All I own is my original character. Everything else is WWE's playground. This and the next two chapters will not feature a lot of wrestling, but chapter five is going to feature what I hope is an exceptional match.
A groan escaped my lips, mixing in with the panting and concern. Another fucking nightmare from my childhood. Shaking my head, I glanced at the alarm clock that read three fifty-seven in the morning. Trudging to the bathroom for a quick shower, a thought came to mind. It's early enough for the gyms to be practically empty. Which meant no distractions while I worked out my problems.
The hotel we were booked in was pretty damn good. They had enough equipment to keep us busy for hours, if not an entire night if needed. Plus the fact that a twenty-four seven boxing gym was right across the street. Setting up on a treadmill, I started off slow until I felt a pair of eyes on me. Turning to face the door, I was surprised at the appearance of the newest occupant. Which caused me to trip and fall, making her laugh.
"You okay?" her voice drawing me out of my reverie. Lexi's eyes were red with unshed tears, but still holding that concern within. We had been seat neighbors on the flight into Minneapolis, which caused us to get to know each other better. Admittedly, it was a lot of fun.
"I'm fine. What about you?" I replied, accepting the helping hand. She chewed on her lip, eyes darting around to make sure nobody was around. Once she was certain no one else was close, she melted into my arms. It was the first time she did it voluntarily, which made me feel elated.
"I feel protected in your arms" she admitted. My cheeks slowly warmed up at her words, as my heart hammered away like it was trying to forge some type of armor or weapon. As our eyes met, it was clear that she was relaxed.
"I'm glad you feel safe in my arms." The reply startled her, while I stammered to explain it. But she just shyly smiled and buried her head into my chest again. We stayed that way for a minute or so before she pulled away and climbed on the treadmill next to mine.
We started, or in my case, restarted, our cardio. While I kept mine around the higher end, Lexi kept hers in the middle. It was weird, as whenever I saw her in the PC, she was able to be at the top without much trouble for a while. But I didn't want to distract her and potentially have her get tripped up.
"Lexi, are you okay? Normally you can go at full speed without a problem" She slowed down and looked at me. Her eyes battling themselves over whether gratitude, anger, or something else should be shown.
"I'm good. Nikki and I don't have a match, so why go all out?" She replied. It was a great point, but I couldn't help but feel a little bad. She had revealed yesterday that she thought she'd be in a match tonight, only to find out that they didn't have anything planned for her or Nikki.
"Sorry" I apologized, catching her by surprise. "I didn't mean to make you upset."
"You didn't." Her genuine smile reached her eyes. "You were making sure that I was okay. And I love that you did." We went back to working out, making some small talk every now and again. Finishing up the cardio portion, I switched over to lifting weights. It was about four thirty in the morning, which meant others would be waking up soon.
As I pushed out reps, I noticed Lexi sitting down and watching me. It pushed me to do more than I usually do, stopping only once I felt sweat drip into my eye. Her soft smile sending butterflies to my stomach. She followed me to the boxing gym, asking if I'd help her with a few things in the ring over the next week or so. Hard to deny someone who could metaphorically kill you with puppy dog eyes.
As I started warming up with punches, Claudio entered the gym with Joe, Adeel, and Charles. Lexi greeted them with hugs while also watching me. Claudio just smiled at the sight, deducing what we both were doing. Joe picked it up after a mistimed jab.
"Matt! You good with helping me with a few things?" Joe asked. Nodding, we went off to a different ring so Claudio could help Lexi.
"You like Lexi." Joe smiled at my gaping mouth. He tied me up in a collar and elbow before continuing. "Don't worry. None of us are concerned about it. Hell, from what Claudio has said about you, I'd be a fool to try and intervene. Just know that we're willing to help you with her. She's pretty tired right now though. Dealing with some serious stuff." He held a hand up to keep me quiet.
"What exactly do you mean 'serious stuff?'" I asked, voice laced with concern.
He let out a soft sigh. "You'll have to ask her. Adeel and Charles couldn't get her to open up, and they've pretty much became like siblings with Lexi." I struggled to picture her without a smile on her face, sending a blast of icy pain through my heart and soul. How much she was in pain due to the actions of an idiot who didn't realize how lucky they were. Joe seemed to have noticed it as he put his hand on my shoulder.
"You seem like a good guy, but she's capable of handling it by herself. But she's going to need a rock there to help support her." I knew what he was saying. By being the rock that supports her, she'll be able to trust me more. Perhaps it'll help her find her Prince Charming.
"Okay." He smiled before letting me continue my work out. Once it was done, Lexi asked me if I wanted to get some breakfast. Anything to spend some time with her was a good idea in my book. She was able to keep mymind occupied with small talk , which prevented me from ending up like I was a few years back.
We ended up driving to the arena together, jamming out to her favorite type of music. Her infectious smile never leaving. It hurt me to know that I'll never be good enough for her. But her happiness was more important as far as I was concerned. She had learned that she'd get to do another Moment of Bliss with Macey in Detroit once we arrived. Thomas, Nic, Daniel, David, and Joe walked up after she got the news.
"Matt, how do you want to do the interference?" Thomas asked. Lexi walked away to talk with the girls. Joe standing to the side, offering a reassuring smile.
"I figured you guys would attack me and use weapons to try and teach me a lesson. Like a Deep Six through a table, Zig Zag and superkick onto chairs. Perhaps a Shatter Machine off a ladder." I threw out, not sure of what would work best. Nic just smiled.
"Why not all of the above?"
"What are you getting at Nic?" Joe asked. Nic just motioned for us to follow him. We did, and he showed us the match card.
"With how late the match will take place, we could have an angle shot to where Daniel and David thought he was laughing at them. The three of us could then put him through a ladder and use the chairs and tables after he tried to get revenge." He explained. We quickly agreed to do that. Thankfully Vince enjoyed it and allowed us to shoot it early. Vince explained that it would be perfect for the preshow, as it would get heat on The Revival.
As soon as it was finished, we went our separate ways. Joe waited off in the wings, seemingly content with the peace and quiet. Adeel and Charles were off to get back home after shooting their own angle with Daniel and David.
"Have you heard the rumors?" I overheard. Two backstage workers were walking past, not paying attention for any eavesdroppers.
"About Lexi?"
"Yeah."
"I've heard that she's got a new man. But that's about it."
"That's not the rumor. She's been creating an excuse to try and stay with others, and most of the guys have been thinking about using it as an excuse to try and get in her pants!"
"Hah! Surprised she hasn't agreed to it. We all know she got here with her looks over her skills."
"Ain't that the truth. Hopefully she asks me next so I can get a good look at her body." The pair laughed before turning right down a hall. Joe had walked up towards the end of their conversation, concern written on his face. It was due to the anger I had on my face.
"Listen-"
"How can they be so nonchalant about a co-worker who is dealing with serious stuff!? It pisses me off!" He forced me to look him in the eyes.
"You need to calm the fuck down. That rumor is false. I know that cause she has been staying with Adrienne. We don't know the actual reason, and you can't get so worked up by rumors." He was right. I had to be there for her, but it hurt hearing them seemingly brush away any concerns of her well being because she was gorgeous. And they just wanted to get in her pants.
"You're right. I've just gotta let it roll off my shoulders."
"Of course. I also know that you've had the same rumors spread about you." I suppressed a grimace.
"Unlike Lex, I'm not that good looking." He just laughed.
"We could always ask Lexi. Of course, she'd probably like your little nickname for her." His teasing smile grew larger as my cheeks burnt red like lava. "Let's get ready for the show."
Lexi stayed with Nikki to watch the show. Daniel, David, and I waited for our queue to go out. I'd go first, followed by them a few moments later. It was given, and I ran down to start wailing on Ziggler. Corbin realized something was wrong when he was left alone with Reigns, who had managed to get up to his knees. The Revival emerged, grabbing me and throwing me into the barricade. While they worked me over, Ziggler helped Corbin with Reigns. A ladder laid on the apron and barricade, which The Revival used to make the shatter machine hurt even more.
However, instead of it breaking, it remained intact as I crashed on it. Clutching my ribs in agony, the pair grinned before laying me on top of it. "Scott's gonna hit an elbow drop." Dash whispered in my ear, making sure nobody else could hear him. Scott delivered the elbow to my chest, causing the ladder to break under our combined weight.
Ziggler laughed at my pain before picking me up. The Revival held me up as he hit me in the gut with a folded up chair. After the third hit, I was dropped by Scott and Dash, unable to take a deep breath. Once I struggled up to my knees, the chair was placed in front of my face. Ziggler hit the chair with a superkick, sending it ricocheting into my face and knocking me to the floor. As Corbin's goons entered the ring to aid him, I could barely move.
The Bell rang, signaling the end of the match. Ziggler left the ring to pick me up and sent me into the ring. A table followed me a few seconds later, which Corbin set up. The Revival stomped on my back, which sent waves of pain coursing through my ribs and torso. They tried to lift me up, but I just couldn't get up. So Corbin changed where the table was placed and had the other three lift me. Once they got me up, Corbin got me into position and hit a Deep Six through the table.
Reigns and the ref had to help me to the back.
Lexi bolted into the trainer's office, her electric blue eyes full of fear. It hurt me more than the ribs ever could. Her arms gently wrapped around my abdomen, causing my heart rate to speed up. Returning the hug, she looked up at me with those eyes that could look into my soul.
"Are you okay? I'm not hurting you, am I? What happened out there?" She blasted away with the questions. As I went to answer them, she continued with the interrogation. "Why didn't they protect you more? Were they trying to hurt you intentionally? Those bastards probably planned it from the start!"
"Lexi, calm down."
"Perhaps they felt threatened by you? Did they try to make you out to be unsafe?"
"Lexi."
"Or were they upset by your involvement? I mean, you're extremely handsome, but Nic wouldn't sabotage someone without a reason, right?"
"LEX!" She finally stopped and looked at me, cheeks aflame with the embarrassment of her words and questioning. My cheeks mirrored hers, but for a different reason. She had called me handsome. How am I supposed to feel about that?
"Y-yes?" She nervously asked, eyes darting around the room. She had a shy look on her face, making her look completely innocent. It was cute.
"The ladder didn't break at first. It didn't until the elbow drop, so we had to do that in order to make it seem like they cared about hurting me. Everything else was good." She swallowed nervously before nodding. "But I do appreciate your concern. And your words."
"Your welcome. Are you heading back to the hotel after the show?"
"Yeah. Why?"
She fiddled with her fingers before letting out a low sigh. "I would like to stay with you tonight. My hotel room is way too cold and I'm not a fan of it."
"S-sure. I-I don't mind" I squeaked out. She flashed a smile at me which made the pain go away. The trainer came in and ran some quick tests before telling me to take it easy over the next few days. I wouldn't have a match on Smackdown, but I'd be good for the house shows over the weekend. As we left, Lexi went to grab her bags.
"She's amazing." I said, not paying attention to who was nearby.
"Yes she is." Matthew Adams, better known as Buddy Murphy, replied. His tone light and friendly. Everyone knew he and Lexi were together before, and had gotten engaged. But they didn't go through with it. Instead, they decided to remain friends.
"Didn't realize you were there. Sorry" I apologized, only for him to wave it off. He motioned for me to follow.
"You've got nothing to worry about. Lexi and I are friends. Probably closer to brother and sister, which is why I was looking for you." He looked over at my five-eleven frame. Most would say I weighed around one ninety, but they were off by thirty pounds. "She's dealing with a lot of problems. What they are, you'll have to find out when she's ready to tell you. Just be there for her and you won't have to worry about things." He walked away before I could even reply, seemingly content with his words of wisdom. As I grabbed my bag, I couldn't help but wonder about Lexi.
More specifically, how she could view someone as broken as me as handsome. She was an angel, perfect in every sense of the word, and I was nothing. It could just be her trying to be nice, but I don't think she'd say that if she didn't mean it.
"You ready?" Her angelic voice sent my heart fluttering, as those eyes bore deep within my soul. Giving her a soft nod, we left to return to the hotel. In my peripheral vision, I saw the faintest smile on her face, shimmering with happiness and something else that I couldn't figure out.
Once we were at my room, she entered the bathroom to get changed. I pulled off my shirt, eyes drawn to the faded scars on my arms and torso. Grabbing a plain white tee and a pair of black shorts, I quickly got changed and sat on the chair.
Lexi came out a few minutes later, wearing a royal blue shirt that flowed down to her thighs, stopping halfway and allowing her slender legs enough room to steal my breath away. Her hair wet from the shower, yet holding enough volume to be a vocal point. Her face, warped in a shy smile that made me ready to apologize for every transgression.
"Are you okay?" No, but I couldn't say that. How could I explain it to her? I'm looking at someone who has clearly come from Heaven, and I was nothing special. Just a random guy who'll have to deal with the fact that she deserves the sun and moon, while I could give her neither.
"Yes. You look absolutely gorgeous." A smile grew on my face at her heated cheeks.
"Th-thank you." She laid on the bed, eagerly awaiting for sleep to overtake her. While I set up on the floor, staring at the ceiling. Perhaps I'll be able to find a way to beat the odds and actually be with her. Then again, it will be almost impossible.