|Randy|

“Are you attending the Hall of Fame this year?” I heard Nikki even though I was trying my best to pretend like I was taking a nap on John’s tour bus, she could never leave me in peace.

“Why do you ask?” I lazily questioned because I didn’t want to answer her when I still hadn’t received an answer from Lyla. I didn’t want to bring it up when we would text or facetime because I didn’t want to possibly upset her when I wasn’t with her in person.

“I just got a picture update from my designer with my dress and it's almost done so, I am simply checking. With this feud that John and I are in, and my relationship continuously on blast, I need the good things of us working together to outshine all the hate that’s being sent my way.” I peeked at her and saw a pout forming, she was always concerned about the two cents that the world had to give.

I wasn't.

Maybe it was just a woman thing.

Maybe not.

I knew John cared about all of their opinions too, even though he probably wouldn't let her in on just how much.

“At least the storyline they are going with is you guys having a love conquers all vibe” I shrugged and ran a hand over my face to wipe off any fatigue that may have settled in while I was pretending to sleep.

“True, but please answer my question.” She narrowed her eyes at me and I resisted returning her stare with a glare of my own.

I sighed instead, “I do plan on going but whether I actually do is very much dependent on my girlfriend”

“You invited her?” She immediately questioned and was clearly surprised as she did which I tried not to be offended by.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I couldn’t contain the annoyance in my voice though.

“I don’t know. I mean, you should... I just thought it would be weird after all this time, showing up with someone else when a lot of people have always associated you with your ex”

I sighed as I understood where she was coming from but I hadn't even thought about it at all with regards to that. Yes, a large part of my career had consisted of Samantha being backstage or in the crowd but people were the last thing on my mind. “Its been years…”

“Years of you just doing your meaningless flings that was barely memorable. Showing up with a girlfriend on your arm would be a lot!” She further pointed out which caused me to sit up and stare at her. 

“So, you are saying that I made a mistake by asking her?” I raised my eyebrow and she caught the lingering annoyance as she shook her head.

“Not at all. But it would be your first time showing her to the world, apart from the social media posts. It’s a big deal.”

I rolled my eyes because now she was sounding just like Lyla had. “Now I know that she probably won’t come because of your fucking reasoning, she is not a fan of big deal situations”

“Not everyone likes the public life and with the life she has lived its easy not to want the spotlight shown on her. I say that with zero judgment, but you know how these people can get...” She explained and I was reminded that I hadn't relayed to Lyla that Nikki knew. In my defense, I hadn’t told her about what Lyla used to do, she figured it out all on her own, and since Lyla quit I guess there was no real reason to let her know.

“You sound like Renee.” I grunted as I had received a similar lecture from her about preferably dating someone within our industry because, while it was difficult, it was easier.

“As the better halves to fellow wrestlers you should know that we know what we are talking about. And we know the industry, but it can still be hard” She narrowed her eyes.

“Why do I feel like I am in a therapy session?” I groaned before I ran a hand over my face yet again.

“I just want you to try and see things from her perspective because you have the tendency to just think about what you want and that’s to show her off but not about how that will affect her” She shrugged.

“So, I am just a selfish prick?” I blurted out and couldn’t hold back the annoyance in my voice that often surfaced when Lyla protested being seen with me.

“No, you are just a man in love and there is nothing wrong with that, that’s why you have me!” She smiled even though we both knew I wasn’t one to be talked out of things, having someone give more insight into how Lyla felt always helped because my girlfriend had a tendency to be vague at times.

“Have you for what?” I heard John’s voice before he appeared on the bus.

“He wants Lyla to come to the awards with him.” She answered and I could see the surprise on his face and knew whatever he had to say was going to tick me off.

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

I glanced at him and certainly wasn’t a fan of the tone of voice he used even though his reaction didn’t surprise me. The last time at their apartment had left a bitter taste in my mouth, I hated that Lyla heard us arguing. I was sure she hadn't heard most of the things he had to say but she heard enough to question whether he even had a liking for her.

“I think it is. He just needs to be mindful that it might be overwhelming for her” Nikki smiled as she briefly glanced at me even though she had just tried to talk me out of it as well. She knew her boyfriend and probably caught his lack of happiness for my new relationship.

I shook my head because I wasn’t going to beat around the bush with him when we were used to telling each other like it is. “I don’t think that’s what he cares about. You still don’t think it’s serious, do you?”

He stared at me for a bit before he gave a weak shrug, “Time will tell...” 

“I really didn’t think you were the judgmental type, John.” I scoffed as he walked over to take a seat next to Nikki.

“I am not being judgmental. I am just surprised… bringing her backstage as a fan is one thing, even the post was a bit much but having her show up to one of the biggest nights of the year is…” I wasn’t going to let him finish as I felt the anger building as I stood to my feet.

I think I had done a pretty good job of controlling my temper over the years but when it came to someone being against the woman I loved…

“...Important to me, just like she is. She matters even more to me than the event because as I told you before I love her, so I don’t know why you are still questioning shit. I don’t know why I got offended when Nikki was against it because at least she was taking my girlfriend into consideration, but all you are concerned about is my image. Maybe if you didn’t care so much about the image you would just marry Nikki and not care about your divorce that went to shit!” I spat out.

“Randy!” I hear her and closed my eyes as I was pissed off at him not her.

I turned to her apologetically before I fixed my glare on him again, “Nikki, I am sorry. John, I am not. Why don’t you worry about getting your head straight on what you want with the woman you love instead of being so concerned with mine when I am very certain about where I stand with Lyla.”

I turned on my heel and left knowing I would have to return for my things since I travelled with them but I knew things would only escalate if I stayed behind.

“Perfect timing...” I sighed as I answered the phone which had rung as soon as I stepped off the bus.

“Is everything okay?” I heard her concerned voice as I hadn't done well at hiding the lingering anger in my voice. “If it’s a bad time, I can…”

“No. It’s always a good time to hear your beautiful voice” I softened my voice as I made my way into the arena and slowly walked down one of the darkened hallways to get some privacy.

“Didn’t sound that way before. What happened?” 

I sighed, “Just not seeing eye to eye on things with people at work but its something we’ll have to agree to disagree on I guess.”

“If there is anyone that can persuade someone to choose their side it would be you” She immediately responded and I heard the hint of amusement in her voice.

“If only that were true” I lowly voiced.

“I am your girlfriend, after denying you and not seeing your vision many times before finally giving in” She pointed out.

“I thought it was my persistence that wore you down” I smirked and I don’t know how she did it but gone was the anger and all I focused on was her smile on the other side of the call, I could tell by her voice.

“Same difference” She giggled.

“Hasn’t worked for me on one thing between us though” I sighed as while I had avoided bringing it up, the brief argument with John just made me want to know what her answer would be immediately.

“And what is that?”  She questioned.

“You haven’t RSVP’ed yet.” 

She sighed, “For the awards?”

“I know you don’t want to be seen but it would really mean the world to have you by my side. We can just do the red carpet and the moment you feel uncomfortable we can leave. That’s my world, Lyla. Nobody will be questioning you on things you wouldn’t want them too…”

“While I appreciate the speech, I was calling to tell you that I will be going. I just wanted to know what you would want me to wear and…”

I cut her off as a grin made its way onto my face and for the first time for the night I was pleasantly surprised. “Don’t worry about any of that. We will sort it out when I get home this weekend, but you were going to let me grovel instead of telling me?”

“No, I was going to tell you first thing but then you sounded upset so I wanted to know if you were okay first and then the conversation took a turn.” She explained.

“It doesn’t matter. This news just made my night, baby” I smirked and I heard a laugh.

“I am still weary about it though but I know how much it would mean to you and I want to be there for you, by your side” 

I smiled as I heard her voice soften before I rest my head back against the wall and closed my eyes, “I am looking forward to it”

◆◆◆◆

So its been about 5months since my last update. 😔
2021 is close to being over and I have been going through alot of change so sorry for being a terrible updater 🥺
Hope everyone is safe and doing well though 💜