Chapter 21

"There you go, dear."

Stephanie smiled and accepted the mug of coffee from Patricia. "Thank you."

She wrapped her hands around it savouring the warmth. Glancing at the television she smiled as the chords of Paul's music struck. She couldn't help but snicker when she saw the arrogant look upon his face as he patted the gold belt draped across his shoulder. She loved Paul's character. Even before they began working together, she had been a huge fan. He was so charismatic and his wrestling skills were just immense. He was a really talented guy and he had such a passion for the business. No one could question his enthusiasm or his dedication. In fact, it was one of the many things she admired about him.

"It must be strange not being there."

Stephanie turned her head towards Patricia who had sat in the leather recliner chair across from her. She pressed her lips together and nodded her head. "It is."

She took a mouthful of coffee as she turned her attention back to the screen staring at it wistfully. The truth was she missed it really badly. She missed the adrenaline rush every time she stepped out in front of the audience. She missed rushing around backstage trying to pull off last minute changes to the show. She loved her job so much and she loved the business. It was the only thing that had kept her going the past six months. Somehow becoming immersed in her work had kept her from falling apart.

"I don't know where he gets it from you know. I keep telling him that his father and I didn't teach him to be mean like that."

Stephanie couldn't help but laugh at that comment. It was so true. After every show Paul would get a message on his phone saying the exact same thing. And every time he read it, his deep laughter would fill the dressing room. That was another thing she admired about Paul. His family meant so much to him. His first thought while he was being stitched up on the table a couple of weeks ago was for someone to tell his parents he was alright. She could tell he thought the world of them and she knew his parents felt exactly the same way about their son. They were so proud of him and they had every reason to be.

"You know this morning was the first time in a long time I've seen Paul looking so happy and rested."

Stephanie looked over at Patricia curious as to where this conversation was leading.

"Breaking up with Joanie was the best thing for him if you ask me."

She raised her brow in surprise. Although she agreed with Paul's mother, she always got the impression that she had liked Joanie and was supportive of their relationship. But then again, his parents would probably support anything their son did as long as it made him happy.

"I think Lynn actually celebrated when he told us the news."

Stephanie chuckled lightly. She took another mouthful of coffee. She'd only met Paul's sister once. She'd been backstage during one pay per view with her children when Paul had introduced them. Although their conversation had been brief, she had liked Lynn instantly. She had the same warm eyes as her brother and she had been friendly and extremely easy to talk to.

"But it's such a shame to see what an unhappy and mixed up woman Joanie has become this past year or so."

Stephanie pressed her lips together thoughtfully as she glanced back at the television. Paul was still cutting his promo. His big hand gestured to the audience as he paced around the ring. She sighed softly. "She hates my friendship with Paul. I think it caused a lot of problems between them."

She looked over at Patricia offering her a guilty smile. She was surprised again to see the small grey haired woman shake her head.

"Oh no dear. The problems were there long before that."

Patricia placed her cup down on the coffee table in front of her before resting back against the seat. She clasped her hands in front of her on her lap.

"Paul came to see us for a couple of days back in September. It was for Lynn's birthday. Anyway, Joanie wasn't with him. When I asked him why, he told me that there had been an argument. Granted, that wasn't unusual but it wasn't until afterwards he told me that he wasn't sure how much longer he could take it. I think Joanie's insecurities caused a lot of fights between them. It was obvious they were starting to wear him down."

Stephanie nodded knowingly. She'd witnessed enough arguments to know that those insecurities were usually the reason why she would shout and scream at him. Sure, Paul liked to flirt with women but it was always harmless. Stephanie knew without a doubt that he would have never cheated on Joanie. It was just a shame his girlfriend hadn't had the same trust in him otherwise they might still be together.

"I'm just glad he finally decided not to put up with it any more." Patricia smiled. "I know I'm probably biased because he is my son but Paul has grown into a wonderful young man. He deserves someone better than Joanie. He deserves someone who will really love him and take good care of him."

Stephanie nodded in agreement. "And I'm sure he will."

"And so will you dear. In time."

She quickly glanced away and stared down at the coffee cup in her hand. She heard Paul's music in the background signalling the end of his segment but she didn't look up. For some reason, Patricia's words had made her uncomfortable. She didn't know why. Maybe it was because thinking of love made her think of Jonathan and what they had before he had turned her into his own human punching bag. She had loved him with all her heart. What if she allowed herself to love someone like that again? And what if six months down the line they treated her the exact same way her husband had. There was no way she could ever put herself through that again. She couldn't. Not to mention the fact her pain was still too fresh and raw to even contemplate being with anyone else right now.

"I've upset you, haven't I?" asked Patricia as she crossed the short distance between them. The seat shifted underneath her as she sat down beside Stephanie. "Please forgive me, dear. Paul will tell you I always open my mouth before I think."

Stephanie looked up and smiled. She could see the concern in her face. She shook her head and reassured her. "You've not upset me, honestly."

Patricia frowned despite those words as she studied the young lady in front of her carefully. Despite her smile, she could see the sadness that lingered in Stephanie's big blue eyes. Her heart went out to the woman she knew her son had fallen for and she could say that with all certainty because she knew Paul. She knew the look she had seen in his eyes this morning. He loved Stephanie. It had been written all over his face when he had said goodbye to her. It was just such a damn shame that his love might never be returned. But that wasn't Stephanie's fault. The poor girl had been through so much in her young life. It was understandable that she would recoil from any thoughts of a future relationship with anyone.

"It's just hard you know to think about being with anyone else."

Patricia placed her hand on her thigh and squeezed it. "I know and no one can blame you for feeling that way. It will take time to get past all the pain and the suffering you've been through. But you will get past it. You're a survivor, Stephanie. You'll get through this. Look how far you've come already."

Stephanie bit down on her lip thoughtfully as she lifted her left shoulder in a shrug. "But I couldn't have done it on my own. If it wasn't for Paul, well, God knows where I would be."

A mental image of herself lying bloody and battered on the floor calling out for Paul flashed through her mind. She shook her head quickly erasing it.

"He'll just be glad you're safe, Stephanie. We all are."

Stephanie smiled tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She had to admit she did feel safe here. Well at least for now but she couldn't hide out here forever. She knew that. As Patricia returned to her seat, Stephanie chewed her bottom lip pensively. Her finger tapped lightly against her mug as she silently acknowledged that time was running out. The clock was ticking. She had to try and find the courage she needed to make a decision about her future. It wasn't going to be easy but she had to do it. There was no other choice. Not if she wanted to survive which as she grew stronger, she was determined more than ever she was going to do………..

"Paul, wait up!"

Paul turned round at the sound of the voice in the car park. He smiled and greeted Shane who was jogging slowly towards him. "Hey, Shano. What's up man?"

"Are you heading back to the hotel?"

He nodded as he adjusted the gym bag on his shoulder. "Why? Needing to hitch a ride?"

"If you're offering. Dad and Austin are talking contracts. I decided to bail."

Paul scrunched his nose in disdain. "Christ. I don't blame you on that one. The last time your Dad talked contracts with me, I was there for over two hours and all I wanted to do was sign the damn thing."

Shane chuckled as he fell in line with Paul and they continued to walk to the car.

"So, was it good to be back?"

"I was only gone a couple of weeks you know."

"Well, yeah but it was weird not having you around even to help out with the show. I think it was even worse with Steph being gone too."

Paul smiled absently as they approached the car. He dumped his bag on the ground as he searched for the keys in his leather jacket pocket.

"Have you heard from her at all?"

He shook his head quickly and frowned as he came up empty handed. His big hand began searching the inside pocket.

"You neither? It's really weird. No-one has heard from her since she left on vacation with Jonathan."

Paul cleared his throat awkwardly as he finally retrieved the keys. "Well I guess she's not going to call home if she's living it up in some swanky hotel somewhere."

He opened the car and picked up his gym bag. Shane closed the door behind him and dumped his bag on the floor. He looked over as Paul threw his phone on the dashboard and placed the key in the ignition.

"I suppose you're right."

Shane sighed softly. The car pulled away and they headed out of the car park. As Paul made a right turn, his phone rang. He reached out to grab it but as they approached a corner, the phone slid towards Shane and fell down onto the floor.

"Shit!"

Shane fumbled below him to fetch it. "The same thing happens to me all the time." he mumbled.

Paul glanced briefly across and swallowed nervously. There was every chance the person calling him was Stephanie. He couldn't risk Shane seeing her name on the screen especially after telling him he hadn't a word from his sister. But as Shane picked it up and held the phone in the air, it stopped ringing. Paul's breath caught in his throat as he noticed him glance at the caller display.

"It says home. Who have you got stowed away at home, Game?" asked Shane smirking in his direction. He placed the phone back on the dash.

Paul drummed his fingers nervously against the steering wheel. His gaze was focused straight ahead as he lied to Shane.

"It will be Mom. She always calls after a show."

"But it said home."

Paul stopped the car at the traffic lights. He turned to look at Shane not quite meeting him in the eye and shrugged. "It's just habit. I guess I still see their place as home."

"I know what you mean, man. Being on the road it's hard to think of your own place in that way."

Paul smiled in agreement and turned his head briefly as a wave of relief washed over him knowing Shane had bought his explanation. "Yeah, it does. I'll call her back once I get to the hotel."

His brow furrowed with his concern as he turned to look out the windshield. His fingers tapped impatiently against the wheel as he waited for the lights to change. Shane began to whistle beside him. Paul silently pleaded for Stephanie not to try and call him again. But one thing was for sure. She had to make contact with her family. They were clearly getting worried about her and she needed to end her silence. When he got home he was going to tell her just that. The question was how the hell was he going to persuade her to do it.