Extra long chapter :) I got a chance to work on this story some more yesterday, trying to wrap it up, which is easier said then done when more ideas keep popping into my head! I'm in the process of sorting through said ideas and deciding which is best to use...
So happy to hear that Lawler is doing well, no brain damage and he's responsive...I also have a new found respect for Cole, I still can't stand his character, but as a guy he's alright in my book...
This chapter you'll read about Gabby's reaction, a slight wake-up call from Beth, Punk's new plan, and some Hall of Fame goodness...
Thanks for the reviews last chapter, as well as the adds and favorites :) Enjoy!
Gabby walked into the house and went straight to her bedroom ignoring Adam and Beth's presence. Upon seeing that Gabby was visibly upset, Adam rose from the couch only to be stopped by Beth.
"Do you mind if I go? Don't take this personally, but something tells me she might be better off talking to a woman right now." Adam nodded before sitting back down.
"You're probably right…I knew something like this was going to happen. I wanted to talk to Punk about this whole thing, but Gabby said not too…I think this is the one time I should have went against her wishes."
"Let's not jump to conclusions, besides even if it was Punk this doesn't necessarily mean he did anything wrong." Adam raised his eyebrow at her before shrugging his shoulders.
"I just hope he didn't do anything stupid to hurt her again because then I'll be forced to punch him in the face later and I'd hate to fight in a suit. I look good in a suit…" Beth smirked while rolling her eyes.
"I won't deny you look good in a suit, but let's hold off on throwing punches. I'm going to go talk to Gabby while you should go find something to do." Beth kissed him on the cheek before heading back the hallway. Taking a breath, she knocked gently on the door; pressing her ear to it, she heard the muffled sounds of sobbing and chose to enter without permission.
Gabby heard the door open, but didn't bother looking up to see who it was. She wanted to be left alone to cry out her frustrations and heartbreak, wanting to skip the whole talking thing, but upon feeling her bed sink down she knew she wasn't getting away that easy.
"Gabby, are you okay?" Gabby wiped at the tears on her face before sitting up and curling her legs under her, gripping the tear soaked pillow to her chest. Beth could tell from the redness in her eyes that she'd been crying for some time and couldn't help but think the worst.
"I'm not okay at all…I never regret things in my life, I always say things happen for a reason, but I wish I would've never gotten the idea to move to Chicago and met Phil Brooks. Hell even if I was miserable at home right now it would be so much better then having any memory of him."
"Gabby I know you don't mean that…"
"Yes I do Beth…that man has hurt me more then any other person in my short 24 years, which I thought would be hard to do seeing my father was an alcoholic who verbally and physically abused his children before leaving us with nothing. I have never felt pain in my chest like I do right now and there's no one to blame but Phil." Beth had heard about Adam and Gabby's rough childhood and it saddened her that she felt Punk had hurt her more then that. She was the only person Punk talked to about what happened and she understood why he did it. It's not easy letting someone go, but sometimes you need to, especially if it will push them forward.
"I understand you're upset right now, but you need to look at your life and what you have; it might be hard to believe but there was some good that came from Punk doing what he did."
"Are you crazy? I've been miserable for the last three months! I hate Atlanta and my job doesn't challenge me at all…honestly this feature is the first time I've felt challenged and motivated to do something!" Beth looked Gabby in the eye and noticed the anger that darkened her usual bright ocean blue eyes.
"We all know why you got this piece too…" Gabby rolled her eyes shaking her head. It pissed her off that Beth had come into her room uninvited, but she was teetering on flipping out upon realizing that Beth was on Punk's side.
"Granted a certain person may have put in a few words, but I don't need this piece to make it in this world! I can do it on my own, I make my own decisions…this is my life damnit and I really wish that everyone would stay the fuck out of it!" Beth got up from the bed and walked toward the door; clearly Gabby was too interested in throwing herself a pity party rather then listening, but before leaving, she stopped facing Gabby once more.
"Can you just tell me one thing?" Gabby let out a sigh before looking up at her and nodding, "If you're so miserable in Atlanta then why won't you show him that? Why didn't you go back to Chicago, show him what he was missing? You want everyone to think he pushed you away, but in all reality you gave up. Rather then fighting him on it, you gave in and got on that plane. You're just as much to blame for being miserable as he is. I'll leave you to think about that…the car arrives at 6PM to take us to the Hall of Fame ceremony, so make sure you're ready."
"I'm not going…"
"Suit yourself…" Beth shut the door as Gabby threw her face into a pillow screaming out her inner frustrations. To say that what Beth had said struck a cord was an understatement, but at the same time she couldn't deny it was true. Gabby knew the day Punk took her to the airport that he was still very much in love with her and she'd done nothing to show that she felt the same way. He had dropped her off at the airport, but he didn't carry her kicking and screaming to get on the plane. She couldn't deny that part of her was curious about Atlanta, but once she made it and found it wasn't for her, she could've easily gone back to Chicago. Then there were the countless times that Punk texted and called her and she ignored him every time. How was he supposed to know how she felt if she never told him? She was no better then he was, he was equally miserable and she was too blind to see it.
Gabby sprung from her bed and opened the door only to come face to face with Beth. She took a deep breath and went to apologize, but Beth reached out and hugged her first bringing a smile to grace Gabby's lips for the first time in hours.
"Beth I'm so sorry…"
"There's no need to apologize, I know how you feel, but you have to remember how he feels too. Honestly Gabby he talked to me after everything happened…"
"Wait, he told you? He didn't even tell Kofi or John…"
"He only told me because I was a tad relentless…plus I was feeling down because of everything with Adam, so we were able to sympathize with each other. Anyway, he was really torn up after it happened and debated coming to talk to you seeing you wouldn't talk to him, but for some reason he wouldn't do it…I think he convinced himself that you were happy and better off without him, which clearly couldn't be farther from the truth."
"I just don't know what to do…being with him today part of me just wanted to forget everything and go back to how we were, but then I realized you can't go back. Beth even if I do give him a second chance, it'll never be like it used to be and I can't bear to let him back into my life only to lose him again; it nearly killed me once, I can't go through this a second time."
"I understand what you mean, but I think you need to at least talk to him…tell him what you're thinking, how you feel and honestly there's no better time then tonight. Word on the street is Cabana is his date, so that has to tell you something!" Gabby managed to laugh a little thinking about Punk and Colt's bromance, which made her realize how much she missed both of them.
"I have a problem though…"
"What's that?"
"I ditched the divas shopping trip and now I have nothing to wear…" Beth laughed getting a confused look from Gabby.
"My dear you are quite the fashionista and I'm sure we could dig something out of that walk in closet you have, but I thought ahead and helped out the situation." Gabby was really confused now as Beth walked into the guest room returning with what Gabby could only describe as her 'Carrie Bradshaw dress.' It was a one sleeve knee length dress with a sophisticated, frilly tutu like skirt. Adorned with silver sequins, the mostly black dress left Gabby in awe; it was so much better then any dress in her closet.
"Oh my God, this is amazing…thank you so much Beth, seriously thank you…"
"You're very welcome Gabby…now let's get down to business, you have a room full of men to floor!" Beth had a mischievous grin on her face, one that Gabby couldn't resist smiling over. As great as it would be to have numerous men dropping their jaws over her, there was only one she wanted to notice.
Punk had just tightened his tie and was already feeling constricted. He hated dressing up, but this was the one time a year, with the exception of funerals, that he donned a suit for the world to see. Looking at himself in the mirror he had to admit he looked good, but looking good came with the price of being uncomfortable for the next six hours. Maybe Gabby will notice and then this won't be so bad…or maybe she'll avoid me all night and I'll be left to look and feel like an idiot…Punk shook his head letting out a frustrated sigh before being interrupted by a knock at the door. Opening it he found his date for the night, Colt, and for once he was right on time.
"Holy shit you're on time for once, imagine that…"
"Hey get off my back! Last time I checked I'm doing you a favor!"
"No, you're doing yourself a favor. Don't lie Colt, you only agreed to this for the free food, legends and women…"
"I'd say you have two of the three correct, the legends are just an added bonus." Punk rolled his eyes before pulling at his tie again making sure it was straight. "What happened to Gabby being your date? Were you not able to seal the deal?" Punk shot him a glare and Colt could tell he'd gone too far. "I'm sorry man, I was just messing with you…did it really go that bad?"
"Do you not see the taped up hand?"
"You broke it again? What is it with you hitting shit when you're angry? It doesn't solve your problems man, just makes them that much bigger!"
"Thanks for that bit now, where were you three hours ago? Anyway it was going well, almost too well, and I had to open my big mouth and ruin the whole thing. She took off running from me, twice…"
"That's a tough break…"
"You're telling me..."
"So what now, are you just moving on?" Colt caught site of Punk's smirk in the mirror and shook his head. "What are you thinking?"
"It's nothing big, but I may need your help."
"Punk if Gabby won't talk to you, what makes you think she'll talk to me?"
"Because you're Colt, fun loving, adorable, always there to save my ass and help me out, Cabana." Colt rolled his eyes; though he loved the compliments, he still wasn't so sure this was a good idea.
"I don't know Punkers, maybe you should just let this one lie…move on, there's plenty of divas in the sea." Punk turned around putting his hands in his pockets and shaking his head. It was at that point Colt realized just how deep he was in with Gabby.
"I don't want a diva, or any other woman for that matter…Gabby is it for me and I was too stupid to realize that when I made her get on a plane and come to this hellish place three months ago. I should've never let me insecurities and opinions get in the way; she made her decision, she wanted to stay with me and I threw that all away. If she doesn't forgive me I really don't know what I'll do." Colt slapped Punk on the back guiding him towards the door.
"Then I guess we should go get your girl back…"
Adam sat on the couch irritated that Beth and Gabby were running late. It was now 6:15 and if they didn't leave in the next five minutes, they were going to be late to the show. Feeling himself grow more irritated with sitting, he got up and moved towards Gabby's room to tell the two ladies to move it along, but was met with a pleasant surprise as the door opened and they both emerged looking stunning.
"Woah…" Adam took in Beth's formal floor length red dress, her blond hair swept off her face and then noticed the thigh high split showing off her toned legs. He swallowed the lump in his throat as Gabby was by his side elbowing him. "Ahh…Beth, babe, you look amazing…beautiful…no better, stunning." Beth smiled at his reaction giving him a kiss on the cheek. As he continued to stare her up and down, she elbowed him, "What about your sister?" Adam looked at Gabby noticing her short dress that he felt was too short, but he couldn't deny she looked beautiful as well.
"Gab, you look great…" He kissed her on the cheek before offering both ladies an arm and escorting them to the car. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
Gabby stared out the window most of the trip feeling the need to avoid the mushiness being displayed between Beth and Adam, instead she was wrapped up thinking about Punk. What would she say to him? What if he didn't want to talk to her? She'd literally ran from him twice today, surely that didn't play well on his ego. Before she could think out a plan, the car stopped and it was time to walk the red carpet.
Adam helped both women out of the car and offered each an arm. Gabby put on a bright smile even though her stomach was swarming with butterflies as she wished she could just fast forward through the ceremony and get to a point where she could talk to Punk. After being blinded by flashbulbs, she left Adam and Beth to do their thing with reporters and went in search of the ladies room. After touching up her make-up, she went to find her seat. Her new heels looked gorgeous on her feet, but her feet had already grown tired of them. As she sat down to rest her aching feet, she was surprised to hear a familiar voice.
"Gabby, how you doin'? It's been too long since I've seen you! I miss you, the Cubs season started and you're not around to eat hot dogs and drink beer with!" Gabby couldn't help but smile when she saw Colt and she greeted him with a hug.
"Oh Colt, I've missed you too, but I've missed the Cubs more. I'm surrounded by Braves fans around here and it really kills the game of baseball for me! Besides that I'm just busy working…what about you? Still living the dream and seeing the world?"
"You know it! Have you tuned into the podcast lately?"
"Actually I have…I've been listening to it a lot at work, especially the ones you did with current WWE roster members. I must say your interviews were a great source of research."
"I'm happy to hear it." Colt sat down next to Gabby and an awkward silence fell upon them. He wanted to help Punk out, but he was horrible at walking around a subject, especially when the subject was his best buddy. However, he made a promise to help Punk out and he was bound to do it. "So, how's the week been treating you?"
"Umm…it's been very long! I don't think I've been this busy since I traveled with Punk; there's constantly somewhere to be. I'm surprised to see you here."
"Why's that?"
"I don't know, I just figured if Punk didn't have a date he'd bring Amy like he did last year."
"Nope, that won't be happening ever again…"
"Why is that?"
"Well he found out that Amy was the one who told Adam about you guys and it turns out she did it for her own gain. She was hoping her spilling the beans would cause you and Punk to break up so she could make a move."
"That bitch!" Colt held back a laugh at the look on Gabby's face.
"You took my exact words…anyway he told her the friendship was over." Gabby couldn't deny that she was kind of happy to hear that. She'd never been a big fan of Amy and finding out that she'd tried to destroy her relationship with Punk for her own gain made her hatred grow even more.
"Wow, I understand why he did that, but I never thought he'd be one to do that."
"Oh he is…if he doesn't want someone in his life he acts like they've dropped off the face of the earth, which should tell you something."
"What should it tell me?" Gabby raised her eyebrow thinking she knew what he meant, but wanting him to clairify. She needed to hear the words straight from Punk's best friend.
"Gabby I think you know exactly what it tells you, now you just need to tell him what you think about it." Gabby felt the need to speak, but words just weren't coming to her. She wanted nothing more then to go find Punk that very minute and tell him everything, but as Jerry Lawler came out to start the ceremony, she knew she was grounded for at least the next two hours.
Chapt 49 Preview: After the ceremony, the after party begins putting Punk and Gabby in the same room...what will happen next?