Tuesday 19th July
''I cant believe you're leaving me... again!''
''You'll be fine... you've still got Jay.''
''Please. We all know you're my favourite.''
Chris laughed at his friend's pouting face before reaching across the table to give her a consoling pat on the shoulder. ''Lex, you're my best friend... you're acting like we'll never see each other.''
It was the Canadian's last show that night before he took another hiatus, heading off to tour with Fozzy for the rest of the year and probably the beginning of 2014. His career in the WWE was slowly starting to wind down and he had made no secret of the fact that he would never be a full-time wrestler again, due to both his age and his various musical and acting ventures.
But that didn't make it any easier for Alexa; the man had been there since her first day with the company and not having him around as much was really strange. Usually, it wouldn't matter so much because they lived just a short drive from each other, but now she was moving it was likely they wouldn't see each other half as much.
Biting her lip, she lifted her gaze to meet his. ''There's something I have to tell you.''
His eyes widened in horror. ''Oh my God, you're pregnant!''
''What?!'' She cried with a snort. ''No!''
''Oh... then what is it?''
''I'm probably going to be leaving Tampa...'' She revealed slowly, watching his face intently for his reaction. ''Me and Jon are looking at getting a place together.''
''Really?'' Chris' eyebrows shot up in surprise and a small smile broke out on his face. ''That's great, Lex. I'm really happy for you.''
''Yeah?''
''Totally.'' He affirmed, taking a long swig of his Coke. ''I know you two have had your issues recently but I think even a blind person could see that you two were made for each other.''
She smiled softly. ''I was worried you were going to be mad.''
''Why would I be mad? You know I'll support you no matter what, even if I think it's a sucky decision... look at your relationship with Randy.''
She shook her head, snorting. ''Yeah, maybe I should have listened to you on that one.''
''Maybe?''
''If everything hadn't happened the way it did, I might not have got hurt and ended up down at developmental... I wouldn't have met Jon and... you know. Everything happens for a reason and all that.''
''What are you going to do about your place?''
''I'm not sure yet. I mean, I think Saraya's thinking about moving over to Orlando so she's closer to the Performance Center.'' She chewed her lip for a moment. ''I don't want to sell it but I don't think I'd want it just sitting empty.''
''Myaybe you could lease it? I mean, at least then if things don't work out you've got somewhere to go.'' Chris suggested, holding his hands up at her glare. ''Hey, I'm just looking out for you, kid.''
''I know, I appreciate it.''
''Good. So, where you thinking about going?''
''Well, I suggested Philly.'' Alexa leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table. ''I mean, I lived there back when I was in Ring of Honor and I know he's got friends there from his time in the Indies... but he's not keen.''
''He's probably right, you know. If you two are going to start a life together then you need a fresh start.'' He told her wisely. ''What about going back to Canada?''
''Pfft, Jon hates the cold, he says it makes his hip hurt and-''
''It does make my hip hurt!'' Jon cut her off, planting a sloppy kiss on her cheek before sliding into the seat beside her.
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ''I swear, he's like an old man.''
''You're older than me, sweetheart.''
''By six days.''
''Still counts, cradle snatcher.'' He teased. ''So, you know, I've been thinking-''
''Which is never a good thing-''
''Shush, you.''
Alexa turned to look at him incredulously. ''Did you just shush me?''
''I did.'' He smirked, loving seeing her all riled up. ''Problem?''
''Yeah, you-''
''Shut up!'' Chris cried suddenly, pinching the bridge of his nose. ''God, you two act like an old married couple.''
Alexa let out a small chuckle, casting a surreptitious look at her boyfriend who had made no outward reaction at the mention of marriage. It was something that they had never discussed, so she was unsure what his thoughts were about it. Hell, she wasn't even sure of her own stance on the prospect.
Clearing her throat quickly, she glanced at Jon. ''What was it you were thinking about?''
''Vegas.''
She blinked at him for a few seconds before repeating uncertainly. ''Vegas?''
He nodded, grinning down at her. ''It's perfect. Nice and warm, there's an airport, there's a ton of shit to do there...''
''It's tax free.'' Chris piped up from the other side of the table.
''And it's tax free.'' Jon echoed.
''Hmm... I don't know...''
''At least look at some places.'' The man insisted, slinging an arm over the back of her chair. ''Please?''
Alexa turned to face him, letting out an exasperated sigh when she found him giving her the puppy dog eyes. ''Okay! Fine, whatever.''
''Yes!'' He pumped his fist. ''It's going to be awesome, you'll see.''
She turned back to face Chris as he asked Jon something, zoning out of the conversation as she caught sight of Phil over the top of the Canadian's shoulder. What with her being away shooting the movie and him taking a sabbatical to rest up some injuries, they hadn't spoken at all since that night back in April. He had been part of her life for almost ten years, she missed him and all she wanted was to make things right again, but she didn't know how.
''Go talk to him.''
Alexa's head whipped to the side to stare at the man beside her. ''What?''
Jon nodded his head in the Chicagoan's direction. ''Go on, I know it's been eating you for weeks.''
''He attacked you, Jon.''
''He came to see me when he got back and we talked.'' He revealed softly. ''We're all good now, but he knows if he pulls anything like that again then I'll break his fucking legs.''
''Jon-''
''I'm going to leave you two to it.'' Chris sensed that the pair needed some time alone to talk and rose from his chair, glancing down at Alexa. ''I'll come see you before I leave.''
''Make sure you do.''
''Look.'' Jon continued as the blonde wandered off. ''Phil was one of your best friends before all of this shit happened. He was there for you through some tough times, I just think it's a shame if you let him throw that all away.''
''Let me get this straight; you actually want me and Phil to be friends?'' She asked, raising an eyebrow. ''After what happened?''
''I'm not exactly ecstatic about the idea.'' He admitted, his eyes darted to the man over in the corner. ''But I'm not going to tell you who you can and can't be friends with. I just want you to be happy and if being friends with him makes you happy, then fine.''
Her head tilted to the side as a small smile curled at her lips. ''You're pretty fucking amazing, you know that?''
Jon smirked, his hands coming up to rest behind his head as he leaned back in the chair. ''I know.''
''Hey.''
Phil's attention was suddenly drawn from his comic and his head snapped up upon hearing the tentative voice, his eyes immediately falling on Alexa. He was so surprised that she was standing in front of him that he didn't know what to say and just stared, the woman beginning to fidget under the intensity of his gaze.
''I can go, if you want, I-''
''No!'' He snapped, shaking his head before repeating gently. ''No, sorry... sit down, sit down.''
The chair scraped along the floor as she pulled it back and she dropped into it, forcing out a smile as she met his gaze. ''So, how are you feeling? All healed up?''
''Yeah, yeah, I'm good.'' He smiled, nodding at her. ''I feel a lot better, I think I really needed that time away from everything.''
She got the feeling he was talking about more than just the injuries that had plagued him, but wisely kept her mouth shut and changed the subject. ''I heard about what's going on with your mom... I'm sorry.''
Recently, he had to take out a restraining order against his birth mother who had started harassing him after he stopped offering her financial support. She was calling him non-stop, threatening to reveal information from his past to the press and saying she would kill herself unless he continued to cough up his hard-earned money. The judge had awarded him a two-year restraining order and he had also put in a request that she be banned from all WWE events going forward, something which was still under discussion.
Her comment elicited a derisive scoff from Phil. ''Don't be. It's not your fault she's a gold-digging bitch.''
''Still, it sucks.''
''Tell me about it. You know, you're lucky you haven't got to deal with this kind of stuff.''
It was her turn to scoff. ''Yeah, I'm super lucky that my Mother abandoned me...''
He sighed, a pang of regret hitting him. ''Sorry, I didn't think.''
''You never do.'' She shot back, sending them into a uncomfortable silence for a few moments before she spoke again. ''I miss you.''
The sight of her forlorn expression made his heart clench painfully in his chest. ''I miss you too, Lex.''
''I want things to go back to the way they were... I want my friend back.'' She stated quietly.
''You could still be friends with me, even after everything I did?''
''Yes.''
He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. ''I want to be your friend, Lex, I do... but then again, I don't, you know? How can I just be friends with you when every time I look at you, I can't help thinking about how much more I really want?''
''I...'' She trailed off, her mind not being able to come up with anything to say.
''While I was away I had a lot of time to think... and I guess I'd rather have you in my life as a friend than as nothing at all.''
''Really?'' She asked hopefully.
His eyes softened and he nodded. ''Really.''
''Good... because that means I can do this!'' She reached across the table and used all her strength to land a hard punch to his upper arm.
''Fuck!'' Phil cried, his face screwed up in pain as he rubbed the spot. ''What was that for?!''
''That was for kissing me and almost ruining my relationship.'' She told him matter-of-factly before sending him a small smile. ''Now, we're even.''
''Fine... I guess I kind of deserved that.'' He admitted reluctantly. ''So... tell me about this movie you went off to do...''