Disclaimer: I do not own any of the WWE superstars in this story. It is
purely a work of fiction, and the wrestlers used in the making of it own
themselves.
A/N: I tried putting this on my website and the damn cable went out. I mean good lord; nothing wants me to get this story out to you people. Okay, so none the less, here is the next chapter, and it is moving along nicely and I will beat my previous chapter record of 27 chapters I believe, hell I might even make it to 30! Whatever it takes to get 100 reviews, LOL. So here is the next chapter, and for iccess who went to my website and saw chapter 23 thank you for doing it and letting me know that you saw it and liked it. It's my baby remember? And when I run out of gas on this one, then all the other ones will be written. A chapter a day keeps the insane people away!
*******************************
*~Hayley's POV~*
I had been out of the hospital and back on the road it seemed like forever, but it was only for a couple of weeks. I was tired and ready to pass out at any given moment, but I knew I had a job to do and was prepared to put all the extra time into that I had too to make it work.
I had gone to see Jim again earlier that morning and we had gone over whose character's we needed to change. I brought up the Brock issue again, fully prepared for whatever damage control I would have to do, and Jim accepted what I said and told me that Vince was in complete agreement. The rein of Brock and his idea of abusing the WWE and his character were now coming to and end and for one I couldn't be happier to hear it.
I didn't let on to Zach that I heard his last minute confession upon leaving my hospital room, but we were hanging out again and things seemed almost like they were before, before we slept together, before Brian and the dreaded kiss, and well we were good friends and it felt right.
Brian had been with me every step of the way, when they took the cast off he was there, doodling all over my cast before the cut it off, so that when they did I would have something to remember him by. As it travels with me from city to city, it's a good reminder of where things sit with him right now. I like Brian so much and no matter what happened between me and Zach in the past and how much it actually did mean to me, it just wasn't meant to happen right now, and I was riding the Brian train until it did. It shocks me how attentive he is to me, and wanting to help me in every aspect. When I don't have the desire late at night to come up with some story line changes for the next weeks show and get them in order for Jim, he is right there trying to inspire me and make me get to work on it. It's weird when you date your best friend, but there is no one else I would rather date.
Sitting in my room, watching some late night infomercials, the phone rang, and I jumped up to get it. When I did, I realized I didn't have any more pain in my leg, and that thought alone made me want to jump up and go see Brian in the adjoining room. I decided to answer the phone instead, if anything just to get rid of the silly annoying chirp.
"Hello, Hayley Peterson's room."
"We have a call down here from Ariel, in Toronto, would you like us to put it through for you ma'am?"
"Yes please."
It been awhile since I had talked to Ariel. The day we dropped her off at the airport she had seemed more then distant, and I thought maybe it had something to do with the fact that she had really liked Brock and then she got to see what a real monster he was when she wasn't around, but Zach and Brian thought there was something else, and I had to admit, I had called her and she hadn't called back until now, which wasn't my best friend at all. Maybe now since she was calling she was ready to tell me.
"Hayley, God girl are you there? I think I was on hold forever."
"I'm here Ariel, how are you?"
"Doing alright actually. I am staying with your mom for awhile. My parents are at it again and with the end of school coming up sooner and sooner, I just don't want to deal with it. You don't mind that I am in your old room do you?"
"No, you know what's mine is yours girl. We are like married people. Just do what you need to do. So when can you come out for another visit, we have another stop in Dallas next week and it's a three day one, so I was hoping to fly you out so I can see you."
"With everything going on around here, I don't know if I can. But I will try alright girl?"
I didn't want to admit it but I was massively disappointed with her answer. I thought she would want to see me more considering what we had lost in the weeks before my job in the WWE. But it seemed to be the opposite, and it was really irking me.
"Okay, do what you need to. Listen what did you call me for, do you need something? Is my mom alright?"
"Yes Hay, she's fine, I just wanted to check in with you. I know I haven't been the world's best friend since I've been home and you've been on the road, but there was just some stuff I had to deal with. But I am calling you now, which is better then never right?"
"You're right, so you didn't need anything? Because I was supposed to do some writing before I crashed, but right now all I can see is the spots before my eyes."
"Then go to bed, we can talk another time. Send Brian and Zach my love. Oh and Hayley, you better choose soon."
"Choose what?"
No sooner had I gotten the words out of my mouth, she was gone. I had no idea what she had meant by that, but I had a feeling she was asking me to choose between Zach and Brian. What she didn't know was that I already had, and they both knew it.
******************************
*~Zach's POV~*
"I asked her to choose Zach."
"Why would you do that Ariel? I told you, I accept that she is with Brian now, if I can't have her in my life in a dating way, I had better accept a friendship."
"Yeah and it's eating away at you that she's with him. The fact that right now he could be sharing her bed and being where you wanted to be from that first day you met her."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Believe what you Zach, but I will think I know exactly what I am talking about. You love Hayley, you know you do, and she knows you do, now all of you have to do is lay it out there and move on."
"I did lay it out for her, numerous times and I am not with her. This means that she wants to be with Brian. He's my friend and she's my friend and I don't want to get involved."
As she hung up the phone I thought about what she said. Hayley knowing that I loved her. I didn't think she heard me that day in the hospital, but she could very well have, and I had to admit I was scared. If she knew and wasn't telling me, did that mean she didn't care? Or that she was with Brian because she didn't know what to say to me to get back together with me, where I know she belonged?
Walking over the window, and the laptop sitting there, I decided to get online and check my email. Also since I couldn't do much in terms of getting in the ring, at least for the next 3 weeks, I figured I might as well make use of the time and catch up on the life going on around me.
Opening my email, I saw a header that caught my eye. I didn't recognize the email address or the nickname of the person with it, but the title sounded like something only one person I know would do. Clicking on the link it opened the email, and within seconds I was finding it hard to breathe.
****************************************
To: zachgowenboywonder@yahoo.com From: hayleypetersongirlwonder@yahoo.com
Subject: "Please Don't Drive Me Home Tonight, Because I Don't Wanna Feel Alone"
*~Zach~*
I know you don't expect this email or anything else from me for that matter after what I have done to you. Kissing Brian, as nice as it was, was a mistake and I will never be able to really tell you how sorry I am that you saw it and how much I hurt you.
I've been sitting here trying to figure out my future, and in a nutshell, my future might be better without the WWE. I have talked to Jim, and we have both decided that I would be better in the PR department, so this will be my last big trip on the road with you and with Brian.
I wrestled ( yeah good one huh?) with this idea for awhile now, and it took my accident and my stupid way of trying to fix things for you and for me, that made me realize this is not for me. So I am going to be working PR and then in a few months if I feel the need to come back, I will be. I leave tomorrow to go back to Stanford, and then from there, I will be living there, and commuting to work.
I am calling Brian to my room tonight, actually he is on his way now, and we are going to discuss our future and Zach, it's over. Brian and I, we are good together, but I'm missing a big something in there, and maybe being away from it all will help me find it. Why I am telling you this I don't know, maybe so we leave with you knowing everything.
Zach, this isn't easy for me at all so I am just going to write it, and let you take it where you will. I heard you in the hospital and before you think I don't care and didn't want to mention it to you, every time I got around you, I had to keep my mouth shut because we were finally getting back to normal, like back when I was first doing that interview with you. I didn't want to hurt you anymore and God knows I didn't want to hurt Brian. I know you love me, I heard you say it, but what you never got to hear was how much I truly love you too.
What's missing is you Zach, but for my own sanity, I need to be away from all of this. Brock could have killed you, and me and it wouldn't have meant anything to him. So please understand, that I do love you, I will always love you, and goodbye.
Hayley
PS: You wanted me to admit everything when I first came into the WWE, and you wanted to know what I was running from. I'm running from myself Zach, and how good you have the ability to make me feel. Above everything you were a good friend and I will never stop thinking about you.
*************************
*~Cut back to Zach's POV~*
Looking at the screen, and trying not to let it get to me, I stood to my feet. She had sent that only about five minutes before, which meant that Brian hadn't yet gotten there and there might be a chance to make her change her mind. I only hoped I could get there with enough time to make her change her mind. I had known there was a reason I couldn't give up on her no matter how much I tried, and she had answered that in her email.
Grabbing my cane and heading for the door, I took one more look around the room, and turned off the light. I was off to finally get the girl of my dreams and bring her home with me.
***********************************
A/N2: Okay so hmmmm interesting plot twist, and oh don't count Brian out yet, remember what he told Ariel in the previous chapter, he won't give up on her and well now neither will Zach, but will Hayley admit that she loves Zach to his face, or will she pretend it was all nothing and just go home and away? Also what about Brock and Randy? Do not count of the evil yet, it's never ending. Well it's ending, but not so fast.
A/N: I tried putting this on my website and the damn cable went out. I mean good lord; nothing wants me to get this story out to you people. Okay, so none the less, here is the next chapter, and it is moving along nicely and I will beat my previous chapter record of 27 chapters I believe, hell I might even make it to 30! Whatever it takes to get 100 reviews, LOL. So here is the next chapter, and for iccess who went to my website and saw chapter 23 thank you for doing it and letting me know that you saw it and liked it. It's my baby remember? And when I run out of gas on this one, then all the other ones will be written. A chapter a day keeps the insane people away!
*******************************
*~Hayley's POV~*
I had been out of the hospital and back on the road it seemed like forever, but it was only for a couple of weeks. I was tired and ready to pass out at any given moment, but I knew I had a job to do and was prepared to put all the extra time into that I had too to make it work.
I had gone to see Jim again earlier that morning and we had gone over whose character's we needed to change. I brought up the Brock issue again, fully prepared for whatever damage control I would have to do, and Jim accepted what I said and told me that Vince was in complete agreement. The rein of Brock and his idea of abusing the WWE and his character were now coming to and end and for one I couldn't be happier to hear it.
I didn't let on to Zach that I heard his last minute confession upon leaving my hospital room, but we were hanging out again and things seemed almost like they were before, before we slept together, before Brian and the dreaded kiss, and well we were good friends and it felt right.
Brian had been with me every step of the way, when they took the cast off he was there, doodling all over my cast before the cut it off, so that when they did I would have something to remember him by. As it travels with me from city to city, it's a good reminder of where things sit with him right now. I like Brian so much and no matter what happened between me and Zach in the past and how much it actually did mean to me, it just wasn't meant to happen right now, and I was riding the Brian train until it did. It shocks me how attentive he is to me, and wanting to help me in every aspect. When I don't have the desire late at night to come up with some story line changes for the next weeks show and get them in order for Jim, he is right there trying to inspire me and make me get to work on it. It's weird when you date your best friend, but there is no one else I would rather date.
Sitting in my room, watching some late night infomercials, the phone rang, and I jumped up to get it. When I did, I realized I didn't have any more pain in my leg, and that thought alone made me want to jump up and go see Brian in the adjoining room. I decided to answer the phone instead, if anything just to get rid of the silly annoying chirp.
"Hello, Hayley Peterson's room."
"We have a call down here from Ariel, in Toronto, would you like us to put it through for you ma'am?"
"Yes please."
It been awhile since I had talked to Ariel. The day we dropped her off at the airport she had seemed more then distant, and I thought maybe it had something to do with the fact that she had really liked Brock and then she got to see what a real monster he was when she wasn't around, but Zach and Brian thought there was something else, and I had to admit, I had called her and she hadn't called back until now, which wasn't my best friend at all. Maybe now since she was calling she was ready to tell me.
"Hayley, God girl are you there? I think I was on hold forever."
"I'm here Ariel, how are you?"
"Doing alright actually. I am staying with your mom for awhile. My parents are at it again and with the end of school coming up sooner and sooner, I just don't want to deal with it. You don't mind that I am in your old room do you?"
"No, you know what's mine is yours girl. We are like married people. Just do what you need to do. So when can you come out for another visit, we have another stop in Dallas next week and it's a three day one, so I was hoping to fly you out so I can see you."
"With everything going on around here, I don't know if I can. But I will try alright girl?"
I didn't want to admit it but I was massively disappointed with her answer. I thought she would want to see me more considering what we had lost in the weeks before my job in the WWE. But it seemed to be the opposite, and it was really irking me.
"Okay, do what you need to. Listen what did you call me for, do you need something? Is my mom alright?"
"Yes Hay, she's fine, I just wanted to check in with you. I know I haven't been the world's best friend since I've been home and you've been on the road, but there was just some stuff I had to deal with. But I am calling you now, which is better then never right?"
"You're right, so you didn't need anything? Because I was supposed to do some writing before I crashed, but right now all I can see is the spots before my eyes."
"Then go to bed, we can talk another time. Send Brian and Zach my love. Oh and Hayley, you better choose soon."
"Choose what?"
No sooner had I gotten the words out of my mouth, she was gone. I had no idea what she had meant by that, but I had a feeling she was asking me to choose between Zach and Brian. What she didn't know was that I already had, and they both knew it.
******************************
*~Zach's POV~*
"I asked her to choose Zach."
"Why would you do that Ariel? I told you, I accept that she is with Brian now, if I can't have her in my life in a dating way, I had better accept a friendship."
"Yeah and it's eating away at you that she's with him. The fact that right now he could be sharing her bed and being where you wanted to be from that first day you met her."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Believe what you Zach, but I will think I know exactly what I am talking about. You love Hayley, you know you do, and she knows you do, now all of you have to do is lay it out there and move on."
"I did lay it out for her, numerous times and I am not with her. This means that she wants to be with Brian. He's my friend and she's my friend and I don't want to get involved."
As she hung up the phone I thought about what she said. Hayley knowing that I loved her. I didn't think she heard me that day in the hospital, but she could very well have, and I had to admit I was scared. If she knew and wasn't telling me, did that mean she didn't care? Or that she was with Brian because she didn't know what to say to me to get back together with me, where I know she belonged?
Walking over the window, and the laptop sitting there, I decided to get online and check my email. Also since I couldn't do much in terms of getting in the ring, at least for the next 3 weeks, I figured I might as well make use of the time and catch up on the life going on around me.
Opening my email, I saw a header that caught my eye. I didn't recognize the email address or the nickname of the person with it, but the title sounded like something only one person I know would do. Clicking on the link it opened the email, and within seconds I was finding it hard to breathe.
****************************************
To: zachgowenboywonder@yahoo.com From: hayleypetersongirlwonder@yahoo.com
Subject: "Please Don't Drive Me Home Tonight, Because I Don't Wanna Feel Alone"
*~Zach~*
I know you don't expect this email or anything else from me for that matter after what I have done to you. Kissing Brian, as nice as it was, was a mistake and I will never be able to really tell you how sorry I am that you saw it and how much I hurt you.
I've been sitting here trying to figure out my future, and in a nutshell, my future might be better without the WWE. I have talked to Jim, and we have both decided that I would be better in the PR department, so this will be my last big trip on the road with you and with Brian.
I wrestled ( yeah good one huh?) with this idea for awhile now, and it took my accident and my stupid way of trying to fix things for you and for me, that made me realize this is not for me. So I am going to be working PR and then in a few months if I feel the need to come back, I will be. I leave tomorrow to go back to Stanford, and then from there, I will be living there, and commuting to work.
I am calling Brian to my room tonight, actually he is on his way now, and we are going to discuss our future and Zach, it's over. Brian and I, we are good together, but I'm missing a big something in there, and maybe being away from it all will help me find it. Why I am telling you this I don't know, maybe so we leave with you knowing everything.
Zach, this isn't easy for me at all so I am just going to write it, and let you take it where you will. I heard you in the hospital and before you think I don't care and didn't want to mention it to you, every time I got around you, I had to keep my mouth shut because we were finally getting back to normal, like back when I was first doing that interview with you. I didn't want to hurt you anymore and God knows I didn't want to hurt Brian. I know you love me, I heard you say it, but what you never got to hear was how much I truly love you too.
What's missing is you Zach, but for my own sanity, I need to be away from all of this. Brock could have killed you, and me and it wouldn't have meant anything to him. So please understand, that I do love you, I will always love you, and goodbye.
Hayley
PS: You wanted me to admit everything when I first came into the WWE, and you wanted to know what I was running from. I'm running from myself Zach, and how good you have the ability to make me feel. Above everything you were a good friend and I will never stop thinking about you.
*************************
*~Cut back to Zach's POV~*
Looking at the screen, and trying not to let it get to me, I stood to my feet. She had sent that only about five minutes before, which meant that Brian hadn't yet gotten there and there might be a chance to make her change her mind. I only hoped I could get there with enough time to make her change her mind. I had known there was a reason I couldn't give up on her no matter how much I tried, and she had answered that in her email.
Grabbing my cane and heading for the door, I took one more look around the room, and turned off the light. I was off to finally get the girl of my dreams and bring her home with me.
***********************************
A/N2: Okay so hmmmm interesting plot twist, and oh don't count Brian out yet, remember what he told Ariel in the previous chapter, he won't give up on her and well now neither will Zach, but will Hayley admit that she loves Zach to his face, or will she pretend it was all nothing and just go home and away? Also what about Brock and Randy? Do not count of the evil yet, it's never ending. Well it's ending, but not so fast.