I myself took a small hiatus, the week just got away from me. I also got smacked with a sinus infection which completely took me out. But, Punk came back…much sooner than I thought he would! I debated another time jump but with this story since its so storyline based I have no choice. AEW owns those you know, I own those you don't. Enjoy!

~AEW Dynamite - December 15th, 2021 - UBS Arena, Belmont, Long Island~ Jessica

The past few weeks have been hell. Every week I'm out there, trying not to make a face, dolled up like a stripper and paraded in front of thousands of people next to Max. If it wasn't for Wardlow by my side I would have completely snapped. Max enjoys constantly letting the fans know how I was left high and dry at the alter, and that my life was ruined because I'm unmarried and rapidly getting older. When Phil comes out he leaves me out of the conversation with Max, but his eyes stay fixed on me. I sighed leaning back on the couch in Max's locker room. I just had to get through tonight and it was a short train ride home.

"Are you going home tonight?" My brother texted.

"Absolutely." I responded.

"Next week come see the kids. They miss you." He told me. I loved my nieces and nephew to death, but I'm not sure if I have the energy to pretend things are rainbows and sunshine.

"We'll see."

"They're concerned." I exhaled. I refused to let them see me like this again. The door opened and I dropped my phone in my lap. Mike Wardlow walked in.

"There you are." He said.

"What's up? Max needs his ass wiped?" I asked. He laughed.

"No, thankfully he's not looking for either of us. Right now he's soaking in his first hometown crowd. I was actually looking to just talk with you." He said. I raised my eyebrow, other than the business we're supposed to have with each other, Mike and I don't talk.

"What about?" I asked.

"Our situation." He said.

"Being?"

"Forced to stand by this prick." My eyebrows raised. I thought Mike liked Max.

"This has to be a trap." I said starting to stand up.

"Jessica, it's not. What's happening isn't fair." He said.

"You're realizing this now?" I asked.

"No, I've been dealing with this since before he brought you on. Seeing what's happening to you and Phil is what's making this less bearable."

"Nothing is happening to me and Phil." I said.

"Bullshit." He said, I stayed silent. "Max is playing with your personal life. No contract or amount of money can ever make that okay."

"How do you know I didn't decide to do this for the money, like you. I like expensive things and Max's money gets me those things." I said simply, he laughed.

"Do you believe your own lies?" He asked, I sighed.

"What are you getting at Mike? I'd like to think people try to talk to me about more than just Phil." I said, getting angry.

"You have to get him involved." He said simply.

"Are you just muscles? He is involved." I said back.

"No, you need to tell him what Max has on you, this hold he has isn't normal…it's not just a contract." He told me, more concerned.

"Max has nothing."

"I saw it." Fuck.

"It was a mistake." I said tears brimming my eyes, "A momentarily lapse in judgement."

"It was you, giving into what you want. Fight it all you want, but you guys belong together…I see it when he looks at you too."

"Well if you know what Max has you know I can't tell Phil. He'd actually kill him." I said.

"You'll find a way. The opportunity will present itself to you." I frowned.

"Max wants his moment, you're free tonight." With that he stood up and left me. I exhaled loudly before getting up. I was free tonight which meant I could roam around the building. I figured I'd go out and watch some matches…catch some promos. As I headed to the front I ran into Phil, my breathing stopped when I locked eyes with him. His gaze softened when he saw me, his green eyes lighting up.

"Jessica." He said softly.

"Phil." I said back.

"Can we…"

"No…"

"But…"

"You know we can't." I said my voice barely above a whisper. "If you really care about me not here."

"I'll find a way." He said, his eyes darkening. "I told you, I'm not stopping or giving up.."

"You sound like Cena." I said with a chuckle, forgetting for a moment.

"I took you away from him, I'll take you away from Max." With that he walked away from me towards gorilla. I headed to the area on the side, hidden from the fans but with a full view of the ring. The show would be starting in a few minutes and I knew Phil would be out first. As I stood and waited I felt extra bodies come around me. I turned to see all members of the Inner Circle behind me. I knew things haven't been the best with them since I had left but they were still here for me. MJF's music hit and I took a deep breath. The crowd began to cheer…excited for Max…probably the only crowd who would be. All of a sudden Phil appeared, the crowd booed in confusion.

"That's all you got? Chicago was so much louder!" He started. A smile began to form on my face.

"Somebody call Barry Trotz, I figured out why the Islanders haven't won a game in this building!" I saw him glance in my direction as I let out a laugh. Phil knows what a huge Ranger fan I am…I knew he was just getting started. He kept going, talking shit about Long Island, MJF and more about the Islanders. This was the C.M Punk I used to accompany to the ring. The loud mouth heel, I had always loved this side of his character.

"Now you people think that MJF is your hometown hero…but you're forgetting someone. Someone who deserves this type of treatment…who deserves the warmest of welcomes back to her state…someone I have avoided talking about…because it's painful." My smile dropped.

"It's time to talk about Jessica." He started, "MJF seems to think that he can use her to get to me, to make me feel embarrassed and less of a man because what has happened between us. But I'll be the first to admit it…" he took a pause, "I fucked up." With that the crowd started chanting "You fucked up!" Over and over again, I began to tear up.

"I did, and I'll be working every minute of my life to make it up to her, to show her that I'm sorry and that I love her." The crowd went wild, my eyes went wide. "I never stopped…I can never explain or rationalize what happened 7 years ago, all I can do is look to the future and try to be better than I was then…but Max…" his voice got low, "Max I don't know what you have on her…how you're holding her next to you…but I will find out." He said staring at the ramp.

"And if you hurt her…the next time you come back to Long Island, it will be in a body bag!" He yelled. He dropped the mic and his music hit, I ran around the Inner Circle and looked for Tony. Once I saw him, I didn't even have to speak.

"It's okay, go home." He said with a small smile. I texted Mike and told him to give my bag to my brother…I couldn't go in to Max's locker room. I ran to the train and caught the next one back to the city. From there a quick subway and a few blocks and I was home. I immediately stripped off my clothes and drew myself a bath. I exhaled as I sank in the water and thought about my conversation with Mike. "You have to get him involved." Kept repeating in my head. How am I supposed to if I'm constantly watched. I soaked for an hour before getting out grabbing my robe and heading for the kitchen. Wine would definitely help my situation. Just as I poured myself a glass the apartment phone rang.

"Hello?" I said into the receiver.

"Good evening Ms. Irvine, so sorry to disturb you at this time in the evening." I looked, it was only 10.

"Don't worry about it, is something wrong?" I asked.

"Ms. Irvine, there is a gentleman here to see you asking to be let up to your apartment. His name is …Phillip Brooks." I could tell they were reading off his ID.

"Phillip Brooks?" I asked.

"Yes, Ms. Irvine…he seems to have bags with him too." What the hell is he trying to do?

"I see and did he arrive just now?" I asked.

"Well, he's been here for a bit…trying to get up without calling you." I rolled my eyes, typical Phil.

"Does he have a reason for showing up? I was not expecting anyone."

"Um, well…hold on Ms. Irvine, he'd like to speak with you."

"Put him on." I said.

"Please let me up." He said begging.

"Why should I?" I asked.

"Because I have no where to go. My hotel messed up and I don't have a place to sleep." I actually laughed.

"You expect me to believe you?" I said.

"No but I got you to laugh." He said.

"And the real reason?" I asked.

"You said you're always watched by Max…there's no way he's watching you in your own home."

"How do you know I didn't invite him to stay with me tonight?" I said, a bit of playfulness in my voice.

"Jessica, are you done teasing me?" He asked annoyed.

"Just one more…what happened to your room?" I asked sipping my wine. He sighed.

"I took a gamble that you'd let me up, and I cancelled it." He said.

"Put the front desk back on."

"Ms. Irvine?"

"Hi, please let Phillip Brooks up and add him to my list of approved visitors." I said.

"Right away." I hung up the phone and chugged the entire glass of wine, before pouring myself another as a knock came at my door. I got up with my glass and opened the door. Phil's eyes went wide and then he smirked.

"Do you always open the door like this or are you just ready to have me over?" He said. I looked down forgetting I was only in a robe, I blushed before letting him in.

"I was trying to relax." I said walking towards my room.

"I could help! You know I'm good at making you relax!" He called down the hall. I rolled my eyes and came back out in my pajamas.

"You're a pig." I said.

"What? My massages are great! You're the one who has the dirty mind." He said laughing. I laughed too.

"I missed this." He said softly. "Us laughing…being at ease." I sighed.

"Me too…but things are too complicated now." I said.

"So let's talk through it." He pleaded.

"Let me show you your room."

"Jessica, we can't keep avoiding this." He said as he followed me to the room next to mine.

"I know." I whispered, "Why don't you get settled…I'll wait on the couch." I walked out of the room leaving Phil.

~Phil~

Jessica left the room as I put the bag down. Part of me was hoping she had a one bedroom so I could lay with her and get some real sleep, but I should just be grateful she let me in. I changed out of my street clothes and put on a pair of pajama pants. Her apartment was warm so I walked back into the living room without a shirt. Her eyes traveled up my body until she met my gaze, eyes filled with need. Me too, baby.

"Nice place, when did you move here?" I asked, breaking her out of her trance.

"When I lived with Derrick and he signed his 5 year contract." She told me, "When he was traded and we broke up he let me keep it."

"I still can't believe you dated a French Canadian." I said, sitting down next to her on the couch.

"I figured I'd try a hockey player, nice change from wrestler." She said, I sighed.

"Jessie, I'm so sorry. For everything, like I said out in the ring there is no explanation I could give that could make what I did okay. You were right, I should have leaned on you…looked to you for comfort and support through everything that was happening. Instead I got lost in my own head…in my own hate…and allowed myself to lose you. I meant it tonight when I said I love you. I always have, I've never stopped…you're it for me." I looked my eyes watering…unshed tears were in her eyes too.

"I'd understand if you still didn't want to talk to me, but I had to say it…and I have to save you from whatever you're stuck in." I finished.

"Phil it's not going to be easy." She started.

"I know its not…none of this will be…us and Max." I said.

"Phil…what Max has on me…is what he also has on you." She started, "I can't say what it is…but I have to stay with him in order to keep it in the dark."

"Tell me when you can." I said, "but please let us work behind the scenes to get rid of this contract…I miss my girl by my side." I said.

"Phil I don't know if I'm ready for that again." She said softly.

"I know…but I'm willing to put the time in…are you?" I held my breath as I asked her.

"Let's start as friends." She said. I smiled brightly, she's giving me a chance!

"Now about Max…" I started.

Well, we're getting somewhere with them! I hate keeping them apart, they've been apart for 7 years! I hope you liked the chapter!