Luchador by Erin Finnegan

Author:Erin Finnegan [Finnegan, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Interlude Press
Published: 2016-10-21T21:09:58+00:00

5

Chin high, shoulders back, Gabriel stayed in character until the moment he crossed the threshold into the locker room.

Only then did his body relax, his shoulders sink, his eyes drift across a sea of familiar faces. He soaked it in, letting the space envelop him.

He was home.

The roar of Ray’s voice finally broke Gabriel’s concentration.

“Yeeaaahhh!! That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

The room erupted in cheers, and the luchadores of Gimnasio de la Ciudad and the Triple L circled him, slapping his back, reaching out to shake his hand. Off to one side, Miguel hung up El Ángel Exótico’s cape, exchanging it for a bathrobe. He tossed it across the room.

Gabriel caught it with one hand, mouthing “Gracias” as he slipped it on.

The wrestlers who weren’t needed in the ring were ready to party—a fête that had been postponed after Gabriel’s original debut as El Fénix Oscuro. In a corner, they’d filled a tub with ice and drinks.

Titus reached into the tub and pulled out two bottles. He waved each at Gabriel. Water? Beer? Gabriel nodded toward the water.

Titus slapped him on the back and wrapped his arm around Gabriel’s shoulder.

“Well done,” he said. “You’re an estrella, chico.”

He tapped the neck of his beer bottle against Gabriel’s and offered a smile, then turned toward his locker.

“Wait,” Gabriel said. “Your mask—”

Titus shook his head. “It’s yours now,” he said. “Ángel’s first.”

“It’s from your final match. I can’t take it.”

Titus laughed and gulped down most of a bottle of Bohemia.

“I’ve got a case of them at home—and I’m never putting that lousy thing on again. Keep it.”

Gabriel stretched the Lycra mask across his hand and then shoved it into the pocket of his robe.

“You did Rosa proud.”

Miguel stood beside him, quietly smiling to himself.

“Which one?” Gabriel laughed.

“Both. She’s out in the seats for the rest of the card, but she wanted you to know that she thought you really sold the walk and that she’ll give you a proper hug later. Oh, and she’s sitting with your aunt and uncle. Don’t worry. They seem proud, but they think maybe you should go to confession tomorrow.”

He winked.

“How did you ever convince me to tell them?”

“If I’m not mistaken, I believe I Miyagi’d you.”

Ray barreled across the room, pushing Jason through the crowd like an earthmover plowing dirt in Gabriel’s direction.

“Gabe! Look who just got his lucha cherry popped!”

Jason hit the brakes, turned around to face his laughing brother, and shook his head.

“Gross, Ray. That was disgusting. Show some class.”

He turned to Gabriel and lit up his smile, holding out his arms to welcome Gabriel in an embrace.

“Congratulations! That was something else. We could use some moves like that on the field. And the wings—”

He slapped Gabriel’s back as they hugged, but didn’t release his hold. Gabriel could feel both the repetitive workouts of football training and the soft comfort of his greeting. He would happily hit the pause button.

“And I like the boots,” Jason whispered in his ear.

A rush of heat flared across Gabriel’s cheeks.

“That was your first lucha libre match?” Gabriel asked, circling the conversation back to safe terrain.

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