I know this should have been a Something I Need update, but I really wanted to get this out. I wanted this in the last chapter, but I felt it was too long. I promise Something I Need will be the next update. AEW owns all you know and I own those you don't. Enjoy!
~Jessica~
"Are you ready?" Max asked me. We finished yet another show and it was time to be escorted back to the hotel. The two weeks in New York were great, so freeing, I actually started to feel normal. Of course a certain second city saint had played a part in my resurgence.
"Almost, don't get your panties in a bunch." I said, checking my phone.
"I've solved our hotel problem." Read Phil's text.
"How did you manage to do that?" I asked, smiling as I typed.
"Who's Jack?" Max asked over my shoulder. I had made sure not to save Phil as Phil, but as his middle name instead. That way incase Max saw I was covered.
"None of your business." I shot back.
"Who's Jack?" He asked me.
"She said none of your business." Mike said sternly. Max turned and snarled in his direction.
"It's my business, if I say it is." He shot back.
"Relax Max, it's my cousin in Canada." I said nonchalantly. Mike smiled in my direction, he knew it wasn't a cousin.
"Whatever, just get out to the limo." He said, annoyed. Mike picked up my bags and followed me out the door. When I eventually escape Max, I'll miss having Mike around to watch my back and carry things for me. It was kind of nice to be doted on. We walked out of the arena into the car. The Pinnacle sat in silence, the only sound was the vibrations of my phone.
"Are you here yet? I can't wait." Phil texted.
"I've never seen someone so excited to see a friend before." I wrote back.
"I'm no ordinary friend, babe." I smiled.
"Your cousin texts you too much." Max said.
"Why does it matter to you if he does?" I asked.
"It's weird."
"You're weird." I said back childishly. Phil had me in a giddy mood and I wasn't letting Max end it. We pulled up to the hotel and Max followed me to my room. He pulled out wrist tape as I opened the door.
"If this tape isn't on your door, when I check…I know someone was here." He said.
"What am I, 9?" I asked.
"Get in." I rolled my eyes and walked in, the door closing behind me. I heard Max slap the tape on the door making sure it sticks. I barely took my shoes off before I heard knocking. I walked to the door and looked out the peep hole, no one was there. I turned and the knocking continued.
"What the hell?" I said out loud. My phone buzzed.
"Will you open the door?" Read Phil's text.
"No one is out there." I wrote back.
"Wrong door!" Was his answer. I stopped and listened to the knocking. It was coming from the door next to the mirror. I smiled…conjoining rooms. I pulled the lock open and threw open the door. Immediately Phil scooped me into his arms and spun me around.
"Took you long enough." He said smiling. I smiled back seeing how happy he was…he seemed even happier than when we were engaged.
"Do you scoop all your friends up like this?" I asked, he still had me in his arms feet dangling.
"Only the special ones." He said placing me down.
"So this was your master plan?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, isn't it great? We don't have to sneak with the doors, but we can come and go from room to room without Max seeing!" He said. He was so proud of himself that I laughed.
"It is a good plan." I said giggling. My phone buzzed, it was Mike.
"Max just called and told me he can hear you laughing. Be careful."
"Uh-oh, big daddy Friedman can hear us laughing." I told Phil.
"A fantastic reason for you to come to my room." He said taking my hand and wiggling his eyebrows.
"Phil…" I started as he pulled me through the doorway.
"I don't bite baby, we can just lay." He said. In just a few short weeks, this man had me back under so easily. I don't know how, but the 7 years apart seemed so worth it to get back to this point. Even though we were still just friends I knew it wouldn't be long until we were more. I just had to stop fighting it. He went back into my room and dug through my bag until he found my pajamas.
"I'd much rather you wear mine." He said tossing them to me.
"Patience." I said walking into his bathroom. I changed quickly and walked out to find him laying on the bed. He patted the spot next to him and I sat down crossing my legs.
"You look too comfy to talk about the next step with Max." I said.
"Because I don't want tonight to be about Max. Tonight I want it to be about us." He said looking up at me.
"Phil, I'm so tired of talking about what happened…it's like beating a dead horse." I said sighing. He chuckled.
"I didn't mean talk about us, more like work on us. You know friends isn't my end goal." He told me.
"Really? I could never tell that you want more." I said sarcastically.
"Will you just lay down?" He said, pulling my arm down. I fell back next to him and he turned the TV on.
"Now what?" I asked. He moved to put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.
"Now we just enjoy each other." He said contently. I lifted my head and looked at him confusingly.
"This is all you want to do?"
"Yup." He said, staring at the TV.
"You're not going to make a move?" I asked.
"Nope, I just want to lay here and pretend the last 7 years never happened. That this is just a normal night for us." He said. I stayed silent just staring at him. "Just let me have this." He said quietly. I laid back down and turned my attention to the TV. We both just sat in silence, enjoying each other's company. I must have gotten so comfortable next to him that I dozed off. I thought I heard him mumble something but I slipped into a deep sleep before I could ask him.
~Morning~
My eyes fluttered open at the sound of loud banging. I lifted my head trying to figure out was going on. It was then I realized that my pillow was Phil's chest and his arm was still firmly around my waist. My eyes moved to his face, where I saw he was still sleeping soundly. I smiled…he never sleeps. I took a sense of pride that he was able to find some comfort during the night with me next to him. All of a sudden the banging was heard again, this time with a voice.
"JESSICA, YOU OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW!" It was Max.
"Shit." I hissed. I started to nudge Phil to wake him up, his eyes were barely open when my panic set in.
"Get up! Max is pounding on my door, I have to make it look like I slept in the other room!" I said. Phil shook his head and the realization set in. He let me go and we both ran to mess up my bed. I hurried and shooed him back to his room, closed and locked the conjoining door. I opened my door to find a very annoyed Max.
"What were you doing?" He asked aggressively.
"Nothing."
"I heard a door slam." He said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, the closet….I left it open last night and I decided to close it now." I said quickly.
"Be down in 10 minutes. We're all going to the airport together." I nodded and closed the door. I quickly turned and opened the conjoining door.
"That was close…he started…" I stopped when I saw Phil sitting on the bed with his head down.
"Phil?" I asked.
"I can't do it anymore." He said softly.
"Do what?" I asked walking over and standing in front of him, he looked up at me.
"Last night was the best night of sleep I've had in…I can't even tell you." He said, grabbing my hands.
"Phil, I'm confused." I said.
"I can't stand this friends thing anymore…I know its only been a few weeks…but I can't even think about you going home without me today."
"Phil, I know its hard…" I started.
"I love you," he started, "and I refuse to believe you don't love me anymore." I sighed.
"Phil…"
"Jessica, look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me." He said.
"Phil, I…"
"Do it." I looked him in his eyes…could I actually say I didn't love him…that the feelings were dead?
"I can't." I whispered.
"Then please…at least say it once…let me know that what I'm fighting for could happen." He begged.
"Phil, my flight."
"Please." I let go of his hands and grabbed his face. I leaned down and placed the softest kiss on his lips.
"I love you, I'll see you on Tuesday." I pulled away, went back in my room to change and left for the lobby.
Almost there! Jessica is breaking down, but there is still so much more in the way for her than her own feelings. I hope you liked it!