Chapter 14

Later that night, as we arrive at the arena there's something unsettling in the air. It's a competitive air, that's for sure. But I'm unsure why. Okay, not exactly unsure, I know it has something to do with tonight making and breaking the career's of two young men. In one corner we have David Otunga, the young man whose engaged to jazz and r&b superstar (and one of my favorite actresses) Jennifer Hudson, and in the other we have Wade Barett, the young man from England who has been making an impact backstage and in the ring. David wants to win just as much as Wade but it's not up to the rookies or even their trainers. It's up to the fans this time. And by impressions…well…Wade Barrett is the most charming of the rookies.

"Everything okay in your noggin?" Chris asks from the passenger seat. I had offered to drive so he could sleep but he didn't get much sleep, to worried about tonight.

"Oh…I'll be fine…" I smile.

"You sure? You've been sad for a few days now," Chris smiles. "And don't act like it's nothing. I know better."

I think about it and then put it into delicate words, "What if there was something that you knew but if you told everyone you love it could get them, and you, out of something you love very much? Would you still tell them and risk hurting them?"

Chris sits back, pondering it, "Meghan…if you're cheating on me…I'd rather know that be left in the dark or find out from whoever it is your seeing. I can take it…trust me…"

"Oh no!" I exclaim, "It's nothing like that! I could never!"

He smiles, the sadness in his eyes gone. "Good, good. Well…hmmm…if it's nothing to serious I would tell the person. But if you're afraid that it's going to hurt them seriously, better they know then find out at some other point right?"

"Right," I nod.

"So, gonna tell me what it is that's bothering you?" he asks again as we step out of the rental car. I get into the backseat and get Louis out of his car seat before getting into the trunk and grabbing my suitcase and the diaper bag.

"It's nothing honest. Gail asked me for some advice earlier while you were renting the car and I didn't know what to tell her." I lie. I feel like crap. I hate lying to him. But what can I do? If I told him the truth, I know he'd leave me. He'd hate me.

"Oh, I saw you talking to her and she did look pretty okay. What's wrong with her?" Chris asks, concerned.

"I'm not suppose to talk about it, she kinda wanted to keep it a private conversation." I lie softly.

He nods and we walk into the backstage area, "Well, Meg, I have to go help Wade do some training. You okay with that?"

I smile, "No Chris, he's your rookie but you're allowed to work with him backstage." I roll my eyes and smile, "Go! You have to work with him. I'll see you after the show."

He kisses me sweetly and I walk with Louis into the waiting area. The rosters from both Raw and Smackdown are there and are actually getting along. Interspersed amongst them are the NXT rookies who were eliminated. Heath Slater sits at Christian and Adam Copeland, more known as Edge by the WWE fans, looking at the tv but every so often glancing back at Christian. I don't know if that boy will be able to hurt his mentor when it comes down to it. He idolizes Christian, even going as far to look a little bit like him. I shake my head and look at where Justin is sitting with Matt Hardy both immersed in a conversation over a nice game of Scrabble. I don't think that Justin will be able to hurt Matt when it comes down to it either. It's a hard thing to do, betray someone who means the world to you. And unlike Wade and the others, I believe Justin and Heath actually have souls.

Micheal Tarver, and Skip Sheffield sit at the back of the room talking to each other and each looking dangerous as hell. Both of them worry me. They have this…evil air to them. And I know, in theory, each of them are as evil as the next but these two have something more evil to them, just like David Otunga. I shake my head and sit down next to where Matt and Justin are, watching the game. "Can I join in next round?" I smile.

Matt looks at me and nods, "Sure. I don't know if we've met. I'm Matt Hardy."

"Meghan Irvine, Chris' wife. And we have met, briefly at a Halloween party. You were dressed up as your brother and I was dressed up like a dark punk rock fairy." I smile, "And I know Justin as well. We've met briefly backstage before." I cover up, hiding the real time and place that we met. No need to alarm Matt. After all Justin won't be a threat to him.

After they finish their first game, Matt winning by a lot and I do mean a lot, I join a second game. We play while watching the television little exposes about David and Wade both playing on the television while afterwards they both stand in the ring looking at each other. There is no final match, no final showdown of strength. Justin Roberts stands between them with a microphone while R-Truth and Chris stand behind their respective rookies. "After two months, Wade and David, you two are the final contestants on the first season of NXT. In my hand I have the results of who won, but first do you two have any final words you would like to say?"

David takes the microphone and looks around, "I've fought my entire life for this and I know I'm a shoe in to win. Wade, he's just here to make it seem interesting." He slams the microphone into Wade's chest and looks at him angrily.

Wade brings the microphone to his lips and smiles, "You know David, we have something in common mate. We've both worked and fought for this our entire lives. Bu I differ, I think you've been an interesting combatant. I hope the best man wins." He hands the microphone to Justin and respectfully steps back.

"Well since we've heard from our two competitors, I will now read the winner. And the first ever winner of WWE NXT is…Wade Barett." The fans break into a wild yell as Wade falls to his knees and looks up at the sky, as confetti and balloons reign down. Chris slaps his back and Wade stands up to hug him. As happy and loving this is, a feeling of dread fills my stomach. What did Wade say? Oh yeah, the Monday after he wins, don't show up to the announcing table. Now I guess I get to find out why.