Chapter 7 - Responsibility

November 23rd, 2020

Joey

My alarm went off signifying that it was 6:00 AM. Usually, I'd reach over to my phone to turn it off and start the day. There was only one problem, I was already awake. I haven't been able to get any good sleep whatsoever. It's been almost 12 hours since my affair with Rebecca was discovered and revealed on-air during the Survivor Series show...as well as the fact that Rebecca wasn't carrying Colby's child in her belly, it was mine. My daughter... It still feels completely surreal to me...that I'm going to be a father.

Here I stand in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. My face has long stopped bleeding but is still swollen and bruised from the beating Colby had inflicted on me. The adrenaline was well worn off so I was truly feeling the pain. Any other man for whatever reason would look to retaliate the next chance he gets... but not me. I didn't expect it last night...but I knew this was coming. The reason I received this beating...I deserved it. No excuse to be made or can be made. I did an awful thing...and paid for it. Hell, I've been paying for it ever since that night Rebecca and I slept together. It took a while to get over it and not think about it anymore...but I was mentally beating the ever-living shit out of myself over my betrayal of Colby. I loathed what I did. Yes...I listened to my heart and went for it and I learned she held the same feelings for me; but did that make it any more right? Of course not.

I cleaned myself up with the usual morning routine with the full intent today to get myself out of this funk. It was almost 7:30. I'm scheduled to have a private phone call meeting with Hunter, Stephanie, and Vince to talk about what happened last night. It was the best way for this meeting to go as I don't have to waste my money for a stupid round trip flight just for one meeting, as well as Vince wanted to talk as soon as possible before RAW tonight. I haven't spoken with Hunter at all about the incident since leaving him to find Rebecca. In my mind, I'm more than sure he was able to catch Colby and get info out of him. I took a deep breath and reassured myself as I cleaned myself up after breakfast...

"Just go with the flow, Joey. Whatever happens, just roll with it and be honest. No hiding from long-time friends...who happen to be your bosses."

*Phone ringing*

"And here we go…" It was 7:30 on the dot. As expected, it was a group call from all three authority figures. I took another deep breath and answered. "Good morning everyone!"

"Joey! Good morning!"

"Morning, buddy!"

"Good morning, Joey." Stephanie, Hunter, and Vince respectively greeted me. Such a diverse trio of a family with their greetings. Stephanie being so sweet-sounding, Hunter being the friend he was, and last but not least, the ever so professional Vince McMahon.

"How's the face feeling, dude?" Hunter asked.

"Well, the bleeding has stopped fully. My face is still swollen in places, but I've been keeping up with the cold compresses and painkillers just like the doctor prescribed. If I keep it up, I should be ok this week."

"That's wonderful news. The face is the money maker after all." Weak chuckles followed Vince's little funny attempt there. He was always about the money, even in humor.

"That's good to hear. I'm so sorry this happened to you, Joey. We were taken by surprise as much as you were with Matt going off the script like that and Colby attacking you."

"Please Steph, you have nothing to apologize for. None of us saw it coming. It's a true shame that it happened live on air. So much so, I couldn't get any good sleep over it… But...shall we get right to talking about it then?"

"Let's get this over with!" Stephanie agreed.

"So what would you like to know? I assumed that Colby himself filled you in with some of the big details?"

"Actually...he did not. When I caught up with him after you left, he was a complete mess. I tried to question him, ask him why he attacked you. All I got out of him was something about you betraying him. I asked what made him think this...but he just left." Trip's words took me by huge surprise. I thought Colby would gladly spill the beans to his NXT Papa H, but I guess he truly was a mess. Understandably so… "We did question the other guys and they were as lost as we were. So with that, we were hoping you could help us fill in the missing details."

"Yeah...sure thing. But let me ask, how confidential is this meeting right now?" I asked bluntly. There was no way in hell I wanted this to leak out for those damn dirt sheets.

"100 percent confidential! No recording here. Only us four know this is even happening." Stephanie assured me. It brought me some good relief to know this was secure.

"Ok, so let's get what we know out of the way. Matt went off script, taunting Colby about Becky and the baby. I told Braun to head back into the ring to talk trash to his team while I confronted Matt off camera. He called me the "Prince of homewrecking". I was confused at first and was about to ask more questions, that was when Colby took over and confronted him. Then I called Braun back to me to resume the match. That's all I got out of him at the time."

"I did personally speak to Matt and asked him why he went off the script. He gave me two reasons. One was "I was in my way looking out for Lopez", and two, he thought it was good drama for the match. I didn't appreciate either response as I didn't feel he was taking this as seriously as he should, but it was still something." Hunter added.

"Any repercussions in order for him?" I asked.

"You better believe it." Vince said sternly. That news brought a smile to my face. It was for the best Vince gave that bastard what he had coming for what he did. Better he dealt with the boss than me.

"I'm sorry, Joey but I'm just...baffled that Matt would childishly call you a homewrecker. Where did that come from?" Stephanie asked. Welp, I said I was gonna be honest with them...so I will.

"I know exactly where. To keep it short and sweet...and personal, Matt learned Rebecca had an affair and the baby's biological father isn't Colby."

"What?!" Trips and Steph said in unison while Vince remained silent.

"Is this true? How did Matt "learn" this information?" Hunter asked.

"Yes, it's true. He learned this because when Becky was visiting us at SmackDown last month, he was eavesdropping on her while she was talking about it."

"Oh my god...that's...horrible." Stephanie stated with disgust in her voice.

"I...am stunned by this." Hunter expressed similarly.

"If you don't mind me asking, Joey. It's not that I don't think you are lying, but how do you know this for sure?" Vince asked bluntly.

"After I left you, Hunter, I went to check on Rebecca. While speaking with her, we discussed how Matt found out about her affair. She remembers during her visit at SmackDown, that she heard what sounded like a laugh or chuckle outside her door. She said she was certain that it was Matt after what had happened last night."

"Oh, man… Well, rest assured, we'll be looking into this and questioning him properly now." Hunter asserted.

"Now, Joey...I have a question for you." Stephanie stated.

"Ask away." I think I know what's coming…

"You stated earlier you said this was personal to you. Understandably so as it is no secret how close you and Becky have been over the years. But I'd like to ask, did you know about the affair before Matt's outburst on the air?" Just as I thought…

"Yes, I knew about it. I knew because...the man she had an affair with...was me."

"What?!"

"Oh… oh, Joey." Paul and Stephanie responded respectively. I could just hear the disappointment in their tones. "Please tell me this isn't true."

"I wouldn't lie about this, Stephanie. It's true."

"I must say this is very surprising...and very disappointing, Joseph." Vince finally chimed in. I cringed so hard with him using my formal name on me. Never...a good sign.

"I...I'm sorry but I'm still processing this. You...and Becky? An affair? I mean...I'm just completely stunned. I know people's personal lives are none of my business...but...I never thought I'd hear about this from you two. Both of you...betraying Colby like this."

"Paul, please...take it easy." Stephanie attempted to ease her husband's mood. I felt Hunter's disappointment in me just by listening to his voice with a hint of protectiveness. It was understandable as Rebecca and Colby were his NXT "kids", but It was all just adding on to the mental self-loathing I already was inflicting on myself.

"I know, Paul. I know… Believe me when I say I've been a wreck mentally over this. I've been beating myself up over this because I know I screwed up and I'm not just saying this for sympathy. It's pure honesty."

"Then I'd like to ask you this. How could you possibly think it was ok to go through with this affair? It had better have been a good reason." Paul said with a hint of aggression in his tone. Thinking about how to answer, my mind thought of Rebecca. I can't lie to the bosses about why this happened...but I didn't feel comfortable telling people about our private moment.

"There was. Not a great or good one but one nonetheless. For years, I've held on to this secret of mine for far too long. At the pre-Mania party earlier this year, I couldn't hold it in anymore… I finally broke and just...told her how much I've loved her… How...special she is and what she truly means to me. I just took the shot and...poured my heart out to her. What I didn't expect was as I was about to leave her for the night, she surprises me saying she knew...and my feelings for her were...very mutual." I became emotional again...remembering that night. Remembering pouring my heart out to Rebecca.

"Oh." That was the only thing Stephanie responded with while the others remained silent... "Well, I assume it is safe to say with these strong feelings...that you were put in a tough spot morally and emotionally."

"That's still no excuse for what you did, however." Paul cut in. His tone was harsh...but his point was still correct.

"I know. I know… " An awkward silence crept in now. I knew… God damn it, I knew. "But you're right, Steph. It was a tough spot for me. When she confessed to me, I was...so damn happy. I couldn't remember the last time I had been as happy as I was. After so long of holding these feelings in, it was...something else. I guess...you can assume how the rest of the night went for us." Opening up like this to Stephanie, I felt like she was the only one here that was able to resonate with me. To understand my point of view. At least I hoped she did.

"Well if I can start with another question here, Joey. How did it come to be that Rebecca is carrying your daughter again? Please don't tell me you didn't think of having a…"

"Let me stop you right there, Steph. Of course, I did. At my age, I'd be a complete idiot to be negligent in that manner. But she did have a paternity test done...and we came to the conclusion the condom broke."

"And this test confirmed you were the father?" Vince asked.

"Yes. A 100 percent match."

"I see… To be completely honest with you, Joseph. While you may have not had the intention to do so and the personal lives of others is their business only, this situation does put us in a really bad spot. If this information were to come out or leak, it would look incredibly bad for us in the sense that our superstars are incapable of keeping their personal lives out of their work and we are unable to control them."

"I hope you are not implying I'm going to be the probable fall guy for this."

"Of course not!"

"Oh, no! Not at all!""Absolutely not!" Everyone was so quick to put me at ease and shoot that idea down. I wanted to be relieved...but I couldn't. If there is one thing I know for sure about the McMahons, as close as you can be to them, the family business always comes first.

"Ugh… Very well. Unless there is something else that needs to be clarified, I've just about shared everything I can."

"If that just about sums it up, we can move on to any repercussions for the incident." I knew this was coming from Vince. This was the part of the meeting I was most looking forward to. "Paul, Stephanie, and I have already discussed the most reasonable solutions suited for those involved just before calling you, Joseph. Mr. Riddle will receive a $10,000 fine for going into business for himself via leaking private information on the air. Colby will be receiving a $50,000 fine and an indefinite mandatory leave of absence for his heinous attack on you during the 10-man Survivor Series Match." That's a lot of money for those two to pay up and a mandatory leave for Colby...and you know what? Good. While Colby attacking me was morally justified, he and Riddle still doing what they did during the live broadcast of Survivor Series still guaranteed them landing in hot water with the boss. "As for you, Joseph, while this may have been a result of your and Rebecca's affair, Mr. Riddle did leak this information which was out of your control, and your efforts to stay focused on the match have been noted thanks to the words of your colleagues in the match and they are very much appreciated. So I'm only going to mandate you a week off to fully recover from injuries."

"Well, that's...very kind of you, sir. Thank you." That was all I could get out of my mouth. Wow, I did not expect this at all… Vince's reasons are perfectly sound...but I was honestly expecting something worse. I don't know why. "Will SmackDown be fine without me, sir?"

"We'll make due. The show must go on, you know. And don't thank me just yet. I will reiterate what I said. If the whole affair story were to leak out, it would look incredibly bad for you, Rebecca, and the company. You will do your part to make sure this never gets out in the public." I recognized Vince's menacing and threatening tone he was using on me. Wasn't the first time I've witnessed this side of the boss and I'm sure it won't be the last.

"You don't have to worry about that, sir. I wouldn't dare do such a thing."

"Very good. Now unless there is anything you Paul or Stephanie would like to ask Joey, I think we are just about done here and ready to speak with Rebecca." Vince was more than ready to wrap things up and to be honest, I was ready to be done long ago. I would be alarmed that they do plan to speak to Becky...but it does make perfect sense for them to confirm everything I had shared.

"I have nothing further to add at this time." Paul said with a cold and stern tone.

"Actually, if you two don't mind, there is something I would like to talk to Joey about...alone." My eyes lit up. Stephanie wanted to talk to me alone? Oh, boy…

"Um… Very well, then. Joseph, until next time. Take care of yourself now."

"I'll do my best. Take care." Vince and Paul respectively left the group call, leaving Stephanie and I as she requested. "Well, Steph, you had more to talk about?"

"I do. Look, Joey, I'm going to be as honest as I can be with you. Not as your boss, but as your long-time friend. I am...very disappointed in you that you would go through with this affair with Becky. But at the same time, I'm well aware of a couple of things here. I understand that you are well aware this was very unlike you and you're not taking this well at all. I'm so sorry about Paul being so tough on you...but I can tell it's been hell for you." You got that right… "I also understand that...and I can't believe I'm saying this, just by hearing how you spoke of the night you and Becky professed to each other, it solidifies something that I always thought when I see you two together backstage."

"Solidifies what you thought?" I asked. "What might that be?"

"You two truly are something special. I heard it in your voice earlier. The love you have for her is genuine and honestly, so precious. Even just passing by you two backstage over the years, I can tell you two have something...wonderful. I didn't think it would happen like this and of course, you didn't either...but it wasn't a true surprise to me you two would fall for each other in due time."

"Jesus… I...honestly don't know what to say to that. I never thought of what other people thought of us and to be honest, I never did. I just didn't care. No offense to you, of course."

"None taken. If I may, Joey, I have one last question for you and then we'll both be on our ways."

"Go for it."

"As long as I have known you and have listened to you talk about how you have always wanted to start a family of your own, I just have to know something since that time has come to you albeit not the way you intended. I want to know if you have nothing but the utmost intentions to be there for Rebecca in her time of need and be there for your daughter. To love and support them unconditionally." Jesus… If there was an award for the most intense million-dollar question anyone could ever ask, Stephanie just took it.

"Stephanie, when I shared my dreams of starting a family with you and those closest to me, my dreams of being the best father and husband I can be, I meant it. I meant it from the bottom of my heart. Now you are right. I have a baby girl on the way and soon. Even though this isn't going down like I thought it would, my promise hasn't changed. I...WILL be the best damn father I can be to my little girl. I will be there for her. I will cherish her. I will support her every step of the way...and you better believe the same goes for Rebecca." I spoke with so much passion, so much promise, and so much determination, I had to pace for a minute, take a deep breath, and relax. It was a loaded question...but it was one I already knew the answer to.

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear, Joey. Speaking of Rebecca, have you spoken with her at all since last night?"

"To be completely honest, No, I haven't. Before I left her to see the doctor, I told her I needed time to think and digest everything. She respected that but...I'm afraid it's starting to get awkward between us. Something that I'd never think would happen."

"Awkward? How so?" Stephanie asked.

"Right after she explained everything to me, I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to just sit there with her and tell her everything is gonna be ok, but I couldn't. My mind was all over the place last night but...something had changed with us. I felt it in the air...things are different now and… Ugh, I don't know how to explain it...but I know I hate it...so much."

"Well, understandably, there was a lot on your plate that was just thrown at you in one night. Also, you should know a certain old saying, Joey, it's only awkward if you make it awkward. My advice? You should call her when you can and talk things out. For the sake of you and the sake of your daughter." Stephanie had to hit me with that saying, but she was right to. I needed the reminder badly. I was always a fan of that statement because of how true it was.

"You're right. You're so right, Stephanie. Thank you. When I can, I'll give her a call. Talk things out."

"That's not all. Just between us and Rebecca, of course, My dad should have you listed under " On one-week medical absence" on the company roster list now… Ah, he does. I'm going to go ahead and change that too…"On paternity leave." And...done." Stephanie's words just now...made me feel like my brain was short-circuiting like a robot in water. She's putting me on paternity leave?!

"I...I am… Wow, I am speechless right now. Haha! I don't know what to say, Steph. I actually do… I am...so grateful for this. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Joey. I'll let you go now. Best of luck to you and Rebecca and don't make me regret this."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Take care." As soon as I hit the end call button, I felt my body just melt to the point I had to catch myself on my kitchen counter. Thank god for this call to finally end...but dear lord, am I more than ever grateful to call Stephanie a friend. I did not expect her to grant me paternity leave, let alone any of my bosses to grant me such time off. I'm gonna have to go all out and make it up to her one day. But I couldn't stand here and smile like an idiot all day. I had a new mission on my hands. I gotta get my shit together, get my thoughts in check, and call Rebecca and talk things out with her. I want to kill any awkwardness that exists between us. I want to be there for her. I want to be there...for our daughter.