A/N: To all of you who reviewed the last chapter and my two latest fics, thank you so, so much! I really appreciate it and I have to also thank you for sticking with me through this. I know I've been slow with updating this chapter, and I'm sorry. Enjoy the chapter :)
Additional author's note: This chapter takes place around the time of the infamous "bet" between Christian and Chris (2003), just to let you guys know.
Song 7: "Pretty Girl (The Way)" by Sugarcult
Pretty girl is suffering, while he confesses everything
Pretty soon she'll figure out what his intentions were about
Trish felt the tears well up in her eyes and all she could think as Chris was pouring his heart out to her was that she had never been this embarrassed, or this humiliated, in her life. She'd been so stupid to believe that Chris Jericho, the man she'd been thinking about every day and night for the past couple weeks, actually had feelings for her. Trish was confused now, and she hated feeling that way. But more importantly, she was pissed off. Everything Chris had told her had been nothing but a lie. How could he look straight in her eyes and say "I love you", when he knew very well that it wasn't true?
Trish had never wanted to believe Lita when her best friend had told her that Chris was up to no good, that he would break her heart the way Christian broke Lita's, and that she shouldn't trust him. She'd figured that Lita was just bitter about the way her relationship with Christian had ended. Trish ran a hand through her hair as she tried to separate all the lies that Chris had told her from the truths. She couldn't trust him now, and she wondered if he'd ever told her the truth about anything until now. The gifts that Chris had bought her, the attention he'd showered on here, and the nights they'd made love—had any of it meant anything to Chris? Or had it been just a sick little game to him? Trish didn't know for sure. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to know. Her head was spinning and all she could think about was the fact that her five month relationship, the one thing she'd put her heart and soul in to aside from her work, was ending right before her very eyes and there was not a thing she could do to stop it. Trish felt sick.
That's what you get for falling again
You can never get 'em out of your head
"Trish, I'm sorry," she heard Chris say, and she quickly snapped back to reality. Trish kept her eyes on the floor, pretending to be enthralled with the simple white pattern of the linoleum on the kitchen floor, because she knew that if she looked into the beautiful blue eyes of the man she had once loved, she would start crying. So Trish listened as Chris spoke, but wasn't really paying attention. The only thought that was running through her head was I should have known better. I should have known better.
"Please, Trish, let me explain." Chris begged. He reached over and tried to grab Trish's hand, but she stubbornly pulled it away from him. How dare he touch her? Trish wanted to slap him, but she didn't. Her heart was telling her to forgive Chris, and allow him back in her life, but her head was telling her the complete opposite. Why should she forgive Chris? He'd led her on for months and now she looked and felt like a complete fool.
"I never meant to hurt you," Chris continued. "I know, I know, that sounds like total bullshit. But I swear it's true, Trish. The bet—it was a stupid joke and I never should have agreed to it. I don't know why I did, but you have to believe me when I say that I ended up really falling for you. The first time we kissed, it was real. The sparks, the butterflies, all of it was real. I wasn't lying when I told you that I loved you. I know you don't believe me, but I hope you can someday." Chris gently took Trish's chin in his and lifted it slightly so that he could look into her eyes. "I mean it, Trish. I'm telling you the truth."
Trish bit her lip and looked at Chris for a long moment, trying to read his facial expressions and what she saw in his eyes. Those eyes that she loved were staring back at her intently, not blinking, and a small smile was on Chris's face. Trish sighed because she knew what she was about to do, and it was the complete opposite of what her head had been telling her. Chris seemed to be sincere in his apology, and even though Trish was still very upset about the whole "bet", she couldn't stay mad at the man that had stolen her heart. He was very charming, and Trish knew that he knew it. Chris knew that his charm was a very powerful weapon, and it usually got him whatever he wanted. Like right now.
It's the way
That he makes you feel
It's the way
That he kisses you
It's the way
That he makes you fall in love
"So, can you forgive me?" Chris asked, as he took Trish's small hand in his and lightly ran his thumb over the Canadian beauty's palm. He knew that he'd been a total jerk, and he didn't expect Trish to forgive him yet, but hopefully she would someday. It was no secret that Christian didn't want the two of them to get back together, because Trish was supposedly ruining their friendship, but Chris just didn't feel that it was right to continue lying to Trish about the bet. He didn't care what Christian thought about it, either, because Trish deserved to know the truth.
A small sigh escaped Trish's lips, and she reached up with her free hand and lightly ran in through Chris' long hair, twisting the ends slightly. She really didn't know what to say, and truthfully, she was afraid to give in and give Chris another chance because she didn't want him to hurt her again. He really did seem sorry, but now that this had happened, Trish was hesitant about continuing their relationship.
She's beautiful as usual with bruises on her ego and
Her killer instinct tells her to be aware of evil men
"I don't know, Chris," she said softly, dropping her hand to her sides. "I know that you said you didn't mean for this to happen, but I'm just so confused about everything right now." She looked up at Chris, who was looking back at her expectantly, hoping that she'd reconsider breaking off their relationship. Trish still loved the man, but she just wasn't sure if she could trust him anymore. The two deciding factors in determining a relationship for Trish were trust and loyalty, and she wasn't sure that she could count on Chris to give her the first factor. There was no question that he could remain loyal, but as for trust…Trish wasn't so sure about it.
And that's what you get for falling again
You can never get 'em out of your head
"I think that it would be best right now if we slowed things down a bit," Trish continued, trying to avert her gaze as she spoke. She knew that Chris was crushed; she could sense it, but she wasn't about to back down this time. It wasn't that she didn't love Chris, because she did. But maybe this time apart would show him that she wasn't about to be played for a fool again. The bet was quite possibly the dumbest thing Chris could have done, and hopefully he would learn his lesson from this break. Trish hoped so, anyway.
"What?" Chris protested, as he jerked his hand away. He took a step back and tugged angrily on his ponytail, causing the small rubber band that was holding it up to snap and fly across the room. His hair flew around his face wildly as Chris paced back and forth across the small kitchen floor.
"Just listen to me, Chris," Trish said calmly, placing her hands on the kitchen counter. "This isn't a breakup, it's a chance for me to think things over and decide whether or not I want to move forward in this relationship, and it will be good for you too." She kept her tone firm, because she knew that if Chris detected even a hint of weakness in her voice, he would turn it around and use it to his advantage. This time she was sticking to her guns, despite how upset it made Chris feel.
Pretty girl is suffering, while he confesses everything
Pretty soon she'll figure out
You can never get 'em out of your head
"All right, fine," Chris answered, and Trish could tell he was still angry. "Will you at least call me in a few days and let me know what you've decided?" He walked back over to Trish and placed his hand on the counter beside hers, absent-mindedly rubbing a pattern with his fingers onto the counter.
"I definitely will," Trish replied, daring to look at Chris. His expression had softened, and Trish felt much better now that she had gotten her feelings out in the open. She hoped they'd be able to move on from this, and who knew, maybe their relationship would be even stronger because of it.
It's the way
That he makes you cry
It's the way
That he's in your mind
It's the way
That he makes you fall in love
"All right then," Chris replied, as he leaned over and lightly pecked Trish's cheek. "I'm gonna go now…gotta meet Christian for lunch in a few." He rolled his eyes. "But I'll catch you in a few days, beautiful girl." Chris smiled and chucked Trish's chin playfully before waving goodbye and making his way through the kitchen and out the front door.
It's the way
That he makes you feel
It's the way
That he kisses you
It's the way
That he makes you fall in love
Love
I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by Monday. I start school on Tuesday, so I might not have as much time to update. I hope not, though. Anyway, I hope you guys liked this :)