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𝙄𝙍𝙇!

(Still... Thursday, July 28th, 2022)

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I smirk as my phone continues to blow up over my Instagram post as the Uber turns into the hotel I'll be staying at for the next couple days.

WWE tries to keep all of the superstars together at the same place, but due to my appearance on Saturday at Summer Slam being a surprise, this one is a bit further from the rest.

"We're here, Miss Kae." My Uber driver smiles. "Let me get your door for you, and your things."

I smile back. It's not everyday random strangers are kind, but it's nice when they are. The driver's hair has gray peppered throughout his hair and some skin spots and wrinkles sprinkled throughout his face. I imagine he's in his 50's, probably someone's dad, definitely a husband with the proud wedding photo he has displayed on the dash.

"That's okay, thank you though."

"Please." He dips his head out of the car, opening my door.

I swipe loose strands of hair out of my face as I step out, soaking up the fresh air after the long drive from the airport.

I could definitely go for an iced-coffee and a strawberry Greek salad right now...

I check the time on my phone and it reads 3:54. I have a Skype meeting with Hunter at 4:30, so that gives me enough time to check-in and unpack... after the meeting I can DoorDash food and coffee before hitting the gym.

Then I have to go over my schedule for tomorrow, which is quite hectic.

"Is this your first time visiting Nashville?" The man asks as he opens the trunk for my bags. "We get lots of tourists as I'm sure you know."

I chuckle. "Oh yes. I've been a handful of times." I look around before leaning in a bit closer. "Just between us, I'm here for the WWE paper-per-view that's taking place at Nissan Stadium on Saturday." I speak lowly, placing my finger over my lips, though I can't imagine this random Uber driver would spoil the secret before then.

His face softens a bit before winking. "Ah. Your secret is safe with me."

"Are you a fan?" I ask, making light conversation, and letting my curiosity takeover.

He clears his throat, seeming to choke up a bit as he turns to grab the last bag. "Oh- uh, um."

Oh, oh yikes. I didn't realize the question would have such a loaded answer.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer that." I add quickly, flashing an apologetic smile.

He sighs. "Ah, no it's ok." He turns to face me, eyes a bit glassier than before. "I just never thought I'd run into one of you, which was silly me considering my job, right?" He chuckles before taking a deep breath. I wait patiently. "My son, he loved WWE. My wife and I use to watch with him every week when he was growing up." A fond smile brightens up his face a bit, though it's held with sadness. Oh no, is his son...?

"That's so sweet." I reply fondly. I've always loved hearing stories about how people got into watching WWE, as someone who grew up loving it myself.

"He uh, he passed away 10 years ago in a car accident. He was the passenger." The man reveals, confirming my thoughts.

My face falls. "Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss." I feel my chest tighten as a ringing sound fills my ears.

"Thank you." He says genuinely before shaking his head. "I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time with all this."

I rub my lips together, forcing the words that are stuck in the back of my throat to form. "No, no. It's not a bother at all." I assure him. Then more words come out, like word vomit. "Have you watched any since?"

He shakes his head. "No. No we haven't." The words come out as more of a whisper.

Again the words fly out of my mouth. "Would you like to?" Oh my god, Crimson, I hiss at myself, insensitive much?

His glassy eyes meet mine, and they soften.

I can't believe what I'm doing, but I had to have crossed paths with this man for some reason.

Strangers are never this kind, and if they are it's because they recognize me.

"Really?"

Well, it's too late to back out of it now.

I nod confidently. "Yes. I can get you and your wife tickets for Summer Slam." I breathe in through my nose. "I, uh, I'm not actually wrestling myself on Saturday, more of an appearance type of thing, but I'll be there." I explain, again shocking myself. I don't usually ever engage this much with people I don't know, other than maybe some service works over the years, but never like this. It's just not ever wise, or safe. Or my style...

Guess this man got lucky and caught me in a really good mood.

"Are you sure?" He blinks, causing me to leave my thoughts and come back to the conversation.

"Ah, yes. Uh, here." I snap out of it, reaching into my bag I grab a pen before having to take the entire thing off to search for something to write on. I quickly rip out a piece of paper from one of the couple notebooks in here and scribble down a promo code. "Here you go. It's supposed to be sold out, but there's always a way." I smirk, waving a hand before holding out the paper. "They'll be completely free, all you'll have to do is show up."

My head is spinning at my reaction. I've only ever done this one other time, when I first started out on NXT.

I was eating at a small diner and a kid ran up to me excitedly, gushing about she loved watching me wrestle and asked for my autograph. Her mother, my waitress, quickly and embarrassedly apologized but it was the first time I was ever noticed by a fan so I didn't mind at all, much to my surprise.

That was one of the reasons I wanted to become a WWE wrestler in the first place. I wanted to make a statement, an impact, a name for myself. I wanted to be someone's favorite wrestler, I wanted to inspire.

I let the little girl sit with me and ask me as many questions as she wanted. I even asked her mom if it was ok if I bought her ice cream. I signed the her backpack, a stuffed animal, one of the order slips, and we took several pictures together.

"Did you know you're my first fan to stop and talk to me?" I asked the little girl.

"No way." She rubbed her eyes sleepily as she giggled.

"Guess that makes you my number one fan." I smile.

When she fell asleep in the booth her mom admitted she has to bring her daughter with her to work because she has no where else to go. I remember frowning, not understanding why. No grandparents? No daycare? Nothing?

Her mom ended up breaking down to me that she can't afford a babysitter or daycare. She spends all her time working to afford the little that they have. She got pregnant when she was a teenager and her family kicked her out of the house. Of course she apologized a million times for crying in front of me and telling me all of this, that she's never done something like this before, especially not to costumers, but that she couldn't be more grateful for the time I took for her daughter.

Her story made my chest tighten, as my heart shattered at how much this mom held in and let out to me. How much she loves her daughter. She went on to say they keep wrestling on the tv here at the diner and that's how her daughter started watching, loving me from the moment I debuted.

I took my entire paycheck, only the second one I had received, and gave it to her without giving it a second thought. I could be released the very next day and it wouldn't change a thing.

"I-I can't take this." The waitress stutters out, tears streaming down her face once again.

"Yes you can." I look at her in the eyes, nodding. "And you will."

"N-no really, oh my god, this is far too much. And you'll need it, and-" She carries on, causing her daughter to stir a bit beside her but remain asleep.

I let out a chuckle. "I do not need it, not as much as you two, I promise." I glance at the peaceful sleeping child. "If not for you, than take it for her." I nod in her direction. "I wish my mother was as half as a good of a mom as you." The words slip right off of my tongue before I can stop them, surprising me and her.

She takes my hand in hers causing me to freeze and tense up for a minute. "Thank you." She looks up at the ceiling. "Thank you, Lord." She looks back down at me as her lip quivers. "How can I ever repay you?"

I smile genuinely at her. "You can give yourself a break and give that little girl the world." I pause. "And you can come to the show on Tuesday." She lets out a gasp as her mouth falls open. "On me."

The man takes it gently. "I-I can't thank you enough."

"And you don't have to." I blink, leaving the fond memory. "Just make sure to cheer extra loud when you see me." I smirk thinking of the plan.

"That we can do." He nods, light reaching his eyes for the first time since I entered his car.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Uhhh, hi... Sorry for not updating this book for a hot sec lol. I published it, started this chapter, then got slammed with college so my heavy motivation & inspiration unfortunately got put on the back burner... BUTTT, thanks to a lovely new mutual commenting, my motivation & inspiration was sparked back to life! So here we are ;)

When I first started writing this chapter, this was not my plan/intent AT all, but when I came back to it again & started writing this little idea just started writing itself & honestly I love it so much!! It really shows Crimson's connection with fans & I love to see that with WWE Superstars when we get the chance!!

So, with that being said I hope you all enjoyed! Please don't be afraid to comment your thoughts, questions, & reactions, as you just read they are a huge help <3

And happy birthday to my absolute favorite wrestler ever, Roman Reignsss♥️ (even though he isn't actually featured in this chapter lmao, he's coming! But I thought of no better time to update this week than for his bday!) Oh! And Happy King & Queen of the Ring Day!!! <3