FIVE: Winner, Winner... Whiskey Dinner [CGW]

He barely remembered the walk back up the ramp or through the curtain. His ears were ringing, everything felt vaguely numb like the world's strongest edible had just kicked in. His pulse was pounding in his ears, breathing labored enough that he was seriously giving thought to going cold turkey on the smoking. He felt like he was going to pass out or shit his pants or maybe both in rapid succession but Bruce McLeod had too much pride to fall down. At least not until the locker room door closed behind him. Then and only then did he let his knees buckle, right in front of the hard wooden bench. He caught it with his hands, leaning forward to rest his arms as if he was coming back to church after the longest furlough of all time.

"I did it."

The words left his lips with the right amount of reverence, the type generally saved for rosary recitations and he closed his eyes as he took one shuddering breath after another, trying to keep the tears that stung his vision from falling.

A laugh bubbled up, breathless and soundless at first and he knew if he held that in, he'd probably shatter into a million pieces – Clarissa and her minions would probably like to see that. That mouthy bint had gone ass-over-teakettle to the floor, surprise written all over her face. She'd been forced to eat crow pie and a part of him wanted to rub salt in that wound in the worst way. The other part wanted to stay put, to give the moment its proper respect.

Not long after he entered the locker room and shut the door, did it open again. The blonde now known as Charity McLeod, stood in the doorway watching her husband. She was filled with so much pride for him that she was almost bursting with it and it made the smile on her face so bright it almost lit up the room. "Bruce." She said his name softly, letting him know she was there in case she was intruding on something.

"Cherry." Her name came out in a raw whisper, as if he barely lacked the energy to make his voice carry across the room.

She didn't doubt that he was completely drained. She'd watched him fight harder than she'd ever seen, knowing how badly he wanted to prove himself, that he was more than people gave him credit for. This wasn't news to her; she'd known all along.

Shutting the door behind her, she walked over to where he was seated. Gently, she placed her hands on his shoulders. Giving them a squeeze, she leaned over and kissed the top of his head. "You did it, my love. I am so proud to be your wife." She kissed the top of his head once more and took a seat next to him.

"Didn't think I could." He shook his head in disbelief, "despite all those folks sayin' not to count out the ol' dog… fuckin' hell, Cherry. Actually did it." His eyes met hers and she could tell by how red-rimmed they were that he'd been trying not to succumb to his emotions.

"But you did and you did it beautifully." Wrapping her arms around, she brought the side of his head to her chest. Her fingers ran through his hair. "And tonight, we are going to celebrate."

"Mmmm," that sound of lewd amusement melted into a rough laugh as he hugged her back. "Feastin'? Dancin'? Feats of strength? Feel like king of the universe. Mebbe should celebrate accordingly…" he was thinking it was the first time that he could ever remember that he'd won a match that had mattered in any way.

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Hearing him laugh was one of her favorite sounds and she had missed it. "I can take you back to the hotel and then if you want, we could hit the town or we could veg with room service and a hot bath. I can rub your muscles down."

"As exciting as a night on the town in Edmonton, Alberta sounds right about now, think I'd rather go back to the hotel. Stare at the walls. Less chance of bein' stampeded by a moose or ambushed by tha' shrill little banshee havin' a fit over tha' elimination. Sure we'll hear no ends about it in the next few days." Bruce lifted his head, mischief sparkling in his gaze now, even though he still looked exhausted. "Rather jus' shower there, if it's all the same. Less eyes. More privacy."

"I am one hundred percent fine with that." She grabbed one of his hands and brought it to her lips, gently kissing his knuckles. She had hoped he would want to just hang out at the hotel. She knew how stressed he'd been about the match. "I can already tell that you are going to sleep like a baby tonight."

"If I can get up off this rank floor," he quipped. "Nae real sure the legs are workin' right now."

"Then you just lean on me." She stood up and offered Bruce both of her hands.

He waved her off, grunting as he laid his palm flat on the bench and used it to push himself up. His legs held even though they felt like rubber and he flashed her a weak thumbs up. "Guess am nae's old as they say, hmm?"

Once he was on his feet, she took ahold of his hand and grabbed his nearby bag. "Not even a little bit." Leaning in, she gave him a kiss and smiled. "Let's get back to the hotel so I can pamper you."

"Most blessed words in the language, love." He let out a tired sigh as he shuffled towards the door, feeling exhausted but elated. "Got a real contract in a real company. First seed for the tournament. Winner of $15K. Back with me Cherry girl. Am the luckiest fella alive."


Once they made it back to their hotel room, Charity wasted no time in running Bruce a hot bubble bath. After she got him into the large jacuzzi tub, she got on the phone and ordered him a steak dinner from room service. The happiness she felt for him was indescribable and she was going to spend the evening making him feel like the king he was.

After he had been soaking in the tub for a bit, Charity walked into the bathroom and dressed in a cream-colored negligee. In one hand she had a bottle of whiskey and in the other, a glass with some ice. Making her way to the tub, she set the things down and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Can I pour you a celebratory drink?" Her hands kneaded his shoulders, wanting nothing more than to take care of him.

Bruce let out a guttural groan as the knots of tension loosened and he slid down a little into the opaque water, feeling a lot like he wanted to melt right down the drain. "Mmmm... jus' keep at...oooh." He winced as her fingers dug into his tender neck and he bowed his head to give her better access. "Was thinkin' how long it's been. Doin' this nonsense. With you. With... Jesus, how did we ever manage tae do it on our own?"

Charity thought about his question and shook her head. "I honestly don't know." Her hands continued to massage his neck, rubbing it as well. "I wonder that myself, too."

A wry snort came from him as he lifted his hand from the water and reached for the heavy bottle of whiskey that she'd left on the wide ledge of the tub. He cracked the seal with expertise and then looked at the lonely glass she'd brought in. "Nae much of a celebration when am doin' it alone," he tilted his head to look up at her, shaking the bottle in invitation. "Can't be afraid of it now, love. It brought us back together, after all. Feel I owe the distillery a fuckin' Christmas card for tha'... very least a nice edible arrangement."

Leaning in, she kisses the back of his neck. "You're right." Grabbing the bottle from him, she unscrewed the cap and took a swig. It burnt going down, but the taste reminded her of him. "We can get drunk and fool around like we did when we were dating."

His smirk lit up his whole face as he took the bottle from her. "See, now that's the homecoming ol' Bruce the future champion deserves." He took a swig, "an' I'll drink tae tha'."

"I gotcha covered, Baby." She took the bottle back and took another long drink. She winced as it went down. "I ordered you dinner." Setting the bottle down, her hands were back on his shoulders as she slid them down his chest. She was leaning against his back, her lips resting on his neck. "I am so proud of you."

"Lemme ask something…" he sighed, "do you think I can actually pull this off? Be a success? Know what they think… am some fuckin' geezer, past me prime. Halfway to retired. They... they can't – they won't – build a company on the back of the likes of me."

"Hush now," she stole his catchphrase, almost admonishing him. Her chin rested on his shoulder as she spoke, almost whispering right into his ear. "When you set your mind to something, you're the most stubborn and driven person I know. It's almost impossible to see beyond that goal. You're going to go far, Baby. Prove them all wrong. I have no doubts."

"With yeh here? Aye, love. Believe it. Believe a man could fly, even without youth an' pixie dust."