Free Nerdy Girl Nation (Nerdy Girl #1) by Lindsey Gray

Russell for the chance to join the IWA. As some of you might remember, I've been a hardcore wrestling fan for years. When the opportunity arose to be part of an organization I spent most of my life following, I couldn't let it pass.”
    Emma quickly glanced at Rob in full Bobby mode with complete shock on his face. His black suit, crisp white shirt, and loose blood red tie sent a different sort of shock straight to her core.
    She returned her focus to the crowd. “Now, for my first official act with the IWA, I want to announce tonight's lineup.” Aaron gave her a nod of encouragement before she continued. “These times are changing. I'm going to shake things up a bit. There will be matches tonight and on Tuesday, a tournament for each of the IWA Championship belts. The winners in each category will go on to the semi-finals next Monday in Chicago. The finals will be held the week after in Kansas City. We will all see what these men and women are made of when the winner of each tournament faces a champion in Los Angeles at the Breaking Rules event.” She went on to announce matches for those competing for each belt. “And finally, since these two gentlemen seem to work so well together, they will be our second match in the tournament for the tag team title. Bobby Breyer and Chance Robicheaux against the Vertolli Brothers.” Chance slapped Rob on the shoulder after Rob made a slight choking sound.
    Emma's theme song played again while Aaron took her hand and helped her out of the ring. She chatted with him as they walked back up the ramp and into the backstage area.
    “You were amazing!” Harry scooped her up and twirled her around before he set her back on her feet.
    “I thought I might lose my nerve there for a minute, but once the adrenalin started pumping, it was like ruling the boardroom.” Emma took a few more deep breaths as she came down from her high.
    “Break time is over,” Aaron said as he placed his hand on the small of Emma's back. “I need to talk with you and Bobby off camera for a moment.”
    Just when she thought she had calmed down, her nerves shot back up.
    Emma turned her head to see Rob and Chance approach them. Aaron stepped aside and took a minute to talk to Troy about how he needed a few minutes alone with Emma and Rob.
    “Smokin' hot intro, Miss MacLean. Shocked the hell out of this one.” Chance hit Rob hard on the back.
    “Thanks, Chance.” She caught Rob staring at her with a slight upward curve of his lips. “I think Aaron needs to steal the two of us away for a minute.”
    Emma's usual cameraman had his camera pointed downward and was not recording. Rob leaned in to whisper in Emma's ear. “You owe me dinner.”
    She nodded with her own small smile when Aaron came up behind her.
    “I've got the two of you for ten minutes off camera, then back to business.” Aaron led the two of them into a lounge area they used to film backstage interviews throughout the broadcast.
    “Emma, we've discussed how this is going to go this evening, but this is all a surprise to Rob.”
    “You can say that again.” Rob plopped down on the leather couch behind him.
    “Sorry,” Aaron told Rob. “Keeping Emma's new position a secret was a necessity for her as much as for the organization.” He motioned for Emma to take a seat next to Rob. “When I realized the two of you already knew each other, I thought this would work to our advantage.”
    Emma smoothed her skirt out beneath her and sat next to Rob.
    “While the reaction Emma received here by the crowd in Boston was positive, many of Bobby's fans might not be as happy.” Aaron paced back and forth in front of them.
    “What is the next step?” Rob asked Aaron before he glanced to his side for a peek at Emma.
    Emma was about to speak up and tell Rob about the plan they’d worked on when Aaron stopped pacing and spoke first.
    “I want the two of you to be the next power couple of the IWA.”
    “A what?” Emma squeaked. “We never