Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice, Chapter 19 (Wrestling with Doubts)

Brandon woke the next morning feeling a little more at ease about Thanksgiving. With Roberto and Garth securing a turkey and his conversation with Laura and Jazlyn still fresh in his mind, the chaos felt just a bit more manageable. Yet, the gnawing thoughts about Adalynn and Damarae lingered, raising questions that tugged at him as he tried to focus on anything else.

Sighing, he pulled out his phone, scrolling through events happening around town to take his mind off things. The options were limited but interesting: a comedy show, a local trade expo, and a pro wrestling event. His eyes lingered on the wrestling listing, and a grin tugged at his lips. It had been years since he’d seen a live wrestling show, and nostalgia tugged at him. It was the perfect distraction—nothing like over-the-top drama and suplexes to get his mind off real-life issues.

Settling on the idea, he got dressed and made a plan to grab a ticket at the door later that night. For most of the afternoon, he tried to relax, flipping between channels and glancing at his phone every few minutes, hoping for a message from Adalynn or Damarae. But as the hours passed, the phone stayed silent. At one point, it buzzed, and Brandon leaped up, nearly knocking over a glass on the coffee table. But it was only a text from Roberto.

Roberto: Hey, want to join me for a quick drive? I have something to pick up for Thanksgiving.

Brandon replied politely, explaining that he had plans to see a wrestling show and promising to catch up later. Roberto seemed unfazed, even in high spirits after securing the prized Thanksgiving turkey, and wished him a good time.

As the evening approached, Brandon made his way to the local event center, excitement bubbling up despite himself. He picked up a ticket at the door and found his seat amid the growing crowd, the energy in the air electric as fans chatted, snapped selfies, and waved banners for their favorite wrestlers. Brandon settled in, letting the anticipation of the show wash over him, grateful for a night focused on scripted drama rather than his own life.

The event started with a bang—bright lights flashing, heavy guitar riffs blaring through the speakers, and the audience roaring as the first match got underway. Brandon watched in fascination, cheering along as the wrestlers threw themselves into the ring and executed moves he hadn’t seen in years. He laughed, cheered, and groaned along with the crowd, enjoying the pure, carefree entertainment.

About halfway through the event, a wrestler strode to the ring, microphone in hand, looking visibly distressed. The crowd hushed as he raised the mic, a fire in his eyes that made Brandon sit up, sensing that this was a pivotal moment in the storyline.

“Alright, listen up!” the wrestler shouted, his voice echoing through the arena. “I thought I could trust my tag team partner… my own flesh and blood in this business.” He paused, letting the tension build, and the crowd leaned in. “But I found out he’s been dating my manager behind my back!”

Brandon’s eyes widened as the storyline unfolded, mirroring his own situation in a bizarre twist of fate. He leaned forward, engrossed as the wrestler continued his accusations, pacing the ring like a man betrayed.

“I treated them both like family,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “But now I find out that I’ve been nothing but a fool in their little game. So, here’s the deal—I’m not here to get even. I’m here to get justice.”

As he finished, his tag team partner and manager walked out, hands raised in innocence, both pleading with him to calm down. They tried to reassure him, insisting they would never do such a thing. Brandon could feel his own heart racing as he watched, almost rooting for the truth to win out.

But just as things seemed to be clearing up, the tag team partner blindsided the wrestler, clotheslining him to the mat while the manager laughed, mocking the downed wrestler. Boos filled the arena, and Brandon’s stomach twisted as he watched the betrayal play out on stage. The tag team partner took the mic, sneering.

“We didn’t lie to your face, partner. We just didn’t think you’d ever realize the truth was right under your nose.”

The crowd erupted with mixed cheers and boos, but Brandon’s face went pale. It was almost too close to his own fears—the hidden betrayal, the feeling of being kept in the dark. He sank into his seat, clenching his fists as the wrestlers continued their exchange, feeling his anxiety creep back. By the time the match resumed, Brandon couldn’t shake the tension eating at him. He’d come here for an escape, but instead, he felt worse than ever.

Unable to watch any longer, he got up and left, pushing his way through the crowd until he made it outside into the cool night air. Taking deep breaths, he walked to his car, feeling a tightness in his chest as he tried to calm himself. Leaning against the car, he shut his eyes, inhaling deeply to ground himself. The pro-wrestling soap opera had somehow stirred up all his insecurities and unanswered questions about Adalynn and Damarae.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced down, feeling his pulse quicken when he saw Adalynn’s name on the screen. Her message was short:

Adalynn: Sorry about yesterday, I can chat if you’d like.

Brandon stared at the message, his emotions tangled in frustration, confusion, and a deep-rooted fear of what she might say. His mind ran in circles, and instead of replying, he closed his phone, leaving her on read. As he climbed into his car and started the engine, he told himself he’d think about what to say later. For now, he just wanted to go home and shut out the world.

Meanwhile, across town, Roberto was pulling into his driveway, carrying a second, plump turkey he’d managed to find on his errand. Checking to make sure Jazlyn was occupied in the living room, he snuck the bird inside, storing it in the freezer with a sense of accomplishment. Thanksgiving was secure, but something about his trip had him rattled.

He took a few deep breaths, rubbing his temples as he tried to shake off the anxious energy lingering from the day. Part of him wanted to share his victory with Jazlyn, but he held back, knowing that his secret plan would have more impact if he kept it to himself. He gave one last satisfied look at the freezer, double-checking the lock to make sure the turkey was safely stored.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Roberto plastered on a confident smile, straightened up, and left the kitchen. He felt the weight of the day slowly ease as he settled into his chair, telling himself that all the effort would be worth it. Thanksgiving would be perfect—he’d make sure of it.