End of April 2009, Davenport, Iowa
Colby Lopez, a.k.a. Tyler Black, was on his way home from the airport. He had suffered an neck injury and was told he would have to take some time off to recover. He had an appointment next week to determine if he would be able to defend his FIP World Heavyweight Championship Title against Davey Richards. Colby looked at the passengers side seat, he reached over and touched the Heavyweight Championship Belt. If he was unable to defend his title, he would have to forfeit it to Richards. Richards and him had a feud going and the last thing he wanted to do was to hand over his title to the jerk. Colby was hoping with time off and rest that he would be ready to defend it.
Colby had a smile on his face he couldn't wait to get home to surprise his girlfriend, he hadn't told her about his injury or mandatory time off he was being forced to take. Danielle was his high school sweetheart and they had been dating for almost 8 years now, he loved her and was grateful for her support and understanding about his career. The time apart was hard on both of them but they kept in touch by phone, email, Skype and Twitter. Colby had one hand on the steer wheel and the other hand was rubbing the back of his neck, it ached a little but once he got to the apartment he would take a long hot shower to sooth it. He looked forward to just spending time with Danielle, especially holding her and listening to her talk about her classes at the university and things she did with her friends. He just wanted lead a normal life for the next couple of days.
He reached his apartment and was about to park in his spot. "Asshole", he mumbled to himself. Someone was already parked there, now he would have to look for a different parking space. He would definitely tell the manager in the morning. He finally parked and grabbed his bags and headed to the apartment. He couldn't wait to see her, he thought as he opened the door and dropped his bags at the entrance. "Danielle", he called out, but he got no reply. He went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the frig, opened it and took a drink. He heard a noise coming from the bedroom and walked down the hall. As he got closer he heard grunting and Danielle screaming, he busted into the room to see a man on top of Danielle, they were both naked. He was filled with rage as he grabbed the man by the hair and yanked him off Danielle. Colby immediately punched him in the stomach, he instantly regretted the action as he felt a sharp pain in his neck. The man doubled over in pain and Colby took advantage and kneed him in the chest couple of times then in the face. Blood spewed from the broken nose of the man as he crumpled unconscious to the floor. He was fill with so much anger at this bastard for hurting Danielle, he wanted to kill him.
"COLBY STOP!", shouted Danielle. Colby turned to see Danielle clutching a sheet around her body. His anger subsided and was replaced with concern, he immediately went to her and took her into his arms. "Are you ok? Did the bastard hurt you?", he asked with anxiety in his voice. He pulled back a little to look at her, he could see the tears falling from her blue eyes. "I should call the police before the son of bitch wakes up.", with an arm around her waist, Colby started walking toward the door, he had left his cell phone in the kitchen. Danielle stopped and twisted out of his arm, "No, you don't understand." He stopped and turned to look at her, "What do you mean? He was hurting you."
"Col-by ... TTTyler, he was not hur-ting mme", she stammered and looked away from him too ashamed to say anymore. Colby shook his head as the realization of her words hit him with full force. "What the fuck is going on Danielle?" he hissed between his teeth.
She looked at him again and could see the anger and hurt in his eyes. "Colby ... Tyler, I don't even know what to call you anymore. Your gone all the time and it gets lonely around here."
"So you decide to pick up some guy and bring him to our place and fuck him in our bed? Who the fuck is he?" Colby bellowed as he felt his blood begin to boil. He was inches from Danielle towering over her with his fist balled up at his sides.
Instead of Danielle being scared, she begin to get mad, "Why do you give shit? The only thing you care about is your precious career."
"Because I love you and I thought you loved me and understood and supported my career. If you were unhappy why didn't you tell me?" His voice was filled with disappointment and hurt. He felt his heart breaking, he thought things between them were going great. He was even going to ask her to marry him.
"Who would be happy with their boyfriend gone half the time? And when you are here all you do is workout at the gym or go to some place where there is Crossfit. Even when you are here, your really are not. How do I know you are not fucking those fan girls that throw themselves at you?" Danielle knew deep down inside Colby would never do that but she was trying to justify her own actions.
"Don't you dare try throwing this back at me. Your the one cheating, in our home, in our bed." By this time, Colby had her by her arms in a vice grip. Danielle's eyes open wide with fear. He wanted to hurt her for the pain she was causing him, but was stopped when he felt something hit the back of his head and everything went black.
"Son, son wake up." Joseph gently shook his son's shoulder trying to wake him up. About 15 minutes ago he had gotten a call from Danielle, frantically telling him that she and Colby had gotten into a fight and that he almost hit her. If, he didn't come and get him now she threaten to call the cops and have him arrested. He of course told her he would be there. She gave no details about the argument but it must have been something really bad if Colby was going to hit her. His son was very down to earth and was never one to get into a fight unless necessary. Yes, Colby was a wrestler but that didn't mean he enjoyed going around beating people up. He couldn't imagine an argument escalating to the point where Colby would hit a woman much less the one he loved.
When he arrived at his son's apartment he found the door open but no sign of Danielle. He called out Colby's name and looked around the apartment then headed to the bedroom, where he found Colby face down on the floor unconscious with pieces of glass around his head and back. He had obviously been hit with a vase or some glass object. Joseph went to him and kneeled on the floor next to him. He was starting to worry because he was getting no response from Colby. He took his phone out of his pocket and was about to dial 911 when Colby moaned and started to come around. Joseph dusted the pieces of glass off his son's back and hair, as Colby lifted his body up on his elbows, "Son are you ok? What the hell happened?"
Colby could hear someone talking to him but the pain in his neck and head were so excruciating he started to vomit. He felt arms going around his shoulders to offer support and comfort, his hair being pulled away from his face as he continued to vomit. Joseph was starting to get really anxious at his son's condition, he could see a bump starting to form at the back of his head and the redness at the base of his neck. "Colby, I want you to stay still. I am going to call 911." Joseph was so nervous, he was fumbling with his phone as he was trying make the call. "No" Colby said as he knocked the phone out of his father's hand and started to sit up. "Just give me a minute." Colby took deep breaths trying to calm his body down. His head was pounding, his neck was hurting, his vision was blurred and his heart was breaking. Joseph sat next to his son, he had never seen him in this state before, he looked so sad, hurt and broken, he did the only thing he could do. He embraced his son in a tight hug and gently rocked him back and forth. Colby laid his head on his father's shoulder and started to sob and return his father's hug. Then Joseph rubbed his back and told him it couldn't be as bad as all that and that everything would be all right. Colby started to cry in earnest with his shoulders shaking from his effort. It frightened Joseph, he couldn't remember the last time Colby had cried this way. He was not comfortable with son's display of emotions but he knew whatever it was had to be really terrible for Colby to react this way. He had to be strong for his son, he simply remind silent offering his support and comfort to him. Minutes passed as Joseph sat on the floor gently rocking him back and forth, before Colby was just occasionally sobbing.
His father ended the hug and capture his face between his hands and made him look at him. He could see his son's eyes and nose were red, his face pale and a tear was rolling down his cheek. "What happened?", he asked his voice filled with concern. "I came home and found her in bed with some guy." Colby replied with no emotion in his voice. Never would Joseph had guessed that Danielle would cheat on Colby, the two were inseparable since they met in high school. But not only did she cheat on him, she did it in their home, in their bed. God that had to hurt like hell. "Colby, lets pack some of your things. Your coming home with me." Joseph helped Colby to his feet and felt him begin to sway to the side, he wrapped his arms around Colby to steady him. He then helped his son to the bed, so he could sit. "Before I take you to my place, you are going to the hospital to get checked out." Colby started to protest but his father put his hand up refusing to take no for answer. "Colby Lopez, you came home early because you have a neck injury and from the look of this room I imagine you were fighting and to top it off you got hit in the back of the head with a glass object. Plus you were vomiting. YOU ARE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL." Colby didn't have the will or strength to argue with his father, he simply hung his head and nodded in agreement.
Joseph finally had Colby at his place, he had been divorced from his mother for 6 years and recently remarried. His relationship with Colby had been a bit rocky since the divorce. He had called his current wife from the hospital and explained what had happened and asked her to get the guess room ready. Joseph was now sitting in a chair next to his son's bed watching him sleep. He was cleared at the hospital. The doctor had said Colby had a mild concussion, he was ok to go home but that someone had to watch him and wake him up every 2 to 3 hours to make sure he had no sign of more severe symptoms. His skin looked so pale unlike his usual golden color but what really worried him was his son's state of mind. He didn't know how to comfort him or what to say. In the morning or rather later on this morning, he would call his ex-wife and let her know what happened, she would know how to comfort him.
Colby was having a restless sleep, he kept dreaming of when he walked in on Danielle and her lover. The anger and rage he felt, her hurtful words and his need to punish her. Every time he was about to strike her, his father woke him up to ask him stupid questions. Why wouldn't he just leave him alone? It was about 9 in the morning, his eyes fluttered open and he was confused as to where he was. He heard soft snoring coming from his right, his father was asleep in a chair next to the bed. Colby sat up and suddenly felt his world was spinning, he moaned and put his hands on the side of his head to stop the dizziness and nausea he was feeling. His father woke up instantly, "Colby you need to lay down." He said as he gently pushed his son's head back on the pillow. "Where the hell am I?", he asked confused as to why he was with his father. "Your in my home, in the guess bedroom." Joseph was concerned by Colby's response, didn't he remember what happened last night, so he reminded him gently. "You and Danielle had an argument."
Suddenly it all came back to Colby, finding her in bed with another man, his arguing with her, his need to hurt her and his father holding him and rocking him and telling him everything would be ok. "How come you were at my apartment?"
"She called me and told me you two had an argument and if I didn't come and get you she would have you arrested. I found you on the floor face down and unconscious. Apparently, you were hit in the head with a glass object."
"So that's why my head hurts like hell." Colby rubbed the back of his head, he paused then continued, "She was cheating on me. I wonder for how long? She never told me she was so unhappy or that she wanted to break up with me. She probably wanted the best of both worlds, me the idiot supporting her and her lover." He said with bitterness as he felt himself getting angry. Joseph placed a hand on his son's shoulder and gave him a slight squeeze. "Son don't torture yourself. Just concentrate on getting better. Gabby made some breakfast, I am going to bring you some." Joseph said as he stood up to go get the food. "No, I am not hungry." Colby didn't feel like eating or doing anything for that matter. "Son you need to get your strength back. Your going to eat and get more rest." As Joseph was leaving, Colby called out to him. " Dad", he whispered. Joseph turned to look at his son as he said "Thanks". Joseph had a knot in his throat as he replied, "Your welcome." He hated to see Colby like this, he wished there was something he could do to easy his pain.
After waking up in his dad's house his mother came over a few hours later, she was mad that his dad did not inform her immediately of the situation. She hugged Colby and told him that everything would be alright. "Are you sure it was not a misunderstanding?" His mother asked sympathetically. "Mom, she was fucking another man in our bed. I don't think I could have misunderstood that." He said sarcastically, as he pulled the covers over his body and turned on his side facing away from his mother. "You should come home with me, so I can take care of you. You can sleep in your own room." His mother said. "Elena, I don't think that is a good idea." His father interrupted. "Colby is still suffering from the affects of the concussion, moving him is only going to make his condition worse." "Well, I want my son with me, so I can help through this. I am certainly not staying here with that woman." She was getting upset with her ex-husband. "Gabriela usually spends the weekend with her mother because she has not been feeling well lately. You can stay until Colby feels up to traveling." Joseph offered. Elena felt her temper rising " I am not going to sta-." "Will you please stop arguing." Colby pleaded. "Mom, Dad is right. I still feel really dizzy and nauseous. If, I go with you I will probably throw up in the car or pass out or both." "Ok, ok, I am sorry son. I will come back in the morning for you." She gave Colby a bear hug and kissed him on the forehead. "I am soo sorry you have to go through this, but things will get better, get some rest now." Colby closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep, it was combination of exhaustion, heart break and the pain medication.
When he woke up again, his father was sitting in the chair next to his bed reading a book. "Hello sleepy head." Colby grinned at his father, "Hi dad." As he sat up in the bed. "Look son I know ever since the divorce things between us have been strained but I want you to know that if you need anything. I am here for you." Colby looked down at his hands and said, "Thanks dad." "Why don't you try coming to the table for dinner?"
"I really don't feel like eating"
"I know what happened to you is devastating and it hurts like hell but you still have your career to think about. Just focus on that, it will help you through the pain. You need to keep your strength up. Don't you have a title match in less than 2 weeks?", asked his father.
"She said I cared more about my career than her", he said sadly. Joseph was now sitting on the edge of the bed, he placed one of his hands on Colby's shoulder, he looked up at his father. Joseph could see the tears welling up in his son's eyes. "She knew your career choice and made you believe she accepted and supported you. You didn't change Colby, she did and she should have ended things instead of string you along. You did nothing wrong son." Colby started to cry, he hated himself for being this weak but it hurt so bad. Joseph wrapped his arms around his son's shoulders and hug him. "I just can't imagine my life without her. I always pictured myself marrying her and her being the mother of my children." Joseph continued to hug him. "I know son, it may seem like the end of the world right now but just take it one day at a time. Let yourself feel what you are feeling but don't shut yourself off from the rest of the world. And when you are ready, there will be somebody out there for you, who will see the great qualities you have to offer and accept you for who you are." Colby continued to cry on his father's shoulder, he couldn't imagine himself with anyone other than Danielle.
It had been a week and half since his break up with Danielle, he had no further communication with her. His older brother had went to his apartment and gathered the rest of his things. He had spent the rest of his time at his mother's house mopping about, watching t.v. and thinking about what went wrong in his relationship. What he really wanted to do was go to the gym and work out his aggression but the concussion and his neck injury prevented him from going.
He was back in Florida at the FIP headquarters getting checked, hopefully cleared to defend his title against Davey Richards.
The trainer finally came back to the room after examining him and reviewing his X-rays. "Mr. Black, I am afraid I have some bad news. The swelling in your neck, plus I know you are experiencing a lot more stiffness than what you are willing to admit, all in all I cannot clear you for action at least for another 2 weeks."
"Awww come on doc, I am fine. I don't want to loose my title to that arrogant ass." Tyler said with irritation.
"Look Mr. Black, Tyler, if you insist on competing you could hurt yourself far worse, instead of taking 2 weeks to recover, it could take months if you re-injure yourself, possibly even surgery. It could even be career ending. Tyler your young and talented there will be other titles."
In his frustration, Tyler stood up and punched the wall leaving an imprint of his fist. The trainer backed away, fearing he could be next. Tyler looked at the trainer to see the look of fear in his eyes, he turned and yanked the door opened and left the room. He was mad not at the trainer but of the whole situation. 2009 was shaping up to be one of the worst years of his life, first his tag team partner and friend Jimmy Jacobs turns on him, then he looses the woman he loves, who he thought loved him back. Now he had to forfeit his title to Davey Richards, a title he had worked hard to attain. Could his life get any worse?