Present-day…
Cyrus walked into his lakefront cottage-style mansion in a remote area in Glencoe, Illinois, dropping his briefcase at the door. The massive space reeked of last night’s burnt popcorn and pizza take-out. Things were strewn about in random disarray. A button-up shirt hung off the banister of the stairs leading up to the bedrooms, and an empty beer can was sitting on the living room coffee table. Not to mention the rest of the random items he had yet to put away. A fishing pole was laying in the entryway he hadn’t picked up in weeks, making the smell of the room even more repugnant.
Cyrus Evans, the former member of the acclaimed wrestling duo, the Doom Brothers, had moved from his quant Tennessee home to the Chicago suburb area not long after his divorce. He moved close to his niece Isis, not only to start his new job but also to have family close by. In the two years since the Doom Brothers had parted ways in the ring. He missed that time on the road traveling with his older brother, but Cyrus struggled to admit it to his family, or International Wrestling Xtream’s owner, Davis Preston.
Cyrus stepped over the fishing pole, ignoring the fact it made the entryway room smell like fish guts. It wasn’t like anyone visited him often anyway, so he had taken little time to arrange things. He had yet to unpack all his belongings, and it had been two years. Most often he would visit Isis and Gage or the Preston’s instead of having anyone over. It was just easier that way.
He wasn’t the same man he once was. He once loved a big family and lots of people in and out of his home. His ex-wife ruined that for him. He used to love having guests and kept everything in order so people would feel at home. Here it was different. Cyrus was just a ghost in this lonely, massive space. Sure, it was a place that would have been welcoming, but it didn’t have that typical homey feel that laughter of family filling the halls would bring. It was cold. Lifeless.
“I don’t know why I don’t sell this place and just get an apartment in the city. It’s too much for a single guy. I guess I better pick up before Gage gets here, though. Maybe I’ll even spray some air freshener to spruce it up a bit.”
His cousin’s husband, Gage Stone, would give him hell for the place looking like a tornado had hit it. He was already on his ass about being so caught up in the office and not being part of the family as much anymore. Cyrus had become a recluse outside of the IWX offices.
“He’s so damn pushy. Gage is lucky he’s my best friend or I would have already broken his damn nose. He means well, though. I know he is just trying to get me out of my funk. I just can’t see much point to anything anymore. This is my life now.” Cyrus kicked a tennis shoe out of his way with a sigh of frustration.
It was surprising to Cyrus that Gage took so easily to Evan’s family routine. He enjoyed the big family gatherings and became an overly attentive moral support. It only made sense; Gage was a family man now. Two kids and one on the way. Isis was in her element of being the perfect Stepford wife and Gage’s submissive little princess. If Isis wasn’t miss perfect before, she was even more so now that she had a growing family of their own.
The couple still had their kinks that Cyrus was secretly curious about. He could see the draw to being in a dom/sub relationship. He had been wanting to ask Gage about it for years, but it seemed creepy since they were family now.
“Why did I have to invite him over, anyway? Now I must clean up this mess and pretend everything is fine. At least Ice Queen won’t be coming along. She would harp on me again about dating. Like I need that drama in my life again. The one girl I dated since my divorce just was hoping for a job promotion. And why the hell am I talking to myself… again? I’m losing it.”
Cyrus trudged on, starting to clean up the place. Gage would be here any minute, and he wished he would have just had this meeting at the office. Both men got talking about barbecue and beer at work. They knew Isis would insist on her healthy food kick, and they decided to meet at Cyrus’s place to have a cookout and relax instead.
A knock came at the door and Cyrus looked at the surrounding mess.
“Damn it. He’s early. I need a maid.”
Opening the door, Gage was grinning at him, holding up a case of beer. “I bring reinforcements.”
“I thought you didn’t drink.”
“Normally, I don’t. You know I like to let loose every once in a while. A beer or two doesn’t hurt occasionally.”
“Hey! You shaved your head. All your long hair’s gone.”
“The wife’s idea. The kids kept pulling my hair when I played with them.” Gage popped open a beer, taking a big gulp. “I hate it. I’m going it back.”
“It’s weird. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with short hair. You know Isis is going to be mad if you drink and drive.”
“I know. That’s why I called an Uber. She said if we get drunk for me to stay here just to be safe. Dude! Why does it smell like old fish bait and burnt popcorn in here?” Gage pushed past and went to the living room, looking around, trying to wave his hand to waft off the stench. “Did someone break in and trash your house?”
“Shut up, asshole. I’ve been busy with work. My bosses are jerks and won’t give me a minute to catch my breath.” Cyrus picked a pair of underwear off the couch, throwing it in a pile of dirty clothes in the corner.
“Davis, maybe. I’m a delight to work for. You need a maid. This place looks like homeless people broke in and are squatting here.”
“Gage. Don’t make me kill you.”
“I’m not scared of your treats, remember? Leave those threats for your brother-in-law, Colt.” Gage choked, holding his breath. “Geez, man. Can we at least open a window?”
“Sure. Sorry, I just haven’t been home enough to keep the place up.”
Gage sighed, seeing the tired look in Cyrus’ eyes. “Or is it you’re just giving up? This is not like you, Cy. You’re always really responsible and organized.”
“Chicago’s nothing like my old laid-back country life, Gage. My life’s filled with corporate meetings and boardroom banter now. I haven’t even been hiking in almost six months and it is taking a toll on this old country boy.”
“I get that. Your time with nature was always how you regrouped and relaxed. We haven’t even been out on the boat yet this spring. We should call Wraith and go on a fishing trip or something. I’m sure Colt would join us. Holly and Isis have been wanting to get together as a family.”
“Always pushing the family thing on me, aren’t you?” Cyrus rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
“I remember you used to be the one who enjoyed getting everyone together. Tammy moved on, Cy. It’s time to live life again. It’s been two years since the divorce. I know she messed you up for a while, but what she did was not your fault.”
“Yeah. Two years since I’ve been in the ring with my brother and sister, too. We were going to be a huge faction and be the most threatening force in IWX and now look. I haven’t been inside the ring since my divorce.”