{Chapter 4}
“Well, right now I have a match to prepare for,” Kennedy said to Isabella. “Would you like to meet my opponent?”
“Uh…okay,” she replied.
“Great,” Kennedy said smiling. He took her hand and led her out into the hall. Scanning the people milling about he spotted who he was looking for. “Hey, Shawn,” he called waving to the older man. He led Isabella down the hall toward the man.
“Hey, Kennedy, Kennedy,” Shawn said smirking. “Hey, man, I’m real sorry about your dad.”
“Thanks,” Kennedy said.
It was then that Shawn saw Isabella with Kennedy. “And who is this lovely lady? You’re not stepping out on Cindy, are you?”
“No,” Kennedy replied chuckling. “Wouldn’t dream of it. This,” he said wrapping an arm around Isabella’s shoulders and giving her a squeeze. “Is my little sister, Isabella.”
“I didn’t know you had a little sister,” Shawn said. “Isabella, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Shawn,” Isabella said politely. “Ken? Can I speak to you a moment?”
“Sure,” Kennedy replied excusing himself from Shawn and following Isabella down the hall a bit. “What’s up?”
“Look, we haven’t had a test done to prove we’re related yet,” she said. “Could you cool it with the little sister intro?”
“How would you like me to introduce you,” Kennedy demanded crossing his arms across his chest.
“I don’t know,” Isabella replied with a huff. “It’s just weird being introduced like that. I’ve been an only child for twenty seven years.”
Kennedy smirked. “You don’t like being a little sister?”
“I don’t like thinking I might be related to a goofball like you,” she replied punching his arm.
“My girlfriend thinks I’m charming,” he replied.
“That poor girl,” Isabella giggled.
Jeff Hardy walked by just then. “Hey, Jeff,” Kennedy said waving him over. “Would you mind keeping an eye on Isabella for me.”
“I’m not five,” she said. “And please call me Izzy. I hate Isabella.”
“I know you’re not five, Izzy,” Kennedy said. “I just don’t want you getting lost or mixed up with certain unsavory characters.”
“Not a problem, Ken,” Jeff said smiling. “My match is last so I got all the time in the world. Go on. Shawn’s waiting.” He motioned to where the older man was trying to get Kennedy’s attention.
Together Jeff and Isabella watched Kennedy walk off, meeting up with Shawn. They soon disappeared, hearing Kennedy’s music blasting through the arena. Jeff smiled and turned his attention to Isabella.
“Come on,” he said taking her hand and practically dragging her down the hall.
“Where are we going,” she asked as they dodged people heading onto God knew where.
“Special spot I like to go to watch the matches,” Jeff replied smiling. “I think you should see your brother in action. He’s really quite entertaining. Of course Shawn’s no slouch either.”
“I’ll have no idea what’s going on,” Isabella said not at all looking forward to watching professional wrestling.
“It’s not that hard to figure out,” Jeff said as they entered an area that looked down on the ring. They could see the fans, but no one could see them as they took seats. “Just watch and listen to the crowd’s reaction.”
Isabella sighed and turned her attention to the ring. Like the crowd she found it frustrating when Kennedy kept ducking out of the ring when Shawn tried to kick him. She could understand why the fans were booing him. To her he seemed like a coward. She cringed when Shawn finally managed to kick Kennedy in the face and get the pin.
“That has got to hurt,” she said. “And Ken actually enjoys doing this?”
“We’ve all got a few screws loose,” Jeff replied with a smirk. “Yeah, it’s hell on our bodies, but hearing the roar of the crowd makes all the pain worth it.” He could see that Kennedy and Shawn had vacated the ring. “Come on.”
Again he took her hand and dragged her off. It was all Isabella could do to keep up with Jeff. As they were headed toward the locker room Randy Orton approached them.
“Hey, Jeff, I need to go over a few things before our match,” Randy said. Isabella took him in. He was tall and muscular, though not overly so. He was very handsome and had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. She found herself staring at him, unable to look away. It was then that Randy noticed her standing there. “And who is this?” He smiled at Isabella.
“This is Isabella,” Jeff said wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “She’s Ken’s…” He groaned when Isabella elbowed him in the ribs.
“Isabella Burroughs,” she said smiling at Randy and holding out her hand for him to shake. He took her hand and placed a kiss to the back of it. “I’m a friend of Ken’s.”
“Just a friend,” Randy asked laying on the charm. She nodded. “I’m Randy Orton. The Legend Killer.” Though she had no idea what he was talking about she smiled, blushing a little as he flirted with her.
“Izzy,” Jeff said still rubbing his sore ribs. “Why don’t we go meet Ken. He should be back from his match.” He didn’t like the way Randy was eyeing her up and down as if he was about to devour her. He made a mental note to warn Ken later. “As soon as I help her find Ken I’ll come run through things with you, Randy.”
“Was nice meeting you, Randy,” Isabella said unable to keep the smile off her face.
“Hope we meet again, Isabella,” Randy said smiling and waving as Jeff dragged her away. Though she hated her name it somehow sounded so good rolling off Randy's tongue.
“Izzy, you don’t wanna get caught up with Orton,” Jeff said as they walked away.
“Oh,” she asked, intrigued now. She should have learned better by now, but damn it if she didn’t love bad boys.
“He calls himself the Legend Killer, but everyone around here calls him the Lady Killer behind his back,” Jeff said shaking his head. “Rumor has it he’s got a woman in every city, sometimes more than one.”
“Interesting,” Isabella said, really intrigued. Lady Killer…we’ll just have to see about that.
“Hey,” Ken said smiling when he saw her.
“I took her up to see your match,” Jeff said proudly.
“How’d you like it,” Kennedy asked.
“Doesn’t your face hurt,” she asked. “I mean Shawn kicked you…”
“We have ways of making things look much more painful than they actually are,” Kennedy replied. “Not to say we don’t go through our share of pain. Sometimes things are a little exaggerated.”
“I see,” Isabella replied.
“So, if you don’t mind hanging around a bit more I’ll go jump in the shower and change and then we can go get a late dinner or something.”
“Actually,” Isabella said. “If you don’t mind I’d like to stay and watch Jeff’s match.” Jeff beamed at her words. “It’s just…I’d like to see what he can do in the ring.” Jeff never for a second thought that she had an ulterior motive for wanting to see his match.
“All right,” Kennedy replied. “Well, Jeff, would you mind taking her back to the spot so she can watch the rest of the show. I’ll come find her when I’m all ready.” He turned back to Isabella. “Is that all right with you, Izzy?”
“Sure,” she replied smiling.
Jeff led her back to the spot where they had watched Kennedy’s match, explaining who the people were until he finally had to go get ready for his match. It wasn't very long before Kennedy had found them and took over telling her about angles and explaining why things were happening so that Jeff could prepare for his match. Isabella had to admit that she found things really fascinating. She had never realized how much went into each match.
It finally came time for Jeff’s match. Kennedy let her know when Jeff’s music started. She watched as Jeff bounced down to the ring smiling at how full of energy and charisma he was. When she heard Randy’s music start up she watched as he sauntered to the ring, his championship belt slung proudly over his shoulder. There was just something about him that she was drawn to.
During the match Isabella found herself reacting to the action just like the crowd. Kennedy couldn’t hide the smile as he watched her. For someone who had thought his profession was fake the night before she was reacting to the action just like he knew she would. It made him happy to see she was being entertained despite the fact that she had no clue what was going on.
“So, what did you think of your first wrestling show,” Kennedy asked once Jeff had pinned Randy.
“I had no idea how much fun it could be watching this stuff,” she said smiling.
“Still think it’s fake,” he teased as they headed back to his locker room so he could grab his bag.
“All right so I was wrong,” Isabella said smirking. “But come on, certain aspects are fake.”
“True,” Kennedy relented. “But you can’t fake gravity.”
“Wow, it’s late,” she said glancing at her watch.
“Hey, why don’t you come back to the hotel,” Kennedy suggested. “I can introduce you to a few of the guys and I have an extra bed that you can use if you don't want to drive home later.”
She needed a split second to think about his offer. It was a possibility that Randy would be there. If that was the case she definitely wanted to be there.
“Sounds like a plan,” she replied. “Good thing today and tomorrow are my days off.”
“Great,” Kennedy said smiling. They grabbed his bag and then headed to the parking lot. She followed in her car to the hotel.
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