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IRL!

(Thursday, August 18th, 2022)

Florida

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Laying my phone on my bathroom counter, I smirk as it buzzes, lighting up every few seconds with a new comment on my Instagram post I just made. Thought I'd kick off the start to an absolute crazy-ass weekend by igniting a fire... as one does. Playing with a fire I have no intention of putting out, rather letting the entire WWE universe burn around me.

I quickly shower and wash my hair, needing it clean for tomorrow's photoshoot, Denni's orders, and pack my bathroom products and scrunching my hair with a t-shirt as I go. I'm trying to remind myself out of the entire weekend today is supposed to be the least stressful day, but Denni and I are traveling with Goose, Maverick, and Coraline to Rhea's. Since Uncle Jack is coming to Canada for SmackDown and Briar's birthday weekend with her and her dad tomorrow there will be no one here to watch them, so we're meeting Rhea at her house so they can go where she takes her dogs when she travels for the weekend, then traveling with Rhe to Canada. Whew. My brain hurts just thinking about it.

A knock sounds on my door as I starting throwing shit in one of my suitcases. "You packing?" Uncle Jack asks.

"Uhhh, yes." I huff, why does this man doubt me?

"Actually?"

I click my tongue, throwing the door open to find him standing there with a grin. "You're lucky I love you." I point at him, moving back to the pile of clothes on my bed.

"A tornado blew through here." He shakes his head, glancing around. Well... he's not wrong... but he doesn't have to say it...

"And the maid is taking off this weekend," I toss a shirt at him which he lets land on his head, "Such a shame."

"Haaa, haaa." He exaggerates his fake laugh.

I shake my head. "Do you have Maverick and Coraline's shot records and papers?"

"Yes. Got 'em printed yesterday." He nods.

"Good." I exhale. That's one thing off my plate and off the list.

"Relax, kiddo." Uncle Jack pulls me in for a side-hug. "Everything with go great this weekend, and even if it doesn't no one will know but you." I hum a response. "You know Briar will be happy with anything, and even just watching SmackDown. And I can't wait to watch you tomorrow live, it's been too long."

I lean my head on his shoulder. Uncle Jack always knows what to say, of course. And I don't know what I'd do without him. "It has." I smile. And he's right. Briar would absolutely be fine with anything, even if the only plan was SmackDown... but I have more up my sleeve than that, of course...

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After two stops for coffee, and bathroom breaks, we make it to Rhea's. Den brought her jeep, both of us feeling more comfortable traveling with the dogs and cat driving ourselves, which is why we had to leave toooo early.

"Hey, sexy." I smirk as she comes out. Denni chuckles.

"You ready to party this weekend?" She smirks back, sauntering down her front steps.

"With you, of course." I wink.

She scrunches her nose at me before moving towards the trunk. "Hi, babies." She coos as they instantly jump up, wagging their tails. Coraline remains curled up, asleep. I snort.

"I need more sleep first." Denni whines, stretching her body out in her seat.

"You wanna let them run around in the yard for a bit before we take them? Check in's about thirty minutes." Rhea looks up, scratching Maverick's chin and Goose's ear.

"Sounds good." I nod.

"Thank goodness, I have to pee." Denni jumps out quickly. "Again."

"Me after you." I say, collecting all our cups.

"You both have the smallest bladders." Rhea chuckles, shakes her head, grabbing the leashes as Denni heads inside.

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"How are you feeling about tomorrow?" Rhea asks on the plane.

"Good." I smirk. "I have a couple things up my sleeve." I rub my hands together.

She grins at me. "You're not gonna tell me anything, are you?"

"Nope." I pop the p. "But, at least you know I'll be on tomorrow, isn't that something?"

"Mhmm." She eyes me from the side, lifting a brow.

"You love me." I blow her kiss. She rolls her eyes, but I see the smile on her face.

Denni continues snores softly on the other side of her while I fill her in on everything we're doing this weekend.

"And Damian's coming tomorrow, right?" She checks.

"Mhmm."

I know Rhea and Damian were my friends first, and I don't want to fill Briar's birthday weekend with just my friends. But she loves Rhea and Damian, as a fan and knowing them personally. Of course they're not as close as I am with her or with them, but they think she's fun and she loves getting to see them when they visit, or get ink when they're with me, so the more the merrier to me. Coming to Canada a few days early for some fun never hurts.

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IRL!

(Friday, August 19th, 2022)

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Arriving in Canada yesterday evening, we took it easy the rest of the night. We checked into our hotel, ordered room service, did a late night yoga session at our hotel gym, and then called it a night. It was peacefully. And much needed before today.

Denni had to leave earlier for the shoot than me to set everything up, so Rhea and I are pigging out on our coffee and açaí bowls in bed.

"I'm glad Denni was assigned our primary photographer." Rhea says as we swap spoons. "I've been asking Hunter for months."

"And let me guess, he said he be patient?" I shake my head with a knowing grin.

"Yup." She nods.

"You coming with me to the arena, or joining later?"

"I may get a workout in, join later."

I check my phone. Almost time to leave. "Sounds good." I slide slowly off the bed to gather my stuff before getting an uber. "That means you'll have to wait and see my gear laterrr." I sing, heading towards the bathroom.

"I could peak now." She hollers back.

"Can't, that bags in here." I chuckle, slamming the door shut and locking it behind me before she can attack.

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Denni takes some fun shots at hair and makeup before we head to the set up.

"Ready?" I grin excitedly before unzipping my jacket for the reveal.

Denni gasps. "Oh, this is stunning!!" She squeals. "This is gonna shoot SO well!" She claps her hands together. "I wanna see the rest, take off your pants!"

I giggle, pulling down my sweatpants and kicking off my shoes as her jaw drops.

"You may have outdone yourself." Denni looks in awe.

"Wait until you see my boots." I tell her. "I'm hoping this will be my Clash of the Castle gear." I reveal.

Denni smiles proudly. "You'll get your match."

"How do you know?" I huff, pulling on one boot.

"Because you're you." She answers. Well... say no more... "And you've been killing it. And you're here." She motions around the space.

"Well, can't argue with that." I look up at her.

"But you'll find a way."

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"Okay, now turn around and look back at me." Denni directs, motioning for me to spin.

"CRIM KAE!" I hear a voice yell out as I look down positioning my feet like Denni had told me too and my head snaps up in horror.

"Ayeee, wassup, Crim."

The flash goes off and I blink, wanting to die and kill Denni simultaneously.

"Oh, that is priceless!" Denni exclaims, her laugh ringing out. Ughhhh.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

HELLO, HELLOOO!! AND WELCOME BACKKK ;)

HAPPY WRESTLEMANIAAA!! <3333 Ahhh, I cannot believe we have finallyyy made ittt!!

I have been waitinggg for this chapterrr for a HOT minuteeee & JUST BC it's a special nighttt... doesn't mean y'all get out of being fed a cliffhangerrr... & this may be one of my favs yet!!

Today is also a VERYYY special dayyy!! One year ago today I decided to impulsively publish this book in honor of The Tortured Poets Department!! <333

And now here we are one year, 37K+ reads, & now a spin off book planned later & I cannot believe how many amazing mutuals, readers, & support this book has brought me over the past year!! This book is also how I met one of my closest friends ripleysversion_ & am forever grateful that she came across this book & we became besties!!

Somehow, the stars aligned and this books anniversary landed on Mania this yearrrr, so it was meant to beee!! Thank y'all so much for choosing to read this book, commenting, voting, & following along on Crimson's journey!! It has truly just began & we're rlly just getting starteddd!! So happy 1 year to Crimson Ustulation & here's many more to come!!

I HAVE HUGEEE plans for the entire future of this book & I CANNOT waitttt to write this year's Wrestlemania when we get there!! I've had this idea planned since January & everything's pretty much played out PERFECTLY ever since!! So I hope y'all enjoyed this chapterrrr!!! And until next time, mwahhh!!