“Let’s go, babe,” Joey yells, giving me enough of a push to just finish this off. I rush Bronx and tackle him against the ropes. He loses his balance, falling backward and out of the ring, instant disqualification. I’m on to the final round and he has to battle it out with Gary, who doesn’t seem too upset that his wife is out of the competition. If Joey were out, I wouldn’t even be in the ring. There isn’t a date that could be offered that I’d want if I couldn’t share it with her.
I start to climb out to my three cheerleaders, Joey, Millie, and Cole, but stop short and take in the scene before me. Joey and I are in a stiff competition with Cole and Millie, and yet we’re friends. I have no doubt we’ll be hanging out once this show is over and I finally pull my head out of my ass.
“Round four,” Patrick says. “Millie and Joey will go first, followed by Gary and Bronx.”
Cole and I heave the women into the ring. They’ve already had to fight once, but as luck would have it, they’re at it again. I know Joey is tired—we all are—but her tiny frame is having a hard time keeping the weight of suit up. I can tell by her posture that she’s sagging a bit.
Joey falls, letting Millie tackle her. The match is over before it even started and I know Joey did that so she can be done. As soon as she’s out of the ring, I’m helping her take her suit off. I still have another battle, although I intend to lose. I just hope its Gary that I’m losing to and not Bronx. I’m not sure I could stomach that defeat.
“I’m so tired,” she says, falling into useless arms.
“I know. It’s done now. You can sit and watch.”
“I really need a nap.”
A nap is just what we need and a shower. If we can’t have the master suite, the shower will have to do. I need her, especially after this crap with Bronx.
“As soon as we’re done, we’ll take one.” I hope I’m not overstepping by inviting myself. Alone time with her is worth it even if it means I’m watching her sleep from my side of the bed.
Gary and Bronx are up next and I try to hold Joey as we watch. Losing is even more appealing now because it gets me out of the fat suit quicker.
“You know, I think I’ve lost all that weight I’ve put on from eating your cake.”
“I never said you had to eat my cake,” she retorts.
I lean toward
her so she’s making eye contact with me. “I want to eat your cake.” I hope she gets the hidden meaning in my words. I know they’re stupid, but I’m trying. I’ve been wasting far too much time and need to put myself out there.
Joey’s expression is hard to read and I chalk that up to her not expecting me to say something like that. I turn back and watch the match, surprised to see that Gary is on top of Bronx and Patrick is already counting. It’s as if time stands still while we wait for Patrick to announce that Gary is the winner. And when he does, Gary is jumping up and down while the rest of us clap for him.
Now that Joey is out of her suit, I can reach her a bit easier. I kiss her on the head and climb back into the ring for the sixth and final round. Gary meets me in the middle and leans into me.
“Can you let me win?”
“Why?” His question shocks me even though I have no intentions of winning this match, but I want to know why.
He’s acting coy. A trait I haven’t seen in him since the show started. “I’d like to spend some time with Rebekah. We know each other.” He looks around and I’m not sure why. He has to know the camera is catching everything he’s saying and dubbing it for the viewers at home. He’s just sealed his and Amanda’s fate at coming in last. I say last because Bronx’s fans will be heavy supporters of him, regardless.
I don’t give Gary an answer as I step away from him. If he wants this, he’s going to have to fight for it. The bell rings and he comes at me like a thundering bull. If we were cartoon characters, his face would be red and steam would be billowing out of his nostrils. My reaction time is slow, and he slams me into the ropes. I’m thankful that the sumo suit takes most of the brunt force and allows me to bounce toward him. We grapple in the middle of the ring and it dawns on me that I’ve never asked whether he played sports in high school.
Joey and Millie start the countdown from ten seconds. It’s now or never. I move toward him, tripping over my own feet. I put on my best Oscar face as I fall to the mat, letting my arms flail. When Gary jumps on me, I groan and struggle to push him off me. I even whine a little for effect. I could fight him off, but who am I to stand in way of true love, or whatever connection he has with Rebekah. Bronx, however, might have a different idea and I’m sure Amanda will lose her shit.
Gary whispers thank you before he stands, setting me free. As soon as I’m out, Joey is there to help me out of my suit.
“You can’t be serious,” Amanda yells as she rushes to the mat. “If you go on the date with her,” she points at Rebekah, “you and I are done.”
Gary’s head turns as if it’s on a swivel, looking from Amanda to Rebekah. “It’s just a game,” Gary remarks, but Amanda isn’t buying it. She must know something, or she’s insanely jealous. Although, with the way Rebekah is around the girls, I’m not sure what she’d be jealous of.
“I mean it, Gary,” Amanda says, storming off.
“What was that?” she asks as her cold hands cool my overheated skin.
“I’ll tell you during nap time,” I reply as I wink at her.
She stops, and looks me in the eyes. The smile is faint, but it’s there, creeping along her lips. Joey’s cheeks flush and I want to jump up and down with excitement that I finally said something that is tearing down the wall around her heart.
I follow Joey to the side of the ring and start chanting for Millie. Cole joins, encouraging his wife to beat Rebekah. I find it odd and elbow him, giving him a questioningly look.