**I do not own any of the following characters.**
Author's note: This is my first fanfic. I've never posted on this site before, so any suggestions would be helpful. Please Read & Review! Enjoy!
It had been several months since they had spoken to each other. He missed her of course, but was still very bitter. Why had she done this to him? Wrestling was his life, she knew that when they got married. Hell, he wanted her to go with him on the road more often than she did, but she didn't like traveling that much. He understood that and tried to come home to her as often as he could. If she wasn't happy why did she act like she did? They had more than the average couple, but they weren't rich. It's not like she had married him for his money. Guilt riddled through his stomach. "You knew she couldn't be away from you so much," he thought to himself and sighed aloud. He continued to sit on the lounge chair with his feet resting on a cocktail table. It was dark now and only the light from the underwater pool lights reflected on his face. He heard the phone ringing inside the house but didn't feel like talking to anyone. He hadn't wanted to talk to anyone much lately. "Ahh!" he sighed as the phone rang a fourth time. He bolted upright from the chair and stomped his way into the kitchen.
"Hullo" he mumbled.
"Hey, Chris man, how are you?" It was Adam.
"Just hanging around, what are you up to?"
"Well," Adam said nonchalantly, "I was wondering if you wanted to come over and have a few beers? Allie went away for a few days and I'm bored over here."
"Sure, I'll be there in a little while." Chris stood next to the phone and thought about Adam. Chris smiled to himself as he remembered meeting "Edge" for the first time. Chris had been introduced to him while Chris was training with Mick and Dwayne after signing with the company.
After changing out of his swim trunks, Chris stared at himself in the mirror. Man, you look so tired he thought. He slicked his hair into a neat ponytail and headed downstairs. He picked up his car keys from the kitchen counter and started walking towards the living room. Stopping when he reached the front door, he turned his head to glance quickly at the mantle above the fireplace. He still hadn't taken her pictures down yet. He hung his head for a moment, then proceeded to unlock the door and make his way to the car.
* * *
"I can't believe he said that to you!" Adam laughed. "You must have been so surprised!"
"I - I -", Chris was laughing so hard he couldn't get the words out. "All I could say was REAAALLLY?" Chris mocked himself by making a silly face. He and Adam cracked up. It felt so good to laugh. He had really missed feeling this good.
"Oh man," Adam said catching his breath. His eyes met with Chris', "I haven't heard you laugh like that in quite awhile." He patted Chris on the back, then got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen to get another Corona. "Hey, you want another one?"
"Nah," Chris answered, "I'm good." Chris' smile faded as he focused on the fish tank in the corner of the room. What he wouldn't give to be a fish right about now. No worries, no complications. Just a simple little life.
Adam popped the top off a fresh Corona and stood by the sink for a moment. He looked into the den, noticing how Chris began to slump on the couch again. He felt so sorry for him. The man was hurting and hurting badly, and no one really knew it. If only he'd talk about it. It had been over three months already.
"I think I am ready for another one, actually." Chris stated suddenly. He got off the couch and joined Adam in the kitchen. After Chris opened his beer, they clinked bottles and sipped in unison.
"Ahh, nice and cold" Chris said.
"Sort of like you these days, "Adam said teasingly. Chris glared at him, then gave Adam one of his trademark smirks.
"I know I've been a fuck lately, I'm sorry 'bout that. I can't help it. Other than being in the ring, I have no motivation anymore."
"C'mon", Adam said, "You can't let Jesse ruin your life. If you don't decide to take her back, get a divorce and get her out of your life for good."
Chris stood there, not really knowing what to say. He had thought about asking for a divorce but wasn't so sure he wanted to do that. On the other hand, how could he look at her the same way as he once had? How could he make love to her again? He tried not to think about it.
"You make it sound so simple, Adam. It's not."
Adam rolled his eyes. "It is that simple. You either want her around or you don't."
"That's the problem. I wanted her around, but I was never around. That's why this happened in the first place."
Shocked that Chris was blaming himself, "Is that what you think? You think that this is your fault?"
"If I had paid more attention to her and spent more time at home then...then maybe this would never have happened." Chris put his beer on the counter. "Thanks for asking me over, Adam. But I think I'm gonna head back."
"Look man, "Adam grabbed Chris' arm," I'm sorry I brought it up." They both stood there, the silence thickening around them. "Stay in the extra room tonight. I don't think you should be driving right now."
"Fine." Chris looked up at Adam. "Thanks man, you're the best."
"Sure man." Adam said sincerely. "Anytime."
* * *
Chris sat down on the sofa in his dressing room and finished taping his wrists. He wondered if Jesse had gotten into town yet. After the show tonight, he was meeting with her to talk things out one last time. He had decided that he would see how he felt being around her again before he would decide whether or not he wanted to go through with a divorce. Getting a divorce was against everything he believed in. Then again, he didn't think he would be able to forgive her either. Had it been only that one time? He didn't know. He never asked. He had only asked her to leave.
"C'mon in," Chris shouted after hearing a knock at the door. It was Trish.
"Hey gorgeous. You almost ready?" she asked. "You didn't do your hair yet?"
"Nah, I'll head down there in a minute." Chris mumbled as he bit the end of the tape and secured it to his wrist.
"Here, lemme do it. It'll only take me a minute." Trish looked around for some gel and a brush.
"Thanks." Chris said as Trish brushed his hair into a ponytail, then braided it tightly. He didn't mind Trish doing his hair. She had braided it for him many times. She was a lot gentler than the professional hairdressers were. They always pulled his hair so tight he thought his scalp would rip.
"There. All done." Trish walked into the adjoining bathroom and washed her hands.
Chris stood up and brushed off his King of the World T-shirt. "Let's go" he commanded.
As they made their way towards the interview area, Chris saw Stephanie talking with Christian.
"Hey Jay, Hi Steph." Chris said as he walked towards them.
"Hi guys." Christian said to Trish and Chris. "I'll talk to you later, ok?" Christian said to Stephanie and walked away.
"Hey Trish," Steph said reluctantly. Trish smiled at her but didn't respond. They tolerated each other, but otherwise did not like each other at all. Stephanie knew that Trish really had slept with her father and she hated them both for it.
"Chris, I'll be over here for the promo." Trish said, walking towards the interview area. Chris nodded and turned his attention to Stephanie.
"How have you been?" he asked her. "I haven't seen you in a few weeks."
Nodding her head, Stephanie replied, "I'm good thanks. How about you?" Her eyes asked him the question he didn't want to answer.
"I'm meeting with Jessica after the show." Chris's eyes darted away from Stephanie's and focused on the floor between them. He didn't know why he always felt uncomfortable making eye contact with her for too long. They got along just fine. They had even talked about his break up, but he felt uneasy looking into her eyes just the same.
"You know, it's best for you two to meet face to face and try to sort things out." She rubbed his forearm, reassuring him that he'd be ok. "It's not going to be easy, whatever decision you make."
Chris knew she was right. If he divorced her, it would be hell. He'd get over it but not entirely. If they stayed together, he'd probably never trust her again and he didn't want to think about how much fighting would ensue because of it. "You're right Steph. No matter what, it's not gonna be easy." He looked into her eyes again. "Thanks for everything." With that, Chris kissed her forehead. Stephanie smiled at him.
"If you ever need to talk about it, I'm here." Stephanie squeezed his forearm before she let go and started to walk away. "Good luck later, ok?"
"Thanks." He watched her walk down the hallway and out of sight.
"Ok guys, " the cameraman said, "We're going to go live in 5, 4, 3, 2...."
Trish stood in front of the "RAW" logo in the interview area and talked about her match with Molly Holly. Chris stood off camera, waiting for his cue. This time, his flirtation with Trish would lead him to kiss her. It had been scripted that way, and he hoped that Jessica would be watching.
* * *
Author's note: This is my first fanfic. I've never posted on this site before, so any suggestions would be helpful. Please Read & Review! Enjoy!
It had been several months since they had spoken to each other. He missed her of course, but was still very bitter. Why had she done this to him? Wrestling was his life, she knew that when they got married. Hell, he wanted her to go with him on the road more often than she did, but she didn't like traveling that much. He understood that and tried to come home to her as often as he could. If she wasn't happy why did she act like she did? They had more than the average couple, but they weren't rich. It's not like she had married him for his money. Guilt riddled through his stomach. "You knew she couldn't be away from you so much," he thought to himself and sighed aloud. He continued to sit on the lounge chair with his feet resting on a cocktail table. It was dark now and only the light from the underwater pool lights reflected on his face. He heard the phone ringing inside the house but didn't feel like talking to anyone. He hadn't wanted to talk to anyone much lately. "Ahh!" he sighed as the phone rang a fourth time. He bolted upright from the chair and stomped his way into the kitchen.
"Hullo" he mumbled.
"Hey, Chris man, how are you?" It was Adam.
"Just hanging around, what are you up to?"
"Well," Adam said nonchalantly, "I was wondering if you wanted to come over and have a few beers? Allie went away for a few days and I'm bored over here."
"Sure, I'll be there in a little while." Chris stood next to the phone and thought about Adam. Chris smiled to himself as he remembered meeting "Edge" for the first time. Chris had been introduced to him while Chris was training with Mick and Dwayne after signing with the company.
After changing out of his swim trunks, Chris stared at himself in the mirror. Man, you look so tired he thought. He slicked his hair into a neat ponytail and headed downstairs. He picked up his car keys from the kitchen counter and started walking towards the living room. Stopping when he reached the front door, he turned his head to glance quickly at the mantle above the fireplace. He still hadn't taken her pictures down yet. He hung his head for a moment, then proceeded to unlock the door and make his way to the car.
* * *
"I can't believe he said that to you!" Adam laughed. "You must have been so surprised!"
"I - I -", Chris was laughing so hard he couldn't get the words out. "All I could say was REAAALLLY?" Chris mocked himself by making a silly face. He and Adam cracked up. It felt so good to laugh. He had really missed feeling this good.
"Oh man," Adam said catching his breath. His eyes met with Chris', "I haven't heard you laugh like that in quite awhile." He patted Chris on the back, then got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen to get another Corona. "Hey, you want another one?"
"Nah," Chris answered, "I'm good." Chris' smile faded as he focused on the fish tank in the corner of the room. What he wouldn't give to be a fish right about now. No worries, no complications. Just a simple little life.
Adam popped the top off a fresh Corona and stood by the sink for a moment. He looked into the den, noticing how Chris began to slump on the couch again. He felt so sorry for him. The man was hurting and hurting badly, and no one really knew it. If only he'd talk about it. It had been over three months already.
"I think I am ready for another one, actually." Chris stated suddenly. He got off the couch and joined Adam in the kitchen. After Chris opened his beer, they clinked bottles and sipped in unison.
"Ahh, nice and cold" Chris said.
"Sort of like you these days, "Adam said teasingly. Chris glared at him, then gave Adam one of his trademark smirks.
"I know I've been a fuck lately, I'm sorry 'bout that. I can't help it. Other than being in the ring, I have no motivation anymore."
"C'mon", Adam said, "You can't let Jesse ruin your life. If you don't decide to take her back, get a divorce and get her out of your life for good."
Chris stood there, not really knowing what to say. He had thought about asking for a divorce but wasn't so sure he wanted to do that. On the other hand, how could he look at her the same way as he once had? How could he make love to her again? He tried not to think about it.
"You make it sound so simple, Adam. It's not."
Adam rolled his eyes. "It is that simple. You either want her around or you don't."
"That's the problem. I wanted her around, but I was never around. That's why this happened in the first place."
Shocked that Chris was blaming himself, "Is that what you think? You think that this is your fault?"
"If I had paid more attention to her and spent more time at home then...then maybe this would never have happened." Chris put his beer on the counter. "Thanks for asking me over, Adam. But I think I'm gonna head back."
"Look man, "Adam grabbed Chris' arm," I'm sorry I brought it up." They both stood there, the silence thickening around them. "Stay in the extra room tonight. I don't think you should be driving right now."
"Fine." Chris looked up at Adam. "Thanks man, you're the best."
"Sure man." Adam said sincerely. "Anytime."
* * *
Chris sat down on the sofa in his dressing room and finished taping his wrists. He wondered if Jesse had gotten into town yet. After the show tonight, he was meeting with her to talk things out one last time. He had decided that he would see how he felt being around her again before he would decide whether or not he wanted to go through with a divorce. Getting a divorce was against everything he believed in. Then again, he didn't think he would be able to forgive her either. Had it been only that one time? He didn't know. He never asked. He had only asked her to leave.
"C'mon in," Chris shouted after hearing a knock at the door. It was Trish.
"Hey gorgeous. You almost ready?" she asked. "You didn't do your hair yet?"
"Nah, I'll head down there in a minute." Chris mumbled as he bit the end of the tape and secured it to his wrist.
"Here, lemme do it. It'll only take me a minute." Trish looked around for some gel and a brush.
"Thanks." Chris said as Trish brushed his hair into a ponytail, then braided it tightly. He didn't mind Trish doing his hair. She had braided it for him many times. She was a lot gentler than the professional hairdressers were. They always pulled his hair so tight he thought his scalp would rip.
"There. All done." Trish walked into the adjoining bathroom and washed her hands.
Chris stood up and brushed off his King of the World T-shirt. "Let's go" he commanded.
As they made their way towards the interview area, Chris saw Stephanie talking with Christian.
"Hey Jay, Hi Steph." Chris said as he walked towards them.
"Hi guys." Christian said to Trish and Chris. "I'll talk to you later, ok?" Christian said to Stephanie and walked away.
"Hey Trish," Steph said reluctantly. Trish smiled at her but didn't respond. They tolerated each other, but otherwise did not like each other at all. Stephanie knew that Trish really had slept with her father and she hated them both for it.
"Chris, I'll be over here for the promo." Trish said, walking towards the interview area. Chris nodded and turned his attention to Stephanie.
"How have you been?" he asked her. "I haven't seen you in a few weeks."
Nodding her head, Stephanie replied, "I'm good thanks. How about you?" Her eyes asked him the question he didn't want to answer.
"I'm meeting with Jessica after the show." Chris's eyes darted away from Stephanie's and focused on the floor between them. He didn't know why he always felt uncomfortable making eye contact with her for too long. They got along just fine. They had even talked about his break up, but he felt uneasy looking into her eyes just the same.
"You know, it's best for you two to meet face to face and try to sort things out." She rubbed his forearm, reassuring him that he'd be ok. "It's not going to be easy, whatever decision you make."
Chris knew she was right. If he divorced her, it would be hell. He'd get over it but not entirely. If they stayed together, he'd probably never trust her again and he didn't want to think about how much fighting would ensue because of it. "You're right Steph. No matter what, it's not gonna be easy." He looked into her eyes again. "Thanks for everything." With that, Chris kissed her forehead. Stephanie smiled at him.
"If you ever need to talk about it, I'm here." Stephanie squeezed his forearm before she let go and started to walk away. "Good luck later, ok?"
"Thanks." He watched her walk down the hallway and out of sight.
"Ok guys, " the cameraman said, "We're going to go live in 5, 4, 3, 2...."
Trish stood in front of the "RAW" logo in the interview area and talked about her match with Molly Holly. Chris stood off camera, waiting for his cue. This time, his flirtation with Trish would lead him to kiss her. It had been scripted that way, and he hoped that Jessica would be watching.
* * *