001: The Broken Ones [CCCW]

The Broken Home. People talk about those as an abstract concept, a trope, a crutch thrown out there far too often in the wrestling business as a sort of excuse for what makes you the way you are. It's become the norm these days. The unhappy family is almost an expectation – it goes without saying that I'm not close to my parents. At all. When I look back now, it's not with sadness or anger. No. It's resignation. Sure, I mourn what could have been. A loving mother who wasn't addicted to drugs. A dad who didn't work 60 hours a week to provide for me and siblings. For me, getting into the gym was an escape. Finding pro wrestling on weekends spent at my Grandma's house was a godsend. She was a huge fan. That was my secret – one that we shared and I must have watched all those old tapes of hers a million times over the years. By the time I turned sixteen, I knew what I wanted to be. I knew no matter what else life tried to throw my way, I was going to turn the dream into a reality. I was going to be one of the greatest wrestlers anyone had ever seen.

I'm thirty-three now and, well, it's still a work in progress.

I'm still a Broken One. The thing about us though, we can always find our kin. We can always tell if you've been there or if you're just faking for the cameras. I have a knack for finding the girls with too much sadness in their eyes. Even worse, I always fall in love with them…

His hands were cold and clammy as he wiped them on his shirt, reaching out to turn up the car's air conditioning. For the third time, he checked the message on his phone, making sure the car's GPS was matching. This was the right place. He sat there for a good five minutes longer, trying to work up the courage to go up and knock on the door. Even though they'd been playfully flirting for the last few weeks on Twitter, he was still wary about making that last step after his last few relationships had blown up in his face. He still hadn't told her that he'd specifically taken the job at this new wrestling company simply because it was located in the same place she called home now that she was done with school. That bordered on stalking, after all. 

"Get a grip," he muttered, shivering now that the air had had time enough to really get frosty. "She's nice. And this is just friends hanging out."

Nodding, Max shut off the car and got out into the humid air, his glasses immediately fogging up from the temperature change. He took them off, cleaned them on his shirt and then turned to get the overflowing bag of snacks from the backseat. The sound of a door opening across the street made him straighten up so quickly he almost smacked his head.

Rayna had seen Max almost hit his head which had caused her to prematurely cringe. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she closed the door behind her. She couldn't help the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach at the sight of him. It had been a long time since she'd felt like this about someone.

"Hey," she greeted, with a wave. "Can I help with those?"

He waved back, taking a second to take her in. Even dressed casually in cut-offs and an old tee, she looked amazing. So much so that he started across the street before realizing he'd left the car door open. He only realized it when he heard the chiming. Feeling like a total dork already, he shook his head after closing and locking it. "No, it's okay. I can lift way more than this without breaking a sweat!" It sounded like a boast, but he was just being honest. He jogged across to where she stood, grinning like an idiot as he held out the bag towards her. "I wasn't sure what you liked. So I got a little of everything. We won't starve, that's for sure."

"That works 'cause I've got quite the selection of movies." She took the bag from him, a bashful smile on her face, those butterfly wings fluttering. "I'm glad we could hang out like this."

Max nodded, following her inside. "Well, most nights I just stay in the gym until I'm about to pass out on my feet. It's easier that way… you sleep a lot better afterwards. At least in my experience." He was rambling, and he knew it but he just couldn't make his mouth stop. "And you look really nice... those shorts are great!"

"Oh, thanks." The compliment caught her off guard as her cheeks went a tad red. Smiling at him, she took the bags and set them on the nearby kitchen counter. "I've had these since high school." There was some barking coming from the master bedroom. "That is Stitch; once you get settled, I'll bring him out to meet you."

He'd already crept through her social media photos enough to know she was an animal lover, so finding out she had one of her own wasn't really shocking. "Hopefully he's not vicious," Max quipped, pulling a package of Red Vines from the bag. Absently, he tucked the bag into the back pocket of his jeans before grabbing a bottle of Dr. Pepper with his good hand. "So, where are we watching at? Your living room? Or cuddled up in the giant blanket fort you have set up in your bedroom that nobody knows about?"

Trying to keep a straight face, she shook her head. "What kinda girl do you think I am? Blanket forts are totally a third date kinda thing." Finally laughing, "Stitch is anything but vicious, he'll love you until he explodes." It wouldn't take long for the dog to be his best friend, she was positive. "The only thing you have to watch is his trying to steal your snacks. He has very persuasive eyes."

"Well, we've got date three sorted then!" Max unscrewed the cap of his soda and took a swig, letting out a contented sigh. "Awww yeah, that's the stuff right there. Nectar of the gods."

She looked at the soda longingly before meeting his eyes. "I have tried numerous times to give up pop, but Dr. Pepper always calls me back. I have finally just come to terms with the fact I'll never be able to give it up."

"It's okay to have one bad habit." He held the bottle out to her, "you can have some if you want. I promise I don't have any cooties and all my shots are up to date."

Rayna shook her head and took the bottle. "Oh, no worries for me – I got my cootie shot in third grade." He made her smile, that was for sure. He was the first guy to do that in a long time. The last boyfriend she'd had only lasted a couple of months and there hadn't been a deep connection. Max was different, this was different.

He watched her take the drink, unable to keep from smiling himself. "There's another in the bag. I just thought... sharing is nice. Makes it go further. And I mean, it implies trust. Not that me coming here and you inviting me didn't... it's just... yeah." He faltered, pushing his glasses back up his nose. "Well, you know. I'm sure."

"I get it, Max." Her smile widened as she opened the bottle and took a long sip. Oh, it was beyond good. "I'm glad you could come over and hang out." Setting the drink down on the counter, she bit down on her lower lip. "Is it okay if I give you a hug?"

He stared at her for a few seconds in shock before nodding, his cheeks and ears going a little red. "Yes...please?"

Cautiously, Rayna stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his midsection. He couldn't see it but her smile widened as she held onto him. For the first time, she felt safe. His arms wrapped around her in turn and she could feel the tension leaving him as he visibly relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Whoa," Max whispered, letting out a soft little laugh, hoping he wasn't reading too much into it. His heart on his sleeve, he already wanted to declare his undying devotion and carve her name into a tree. "You're really good at this."

"Yeah?" A little laugh escaped her lips as she released an exhale. "You've got great and strong arms. Feels nice."

He took a slow step back, his hands resting on her arms and he grinned at her. "I put in a lot of work for that. So… I mean… I hope they're strong. Kinda have to compensate for the one."

She grinned back at him, her cheeks flushed red. "You're kinda perfect."

He lifted his good hand up, pretending to clean water from his ear. "Okay, pretty sure I heard that wrong. Must have left some soap in there from my shower at the gym or something." Even though he was teasing, it was obvious he was giving her an out if she wanted to take it.

Rayna shook her head and folded her arms against her chest. "You didn't, Max. You're a decent guy and that's rare these days."

A decent guy.

He tried not to flinch, cracking a smile as he went for the humor rather than let her see the disappointment. "Well now you're being a little vague. Unicorn rare? Or purple SweeTarts rare? Gotta quantify if you're going to lay it down like that, Miss Barnes." He winked. "One doesn't exist. And the other is the greatest and sweetest surprise after pulling out three gross yellows in a row."

"Pretty much yes." To her, he was both of those things and so much more. It felt like she'd known him far longer than a few weeks shy of a year. She felt like she'd known him her entire life. "But if I had to pick? Second one. Absolutely. Except I'd rather pink or blue."

Max laughed, nodding. "Definitely the right answer. If you'd said green or yellow, I'd have turned around and walked out." He met her gaze, the smile fading slightly as he took her hands with his, forgetting for the moment to hide his bad one from view. He trusted her enough to stop caring. "Tell me this is for real. I'm not dreaming, right?"

She pinched his arm gently, smiling, "if you're dreaming, I am too."