Page 84 of Wild Side
You are.
CHAPTER 29
RHYS
“What thefuckwas that?”I spit the words across Anthony’s office before the door has even clicked shut behind me. On my way in, I walked past several colleagues, and though they offered polite hellos, they stayed far away thanks to the massive storm cloud hanging over my head.
Anthony looks up at me over the rims of his wire-framed glasses. He’s wearing a suit like always, and his head looks freshly shaved. “Nice to see you too, Rhys.”
I don’t bother sitting down. I’m too agitated.
Instead, I toss my phone down, grip the back of the chair, and lean over his desk. “I’ve been trying to call you.” I nod at my phone. “The weird I-stole-your-girlfriend storyline full of over-the-top sexual innuendos needs to die a fiery death. I’m not playing that fucking game, Anthony. I’m a wrestler, not a soap opera actor.”
“Yeah, but you look like you could be on one.” His hands spread wide as though he’s envisioning a headline. “He stole his girl, and now he’ll steal his championship belt,” he quips, clearly not concerned about the fury rolling from me.
“This has always been a no. End it.” I’ve always maintained that I don’t want one of these storylines and have threatened toquit if they wrote me one. And I’ve been in demand enough to get away with it.
The older man leans back in his swivel chair, peering at me over steepled fingers. “You agreed to this when you took unexpected time off to get married. Plus, the internet is buzzing about you popping up for that promo with a shiny new wedding ring on your finger.”
Fuck, I should have taken that off. That’s Tabby’s ring. Not a prop.
But he’s not above using my personal life for his show.
My teeth gnash as protectiveness surges through me. I’ve always known Anthony is not my friend. He’s a businessman, a shark with dollar signs in his eyes, and I’ve only been able to keep him at a heel because he’s needed me more than I’ve needed him.
Until that one call. And I’d make that call again, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to rip his fucking head off.
“Nice wedding gift, Tony,” I grit out.
The asshole just smiles. “Relax. It’s not like you need to fuck her. We’re talking a kiss when the timing is ri?—”
“Absofuckinglutely not.” My knuckles go white as I grip the chair.
“And an unmasking, but you’ll get your championship back. It will push you into full baby-face territory and give Will that full heel turn we want for him.”
Shock renders me speechless.Baby facemeans he wants to make me the “good guy,” andturning Will heelmeans “full bad guy.” Personally, I prefer to straddle the middle line, but it’s not looking like I’m being given that option. My body coils tight as I glare back at my boss. “I’m not doing this.”
He shrugs. “You’re under contract, and you gave verbal agreement. You’re too honest to say you didn’t.”
A feeling of helplessness surges through me. It takes me back to my childhood. Moved around. Assigned to new families. Choices being made about my life when I had no say in them. My power stripped.
Words fail me as my throat constricts. Years spent working for this company. The travel, the lost sleep, the injuries, the exhaustion, the loneliness. And thisis where it gets me.
“Elle had no problem with the creative direction, so it’s time for you to swallow your pride and get on board.”
I scoff. “Of course she didn’t.”
I’ve been beating off her advances behind the scenes for the better part of the last two years. She’s a prime example of someone who knows exactly what she wants from me—a partner in the company to create a wrestling legacy with. To be attached to the highest paid and arguably most popular wrestler on the roster. Maybe we’re a match that way. But I could not be less attracted to her.
Most of all, I don’t trust her, which might be the biggest turnoff of all. She knowsnothingabout me, so I can’t for the life of me understand why she pursues me beyond superficial reasons.
It’s shit like this that’s kept me single.
It’s shit like this that makes me think of Tabitha. Strange as it may seem, I trust her. And this entire situation makes my chest ache with missing her.
She’d have an earful to give Anthony right about now. She’d go to bat for me.
Where Elle knows I’m going to hate this and is eager to do it anyway.
