A new girl in town
Chapter 42
Kane/J.J./Taker/Sammy/Kayla/Wade/Cassie/Vanessa
Kayla to Kane:
All I want to do is cry... and I fucking hate crying Or hide somewhere where no one can find me. Everything feels so out of control RN and there's nothing I can do about it. Fuck IDEK. I never use these but :'( (U) forever...
Kayla looked like she'd been hit in the face.
"Oh god, fuck me..." she said.
Kane to Kayla:
Don't let him do this to you. You are stronger than him. You will get through this.
J.J. saw Kane typing and then looked and saw Kayla typing and looking upset. Why would she text him instead of saying what she wants? J.J. wondered beginning to read the messages over Kane's shoulder. I hope she doesn't mind.
Kayla to Kane:
He doesn't scare me physically. I can beat his ass and I know it. It's the other stuff. He could cost me everything I've worked for. You know this place better than I do and you know Vince. Unknowingly hiring someone like me? He'd probably…
"Less texting, more talking, Kayla girl," Wade said.
Kayla sighed and locked the phone mid message.
"I feel really fucked up right now, Okay? I either feel like crying, hiding some place where he can't get me or... taking all of the drugs," she said.
"Well drugs are out." Taker said firmly. "They don't solve anything and would probably put you in a worse position than you already are."
"You can't hide from him unless you want to quit your job." J.J. said.
"And if you do that he wins." Sammy added.
"We'll just have to figure out a way to deal with this." Kane said.
Kayla sighed.
"Will one of you just hug me?" She asked.
J.J. and Kane got up and hugged her tightly.
"You'll be ok." Kane whispered to her.
Taker looked on in astonishment as Kane went and hugged her as if it were second nature.
When did he start hugging people? Taker wondered.
"I guess I could... out myself before he does it for me," Kayla said when the hug had ended.
"It would be a preemptive strike and would take away his power," she added reluctantly.
"No," Taker said. "Because he might not be smart enough to figure it out on his own."
"Yeah, if you come out now it may be for no reason." Kane agreed.
Kayla nodded.
"Kay. I didn't really want to anyway. I know I should be all Trans positive and shit but I'm just... not. I never talk about it, not even at home. It's hard enough being Kayla sometimes without thinking about Mike or being Trans too," she said.
"If he does find out he'll probably do one of two things." Kane said.
"Yeah," Taker said. "He'll either black mail you into quitting or go to Vince."
"Either way I'm fucked," Kayla said.
"There are other jobs but I guess I kinda like this one," she added.
"Not necessarily. As time goes by and you get more into your project he'll have more reason to keep you around. Also if he does try to fire you and you have done your job right along he has no cause. You can sue him for wrongful discharge. "J.J. said. "Maybe even discrimination."
"Yeah, he'll definitely want to keep me after that," Kayla said dryly.
"He may not give you your job back." J.J. said. "But you could hit him pretty hard in the wallet. That's what would hurt him the most. That and his reputation."
"You should keep a journal somehow that actually stamps a date on it. Keep what happens written down. Then if it comes to it you can show a court what you've done and how you've been treated. You can prove you've done right by the company but they are not doing right by you." Sammy said.
Kayla nodded.
"I'm sure there's an app for that," she said.
"The network is a game-changer, babe. Nothing like that exists for wrestling in any company. There are services that let you buy individual matches but that's about it. It's crazy brilliant," Cassie said.
Kayla shrugged.
"I've never been in it for the money, though I won't complain about what he's paying me. He has enough power and influence to black ball me from the industry altogether," she said.
"Yes he could. But with the money you get from him you could start a new company. Your own he can't stop you from doing that." J.J. said.
Kayla looked surprised.
"I'm not much for business. That's Wade and Cassie's department, not mine," she said.
"What the hell are we here for then? You know we'd help; just ask," Wade said rolling his eyes.
Kayla smiled in spite of herself.
"See." Kane said. "We're all behind you. He can't beat you."
"Thanks, you guys. I think I need another hug. Fucking feels," Kayla said.
As one, Vanessa, Cassie and Wade moved towards Kayla and wrapped her up in a hug.
"We love you, Kayla J. Always always always," Cassie said.
"I love you guys too," Kayla said as tears shone in her eyes and threatened to fall.
Taker watched the group for a moment. Wondering at how easily they showed emotions. He remembered how that used to be like in his family, before the fire that changed everything.
J.J. and Kane watched with smiles on their faces happy that she had her friends for her as well as them.
"It's going to suck when you guys leave," Kayla said.
"Waita kill the mood, miss thang," Wade said tapping Kayla lightly on the top of her head.
"We're never far. If you need us again, we'll be here," Vanessa said.
"You won't be on the road forever. You'll be home for a bit before you know it," Cassie added.
Kayla shrugged.
"I guess," she said, and then they returned to their seats.
"Now how can we prepare besides a journal?" Sammy asked. "There has to be some way for you to prepare emotionally."
"Yeah cause when or if it happens you'll want to be calm and focused not losing it." J.J. added.
"The last thing you want is to react the way he thinks you will. That's what he wants." Taker said.
Kane laughed realizing dube was probably another name for a joint.
"Well we can't have you getting stoned every time you have a problem." Kane said smiling. "Hunter is a bully he controls by fear. He loves to manipulate people. So watch out for that."
"He'll want you upset and off balance. He'll want to make you lose control and either attack him or make yourself look stupid." Taker said.
"He also loves to make people look like fools to paint them in a way that makes them look weak." J.J. said.
"And unfortunately he doesn't have to have proof. He could just start rumors people have a tendency to repeat rumors and believe them." Sammy said.
"But blazing is awesome and makes everything better," Kayla said.
Wade rolled his eyes.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Kane's right. Smoking up is just a bandage in this instance. So you're high as fuck for a few hours and shit is great. But then it wears off and things are shit. Unless you want to be stoned 24-7, it won't work," he said.
Vanessa and Cassie nodded in agreement.
"Fuck everything," Kayla said.
"But how could he possibly make me look like a fool? I'm not a wrestler. We're in two different worlds," Kayla said.
"Making you look like a fool doesn't have to happen in the ring. He can ruin your credibility back stage. Attack you backstage. All he wants is to show his power over you to others. You've already made him look bad at that meeting. Now your friend has made him look bad in front of his people. He'll only let that go on so long. Then he'll have no choice but to go for you. He has to protect his Reputation as king of the mountain or others will start disrespecting him." Taker said.
Kayla sighed.
"I guess I should put Karena on speed dial," she said.
"Who's Karena?" J.J. asked.
"My therapist," Kayla said.
"I would definitely tell her what's going on. Keep her up to date so if something happens she already has a starting point to work with you." Sammy said. "She can also attest in court if need be that you were being harassed at the workplace and in an unsafe workplace."
"I'd like that number to so if you are unable to call her someone else can call for you." J.J. said.
Kayla nodded.
"I'm pretty sure that Tobius could give you extra support as well when Karena isn't available. He already knows you so that should help," Vanessa said.
"Yeah, I'm sure he'd be willing to help out once he hears what's going on. Plus I'm pretty sure he never sleeps," Wade added.
"In that case I'd want both numbers." J.J. said.
"If he goes for you physically you'll need to get checked out immediately whether he does damage or not so it's on record that he attacked you." J.J. said. "I wish I had when I was with Rick."
Kane reached out and took J.J.'s hand knowing that what she'd just said had been hard.
"If he isn't dead, can I do it?" Wade asked with a dark look.
Kayla took out her phone and retrieved Karena and Tobius' contact information, then she texted it to J.J. She hesitated for a moment then texted it to Kane as well.
"There. Now you both have it," she said as the messages sent.
"Sorry." J.J. said smiling. "Kane has first dibs."
"I don't need dibs I'm the husband." Kane said deadpan not sure what dibs meant.
Wade shrugged.
"That's fine. I'll just dig him up, resuscitate him, then kill him again... and again... and again..." Wade said.
"I wouldn't kill him." Kane said. "I would just make him wish that I had."
"Jesus, this got dark rather quickly," Cassie said.
"Enough killing already." Sammy said. "We're not going to kill anyone."
Wade sighed.
"So-called men who do that shit should be castrated," he said.
"But anyway, back to the biz. Can you guys think of anything else she can do?" He said.
"I wouldn't go for him physically. Unless, he lays a hand on you. Because that in itself can get you fired." Taker said. "So no matter what he says or does don't get physical."
"Yeah let him hit a woman that would hurt his rep." J.J. said. "Not that he hasn't done it before. He also goes for the weak. That's why he abuses X-Pac."
"But don't get him to make you hit him. Like I told Wade don't let your temper cloud your judgement. It can only lead you to a worse position." Taker said.
"Even in the ring the first person to attack usually wishes they hadn't." Kane said. "He's going to try to psych you out. Don't let him."
"But his fucking face is so punchable," Kayla said.
"He just looks like a douche, you know? But fine, I'll do my best," she added.
"He'll try to get into your head." Taker said. "In my past that's what I would do."
"Taker would know about that it's one of many reasons why people feared him and still do." J.J. said.
Kayla nodded.
"I know quite a bit about mind games. They're a pretty crucial part of USMC training. You know, tear you down then rebuild you in their image and all that," she said.
"It's his nose, babe. That thing looks like it came from an alien space ship... maybe with superman or some shit," Wade said with a laugh.
"Dude, that's insulting to superman... and I don't even like superman," Cassie said and she laughed as well.
"Ok who is superman? A comic hero?" Kane asked before he could stop himself.
"Yeah. He was raised on a planet called Krypton, then sent down to earth in a badass spaceship when shit got real up there.
"He gets his powers from the sun basically. He can fly, has super strength... more powerful than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet and all that," Wade explained.
"I hate to break this up but Sammy and I need to get some rest we have to travel tomorrow." Taker said getting up.
"Yeah, we should probably call it a night too," Kayla said.
"Thanks again, guys. You having my back... it means a lot. Fuck me, here comes the tears again... for like the millionth time today," she added as she lowered her head.
"Yeah we've got you." Taker said.
Kayla/Wade/Cassie/Vanessa/Kane/J.J./Taker/Sammy
Kayla rose reluctantly reluctantly with the sun the next morning. She dragged herself through a shower and getting dressed, and then she sat on the edge of the bed for a while and watched them all sleep. Her heart hurt. She could feel tears building behind her eyes and a physical ache in the pit of her stomach.
They were leaving her today.
They weren't even gone yet and she missed them already. Taker had Sammy and Kane had J.J. Both of them needed their couple time and wouldn't always have time for her.
She sighed and took out her phone, then took a quick picture. Then she rose quietly from the bed and left the room.
She sat on the couch in the main room and stared at the blank TV screen for a while. Then, out of desperation, she texted Kane.
Kayla to Kane:
Hey. IDK if you're up but yeah. They're leaving me today and I'm kind of losing it. FML.
Kane to Kayla:
Yeah we're up. What is fml anyway?
Kayla to Kane:
LOL sorry. FML = fuck my life. And LOL = laughing out loud.
Kane to Kayla:
FML nope. I think life does that on its own. LOL
Kayla to Kane:
LOL yeah, truth.
I'm sorry... I really don't want to bother you. Fuck. I know I have to be a big girl and deal but fuck.
Kane to Kayla:
Have to go food. LOL
"What was that about hun." J.J. asked him.
"Kayla is down because her friends are leaving I guess." Kane said. "Is that breakfast I smell?"
"Yes hun. It's in the other room." J.J. said laughing.
Kayla to Kane:
OMG CRISIS HERE! WTF! (shock)
Kane just laughed and put his phone in his pocket so he wouldn't forget it.
Kane and J.J. ate quickly because they wanted to make sure they were ready when Kayla's friends were so they could leave as soon as J.J. said her goodbyes.
Taker woke up and saw that Sammy was already in the other room setting up her computer for first use.
"Hey babe." He said. "Couldn't wait could you." He laughed.
"No." Sammy said laughing. "It should be done with the updating long before we have to leave."
"No problem we have all day to get there and it isn't far." Taker said.
"I already called for coffee and breakfast." Sammy said.
"That's why I love you." Taker said smiling at her.
Soon, everyone was up and ready. They checked the rooms for forgotten belongings then were ready to go.
They're all ready for life without me. Kayla thought as she listened to their conversation.
Cassie was on her phone talking to her secretary, Cam, about scheduling a new client for the next day.
Wade was texting Kyle with ideas for things they could both work on in the studio when Kyle got home.
Vanessa was talking to someone she'd known during her days as a stripper; they were making plans for a night out the following week.
It's like I'm not even here. Kayla thought. They get to go home and everything will go back to normal. But all I get is days and nights alone without them.
She sighed sadly and ushered them out of the room.
"We definitely need to say bye to Kane and Taker before we take off," Wade said looking up from his phone.
Oh, he speaks! Kayla thought sarcastically. And here I was thinking that he'd been replaced by a texting robot.
"Yeah, definitely," Cassie said.
Why the fuck can't your crisis happen during people hours, Cass? Kayla thought.
"We owe them all a huge thank you to say the least," Vanessa added.
You wouldn't have stopped stripping cf if it weren't for me. Kayla thought. You were convinced that was all you could ever do but I helped you see otherwise.
She said none of these things aloud as they headed to Taker's room and Wade knocked on the door.
Taker heard them outside and didn't wait for them to knock before opening the door.
"Thought you might take off without saying goodbye to Sammy." Taker said.
"We're taking off, man," Wade said.
"Nah, why would we do that? We're saying bye to you too, man. And thanks," Wade said.
"Yeah keep the key safe man." Take said reaching out to shake Wade's hand.
Then he tussled Cassie's hair and shook Vanessa's hand. Sammy came over and gave them all hugs. Including Kayla.
"I never told you thank you for saving my ass.. so thank you." Sammy said.
"I'm going to miss the shit out of you guys. Get ready! There will be texts." Wade said with a grin.
Just then Kane and J.J.'s door opened.
"I thought I heard you guys out here." J.J. said. "We're ready to go when you are."
"Oh my god, I'm going to miss you guys!" Cassie said looking like she was about to cry.
"Thanks to you guys there is always the phone." Kane said smiling.
"Yeah we expect to hear from you." J.J. said as they headed down the hall.
None of them saw Hunter's door open or his hate filled glare.