Xavier stands in front of me alternating lifts with fifty-pound dumbbells, while Assassin leans against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, watching us with a mixed expression of curiosity and amusement.
It’s almost as if he’s planning something devious, and I don’t like that thought one bit.
I debate whether or not to alert Xavier to the situation, but decide against it so he can remain focused on his match. If his head isn’t on right, he could get hurt out there. I can’t have him out there worried about this guy, who is obviously a jerk. After the match is over—when I know he’ll be able to handle it without getting himself hurt—I’ll tell him.
The short man, wearing a baseball cap and headphones with a mic attached, who has been alerting the men when their match is up pops into the room. “Assassin, you’re on deck, man.”
Assassin pushes himself off the wall and strides past us. Xavier’s body stiffens, as if it takes all of his self-control to allow him to pass without saying a word to him. I know exactly how he feels. It’s the same feeling I get when Deena is around.
The area goes nuts when Assassin’s entrance music plays, and his name is announced. The cheers from the crowd are unmistakable, and I wonder if they would love him as much if they knew that he was a grade-A asshole?
Xavier sets his weights down and begins to stretch. “I’m up next. You can watch from the monitors by the wrestler’s entrance into the arena, if you want.”
I stand. “Actually, I’ve got other plans.”
He tilts his head. “You’re not going to watch me?”
“I am, but Liv is going to take me out on the floor so I get the ‘extreme fan’ experience.”
He laughs and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against his chest. “I also plan on giving you a phenomenal experience again, tonight.”
I giggle as he kisses my lips.
“All right, that’s enough, lovebirds,” Brian says as he approaches us with one arm around Liv, holding Kami in the other.
My eyes instantly widen as I take in the shiny, gold belt around Brian’s waist. “You’re the champ?”
Kami pats his chest. “Daddy champ!”
Brian smiles at us. “She really isn’t a fan, is she, X?”
Xavier laughs. “Told you.”
I shrug, feeling embarrassed that I didn’t know.
Liv takes Kami from Brian’s arms and then gives him a quick kiss. “Have a good match, babe.” She turns to me. “Let’s hurry and get our seats.”
Xavier pats my butt after I pull away. “I expect extra loud cheering from your section when I come out.”
I laugh. “You got it.”
Liv leads me down the hall and waves at the security guards, addressing them by name. She turns to me and hands me a laminated pass. “Here, keep this on. You’ll need it until the guys get to know you. The show’s on a commercial break, so outside the door will be packed. Stick with me so I can get us to our seats.”
I nod and do as she instructed while following her through a door leading out into the public concession area. People mill about in every direction, and their chatter is deafening. We head through a tunnel into the arena, and I’m awed by the bright lights and sold-out crowd.
We bob and weave through the fans, and I spot a few ‘Phenomenal X’ t-shirts along the way. I need one of those, I think to myself, and laugh at the thought of always having him so close to me.
Finally, we arrive at our section, and Liv walks all the way over to last seat near the barricade. “You sit here. They’ll come down that ramp to get to the ring.”
The metal stage is backlit by millions of mini bulbs and a monstrous screen. There are several men running around, checking things before the show resumes, and the excitement in the air is so thick I can nearly taste it. An overhead announcement is made alerting people to take their seats.
“Thirty seconds.”
“Are you excited?” Liv asks me, balancing Kami on her hip.
“Yes! This is amazing. It’s one thing to watch videos and stuff, but it’s another to be here in the moment.”
A man in a dark suit steps into the ring, microphone in hand and my whole body jitters with excitement.
The lights dim and the crowd roars the moment Xavier’s entrance music, X Gon’ Give It To Ya, blares throughout the arena. My eyes flit to the huge screen, ecstatic to be out here watching him in all his glory. Twenty-five thousand spectators are on their feet going wild. Banners and posters pepper the stands with the words ‘Phenomenal X’ written across them.
“Keep your eyes on the black curtain. He’ll come through that.” Liv adjusts the noise canceling headphones on Kami’s little head. “It’ll get crazy when the crowd spots him.”
I grip the railing and lean against it for a better look around the slew of fans, who are already waving their arms like mad. Smoke wafts around the stage, and the lights in the entire arena shut off. Red flashes speckle the stage, drawing everyone’s attention. The camera crew line themselves up on the ramp, ready to catch all the action for the millions of viewers at home.
The moment Xavier steps through the curtains I swear the noise in the place amplifies ten decibels. My eyes rake over him as he stands there staring out at the crowd, his chiseled arms are on full display, and the fabric of the black tank top he’s wearing straining against his toned chest.
There’s no hint of emotion on his face as red lights shine on him. The intense expression on his face causes my heart to flutter. It’s intimidating, and reminds me a lot of the time in the bar when he went after that man who put something in my drink.