You see, my half-brother, born of my father's seed in an affair that my mother never knew about, Freddie, is a hot head. A bad temper and little self control. We got it from my father, so I hear. Freddie never liked my success. He never liked that I could say I was better than him. Truth is...I never was better than him. I saw things in a completely opposite light. I didn't see myself as getting all the attention. In my eyes, we were treated the same. I started my career earlier than Freddie, being the elder brother. My name was noticed by the time he was ready to join the ranks. There was nothing I could do about it. I had a natural talent; as did he. I can't say I didn't love Freddie, because I did. I tried to be his father figure. Seeing as I knew what it was like to grow up, and not have one most of my life. He didn't see it that way. He saw me as a showboat, and an attention grabber. He felt I took every sort of limelight off from him. He didn't understand that it wasn't intentional. As I didn't understand how much he despised me.
But that story was for another time. Right now it was about how Freddie and I became closer. It's sad how we finally changed our opinions on one another, but sometimes when a loved one is in danger of disappearing for the rest of your life; your entire mindset changes. Everything I do from here on is for my brother.
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It was a normal day in my Birmingham home. I was watching the news, watching a couple old wrestling tapes, while drinking a glass of vodka. I grabbed the cigarette pack from my pocket and pulled out a Parliament, putting it in my mouth, and then fished for a lighter. I got it, and lit the cigarette, and put both the lighter and pack of cigarettes on the coffee table. Toya was reading some magazine; I couldn't quite make out the title. It was funny though because since she had moved in, things had become completely different. I could feel myself turning in to a different person. My life becoming whole again. I watched as Toya flipped through the pages and a smile came across my face. Not only was she beautiful on the inside and outside, she changed my entire demeanor. I wasn't dark and gloomy anymore. I could feel the aura of happiness around me.
I looked at Ron out of the corner of my eye and smiled to myself. I never thought my life would be whole again after Momma dying but it was slowly starting to become that. Ron completed me and that was all there was to it. I scooted closer to him so that I was pretty much resting against his side. I closed the magazine and set it to the side. I then rested my head in the crook of his shoulder and yawned a bit. I was tired but not too badly. I turned my body so that my left arm rested along his finely chiseled stomach.
"Whacha watchin'?" I asked innocently.
"The local news. I haven't really been paying attention to it though. I've got a lot of things on my mind. I've thought maybe we could sta-"
Before I could finish, I was interrupted by a violent pounding on my front door. I never got many visitors, besides booty calls or kids from the gym, but no one had called to say they were doing so. I sprang up from my chair and walked through the living room, to the main entrance of my home. I turned the door knob and standing in front of me was my own half-brother, Freddie Styles. His clothing was tattered and torn, and he looked as if he had been in a bar fight. Blood was caked to his hands and face. I felt little remorse though. We hadn't spoke in almost six years. I couldn't possibly try to fathom why he was here now. And in such awful condition.
"What do you want?” I asked him with a stern look.
"Listen to me Ron, just let me in. We can talk about this inside. Please, I'm just asking you to let me in."
"Why should I Freddie? When have you ever done anything for me? All I can ever remember is you being jealous of me. Being a stubborn younger brother, because you couldn't have the entire limelight."
"Listen Ron, just let me in. I am in serious trouble.
He brushed me aside as he looked over his shoulder, before coming in. I felt so many emotions at that moment. Anger, confusion, but most of all compassion. Even though we had both put one another through enough bullshit to last a lifetime, Freddie was still of my own flesh and blood. I walked to the living room as he followed. Toya still sat on the couch, wondering what was happening.
"Toya, this is my half-brother Freddie. Freddie this is Toya. Let me ask you this, why do you have blood smeared all over you? And why in the hell are you here?"
I looked at this man Ron referred to me as his half-brother and I put my hands to my mouth. I stood up, my eyes wide and my mouth agape. I got my emotions under control and rushed over to Ron and Freddie. However I quickly went into the kitchen and got a wet washcloth as well as a first aid kit. I walked into the area where the two brothers were and began to take out supplies to get Freddie cleaned up.
"Ron we have to get him cleaned up or to a hospital, those cuts look awful."
Tears sprung to my eyes. I knew Ron wasn't too fond of his brother but surely he wouldn't want him to be in such a horrid state.
"No. No hospital. Just do what you have to do here. I'll survive.", James said in desperation.
I appreciated Toya's concern. She was such an emotional person, and I think it helped having her around. She was willing to do whatever it took to make things right...and I loved her for it. But my brother's state didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Sure when he said he was in serious trouble, my mind began to wonder. But he had been in numerous fights. He wasn't too good at keeping his ego in check. I'd have to hear the story before I made any judgments. I had to put my grudge aside and be a brother.
"Alright Fred X, while Toya fixes you up, tell me what happened. Everything. All the details. If you want my help, I need to know what I'm dealing with.", I said to Freddie.
"Well, I beat a guy up real bad. And I mean real bad. Within an inch of his life. We were at the bar, and I started talking to some girl in the club. His b###h I guess. He then came over and began taunting me. Looking for a fight. I mean I tried to keep myself out of it, but the guy was relentless. He had recognized me from some prior federation of mine. His mouth continued to flap and flap. I tried my best to keep my mouth shut, but nothing worked. So I paid for my drinks, and left the club, and sure enough the asshole followed me out. He pushed me, and I lost it. I went completely crazy. He even pulled a knife on me. (Points to his cuts.) I don't know Ron, something in me snapped, and I beat the hell out of him. I smashed his head off the ground a couple times, and he bled all over the place. Ahh, shit." he said as Toya cleaned Freddie's wounds with rubbing alcohol.
"So who was the guy?” I asked.
"This is the worst part. He was Mafioso. You know, a "Made" man. I'm screwed Ron. They're going to have my head for this one. I really ####ed up, and you're the only one I could think about coming to."
My head was spinning. Freddie had got himself in to a huge mess this time. I didn't know if I could even possibly help, but I knew I could try. It was the least I could do. I could probably get him a low key job for HWA, where he could work and hide out at my place for a little while. Just when things were getting good, they just go back to the same shit show they once were.
I looked at Ron and then at Freddie, after hearing what Freddie had gotten himself into I suddenly became very afraid. I finished cleaning his cuts and stood up, my hands caked with blood. I felt my stomach beginning to churn from my nerves being on end. I swallowed back some vomit that was starting to rise up from my stomach. I also suddenly felt sick to my stomach and very tired. I placed the blood caked wash-cloth on the counter and turned to look at Ron. I felt very warm and somewhat dizzy. The realization that Ron's and my lives could be in danger just sent me into a sort of fear I had never felt before.
"I think...I need to lie down. I'm going upstairs."
I turned on my heels and slowly started to walk toward the staircase. I wanted to cry because I had this unrelenting sense of fear starting to consume me. I wrapped my arms around myself; I couldn't shake the fear that was coming over me.
I could see that Toya was visibly upset. I had to go console her after she had heard all the drama that had played out that night. She shouldn't have been involved in this mess, which was my family. I walked up the stairs after her, and followed her in to my bedroom.
"Toya, I don't want you to be afraid. James got himself in to this, he needs to get himself out of it.", I said to her, as I wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me. But I knew I couldn't stay out of it. Freddie was still my family, and he desperately needed my help. I was getting dragged in to his mess whether I liked it or not. I guess I felt I had some making up to do.
"Everything will be fine Toya, I promise."
I loved the fact he was trying to console me but fact remained that there was nothing he could do to help me shake this feeling that something horrible was going to be waiting for us in the future. I positioned myself so that I had my hands resting on his shoulders; I looked him straight in the eyes and sighed.
"I know you say he needs to get himself out of this Ron, but he needs help. If he goes at this alone it might get him killed. I know Freddie isn't your favorite person but he is your brother, and you being the wonderful person you are will help him. Whatever happens as a result of this, just know that I love you Ron, I really do."
I stifled back a sob as tears were streaming down my face at a rapid speed. I hated this overwhelming fear that had come over me and I would do anything I could to put a stop to it, it was no use though. The fear was there to stay.
"I love you too Toya."
It had been so long since I said it and felt it. Things with Toya were amazing, and I wouldn't let my brother change our lives. His stupid act wasn't going to change the chemistry of Toya and myself's life.
"Let me go deal with him. Get some rest; I'll be up soon enough to sleep with you.” I smiled, but I knew she could tell I was worried.
Little did I know that Freddie would have a huge impact on us.
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I expected you to show me something Talon.
I expected you to prove why you are as great as you say. I wanted you to show me why certain people think highly of you. Why you should be mentioned as someone to carry on the legacy of this title. All you showed me was that you are exactly where you should be. On a losing streak, and little talent. You couldn't come up with any new material to throw at me? You couldn't throw insults my way that meant something? I got under your skin, and you couldn't even graze the surface.
You've disappointed me.
Along with anyone else who ever thought you were worthwhile.
You're a disgrace to even be named alongside me. All I asked for was a decent competitor. All I got was a kid that couldn’t get it done in the ring, so he put on airs, fell in on Senester's cock and slurped his way to this point.
You're over with. Done for.
I think that was noticeable during your first promo. You're played out Talon. You do jack shit for this company. Your ideas of being a champion or being the new King…are just merely ideas…figments of your imagination.
You called me out.
And all you could say was you hated me? That I was overconfident…somehow past my better days? Anyone can point out that I am an arrogant prick. I mean it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that I have a huge ego. But congrats Talon, you pointed out the obvious. I’m sorry if in any way I upset you.
I've only spoke the truth.
Actually to be honest, I don't give a shit. You wasted my time, and the time of every other superstar reading your promos. Why do I have to carry every match? I have to carry the burden of HWA's survival on my back. I'm growing tired of it.
Your boss Senester knows what I'm talking about.
I can't begin to wonder why I even decided to waste my time on you. Sure you pumped your little promo, explaining why you're better. How you're better; or even why you deserve to win this match. Fact of the matter is... you don't deserve to win. You don't deserve to beat Ronnie McNeil.
You aren't talent.
You're a waste. A waste of roster space and promo time. Go get some creativity and then come and challenge me. I think you'd be better off facing Fallen and Deas every match. Besides, you’ve stepped in the ring with the King before.
You were ruled.
Go along and play your ####ing games. You have false hope and overused material. The day you bow out from the HWA is the day this company will get somewhere. You have a few days to prepare. Get ready; you're in for the match of your lifetime.
King Kong ain't got shit on me.
So what makes you with your played out promos think you have a chance in hell of beating the one and true King?
Go sit your little five dollar ass down before I make change of you Talon.
You don’t belong in my space, and at Fatality, I’m gonna show you just how far above your paygrade you really are.
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