:: Jason Helms :: He's No Superman ::

So, trio’s announcements… that was a thing. Talk about a bit of a shock. Okay, mostly it wasn’t, mostly it went exactly as people predicted; Jordan picked Bree, no surprise there, and Selena picked Regan, which again wasn’t all that shocking. Tommy went for the girl with more back than a house of ribs that he teams with and Peyton picked the boring kid who has a dad that looks suspiciously like the former head of merchandise for the Wonderland… more than half the field was pretty easy to call and people who did so were quickly proven right. But not all of the picks were as easy to predict, were they? Marie picking Owen made sense, even if many thought she’d go with Kim. He’s a good kid, a solid wrestler and a former world champ so a power play on Marie’s part for sure. And Jay picking Xander, fuck knows where that came from but it made sense. Better the devil you know and shit, at least that’s what Golden boy said anyway, I gather they have a fair bit of history from back when Gold was around the first time. Xander, while he deserves an ass kicking, he’s a weapon so can’t fault Gold for picking him, truth be told. And Kelsai? Well, her first pick was exactly who I expected too, it was as obvious as the nose on your face; the only way she wasn’t picking Blake was if Amy was a viable pick, but that’s never going to happen again, her knee can’t take it. I’d shoot myself in the dick before letting her wrestle again, just not gonna risk it and I’m pretty sure Wyatt feels the same way, though you’d have to ask him about his opinions on self-mutilation because funnily enough, it hasn’t come up in conversation. Unfortunately, her brother-in-law is a pathetic little asshole that would rather run from problems than face them, but some leopards don’t change their spots I guess?

But I swear, if I had to give my top ten people on the SCW roster that Kelsai may have picked, I sure as shit wouldn’t have put my own name anywhere near that list! Okay, so I’ve been involved in some of her training since I started helping out of BlackOut following the injury, but come on! This isn’t a Disney flick, this isn’t Disney and The Troll, you know?

Yet I was her second choice regardless… which is kind of insulting in a sense, because fuck being second to Blake Mason in any way shape or form fuck you very much, but whatever bro, I can let it slide. Like I said, he’s her brother-in-law, I get it. Just a shame he’s got a belly as yellow as the mask I’ve been wearing for the last few weeks. Shame for Kelsai anyway, because she has to deal with having a brother-in-law that’s a selfish douche nozzle. For me, his cowardice does fucking wonders. I’m in Trio’s for the second time in my run in SCW, I get a crack at grabbing one of those shiny contracts that can open doors and make names, even if our conversation with Jake after the show did nothing to actually help me understand the how or why. Just got to use it in a way that makes an impact, rather than being cliche as all fuck and cashing in on the Rise To Greatness main event like ninety nine percent of people do. Way to be original, knuckleheads. But hey, let’s not get too far ahead here, huh? I’m under no illusions, I’m a realist. Big fucking ask to get by that first round let alone win the entire thing. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m actually looking forward to trying though, even if the entire thing confused the ever loving fuck out of me. Not that there was anything new there, really. I mean, let’s be fucking real for a minute here; I spent half my time in SCW before the injury wondering just what the fuck was going on, didn’t I? Konrad’s emotional rollercoaster, the Wonderland stuff. I bought a fucking goat at one point, what the hell bro? Levi’s crazy merchandise ideas, dealing with Bree’s bullshit, and then the fact that I started seeing Amy in secret, all of it contributed to me not knowing what was going on half the fucking time anyway, so was I really in a much worse place at this point? Not really…

Maybe it’s some sort of Karma for the way we misled everybody with the Lucho’s stuff? That’d make a twisted sort of sense I guess; we fool everyone for months and the first development following my return throws me for a loop. Typical SCW really, right? Amy mocked me for the reaction. She said it was fucking obvious why Kelsai picked me and to stop being a jackass. Thanks sweetheart, appreciate the support. The way her mouth twists into a smirk when she’s gotten a rise out of me always was hot. Heh. But we were in the gym at the time, and unlike previous moments where we had privacy, this wasn’t gonna be an opportunity to get to the fucking. Shame, it would have been a nice segue for my story, right? “So there we were, talking about my confusion and next thing I know, she’s got my balls in the palm of her hand and”... well, you the point. Point is, no funny business, even if she could have discreetly done whatever from behind the desk where she sat. Day time with students and stuff around is not the time. Shame, the risk makes it hotter, but I get it.

“You’re just overthinking it, you idiot!” Amy told me, rolling her eyes as I sat back in the chair next to hers. “Okay, it was a surprise, you didn’t expect it so it came out of left field… but why the fuck are you making such a big deal out of it? Just go with the flow!” She instructed, like I was one of her students that needed guidance on how to put on a leotard. And alright, maybe she was right that I was making way too big a deal out of things, but go fuck yourself bro, I can be overly dramatic if I want. Half the SCW locker room make a fucking career out of it, ain’t that right Syren? “Babe, look at me,” Amy asked and I looked down from where I’d been staring at the ceiling above us, my head resting on the back rest of the chair. “Kelsai wanted to pick people she thought she could trust and people she thought she could work with. She trusts Blake and knows how good he is when he turns up. He wasn’t interested. Thankfully, I think I almost appreciate that contract clause of his, because I think we could all do without that drama. But when Blake wasn’t an option, you were always going to be her next choice. She trusts you, she likes you, and she knows she’ll work well with you because she has done in this place for months, while you’ve been helping with training. So chill out, okay?”

“You used to be fun, you know that?” I told her, and while I tried to keep a straight face she already knew I was only joking.

“I still am. You know that more than anyone in SCW,” she replied, shooting me a crooked smile as under the desk her foot rubbed against my leg, playfully. “But sometimes, what you need most is for someone has to curb you penchant for the dramatic, to being you back down to earth, and I’d like to think that’s one of my best qualities… the ability to keep you grounded.”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “With you at home sweetheart, I wouldn’t mind being grounded indefinitely,” I told her with a grin.

Amy laughed, shaking her head at me. “Not what I mean babe, but thanks,” she said before going back to her computer. She had some sort of spreadsheet up on the screen, though don’t ask me what the fuck the numbers and columns were for, I kept my nose out of that side of the business, I just helped run training from time to time. Couldn’t tell you if it was for the gym, the foundation or simply balancing her chequebook, I didn’t even look. “Why don’t you just talk to Kelsai about it, if it’s eating away at you this much? Though I think we both know you’re not actually confused by any of it, you just want my attention while I’m trying to do this…”

Maybe she was half right. “Oh wise Amy, how do you do it? How do you read me like a book with such ease?” I asked her playfully. Sure, I was poking fun, but the sentiment was actually kind of true. Can’t keep anything from that women, she sees right through it. It’s enough to drive a jackass crazy!

“If that’s just your way of telling me to fuck off so you can concentrate, just say the words ‘fuck off’ and I’ll get out of your hair,” I explained, dropping the playful act now. If she needed some space all she had to do was say, I could find plenty to do downstairs.

“Sorry babe, just need to get these figures done before taking class,” Amy explained, turning to give me a smile. “You don’t have to leave, I’m always happy having you here with me, I just need to concentrate that’s all.”

Nodding, I slid my chair back and stood up, leaving over to kiss her on top of the head. “I’ll get out of your hair… I’ll see if I can find Kelsai, or maybe hit the weights. Physio said I need to stay on top of my training with the knee, or it’ll weaken.”

“Preaching to the converted babe,” Amy said, patting her own leg with her hand. Matching injuries, fucking adorable, huh? “He’s right though, you’ll have to keep on top of that for the rest of your career. I know from experience.”

Grinning, I snapped off a salute. “Yes ma’am!” I told her playfully, with as much vigour as I could muster before winking at her. She just smiled and shook her head back at me, a reaction I get way more often than I like but I guess it comes with the territory, huh?

The upper floor was busier than I expected as I made my way from Amy’s office down to the academy room, be it students milling around before class started or some just getting in extra practice. Can’t fault the dedication of the students, that’s for sure. In early or staying late, goes a long way towards showing they really do give a fuck, which is good considering the dollars they’re shelling out for the privelige. Big Jeff was doing his thing on the far side of the room as I entered, working with a couple of kids on the loose matting towards one corner, and he nodded at me and mouthed the word ‘Sup Homey’ as I nodded back; I didn’t like the guy when I first met him, but truth be told he’d grown on me over the last couple years, having worked a lot more with him when I started helping out at BlackOut. It wasn’t Jeff I was looking for though, and he went back to working with the students as I scanned the room before spotting who I was after. It wasn’t exactly difficult to spot Kalsai, even with the amount of people in the room; her lion's mane stuck out like a saw thumb even when tied back, but her hair wasn’t the only thing tied up, as she was too. And now you’ve taken your mind out of the gutter, I simply meant that she was working in the ring with one of the academy students, a blonde and pink haired chick called Niamh that I’d worked with a little myself over the last couple of month. Confident chick but kind of a lone wolf, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing but it did make for difficult work during group training sessions. But that’s the biz, I guess. If we were all friends, where would the fun be? Walking down the last couple of steps I drifted over to the ring where Kelsai and Niamh were taking turns to lock up and break, waiting for a natural point where I could interject, and I actually ended up watching them work for several minutes before I finally spotted my opportunity.

“Good form Kels,” I called out from by the apron of the ring. Both chicks turned to look at me, Kelsai from by the ropes and Niamh on the floor; the blonde was a little too enthusiastic with a reversal and Kelsai had dumped her on her ass, she’d been in the process of apologising and checking she was okay when I interrupted. “You need to watch the spin though doll, you go that wide during a reversal and you’re opening up to so many attacks, what Kelsai did was the weakest option she had but in a real match you could have been in trouble.”

“Yeah, I went in heavy coach, took the spin too wide,” Niamh told me, sounding pretty annoyed with herself. Didn’t want the chick beating herself up, she was still a rookie student after all, training with a former champion. Even the smallest mistake was gonna be punished if she made one. “My boot got caught on the canvas as I turned and I had to take an extra step out. Won’t happen again!” she told me emphatically. Felt bad for really saying anything after that, it’s not like I was her main trainer, I’d only taught her a couple times in about three months, she didn’t need to beat herself up.

“Don’t sweat it doll, it happens,” I told her, trying to be reassuring. She didn’t need an ass kicking and I wasn’t trying to give it. Just giving her advice but evidently she already know where she’d gone wrong. “I once caught my foot on the rope during a springboard when I first started out, ended up falling face first in the ring and cracked a tooth with the impact but I learned from the mistake.”

“And you never made it again?” Kelsai said hopefully, looking for the lesson.

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Nah, I learned that face planting the ring hurt like a bitch and that working for a company that didn’t cover dental was expensive,” i told them with a laugh. Kelsai looked a little caught off guard but Niamh stifled a giggle. “But I did learn that mistakes happen and it’s how you recover that matters. I got back up and won the match, despite my fuck up. So I guess that takeaway is that mistakes happen but it’s not stopping them that matters, but how you recover. Okay?” I asked, and the blonde nodded before smiling at me. “Mind if I grab you a moment, Kels?”

She looked worried, which was troubling. “Um, I guess? Only can you tell me what hold because you’ve been doing this longer than me, and-”

I couldn’t help but chuckle; guess that explained why she looked worried. “No sweetheart, I mean can I have a word with you,” I said, cutting her off to explain, watching as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Probably didn’t help that Niamh giggled again. But she nodded, and I called over one of the other students, Buddy, to jump in the ring as Kelsai made her exit. Giving em a few instructions I left the two to go over what I’d said. It was only basic week one stuff, but I wasn’t even on the clock and I hoped my conversation with Kelsai wouldn’t take that long anyway. She could go back to working the ring with Niamh in no time and I’d go about my Jason-y business.

“Is everything okay?” Kelsai asked once we’d walked far enough away from anyone who may have half an idea to listen in on our convo. Not that I was embarrassed or anything, but that doesn’t mean I want people listening to every word I say either. At least not when they’re not paying to listen to me, anyway. During class time, coach Jason demands your fucking attention, haha.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I asked, flashing her a smile. I’ve got a good fucking smile, I know it. Usually it sets people’s fears to rest, but Kelsai looked worried. Christ, she was far too innocent for SCW, bro. “Seriously sweetheart, everything is fine. Just wanted to touch bases with you-”

“Jason Helms, that is inappropriate!” Kelsai said, folding her arms across her chest as she scolded me with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “I know what the bases mean, and you will do no such thing! The only man able to get to any base with me is my Victor!”

I threw my hands up defensively. “No sweetheart, not like that!” I told her, panicking now. Last thing I wanted was a student to accuse me of inappropriate behaviour! “Shit Kelsai, I just meant-” I started to explain before realising that she was fucking smirking. Okay, Kelsai one Jason zero, I’ll take that one on the chin. You can’t blame me for biting though, right? This was the most innocent chick in all of SCW after all. “Well played…”

“Sorry, couldn’t resist,” she told me, beaming. How dude, how the hell did you fall for that?!

“Well, you got me,” I said, laughing. I mean, I wish she didn’t, but she did. “But listen, I just wanted to catch up now you’ve had a few days to sort of get your head around the show… you alright with your choice still?” I asked, seeing no point beating around the bush; better to just ask the question bluntly, rip off the bandaid so to speak.

“Well, I can’t pretend I’m not still a little sad about Blake but I definitely understand his reasons,” Kelsai told me, and the crazy thing was that she really did understand that her own brother-in-law had blown her off over his petty desire to avoid facing Bree! I didn’t know whether to feel pity or envy! “But I got my second pick and I’m excited to work with you Jason, coach and mentor. I hope I can do you all proud on Sunday night!” she added, and I ain’t gonna lie, I felt bad because she was the team captain, she picked me to be on her team and yet she was worrying about letting me down?

“Hey, you can cut that out straight away,” I told her, refusing to let her pile that sort of pressure on herself. “Seriously Kelsai, this isn’t about you impressing anyone or making us proud or anything, okay? Your career is about you, and being proud of what you do, not making others proud of you. If anything, it should be me hoping that I do you proud at the weekend, you’re the one that picked me afterall…”

“Oh, no, Jason I don’t want you to talk like that!” Kelsai said quickly, not realising that her reaction to my words was exactly the same as mine, so I guess the point went over her head a little you could say. “You’re right, I did pick you, but that’s because I trust you! You helped train me, you and Amy have helped me so much, and I know that if I’m with someone I can trust, I’ll be a much better partner out there!”

This girl is way to freaking sweet, I’m telling you! “And I appreciate the fuck out of that sweetheart, I really do. You picking me was kind of a shock to be honest, but I really do appreciate you saying you did it because you trust me, that means a lot. But I mean it Kelsai, it’s me that should be worried about letting your trust down. You put faith in me despite there being plenty of reasons not to, and if I don’t bring it on Sunday then your choice backfires on you…”

“What makes you say there are reasons I shouldn’t have picked you?” Kelsai asked me, and to her credit she barely flinched at the fact I’d sworn, something I’d come to expect from her at this point. Maybe she was getting used to having the potty-mouthed New Jersey native around, or she managed to blank it out these days. But the early days of me taking class were fucking hilarious that that reason. Every f-bomb got a wince, it was difficult to stop myself from doing it on purpose!

“I dunno if you’ve noticed sweetheart, but I can be a bit of a dick at times,” I told her with a laugh. “Maybe I’m not quite as bad as I used to be, but I definitely don’t fall under the sweet and innocent category… plus I’m not exactly Blake’s biggest fan, which can’t be easy. He’s had enough run-ins with my family to sour me against him permanently at this point and him making the excuses that he has when you tried to pick him does my view of him no favours either…”

She gave me a very understanding look, nodding her head. I’d just pretty much told her - in a less colourful way than I’d have liked to be fair - that her brother-in-law was a douche canoe and she didn’t even bat an eyelid, was there anything that phased this girl?! “Well Jason, I do love Blake, we’re family and I will never turn my back on a family member because that isn’t something I could ever do… but I do understand that Blake has a habit of burning bridges and winding people up and it isn’t my place to criticise or try and convince you that he really is a great person once you get to know him,” she told me, being way more diplomatic than she had to be or probably should be under the circumstances. “As for your old reputation, I guess my first point links to that? I know that you have a history… but I also see the person you are now, and you may be unkind at times, but I also see someone who does care. Whether it is about the business, about the students here or about the people in your life, I think you’re a good man Jason, and that’s why I had no hesitation in picking you as soon as Blake made it clear he wasn’t an option.”

“That’s sweet of you doll, but have you considered the fact that it’s been a long time since I’ve wrestled regularly?” I countered; I have every faith in my knee holding it, it wasn’t anything to do with that, but I hadn’t exactly wrestled that many matches since making my return, had I? A couple of matches as Trenta and then the unmasking… had I done enough to be sure that the ring rust was gone? Probably not. “I know you said you trust me Kelsai, but it may not be a matter of trust, it may be down to fitness or lack of it I guess? I don’t want to let you down, but I feel like I’m the weak link of this time right now,” I told her as I spotted Nadine, BlackOut’s promo coach, walking into the room. I gave a casual half wave before turning back to Kelsai. “All I want to know is if you’re absolutely sure that you want to pick me for your team? I dunno what the rules are, but if you’d rather have someone a bit more reliable or whatever you want to call it, I’m positive that Sasha would sanction you changing your decision if I explained the circumstances. I want-”

“With all due respect Jason, shouldn’t this be about what I want, not what you want?” She asked, cutting me off before I could even finish. I was trying to tell her that I wanted her to have the best possible chance heading into the tournament, but she didn’t let me get that far. “I made my choice, that one couldn’t happen because of the details in Blake’s contract. So I made my second choice, and now you’re asking if I want to change my mind again? You were just telling me that I should be disappointed or angry with Blake more or less, and now you sound like you’re trying to get out of it too. So what makes you better than him if that’s the case?!” she asked and I was actually offended at that; me and Blake, being compared? Yikes. “I saw that flicker of anger by the way, but where am I wrong?”

“You are wrong Kelsai, because I’m not trying to get out of it, I’m asking if you’re sure you want me on your team,” I told her, seeing a clear distinction between the two that she apparently couldn’t see. “I’m not saying I won’t be on your team, I’m not saying I want out, I’m saying you should think about if you’re actually happy with your decision!”

“And I told you I am, so don’t worry about it hon!” she said, her face all full of smiles in an instant, while I was left wondering what the hell just happened. She had twisted my words around and bent them so out of shape that instead of trying to think about her and give her a great shot at winning, she made me sound like the bad guy for caring. And I had no idea how I let it happen! “I’m glad we had this talk, it’s so much better to be open and honest isn’t it? Good talk, coach!” she said, slapping me playfully on the shoulder, shooting me a broad grin. “But I should get ready for class now, it’s due to start any minute and I want to get a drink of water before it does. You sticking around?”

“I, uh… yeah, yeah I am,” I eventually managed to mumble, stumbling over my words like a fucking moron. What the fuck just happened?!

“Yay!” she said, doing a little dance out of excitement before holding out her first for a fist bump.

I duly obliged before she disappeared back in the direction of the ring, leaving me standing in bewilderment. It took me a couple of seconds to pull myself together and realise that I’d just been played by someone so sweet and innocent… she really had been learning. Chuckling to myself, I made my way back over to the ring, where I realised Niamh was still working with Buddy, but they’ve moved on from what I’d suggested and I watched as the chick locked up with Buddy and then executed a perfect break and reversal so that she tied him up behind. I couldn’t help but nod in approval, it was much better than the previous effort I’d witnessed when she was training with Kelsai before I rudely interrupted. “She’s doing pretty good isn’t she?” a voice asked and I turned to see Amy standing next to me, holding out a large takeout coffee. “Sent one of the kids out to Starbucks before class starts… black coffee, two sugars. Size ‘trenta’, as you apparently like these days,” she teased as I took the cup from her, grinning.

“I’m not the only one who likes large things Ames,” I teased, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively which got a snort of laughter that she quickly tried to stifle. “As for the chick, she’s doing well yeah… still needs a few pointers here and there but it’s nothing she won’t pick up if she keeps at it.”

“She’d probably pick them up quicker if you pointed them out to her?” Amy suggested before taking a sip of her own coffee. She had a few minutes before class was actually due to start, evidently she wanted to get her caffeine fix in before getting things underway. “I know she’s in this class, but she’s probably sticking around after for Nadine’s, so maybe grab a word with her between?” she suggested and I shrugged. Why not, couldn’t hurt could it? I mean, I was one of the trainers now I guess, so taking her aside wasn’t overstretching any boundaries.

“Maybe I will,” I told her noncommittally as I took the lid off of my own coffee, the smell hit me almost instantly, so Amy had clearly told whatever student she sent out how I liked my shit. Not bad Ames, not bad at all. “Don’t want to push too hard though, she’s already got two classes today. Might be overkill for me to start giving her tips too…”

“Fair,” Amy said with a nod. “Could always grab a word though, and tell her to grab you next time she has a lighter schedule? I’m sure it’ll help her confidence knowing that the staff appreciate her efforts and want to help…”

“Just because you enjoy being grabbed, it doesn’t mean everyone does sweetheart,” I joked, grinning. All it got was an eye roll, must not have been up to standard. “Yeah, I will though, after you’re done. Speaking off, shouldn’t you be getting ready to-”

The door flying open with an almighty bang as it crashed into the wall cut me off from finishing what I was saying and I nearly spilled coffee all over myself as I span around to see why the fuck a swat team had apparently stormed into the room, but at first there wasn’t even anyone there… then it started. And straight away, my hand went to the bridge of my nose as I took a moment. No one in their right mind played ‘Sandstorm’ by Darude at such an obnoxiously loud volume from a boom box but one guy, because nobody but one guy actually thought Sandstorm was a good song. It wasn’t even his theme anymore, I think he was just doing it to annoy me to be honest, because of the Dave connection and knowing that Dave always hated that track. Dave wasn’t alone. But every eye in the room was staring at the doorway as Jake Starr walked into the academy, boombox over his shoulder and shit-eating grin on his face as she strutted inside. And the reaction was exactly what he fucking wanted, because the students started cheering and applauding, feeding into his ego.All I could do was shake my damn head. “That’s right boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, you are seeing this right,” Jake said, hitting stop on the boombox and tossing it away without a care. Luckily it didn’t smash into pieces as it skid across the floor. “You’re not sharing a hallucination or daydreaming… Jake Starr is in the hizzouse! New Orleans, Louisiana, take your seats for the greatest guest seminar you have ever witnessed. Hey, how you doing?” he asked as he passed one of the students while making his way into the room, winking and pointing at the kid. The kid seemed to enjoy it, though god knows why. “That’s right, Trio’s is less than a week away, and while I should be training my own ass off, as should my partners over there, Captain Kelsai and Coffee Boy Jason, but instead we are all here in New Orleans, at BlackOut Academy, for your benefit!” he continued, as everybody watched him in shock. Positive shock for most of the students, though Amy was in stunned silence and her mouth hung open, lost for words. “How you doing Jase, good to see you buddy!” he said, slapping me on the shoulder. “Amy, always a pleasure!” he added, beaming at her before walking to Kelsai. “And here’s the captain! Glad to finally see where the magic happens around here!” he went on and if I wasn’t so shocked about the shit he was pulling I’d have found that funny. I’m sure Amy would have too if she wasn’t clearly disturbed.

“Did you know about this?” She asked, leaning over to me so that others wouldn’t hear, but I just shook my head. “Think Kelsai did?”

“Doubt it,” I said, nodding my head towards Kelsai. She was clapping as much as the other students. “She works with the guy, just wrestled him recently, but she looks excited as hell for this… no way she’s that excited if she knows it’s going to happen, surely?”

All that got was a hmm from Amy, though I could see she had plenty of doubts as she looked from Kelsai back to Jake, who was now in the ring and Buddy and Niamh were rushing to climb out of it. “That’s right guys and gals, it’s time for the special one off Jake Starr seminar, Trash Talk one oh one, alternatively titled Talking Shit About The Idiot Across The Ring From You volume’s one through eighty three! Volumes eighty four to one hundred sixty two will be coming live from AnteUp sometime in the future, available on webcast for those interested!” he told the room, most of which were eating this shit up like it was top drawer food at some expensive restaurant.

I looked over at Nadine, who looked even more shaken than Amy did, which probably shouldn’t come as any real shock given she was the actual promo coach for BlackOut, it was a real picture and maybe I’d have found it funnier under different circumstances but I could tell she was already wondering how much hard work Jake was going to undo with his little stunt. “You might wanna get used to this, sweetheart…” I said to her, which caused her to look at me, mortified.

“Oh hell no,” she said flatly. “I love the idea of guest seminars, it’s how I got you working here in the first place, but this,” she added, motioning to Jake in the ring. “This is too much! Why the hell would I want to get used to it, it’s never happening again!”

I couldn’t help but smirk. She was gonna hate me in about ten seconds time. “I mean get used to him,” I corrected her, trying not to laugh too much. “I mean, he’s practically family now, isn’t he…”

I let that hang in the air for a moment and it dawned on her what I was getting at. “Oh gods, that is not happening…”

“You mean your future daughter-in-law’s own brother isn’t going to be welcomed to the family gatherings that I’m invited to? That Nia’s invited to?” I teased, knowing exactly what she was going to say next. “That’s not very inclusive of you babe, what would the coven say?!”

“Jaina and Jordan are not getting married Jason, they’ve not been together anywhere near long enough to consider that!” she told me hotly, which, yep, was exactly what I thought she was gonna say. I knew she was right too, but that would ruin the joke wouldn’t it? The smirk on my face must have given away that I was saying that to wind her up though, because next thing I know, I get a punch to the arm that I’m sure is gonna leave a bruise, but we both turned back to the trainwreck taking place before us. In fairness, the students were enjoying themselves, and maybe this was a good thing… let Jake do his thing now, and then Nadine can tell them tomorrow that this is exactly what not to do. Plus, despite the fact I was only teasing her about Jordan and Jaina, who knew what the future was gonna hold there? But as Jake gathered the students in, getting them to sit around the ring like he was the ringmaster, or some crazy preacher ready for a sermon. Chuckling to myself, I took a sip of what was left of my coffee and decided to watch the car crash. One thing I know for sure though; I’m glad I only have to team with Jake for this fucking tournament. Christ knows how Dave put up with him for so long… that poor bastard.