Chapter 8

• EWI Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena…
• After being out of the hospital for a week, Luna had no major blackout episodes to speak of. On EWI wrestling the previous week, Gunner and Blair ended their on-screen marriage, and Luna had never felt so relaxed. It was like a weight had been lifted. Even though she knew the shows were scripted, the death of the relationship still gave her some sense of happiness. She just hoped it was true in real life. At least she could pretend he was single for her own sanity.
• The truth was she didn’t know why she was so drawn to him. Everyone thought it was childish, but her body mind, and soul, drew her to him like a moth to a flame. She was completely under his control without her even knowing him. As to why, she couldn’t explain.
• Unfortunately, her happy bubble burst on the day of the long-awaited event. She had looked so forward to the Chicago taping of the show that she hadn’t been able to concentrate on her writing those few days prior. Now after a five-hour drive, she stood outside the arena almost in tears. Her cousin was now bailing out on a special night, and it was eating at her to her very core.
• “Luna, I’m sorry,” Grey pleaded again. “She called when I got here. April is furious that Dee got the tickets for us and made other plans. She thinks it’s a ploy to get me back. We have dinner with her parents tonight and I wanted to tell you in person. I feel horrible about ditching you. I know how much tonight meant.”
• “Grey Moony, we have been planning this visit for months. You promised to go with me. This is my first live event, and you said we were finally going to spend some time together. You’re my only family and you are skipping out on the one day we have together in months. What does it matter if Dee bought the tickets for us? She was trying to do something nice for me. April is just jealous and needs to get over herself.”
• Grey rubbed his chin nervously. “I know. She… umm… knows Dee still likes me. She thinks she did this to impress me.”
• “That’s crap and you know it. You’re my only family left. She did it for me to spend time with you because David is gone now and you’re all I have. The truth is, if she was here, you would stay. I know you still like her, too.”
• “So, what if I do? She is the one who blew me off. April is my girlfriend now. Not her.”
• Luna shoved him. “So, you’re going to ditch me in the city alone after I just got out of the hospital a few days ago. You’re letting me down for some bitch who treats me like dirt. Some family you are. Grey, you’re a jerk!”
• “Yeah, maybe I am. Luna, I’m sorry. I have to go. Enjoy the show. Here is the extra ticket. Sell it and get yourself some T-shirts or something. Be safe after. It’s dangerous in the city at night alone.”
• Luna yanked the ticket from his hand with a scowl. “Yeah, thanks for nothing. Remember you said that when the cops find me murdered in an alley somewhere. Then you’ll have to come to identify the body and remember you left an innocent sick girl in Chicago streets alone at night. Just go, you asshole.”
• He huffed rolling his eyes at her. “Don’t be so damn melodramatic. You’re such a diva sometimes.”
• “Screw you, Grey! I’m going to go see the show and see my Gunner in person. I’m not letting that bitch ruin my night. Not this time.”
• “April’s right. You have your head in the clouds. Time to grow up, Luna. Gunner is not going to fall head over heels for some random fangirl in the crowd. Sometimes you are so delusional. After this show, maybe you should consider letting go of some of your childish dreams and enter the real world with the rest of us.”
• “Maybe you should get the stick removed from your ass. It’s stuffed so tight up there that you forgot how to have fun.” Dropping her head, she admitted, “You have never done this to me before. It won’t be the same without you here.”
• “You’re just going to have to figure it out on your own this time. I can’t be your babysitter.”
• She crossed her arms, frowning at him. She wanted to knock his lights out for being so insensitive. How could he?
• Watching her pout wasn’t helping because he turned away. “On second thought, I’ll pick you up after the show. You don’t need to be driving. You’re clearly still out of your damn mind.”
• “I’ll find a hotel tonight on my own, you tool. I’ll take my car. I’m not staying around your skank girlfriend tonight and listening to her bitching. I don’t need her to tell me how fat, ugly, and worthless I am either or ruin this otherwise great night. I’m going to have fun without you or anyone else!”
• “Suit yourself, LuLu.” Grey just shook his head. He felt awful for abandoning her, but he wasn’t going to let her know that. He was too hot-headed and so was she. A family trait both of them acquired that wasn’t the best in these situations.
• “Don’t call me that. Only Dee can call me that. You know, my best friend who you happen to be in love with? Even though you still date some heartless woman instead, you can’t deny it. Just leave. I don’t need you anyway,” she pouted as he turned back for a moment.
• “You’re such a brat sometimes. Just like when we were kids. Call me when you grow up.” Gritting his teeth, he stomped off toward the parking garage.
• With defeat, Luna looked down at her extra ticket. She was going to be alone and didn’t want to be seen crying in the front row on live TV if she had a breakdown. She despised being alone in public since her illness took over. Especially in a city she knew very little about.
• She looked around and saw a little boy and his dad buying scalper tickets.
• “Hey! Wait up! Sir, wait up! Don’t buy those just yet.”
• Approaching, she told the man that her guest backed out and she had an extra ticket. She traded him for his one general admission ticket in the balcony, letting the little boy have a night he’d never forget, even if that meant hers was ruined.
• “Are you sure, miss? These are in the front row. I can give you the balcony seat but it’s not as good as these. Why don’t you let me pay you the difference?”
• “No. It’s cool. Just let me trade seats with you when Gunner Cain is out in the ring. He’s my favorite and the whole reason I came. I wouldn’t want to miss it if that’s okay?”
• “Deal. My son’s here to see the Lightning Kid and this will be a dream come true for him. Thanks for the tickets.”
• As the little boy and his dad got in line, Luna watched his happy face beaming as he jumped up and down with excitement. At least someone was having a good time.
• It was then she felt a sudden chill come over her and it wasn’t the cold Chicago February air. With a glance around, she saw a man dressed in a black coat and hoodie jacket holding his head slightly down as he glared at her.
• Following the crowd into the venue, she kept her eye on the man who kept in step as she walked. She was easily spooked, especially since she felt like she was being watched lately, but the man was creepy.
• In the arena, he sat not far from her, keeping his hood up. She tried to ignore him and focus on her excitement and the show, but it was growingly unsettling. Surrounded by fans she was safe right now, giving her some relief. If anything happened, she could find a security guard if it went bad.
• Maybe the creep just liked her—at least she told herself. She was a lovely five-foot-three brunette with nice curves. She deserved attention, didn’t she? She hadn’t had that in quite a while.
• Still, the man was unnerving, staring with seemly ill intent.
• When the show began, she soon forgot all about the eerie man. All fear was replaced with screaming and cheering for the superstars so loudly that she felt like she would lose her voice.
• This was her night, and she was going to live it to the fullest.