A/N: I know, it's been forever. Hope you're still with me. This story is winding down, and I will DEFINITELY have an update sooner this time around. Reviews would be great, thanks so much for sticking with me!
Chapter 23
10:31. Decision time was approaching much too quickly for his comfort. Dave shifted uncomfortably in the driver's seat of his rental car, his knees bumping the steering wheel.
He knew he couldn't hide like this forever… he just desperately wanted to.
His phone stopped ringing twenty minutes ago, solely because he turned it off. The incoming calls from Ric wracked his brain, and the ones from Trish tore at his heart. Three days ago the answer was so clear. He had to leave Evolution. He had to get away from Hunter. His well-being was at stake. Trish's well-being was at stake.
…But what about his career? Everything was uncertain.
His career could skyrocket. He could storm in that arena and beat the shit out of Hunter, and in a matter of weeks be the World Heavyweight Champion. The door to his dreams was swinging open.
…Or, he could falter. Hunter was arguably the most powerful man in the company. He was easily the most manipulative. Screwing with him was like walking through a mine field. One wrong step and… boom. Gone. His career destroyed, just like that.
Snapshots from his tenure with the WWE flashed through his mind. Just two years ago, he was nothing. A tattooed goon running around with a cash box. He never wanted to be Deacon Batista again. He was done with Velocity and Heat. He was done mid-carding. Those parts of his career were just blemishes on the face of the career he imagined.
But Evolution… Evolution brought Dave glory. It brought him recognition and respect and stage on which to make a name for himself. With Ric, his back would never be unguarded. With Hunter, he'd never go without a plan. Was he really even anything without them? Could he amount to anything without them?
Even as he exhaled, his chest was heavy. He never felt so plagued. He had less then twenty minutes to choose which direction to turn, and both right and left were clouded with a thick fog. God, why the hell was this so hard? Maybe he wasn't cut out for decision making. Maybe he was just an ass kicking machine. A monster with the ability to crush anything placed in front of him. Maybe he was better off as the unthinking, unfeeling animal.
Hunter's Animal.
10:34.
It was too soon. He wasn't ready. The decision to stay or leave had to be made. But not now. Right now he needed to go… Where, he was unsure. But it had to be far. And he had to get there fast.
His heart pounded frantically as his unsteady hand reached for the keychain dangling from the ignition. Dave took a deep breath as he started the engine, lowering his head to the wheel. As his hand fell onto the gear shift, the door was yanked open. He didn't even have to look.
"Turn that fucking car off," Trish spat, her tongue dripping with venom. Dave lifted his head slowly, his gaze meeting her hips. He couldn't look her in the eye… because she knew. "What the hell is wrong with you…" She forced the door open and positioned herself between it and the car.
Dave sighed, his eyes leveling at her navel. "Look Trish, I know this doesn't make sense, but right now I just…"
"It makes perfect sense, Dave. You're a coward," she stated plainly. He could feel the coldness in her stare. Old Trish was taking over. "Go ahead, tuck your tail between your legs and go home. Just run away, don't worry about solving your problems."
She was getting under his skin and she knew it. Dave remained silent, though his fists clenched tightly. The vein in his temple began to faintly throb.
"I expected this from Hunter. But not you, Dave," Trish continued, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if you pull out of this parking lot I will be highly disappointed in you."
Final straw. The bitch in her got to him. After a moment of thick silence Dave yanked the keys from the ignition and forcibly exited the vehicle. He stood directly in front of Trish, leaning towards her.
"What the hell do you want me to do? You know what I'm going up against, Trish! This isn't a catfight with Christy Hemme. This is the start of a war with the most dangerous man in this industry. Me bashing his brains in tonight is not going to solve the problem," he said, finding himself winded.
Trish's eyes softened a bit when she saw the emotion behind his. There it was again, the lost soul in his eyes. It was the same as in her own.
"Giving up on yourself won't solve them, either," she said, her tone much gentler then before.
Dave stared at her. Barely a week ago, their roles had been reversed. He was confident in his decision, assuring her that it was the correct one. And now, he needed her to reassure him on what he already knew was right?
When she reached for his hands, new images suddenly flashed through his mind. Hunter's hand being raised in victory, title strap around his waist… Himself on the sidelines, cheering as he left the blood of Hunter's opponents on his own hands… A terrified Stacy Keibler being set up for a Pedigree…
…Randy's skull crashing onto the mat, dropped off his shoulders.
Fierce determination flashed through his eyes. He was through being manipulated. He placed the keys in Trish's hand and silently pushed past her.
Back into the building.
Trish didn't chase after him. She simply smiled.
