Disclaimer: I must warn you that this chapter contains violence, spousal abuse and swearing Non of these are matters I take lightly nor are ideas represented within necessarily the actual views of the author, the WWE or any of its wrestlers. For standard disclaimer, see chapter one.
Author's notes: Here's another chapter for everyone to enjoy.
Thanks as always to Gin for being a great friend and beta and also to Kaz, for being another great friend and keeping me entertained every night on MSN.
In addition, thank you for the reviews from IMissPadfoot, foolishangel87, punkydiva17, MissyMercer, Disco Inferno1, missfxckingwhatever, Pure 'n' White and MissPhilippinesSuperStar. Your comments mean a lot to me and they're always appreciated.
Chapter Twenty-one: Lonely Nights.
Sam walked up the driveway of her mom's house and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Marlie opened it.
"Oh, my poor baby," said the greying woman, embracing her daughter. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah Mama, I'm ok now," replied the blonde, kissing her mom on both cheeks.
Together the two women made their way into the sitting room and took seats on the couch.
"Are you sure you're ok, honey?" asked the older woman, as she fetched a pitcher of Iced Tea and two glasses
"Honestly, Mama, I'm fine," assured the diva, taking a beverage from her. "My friends have really been there for me and I'm coming to terms with things."
"If you're sure baby, I just can't help worrying about you. And to think, I thought he was a nice guy. Well he doesn't deserve you," said Marlie.
Sam nodded her agreement. "So, where's Steve? At work?" she asked, changing the subject.
"In some bar I assume," replied the greying woman, slight tension in her voice.
"Does he spend a lot of time drinking?" pressed the blonde.
Marlie sighed deeply. "He has recently," she confessed.
The two women went silent, both at a loss for what to say after that difficult subject had been brought up.
However, a few minutes later, the tension was broken by banging on the door. After a lot of cursing, a drunken Steve stumbled into the sitting room.
"Oh you're here," he slurred, taking in Sam's unusually pale features. Then added rudely, "Are you still complaining about being dumped by some loser wrestler? Well, it serves you right for choosing such a damn stupid job."
After having such a bad week, Sam lost the little patience she had left for her step-dad.
"Hell, I've had enough of this kinda shit from you. Why don't you just shut your fat mouth?" Sam bit.
"I'd watch your mouth you little tramp before I slap it shut for you," shouted the dark-haired man, his breath reeking of alcohol.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" shouted the diva. "You're not my father and never will be. He was a good man and Mama doesn't deserve to be with trash like you!"
"Shut your face, you whore!" screamed Steve, flying at the woman.
However, Marlie stepped between her daughter and her husband.
"Don't you ever speak to my daughter like that, you piece of filth," she raged.
"Out of my way bitch," yelled Steve, hitting Marlie and knocking her to the floor.
The greying woman fell in a heap, crying.
"Get the hell away from her, you bastard!" screamed Sam.
Steve stared at Sam with contempt, then a look of resignation appeared in his eyes. "Like I care about that bitch. I'm going back to the bar, I want you both outta my house by the time I get back," he said.
With that he left, slamming the door behind him.
Sam rushed to her mom and helped her onto a chair.
"Mama, are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm ok baby. It's not the first time he's hit me," sniffed Marlie, pulling up her sleeve to reveal bruises along her arm.
"Oh my god, how long has this being going on?" asked the blonde, her voice full of concern.
"A few months," confessed the older woman. "He started drinking and then turned violent."
"Well, we're leaving," announced Sam. "You can go and stay with Aunt Patty for a while; I'll crash at Mike's. And I'll call the police too."
Marlie nodded her head in agreement. "Thanks baby. I've been looking for a way out, but I wasn't strong enough to do it on my own. But where are we going to live now?"
"Oh Mama, why didn't you just tell me? I could have helped," insisted the younger woman. "As to where we'll live, I'll sort it all out. I've been saving a lot of my wages, so I'll be able to buy us a new house. We'll go to Aunt Patty's now, and then come Monday, I'll start looking for some where new."
"But it'll be so much trouble," protested Marlie.
"No it wont," assured the diva. "Besides we can't stay here, you heard what he said."
"Ok," conceded the older woman.
With the decision made, Marlie packed some things and Sam phoned Mike to let him know what had happened.
The Intercontinental Champion insisted on coming round to help and said he'd drive Marlie to her sister's. The diva then called the police and reported Steve for assault.
Sam's mom walked from room to room, collecting her things. She was obviously still very shaken from what had just happened.
The diva paced the sitting room floor, shocked at Steve's outburst. The diva had always disliked her step-dad but the thought that he'd lay a finger on her mom had never crossed Sam's mind.
To relieve the stress, the younger woman lit a cigarette.
"Oh god Sam, you haven't started smoking again?" asked Marlie, walking into the room.
The blonde hung her head in shame and nodded. "Well, with everything that's happened, I just cracked," she admitted.
"Oh baby. I'm so sorry to lumber all this on you. My problems are the last thing you need on top of everything else that's happened this week," said the greying woman.
"Don't be silly," replied the diva, stubbing out her cigarette and embracing her mom. "There'll never be a day when I'm not here for you," she said.
"Thank you Sweetheart," replied Marlie, kissing her daughter.
Two police officers arrived shortly afterwards.
After taking statements from both women, they encouraged Marlie to take out a restraining order against Steve and gave her the name and number of the person to contact to do so. The senior officer explained how the process would work for charging her husband and promised that she would receive a call on Monday as to when she would be expected in court.
As the police left, they sent out another car to find Steve and arrest him for assault.
Reassured that her step-dad would soon be in jail, Sam packed a few belongings.
She had an uneasy feeling inside of her and she wanted to be out of the house and to somewhere safe as soon as possible.
Marlie too had been deeply affected by her husband's behavior. The normally high-spirited woman just sat quietly on the couch, looking off into nothing.
Sam hoped her mom would be ok and knew going to her sister's was just what she needed right now.
Although Sam and Marlie had never been particularly close to Patty. Because of the two sisters' upbringing, they knew they could always rely on each other in their times of need.
Sam's mom had been there for her sister when she found out she wouldn't be able to have children. There was no doubt in Sam's mind that her aunt would return the favor now that Marlie and Sam needed her to.
The diva's thoughts turned to Cena. If things had have been different, the blonde knew he'd be there to comfort her now. She sadly realized just how much she missed and needed the wrestler.
However, the woman pushed the thoughts out of her head. Her mom needed her and there was no time to brood over what could have been.
An hour later, just as the women received a call that Steve had been found and arrested, Mike arrived.
He drove them both across town to Patty's house.
Sam's aunt was shocked to see her sister and niece on her doorstep, but when she found out the reason for their visit, she welcomed them warmly.
"Oh Jesus Christ," Patty said, letting the three people in. "Who'd have known that man was so no good? Well, you're both welcome to stay as long as you want," she assured.
"Thanks, Aunt Patty, but I'll be fine. I'll be back on the road come Monday and until then I can stop at Mike's. I just wanna make sure Mama is ok," replied Sam.
"Ok, if you're sure Sweetheart, and don't worry about Marlie, I'll take care of her now," replied Sam's aunt.
"Thank you," replied the diva.
Sam and Mike stopped at Patty's for an hour, making sure Marlie was all right. The blonde felt guilty about leaving her mom after what had just happened, but needed time to process everything on her own. Sam knew she wouldn't be able to think with her Aunt Patty fussing over her and knew Mike would be able to lift her mood.
When they left, Marlie was feeling a lot calmer.
"You take care, Mama, and just call me on my cell if you need anything at all," said Sam, embracing her mom.
"Thank you, baby. I'll be fine now, I have that man out of my life and Patty will look after me. You just take care, Honey," replied Marlie.
"I will and don't worry about a thing. I'll call the real-estate agent on Monday to ask about available houses on the market," said Sam.
"Alright, honey. And thank you again, Sammy, you've been amazing," replied the older woman. "You too Mike," she added.
"I'll come over tomorrow to make sure you're ok," said the diva.
"Ok, baby. You take care now and I'll see you in the morning," said Marlie, kissing her daughter on both cheeks.
She then turned to hug Mike.
"Michael, me and my daughter are lucky to have you in our lives," said the greying woman, kissing the man on the cheek.
"Don't mention it, Ma'am. I'm just glad I can be here for y'all when it counts," replied the black haired man.
Sam's mom gave him a warm smile. "You're a good'en," she added.
Finally, Mike and Sam got into his car and left.
"God, you've had quite a week," he said, as they headed off.
"Tell me about it," sighed the woman. "But, it's all over now."
"Yeah," agreed the black haired man. "Things can only get better now."
Sam nodded. "God, I'm starving. Shall we get some dinner?"
"I've got a better idea. How about I find a twenty-four-seven gas station, we buy a load of junk food and beers, then head up the point?" he suggested.
The blonde grinned. "Just like old times, sounds great."
So, they went to a gas station and brought as much crap as they could carry, from chips, to chocolate, candy, beers, muffins and ready to eat pancakes.
Then they drove up to the point, which was a secluded area just on the edge of the forest, where teenagers went to make out, but Mike and Sam had gone to in their childhood to hang out and taunt the kissing couples.
Mike turned on the stereo before the two wrestlers put a blanket on the bonnet and sat down.
Knowing that Sam wouldn't be ready to talk about her family situation, just yet, Mike broached another subject.
"So, have you decided what you're gonna do when you get back to work on Monday?" he asked, popping the top off a bottle of beer and handing it to Sam.
"Yeah," said Sam. "I've decided I'm staying put. I've wanted to be a wrestler for most of my life and I'm not giving that up for Cena. If he doesn't like it then he can go to hell."
"Yeah, but you still care about him," said the black haired man.
"Yeah, I do. But I'll get over it in time," assured the diva.
"I guess. But can I say something you might not like and that might be way out there?" asked the Intercontinental Champion. The blonde nodded, so he went on. "I don't particularly like the guy, but you might still be wrong about him, you know? He really did seem to care about you and never stopped talking about how great you are. Maybe this whole mess is one big misunderstanding. Besides, I wouldn't put it past Rebecca to come onto him just to get at you. You two have hated each other since OVW and she'd do anything to hurt you."
Sam sighed. "You know what? I've been thinking the same thing myself if I'm honest. There was definitely something there between Cena and I and I cannot accept it was all just a lie. Who knows, maybe given time we can go back to being friends with each other?" the blonde said.
"But would you be happy just being his friend?" pressed the black haired man.
The diva shook her head. "No, but it's better than nothing," she replied.
Mike pulled Sam into a hug. "Aww, Sunshine, I know how much you liked him, but it'll be ok," he reassured.
"I don't just like him," corrected Sam. "I'm in love with him."
"Well tell him that. There's still a chance you can work this out, you know?" said the Intercontinental Champion.
"Maybe it will," she mused. "But for now, I'm leaving things how they are. I can't stand being hurt again."
"Fair enough," agreed Mike.
"So, how are things going with you and Alison?" the blonde asked, changing the subject.
"Really well, thanks," replied Mike. "She's an amazing girl."
"I've noticed. She's really been there for me too," admitted the diva. "And I know she isn't just doing it because she's your girlfriend either."
Mike nodded. "Thank you so much for introducing us," he said.
"No need to thank me. She was the one who asked if your were available. I just gave the two of you a little push," replied Sam.
The black haired man laughed. "Well, thanks anyway, that little push was just what I needed," he said.
Sam lay back and looked up at the stars.
"God, it's been too long since we've done this. Do you think we'll be lucky enough to find some couples making out to taunt?" she joked.
Mike laughed and looked around. "It doesn't look like it. I think the place is pretty deserted," he pointed out.
"Shame," mused the diva. "I could do with a laugh."
"Ok, wanna make some crank calls?" suggested the Intercontinental Champion.
The blonde giggled. "Aren't we a little old for that?" she teased.
"Not if we aren't too old to be play fighting in a ring," joked her best friend. "Come on, it'll cheer you up," he insisted.
"Alright," conceded Sam, taking her cell from her pocket. "Who shall I call?"
"Erm... How about the pizza place at the top of our street?" Mike suggested. "I owe them some payback as last time they delivered my pizza it was cold."
"Alright," agreed the diva, dialing the numbers.
The pizza parlor answered and the blonde spoke to them.
"Hello. Is I.P. Freely there please?" the woman asked, hardly containing her laughter.
"Ha ha, very funny," replied the owner, hanging up.
Both wrestlers burst into fits of laughter.
"My go," guffawed the Intercontinental Champion.
He took the cell, withheld the number and called the same pizza place Sam had just.
"Hello is a Mr. Seymour Butts there please?" he asked.
"Pack this in or I'll call the police," came the reply before the receiver was slammed down.
Mike and Sam fell about in hysterics.
"Jesus, I've missed this," said the diva.
"Me too," agreed the wrestler.
The pair made a few more calls to local establishments in their area, before deciding it was best to stop it. They'd received a few threats and didn't want to push their luck.
"Now what?" asked Sam, putting her cell back in her pocket.
"I dunno," shrugged Mike.
"We could go for a swim?" suggested the diva.
The black haired man shook his head. "No, too cold," he insisted.
"Alright, smarty pants. You come up with something," she replied.
"How about truth or dare?" he asked.
"No way," protested the blonde. "The last time I played that, I ended up kissing Cena," she sighed.
"Oh yeah," answered the wrestler, realizing his error. "You know, I still don't get why you did that."
"Me neither," replied the woman.
"Well, you are one that never backs down from a challenge," Mike pointed out.
"True," agreed Sam. "But it was a damn stupid thing to do. Look where it landed me."
Mike shrugged. "Call me crazy, but I still think you'll get together with him."
"As I said once before, there's about as much chance of that happening as there is of Mr McMahon handing over the company to me," replied the diva.
"So, do I start calling you the CEO now?" joked the black haired man.
The blonde laughed. "Yeah, if you want me to knock you out. I've just gotta face it, despite how much I want him, it's not gonna happen," she sighed.
"Stranger things have happened," mused the Intercontinental Champion.
Sam sat up and looked her best friend in the eyes. "Do you know something I don't?" she asked. "Because how I see it, that ship's sunk."
Mike met her gaze and replied. "No, if I knew anything, you know I'd tell you. It's just the feeling I get."
The blonde exhaled deeply. "I can't keep thinking like this. I'm going to go insane hoping there's still a chance," she admitted.
"I'm sorry," said the black haired man. "I know it isn't helping, me butting in."
"No, it's alright. I… I just wish things had been different," confessed the diva.
"So do I," agreed the wrestler. "I'd do anything to see you happy and Cena did that."
The woman exhaled deeply. "Yeah, he did," she mumbled, tears creeping down her cheeks.
"Wanna call it a night? I'm knackered," she asked, wanting to be alone now.
Mike nodded. "I'm sorry for upsetting you Sam," he said.
"It's alright. I can deal with it," replied the blonde.
The drove back to Mike's house in silence, Sam brooding over her failed relationship.
God, How I wish I was wrong, she sighed to herself.
The diva said good night to Mike and then headed for the guest room. She got undressed and climbed into bed with a heavy heart.
Sam wished deeply that she could turn back time and make everything right again.
What the diva didn't know was that Cena lay awake in his own house, wishing that he could change what had happened. The wrestler regretted everything that had happened since their date. He missed Sam so much that it hurt. Rolling over, he contemplated calling her but was too scared to. Cena was convinced that Sam hated him and that because of his actions he'd messed up his chance with her.