The following day, I sat in the make-up room alone. It was time to get ready for another taping, this time in a different city, with a different roster, different show. Regardless of which show we taped, my preparation routine was the same. BUT, tonight was different than most nights. Tonight I relished in the events of last night's show. I knew that at some point Shane and myself would cross paths, and I would have to face up to what I had done. I also knew that as time went on, Shane would eventually get over it. This at least was what I had hoped.
I sat looking in the mirror, brushing my hair and contemplating on what an evil genius I truly am. Is it so wrong to want to have a little fun, and at the expense of someone who practically ruined my life time and again? Of course poor Stacie would have to deal with Test and his jealousy even though she had done nothing wrong. I actually feel a little guilty for having used the both of them as I did, but damn, the look on Shane's face when Test came out after him was priceless.
As soon as I finished freshening up for the show, the door crashed open.
"There you are." Shane's voice penetrated my ears with a flash of fright. I tried to play innocent and sweet, something I've been working on with Triple H since we exchanged wedding vows.
"Hi Shane, is there a problem?" I said almost batting my eyes at him.
"Yes, you know what the problem is. Test."
I smiled to myself, but made sure not to let my feelings show through.
"It was a great twist. Did you hear the crowd last night, they loved it." After my response, Shane's face was getting redder by the second.
"Fuck the crowd, you had no right to do that to me. You know what Test is like. We aren't exactly buddies." At this point I was growing impatient of Shane's little tirade and rolled my eyes at him. Apparently, Shane didn't appreciate this at all. He pounded his fist hard on the make-up table, and then yelled.
"Damn it Steph. Don't mess with me. If I ask you to do something, you better damn well do it!". Apparently Shane didn't learn his lesson, so I was going to spell it out for him.
"What's wrong Shaney, you don't like it when people interfere in your life?" If I thought Shane couldn't get any angrier, I was wrong. He stepped closer to me, which made me a tad bit frightened. I moved away, but was getting closer to the wall behind me.
Like a rabbit out of a hole, his hand shot out and grabbed my arm before I could move any further. Then he got in my face and replied.
"No I
don't like when people interfere in my life, sis!" His grip
started to get tighter, but I was getting even more pissed myself.
Somehow I had wished that Shane would just wake up, be a man and
apologize for ruining my one chance at love. But no, it didn't
matter what I did, he just doesn't get it. With all my might I
shoved him backwards, causing him to almost fall over a chair. His
hand was still firmly placed on my arm, but now it loosened and I
could sense that Shane was a little surprised that I refused to just
lay down and take it. Like a caged lion I roared at him.
"Then
stop interfering in mine your bastard! I love Chris, not Triple H
and you ruined that for me." I started to cry now, and that's
when Triple H came through the door. Both Shane and I looked at him
in surprise. Triple H saw me crying and saw that Shane had his
hand wrapped around my arm. He made his way toward Shane with fire
in his eyes.
"Get your hands off my wife Shane." He then grabbed Shane and pushed him away, causing him to fall hard to the floor. Shane stood up staring at Triple H. A scowl on his face. I thought the two of them were about to get it on, but then I had to remind myself this is Shane we're talking about, he's too much of a coward to take a man the size of Triple H on by himself.
"Did you hear what your lovely wife just said?" Shane asked Triple H as he brushed himself off. Triple H turned to me, his face started to soften.
"Yes, I did." Then he turned back toward Shane. "I suggest you leave now Shane." Shane smirked at me as if to say, "You're going to get it now." I made a face right back at him, then turned my attention back to Triple H.
After Shane left, Triple H turned his head to the floor. I could tell his mind was racing. Finally, I guess he figured out what he wanted to say. I prepared myself for the worst.
"You know Steph, I've put up with your damn family for a long time, and why? Because I actually love you." Oh no, he wasn't going to pull the old I love you crap just to make me feel guilty, I thought to myself, then countered as harshly as I could.
"Do you really love me, or is it the business you love? You have to admit, since marring me, you've had full control over your character and the number of titles you've held." Triple H looked away again. The creases in his forehead seemed to get deeper, a breath of exasperation escaped him.
"Business is business and I'm man enough to admit I've used whatever power I have to take full control of my career. But I really do love you Steph." Then, Triple H did something I never thought in a million years he would do. He gently placed his hand on my cheek, stared deeply into my eyes, then with his other hand around my waist, he pulled me next to him. As if in slow motion, his face moved closer, until his lips landed perfectly on mine. The kiss so deep, so tender, I almost felt that at any minute someone would yell, "Cut!" and the moment would be gone. Instead, Triple H, my husband, held me close to him. When he finally pulled away, I was left breathless. He stared at me for what seemed the longest time, then said,
"You want Chris, go get him. You, your brother, your whole family can all go to hell." That was it, Triple H walked out the door and out of my life.
I should be happy right? Well I wasn't. I was more miserable than before. After all this time I'd misjudged the man Triple H truly was. Maybe it was because I kept comparing him to Chris. Maybe his wrestling persona had become so big that, that was the man I saw. Whatever it was, I could sense in this very moment that I had truly fucked up.