“…We have to get our own hotel room.” I mumbled, my brain struggling to find the correct words.

  “We can totally do that.” He grinned.

  “Great,” I returned to my prime cuddle position against Logan’s surprisingly cozy chest.

  “…I know Elle’s Rainy-Day French Toast is meant to distract you from your problems, but I just want to put it out there that you can talk to me about anything if you want.”

  “Thank you. I’m still processing things right now. But I appreciate you so much you have no idea.” I admitted.

  “Happy to be here for you, sweetie! Now I’m sorry to break up our cuddle fest, but I’ve gotta grab a shower and get around for work. But I want you and Blobby to take it easy today. Just chill in bed, watch cartoons, read a book, nap. Just chill.”

  I groaned loudly, not at his suggestions for my day but at him leaving me alone in bed. My dramatic pout made a return appearance as Logan climbed out of bed. My puppy dog eyes and very pouty lip had no effect on him as he apologized again before ducking into the bathroom. I listened as the shower started. With a deflating sigh, I lamented that there wasn’t a way to tell Logan how much I appreciated him, how happy he made me feel. Without those three massive bombs masquerading as words, I didn’t have the language skills to express my feelings to Logan. A shit predicament for a writer.

  I can show him…

  Smiling, I hopped out of bed and yanked off my pajamas like a man doused in gasoline in a room full of matches.

  Logan whipped around towards me as I stepped into the shower. I took a moment to appreciate the sculpted man before me as hot water poured over his muscles.

  “Can I help you Elle?” He asked jokingly.

  I didn’t reply. I simply dropped to my knees and showed my appreciation. Logan might have been extremely late to the bar that afternoon.

  Logan

  “I hate Detroit traffic!” Nick spat through gritted teeth as he pulled his SUV into a parking spot.

  Even after fighting stop-start traffic, we were too early to check into the hotel. It forced Elle to tag along to the stadium. Thankfully, Zeke and Nick kept their voices down and she slept most of the drive. I reached for her hand as we climbed out of the backseat.

  “So, my phone pinged while you were sleeping. Blobby is now 19 weeks and the size of a mango.” I smirked proudly.

  “Wow, a mango. They are getting so big.” Elle smiled as she wiped sleep from her eyes.

  “…Do they mean a big mango or a small mango?” Nick stopped mid-step.

  “A standard mango.” I muttered through gritted teeth.

  “Nick’s right though, all mangos aren’t the same size. What if where you live mangos are like basketball sized, and this app tells you your baby is the size of a mango? What happens then?” Zeke countered.

  The four of us were stopped in the middle of the parking lot having this fucking conversation. I exhaled deeply through my nose. My friends had always been like this. I’ve known them for years. But God, sometimes it felt like they didn’t have a braincell between the two of them.

  “I think in most cases, mangos are around 5 or 6 inches. No basketball sized babies here. At least not yet.” Elle explained with all the care and patience I no longer possessed after dealing with them for nearly two decades.

  Nick and Zeke nodded their understanding, and we continued walking. I was suddenly unsure about leaving Elle with the pair of dumbasses.

  “So? How’s it looking, Doc?” I asked as Dr. Miller lowered my arm to my side.

  The bushy eyebrowed man smirked at me as he sat on a stool and looked over my chart on his tablet. Most of MWA’s shows were filmed at Ember Stadium. The shiny, new sports arena was home to football and wrestling, a weird intersection of macho and wannabe macho. All the athletes shared the sports medicine area with high-tech equipment, dedicated staff, and doctors. Coming to America from Japan, signing with MWA wasn’t anything like any of the other promotions I’d worked with stateside.

  MWA was a grassroots production, bankrolled by a lifelong wrestling fan with an eye for the business world. Joe Hollis was a rich nerd, but his dad was rich rich. His dad’s money opened the doors for Joe’s dream to access a massive television deal and top press. But the best thing about wrestling for MWA was at a base level, the culture was different. The breakneck traveling pace and living out of a suitcase 365 wasn’t a part of the deal. We still traveled, of course. But MWA had a home base where most of our shows were filmed. Twice a quarter for pay per views and special shows, we would go on the road. The utter joy of not having to live out of a suitcase and only travel two hours to live my dream.

  “I looked over the file that your local office sent over, and that combined with my exam today, I’m not seeing anything that would keep you out of the ring. Just take it easy on that side. Try not to hit it or fall on it too hard and everything should be fine. I’ve followed your career and I know you’re a man who likes to push through, but look what the power of rest can do.” Dr. Miller mused aloud.

  I rolled my eyes. He was totally right, but I wasn’t going to admit that. We shook hands and the good Doc left to give Joe an update. No sooner than I had opened the staff entrance door Joe accosted me. We had talked a bit over video chat, but he was clearly excited to see me in the flesh. He yanked me into his office and excitedly gushed about his plans for me. His plan was brilliant. He and the writer’s room had cooked up a winner and now that I had the greenlight, I was excited to get to work. I zipped up my hoody and went in search of my girlfriend.

  I opened the door to the training area and smiled. Two wrestling rings were set up beside each other. In one ring a few guys were practicing spots and trying to layout ideas for tomorrow night. Slams echoed through the air as bodies crashed into the mat. Nick and Zeke were already in the ropes. They were talking excitedly with Jay and Zeno of a tag team called The Jesters. Zeno was the quiet muscle who juggled on his way to the ring, and Jay was the acrobatic mouthpiece. Their gimmick was literally ripped from a Ren fair. It was stupid, but they were great guys. I shot them a wave and kept looking for Elle.

  I finally found her in the back of the room. Leaned against the wall for support, she talked with Matt’s crush, Jessa Haze, Daisy Tee, Lakia, and a few other women wrestlers. The contrast in their body types did something to my brain. All the women in MWA were incredibly sexy. Older to younger. From the thicker, heavyset ones to the ones with more abs than me. Women in the best shape who wouldn’t hesitate to kick anyone’s ass. But my sweet little Elle stuck out like a sore thumb with her growing bump. She was the sexiest woman in the room. Elle looked up, I waved, and her face lit up. The women noticed her change in expression and turned in my direction only to break out in a fit of giggles.

  “Hey ladies!” I smiled.

  “Can I just say nobody would have guessed you had a girlfriend. Especially a pregnant one.” Lakia huffed as she adjusted her cat ear headband.

  In the ring or backstage, Lakia always wore her cat ears and a neon colored choker. I couldn’t tell if it was a quirky fashion choice or just her living her character. The hint of cynicism in her voice caught me off guard, and I shrugged in response.

  “Are they treating you well?” I asked.

  Elle nodded. “Everyone is great. How did things go?”

  “Great. I’m back baby!” I puckered my lips and blew her a kiss. Her cheeks scrunched and everyone laughed.

  “I never thought I’d see the day Logan would bring a partner around!” A voice exclaimed.

  I looked over my shoulder to Amber Leigh standing behind me. A tall woman with shoulder length, shockingly bright red hair. Her curt, straightforward nature was enough to strike fear in the hearts of anyone. But on top of all that, she was Joe Hollis’ fiancée. Amber stood at least half a foot taller than Joe. She affectionately loved to lean her forearm on his head, and Joe would simply smile as his cheeks flushed pink. The fact that such a mousy, nerdy dude like Joe landed an amazingly no bullshit woman like Amber gave hope to everyone in the locker room.

  “What can I say?” I winked at her, reaching into my false confidence.

  Amber clearly saw through that and rolled her eyes at me before sidestepping me and walking right up to Elle. “Nice to meet you, Elle. My name is Amber.”

  The two shook hands.

  “He may be your boyfriend, but I only trust myself to take care of you while you’re here at MWA. Let’s talk.” Amber wrapped an arm over Elle’s shoulders and led her out of the training area.

  “So do you think she’ll bring her back?” Jessa asked.

  “I hope this doesn’t mean my kid is MWA property now.” I mused.

  Jessa laughed. I took Elle’s place, leaning against the wall. But with her gone, the women lost interest and wandered off. Lakia shot a very pointed, narrowed glare at me before she walked away.

  “Thanks, by the way,” Jessa propped herself up on the wall beside me. “Without you reaching out, I don’t think I would have ever looked at Zeke twice. He’s a really is a nice guy.”

  “You might be the first woman in the history of ever to say that about him.” I deadpanned.

  Jessa narrowed her eyes at me. I grinned.

  “Just trying to help a friend. You know how it is when one guy in a group of friends gets into a relationship. He acts like he knows it all and tries to hook up all his friends.”

  Jessa nudged my shoulder, “You’re ridiculous.”

  “I am. So, shall I show these folks how it’s done?” I wiggled an eyebrow at her.

  Jessa shot me two thumbs up and we headed over to the ring. As I stepped onto the ring apron, I couldn’t help noticing Zeke stop to smile at Jessa. His entire face turned a deep shade of pink. I coughed hard to stop myself from busting a gut laughing. He and Nick did nothing but give me grief, but they were just as susceptible to love as anyone.

  Love….

  I shook off that thought, wiped off my feet, and entered the ropes. Nick, Matt, Jay, Zeno and I walked me through my showing for the show tomorrow. With anything taking time away, then diving headfirst back into it was bound to be awkward. I was eager and ready to go mentally, but my body had other ideas. Too many late nights and cheat days filled with greasy, unhealthy food left me running slower than usual. I rubbed my lower back and said a silent prayer that my enthusiasm would make up for any missteps. I hopped out of the ring and grabbed my water bottle.

  “I can tell you’re worried by that stupid look on your face.” Nick pointed at me.

  Mouth full of water, I couldn’t respond so I raised an eyebrow.

  He leaned over the ropes and shouted, “Get out of your head, asshole!”

  “Has mopey, fake emo boy returned?” Zeno laughed.

  “Shit, does that mean he’s gonna dye his hair black again?” Zeke asked.

  “Fuck you guys! That black hair looked good, and you know it!” I retorted.

  “I think the only person who liked that was Yuki.” Jay said, joining in on the ribbing.

  “Yuki and Elle are definitely not one in the same!” Nick snorted.

  My nostrils flared at the mention of my first love. Yuki was a legend in the wrestling world. They mentioned constantly his name, so that I had gotten used to. But he had never been mentioned at the intersection of my past and now. The four of them howled with laughter and I chugged the rest of my water in an effort not to cuss all of them out. A few deep breaths for good measure I got back in the ring for another run through of the moves I felt rusty on. After that, I watched from ringside as Nick and Zeke worked through some moves with Jay and Zeno. The four of them were in sync and their moves looked very fluid. Nothing but praise from me. The crowd would be behind them tomorrow, but I couldn’t say the same for me and nothing seemed to quell the nerves that churned in my chest.

  “I think I have the landing right, but I want to try it one more time.” Zeno said as he hopped up from the mat.

  I grabbed my phone off the floor and glanced at the time. It was past 3.

  “Shit!”

  “What’s wrong?” Nick asked.

  “We’ve been in here for fucking hours and I have no idea where my pregnant girlfriend is!” I feverishly brushed my hand through my hair.

  I was better than this. At least I thought that was the case, before I was wrestling with my friends for hours and not once thinking about my pregnant girlfriend.

  Asshole! Asshole! Asshole!

  “She’s with Amber, right? I’m sure she’s fine.” Zeke shrugged.

  That wasn’t the point, and I didn’t have the energy to explain that to him. I grabbed my hoody and rushed out of the training room. A string of profanity left my mouth as I fought to put the damned thing on. A hoody I had worn hundreds of times was now a balled-up mess of fabric that I couldn’t find the sleeves of.

  “Fucking piece of fucking shit!” I threw it on the floor.

  As if God himself was laughing at me, the fabric unfurled the moment it touched the ground. I huffed and grabbed it, this time having much more success putting the damn thing on. I zipped it and started down the hall. My clumsy, rushed steps were stopped by Elle and Amber turning the corner. The knot in my chest, cause by my own neglect loosened at the sight of her safe and sound. Elle waved at me, and I launched myself at her. My chest heaved as I sprinted down the hall and wrapped her in my arms. Her face buried in chest muffled her giggles.

  “Told you he’d still be here!” Amber laughed.

  “Sweetie! I’m so sorry! Is everything okay? How are you and Blobby?” I held her back at arm’s length and looked her over.

  “We’re great!” Elle beamed up at me. “Amber took me for mocktails and taps? Tapas? However, you say it. Then we went to a spa and got massages and I got my nails done!”

  Grinning, Elle waved her buffed and polished nails at me.

  “Toes too!” She wiggled her freshly painted toenails in a pair of new sandals.

  I blinked as my heart rate lowered.

  “I gave her a tour of the place. Then I knew you guys would be in there forever, so me and Elle had some girl time. She was worried you’d be looking for her, but I knew you’d be focused on in ring stuff. No big deal, but maybe next time try to make sure your pregnant girlfriend is comfortable.” Amber chided.

  I nodded and muttered a quiet thank you. Amber had firmly put me in my place. She nodded at me now that we both had an understanding.

  “Don’t forget to send me that script!” Amber said as she wrapped Elle up in a bear hug.

  “Will do! Talk to you tomorrow!” Elle smiled.

  Amber shot me a narrowed look before she walked away. The clacking of her heels echoed as she walked down the hall.

  “How did practice go?” Elle asked.

  I grabbed her shoulders and stared at her lovely face.

  “Elle, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Amber took care of me.”

  “I’m thankful she did, but that’s my job. I’m sorry that stupid wrestling got in the way of that.”

  Elle wrapped her arms around my waist, “Wrestling isn’t stupid… I mean, it totally is, but we like it that way. Besides, I know you want to take care of me, but I’m a big girl. I will be okay for a few hours while you get some practice in. Don’t worry about me.”

  I buried my face in her hair and sighed.

  Easier said than done…

  Elle

  “What kind of ‘fancy’ restaurant runs out of fucking ice cream?!” I crossed my arms with a huff.

  We were headed back to our hotel room after having dinner with Zeke and Jessa. My first double date and my first time at a fancy restaurant, complete with mood lighting. I sipped my lemonade and sided eyed the hell out of Matt, who was clearly taken by Jessa. He was still an airhead, but a sweet, cute airhead who pulled out her chair and hung off her every word.

  We stepped onto the elevator and Logan hit the button for our floor. As the doors closed, he leaned against the wall. His lips curved up on one side in an infuriatingly, mocking, shit-eating smirk.

  “Just because the Wellington was good doesn’t mean they’re able to coast by on ruining dessert!” I added another bullet point to my shit list.

  Logan shook his head. “Sweetheart, restaurants sometimes run out of food. I don’t think it was a personal slight again you.”

  “You say that, but I’m not sure, our waitress seemed kinda shifty.”

  Logan opened his mouth to attempt to refute my very good and very valid point, but the elevator opened on our floor, saving me from hearing what he had to say. When I realized I had left my key in the room, I stopped. I bit my lip, ignoring Logan’s stupid grin as he slid in the key and opened the door. I stepped into our room and started dropping clothes with each step. Left shoe, right shoe, dress, underwear, and bra. The moment my heavy, swollen breasts were set free from their cage, I sighed a sigh of utter relief.

  “Changing into my pajamas!” I shouted to Logan, who was too busy staring at my pregnancy boobs to hear what I was saying.

  Laughter tickled my throat as I closed the bathroom door behind me. I had left my pajamas on the floor earlier when what I thought would be a cozy night in became a double date after a nervous last-minute call from Matt. Back in my cozy candy themed pajamas, I eyed my hair products that Logan had arranged for me on the counter. I hated it, but I needed to do my hair. Wide-toothed comb, detangling cream, and bonnet in hand, I opened the bathroom door to an empty room.