Author Note: This chapter was a really fun one to write and I hope you all enjoy it. The lyrics in this chapter are from Shinedown, they don't belong to me. We will meet someone who is a good friend of Savannah's. Let me know what you think.

A special thanks goes to: Levesque-Rollins823, bella315, rkosgirl1 and Leasha Ambrose for the wonderful reviews.

Chapter 27: Breaking Inside

Savannah

Becky finally decided on what place we would be sharing those drinks. It was a small bar on the outside of the city. There was a packed parking lot and the sound of loud music was flowing out into the street. I knew she was hurting and this was all I could do for her. There had to be more to Roman's reason for backing away than just guilt. Maybe this Adrian guy was blackmailing him? That was always a possibility considering this guy was completely obsessed with making Roman's life a living hell.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I let Seth know where I was so if he wanted to come out later he could. The fresh air blew into my face the second I opened the car door. Becky moved around the back to join me. Her eyes were glazed over with a haze. She had been crying earlier on and her eyes were starting to look normal, without the bloodshot color. "You know we don't have to do anything. We could have just hung out in your hotel room and watched old movies." I said pulling my ID and some cash out of my wallet before Becky locked my bag inside the car.

"I need to be out, Savannah, I don't want to think about Roman and this the only way I can drown it out...at least for a little while."

"Drinking isn't going to help...believe me I would know."

"Oh come on, you promised me a drink."

She pouted a little, allowing her bottom lip to come out over her top one. Of course, I caved. Letting out a little sigh, I then smiled at her. We walked across the street to enter the bar. The bouncer stopped us to check our ID's and then took ten dollars from us as a cover for the band that was playing. Hearing the music, I could have sworn I knew the person singing without seeing him and then his face came into view.

Becky elbowed me slightly, "Isn't that Tyler Broadson?" She asked. I simply nodded. Tyler was the lead of a cover band out of Baltimore. I've known him since we were kids, cause we practically grew up together. The band traveled all over the place to perform. It wasn't about the money to them. They just loved to perform for people, love or hate.

"We are going to take a short break. Get yourselves some drinks." Tyler said into the microphone before putting it back onto the stand.

Turning away, the bartender asked us what we wanted. "Two Bud Lights." I stated handing her a twenty in sequence. It didn't take her long to deliver the cold bottles to us and my change. Handing one the bottles to Becky, I turned to come face to face with Tyler. "Savannah?" He said out of shock.

"It's been a while, Tyler."

He wrapped me up in a tight hug before letting me go. He even hugged Becky, who he's met several times over the years. It was nice to see a familiar face in a city I knew no one in. The bartender handed him a beer without asking for any money. I supposed it the benefit of being the band in charge of entertaining the audience. "It's been too long, missy. How the hell have you been?" He asked with a wide smile.

"I've been pretty good. I get back in the ring on Sunday." I said feeling pretty proud.

"I will definitely have to watch it then."

Tyler turned to Becky who was taking large sips of her beer. I knew the more she drank the giddier she would become. He draped an arm over her shoulders, leaning his head against hers. "So have you been keeping an eye on her?" He asked.

"Oh but of course." Becky replied almost laughing.

"You know...since your here...how about you do a song with me?" He asked looking straight at me.

"Uh...I don't know..."

I turned to see Becky silently pleading with me to agree. She always did love to see me sing. I mean, how could I pass up a chance to cheer her up and enjoy a moment with a long time friend? His smile got wider, knowing that I wasn't going to be able to say no. "Alright, what did you have in mind?" I asked.

Roman

Stuffing my belongings back into my bag, I thought about Becky. The look on her face just as I closed the door told me everything I needed to know. She cared. I think she cared a little too much for her own good. The closer she got to me, the more Adrian was going to target her. No matter how much I wanted that second chance at happiness to be with her, it would be selfish of me to put her in harms way.

Lifting the bag over my shoulder, I walked out of the locker-room. I could see Seth and Dean ahead of me talking quietly. My phone vibrated against my leg. It made me think that it could be Savannah trying to smooth things over again; but for some reason, I had a bad feeling about it. Continuing to walk, I pulled the device out to read the message waiting for me.

A picture of Becky and Savannah at some bar was displayed. There was a man talking to them. I recognized him as Savannah's friend Tyler. I knew the photo was going to delete itself the second I exited the screen. There was panic swelling within me. Adrian was watching her again. Watching them. Could I really let it go? Not a chance in hell. "Seth!" I hollered trying to get his attention.

"Yeah!" He replied turning around to face me. Dean doing the same.

"Where is Savannah right now?" I asked.

"At a local bar with Becky, why?" He answered.

I closed the distance between us and quickly showed them the photo before it self-deleted. Seth's face lost all color instantly. The anger was entwined with the panic he had to be feeling. Dean closed his eyes, probably trying to figure out what the best course of action would be. None of us had a fucking clue what to do. The only thing we could do was go check out the place for ourselves and hope to catch him in the act. "Do you know where this place is, Seth?" Dean asked.

"Yeah it's a couple miles from here."

"I'm going with or without you guys." I declared stepping in between them towards the exit.

"Roman wait!" Dean shouted after me.

Continuing on, I made it out into the parking garage with the two of them not far behind. Dean got into the backseat of my rental, while Seth got into the front seat to direct me to their location. Our traveling was awkward and not what it used to be. In the old days, it was Dean who used to make us laugh our asses off. Seth was the one to introduce us to new music he discovered and Savannah...well she was the heart and soul of our little group.

"Turn left up here at the intersection." He directed.

"Calm down, Roman. We need a clear mind when we get there." Dean suggested.

He had to of seen my shaking hands on the wheel. I tried to do as he advised; but the only thing I could think about was Becky and how innocent she was in all of this. She didn't deserve any of it. Seth got us to our destination without too much trouble. Pulling into the crowded parking lot, I found a spot at the very end.

Hearing the music from the outside of the building, I knew there was a band playing. Which meant a cover charge just to get inside. It brought back memories of the three of us going to clubs like this as friends. Sometimes I missed those moments. Our careers had gotten in the way of what was really important and that frustrated me sometimes.

"There is Savannah!" Seth pointed out towards the front of the stage.

Becky's orange-red hair came into view no more than a few seconds later. A sense of relief washed over me. Her body moved with the music and a smile was on her face. Savannah's friend Tyler was on the stage pouring his emotions out in the songs. He reached out to touch her hand in a high-five. Dean approached us with three beers. I raised an eyebrow at him. "What? If we are going to spy on the girls, lets do it while we are drinking. Old times brother...old times." He said handing me a beer, which was accepting without hesitation.

"We aren't spying on them. We are making sure some douche bag doesn't do anything to them." I replied taking a sip of the cold bitter liquid.

"Same thing..." Seth commented taking a sip of his beer.

Tyler took a long drink of his water from behind just before coming to the microphone. "There is a friend of mine in the audience tonight and she has accepted my invitation to do a song with me, so ladies and gentlemen...I give you Savannah Kelly." He introduced breathlessly.

Savannah got up onto the stage, taking a second microphone in her hand. Becky was left right up front. The smile never left her face. Looking around the bar, I couldn't see Adrian anywhere. He was either really good at blending it with the crowd or he was already gone. Neither option sat well with me at all. Seth kept his eyes fixed on Savannah and Dean kept watch on the crowd. My eyes were glued to Becky's form.

She was absolutely beautiful dressed in a white tank top with the sides cut out to show off her tanned skin. Her jean shorts were snugly formed around her curves. Her hair fell down her back in large waves with several small braids entwined throughout. "Thank you, Tyler. This song is actually for a friend of mine. The past doesn't have to be who we are in the present; so Roman, this is for you." Savannah said.

"Busted." Dean commented humorously.

"How the hell did she see us from up there?" Seth asked trying to hold back a laugh himself.

That really was a good question. The music started up and I could see Becky turn her head. Her eyes caught mine for a moment before turning her attention back to Savannah. Tyler lifted the microphone to his lips and opened his mouth, allowing the emotions to flow.

"I caught a chill
And it's still frozen on my skin
I think about why
I'm alone, by myself
No one else to explain
How far do I go
No one knows
If the end is so much better why don't we just live forever
Don't tell me I'm the last one in line
Don't tell me I'm too late this time

I don't want to live
To waste another day
Underneath the shadow of mistakes I made
'Cause I feel like I'm breaking inside
I don't want to fall and say I lost it all
'Cause baby there's a part of me to hit the wall
Leaving pieces of me behind
And I feel like I'm breaking inside"

Of course she would have to pick a song like this to get my emotions flowing. I mentally cursed her ability to do such things. Becky swayed with every beat, drawing me in. I wanted to be near her, touch her skin, and kiss those lips again. I hated to be the one that hurt her. Seth and Dean looked at me spontaneously. "You do know she cares for you, right?" Dean asked.

"I know; but I can't..." I answered doing my best to fight against my own desire for the sake of her own safety.

Savannah lifted the microphone she held to her lips, it's been a while since I heard her voice. Seth immediately turned away from me to pay attention to her. No surprise there. He was always the one to give her his full attention any time she asked for it.

"Out here, nothings clear
Except the moment I decided to move on and I ignited
Disappear into the fear
You know there ain't no comin' back
When you're still carrying the past
You can't erase, separate
Cigarette in my hand,
Hope you all understand

I won't be the last one in line
I finally figured out what's mine"

Her voice mirrored Tyler's perfectly, especially when they sang together. The words were meant to send me a message, though some of it wasn't from her. Perhaps, Becky encouraged it. It was something Becky had been trying to tell me for the last few days. She didn't want me to dwell on the past.

Loud cheers and claps erupted throughout the entire bar for the performance. Savannah stepped down from the stage and took Becky by the hand. They were heading in our direction, which made me stop and think about what I could possibly say to either one of them. Dean hugged them both as Becky walked straight towards the bar. Seth leaned in for a kiss, which was accepted by Savannah. She turned to look me dead in the eye.

"Do you understand now?" She asked.

"Sav, it's not that simple. I've expressed this to you and Becky."

"It is that simple. Don't let Adrian run your life...don't let him beat you. You are Roman fucking Reigns damnit!"

I blinked several times, not expecting this kind of pep talk from her. Was she seriously fighting for my happiness? She really was the heart and soul of our little group of friends, or acquaintances nowadays. Seth laced his fingers through hers and looked back up at me. There wasn't hostility towards me. I looked to Dean. He had such a goofy look on his face that almost made me chuckle. The moment

made me forget about Adrian and enjoy the company.

"Roman..." Becky called.

Her voice caressed my skin, sending a shiver up my spine. Her thick accent was beyond sexy. I turned around to see her warm smile aimed in my direction. When she looked at me like that, it was hard to fight against her even if it was better that I stayed away. She took a step closer and took my hand, twining her fingers through mine. It wasn't the biggest step; but it was one in the right direction of letting go of everything that's been haunting me for months.

I leaned down and placed a chaste kiss to her temple. Looking at the group in front of me, I was reminded that sometimes the past can be healed and broken friendships could be mended with the right motivation and the right people fighting for it.