Chapter 29 Reunions and Making Plans
Hotel Gym
Roman Reigns was in the middle of a workout. After dropping the weights he shook out his arms. Checking out phone to start a new playlist. Needing a break he decided to check the internet. Finding Twitter he saw a recent post by Chris Jericho. "Sometimes you gotta remind people of there place in life. I am a star get that." Roman hit like before starting a new song and doing another set. After finishing his bicep work he again put down the weights just as his phone rang. It was Seth. "What's up man?" Roman asks. "Do you not know about the Tweet you liked?" Seth asks. Roman takes a second to think. "Oh what about it just something Jericho said. "And do you know what Jericho did tonight?" Seth asks. "I don't know played some concert?" Roman says. Seth take a moment he knows no matter what he says now Roman is about to get pissed off.
"Brother don't shoot he messenger. But Jericho jumped Riley Morgan at the New Japan show," Seth says. "I thought Jericho was coming back for WrestleMania?" Roman asks. "I guess the deal is off," Seth admits. There had been rumors Jericho was coming in for a big match at Mania. Although word backstage was the company and Jericho were far apart on money. New Japan must have stepped in and given Jericho the money he wanted. "That's is just fucking great how could Vince and Triple H let them step in and steal him," Roman says. "Come on dude's it not that big a deal. WrestleMania will do great," Seth reminds him. "Think about how bad this looks," Roman rants.
"Roman think for a second. Chris Jericho won't make our break anything even with how great he is," Seth says. "Fucking Morgan. This is all meant to be a pot shot at me," Roman says. Seth felt a headache coming on. "Roman I think New Japan lets Jericho call his own shots," Seth says. "No man clearly Jericho is supposed to be playing me… bad enough that little bastard jumped me," Roman rants as he disconnects the call.
Ribera Steakhouse
Mandy walked into the restaurant where the everyone was meeting up. Seeing Riley at the bar getting a soda she walked up to him. "Great match," She says. "Well I was extra motivated," Riley says. "Chris Jericho is hard to impress," Mandy says. "Jericho? I was talking about you," Riley says. "Oh I wasn't impressed. I don't get why fans think the Bullet Club is a big deal," She jokes. "It kind of jumped shark with the whole Golden Elite thing," Riley says. "The real down fall was letting you in," Marty says passing by. "I thought it was when the killed me," Adam says following Marty. "Always been dead weight," AJ adds. "And people think we write BTE we are just huge jerks," Riley says. "How is the shoulder?" Mandy asks.
He lifts his arm up and waves. "Its fine. Sure I'm sore but I am fine. Hell for a guy named Evil he's very protective," Riley says. They head over to a table. "Nice Jacket," Mandy says seeing the famous Ribera jacket Riley is wearing. "Finally got mine," Riley says. The Steakhouse had long been a destination for wrestlers traveling to Japan. The walls were lined with photos of famous names that had dinned at it over the years. Getting the jacket was a badge of honor for wrestlers. "When do I get mine. From what I understand the jacket means "I am a wrestler that has been to Japan,"" Mandy says. "Talk to the manager," Riley says. Nick Jackson walks to them. "Hey Riley we are doing a photo time to blow up the internet as they see all the core member of the Biz Cliz together," Nick says. "I'll be right there," Riley says. The entire group lines up. Its an impressive sight.
From Balor the founder and first leader to Ishmorri the newest member each man had carved the legacy of the club. "Isn't the first Bone Soldier missing?" Sonya yells out. "We don't talk about him," Kenny yells. "Gedo's worst idea," Tama Tonga adds. "Hey I had to do the damn tag league with him so shut up," Bad Luck Fale says. Eventually everyone holds up the Too Sweat sing as the photo is taken. More photos are taken such as Fale and Balor recreating entrance with Balor on the big man's shoulders. Kenny reenacting kicking AJ out of the Club. And a fun photo of Balor stealing the IWGP title from Kenny since he was the only leader to never win the belt. The final one is a joke shot of Cody being "thrown out" by the current members.
After a while everyone settled in. Mandy mostly stuck close to Riley but found herself talking to Sonya and Ruby. Riley was off to the side talking to Adam Cole and Finn Balor. Checking her phone Mandy knew it was almost time to call it a night. Heading over to get him so they could at least spend a night together she over head what he was talking about. "Look man I know your contract is coming up," AJ says. "Dude I know Triple H wants to bring you in. NXT needs a start boost," Adam says. Mandy stopped and let herself dream. She had never pressed Riley of if he would come to the WWE. But the thought of him in NXT living in Orlando was great. Instead of going weeks without seeing each other it would be at most days.
Riley slowly sipped his beer. "Wouldn't be worth it guys. Nothing is official yet but the money they are offering tells me I can get a lot more. Plus I'm finally getting a major push. I would be stupid to leave Japan now. If anything I'm spending more time over here," Riley says Mandy backs away and she misses what he says next. "Only reason I would considered it would be Mandy."
Later that night
"You okay?" Riley asks as he and Mandy walk up to his hotel room. "I'm fine," she says. "If is about my arm I am okay. And I'm getting the nerve worked out tomorrow and I won't wrestle again this tour he reminds her. "I know… Its just we are back apart until Mania week," Mandy says. Riley opens the door. "Maybe we always find ways to be together," Riley reminds her before kissing her. She trying to push what ever doubt has come up returns it. They move toward the bed.
Weeks Later
"Shit shit shit," Mandy says looking at the calendar on her phone. Just the night hell even just a few hours no minutes before she had been riding high after a strong match with Becky Lynch this time given plenty. Add into that AJ vs. Adam had been made official for WrestleMania with many calling it the best match announced for WrestleMania. She had been all about enjoy a few days at home. Than Sonya went and mentioned the date. Mandy had been stunned. It wasn't uncommon lose track of the days when you were on the road most of the time. "A full week," Mandy says out loud. "What is wrong?" Sonya asks. Mandy ignores and puts his head into her hand. "This can't be," Mandy she says before getting up to pace. "Mandy you are freaking me out," Sonya says. "You are freaking out? I am the one this happening to," Mandy says.
"What are you talking about?" Sonya asks she was worried he friend was having a melt down or suffered some kind of head injury with a delayed reaction. "Mandy come on talk to me I feel like I missed a page in the book," Sonya says. Mandy sits back down and look at her phone again and starts to count. "I'll be right back," Mandy says grabbing her purse. "Where are you going?" Sonya asks.. .They had been discussing the travel plans for tomorrow and had started to get ready for bed. Mandy ignores her as he slips on a pair of sneakers. Once she reached she car she had never made the trip to CVS so quick.
She prayed no one would recognize her. And of course she hears. "Oh hey Mandy." She turns around and see Kyle Riley. "Kyle what you doing here?" She asks. "Same as you picking some stuff up. See you around," He says after grabbing a box of vitamins off a shelf. Once he is out of sight she heads for aisle with the one thing she wants. Sonya has been calling over and over again and finally Mandy picks up. "I'm fine I just needed to get something." She grabs the item and heads for the checkout area. Only one is open she sees Kyle has already paid and is heading for the door not even bothering to look back.
Later that night
In Orlando it was late. But in California it wasn't. Riley was always a night owl. So as Mandy went into her room to call him she knew he would up. Her finger hovers over the call button. But she wants to no needs to see his face. Instead she pulls out her tablet and starts to face time him. Most of the time when he is at home he is on his lap top. Suddenly a wave of panic hits and she cancels the request. "Why am I freaking out?" She wonders to herself. She heads to Sonya's room. Once she knocks the door opens. "Can we talk?" Mandy asks. "Of course," Sonya says relived her friend is acting normal again. Mandy enters the room the sits on Sonya's bed.
Riley's place days later
Riley was returning from a run. His shoulder felt better but the chiropractor told him him to take a few days to let it heal up before doing any upper body work. Rounding the final turn he noticed a car parked by his place. Not uncommon given people in the neighborhood always had visitors. Reaching his drive way he was stunned to see Mandy waiting on front step. "Well this is a present surprise," Riley says smiling. "Can we talk?" Mandy asks. "Yeah sure come on in," Riley says punching the code for the door in. Mandy follows him in.
"What's going on?" Riley says. "I needed to talk to you," Mandy says. "Well we could talk on the phone. The fact you are here tells me something huge is going on. Hell aren't you supposed to be on the road?" "I got some days off," Mandy says. Riley takes her hand. "Come on talk to me," Riley says. "How happy are you here?" She asks. "Here as in our relationship?" Riley asks. "Here as in everything yes our relationship, your life, career, and California," Mandy says. "I'm very happy with our relationship and I would hope you would know that that. My life is going great right now, my career is at an all time high. Mandy what is going on this is not like you at all. I'm the nut job that flies cross country without warning," Riley says.
"I was late," Mandy finally says. "Late?… Oh… your pregnant?" Riley asks a large mix of emotion hitting him. "No. I took a test it was negative I went to a doctor took a blood test it was negative as well. Turns out I had some other problem," Mandy says. "We never talked about kids," Riley says. "I know. We have just been enjoying being together. Finding a few times a month to meet up," Mandy says. Riley just nods. There relationship was committed. But still they never talked much about the future. "So what does this mean?" Riley finally asks. "It means I've been a mess for days," Mandy admits to him. They sit on the sofa and take each other's hands.
"Riley I over heard you when were in Japan. Are you really going to be there more often?" Mandy asks. He takes a moment. "If I agree to this new deal we are working out yeah. I mean they would it if I moved to Japan full time like Kenny did," Riley says. "Are you?" This was first she was hearing about this. "No, I like Japan. But I don't want to live there. I mean being away from my family and you would be to much. But yeah they want more over there more…. I haven't actually agreed to anything," Riley says.
"How long would this contract be for?" Mandy asks. "One year at a time. But you know how it is I could mess up badly and get fired or they could release me," Riley says. "I'm locked into the WWE for another few years more or less," Mandy says. "I know. I actually haven't signed anything yet," Riley says. "Meaning?" "I don't know I'm just saying stuff," Riley admits. "Would consider leaving New Japan and ROH?" Mandy asks. "I mean until this no. I mean after years of working my way up I'm getting put into major matches. I mean I'm doing main events. I mean if I'm completely honest I would not go to NXT. I would want what AJ got," He says. Mandy has always appertained his honesty. Some guys would spin it trying to make her feel better.
"I love you and I want this relationship to keep growing," Mandy says. He nods. "I mean I could go back to the office and talk less dates," Riley says. "You would. But I also don't want you wreck you push," Mandy says. "You mentioned California what you were you implying?" Riley asks. "Look at the cycle we are in. I'm in Orlando you live here. We try to meet up when we can. Sometimes we visit each others homes. Maybe I want my home to be your home," Mandy says. Riley takes a second to think. "I only moved this city because most of my booking were on the west coast at the time. Plus there was the LA Dojo I could train at. I don't need a Dojo anymore," Riley says.
"Would you move to Orlando?" She asks. "For you," He says. "Would that mess things up with the Bullet Club?" She asks. What she doesn't want is to be the woman that take a guy away from his life and his friends. "If you mean BTE no. I mean Kenny lives Japan, Cody in Texas, and Hangman in Virginia. Assuming I stay in ROH and New Japan we will just what we always do film on the road. Plus the guys know I'm happy with you," Riley says before pulling her into a kiss. "Why was I so freaked out?" Mandy asks. "When you figure it would tell me because I'm still freaking out," Riley says. "Do you want kids?" She asks. "Someday… I kind of want to be married first," Riley says. "I've always told people I wanted kids but the thought of being pregnant scared me," Mandy says. "When you told me you weren't I was thrilled. I don't think it means we don't want kids. We just don't want them right now," Riley tells her.
They embrace. "Riley," She says after a few minutes of silence. "Yeah Mandy?" "You really stink from that run you were on," She says breaking all the tension with a joke. They both laugh. "To be fair you kind of dropped in on me. Its not like I was expecting company. Next time you are freaking out be kind enough to give me a call first. Your melt downs should not inconvenience me," He fires back. They laugh again.
Meanwhile
"I think it's a great idea Tenille," ROH head booker Hunter Johnston says. "It just makes total sense. I mean I am feuding with Brandi. Cody is doing the big two for one title match with Cody," Tenille Dashwood says into her phone. "Plus working a mixed tag is a great way to protect Riley's injury," Hunter says. "Works on all sides," Tenille says. "I will have the web team announce it," Hunter says. "Excellent." Tennille says smiling.
