Chapter 7

September 20th, 2015

Bulverde, Texas

After dropping Paul, Cass, Carmella and Bayley off at their hotel, the rest of the tired entertainers made the 40 minute drive to Lex's Hill Country home; making a pit-stop for takeout on the way.

Sami grabbed an acoustic; talking Chris into playing a song after they ate outside on the deck.

"Hey Lex, I just realized that there is an extra room at the end of the hall from our rooms." Sami glanced up, taking in her nod. "Why doesn't Baron or Chris use it instead of Baron staying in your room?"

"That is the downstairs' master and it belongs to my roommate."

"You have a roommate?" Baron looked at her curiously, also getting a nod in return.

"And where is this roommate, luv?"

"Well, Irish, he's in Orlando setting up our rooms in the house I'm leasing while working with you guys. You'll meet him there, I'm sure."

"I almost wish I was coming along to see that introduction." Chris smiled before taking a drink of his beer.

"Why? Is he an asshole or something?" Sami glanced between the silent Lex and the grinning singer.

"He can be if you rub him the wrong way."

"Why is he moving into your Florida place and not just staying here?" Baron focused on the brunette at his side; choking down the surge of jealousy that rose within him.

"He stays where she stays unless he's on the road. They are kind of inseparable." Chris answered; smirking at the frown on the big man's face.

"So he's in a band?" Baron switched his gaze to the singer.

"Yes, he is."

Baron quietly ate his meal, sitting next to Lex and keeping an eye on her while she remained uncharacteristically silent as she picked at her food. The others talked about the show and exchanged small talk with Chris about their individual careers; the similarities and differences between them.

"Alexandra, why don't you play while I sing?" Chris asked; turning hopeful eyes to her, handing it over once she silently nodded her head. "Thank You?"

"Okay." She mumbled; scooting her chair back to settle the guitar. All eyes were on her when she pulled the pick from the neck and strummed the strings for a moment; not that she would have noticed since she kept her head down, eyes on the strings. After a quick nod, she began to play the opening chords of the Led Zepplin song.

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you

If mountains crumble to the sea, there would still be you and me

Kind woman, I give you my all

Kind woman, nothing more

Little drops of rain whispers of the pain

Tears of love lost in the days gone by

Our love is strong, with you there is no wrong

Together we shall roll until we die.

Inspiration is what you are to me.

Inspiration, look and see

And so today my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk for miles

And thanks to you this will be done, cuz you to me are the only one

Happiness, no more be sad. Happiness, I am glad

Little drops of rain whispers of the pain

Tears of love lost in the days gone by

Our love is strong, with you there is no wrong

Together we shall roll until we die.

Chris reached over, lifting Lex's chin with his index finger, making her keep eye contact while he sang the last lines.

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you

If mountains crumble to the sea, there would still be you and me

It broke his heart to see tears glistening in her eyes before she pulled back, lowering her gaze while she played the song out. He felt infinitely worse when she couldn't leave fast enough once she played the last chord.

"I'm turning in so that I can be up early to make us breakfast before we leave." She rose from her seat, handing the guitar to Sami, picking up the box and wrappers her meal came in to dispose of in the trash in the kitchen. "Chris, you'll be in the room next to mine when you're ready. Goodnight, bro." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, leaned down when he turned his head and pecked his lips.

"Goodnight, little sister." He inclined his head at her; keeping his gaze on her when she walked in the French doors and until she eventually disappeared upstairs.

"Sister?" Finn gave him a questioning look that the others imitated. Sami was the only exception since he knew of their relation.

"Yeah, she's my baby sister. I was the first one to hold her in my arms when the doctor handed her over. Our parents let me name her." Chris nodded with a grin. "I took our mother's maiden name when I got into performing and Lex changed hers entirely when she started her business. She wasn't too keen on riding my coattails in the business. She wanted to make it on her own. I'll give it to her; she made it a long way as a female security consultant and bodyguard on her merit and ability."

"Definitely not an easy thing to do for a lass."

"I remember seeing her throw a spear down on some guy that jumped the barricade when Ambrose was doing his entrance for a pay-per-view match. The look on his face was priceless!" Tyler sat back, holding his stomach after laughing on a full meal. "I think it put Reigns to shame. I never said that, by the way."

"Oh we won't tell him, man." Sami shook his head before lifting a conspiratorial eyebrow at the others. "I remember that too. Jon had a split second of 'holy shit' written on his face before he carried on to the ring like that shit happens every day."

"Why is your sister sad?" Baron spoke up once the laughter died down; taking everyone by surprise. "I can tell she loves music; you and your sister share one hell of a talent, but she gets upset when she sings, and last night in Austin, she panicked when we were in the crowd. I swear she was on the verge of a fucking panic attack until I caged her in, keeping her from being touched."

"We were warned earlier tonight not to approach her from behind. She also made it clear she doesn't like to be touched by strangers." Finn said in a soft voice, glancing between her silent brother and potential suitor. "She's accepted some of us; well those of us in this house, but reacted rather badly to some of the roster."

"So I ask again – why is your sister sad?"

Uncomfortable silence reigned at the table while Baron and Chris stared at each other; one waiting on an answer and the other trying to decide if he'd give him one.

"Something happened a long time ago that pushed her away from my industry and into yours. Those of us involved have never gotten over it." Chris said softly; focusing on his mug between his hands. "It was absolutely horrifying to us and infinitely worse for her; a nightmare none of us can escape from. It had a lasting mental effect on her." Chris leaned back in his chair, running shaky hands down his face. "I'm not saying she has brain damage or anything but it shook her up so badly that she either gets lost inside her head or completely loses the filter between her brain and mouth, and rambles on about whatever is on her mind. Have you seen it yet?" He settled his eyes on Baron taking in his nod.

"I've seen it. I find her straight-forward, no-bullshit side very refreshing and quite rare. She makes me nervous when she gets stuck in her head." Baron ran his hand down his face, hiding his wince of discomfort before focusing on her brother. "Are you going to tell me it's her story to tell too?"

"No, I'm not because I can see this thing between you and; for your sake, it better not be just wanting to get in her pants. It isn't, is it?" Chris narrowed his gaze on the tall wrestler; his crystal blue eyes turning positively frosty.

"No, it isn't." Baron answered without hesitation and her brother nodded.

"Do you guys mind if I have a few minutes alone with Baron?" Chris kept his gaze level on the big man, hearing the hushed "sure" or catching nods in his peripheral vision. "You've known my sister for a day." He began once the doors closed, holding up a hand when Baron opened his mouth. "I'm not done." He fisted his hand, slamming it down on the table.

"Go ahead." Baron clenched his teeth; settling back in his chair, expecting the protective big brother speech.

"You've known my sister for a day but I'm not blind; I can see something there. Alexandra hasn't been fond of physical touch in a long time but I see her gravitate to you. She's comfortable with the others in there but you are different. She doesn't shy away from you and that speaks volumes to me about what you could mean to her." Chris ran a scrutinizing gaze over the man across from him for a long moment before rising to his feet. "Hurt my little sister and I'll find a way to end you."

"Wait!" Baron shot to his feet when Chris started for the door. "I thought you were going to tell me why she's sad."

"And I will once I see where the two of you are headed - if she doesn't tell you first. It would go a long way proving how important you are to her if you get her to open up yourself. Night, man."

Baron narrowed his eyes on the singer and released a heavy sigh before following him in and closing the doors behind him. Following him up the stairs, he passed him in the hall, gave him a short nod and entered Lex's room.

She was sprawled out on her stomach wearing a long black Roman Reigns' Hit Hard, Hit Often tank that just barely covered her perfect ass. Her arms were burrowed under her pillow; long hair draped over it, and those tanned, toned legs stretched out over the covers she had kicked down.

'Absolutely beautiful.'

He smiled softly; stripping off his shirt before he rooted around in his case for a pair of basketball shorts. Keeping his focus on her, he toed off his shoes and socks while unbuttoning his jeans; pushing them down his legs and stepped out of them. Pulling on his shorts, he moved to the free side of the bed and slipped in beside her, choosing to watch her sleep.

He had lost track of how long he had been staring at her when she began to make little sounds; whimpers in the back of her throat, and small jerking movements. 'Nightmare.'

"It's okay." He rolled to his side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She didn't wake but shuffled closer to him; draping an arm over his bare chest and wedging a leg between his before she settled down. "I've got you." He whispered; resting a big hand on her nape when her head nuzzled in over his heart.

"Tom?" She mumbled in a tired breath.

"Yeah, it's me. I've got you, baby."

A happy sigh escaped his lips when she brushed a kiss over the center of his chest before slipping into a restful sleep.