baby, I'm just trying to relax and enjoy" Woods said to her. He was in paradise right now. The girl of his dreams was performing oral on him and doing a damn good job. He had to control himself or he would have exploded in her mouth. He just knew he had to return the favor to Rhea after this amazing head session. She stayed down for another 5 minutes sucking him off and licking his balls to boot before coming up for air.

"I owe you for that one," Woods said to her.

"Well don't talk about it, be about it" she said and she got on top of him and they started making out again. They were enjoying feeling all each other's bodies until Woods ended on top of Rhea and started kissing down her body. He was living the dream of many guys and getting to worship the Amazonian's body. He planted soft kisses on her neck, her arms, kissed down to her breasts and gave both of her nipples a soft but firm squeeze.

"Mmmm, that feels good baby keep going" she said to him. Woods sucked on her nipples softly making sure to give each one the attention they deserved before he kept moving down her body. He kissed all over her toned stomach until he finally reached her sweet spot. He felt how wet she was and knew how bad she needed this but he wanted to tease her a little more before. He kissed all her thick but muscular legs and even kissed her tattoos on her legs. He then went back to her sweet spot and slid two fingers inside of her.

"MMM fuck Woods, that feels so good"

"You're so warm and wet for me baby, I wanna have you riding my face until your dripping cum baby" Woods tells her as he continues to finger her.

"Damn it Woods, stop teasing me and give me your tongue" Rhea said with a whimper in her voice.

"No problem baby" Woods moved his face over her pussy and began licking her up and down.

"Oh FUCK YES" Rhea enjoyed this feeling of Woods giving her oral. She was gripping the bedsheets and had her eyes closed while he worked his tongue up and down inside her. Nothing was going to ruin this moment between them…..until (BANG, BANG).

"What the actual FUCK" Rhea said as she was slapped out of her pleasure. Woods looked up and at the door and went "SERIOUSLY, WHY NOW". The door was knocking again.

Back at the party, Tessa shook her head. (Last thing I need is for me going on a rampage to get around the locker rooms. Be cool.) She coached herself, softly knocking on the door.

There was no answer.

(The music is on. Tessa could hear the lyrics of Robin Thicke's "Sex Therapy" playing in the background) Then, she knocked again and waited. (Xavier must really be giving it to her.) Tessa, still fueled by the drugs, knocked again.

Within the room, Xavier and Rhea paused, staring at each other. There was a choice to be made.

Choice

A ) Answer the door

B) Turn the music up and continue.

C) Have sex as loudly as possible.

"Why do motherfuckers gotta ruin the moment? Woods said angrily.

"Do you think we should just ignore them and get back to our business?" Rhea asked him.

"Look it could be just motherfuckers being high and trying to pull a prank or maybe someone needs me because my phone died and they need my charger for the music. We honestly don't know. Let's just answer the door and then we can get back to business" Xavier says to her.

"For your sake, I hope you are right" Rhea says as she puts the bedsheets over her naked body. Xavier just put on his boxer shorts and a t- shirt and went to answer the door. He just cracked it open and saw it was Tessa Blanchard.

"Tessa, what the hell do you want?"

"I just wanted to talk," she replied.

"Tessa, now is not the proper time," he replied to her.

"Well when will be," she asked.

"Not right now get the hell outta here," he says to her.

"Why? Don't you like me?"

"I've barely had time to get to know you since I've been here so I honestly can't say yes or no."

"Do you honestly prefer her (referencing Rhea) to me?"

"Tessa, you are high right now and your emotions are running wild. I don't know what kind of drugs you had but please go take a chill pill and calm down."

"Fine, I'll leave but can I leave a message for you to think about."

"Sure, what is it?"

She whispers in his ear. (I can fuck better than she can) before Woods shuts the door.

Woods sighs.

"I heard Tessa's voice" Rhea says. "What did she want"

"Honestly nothing. She's high and clearly jealous of you Rhea."

"Jealous?"

"She thinks you are taking me from her and I guess she wants to fight you for my love," he says with a chuckle.

"Oh wow, she barely knows you but she's in love or is that the drugs talking?"

"I don't know Rhea but what I do know is…..(as he takes off his shirt and boxers) right now you are my focus."

"Well then…..(she lifts up the bedsheets and shows her pussy) come and get me," Rhea says and they go back to their business.

(They left the door unlocked) Tessa says to herself.

Xavier and Rhea went back to exploring each others' bodies and Woods soon found himself eating out the Australian Amazonian. Rhea's moans were loud and filled the room as she enjoyed the oral session Woods was giving her.

(Oh fuck, Woods your tongue is so good…mmm fuck baby) she says with his head trapped between her thick muscular thighs. What they thought they had got Tessa to go back to the party with the others in reality she had not left. She was still outside the door.

"Baby, lay down please and let me ride you" Rhea says to Woods.

"No problem, mami" Woods says with a smirk.

"You know I love being called Mami huh" Rhea says to him.

"Yeah, I guess I learned that from a certain Dom Mysterio" he says with a laugh. Rhea shook her head as they switched positions. Woods laughed as he laid back on the bed and Rhea positioned herself on top of him.

"You ready for me baby"

"Yes, mami"

Rhea guided his member inside of her. "Oh, shit that feels good baby"

"Can't lie Rhea, it's been a while since I've had sex so I'm a little nervous" he said to her.

"Don't just follow me and it will come natural to you" she said to him.

"OK then well take me on a ride mami"

Rhea began moving her hips down and down on his member. She got in a rhythm and Woods grabbed her hips and was thrusting himself deep inside her.

"FUCK…that feels so good baby. I needed this so bad"

"MMMM me too…"

While Rhea and Woods were enthralled in their pleasure, Tessa was secretly outside watching them,

(Damn he's in her so deep.) She thought to herself. (That should be me)

She kept watching as Rhea rode him and she was enthralled by watching Rhea's back and ass move up and down while Woods fucked her.

(Can't even lie, Rhea is hot though. I can see why he likes her. I would too if I played for that team) Tessa thought to herself. (They are both so hot together….I know I should not be watching them like this but it turns me on. Both out of jealousy and out of pure lust)

Tessa couldn't help herself. She started reaching inside her jeans and panties and started playing with herself while watching Woods and Rhea. (MMM….that feels so good. Give it to her Woods.) Rhea's moans were turning her on and she honestly was enjoying watching the Amazon getting fucked. (Rhea's so damn hot. They both are. FUCK I wish I could join them and experience the pleasure they both are feeling right now) Tessa thought as she put her fingers deep into herself. Then she looked down at the door again.

(Well it is unlocked, should I join them or risk getting caught by the others) she thought to herself.

Choice

Tessa doesn't join and stays outside the room watching on her voyeurism tip

Bayley and/ot Jade comes down the hallway and sees Tessa masturbating to Rhea/Woods

Tessa sneaks in to the room and joins Rhea and Woods

She forgets about it and just goes back to the party

"Fuck it, you only live once" Tessa said and slowly opens the door. Rhea had her eyes closed and was moaning while she rode Woods but out of the corner of his eye he noticed the door opening and saw Tessa come in.

"What the hell are you doing?" He mouthed to her.

"Shhhh, don't focus on me. Focus on her" Tessa said softly to him.

"MMM baby…who is that"

"No one Rhea" he lied.

Tessa stripped out of her clothes and joined Woods and Rhea on the bed. "What are you going to do" he whispered to her.

"Just watch and you will see" Tessa responded to him. Tessa then sat herself on top of him positioned on his chest and grabbed Rhea's breasts.

"MMM Woods…that feels so good" Rhea says thinking it's him playing with her tits.

"You like that don't you Rhea" Woods says to her.

"Yes I do baby…"

Tessa then decides to really press her luck. She takes her hands off Rhea's breasts and puts her hands on Rhea's face and then kisses Rhea.

(Holy Shit) Woods thinks to himself. Rhea is enthralled with the kiss that she doesn't know it's Tessa kissing her.

(MMM Woods…you are so amazing)

"Yes, yes I am baby"

Tessa then rolls Rhea over in their kiss and ends up on top of her. (Rhea then decides to open her eyes)

"TESSA! WHAT THE HELL! HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE" Rhea says to her.

"Rhea, we can talk about this later but you need this, Woods needs this, and I need this" Tessa says to her. "Please don't cause a scene"

She then looks up at Tessa and then looks at Woods with a confused look on his face.

She sighs. "Well if you are willing to do this for a guy who you barely know, you must care a lot for him, however I care about him too and I'm ready to prove my love too"

Xavier is then shocked as Rhea & Tessa start making out in front of him. Rhea and Tessa tongue kiss while giving him looks in between. He is absolutely shocked but he is also very turned on.

"Don't just sit there Woods. Join us" Rhea says to him.

Woods then gets in between the two women and they all start making out and kissing. (Well, this has suddenly been an interesting evening and I hope it doesn't end) he thought to himself.

—-

From across the street of the villa, a small child dribbled a soccer ball. It was after midnight, and for this child, soccer was his sanctuary and his escape from the hostile environment that his home could sometimes become.

The child watched as the rented Chevy pulled up to the villa, and then, a tall man with petite woman got out, carrying a bag. Holding hands, the entered the villa together, kissing, they couldn't seem to keep their hands off one another.

The kid smiled and lifted a phone to his ear, "Si, el patron, aqui." The child hung up the phone, snapped a picture of the address before dribbling the ball and hurried off into the night.

Within the house of balloons, everything was in full-swing. Bayley, like Thanos when he finally took off his armor and stared at the sunflowers, knew her mission had been accomplished.

—-

—-

Then, Becky walked in and through a chorus of cheers and smiles, Becky hugged everyone. Everything seemed to well within them all. Behind her, Bianca and Montez both strolled, they seemed to be in decent spirits.

"You really found her quite a champion," Jade whispered with a laugh.

Bayley giggled, "Well, she deserves it." Bayley dug in her pocket, pulling out a joint and lighting up, "It's just….she loves Mikaze, and I get it, but some people are only meant for certain phases of your life, ya know, dude." She exhaled, blowing a cloud of ganja into the atmosphere. "Just like Obi Wan Kenobi wasn't meant to be with Luke Skywalker his entire life and training. Luke was meant to meet Han Solo and meet Yoda before he truly became a Jedi."

Jade blinked, "Well, as someone who is more a casual Star Wars fan, I agree. In life, it is kinda like that. My high school basketball coach could only teach me so much about the game. He can teach me how to dominate at a high school level, how to dribble, but at a college or professional level, I needed the teaching of a different person."

Bayley sucked on her joint and blew out a gust of ganja and said, "Relationships are the same thing. Our puppy love is meant to teach us how sweet and powerful love can feel, the heartbreak is meant to teach us how bad it feel. We're taught that lesson by the universe, the energies and life for a reason. It is for this reason we can see a guy that looks like Michael B Jordan date a woman like Rosie O'donnell and make some sense of it. The pain of that first love shows us just how deep it can potentially go if we lose the one who loves us. Plus, the loss of loved ones over the years. We see pain and we fear it so much we want nothing to do with it at all costs. But, we don't understand pain is apart of living until we're older. The best go young. And well, we consider ourselves lucky but are we really when we say of the fallen, 'they're in a better place'. If we truly believe that, are we lucky, or are they lucky?"

Jade gawked, "Whoa."

"Don't mind me," Bayley giggled, "I'm just high," sucking on her joint.

Becky then maneuvered over and smiled, "'Ell, 'ell, 'ell, Captain Ahab, you finally caught Moby Dick for a friend of ours. Or did you reel tha' wun en fer yerself too?"

Choice

A ) Big Show made a T Shirt about it, 'chicks dig it big'

B ) Maybe

C ) Nah, it's just for Mercedes

D ) What exactly are you suggesting?

Bayley crossed her arms, "What exactly are you suggesting? That I use my best friend as bait to reel men in, and then seduce them after she's test-driven them?"

Becky thought, "Well, 'oo and Mercedes do share everything, righ'?"

Bayley giggled, "Carmelo is what Mercedes needs right now. Her being with Mikaze was great during her time in WWE, but now that she's about to leave and move on maybe, she might need a man who leads in a different way. All her career she's been the leader making all the calls, and Mikaze was great for when she had stability, but now that she's walking towards chaos, she might need a partner but a leader."

Becky nodded, "Oo really outdid yerself with this one."

"Well," Bayley admitted, "I had a lot of luck. And you know how she is and well, judging by how he manuevers, they're very serious and ambitious all the time. So it's a good thing we had some good dank to calm them down." Bayley glanced around, "Where's your man?"

Becky nodded, "I've been waitin' fer tha' question. He had a bit of business with the wrasslin' school come up and had to go handle it. So he and me mini-me are in Iowa probably getting' ready for da bears to 'ave anudder losing season."ss

"I'm glad you already see why nobody really roots for the Bears," Bayley giggled.

"I still don' get et, honestly." Becky shrugged, "I just say to myself, 'yanks bein' yanks' when it comes ter american football."

Bayley shrugged.

Becky leaned forward, "Sooooo, ef oo are bein' totally honest an' nah ribbing me, then yer not lookin' to go out of the door to slide in while Mercedes es 'aving a good time, are ya?"

Bayley thought for a moment.

Choice

A ) Of course not.

B ) You're awfully focused on him. Are you sure you're not the one who wants him?

C ) We share everything.

Bayley sinisterly smiled, "We share everything."

Becky gawked, "Well," clearing her throat, "'erm, ah mean, tha's not too uncommon in our business. Like tha' one story they told us abou' Miley and Taylor, right?"

"Ahem," Charlotte strode forward and exhaled, "Ya know, it's a shame that we're all here," gesturing to the three of them, "for the one of who's leaving, Mercedes," she coughed, "and she's not even here."

Bayley frowned, "Dude, you are such a buzzkill."

"What?" Charlotte shrugged innocently. "The one person who's actually breaking up the group, we're here for. And now she's longer going to be there for us in a locker room?"

Becky rolled her eyes, "Even now, all oo can think of es yerself? We all know why she's leaving?"

Bayley raised her hand, "Correction," she pointed to Becky and herself, "We know," she then turned to Charlotte, "And not to pick on you but what Mercedes is going through with booking and being compensated to what she's actually worth isn't something you've ever really had an issue with."

Charlotte sarcastically, "You can't be serious. You think I don't have to get an agent and negotiate my contracts?"

Becky shrugged, "We're sure ya do, Charlie. But, it's easy to negotiate deals when you're being put over majority of the time. Look at Hulk Hogan."

Charlotte shook her head, "I worked hard for all of this. Everything that I have, I worked hard for," she defended.

Becky crossed her arms, "Selfish es usual. Oo'll never change. Even with Mercedes leaving, oo're making it all about oo."

Bayley blinked. (This is starting to get personal.) Sensing the tension between Becky and Charlotte beginning to snowball.

Choice

A ) Stay out of it.

B) "I wonder where Tessa went."

C) You are being pretty selfish, Charlotte.

D) Come on, Becky, let's chill out.

Bayley leaned on Becky's shoulder, "Come to the darkside, Becky," mimicking Darth Sidious from Star Wars, "you don't know the power of the darkside," gesturing to the lonely bong on the counter.

Becky turned away from Charlotte, "Es tha' wha' I think et es?" Walking forward and examining it.

Charlotte rolled her eyes, watching Becky torn between an old voice.

Suddenly, shot back, "Don' judge me, oo slag. Everybuddy knows about oo're old habit on glass tables and in bathrooms."

Charlotte's heart sank.

On the sofa, Saraya mouthed a silent 'ooooooooh', standing by to see where it all would go.

Andrade innocently glanced between the room that Tessa had disappeared into and his newlywed wife.

Suddenly, Bayley approached him, "Now, you're making me nervous, Andrade. You're making it seem like you might snitch on Tessa."

Andrade seemed puzzled by her English as his intoxicated mind tried to comprehend what she was saying.

Charlotte approached and quickly, using her limited Spanish, translated.

"Oh," Bayley rolled her eyes, "I'm so high I forgot to use espanol." Turning back and watching Bayley light up the bowl and take a hit of Usagi.

"Okay." Andrade gawked, understanding. "You worry - I tell Daga-Tessa and your amigo?"

"No delatar ( don't snitch )," Bayley smiled, "You ain't no snitch, are you?"

Andrade looked at Bayley and answered.

{ Will Andrade snitch on Tessa }

A ) It's none of my business.

B) She's a married woman. It's wrong.

C) It's a funny business we're in. Things happen on the road.

D) Lie.

Andrade curtly sipped his Mezcal, "No."

Bayley suddenly smiled, "Okay, sorry," she backed away, "Just checking."

Charlotte blinked her eyes and shot a glare at Saraya. Although nothing was said, everyone seemed to have an axe to grind with The Queen.

Saraya rolled her and applauded, "Congratulations, Charlotte," clapping her hands together, "Two horsewomen down, two to go. You've truly impressed daddy."

Bayley's jaw dropped. She had just defused the tension between Becky and Charlotte, and next up was Saraya. And Saraya hadn't just gone for the head, she'd swung below the belt with that last sentence. And everyone could see and feel the anger already radiating from Charlotte, boosted by the cocaine up her nose.

"What?!" Charlotte nearly screamed.

"It's your fault, Mercedes is leaving." Saraya snarled. "Two horsewomen down, Tessa and Mercedes, two more to go," pointing to Becky and Bayley.

"Okay," Bayley tried to step in, "Let's-" but Charlotte strode forward, towering over both her and Saraya.

Charlotte sneered, "Don't you put this on me."

"I call it like I see it." Saraya growled.

"You are not going to put this on me." Charlotte defended before Andrade placed a hand of comfort around his wife.

"We go," He nodded, "Gracias, Bayley." He then turned to Charlotte, "Vamanos," planting a kiss on her cheek and gently tugging her to the door.

Saraya glared daggers at Charlotte and then the door, "Bitch," he muttered. "Look, I get it. Peace and love and all but I'm not gonna stand here and pretend we don't know why Mercedes can't get a deal done. Because Charlotte convinced Vince to bring Ronda back. And let me clear," glancing around to ensure she got no heat, "Ronda's my girl, but we know why Charlotte campaigned that hard for Ronda. It took away Mercedes' rumble win, a mania slot and it also was a bullet in the salary cap because NXT was expanding it's women's roster and equipment so there wouldn't be enough money for Mercedes to get what she and you," pointing at Becky, "are getting."

Bayley scoffed, "Dude, c'mon," shaking her head, "Charlotte's not exactly an accountant. So how would she-"

Saraya gestured around the room, "We all know how."

Not a soul said a word in protest.

Vicky exhaled, "I'm just glad Mercedes wasn't here. Her having a good time was what we all wanted."

"Well," Becky smiled, "Mission accomplished 'cause I can guarantee she's 'aving a very good time."

Everyone leaned forward, "Becky," Bayley leaned forward, "do you know something we don't?

Becky held her tongue and as the clock ticked on, one-by-one some of the guests trickled out of the villa, the others found a place on the couch to rest.

Bayley, now alone relit the bong one last time, (Come on, dude.) Thinking of Mercedes, (He's what you need right now, be kind to him.)

And the night, fate and Carmelo had been kind to Mercedes.

They sat together, feeding each other sushi, wasabi, miso soup and sipping sake while enjoying the rest of Usagi and watching a movie.

Mercedes that night had been unable to contain herself, and the boss, the CEO, took charge. She wanted him, now more than ever. And that night, she had him.

Mercedes took him, this time carefully locking the door behind them. That night, she felt all-of-him and drifted off into the most peaceful sleep she'd had in months.

—-

When Mercedes awoke the next morning, she felt both embarrassed and too in love with the night they'd had together.

In love with him? Of course not.

In love with the night and the memory they'd crafted? Absolutely.

The walls were kicking like they were six months pregnant last night. Even while medicated with Usagi, Mercedes just couldn't escape the desire to let it all go. To just throw it all away. All the pressure, stress, rumors, blaming, finger-pointing, this move, this hold, this deal, this money, heat, travel, she'd threw it all away and may have moaned a bit louder than she intended.

That morning, she awoke with his strong arms around her and couldn't help but smile. She knew either she'd wore him out to the point he could go nowhere, or maybe he didn't want to leave a bad impression, although she didn't mind. Life on the road was a life of solitude and loneliness in most instances. In the past, there were some men she'd rather not wake up next to with their arms around her. In Carmelo's case, maybe it was Usagi's spell, but she didn't mind.

His arms around her made her terrified to move. What if she woke him? What if he left? No. She'll just breathe and stay in his arms as long as the spirits allowed it.

In that moment, she thought of what she, no, they would eat for breakfast. (Alizé with cereal?) She wondered, for herself.

But maybe Carmelo would want a meal? (I'm not his wife.) She thought dejectedly. (But what if he thinks I'm lazy or not wifey material?) She considered the idea of trying to make a good impression on him. (No. I'm the boss. I'm the CEO.) She told herself. (But, I've already crossed the line.) And if she was as loud as she believed herself to have been, she was far from the only one within an earshot who knew that.

"Mmm," Carmelo breathed, his arms slowly coming to life. She felt the gentle squeeze of his body against hers and could almost feel the aftershocks of the lava coursing through her body. It was faint, a farcry from what she felt last night. Still, her body perked up, almost ready to receive him again.

Mercedes rolled over, shielding her mouth, "Hi."

Carmelo blinked at her, scoffing and trying not to laugh, "What are you doing?"

Mercedes downcast her eyes, "Taking a shower." She announced, the last thing she wanted was for him to smell her morning breath.

Suddenly, Mercedes' phone buzzed to life. She looked at the screen and on it, the face of her companion, Ryu, displayed with the name Husband flashing on the screen.

{Should I have this conversation now?}

A ) Answer the phone

B) Ignore the call and go shower.

Carmelo turned away and stared at the mammoth glass windows and lit up the last joint of Usagi. A wake-n-bake smoking session before hitting the shower would be better than one afterward.

Mercedes opened the door and stepped into the adjacent room. Not that Carmelo cared. Overall, Mercedes hadn't promised herself to him or made any vows to him. He felt he was in the clear for whatever came with it as he had never given his word to neither Mercedes or whoever had called.

(It could just be a business partner or WWE? Is that possible? Well, anything is possible. Which is likely though? It's her man.) He thought, sucking on the joint and inhaling the smoke.

(It is what it is.) Carmelo thought, sucking on the joint with his devil may cry attitude on life.

In the adjacent room, which was empty. Bayley must've slept at the party or shacked up with one of the other girls for the night. Bayley could be very clingy when she slept and loved to cuddle and hug. It wasn't like Bayley to be alone if she could help it.

*Everything going okay?* Mikaze asked.

"Yeah," Mercedes nodded, "We've got our finance team all set up. Top-notch. Came with charts, graphs and an entire budget for the first two-to-three years already outlined, inflation adjustments, possible COVID rebound trajectories, edible combinations with a food guru, legalization map of the country and profit margins. I'd never seen anything like it, but we had to immediately say yes. And I'm talking to Kalisto today, Florida seems to be a good headquarters for us in America."

*That's great. Me, well, I'm just waking up in Tampa and about to head to the gym with the boys. Is Montez with you guys? I know he and Bianca headed off after the show.*

"Yeah, they're here."

*Oh, okay. You had me worried, I called you a few times last night and couldn't get an answer. Bayley neither.*

"Shit," Mercedes hissed, "Sorry. We were having a party and the music was a bit loud."

*I figured as much.* Mikaze admitted. *Well, okay. I'ma head to the gym and let you get to work. I love you.*

His words reverberated in her ear. "I love you, too." She said almost like a reflex. And she tapped the screen and ended the call, she heard the spray of the shower-head in the distance. Did she really love Mikaze? Was what she had done last night a symbol of love? Or one of betrayal? She questioned as the traditional American foundation of her mentality battled and combated with her contemporary-renaissance theories on life, love and luminance.

She walked through the villa, and narrowly cracked the bathroom door, and there Carmelo was, showering. The hot water rolling down his almond-brown chiseled body, and the steam rising and elevating around his pores. The ocean breeze scent of the soap teased her nostrils as the Usagi hangover sent aftershocks through her body.

Like a fox watching its prey, she stared at him.

{We'll be leaving Mexico soon. This could be my last chance with him.}

A ) I've already been a bad wife. Have some self-control.

B) What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico.

C) It's all his fault this happened! Kick him out!

(YOLO.) Mercedes thought as she pulled open the curtain and entered the shower.

(I hope he doesn't think I'm a hoe.) She lamented, looking up at him.

Carmelo said nothing, through the ribbon-like streams of hot water, he glanced down and coiled his arm around her hip, pulling her lips to his.

Whatever she said on the phone to her man was none of his business. If whatever she had at home meant so much, she wouldn't be in the shower with him. He figured.

(What happens in Mexico) Mercedes smiled as the hot water rained over them, (stays in Mexico.)

At the finance entourage's villa, Bayley yawned, stretching her arms out. She glanced beside her and found her head on the stomach of Saraya.

(I wonder who all slept over.) Sitting up and finding a sleeping Vicky Guerrero on the couch. (What a night?) She thought, making her way to the bathroom.

(Which was it?) She wondered, looking at all the closed doors. (Damn, I must've been really high last night. I wonder how good of a night Mercedes had.) Grabbing the knob of the left door.

Bayley quickly shielded her eyes, blocking the tangled mess within the bed sheets, "Sorry, dude," closing the door, spinning around opening the right door. (Here we are.) Entering the bathroom.

Mercedes closed her eyes, feeling the rush with each thrust he gave her. Leaving WWE, chasing business success, film success, cannabis success, she was a virgin to it all. A virgin to the money, a virgin to the fame. There was a different level of money and fame that came with succeeding outside of WWE, especially in the business and film sector. Dwayne Johnson had already proved that.

And she could be the first woman to ever do it.

All that money. So long ago, it was merely about changing the world for women and proving she was good enough. At this age, at this level of life, it was all about the money. The money is the motive.

She felt her back against the lukewarm, wet walls as Carmelo pinned her against the porcelain and with thrust after thrust she felt her body edging closer to peaking.

After a morning of lovemaking, Mercedes nearly crab-walked to the front door and pulled it open. And sitting outside, blazing a joint, wearing sunglasses was Bayley.

"Morning," Mercedes smiled.

Bayley passed the joint to Mercedes, "You mean afternoon?" She then slid her sunglasses back, "So, how do you feel?"

Mercedes sucked on the joint, suppressed a cough and stared at the sun, "Like a god." She admitted, "But more like a fallen angel, I guess I'm Lucifer now."

Bayley leaned forward, "Selling your soul to Hollywood," she whispered, "Or maybe you escaped the Illuminati which Vince is a member of," she giggled.

Mercedes rolled her eyes, "The internet will forever remain undefeated."

Bayley watched Mercedes' gaze, the trajectory of her eyes were locked onto the sun, as if she were looking for something she already knew was far away.

Bayley exhaled, "Will you see him again?"

Mercedes blinked, watching an airplane glide over the heavens. (Are you on that plane?) She wondered, inhaling the smoke. (Are you looking down out of the window seat, wondering where I am? Do you even care?)

Bayley smiled at Mercedes' silence. Had she immediately said no, then it would have been sincere. Had she immediately said yes, she might have changed her mind or been just sprung and would snap out of it in time. Her silence was not a no, but it wasn't a yes either. Even at that moment, she still craved Carmelo.

"Sooo," Bayley softly clapped her hands together, "What did we learn last night?"

Mercedes took one last hit of the Usagi and stared at the sun. (What did his energy and last night teach me?)

{What did we learn last night?}

A ) Not a damn thing.

B) There's more than one soulmate.

C) C) That you (Bayley) might be a voyeur.

D) Weed makes everything better.

—-

Woods woke up from his slumber to find himself sandwiched between Rhea and Tessa looking at him. The afternoon sun was beaming through the window of the room the three of them shared together.

"Damn, what a night last was" he said.

"Yeah, it was a fun time" Rhea said in response.

"One I surely won't forget either" Tessa said in agreement.

"What time is it?" He said with a yawn.

"It's 12:15 PM" they both said.

"Damn we slept all morning" he said with a look of surprise.

"Nah, Rhea woke up first around 10:30 and then I woke up around 11:00 AM and we decided to let you sleep because we did wear you out last night" Tessa said with a smirk.

"Oh so you two think your hot shit huh"

"Well, look at us bro" Rhea said with a cocky smirk.

Woods chuckled at the two Amazons. "So…what is going to be the status of us three going forward"

"Honestly I don't know" Tessa said back to him. "I honestly had the most enjoyable experience with the two of you I've had in a while but I'm still married to Daga even though we are having problems right now"

"Do you want to talk about it" Rhea asked.

"No not really" she replied to her.

"What about you Rhea" Woods asked her.

"Well…honestly I don't know either. I know I'm supposed to be getting back on the road soon with WWE but I definitely want to keep in contact with both of you."

"Yeah I do too" Woods says to her. "I'm not sure but I have an idea in mind"

"What is it" they both asked him.

Choice:

Woods suggests a group chat on Snapchat

Woods suggests a group chat on Facebook

Woods suggests an IG group

Woods suggests they exchange numbers and they create a group text

"How about we exchange numbers and do a group text?" he suggests.

"I'm down" Rhea says.

Tessa sits back on her side of the bed. "I'm not sure you guys"

"You stated that you were having materal problems right? '' Rhea says to her.

"Yeah I am but what if he finds out that I'm cheating on him" Tessa says to her.

"Look Tess, what we did last night was you cheating on him already" Rhea says to her. "You have already violated one rule of marriage and I'm pretty sure Sasha probably slept with Carmelo last night. You ain't the only one who cheated on their spouse just saying"

"Rhea has a point. This is the wrestling business and I've heard a lot of stories about wrestlers cheating on their partners or engaging in open marriage situations. What you will be doing with us is no different than a lot of other people in the locker room" Woods says to her.

"Plus you stated you needed this before we all slept together" Rhea says to her. "You must have not been happy in your marriage prior to last night and obviously came to this party looking for something on the side"

"Yeah you are right" Tessa says to her.

"So are you in or not?" Woods asks.

"You know what…fuck it I'm in" Tessa says to both.

"Good" Woods & Rhea reply with a smile.

"Well I need to take a shower" Woods says to them. "Have you ladies already showered"

"I haven't" Rhea says to him.

"Neither have I" Tessa says to him.

"Were you two waiting until I got up so we could all shower together" Woods asks.

"Maybe…." both say with a smile.

Woods shakes his head. "I don't know if that shower is big enough for three" looking at the door that leads to the bathroom inside their room.

"We can make it work" Rhea says to him.

"C'mon Woods let's go" Tessa and Rhea lead him to the bathroom.

(Man these two are going to be something else aren't they) he thinks to himself as they all get ready to share a shower.

—-

As the blanket of Usagi vapors permeated her cells, Mercedes closed her eyes and sighed, "What if there's more than one soulmate for us?"

Bayley smiled, "I mean, it makes sense given the amount of people on the planet."

Mercedes thought of the airplane, questioned when she would see him again. Was it wise to see him again? Was it stupid to pursue anything with him? Or best to leave things as they are?

A moment later, there was a loud yawn in the distance as Becky Lynch climbed out of an Uber carrying a tray of four cups of coffee. "Late mornin' tah everyone."

"Afternoon," Bayley corrected again. "I bring coffee." Waving the tray in front of them.

"Thanks," Mercedes smiled, taking a step forward, then stumbling, walking sideways like a crab and nearly tripping.

"Ohhh," Becky gawked, "I know that walk," She giggled.

Bayley smiled, "Yup, someone got that back blown out last night."

Mercedes exhaled, picking up a cup and trying her best to both ignore the commentary while also basking in the aftershocks of the bliss her body had felt hours ago. While Mercedes blew on her coffee to try to cool it, a second Uber pulled up and Charlotte approached the group.

"Afternoon," Charlotte greeted, "So the band is finally together," carrying her own cup of coffee, "I brought my own." She gestured to Becky.

"Aren't 'oo prepared?" Becky nodded.

"More for me then," Bayley took the remaining coffee, clutching two cups happily.

"The last one who needs an extra cup of coffee is you," Mercedes chided.

"True," Bayley agreed, "Well, being the team-player I am," she offered the second cup, "Here ya go, after the night and, well," looking at how disheveled and still a bit damp Mercedes' hair was, "this morning, you could use a bit of energy."

Mercedes rolled her eyes, but didn't reject the extra cup.

"Because my dick runs deep," Bayley sang, "so deep, so deep it put her ass to sleep."

Charlotte chuckled, "Was that Sir Mix A Lot?"

Becky facepalmed, "Good lord, Charlotte, we white women take three steps forward and you make us take a step back by mistaking Ice Cube for Sir Mix A Lot."

"East coast," Charlotte defended.

"Still no excuse." Becky shook her head. "That song is older than half the NXT roster."

Mercedes nodded, "Bron Breakker and Cora Jade weren't even born when that song came out."

"Dominik Mysterio wasn't even born yet." Bayley continued, "Tupac was still alive when that song was made. Bill Clinton was barely even in office. Vince wasn't even Mr. McMahon yet. That's how long ago it was."

Charlotte blinked, "Now I'm starting to feel old."

"Dude." Bayley exhaled, "For real."

Becky looked over Mercedes' posture, "Yup," she nodded, "Looks like he put the smackdown on ya, all righ'."

Mercedes shot a glare at Becky, "Why aren't you guys talking about what I did to him?"

"Well," Becky shrugged, "We can' exactly examine the evidence of what oo did tah him, can we? I believe ya, though. Had it been me, well, I know I would've."

Charlotte giggled, "And then we'd fail the Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus test just after a certain someone had a good time down in Florida when we were in NXT."

"Hold up," Mercedes shook her head, "I keep hearing about this Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift test. What is it exactly?"

"Yeah," Bayley nodded, "I keep hearing about it too."

"Well," Becky thought for a moment, "Chances are," She thought a bit harder, "Jacy Jane has failed it. And, I'm gonna say Nikkita failed it as well. We all know Lana failed it. Dana? Definitely." She turned to Charlotte, "Who else do ya reckon would fail the Taylor Miley test?"

Charlotte thought for a moment, "If I were betting on it, Nikkita definitely. Tiffany and Zoey are possible. Thea, I'll also say there's a chance."

Bayley sipped her coffee, "So, are you guys gonna tell us what the Taylor Miley test actually is?"

Becky and Charlotte both looked at eachother.

{Taylor Miley Test?}

A ) It's time to give away the secrets

B) No, it's a secret.

Becky exhaled, "Well," turning to Charlotte, "is it time to give away the secrets."

"I mean," Charlotte shrugged, "It's not so much a secret. Moreso an open one. I'm sure something similar has happened to every woman in the locker room."

Bayley leaned forward, "Did Vince offer y'all some money?"

Becky and Charlotte both gawked.

"Fuck no!" Becky nearly shouted.

"Okay," Bayley held up her hands innocently, "Okay. I was just asking."

Mercedes sipped her coffee, "So what is this Miley Cyrus Taylor Swift test y'all are talking about?"

Becky giggled, "I wasn' aware of how nutters America was abou' race relations. Ah mean, Obama was the president at tha' time. I couldn't believe how mad everyone was abou' race. And then, a few years after we all saw what happened with Saraya, and then Lana and Lashley an' it became very clear tha' matters a lot fer some people."

Charlotte nodded, "Growing up in Carolina, that is definitely a thing in some parts. But well, basically, it was around either 2014 or 2015. Summer Rae had convinced some of us to go to a Future concert with her."

Becky thought for a second, "Ahhh think that was around that time. Because it was when we were both in NXT," gesturing to her and Charlotte, "well, all of us," including Sasha and Bayley, "because the three of us," excluding Bayley, "All came up together for the divas revolution."

"Well," Charlotte continued, "We went to the Future concert with Summer Rae. And, after the concert we went out and hung out with a few guys. And when we got back, some of the NXT coaches were waiting for us and they decided to give the three of us the Miley Taylor case."

"Coach Bloom was the ring-leader of the whole thang." Becky chuckled. "I honestly thought it was a rib at first."

"A Train pulling ribs on rookies?" Bayley nodded, "Well, yeah, that's believable."

"Basically," Charlotte sighed, "Coach cuts basically a promo about how public image and perception is very important. And if fans saw us with the wrong crowd of guys around us it would hurt business."

Mercedes blinked, "What does he mean by the wrong crowd of guys?"

Bayley shook her head, "Oh we know what that means. I highly doubt anyone got that talk after going to a Toby Keith concert."

Charlotte defensively waved her hands, "I don't think coach was being racist, for the record. I guess, growing up under my father and around the business, I can understand the point he was trying to make. Coach pulling us aside about that though was very, I mean, considering the concert we went to, I can see how someone would jump to that conclusion."

"And well," Becky laughed, "He decided to give us the Miley Taylor test."

Bayley curiously leaned forward, "Which was what exactly?"

"Well," Becky smiled, "First, he gave us glasses to drink."

"Hennessy," Charlotte smiled, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah," Becky laughed, "And Summer Rae shot the whole thing down, no problem. And Coach Bloom," both women beginning to laugh, "was like, 'you fail'. And sent her off to bed."

"Hold on," Bayley laughed, "What?"

"Basically," Becky scratched her chin, "he found the signature drink of black people, particularly black men, the brothas," she clarified, "And because Summer Rae chugged it no problem, he concluded she's very comfortable being around black men too much."

Mercedes blinked, "Is that why they stopped pushing Summer?"

"Nah," Charlotte scoffed, "While it is easy to see it that way, Summer was always trying to climb ontop of someone's boyfriend. That, and well, she didn't really care. She even went out and took a picture with Future just to be petty and rub it in the coaches noses."

"Ahh," Bayley nodded, "So that's why she had a bit of heat."

"So," Mercedes probed, "He gave you guys shots of Hennessey, is that it?"

"Nope," Becky smiled, "there's more." Becky continued, "Ah mean, I knocked mine's down pretty nicely, so according to Coach Bloom, I was questionable. Charlotte nearly choked on hers."

Charlotte raised a hand in defense, "I don't drink hard liquor often."

Becky pressed on, "After that, we were asked to choose between Leo DiCaprio movies and Denzel Washington movies."

Bayley blinked, "And what does that prove exactly?"

"Well," Becky shrugged, "I chose Denzel. Had to, I mean, Training Day."

Charlotte nodded, "I almost chose DiCaprio because of the Great Gatsby but, well, I flip-flopped but ended up choosing Denzel."

Everyone looked surprised.

"I don't agree with DiCaprio's ageism towards women." Charlotte explained, "That and, well, Denzel in Man on Fire, Remember The Titans, John Q, Equalizer, and, yeah, of course Training Day."

Mercedes gawked, "Of all people, I never thought you would choose Denzel."

Charlotte smiled teasingly, "I wonder why that is? Is it because I'm white."

Everyone nodded, "Yup."

Charlotte pointed to Becky, "Well, Becky's white."

"Yes," Mercedes nodded, "But Becky is…."

Charlotte gawked, "She legit has the whitest name a white woman on the planet could have."

"True." Becky acknowledged.

"I never thought I would live to see the day that white women choose Denzel over DiCaprio." Mercedes admitted.

"Me either." Bayley admitted.

"Me three." Becky awkwardly said.

"Me four." Charlotte agreed.

"And, well," Becky continued, "After that, coach gave us the rhythm test. He made us listen to Push It by Salt and Pepper, and we had to dance."

"Like some strippers?" Mercedes asked.

"No, of course not." Becky waved. "Just regular dancing. And," she sighed, "Sorry, but, you had no rhythm, and he also commented you had no ass either, so you passed. And he let you go."

Charlotte rolled her eyes, "And you had some rhythm and were deemed questionable. And he let us go after giving us a speech about being public figures and being very careful about who we dated."

Bayley exhaled, "They just hang on a sign on the wall that says don't date black men or else."

"Obviously, the can't though." Charlotte laughed.

Mercedes exhaled, "I mean, did I get a test like that. No. Not really. The most I got was when I wanted to go public about being married. But no one cared really."

"And that's why it's called the Taylor-Miley test." Becky explained. "It's typically only done with white women in developmental."

"Well," Mercedes laughed, "Vince fails again. Because quite a few girls since even FCW have no issue chasing after the man they want regardless of his skin color."

"Look at Rhea," Becky added.

"Look at Tessa." Mercedes included.

"Which is ironic considering what happened last night." Bayley snickered.

"And even that one new girl, Jacy Jane." Charlotte highlighted.

"Speaking of which," Bayley leaned forward, "So you passed the coach's test, Charlotte? Did The Queen ever experience that at any point?"

Becky giggled, "Well, I already know tha answer tah this."

Mercedes tenderly sipped her coffee, "Have any brothas ever rode Space Mountain?"

"First off," Charlotte exhaled, "Space Mountain is my father. So it would be gay if another man did ride Space Mountain."

"True," Bayley agreed, "We'd have to call your thing something different. Cosmo Canyon?"

"How about The Milky Way?" Becky suggested.

"Or Astro Peak?"

{Charlotte looked at the other three.}

A ) No. It's not really my thing.

B ) I've taken a few brothas on a ride in my younger days.

C) I'm married now. It's not something I want to talk about even if it did happen.

Charlotte sucked her teeth and said, "In my younger days, I had my fun."

Mercedes and Bayley leaned forward.

"Lies," Bayley refused to accept it. "There's no way." Bayley thought, "Part of me wants to ask who did you smash? Carlton. But, well, even Carlton had rhythm."

"He sure did." Mercedes laughed and the two twirling dancing, "Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it-"

Charlotte watched as Bayley, Mercedes and Becky began to twirl and dance.

"Oh shit," Mercedes suddenly seethed, clutching her hips.

"And there goes the power of the dick." Bayley jabbed.

Mercedes rolled her eyes.

"He really did a number on yer, eh?"

Mercedes changed the subject, "I am curious. Who was it exactly?"

Charlotte held her breath, unsure of whether to say anything or not.

(Might as well tell them since this maybe the last time we all get to chill together for a while) Charlotte thought to herself.

"Well ladies if you must know back in the days of NXT I did go there with a brotha" Charlotte says. "It is someone who you all know actually"

"Who is it" Mercedes asks curiously.

"It was a member of the New Day" Charlotte says.

"Xavier Woods?" Bayley with a look of interest.

"You would assume him because of the history of him and Paige but nah" Charlotte says.

"Well then since Kofi was on the main roster…the only person it could be would be Big E" Becky says.

"Yeah E and I did actually sleep together" Charlotte says.

"Wow that's interesting Char" Mercedes says. "I'm surprised no one ever found out about you and him"

"That's because E carries himself with a lot of respect and class. The whole New Day does to be honest I mean the world wouldn't have known about Xavier & Paige until some down bad hacker leaked her pictures and videos to the world" Charlotte says.

"That's very true" Becky says.

"I honestly could see myself dating E but due to outside perception and what I wanted to do with my career it wouldn't have worked out long term. This is still America and while we have progressed as a country, a lot of people on both sides still feel some type of way about interracial dating" Charlotte says. "People are more accepting to seeing me with a Latino man than a black man you know"

"That's fucked up for real how one minority is more accepted by society than the other" Becky says. "People don't have a problem with me being with Seth and they forget Seth is actually Latino"

"A lot of Latinos can pass for white though" Bayley says. "I mean look at me. People for the longest time used to think I was a white girl with a phat ass until they heard my real name and went "oh she's actually a Latina".

"It is all about perception guys" Mercedes says. "I'm with an Asian guy and Asians are perceived are the "ideal minority" by white people. Latinos are second under that and blacks are last on the list. It's racism mixed with classism. So if you are a white family that comes from a lot of money, dating someone black is seen as an insult. They prefer you date someone close to white if you don't decide to stick within your own race"

"Damn you really broke it down Mercedes" Bayley replies to her.

"You kinda have to know these things if you are black in America" Mercedes says to them with a shrug.

Suddenly, they are joined by two guests.

"What's up Rhea, what's up Tessa" Bayley says to them.

"Nothing much ladies still in recovery mode from last night" Tessa says to them.

"Where is Xavier" Charlotte asks.

"He was on his phone with some business partners and also wanted to call home" Rhea says to them.

"What were you ladies talking about"

"A topic you two know well about: interracial dating especially when it comes to black men" Bayley says with a wink.

"Yeah, we do" they both said with a laugh.

"What's your thoughts?" Mercedes asks them.

"Personally, I don't give a fuck. You love who you love and don't care what society says" Rhea says.

"Same here. I enjoy all types of men…black, hispanic, white as long as they treat me right" Tessa says.

"Damn, I wish I had your mentality when I was younger" Charlotte says with a little bit of envy in her voice.

"With me being from Australia, I have a very different view than you guys in the states. Of course there are racist motherfuckers down under but honestly white girls down there are open about their love for black men with no shame" Rhea says.

"Yeah us foreigners move differently than you American white girls just ask Saraya" Becky says.

"Oh we all know about Saraya," Tessa says with a laugh. They all laughed as Tessa started singing the chorus to Disco Inferno by 50 Cent.

—-

The first class cabin of the VivaAerobus A321 twin-engine jet streaked through the clouds. Had Xavier and Dwayne made their way to the flight on time?

Carmelo wasn't sure. The three men typically maneuvered independently of one another. For a man who had transitioned from being the eldest boy among six children, Carmelo thrived as a maverick and having his own space, time and solitude.

He dug into the pocket of his jacket, and withdrew the memento Mercedes had planted in his pocket. Coated with her lipstick was the Queen of Diamonds playing card. He held it up to his eyes, examining the print of her lips across the hearts.

(I fucked up.) He thought. He'd crossed a line that he never had before. He'd slept with a client. His boss? His client? Both? He'd crossed the line and was at a point of no return. (Blame it on the weed.) Carmelo reconciled.

Carmelo still remembered Mercedes' last words to him.

"Don't forget," Slipping the card into the pocket of his jacket, Mercedes leaned forward, planted a kiss on his throat, enticing him to kiss her lips one last time. She stared into his eyes and said, "I'm the boss."

Carmelo nodded, "Yes, you are." Kissing her, "But I'm the king."

Mercedes smiled at him, dropping the card into the inner pocket, gently patting his heart.

(Boss?) Carmelo thought, staring at the Queen of Diamonds as the plane glided across the twilight sky. The suits in a deck of cards each represented something different. People across the world have played with them their entire lives but have no idea what each suit actually represents.

Spades - Military

Clubs - Agriculture

Hearts - Church

Diamonds - Merchants

Mercedes seemed very calculating on the suit she selected to leave in his jacket. The Queen of Diamonds. The Queen of Business. Truthfully, it was the suit that matched her the most.

{Should I see her again?}

A ) She's the Boss. That's up to her.

B ) She'll come to me. I am the king, after all..

B) No. Keep it business.

D) Well, there's another I have my eye on….

Carmelo stared out the window of the plane. His analytical and basketball skills colliding. The quarterback, the point guard, the maestro, Bayley. She intrigued him somewhat.

The summer sun had finally stretched into the sky. The Horsewomen had all finished their coffee and it was time for a decent lunch on the patio before Mercedes' meeting with Kallisto regarding Kandella CBD and the hiring of their new accountant.

Bayley couldn't help but smile at the look on her bestie's face. Mercedes appeared to be exhausted while simultaneously a pot of joy.

"I'm going to agree with Charlotte," Bayley suddenly said, "It's going to be weird walking into that locker room and you're not there."

Mercedes shrugged, "Well, it's not set in stone yet. Carmelo thinks I should-" she paused, "I think," observing the table, "Maybe I should think about giving Kairi a call and seeing if I can use this chance to perform in Japan while I'm still young."

Bayley giggled, "You must've really put it on him for him to ask you to come to his home."

"Home?" Becky blinked.

"Carmelo," Bayley scrolled through her phone, and displayed a linkedin profile, "does a lot of work around Japan. By the looks of things, he actually lived there for awhile. Probably still does."

Mercedes blinked. (He still wants me?) She thought.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. The Horsewomen glanced at each other, as if determining who would answer the door.

Becky exhaled, "Well," stretching her arms, "I'll get it." Becky strode through the villa before pulling open the door and finding an extremely tall man with mahogany brown skin, bald head and mustache wearing a suit in the doorway.

"Hey," The tall man smiled, "I'm looking for Bayley."

Becky was stunned. She questioned, what was Bayley doing last night? She then looked back, "Bayley, oo've gotter visitor."

A moment later, Bayley approached the door, "Hey Michael," she waved, "How is His Airness feeling?"

Upon hearing that, Becky felt the blood drain out of her face, "Michael Jordan?" She gawked, barely able to breathe.

Michael Jordan's expression hardened, "About last night…."

"Dude," Bayley casually waved, "Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. It's okay, it's alright to be the one minute man, it was your first time."

Michael Jordan glanced around, looking back at his security and waving them off. "You told me that but…"

Becky was confused, (Okay, what exactly is going on between these two?)

Michael Jordan continued, "I embraced the challenge last night. And," He exhaled, "I lost."

"Dude," Bayley smiled, "There's no losers when it comes to Mary Jane. We had fun right. Well," she thought, "I did. You were passed out behind the couch and Vicky almost threw up on you on accident, but other than that, it seemed alright."

Michael Jordan shook his head, he seemed very disturbed, "It's just….," he searched for the words, "I took that personal."

Bayley blinked, "Yeah, erm, okay, dude. Fun times, right?"

"Yeah," Michael Jordan nodded, "But…you outsmoked me….so," he paused, "I took that personal."

Bayley and Becky exchanged confused glances.

"Well, erm," Becky offered, "Um sure she didn't mean to offend yer."

"I know," Michael Jordan nodded, "But….," he paused, "I took that personal."

Bayley thought for a moment, "So, ummm, well, we're having lunch. You wanna smoke with us?"

"No," Michael Jordan shook his head, "We're on your home-court, but next time. I'm going to outsmoke you."

Bayley giggled, "Well, look, when it comes to basketball and also business, you win that realm. You're the man at that. But in terms of smoking weed, it's okay. You're new to it."

Jordan shook his head, "I know but….I take it personal."

Becky was trying not to laugh. "Why do yer take et so personal?"

"Because," Jordan paused, "Losing," shaking his head, "I don't like losing so….I take it personal."

"There are no losers though," Bayley defended.

"There will be.:" Jordan countered. "Next time, I'm going to beat you."

"At basketball?" Bayley asked, still confused, "Please excuse my highness."

Jordan dug in his wallet, holding out a business card, "The next party, I will be there. I will reach out to my friends, like Snoop-"

"Ahh, cool," Becky smiled, "Snoop is Mercedes' cousin. It'll be a helluva party, eh?"

"Shit," Jordan hissed, "Well, I'll have to get a better weedman." He then turned to his security, "Get me Wiz Khalifa's number."

"Yeah, boss." The security nodded, hurrying into the limo.

Bayley scratched her head, "Hold on, so you're throwing down the gauntlet to outsmoke me? I mean, sounds good. You're paying for all the weed right?"

"Yeah, no problem." Michael Jordan waved.

"Cool beans," Bayley smiled, "I'll see you at the party."

"Yeah," Michael Jordan nodded, "I just….," he paused, "Took it personal."

Bayley exhaled, "Well, Mr. Air Jordan. I understand your sentiments," patting him on the back, "And you know what, I got just the medicine," pulling out a joint, "the stickiest of the icky for your ride to the airport."

Michael Jordan stared at the joint.

"Believe me when I say," Bayley smiled, "After I smoke this….I believe I can fly," she sang, "I believe I can touch the sky, I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away."

Michael Jordan stared at the joint and accepted it, "Thank you. Still, I took it personally."

Becky and Bayley looked at eachother, both confused.

Michael Jordan waved to security, "Let's go."

The security guard leaned in, "He's going to follow you forever until he outsmokes you, ya know," he whispered.

Bayley giggled, "As long as his rich-ass is buying all the weed, I don't give a fuck."

Becky blinked, "Hold on, Michael Jordan was at the party."

"He was," Bayley nodded, "Then, he hit the bong and then he wasn't. He showed up late as a guest of Xavier. Some Carolina talks they were having before Jordan passed out."sss

{Becky turned to Bayley. "You're really going to duel Jordan?"}

A ) I took it personal too.

B ) Nah, of course not. He's the GOAT.

C ) Maybe you can outsmoke him, Becky.

Bayley shrugged, "MJ's the GOAT." She smiled. "Besides, he don't want no smoke."

"Literally." Becky giggled as they turned to head back to the table.

"HEY!" A voice suddenly called.

Bayley and Becky spun around, and standing in the doorway was Bow Wow. Short, caesar-fade, wearing a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

Bayley rolled her eyes, "Nah, dude. Jade ain't even here," clutching door, "So-" closing the door.

Bow Wow reached out, catching the door, "I'm not here to see Jade."

Bayley glanced around, "Well, ummm, cool but no one here wants to see you anyway so," trying to close the door.

"I came to talk with Mercedes." Bow Wow injected, "Now listen, Bayley, we can do this the easy, or we can do it the hard way. The choice is yours."

Becky and Bayley looked behind Bow Wow. There was a small group of children on the sidewalk. They looked no older than ten.

"Those your goons?" Bayley pointed.

"Nah, nah," Bow Wow waved, "They're fans of mine. They got turned on to my music. But anyway," shaking his head, "I need to speak to Mercedes."

Bayley slammed the door, "Get lost."

"Get a life," Becky laughed as they returned to the lunch table.

"Who was that?" Mercedes asked as they sat down.

"Michael Jordan woke up and ee took et personal tha' Bayley outsmoked 'em so he challenged her to a duel." Becky informed, "Oh an' Lil Bow Wow was looking for yer."

Mercedes blinked, "For what? Don't nobody want that clown."

Suddenly, Mercedes' phone buzzed to life. She stared at the screen, and on her social media there was a new user she'd never seen before. On the screen, seven words flashed.

I know what you did last night.

Mercedes stared at the screen, shook her head. (And?) She defiantly thought, deleting the message and sitting her phone down.

Bayley turned to Mercedes, "So, how'd he like the Kobe memento?"

"Well, we-" Mercedes began when her phone buzzed again. Part of her wanted to ignore it, but then, she saw a photo had been sent. (Please don't let this be a dick pic.) She thought, opening the picture. She nearly leapt out of her skin. Several pictures of her and Carmelo, climbing out of the car, holding hands, kissing, carrying a bag of sushi.

"Well," Becky cocked her head, "Kobe wore number eight, but ee also wore twenny four, right? So was et eight orgasms from twenty-four positions? Or was et the other way aroun'?"

And then, a still photo of Mercedes' body against the glass window as Carmelo took her flashed on the phone. Because of the darkness, it was difficult to make out, but anyone who looked hard enough would deduce it was her.

(Oh no.) Mercedes' heart dropped into her stomach.

Then, five words displayed on the screen.

Let's talk.

Love,

Bow wow

Mercedes wanted to throw her phone through the glass window and into another galaxy at that moment. She wanted to scream. She wanted a gun to blow Bow Wow's face off. She wanted to strip him naked and lynch him for this. There was an overwhelming force of fury, anger and violation flowing through. Yet, at the same time, one wrong move and Bow Wow could make her a lot more popular for all the wrong reasons.

(What if this affects my contract negotiations?)

(What if this hurts Kandella CBD?)

(What if this hurts Carmelo's career?) Mercedes dug into the pocket of her robe and held out the card Carmelo had left in her pocket. The King of Spades.

Mercedes cradled her phone, keying in a response.

{Mercedes replied with:}

A ) Let's talk.

B ) Leave me alone before I call Snoop.

C ) Go to hell.

Mercedes looked over the King of Spades card before sliding it back into her pocket. There was too much on the line, what did Bow Wow want? Money? An appearance?

She knew the entire thing could be ended with one call to Snoop but she hated involving her cousin in her dealings. A big part of her wanted to text Bow Wow to eat a dick, or even sue him, but a lawsuit could make the evidence public.

There was nothing wrong with her having a good time, but the last thing she wished to do was embarrass her husband.

(What does this fool want?) She then looked at her best friend. Considering whether to tell her about it or not.

(Not now.) Mercedes decided, pressing send and sliding the phone into her pocket. She plucked up her fork, stabbed a crown of broccoli, and looked at the other Horsewomen.

Becky smiled leaning forward, "Did ee send a dick pic?"

"No." Mercedes shook her head.

"So which was it? Number eight or number twenty four?" Bayley asked.

Mercedes thought for a moment. Which version of Kobe did Carmelo remind her the most of. Her King of Spades. It was something for her to ponder. The Black Mamba, a nuclear scorer that couldn't be stopped. A one-man army on the basketball court. Laser-focused, silent, loyal and always about striving for success. There were a few things they had in common. But which version was he to her? Afro 8? Or Caesar 24? She wondered, daydreaming of the next time she'd see him again.

—-

Xavier was inside the villa after showering with Tessa & Rhea and had put on a comfortable polo shirts and jeans. Tessa & Rhea got dressed and went outside the villa to chat with the rest of the women outside. He stayed inside to call home to his grandma and father and then make some business calls.

"OK, Michael we will talk more once I get back to Charlotte. I'm sorry that Bayley outsmoked you and I hope you don't take it personally" he says to him over the phone.

"You will take it personally? Damn man it was only ONE night don't worry about it" Xavier says shaking his head. "Look MJ let's focus on the business opportunity we have here and touch bases later"

Xavier hangs up the phone. "Damn, I can't believe MJ wants our CBD product to sponsor Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick for select NASCAR races in the 2023 season. I have to tell Carmelo & Dwayne about this later and see if they are down. I can finally get Carmelo to go to a race" he says with a smirk.

He then sits on the side of the bed and sees Tessa Blanchard left her phone. (Tessa left her phone, I should give it to her) he says to himself.

He takes a quick look at her phone and sees a bunch of missed calls and texts from Daga.

(He is obviously wondering where she is at and if I was a dick I would send a text like that one porn scene but I ain't going to do that) he thinks to himself with a chuckle. He then goes outside and gives her phone to Tessa.

"You left this inside"

"Oh thank you" Tessa says with a smile.

"You have a bunch of missed calls & texts from Daga btw"

"Oh, shit, fuck he's looking for me" Tessa says. "Let me go bullshit a reason why I haven't responded" she heads inside for a bit.

"She's an interesting character isn't she" Rhea says looking back at her.

"I know right but I got a few hours to kill before I gotta head back to North Carolina. You and Tessa want to go get dinner?" Woods asks.

"Sure why not" Rhea says.