Chapter 53
53
GEOFF
I knew it would all work out in the end. When the promotion hired me to get close to Beast again and convince him to return for this match, I knew I could do it.
Sure, I didn’t expect it to turn out exactly like this. Given our history, I thought it would be a little easier, if I’m being honest. He was still so stuck in his feelings, obsessed with the past. Alone. Not sure when he last looked at a guy, let alone screwed one. He was probably touch starved AF. Locked away together for six months, how could I possibly fail to get into his bed? And once I was there, I figured it would be easy to get him to see the benefits of returning to the spotlight, to the career he left too soon.
What I didn’t figure was the fucking teacher.
He was supposed to be some old guy. I was supposed to be the only eligible fuck around. It still smarts that I somehow came in second, despite everything I tried to keep them apart. But you know what? It worked out in the end.
Yeah, in the end it really was simple. Money makes the world go round after all, and now the teacher has medical expenses he can’t hope to pay in his lifetime. Medical tourism doesn’t come cheap. At the height of his career, Beast could have helped. Now? He’s poured everything he has into that foundation of his. He’s near broke.
So, who did he call? That’s right. I planted the seed in his head when he came asking about the auction. I aways meant to use the auction as a means to drum up some hype around him again and the promotion was on board— they even donated some of his old stuff. That’s how desperate they were to have him back.
Then, the day before I’m supposed to stream, I get the call. He needs the cash in advance. He will do anything for it. The promotion was all too happy to help out one of their own.
The timing couldn’t have been better.
I hosted the auction, just as I promised. And I made it a huge success. They raised their money for the kids and I got a nice number for my efforts, thanks to the commission agreement Beast gave me. But the best part? The best part was that all the celebs and influencers I got to join because they wanted to be associated with a children’s charity? They got to hear me teasing Beast’s return.
When the media campaign went live in the morning, it spread like wildfire. #BeastIsBack. Fucking A.
He’s only signed on for this one bout so far, but it doesn’t matter. The promotion’s efforts have already been rewarded. The pay-per-view is off the charts. And I know that once he feels those lights beating down on him, once he gets a hit of adrenaline again, once he sees how badly people want him, The Beast will be back, baby. Back for good.
Now the big night is here and I’ve been given pride of place, right next to the announcers. They’re the best seats in the house because the house is empty.
That’s a little creepy, won’t lie. The Garden is usually electric with energy from the crowds. Instead, they’re blaring a recording of a crowd. The cheers echo but there is only darkness.
Still not as creepy as Beast’s manor though. That’s for damn sure.
Rod, next to me, does a countdown on his fingers. The lights above the ring flare, music blares, the screens come alive. Rod’s voice booms across the empty arena. “Welcome to tonight’s Leeeegendary Rampage!” I get chills.
Alan, on his other side, says, “You’ve seen the rumors. Now we find out if they’re true. Well, ladies and gentleman, we have an incredible show for you tonight. One that many of us thought would never happen. But you don’t want to hear from me. Let’s get to it!”
The music reaches a crescendo and pyrotechnics go off as the song changes to a rock anthem. The Chevalier rises out of the centre of the stage on a fucking horse. The digital crowd roars and it’s almost believable. How he’s keeping that creature from bolting is beyond me.
He dismounts, gentles the horse and flashes a white smile at the cameras. He’s been making a name for himself over the last few years and this match is set to be a career maker. He’ll slay The Beast.
(Of course, if Beast decides to make a permanent return, there’s always room in such a storyline for a little revenge. God, I love this business.)
Staff come to escort the horse away and Chevalier strikes a heroic pose. As if anyone watching at home is here for him. He takes his time walking towards the ring, smiling and waving at an audience that isn’t there. He’s dressed like a prince, but with added sequins.
“The Chevalier is facing the biggest weekend of his life and the biggest fight yet,” Rod says.
Then the iconic first note of The Beast’s entrance song sounds and the fake crowds immediately go wild, just as I know the real crowds are doing wherever they are. Now, it’s finally confirmed that it’s real. The Beast is tonight’s mystery legend.
I’m grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. This might be the best moment of my life.
“And there it is,” Alan says. “Man I’ve missed hearing that chord.”
“It really sends a chill down the spine, doesn’t it?” Rod agrees.
Chevalier does a ham-fisted attempt at looking horrified. They’ve been practicing this match all day, but according to the storyline, he thought he’d be fighting someone else. Even a fresh babyface like him knows that intro though.
The stage washes green. Flames shoot towards the sky. The Beast’s silhouette blocks the entrance as the smoke machines pump atmospheric fog around him.
“Yes, folks, the rumors were one hundred percent true!” Rod shouts. Multiple spotlights pan across the stage and land on Beast. He’s wearing his iconic fur coat, his hair in a wild mane and he looks pissed off. He looks perfect.
He strides towards the Chevalier as if he’s personally responsible for every ill in his life. Chevalier scrambles to the other side of the ropes. It’s beautiful.
“The Beast is back!” Alan shouts, using the tagline I set up for the media. “This is his first time in the ring since he was vanquished over a decade ago.”
The Beast stands with his hands on his hips and roars. Another iconic move. Then he ducks under the ropes.
“A surreal moment for longtime fans as The Beast heads into the ring to take on Chevalier. Will The Beast finally be slain?”
The men stand in their corners. Chevalier slips off his sparkly coat, revealing a pair of tight red shorts with gold trim. Look, he’s not my fave, but I’d hit that.
The Beast shrugs out of his fur and his bod puts Chevalier’s to shame.
“Would you look at that! He’s kept in great physical condition,” Rod comments. “If anything, he’s bigger and meaner than he was when he was last in this ring.”
“And he’s going to have his work cut out for him tonight!” Alan rattles off a list of other heels that Chevalier has faced, hyping him up. Usually this is where both men would play to the crowds, but that would be pushing the illusion of an audience a bit too far.
Instead the men face each other. Beast pounds on his chest and roars in Chevalier’s face.
“Remember Alan, we’re talking about one of the greatest of all time. Does Chevalier truly know what he’s up against?”
The ref directs each man to his corner and Beast appears to have an argument with him. No doubt, scripted, before retreating reluctantly to his corner.
Chevalier, meets Beast’s eyes and drags his hand slowly across his throat. Beast rushes him, but the ref jumps in the way. It’s great entertainment.
“That was either an incredibly brave or an incredibly stupid move by Chevalier,” Rod says.
“I’ll go with both, Rod. I’ll go with both. The Beast is out for blood tonight and he’ll get it one way or another.”
The men are once again in their corners. The announcers read their weight classes and the rules of the bout, then the ref steps back and the bell goes.
Beast rushes Chevalier again, but Chevalier grabs him and throws him into the ropes.
“Beast over there trying to establish his dominance, but he’s underestimated his enemy,” Rod says.
Beast pushes him back and they go into a headlock.
“Some ring rust is to be expected after so long out of the game,” Alan adds.
The headlock breaks. Beast pushes Chevalier and he sprawls on the mat. Beast stalks towards him, but Chev scrambles to his feet and the two circle each other. Beast grabs him and knees his midsection before throwing him back against the ropes, but Chevalier uses the momentum to bounce back and shoulder Beast in the middle. Beast lifts him and body slams him to the mat.
The fake crowd boos.
Beast tries to pin him but gets thrown off. Chevalier mimes being winded as he struggles to get up. They’re really playing up the tension. Then, he comes at Beast with a right hook. Beast falls back with a dramatic cry.
“Stop!” A shout from behind me in the audience.
But that’s not possible.
Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. It’s the teacher. He’s running down the aisle, waving his arms. I stagger to my feet.
“Who the fuck is that?” Rod asks under his breath.
“The Beast’s boyfriend. Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
I intercept Belle. God knows how he even got in here. “What the hell are you doing?” I grab his upper arms but he shrugs away.
“This has to stop. You know it has to stop.”
I block the aisle. “They’re in the middle of a bout. You’re too late.”
“How could you let this happen?” His cheeks are bright red. “You know he could die!”
“Let this happen? I made this happen! And he’s not going to die. Don’t be so dramatic.”
In the ring, Chevalier is on Beast’s chest, punching his face over and over. He’s got some color. Belle tries to dash around me, but I block him.
“Let me through, Geoff!”
Men in security suits are rushing down the aisle behind us.
“You’re not going to ruin this,” I tell Belle.
He pulls back his arm and punches me square in the face.