Mike has no doubt that the night before had just been a one night only thing. But the memory of it stays with him, how AJ's touch had felt, the sound of her voice, all of the little moments that they'd stolen together following Tamina's surgery. It's the only thing holding him together as he leaves for Smackdown, continuing this messy situation he finds himself in with Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn... He breathes in and out as Maryse stands next to him, the two of them still playing the dedicated married couple to the hilt.
He hates what he thinks is coming, this match that's brewing. Knowing how things have been going, it's going to be another multi-man match where he could easily lose his belt without being involved in the decision, and then what... He closes his eyes and tries to relax, attempts to find some comfort in Maryse's warmth against his side, but she's not who he wants or needs, so it's an empty sort of relief. He loses to Sami Zayn by DQ which is frustrating, but not as bad as it could've been. His night is essentially over so he's glad to go back to the hotel, take a hot, lingering shower, and then collapse into bed, half-watching as Maryse brushes her hair before crawling into the other bed.
They lay silently for awhile before she shifts and whispers, "I'm sorry, Mike. I'm sorry things aren't going better for you right now."
"It's not your fault," he forces out after a minute. No, he had made his bed weeks ago. Now he was going to have to lay in the cold, uncomfortable thing all on his lonesome. He's not sure if Maryse says or does anything else after this, closing his eyes and quickly giving into dreams full of AJ and Sara Louisa.
He has media early the next morning so he's up, with his laptop and cell phone, in the lobby of the hotel, trying not to disturb Maryse's sleep, when his phone lights up. He hisses, not recognizing the number right off, before the text within gives him pause. "Hello, Mike, I know we are far from friends and we haven't conversed in months, but perhaps if you could allow me five minutes of your time... I need to speak with you. It's urgent. -DS"
Why exactly Sandow would be texting him after over a year had passed since they'd last worked together, Mike's not sure, but a suspicious feeling creeps down his spine and he responds simply, "I'm in the hotel lobby." It only takes a few minutes before he looks up to find Sandow staring at him. He stares back, unsure what to make of all of this, when Sandow finally moves, walks over and sits down across from him. "So," he says after a few moments.
Sandow releases a breath that sounds like it contains all of the oxygen he's ever stored in his body his entire life, before holding his own phone out to Mike. Mike's been so busy with interviews and standard media things that he does over phone or email that checking twitter had been the furthest thing from his mind, so he was unaware. Unaware that a mass release spree had gone down in the last couple of hours. Hornswoggle, El Torito, a handful of other names... and Alex Riley. Which leaves him unsettled, almost tempted to call the man, check on him. But he figures Alicia has that handled, probably- despite the divorce, she's trying to be nice to the man, even when none of them really are that eager to converse with him- so he leaves it... His eyes then rest on the final name and he looks up at Sandow, a troubled grimace crossing his face.
"So," Sandow finally speaks. "You told me again and again things only end poorly for those of us who have tossed you aside, tried to make names for ourselves. It appears you're right, Daniel Bryan's had to retire and the other two of us have gotten fired in the same day. If you are going to say I told you so, you may as well do it now because it's your last opportunity to rub it in my face."
Mike releases a breath, shakes his head slowly. "I'll pass this time." He hesitates. "You were a good stunt double before the fans got into your head. I wish things had ended better for you."
Sandow half smirks. "You know, I almost think you're sincere with that."
Mike rolls his eyes at him and moves to stand as Sandow does, holding a hand out towards him. "If you ever need anything, you have my phone number."
Sandow nods, staring down at his hand. Brushing it aside, he steps forward and hugs Mike. A little awkwardly, a little tense, but still. Nice, in a way. Mike closes his eyes and hugs him back, struggling to comprehend that all of the men he'd tried to help in their careers are now gone. "Take care of yourself, and AJ and the baby," Damien tells him simply, pulling away and smirking at him. "Yes, I know of Sara Louisa. Hard not to when Alicia gushes to anyone in earshot."
Mike worries, briefly, about if anyone will rat him out for having a newborn while playing up this Maryse thing, but now's not the time to dwell on that. "I would tell you the same," he says slowly. "But I have no doubt you're going to be just fine, so I won't."
Sandow laughs almost painfully. "I wish I had your confidence."
"You'll see," Mike tells him. "I didn't choose you to be my stunt double for nothing." Clapping him on the arm, Mike searches his face before turning and digging around in his bag, pulling out the pair of sunglasses that he had given Sandow ages ago, when their time together had begun. Ones he'd never quite found the time (inclination) to get rid of. He sighs, placing them on Sandow's face, adjusting them painstakingly. "Now go out and kick some ass. Prove WWE wrong for releasing you."
Sandow nods, his eyes glinting under the tinted lenses. "I will. Thank you, Mike."
Mike watches him leave, sinking back into his seat and sighing. He has no doubt that his title match at Extreme Rules will be annoying and brutal, he knows that fighting for his marriage will be painful and require more patience than he or AJ have maybe ever had, but he also knows that he actually has things pretty damn good now. So no matter what, he'll come out the other side just fine as well, in time.