Bring the Payne

Gainesville Heath & Fitness
Gainesville, FL

Danielle Basch pulled the towel from around her neck and wiped her sweat from the elliptical as she hopped off before reaching to grab her water bottle from its holder. She took a quick swig of water before making her way to the far wall, where her husband Donovan was sitting on one of the benches by the dumbbell rack. Gripping a pair of dumbbells that look heavy enough to equal the weight of both of their children combined, Donovan was deep into a set of shrugs with all of the intensity of a man possessed. At the sight of her husband, she let out a dreamy sigh, biting her lip.

Danielle: It never fails… after all those years, seeing him with that look on his face….

She shook her head.

Danielle: I almost hate to disturb him.

She didn’t have to. Donovan looked into the floor-to-ceiling mirror and saw her reflection moving toward him. He finished his set, then set the weights back onto the rack. The twisted expression on his face quickly melted into a suave smile as he turned around to meet the gaze of his wife.

Danielle: Don’t let me stop you… you know I enjoy watching you.

Donovan: On the contrary, dearest… I was just finishing my last set. I take it you’re finished as well?

Danielle: Yeah. I figured we could go do some laps in the pool before we head back to the hotel. We’re meeting Stella and Tom for dinner.

Donovan stroked his chin, a thoughtful look on his face.

Donovan: Don’t you think it rather odd that she chose to fly out here separately?

Danielle shook her head, rubbing her husband’s shoulder.

Danielle: No, not at all. I mean, it’s only natural that on occasion she would want to do things on her own, away from your...

She cleared her throat.

Danielle: … all-seeing eye, if you catch my meaning.

Donovan raised an eyebrow.

Donovan: I suppose you do have a point.
Danielle: She’ll be fine. After all, you Basches are a tough breed.

She playfully elbowed him in the ribs as they headed toward the locker rooms. Donovan chuckled in response.

Donovan: I can’t argue with you there.

Danielle: Besides, we have our own matches to focus on. Leave Starr to her own devices. She can handle herself.

Donovan: Indeed.

Danielle gave her husband a quick kiss before parting ways with him and heading into the women’s locker room.


Gainesville Health & Fitness – Women’s Locker Room
Two Hours Later

Danielle pulled her bag out of her locker, shutting the door. The resulting clang of metal against metal reverberated through the empty room. Now dressed in street clothes, Danielle turned toward a nearby bench, taking a seat and placing her foot on the bench to tie the laces of her boots.

Danielle: Alice Payne...

She paused, lingering on that name for a moment as a subtle smirk crept across her lips.

Danielle: With a last name like that, I would expect more from you than what I’ve seen so far. Granted, this is only your second match here in Florida Wrestling Prestige, and you made your debut at Prime, but where did it get you? Nothing but a no-contest. Sure, you didn’t give up any ground, but you never gained any either.

She shook her head.

Danielle: Just to let you know, I’m going to try and keep this as short and sweet as possible, because I don’t have a lot of time to waste on someone that barely puts any effort into this sport. Sure, you’ve got a similar background to me in terms of athletics, but what have you done other than tweet a pic of yourself in your underwear? I’ve seen people younger than you that have accomplished more than you have, because they put in the effort to be more than just a pretty face.

She scoffed.

Danielle: I’m normally not one to brag about having the advantage in terms of experience, but for you to be facing me in your second match means one of two things… either you’ve done something to piss off the brass...

She arched her eyebrows and sighed as she tilted her head at a slight angle.

Danielle: Or they’re testing you to see what you can do when the pressure is on. This is my second match in FWP as well, but I’ve been a fighter for years, and I’m not about to lay down for the likes of you or anyone else. If you truly want to be here, then step up and show it.

A disapproving sneer curled the veteran’s upper lip. At that moment, a text alert prompted Danielle to pull her phone out of her pocket. A few quick taps and swipes later, she put her phone away and got up to leave.

Danielle: Believe it or not, I actually WANT you to prove me wrong. I want to see what you’re capable of in that ring. So bring everything you’ve got, because that's what you can expect from me.

Danielle slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the locker room and headed for the exit.