Chapter 3
Author's Note- Thanks to everyone that reviews this. This is the longest chapter I have read yet and just wanted to let you guys into Jake's history a little more.
Jake walked into the locker room he was pumped up after his win. "Way to go man. But was with that first one down stuff?" AJ asked as he walked over to Jake. "Nice way of saying first victim." Jake said walking to the bench in front of is locker. "By the way I check around she isn't here. Turns out all the knockouts are doing some stuff for global impact. So you don't have to worry about seeing her until next week." AJ said sitting down next to Jake.
"Drop it; I just want to celebrate my first victory with TNA. I get that you worried AJ but thinking about her all the time is what led me to heading down the path to self destruction." Jake said removing his tape.
"Hey Reed nice match out there," came the voice of Christian Cage. "I appreciate it man. Then again I should congratulate you there champ." Jake said. "Thanks there and I got big news looks like you showed up at the right time," Christian said picking up his NWA title belt. "Why's that?" Jake asked having a feeling that something big was going to happen. "I have heard that in a couple mouths TNA management wants to add another title something for the mid card guys that aren't x-division and aren't really in the running to face me." Christian said
"Alright so when is it happing? What's the title name? US? World TV? North American? Intercontinental? Is there going to be a tournament?" Jake asked not giving the world champ time to respond. "Dude you need to breathe all I know is it a new title. I hear they are trying to work a deal with the NWA to make the NWA United States title but the have some details to work out." Christian said.
"Excuse my friend here Christian he just has a habit of getting over excited." AJ said. "That's fine AJ. Hey what are you to guys doing after the tapings? Because if you don't have any plans maybe you could join me and Rhino were going out to have a little fun." Christian said. "Count me in," Jake said removing the tape on his wrist." "Hey I'm in to. But Christian can I have a sec to talk to Jake." AJ said pulling Jake out of the locker room.
Outside Jake knew that he was in for a lecture. "What are you thinking man? You have been clean for so long and now you get a shot with TNA and you are want to start partying again!" AJ lectured in a voice that reminded Jake of his father. "AJ for the last time I don't need you to take care of me. Look I know Christian and Rhino from my time in the WWE in there development system I even did some house shows wrestling Rhino and they are not like the guys I used to hang with. Plus you're going. Look man I know how worried you are that I will blow this. But I didn't go though four mouths of rehab and work my ass off on Independent Shows and in other countries to fall of the wagon now. And I don't want people think I am so snob that is too good for them. So just trust me ok." Jake said trying to make AJ understand he was past his problems.
They were both quiet for a minute. "I'm sorry Jake I just never want to see you go back to that place. You are right though you are a grown man. Look I need to get ready for my match and you should shower." AJ said walking back in.
Jake stood there for a moment. "I can do this. It's been over a year since I had a hit. I quiet all my other vices. And next week she will be here, but that doesn't bother me. Oh great I am talking out loud again. I have to stop that," Jake said walking back in.
Just as Jake was out of sight Alex Shelly and Eric Young climbed out of the bushes. "Well it seems that TNA's newest golden boy isn't so golden." Shelly says. "Yeah and who is that woman he keeps talking about?" Eric says. "I know Jeff wants me on TNA management but I may just watch this guy for my own curiosity." Shelly says turning off his camera.
The guys were sitting at a table in a nice club. "So Reed is it true the WWE wanted you to be the Gimp?" Rhino asked bluntly. "Smooth Rhino real smooth," Christian said. "Yep it's true. I don't care how much money they paid me there was no way I would to do that. The minute they asked me to do it I asked for my release." "That takes guts kid to ask to leave early, I didn't even do that I waited until my deal was up." Christian said before taking a sip of his beer.
"So how do you and AJ know each other?" Rhino asked trying to get to know the young kid he had really enjoyed wrestling on house shows a few years ago. AJ spoke, "We trained together with Rick Michaels at NCW School I was in the class right before him. We worked a lot of Indy shows together before…" AJ stopped as Jake kicked him under the table. "Before what?" Christian asked. "Ah we just got different offers. I went to the WWE he stayed didn't. And then I got some world wide deals. Hey I have to use the rest room. Be right back." Jake said standing up and walking away.
He knew he had to apologize to AJ but he just didn't want everyone to know his past yet. Truth was he was ashamed of it. He was the one that drove her away with his greed. They had been so happy but then he decided to join the WWE and that was the beginning of the end. It had been the begging of his down word spiral. "If I only I could go back," he thought sadly.