Day of Infamy 2020

January 14, 2020 – New York City

While most of the roster was probably arriving in Cleveland for Breakdown the next night, I traveled over to New York City for the day to meet with my new business associate, Josh Hudson, about a project we’d agreed to take on together. IFW was clearly his passion project, and for whatever reason he wanted me in on this with him. But there were things he’d left out. After lunch with Bree during the previous week, I’d learned they’d been intimate about a year or so ago. That was a fact Josh seemed to allude to, but not straight up with me on. It was at least a little irritating. We had to be honest with each other if we were going to do this. I walked into a mostly open office space in Brooklyn and saw him sitting on one of the few desks, looking over some documents and sipping a drink. He looked up as I caught his eyes and shot me a grin.

Josh: Well hey there, partner. You look great as always. What do you think of our new place?

Jordan: I think… it looks better than the pictures.

Josh: So it will work?

Jordan: It will work just fine, yeah.

Josh looks down next to him and pats his hand on the desk. I walk toward him, but then pivot away and lean against the wall. He reaches for his glass and pours himself some more whiskey, and then reaches for another. I hold up a hand and he pours anyway. I sigh and he can’t help himself but to laugh at me.

Josh: Stop being such a sourpuss. You know you aren’t really like them.

Jordan: What’s that supposed to mean?

Josh: You’re not stuck up. I know it. This is an act. You came from humble beginnings. I mean other than the shit I’ve heard about. You only recently got this money and you act like you came from it.

Jordan: Well… apparently stuck up girls don’t seem to bother you much.

Josh raises a brow as he hands me my glass and motions to me to drink up. Sometimes it feels like he’s just trying to get me drunk.

Josh: What are you trying to get at, sweet stuff?

Jordan: First, don’t call me that. Second, I know about you and Bree.

Josh: What about me and Bree.

Jordan: You know.

He smiles and puts his glass to his lips and takes a long sip and then shrugs, giving me the most animated, fake, I don’t know expression I’ve ever seen.

Josh: I don’t know what you’re talking about at all, babe.

Jordan: I know you fucked Bree!

Josh: Heh, which time?

My eyes go wide and his smile seems to grow from ear-to-ear.

Josh: Let me just ask you something. Say when we met I told you. I just said, well hey, you should know I had a relationship with Bree. We fucked a few times. Would that have really changed anything about this for you?

Josh stands up, drink in hand and takes another step toward me. He shifts to the side and puts his free arms against the wall and leans against it.

Josh: You know the truth is you wanted this. Maybe even more than me. You heard my offer and everything involved and you didn’t even hesitate. You practically signed before you gave your own lawyers a thought. Face it, this is what you want. You want to be the star or the boss or something like that. So what does it matter if I fucked your friend?

I shake my head and take a sip and move away from the wall, sitting on that desk where he was before.

Jordan: Maybe I did want it. But I don’t know. It sure seemed to matter to her.

Josh: So she brought it up, huh? Interesting.

He rubs his chin as he thinks about it. I cut off his thought quickly.

Jordan: Obviously she told me. And you know that’s the only way I’d find out. I don’t hear a lot of people talking about the great storied relationship between you two.

Josh: I’m hearing it from you right now. It sounds pretty incredible to be honest.

Jordan: Shut up… don’t be obnoxious.

Josh: Listen, if you really want to know, I can give you all the details you want. It was intoxicating.

Jordan: Why the hell do you think I’d want details?

Josh: I know what you like. It was divine.

I wave my hands and stop him. For some reason, I didn’t imagine this would turn into a conversation about Bree’s vagina. I clearly underestimated Josh. I take another sip of that amber-colored liquid and swallow it down. He makes it look so easy the way he drinks it like water. I know better. I’ve been mixing alcohol with my valium, but it hasn’t caused any real issues yet.

Jordan: How about we don’t talk about Bree that way and we focus on things with IFW.

Josh: Mmhmm… hey I have something I was wondering?

Jordan: About IFW?

Josh: Sure. I saw you were picked for that Trios buy-in gimmick for the next pay per view. It got me wondering.

Oh boy, that sounds dangerous.

Jordan: Ok…

Josh: So say your team wins and you get to draft someone. Who are you going to take?

Jordan: Oh that’s easy. I’m gonna take… well…

I look at him and he’s smiling wide again. I can see what Bree means about him. He definitely knows how to take control of a conversation.

Josh: Something I’ve noticed about you, and I’m sure this isn’t the only time you’ve heard this. But you don’t always seem to know what you want. See, I know what I want in any and all situations. I knew what I wanted with Bree and I took it. You? You seem to dance around things like this and I can see it tearing you down slowly on the outside. I still watch SCW, even when I’m not there. How else would I know about you? I think you’re capable of doing almost anything you want to do. But, at some point along the way you’re going to be faced with an important decision. It happens to all of us. That decision could potentially make or break your whole career. Are you ready for that?

Jordan: I… I don’t know what to say to that.

Josh: Exactly. Exactly! If someone posed that question to me when I was at your stage of the business, I would have said yes. I was ready for that. But with you, it’s not only a weakness but part of your whole intrigue. I can see you trying to change to impress your brother. I can see you trying to change to impress your friends. But who is Jordan Majors? Isn’t that the question you should be asking yourself? Tell me I’m wrong.

He ends his sentence with a drink of whiskey like it was a punctuation mark. And he left me speechless. I’m forced to take a drink myself as I stare down at the floor.

Josh: Here’s the thing, babe. I want you to figure this shit out because I want the best possible Jordan to be involved in IFW. I’m passionate about this company I’m starting and I want my partner to share it that passion. When you decided to do this with me, it’s one of the few times I can think of when you just outright made a decision for yourself. If you can win with your team and you get to make a draft selection for Day of Infamy, you better put a lot of thought into that pick. It could be a hell of a lot more important than you think. Trust me.

He pushes away from the wall and walks over and leans over the top of me and reaches for something that rests behind me on the desk and slides it forward. I look down at my side as he flips open a folder to reveal a stack of papers. Little notes jutted out the side to indicate they were areas that needed to be signed.

Josh: This is our agreement for IFW. I can take that and send it to your lawyers right now. Or you can sign it and then we can send it to them for review after the fact. Make a decision.

Josh reached for a pen out of his pocket and placed it on the stack of papers. I stared at him as he took another drink and then looked down at the papers. Reaching for the pen, I began searching for spots that required my signature and signing along the dotted line. My decision was made. I could practically hear his expression.

Josh: Now that’s what I’m talking about. Initiative.

Jordan: I’m just curious about something…

Josh: Yeah?

Jordan: If I told you I wasn’t going to sign these right now, how were you going to send them to my lawyers right away?

Josh: I don’t know.

I stop signing immediately and I look up at him with a smile.

Jordan: Wait, what?

Josh: I have no idea. We don’t even have the internet hooked up in here yet. You think I’ve got a fax machine or a copier waiting in the wings. This desk was just left behind.

I go back to signing and I let out a laugh.

Jordan: You know, Bree was right about you and the way you operate, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to take from the fact you two fucked. I mean, it happened. Whatever. I don’t see how it could affect what we’re going to do.

Josh: Don’t blame her for any of it. She just misses me.

Jordan: Stop that. She’s got a boyfriend. Her and Dom are very happy.

He rolls his eyes and takes a drink. Almost like he didn’t think I would see it. But I caught it and it came across loud and clear.

Jordan: I’m sure by now you’ve both moved on completely anyway. Sounded like nothing more than a fling. I’ve been there.

Josh: With the Lohan girl, right? What was she like?

I look at him and narrow my eyes in response.

Jordan: Are you asking me what she was like in bed or something?

He says nothing, but just smiles as he looks at me. That pretty much means what I think it did.

Jordan: Let me tell you how awesome it was. She fucked me so good that by time I realized what was going on I was sitting in the hospital having my knee examined and imagining the worst in my head. She fucked me so good that I assumed I was about to lose months of my career.

Josh: God damn. That good, huh?

I laugh at his response. It was about the only response anyone could have to what I’d just laid out. It was fantastic.

Jordan: I guess you could say that. In a way I was blinded by her in that I didn’t quite realize what she was doing until it was too late. Imagine working your way up to your very first Rise to Greatness only to be labeled as someone’s fuck buddy?

Josh: Ahh, who cares. You won, didn’t you?

Somehow, those words sparked something within my mind. I’d be focusing on this the wrong way for so long. I was looking at it as if I beat Ravyn. The truth was I overcame a mental block and I hadn’t allowed myself to accept that. I fall for people easily when there’s a connection, and I know it. It’s caused me more trouble than it’s done me good. In this moment, Josh Hudson had pointed out something to me that I couldn’t even gather myself. I was not only capable of making an important decision, but making one that would positively affect me in the long run.

Josh: Didn’t you?

Jordan: Yeah I did. And I just realized I won a lot more than I ever realized.

Josh: Well, alright. That’s good.

Josh gives me a weird glance as his phone starts to ring and he pulls it out of his pocket.

Josh: I’ve got to take this. Take a look around at our new office space. Pick yourself an office. Hope you like New York because it’s about to become your second home.

Josh disappears from view as I look around at the office space. I pull out my phone and take a selfie and send it to Jaina. I stare at the picture I sent and in particular my blonde hair. My hand reflexively runs through my blonde lochs and curls a strand around a few fingers. I hear someone walking up to me and turn.

Jordan: I think I’ll take… who are you?

I see a dark haired woman standing in front of me. She’s pretty. She looks strong, even in these street clothes. Her smirk practically matches the one I’ve seen from Josh in the time I’ve known him. She looks me up and down, not even ashamed to check me out. I see Josh approaching from behind.

Josh: Hey, babe.

Jordan: Babe?

Josh reaches her and leans down to kiss her. I’m pretty sure he grabs a whole handful of her ass.

Josh: Jordan, this is our first big star. Her name is Erica Eden.

Erica reaches for my hand and I tentatively shake. She grabs my hand with a strong shake. I feel like she’s staring at my cleavage.

Erica: I’ve heard so much about you. Everything Josh said was true. I look forward to… working with you.

My eyes shoot over to Josh and then back to Erica as I smile.

Jordan: Yeah, glad to have our first star aboard. Josh, you have a second to talk privately?

Josh nods and Erica leaves us alone for a minute as he approaches.

Jordan: Is this going to be a thing?

Josh: I’m confused…

Jordan: You fucking all the female talent?

Josh: Why? You interested?

I’m taken aback by the comment and my clear reaction makes him chuckle.

Josh: Maybe you’re interested in her?

I take a moment to look around him where Erica is sitting on the desk I met with Josh at. She’s staring right at me. She catches my glance and smiles as she bites her lower lip. I look back at Josh and wave my hands.

Jordan: I’m really confused about what’s happening here right now.

Josh: There’s nothing happening, sweet stuff. Erica is with me.

Jordan: I told you not to talk to me that way.

He laughs.

Josh: My bad… so what do you think about her?

Jordan: She looks good.

Josh: Damn right she does.

I roll my eyes and shake my head at him. Then I have to laugh as his behavior has finally broken down my defenses.

Jordan: Do you really have to take everything there?

Josh pauses and looks over his shoulder at Erica and then slowly turns back to me.

Josh: Maybe you should ask Bree about that?

I laugh softly and look around him again to see this strong woman seductively staring me down.

Josh: Listen, Erica and I were just heading to get a bite to eat. Maybe we can have you for lunch?

I lean back away from him and raise an eyebrow. No way that innuendo wasn’t intended.

Jordan: Actually, I have to make a flight to Cleveland. But I’ll take you up on that next time maybe.

Josh: I sure hope so. Lock it up when you leave, partner.

Josh walks away and holds out a hand for Erica. She grabs it and looks over her shoulder at me and grins as they leave the office. I laugh to myself after they’re out of view. Bree might be right that Josh wants more than to do business with me, but he still genuinely seems ready to make his IFW dream a reality. And I believe he truly wants my help.

January 15, 2020 – Cleveland

Breakdown was easy for me, but I was feeling stressed out by thoughts of the future. I walk into the bathroom of my hotel room while Jaina sleeps in the bedroom. It’s not too late, but she seemed exhausted. I find my Valium in my bag and shake a pill into the palm of my hand and swallow it down. I stare into the mirror and play with my hair. I see a girl who looks like she’s running on fumes and I hate it. My Breemerica hoodie causes me to break into a smile as it runs down just far enough to hide my panties from view. I turn to the side as my phone buzzes quietly on the bathroom counter. It’s Bree.

Bree text: Come to my room, babe!

Jordan text: Ok!

I stuff the pill bottle in my front hoodie pocket and I walk back into the room and use the light of my phone to find some shorts and slip them on. I’ll leave the shoes behind I decide. I lean down and place a kiss on Jaina’s cheek and wipe some hair away from her face and head for the door, quietly sneaking out. Bree’s room is on a floor a few above ours and when I reach it I knock on the door. Bree opens it with a smile and I give her a hug. She’s still dressed and she gives me a bit of a look as she waves me over to a chair where I see she has plenty of wine ready to drink.

Bree: Babe… a Breemerica sweatshirt? I’m flattered!

Jordan: I’ve got like five of these.

We both laugh and she follows suit as she pours me a glass of wine and hands it to me. I take a sip and we begin to talk. We enjoy the bottle and we’re halfway through a second bottle when she suddenly changes the subject on me.

Bree: So, I’m curious about something.

Jordan: Oh, ok?

Bree: Tonight, on the show. You had the interview with you and Jake and you talked about who you’d pick for a teammate if you won.

Jordan: And?

Bree: You can’t seriously be considering picking your brother if you win, right?

The comment hits me like a bee sting. I feel my skin almost buzzing.

Jordan: Why in the world wouldn’t I pick my own tag team partner?

After having a conversation with Josh about something like this just a day ago, I was almost ready for it.

Bree: You have to think about this strategically, ok? If your team wins and you have a choice of the whole roster, why not pick someone who you think gives you the best chance to win?

Jordan: Jake has won this before. Why not Jake?

Bree: Jake hasn’t won it in awhile. It’s not like you two are setting the tag team scene on fire.

Jordan: He won like two years ago. And we just beat the tag champions… what is this about?

Bree seems a little frustrated with me as she takes a drink. I follow suit and pause the conversation with a long sip of wine. Man, I’m feeling it tonight. For whatever reason this wine is hitting me hard. I hold the glass out in front of me and just stare at it. I turn and see Bree staring at me, clearly wondering if I’m out of my mind.

Bree: Listen, this is your decision in the end. I just want you to consider your options. You could pick Sienna. Imagine what you two could do. You could pick me! When have any of us truly gotten to team together for something? It’s an opportunity you have to consider. It’s not really anything against Jake.

Jordan: Isn’t it though?

Bree: Jordan, really…

Jordan: No, air it all out here. He’s fucking weird. I get it. But he’s my brother and I’m trying to make it work.

Bree: I totally understand trying to make your family work, I had issues with my brother, too. But that doesn’t mean you have to bring that into the ring.

Now I’m getting a little frustrated about this. I’m suffering dejavu or something as I stare at her and shake my head.

Jordan: Heh, god dammit. It’s just like he said.

Bree: Like who said? Did Jake say something about me?

Jordan: Has he ever. But I’m not even talking about him. Josh keeps telling me I’m going to have to make a decision that benefits me and not something that’s about my friends or my family.

Bree: So now you’re taking advice from him? Jordan, I told you he was a manip-

Jordan: Stop it! Shut your mouth for a minute!

I stare at Bree and I see her staring daggers back at me. She clearly doesn’t like the way I’m talking to her. And she seems surprised at me.

Jordan: Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m trying to be someone for Jake and someone different for you. Maybe the one thing I’m not doing anymore is just being me.

Bree: No one is forcing you to be anyone else! I’ve never told you to act a certain way.

I drink the remaining contents of my glass and forcefully sit it on the counter as I stand up.

Jordan: You don’t understand! You’re not listening to me at all! This isn’t about you or Sienna or Jake. This is about me! Fuck!

Bree stands up and sits her glass down calmly as she stands up and approaches me. She puts her hands up in a calming motion.

Bree: Ok, calm down. I’ve never seen you so stressed out. You’re lashing out and I don’t want you to say something you’ll regret. So let’s sit back down and talk about this calmly. Please.

I look down at the chair I had stood up from and feel a sudden rush to my head. I look at Bree and see her giving me a concerned look.

Bree: Jordan? Jordan!?

Everything goes black. I see a door open in the distance and it illuminates the darkness. I’m in my apartment, but my bedroom doesn’t have a door there. Not this bedroom. My bedroom as a kid did. A figure enters the frame. It’s completely dark, but I immediately know — it’s her. My mother creeps into the room and takes a swig out a bottle until it’s empty. She hurls it toward me and suddenly I’m smaller. I’m still me, 23-year-old me, but I’m the size of a 4-year-old. I scramble out of my bed, thrashing about to get away from her as her presence envelops me and holds me in place. I see Jaina in the doorway reaching for me. She speaks, but she sounds like her aunt. She calls out for me as I try to reach her, but I’m held back. I reach for the entrance and she fades away as the door slams shut.

Suddenly, light starts to enter my eyes and I see Bree leaned down over me. But I’m not opening my eyes. She’s prying my eyelid open to look at my eye. She looks somewhat frantic, panicked even. I realize I’m lying on the ground and I have no clue how I got here. Suddenly, I can feel the little bit of pain that radiates from the back of my head. I finally have control of my eyes and I blink.

Bree: Jordan, what the hell!?

Jordan: What happened…? Why am I on the ground?

Bree: I don’t know, you just… you just collapsed to the ground! Where’s my phone!? I need to call 911.

Jordan: No! Please, don’t!

I turn to my side with Bree still hovering over me and survey the room. My head is still feeling the rush. I’m dizzy as I turn further to my hands and knees. I grasp at my head, which is pounding like a hangover and I lean my arms against the chair taking slow, deep breaths.

Bree: What the fuck is this?

I turn to see Bree standing tall, holding a bottle of pills in her hand. She’s reading the label on this one. I’d stopped hiding the pills after Jaina caught me doing it a few weeks earlier. Bree looks up and she seems to be registering something in her head. Then she looks at me, suddenly furious despite my state.

Bree: Are you fucking kidding me?

I don’t know what to say. I’m still in a strange state of mind after apparently blacking out during our argument.

Bree: You’re taking Valium? Did you take this before you came in here?

I tilt my head a little bit and don’t reply. I look down, though, and Bree has her answer.

Bree: Oh my god… I… babe. What the hell are you thinking? You’re going to kill yourself!

Jordan: I didn’t mean to.

Bree: Think about what you’re doing! Don’t you know what mixing alcohol with drugs can do?

Jordan: I messed up. I didn’t know.

Bree: Sweet baby Jesus, Jordan… Amy almost DIED a few years ago because of something like this! Jaina had to live through that! Do you have any idea what it would do to her if the same thing happened to you? God!

Bree walks to the other side of the room and forcefully places the small pill bottle on her nightstand as she seems to collect her thoughts. I turn again and pull myself up on the chair as Bree walks over to her room fridge and retrieves a bottle of water. She walks over to me and grabs my hand before placing the bottle in it. Then she turns her back on me with her hands on her hips and walks a few feet away from me as I sip the water slowly.

Bree: I’m disappointed, Jordan.

She turns to look at me and I have no words.

Bree: I’m disappointed because I’ve never been anything but honest with you. But you hid something from me again. Where are you getting prescription Valium from? I don’t recognize this doctor.

Jordan: It’s my doctor. He’s in New Orleans.

Bree: Why? Why take these?

Jordan: They help with all the stress. I’ve been so stressed out about everything.

Bree: What do you have to be stressed out about?

I shoot her a look and let her think about it for a moment.

Bree: Ok, I get it. God, I wish you’d told me. Mixing this stuff with alcohol… how am I supposed to ever trust that we can share a glass of wine without you hiding something like this from me?

Jordan: Well, I don’t think I want to feel like this again.

Bree walks across the room and sits back down in the chair next to me. She grabs the wine bottle, which still has a little left, and places it on the ground under the small table.

Bree: You need to know that if Jaina saw that happen… I don’t know how she’d react. Amy put her through a lot, even the OD wasn’t enough to make her really quit. Jaina kept believing she would, and it took some time for Jaina to ever really trust Amy again.

Jordan: Please, don’t tell Jaina about this. I told her I was being careful. I didn’t think this could happen to me.

Bree shakes her head at my answer, looking a little annoyed.

Bree: Get that shit out of your head now, babe. You’re not invincible.

Jordan: I know. I know that.

Bree: I’m also sorry that I started an argument, that didn’t help. I don’t know what Josh is telling you, but I’m not trying to manipulate you or anything. I just wanted to say, don’t make up your mind on who you’re going to pick if you win. Allow yourself to come up with some sort of a strategy. Put some thought into it. Think about what this could do for you if you won. Take that information to heart, then make a pick with your mind.

I nod and stay slumped forward and leaning against my knees. I feel like shit. What she’s saying makes sense. But for some reason Josh is still there in the back of my mind telling me it’s all part of the game. My career has become one big game of tug of war. Jake is on one side with his own brand of insanity. Bree is on the other side with Sienna looking on and considering helping Bree win the battle.

Bree: Just imagine you and I winning contracts, alongside Sienna now that she has Regan’s. Babe, we could all hold the cards in this company for a while if we wanted to.

Jordan: I’ll think about it. I promise.

Bree reaches over and squeezes my arm.

Bree: You better head to bed and see if you can sleep this off. You have to fight at the house show. I’ll tell Jaina you need extra sleep because I kept you up. I won’t say anything about this unless it continues to be a problem, ok? So clean this up. I don’t ever want you to do that to me, or yourself, again. I was this close to calling 911.

Jordan: Thank you. I owe you.

I stand up and she does, too. We embrace and I squeeze her tightly and bury my head into her shoulder for a moment. She rubs and pats my back and then pushes herself away from me to break the hug. As I leave her room I can’t think of anything else but the close call I’d just had. But in the back of my mind, Josh Hudson is still lurking like the devil or angel that sits on your shoulder and tries to remind you of what they’ve been saying all along. I’m not sure if anyone is looking out for me as much as they say, and that doubt kills me. I have to put it aside and focus on what’s next, though, because I have to give it my all to have a chance at picking a Trios partner.

January 24, 2020 – Chicago

To say the experience had already been wild would be an injustice. I stood in a white tank top and tight white shorts that barely covered my ass, freezing in the cold air of the Great Lakes as Peyton Rice came walking into view in her own outfit. It was the same, but looser fitting. It’s what I got for being a little thicker, I suppose. In front of us was an empty, blow-up pool. Just slightly bigger than a kiddie pool.

Ace Marshall: Before we do this, another shot.

I looked at Peyton and then back over my shoulder as Ace poured more shots of tequila. I knew the only thing keeping me even a little bit warm at this point was the liquor. Thank the gods I didn’t take a bunch of pills before this trip or I might be dead at this point. I reached down and grab the shot glass and Ace lifts one up. As Peyton and I lift our shots to his, he moves and lets us clink our shots together. We stare at each other. She smiles. I hate her sometimes. I have my reasons. We drink and I turn to the side and cough. She doesn’t even react.

Jordan: So we’re wrestling in this pool?

Ace: Asher, bring it out!

I look over Ace’s shoulder to see Asher Hayes pushing out a giant drum with a weird logo on the side of it. Asher pushed a dolly over to the side of this blown up kiddie pool of sorts and he took the top off of the container and lifted the dolly to dump its contents into the pool. It was some sort of clear liquid. I stepped closer and could feel Peyton standing behind me as I reached my hand down into it.

Peyton: What is it?

I lifted two fingers to my face and felt it, and then smelled it. I turn to Ace?

Jordan: Is this lube?

Ace: Yes! I almost forgot the most important part! It’s going to be an underground rules match. Let me grab the weapons…

I watch, somewhat alarmed, and also clearly feeling the buzz of all the drinks as Ace goes to retrieve a box with a half-closed lid. Peyton starts to laugh as she stands beside me. I want to just shove her away. I am not her friend. I realized what I was seeing.

Peyton: Is that…

Jordan: Dildos. Yes, that’s what he’s got.

Kelsai: Oh I saw him bring those on earlier.

We both turn to look at Kelsai who has somehow snuck up next to us. I examine what she’s wearing.

Jordan: Wait, how the hell did you get out of this?

Kelsai shrugs and I shake my head.

Kelsai: Ace said this is important for the two of you and not me.

Peyton: He’s probably right.

I face Peyton with a look of disgust.

Jordan: You can’t be serious.

Peyton: Of course I am. We’ve fought a few times and neither one of us have said the nicest things. Especially you.

Jordan: Ok, what the hell is that supposed to mean.

Peyton: Just relax. He wants us to work together as a team.

Ace grabs a few of the sex toys and tosses them into the lube. They land on the surface and slowly sink in. I let out a sigh and watch my breath show in front of my face.

Ace: Jesus, Asher? Where did you get this much lube?

Asher: Amazon! They have everything! Let’s get this going, bro.

Ace: Ladies… it’s time to get in there.

Peyton almost excitedly jogged forward and stepped into the lube with two easy steps. I hesitate as I look into the lube and wonder how slick this is going to be. The instructions always said you couldn’t use too much. But this?

Ace: Come on, do we need to sing your theme music or something? Show us something.

Jordan: I was just being careful getting in!

Ace shoos me forward and I take a step in and go sliding forward, tumbling down to my side into the lube. I can feel it all over me. It has a bit of thickness to it, but also so slick at the same time. The whole boat has erupted in laughter and I look up to my competitor, Peyton, and sneer. I go to my hands and knees to stand up.

Ace and Asher: Ding! Ding! Ding!

I turn right as Peyton plows me back into the lube and pushes my face down into it. The bitch is trying to drown me! I fight to get my chin back up and right as I do something starts smacking me in the lower back over and over!

Jordan: Ow! The fuck!?

Peyton: Sorry!

Peyton is laughing as she says it and I’m jumping with every thump as I stumble to my feet and see Peyton holding the longest dildo I’d ever seen. It was the nunchucks of dildos with a phallic shape coming from both ends. I waited too long studying as she flung it at me and it smacked me in the chest and then the cheek. Peyton rushed forward with the distraction and tried to take me down again, but this time I was ready. I locked her into a headlock under my arm. Finally, I had her. But then…

Jordan: Woah, what the…

Peyton slipped right out. The fucking lube. This is seriously how my day is going to go, isn’t it? Peyton pulls me toward her by my shirt from behind and it splits down the middle in the front. I turn and throw a back arm that catches her across the face and seems to stun her. The crowd is into this.

Ace: I told you! You should have stayed with the Starr chick. She’s vicious! Just like her husband.

Asher: That’s her brother. And the only reason I supported her was because we’re from the same place. Don’t count out my girl Peyton, dude.

Ace: Hit her with a dick!

I hear the shout from the crowd and I reach down for one of the dildos, but Peyton grabs me by the waist and flips me over on to my back. She mounts me by sitting on my stomach and tries to pin my arms down.

Jordan: No, bitch!

Peyton: Give up! Just give up!

I break one arm free and find a dildo submerged in the lube and swing it at her head. One strike, then another, and then another. It’s barely phasing her. On the forth swing, the didlo slides out of my lube-covered hand and nearly hits Kelsai. We all watch as she ducks out of the way and the dildo flies into the lake.

Ace: Holy shit.

Asher: This is awesome!

My moment of watching allows Peyton to pin both my wrists to the floor of the pool and I struggle as I try to rip them free. But it’s hard to get any sort of friction or traction in this god damn lube.

Peyton: Stop struggling so much, you’re wasting all of your energy.

Jordan: Let me go, you fake bitch!

Peyton: Really? You’re gonna say all of this again? We have to work together in this. If we win, then you can try to beat me. That hasn’t worked for you yet though, has it?

Asher: Less talk, more action ladies. This is training.

Ace: Kiss her!

I look at Peyton and see her grinning. She turns her head and looks down at me.

Jordan: Don’t you fucking dare!

Ace: Do it! Asher, check the camera angle.

I look to the side and see Asher checking on a camera I hadn’t even seen until this moment.

Asher: Looks good coach!

My eyes flash back to Peyton who is staring at my lips.

Jordan: No!

I close my eyes as she lowers herself to my face and they shoot back open when she plants a kiss and tries to push her tongue into my mouth. The guys are cheering and I hear nothing from Kelsai as Peyton leans back up with a grin on her face. Like she liked it. She liked dominating me.

Asher: So Peyton wins round 1 then?

My hand suddenly breaks free from her grasp and I slap Peyton across the face as hard as I can.

Jordan: You bitch!

Ace: Oh shit, here comes the pussy fight!

Peyton still looks shocked and I can see the stinging red mark on her face before her demeanor changes and she slaps me back. I grab her by the throat and roll us onto our sides and now we’re really fighting. I get her pinned down on her back but she’s fighting me. I slam her head into the lube over and over, but it doesn’t seem to do much. So I grab a dildo and push it against her mouth.

Ace: Oh, wow!

Kelsai: Oh, no!

Peyton is spitting at me as she manages to push me away and wipes an arm across her face, but only manages to get more lube on her face. I dive at her feet and roll under her and roll her back onto her shoulders, but she’s kicking and sliding so much. I let her go and then watch as she stands and roll her up again, grabbing so much of her shorts and underwear that I can only imagine what she was feeling. I saw Asher dive to the ground and make the count.

Asher: 1! 2! 3! Jordan wins round 2!

Ace: I never even said it was best of 3, did I?

Asher: Just let them fight, brother.

I let Peyton roll away and she smacks a hand into the lube. We’re both on our knees as we look at each other. She crawls toward me and I follow suit and suddenly we’re both slapping each other. We both slow down our slaps and come to a stop all at once. I put my hands on my hips and lean back and Peyton goes to her hands and knees.

Peyton: Are you done?

Jordan: Never. I’ll never stop fighting for you.

Peyton: Why?

I stare down at her without an answer to that question. The longer I think about it, the more it pisses me off. I let out a primal grunt as I reach for her and she somehow slips out of my grasp and gets to her feet. In seconds she has me locked into an inverted headlock and then plants me with a spinning cutter. I hear gasps as I stare into the sky, totally exhausted. Peyton hooks my leg.

Ace: Uh.. Asher. Go!

Asher: 1! 2! 3! Peyton wins! I told you Ace! I fucking told you, bro!

I look up to see Peyton offer me a hand and I reach out for it and allow her to pull me to my feet as we both slide in our frictionless pool. Peyton tugs me up and wraps her arms around me in a hug of sorts, except I’m not totally participating in the hug from my end so she’s just holding on to me. I look over and see Kelsai ready to melt over this. Ace comes walking over to us and looks at me.

Ace: Thought you had this one, damn.

Peyton: She was close…

Ace: She clearly wasn’t drunk enough to pull it off. Why don’t you two go take a shower together and get all this lube off.

We both just look at Ace as Peyton lets go of me. This guy just never quits. I look at Peyton and then down at myself and the lube collecting around my feet. Somehow, this whole experience was going to help us win at Day of Infamy. But later on, it all seemed to be coming together. This experience had forced Peyton and I together to share some things, and then I passed out in her room… Yeah, that was an experience alright. As we all departed this trip and walked back toward the city, I saw Peyton making a beeline for me. She pushed past Kelsai, phone in hand, looking dead at me. I knew what it was about. I held a hand up.

Peyton: Jordan! You know I can’t take this money from you.

The crowd stops behind her and takes this scene in, but I step closer and keep it quiet.

Jordan: It doesn’t matter. I already transferred it to you. Just take it.

Peyton: I can’t do that. I’m going to transfer it back to you.

Jordan: Then I’ll just transfer it right back.

Peyton looks at me a little defeated. I chuckle to myself. This is what it took for me to finally beat Peyton Rice? I shake my head and just look at her.

Jordan: Listen, it’s yours. What you told me? That’s safe with me. I’m not going to use it for anything and I don’t expect anything back for this. Just… blame it on my soft heart or something.

Peyton looks at me like she’s trying to decide something. It almost looks like she might hit me with a haymaker when she dives forward and embraces me. This isn’t like the hug after lube wrestling. I hug her back warmly and smile.

Peyton: Thank you…

Jordan: You’re welcome, Pey.

Somewhere in my mind, there was at least a little flicker there thinking what Jaina would take from knowing all of this had happened. But for now, it could all remain between me and Peyton. The crowd started approaching and I saw Asher shaking his head as he handed another $100 to Ace.

Ace: I told you!

Asher: Son of a…

I let out a laugh and break the hug as I jump over to Asher.

Jordan: Hey my Chi-town friend. Want to do me a big favor?

Asher: Is it gonna cost me any more money?

I laugh and get my phone out for him.

Promo

Jordan is shown walking along a dock with the party boat in the background. She looks a little ragged from day of drinking. She has someone filming her as she speaks.

I’ve spent the last day experiencing something I never thought I would. It’s shown me things about working together as a team that I frankly never expected to need to know. But here I am, ready as ever. For some reason, this sticks with me more than some of the experiences my own brother has put me through. I don’t know why, but I’m so determined and motivated to make sure this team wins. Even knowing that if we win the first match this Sunday, we have to go at each other’s throats just to determine who gets to pick before the others. It’s a twist as much as it is a fatal flaw in the whole system. You force these people together knowing they are truly working together for the chance to rip each other apart. But that’s part of the game that is this business. It’s why we’re all here in the end. We all want to get the chance to be recognized among the best in this company. Over these past days I’ve gained a newfound respect for these three individuals who will work with me to win the four on four match at Day of Infamy. But after that, I’m at complete peace with what I have to do to each and every one of them.

I look at this first match and I see a storied champion, the best ass in this business, the perviest dude around, and my brother. I don’t see one reason why we can’t beat each and every one of them. I understand the allure of Syren and everything she has accomplished. But so much of it is an illusion. It’s mind games. She will lay out the fact that someone like me doesn’t even deserve to share a ring with her. She will talk about how privileged I should feel to lose to her. But I saw the panic in her eyes when I was putting her at risk of losing to me. I saw the desperation that she had to reach for in order to survive. I feel like I have her figured out now. If I’m faced with the task of taking out Syren, I’m more confident than ever that I can do it this time around. I’m ready for her. This time around I know that more than anything she’s just full of empty threats and words. I know she can’t possibly have her team as prepared as my team is. We have worked together to make sure we accomplish this. Syren is only about herself and her trash can family now. She’ll be the downfall of her own team. Kandis, she has an ass none of us will ever be ready for. But she’s not something I can’t handle. I’ve come too far in this last year to let myself be held back by a curvy body and a big butt. I know she has deceptive strength and you can never let yourself underestimate her, but I can’t let her stop me from this. Trios is a dream, and it’s within grasp. Not only can I guarantee my place there, but I can pick a partner. That’s why there is no way I’ll let someone like Adonis catch me slacking off in this match. It’s hard to even know what this man would do with his hands if he got a hold of another woman. But the novelty of the KABLAM act is not something that will stop my momentum.

Jordan approaches a bench and sits down, pulling a jacket in close as the cold wind bites at her cheeks.

And then there’s my brother. This a position we’ve technically faced before, but we’ve never fought like this. Ever. He’s tried to put me through the rigors of what he believes is training for this place. Right or wrong, he’s tried. But deep down, I know I’ve always been prepared for this. From the moment I signed pen to paper, I knew this was all a possibility. I knew that he could come back, despite what he was saying back then, and I knew we could end up fighting for the first time ever. It’s a dream and a nightmare all put into one. He’s the closest blood family I have. He’s gone out of his way to make sure I was in a better position in this company. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit there is a big part of me that just wants to take him down myself. Yes, we’re a team every other show. We have a lot of momentum after beating Infamous earlier this month. But right now, it has to be about me. I have to beat him. I have to beat his team. It’s the only choice that can be made right now. And if I get the chance to draft someone, well, I have to make the right decision for Jordan Majors. The one that makes sure I come out as the holder of one of those extremely precious contracts. Does he give me the best chance? That’s a question I shouldn’t be concerning myself with yet. We have to win this first. Then I know in my heart the choice I make will be the best one possible.

When we win this match, though, I will be forced to face my own teammates for the chance to get that solid draft position. These are all strong people and I know it will take a lot to beat any of them. Kelsai is someone I met a short time ago and behind her kind nature is a fiery passion unlike anything most in this company have. I know what I have to do to prevail against her. And I will. She will see that as nice as she is and as passionate as she is, I can surpass her in all ways. I refuse to be content with just getting to this match, which I think she might be. I want to look at control of my own destiny and take a full grasp of it. She knows me as well as any of these people. She’s friends with Jaina. She’s managed by Amy. But this can’t be personal. I have to do what’s best for me. When I have the chance to take Kelsai down, I have to take it. When I look at Ace, the team captain, I see a veteran who knows what it takes to win this. While I know he has the experience and the unconventional mindset it might take to win this, I expect what I learned from him will give me the chance to make sure that I come out ahead of him. He challenged us to just open up and be our true selves for this match and for Trios as a whole. I will help lead his team to a win in match one, and then I will take the mantle in match two and thank him for the crazy time he forced us all into going into Day of Infamy. He had his time at the top in the past. Now he can step aside and witness the ascension of the next big thing in this business. But one person, one woman, she stands above all the rest for me. Peyton has been a nemesis. I don’t know how to feel about her at this moment if I’m being honest, but I know her and I will be compared endlessly in our careers here because of our ages and the battles we’ve already had. I’ve lost to her twice. This time will be different. This third time truly will be the charm as I walk away the victor and the one writing my chapter in the SCW history books. She had her reign as a TV Champion. Now I will ascend and take the top spot on my team and I will make this run to the top of the Trios tournament. I can see control of my destiny hanging in the balance. I will grasp it.

Jordan stands up and starts to walk again as she looks toward the camera.

Everyone wants to believe that their team has what it takes. Everyone knows in their heart that they will be the ones who win the battle against the team they’ve worked to forge an uneasy alliance with over these last few months. Only two teams can prevail. Only two individuals can take control of this draft for themselves. And that’s all just to hit the big reset button and start again. This thing is full of legends and fully made stars. But what if the winner of this whole thing was someone who hasn’t quite illuminated their star yet? What if the person who was set to win this was unexpected? I’ve talked a lot over the last few months of taking advantage of the few opportunities we’re given. I didn’t take control like I should have at Clarity and my team took a hard loss. Ever since then, Jordan Majors has been on fire. I haven’t stopped impressing and I haven’t stopped opening eyes to what I can accomplish when I’m at my best. I truly feel like I’m just getting started. This is my city. This is my Chicago. This was the place where my dream of being a professional wrestler started to turn to reality. This will be the place where I prove that I am capable of truly great heights. This match is just the beginning of a long journey of twists, turns, and tests until I can reach the top of the tournament.

Jordan stops and she points at an old warehouse along the lake.

That building… that’s where I learned how to do everything you see me do. Just down the way at the United Center, that’s where I show exactly how far I’ve come since I left this city and took a chance on myself. Maybe I have a lot to live up to being the younger sister of Jake Starr, but you know what? I’m not going to let that define me. I’m going to do this on my terms. I’m going to write my own story. When the stories are read someday, they won’t say “She was Jake Starr’s sister.” They’re going to say “She was one of the top stars in the best company in the world.” Hell, maybe when it’s all said and done they’ll call him my brother. I am ready for the challenge that lies ahead of me. I’m ready to do what is necessary to make sure that I have the positioning I need to win this whole damn thing. I say so often that Jordan Majors is money. It’s time I truly put that money where my mouth is and prove to the whole world, once and for all, that I mean what I say. All the superlatives and the fluff aside, I’m only walking into this fight for one reason. I’m not here to make an impact or show people I mean business. I’m here to win. So come Sunday, don’t be shocked when this show nears its end and you realize that come the following week I’ll be taking the stage at Breakdown to make one of the top picks in the Trios draft. Don’t be surprised when I go 2-0 on Sunday. If you leave Day of Infamy surprised by any of this, well, you haven’t been listening to a damn word I’ve been saying this whole time. I. Will. Win. You can bank on it, baby.

Jordan shoots the camera a wink and starts to walk off as the scene fades to black.