Chapter 26

Trish woke up suddenly as she heard a door slam shut. She looked around the room, particularly at the unkempt bed she laid on, and cringed instantly once she realized the steamy sex with Randy, wasn't a dream, but reality. She quickly jumped out of bed and began gathering her things as she realized Randy must be in the bathroom. She heard the toilet flush and she knew she didn't have much time. Things were going to be awkward enough…at least if she were dressed, things wouldn't be quite as uncomfortable.

She wrapped the bed sheet around her as she began searching for her top. It had to be in the room somewhere…it was a hotel room for crying out loud, how many places could it hide? She got down on her hands and knees and began looking under the bed when she heard the bathroom door open. She jumped up instantaneously, tripped on the sheet she had wrapped around her body, spun and fell directly into Randy's arms, losing the sheet in the process.

She swallowed hard, realizing she was naked and looked into his eyes. He steadied her and cleared his throat. He gave a shy smile, "Um…good morning."

She instantly reached down for the sheet, quickly wrapping it around her body. Like he hasn't already seen your naked body, Trish! "Good morning." She mumbled, looking down at her feet.

They let the silence stir for what felt like forever before they both spoke at the same time, "Look…" He smiled while Trish chuckled. "You go first…" he said. She shook her head, "No, you first." He smiled and gave her a sincere look. "I'm sorry about how I've treated you these past few weeks. I know you were only trying to help me and I completely pushed you away…I just didn't want to hear the truth or face the facts."

She nodded and looked him in the eyes, "Look, I don't easily trust people and I don't open myself up to just anyone…especially when it comes to my feelings. So when I open up to you and trust you with all that I've got, please don't make me regret it…don't ever treat me like I'm invisible again!"

He nodded seriously and looked down at his feet, similar to that of a scolded boy. Trish cracked a smile at his innocence. "But…you're forgiven…besides, I can't stay mad at you very long."

He looked up and smiled brightly, probably the first genuine smile he's given since learning about Alanna. He reached down and held both of her hands, before looking into her eyes. "I also want you to know that the rumors you heard about me are untrue. I never slept with anyone."

She nodded and felt an overwhelming urge of relief. At least she wasn't just another notch in his post. She tried cracking a joke, "Couldn't pull the trigger huh?"

He laughed, "Truth be told, I didn't really want to…You're turn."

"What?" She asked, slightly confused.

"You had started to say something before I interrupted. What were you going to say?"

She sighed, instantly thinking about their romp in the sheets. She hesitated before speaking again…she wanted to bring up what happened between them, but was having trouble thinking of the right words to say.

Before she could continue, there was a knock at the door. Both of them threw surprised looks before Trish scurried towards the bathroom, neither of them wanting to let their private business turn public.

Randy waited until the bathroom door was closed before he opened the door to his room. He didn't open the door too wide, and made sure his body blocked the view into the room, as anyone who would set foot in the room would know something other than sleeping occurred.

"John, hey man…what's up?"

John looked at Randy's face and chuckled to himself. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Busted! He thought to himself as he looked over Randy's shoulder at the messy hotel room. It looked like a tornado had run though it.

John shook his head, "I was just stopping by to make sure you and Trish made it back ok last night? You never came back to the club, so I was just checking in…I know you're still pissed with me and"

Randy interrupted, "I'm not pissed…I never was. I was mad at myself and pushed you away in the process. But I promise…I'm out of the funk I was in. And I'm going to lay off the alcohol for a while too."

John smiled and nodded, "Good, I'm glad that's over and done with. Um, do you want to maybe grab breakfast in about an hour? I was going to see if Amy wants to join us too. I also want to go find Trish and make sure she's ok."

Randy's eyes grew wide, "Breakfast actually sounds great, but I'll go check on Trish. I owe her an apology too…probably even bigger than the one I just gave you."

John smiled, Yeah, I'm pretty sure you already apologized…many times from the look of things! "Yeah, you were being quite the asshole last night, but you already know that. Ok, find her and I'll see you downstairs in the lobby in an hour then?"

Randy nodded, "Yes, I'll be there with Trish…hopefully."

John nodded as he walked away. I'm sure you will be!

Randy closed the door and turned around just as Trish exited the bathroom.

"That was close!" Trish mumbled as she walked over to the bed, searching again for her shirt.

"No kidding…I'm not even sure he completely bought my story…but I told him we'd meet him downstairs in an hour for breakfast."

Trish nodded, still searching for her shirt. "I can't find my top anywhere."

Randy shrugged, "It's got to be around here somewhere. You can wear one of my shirts now and I'll find it once I clean up this mess."

Trish nodded, "Ok, I really should get back to my room and get showered before we head down."

Randy handed her one of his t-shirts. "What time do you need to get on the road?"

"Thanks." She said, taking the shirt from him. She looked into his eyes and got lost momentarily. Her heart started pounding in her chest. If he was able to drive her crazy before, the feelings were now amplified after their steamy night together. She knew in her heart that it wasn't just about sex last night…at least not for her it wasn't. But there was no way in hell she was going to tell Randy that…especially not now. He needed to figure things out with Sam and Alanna before she added more complexity to the situation.

"I actually don't leave until tomorrow morning. I have an autograph session this afternoon."

He smiled, "So…how would you feel about coming over to my parent's house for dinner tonight? I can set you up in one of the spare bedrooms…they have plenty of room and I'll obviously be spending the night too."

She nodded, he was there for her when Ron left her and come hell or high water, and she was going to be there for him now. "Sounds perfect. I'll pack my bags and check out before we head to breakfast."

They stood there for the longest time, looking into each others eyes. Randy was holding back every urge he had to pull her close to him and kiss her. Trish licked her lips, wishing more than anything he would make another move on her. She knew herself and knew that she would never ever make the first move on Randy…and if she were completely honest with herself, she was scared to death of getting involved in another relationship…even though her heart was begging her too.

"Well, then…I'm gonna get dressed and head back to my room. I'm up one floor in room 702. Come up when you're ready to go?"

He nodded, "Absolutely."

Trish tiptoed down the hall on the 7th floor. She didn't want to run into anyone she knew…if only for the reason someone would question her crazy outfit. Let's face it, a worn out Pantera t-shirt and sequined skirt isn't really a common wardrobe. She was only a few doors away from her room when Amy came sneaking out of room 708.

"And where are you sneaking off to?" Trish said loud enough to grab Amy's attention.

Amy turned around wide eyed, still in her dress from the club. Amy looked at Trish's get-up and crinkled her eyes.

"Come on Ames, you're still in your dress from last night and we're in room 702…not 708!"

Amy smiled coyly at her. "That's Phil's room…"

Trish smiled, she knew something was up with the two of them. And talk about the makings of a perfect couple! "I knew it! I knew something was up with the two of you! When did it start?"

Amy chuckled as they walked down the hall. "Honestly, we were going back and forth on Twitter once he found out you were trying to recruit me for the TLC match. We really hit it off and we've been talking ever since."

Trish smiled and put her arm around Amy, "That's really great! I'm glad that you've started dating again…I swear it's been forever since you've been with anyone!"

Amy laughed, finally noticing Trish's get up. "Ok, what's with the shirt? I'm guessing its Randy's…what happened between the two of you last night? Though from the looks of things, I already know!"

Trish sighed, "I guess you can say we made up."

Amy smiled, "Just answer me one question, cause I'm dying to know…just how good is he?"

Trish punched Amy in the arm, "I just made a huge mistake and all you can ask me is how was it?"

"Ouch bitch! Why was it a mistake?" Amy asked, rubbing the spot where Trish had punched her.

Trish shook her head as she opened the door to their room. "I don't know…I know I don't regret it, but I feel like this adds yet another level of complexity to our already confusing relationship."

Amy sat down on the bed, "Why does it have to be?"

Trish looked at Amy confused, "Have to be what?"

Amy threw her hands up, "Confusing! Why does it have to be confusing? Yeah, you've both been through fucked up relationships, him more so than you, but regardless, why do you have to make it so confusing? How do you feel about him?"

Trish shook her head and looked out the window. "I don't know how I feel!"

Amy smirked, "That's bullshit. You know exactly how you feel!"

Trish turned around and glared at her, "Oh really? Well, since you seem to know me so well, why don't you tell me how I feel?"

Amy put her hands up as if surrendering, "Look I'm not trying to fight with you…I'm just saying, I know you Trish. You've never had a one night stand in your life! And trust me; you've had your chances! And even after what your sister's have told me about your past, you were never the type to take intimacy lightly. So if you didn't have any type of feelings for Randy, you wouldn't have slept with him last night."

Trish sat down on the bed and looked up at Amy helpless. "You're right…I wouldn't have slept with him if I didn't have feelings for him. But now's not the time to talk about this with him. He needs to figure out what he's going to do with Sam and Alanna."

Amy nodded, "Maybe so, but you need to have the talk with him sooner than later. Promise me you will."

Trish smiled, "I will, I promise you...now we really need to get going. We're meeting John and Randy for breakfast in an hour."

"We are? How do you know that?"

"It's a long story…I'll tell you all about it as we get ready!"

"Ok…but you never answered my question…how is he?

Trish smiled, "I'm not one to kiss and tell, but…amazing. Everything about him is amazing." She smiled, thinking back to last night as she walked into the bathroom. She admired herself in the mirror…was it bad that she loved the way his Pantera t-shirt looked on her? She pulled the shirt over her head and instantly smelled Randy. She buried her nose into the shirt and inhaled deeply, as if the shirt held the last breath of air she would ever draw in. She closed her eyes and relived a montage of their night in her head. She opened her eyes and stared at her reflection in the mirror…"Yup…I've got it bad…this can't be good."

Trish pulled up to Randy's parents' house around 6 PM that night. She cut the engine and took a long sigh. It had been a whirlwind day since she jumped out of the shower that morning. After she had met Randy, John, and Amy for breakfast, she had driven Amy to the airport, and then headed straight to the mall for the autograph session, which of course ran over schedule. She had to admit, she was more than excited for a good home cooked meal, though things were still somewhat awkward with Randy.

She thought back to the entertainment John and Amy got at breakfast. Both she and Randy had acted like nothing had happened between them except a huge fight. But John was seeing right through the story, and Amy obviously already knew what had happened. It probably would have been better to just put it out there on the table, but Randy kept moving along, lie after lie. She had to admit to herself, his story was rather entertaining, but watching him squirm was even better.

She reluctantly got out of the car and grabbed her bag from the trunk. She already knew Randy's father Bob obviously from the company. But she had never met his mother before and she was nervous to meet her. Partially because she wanted to make a good impression, but mostly because she was afraid she was going to fall in love with his family, which would give her just one more reason to fall harder for Randy.

Randy opened the front door as she walked up the driveway. He smiled as he took her bag from her. "Hey, how was the autograph session?"

She smiled "Good. It ran over…of course." She stepped into the house and immediately smelled dinner. The house smelled of some type of beef, maybe a roast, or a meatloaf. Regardless, it smelled amazing. Within seconds Randy's mother appeared in the entry.

"Randy, don't be rude! Put her bag upstairs! Hi dear I'm Randy's mom Elaine. It's so nice to finally meet you! I've heard so much about you!"

"Mom, come on! She's over exaggerating Trish…she acts like you're the only thing I talk about!" Randy said, with a pink hue in his cheeks, making his way upstairs with her bag.

Trish blushed and smiled. "It's really nice to meet you too." She was shocked that he mentioned her to his parents and couldn't help but wonder what was said. He probably told them about the demise of her marriage and what a wreck she's been. They probably feel sorry for her.

"Come on into the kitchen sweetie. Dinner is just about ready. I hope you like beef stew? We're just waiting on Bob's famous mashed potatoes to finish."

Elaine led Trish into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. Seconds later Randy joined them as well as Bob. "Trisha, can I say how great it is to see you back with the company? You've really made an improvement with those girls."

Elaine rolled her eyes, "Bob, their women, not girls."

Trish chuckled lightly, "Thanks…it's funny how you always seem to find your way back. But I am very proud of what the ladies have achieved. I knew they had what it takes…they just need better training."

"So Trisha, Randy tells me you've gone through a divorce recently?"

Randy's eyes grew wide, "Mom!"

"What? I'm just making conversation!"

Trish interrupted, "No, its ok, Randy. It's good to talk about." She flashed him the slightest smile that washed away the concerned look on his face.

"Ron and I began having problems probably some time around August. They weren't big issues…just small arguments here and there, but looking back now, I can see how that was the beginning of our downfall. Slowly we began to grow apart from one another and started to want different things out of life."

Elaine nodded, "Was it a messy divorce?"

Trish nodded, "Actually, it wasn't. It was hard to grasp at first, but when I sat down and thought about things, I finally realized how he felt. I couldn't give him the life he wanted and he wasn't happy anymore. And to be honest, he couldn't give me the life I wanted either. We were so different from each other, and for the longest time, that was what kept our relationship thriving. We were interested to learn about each others passions, but we never got to the point of making them our own. So at this point, everything is finalized except for the start up cash he gave me for Stratusphere. I need to come up with that or find another investor."

Elaine gave Trish a sympathetic look and glanced at Randy. "I wish Randy's divorce would be that easy."

Trish held her breath. She didn't know how Randy was going to respond to her comment. He really hadn't opened up to anyone yet about how he was going handle the situation with Sam and she wasn't sure this was the place. But she was surprised to see how calmly Randy reacted.

"Mom, it honestly isn't going to be messy. I talked to Sam this morning."

All three of them threw Randy surprised looks.

"I'm sticking by my decision to get a divorce. And I realize that by doing this, I'm giving up all my rights to Alanna. Sam finally told David this week that he is Alanna's father. She said he took it hard at first…he was angry just as I was. And he should be…he lost four years of his daughter's life because Sam was a coward."

Elaine got teary eyed and Bob reached across the table to hold her hand. "If you think this is what is best, then we will support you. But we are going to really miss her."

Randy nodded and looked down, with tears threatening to spill down his face. "I'm going to miss her too, but this is the right thing to do. I'm certain of that." He looked at Trish, his eyes pleading with her. "I have to go over tonight to pack some stuff up. Will you come with me?"

Trish nodded, "Of course I will…you don't even have to ask."

He smiled and looked down, "Sam and Alanna won't be home. She took Al on a mini vacation. We also thought it best to not explain this to her right now. She's too young to understand. Sam told her that I went away and wasn't coming back. And David will slowly start to come around more and more. Hopefully she's still at a young enough age that she'll forget me completely and as she get's older, she'll only know David as her father. And if not, then when she's older, Sam can explain things to her."

All four of them sat in an uncomfortable silence before Bob spoke up. "What about the financial end of things?"

Randy sighed, "Since I had her sign a prenup at the beginning of the marriage, she won't get anything…except the house. I'm giving her the house. I obviously don't want it and Alanna needs some sort of stability in her life. And David has already accepted responsibility for Alanna so I won't have to pay child support either. So there's really nothing to fight about. We just need the lawyers to draw up all the papers."

Elaine nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. "Well, I'm glad that this is over with for the most part. And I'm glad Sam isn't making this any harder than it already is. Trisha, I really want to thank you for being there for my baby through all this. It's so nice that the two of you have been there for each other through these ugly divorces. Randy is extremely lucky to have you!"

She got up from the table and gave Trish a hug before going to check on the potatoes. Trish nodded, choking back any tears and emotions she was currently feeling. "You don't have to thank me Elaine. I would do anything for your son." She looked across the table at Randy and gave a sincere smile, getting lost in his eyes momentarily.

The dinner conversation took on a much lighter tone than the divorce talk. Trish laughed so much listening to stories about Randy growing up. She was so happy, her face actually hurt from smiling and laughing so much. His parents really were wonderful. And she found it so endearing that they called her 'Trisha'. Other than her parents, no one ever really called her by that name. She realized that her worst fear was coming true. She was starting to fall in love with his family.

They sat in silence on the way over to Randy's place. Both of them letting the music take care of the slightest bit of awkwardness that remained between them. If there was a moment to talk to Randy, it was right now. But Trish couldn't force the words out of her mouth. She ran through twenty different ways to start the conversation. But she was too afraid of what his response would be. She was afraid that he would tell her last night was a mistake…or that it meant nothing to him. She wasn't sure which response would be worse. So instead, she bit her tongue and looked out the window.

"Are you surprised by my decision?"

She looked over at him, and thought carefully before she responded. "No…I'm not. I mean, you told me how you felt before and you seemed so passionate about it…I knew you wouldn't change your mind. I'm not sure I'd have the strength to walk away from them though."

Randy nodded, not taking his eyes off the road. "It's hard to explain, to be honest with you, but as badly as Sam betrayed me, I can't find any love in my heart that I used to have for her. I look at her and I see an ugly selfish individual. It's like it all just disappeared…or maybe it was just all a façade to begin with. I thought I loved her…but maybe I just loved the thought of her…loved the thought of the life I could have with her."

"No Randy, I'm sure you loved her. Things get confusing when you're going through a divorce. You start questioning every little thing from the past. You start ripping a part every little fight you've ever had, trying to determine why you didn't figure things out sooner. Trust me…it's not easy. But you're strong. You'll find your way and make peace with it all."

He looked her in the eyes and gave a small smile before grabbing her hand a squeezing it. He didn't have to say a word for her to understand exactly what he was feeling.

Once they arrived at Randy's house, they got to work immediately. They packed up all of his clothes and quickly packed up his other prized possessions. They spent a lot of time in the garage, packing up tools and equipment that he wanted to take with him. She glanced around at the quick pack job and looked at the Bentley parked in the garage.

"I assume you're taking this?"

He looked at her and smiled. "Yup! And you're driving it!"

She looked at him wide eyed. "What? I'm not sure I trust myself driving this thing!"

"Thing? I don't think you're giving my car enough credit! It's not a thing! Monica is the only woman in my life that hasn't let me down!"

She threw him attitude, placing both her hands on her hips, "Excuse me? I've never let you down before! So I better be ranked higher than Monica here! Your mom should be too! And who names a Bentley, Monica?"

He chuckled, "Oh wow! I think you're actually offended! And Monica is a great name! But I stand corrected and take back my previous statement…you have never let me down before…"

He grew serious as he closed the distance between them. "You actually are the only person that I truly opened up to through this whole thing. I don't know what I would do or where I would be if I didn't have you in my life."

He held both of her hands and looked into her eyes. "I'm so thankful that we've become as close as we are. You make me want to be a better man."

She looked into his eyes, emotion filling her, and whispered, "You already are a better man."

He shook his head slightly, "No, you make me feel like I can get through anything…you make me stronger…and I want to be strong for you."

Trish hesitated, she didn't know what he was trying to say, but it sounded like he was saying that he wanted to be with her, in his own odd way. Was that what he was trying to say? She inhaled deeply, trying to force out the words…any words. She swallowed hard.

"I don't think I'm as strong as you're giving me credit for. You saved me when I was in an extremely dark place. If you wouldn't have showed up at my doorstep in Toronto, I'm not sure I would have rebounded from the divorce that quickly. You made me strong and made me fight through the pain."

They weren't exactly the words that sat on the tip of her tongue, but her brain was not allowing her to spit them out. So this would just have to suffice. Until she worked up courage to tell him how she feels…and until she decided to follow her heart rather than her head.

Randy let go of her hands and sighed. He tried to put his feeling out there for her, but they came across misconstrued. He also felt slightly dejected thinking that maybe she didn't share the same feelings as he did. He didn't assume her to be the type of girl interested in a one night stand, but maybe he read the signs wrong. Was it merely a one night stand to her? Should he even ask her? What if her response was yes?

"We should probably get going. It's getting late and I know you have to get on the road early tomorrow morning. I'm going to have a few busy days ahead of me as well. I got to get a lot of this stuff moved out and find a new place to live in about a month."

Trish nodded, "Yeah, it is getting late. Do you know when you'll be cleared to return?"

"I have a check up in about a month. If things look good, he'll let me come back. I just need to get on the rehab track and quickly. So…you don't happen to have an extra yoga DVD of yours hanging around by chance, do you?"

She smiled, "Actually, I do! It's back at the house in my suitcase. Ah! Another Stratusphied customer!"

They both laughed hysterically. "I can't believe you just threw that out there. C'mon…let's get out of here."