"I set her free knowing 
I couldn't hold something that 
wanted me to let it go"
Wilder

▽▽▽

Allen

“The fact that you just left her there like that is crazy, man” Tommy shook his head as we had just finished a breakfast his fiancée had prepared for us before she left for her final fitting.

I had known that him inviting me to breakfast was his way of trying to mediate things between Nicole and I since I hadn’t been in contact with her at all. He wasn’t the type of guy who willing chose to have breakfast and lunch with anyone when he was off from work, so I saw right through it.

Maybe I shouldn’t have driven off that night, but I was so upset with her and I had never felt so much anger towards Nicole before. It was mostly me being hurt but all I saw was red and then she was there.

I needed to get away from the entire situation.

She had chosen me and we were together, spending time together and sharing hotel rooms and it was great. But then when he got into town she would be obligated to share with him and be with him.
I had trusted her though because she had told me that she loved me, and I believed that while she had to pretend for their match, behind closed doors there was nothing happening.

I was an understanding man but there is only so much my ego can take before I just don’t know how to act like I am fine with it all. Watching that showstopping proposal in the ring in front of some of her family and his and the rest of the world just drew the line.

“I know. But what would you have done? I was watching that match because for me it was the end of having to see her with John. She had made it clear to me many times that once they finished that match, the chapter that centered around the two of them would be closed. And then what do I see?” I felt my jaw clench at the thought all over again.

I had flown home immediately and hadn’t even stayed for scheduled appearances which Vince hadn’t been too happy about. But if I had stayed they wouldn’t have gotten the AJ Styles they wanted so it was for the best that I had just flown out.

The whole world was talking about the fairytale ending for the two of them and my heart told me she had no choice but the other part of me said that she never wanted to choose me, and I had been nothing but a fool.

For the first time I had allowed something to interfere with my job and had allowed myself to be swayed by my personal life.
It was easy shoving it all to the back of your mind when you could avoid things but work is where I was exposed to them, so I couldn’t pretend I was fine with it all.

“I get it, but you know that she didn’t see any other option and I was pissed but I could also see it for what it was. But I ain’t the one that’s in love with her. It’s my wedding tomorrow so I would appreciate it, if you guys sorted it out” He narrowed his eyes at me and I wasn’t surprised that he had probably spoken to her afterwards.

I appreciated him defending me here and there but I knew he had strangely grown much closer to her and unlike before, I tried not to be jealous of that bond.

I rolled my eyes as I had flown in especially for his wedding so I was certainly aware of that but I didn’t think I could face Nicole just yet.
She hadn’t been on Smackdown so it saved me from having to avoid her, even though the replays they had shown and her appearances with him on shows the next day filling the arena was something I couldn’t avoid.

“How are we supposed to sort things out when she is engaged?” It was one thing running around town before but now, as his fiancée, the number of eyes on her were ridiculous.

“It’s just a technicality.” I scoffed at his words while he continued, “I wasn’t going to mention this to you, but I got into a fight with John on Monday”

“How did that happen?” I frowned as John wasn’t really one to get into any sort of brawl.
It didn’t matter what I thought about him concerning Nicole, I couldn’t deny that he was professional.

He sighed, seeming annoyed by the idea of the situation all over again while I was surprised I hadn’t heard about it on Smackdown since most of the superstars were on the same floor so any commotion would have been heard by them as well. 

“I was in my room, minding my business and I heard shouting coming from theirs. When I got there, he was pissed, and she was in tears which made me pissed and you can imagine how things went from there”

“Why was she in tears?” I was mad at her, but I couldn’t stop myself from being concerned about her, even if she was the last person that I wanted to see.

“Why do you think Allen? She knows she made a mistake, but I was there, and I heard shit. It was obvious he just did the proposal as a last, desperate shot but it didn’t work because she doesn’t want him she wants you.”

“Does he know that?” I sat back because if he did I was certain that I would have been tracked down and Tommy wouldn’t have been caught in the middle of the situation.

“He doesn’t know it's you, still believed it was me until I made it very clear he was wrong on that front”

I couldn’t tell whether he was annoyed that John assumed he was the mystery man or amused by it.

“I don’t know, man.” I shrugged. “I don’t mind seeing her because I do miss her but how would that conversation even go? I was willing to be there after it all and waited patiently but I can't wait for her while she plays the perfect fiancée to the world just so she doesn’t break his heart.”

“She’s here” Was all he said in response but the simple statement sounded more like the Tommy I knew than the peacemaker.

“I assumed she would be in town since she is invited to your wedding as well” I sighed as I knew she wouldn’t dare bring John as a plus one but now that they were engaged, it was hard to tell what she would do.

“No, I mean that she’s in the guest room sleeping as we speak” He glanced over his shoulder into his house and I glanced inside as well even though the guest room couldn’t be seen from where we were.

“And you choose to tell me now?”

He shrugged, “I assumed you knew, she doesn’t have a place right now. She is avoiding that mansion she shares with John and it’s not like my fiancée will let her spend the night in a hotel”

“So Rochelle knows?” I raised my eyebrow as she seemed very supportive of their friendship.

I knew her and Nicole had bonded since she had known Tommy but I would have found it odd that she were staying here if I weren’t aware of how things were between her and John.

“Not the finer details. Just that things are not what they seem, but you guys need to talk and get your shit together so that I don’t have to carry all of your fucking secrets” He grumbled before he threw the frisbee for his dogs and walked onto the back lawn with them.

●●●

Nikki

“Hello?” I mumbled as I had heard my phone ringing amongst the scattered pillows and held it to my ear even though my eyes were barely open.

“Nicole! Where on earth have you been?” I heard my sister’s voice and immediately regret answering as I had been avoiding her and the rest of my family.

I sighed as I pulled the covers over my face to block out the sun that let me know I had slept late again.

It wasn’t really my fault because Baron usually hung out with me and the time just flew by because he would drag me into playing video games with him and Rochelle. I appreciated it though, because if they hadn’t kept me busy with the wedding planning and other activities I would have been consumed with thoughts about Allen and the rest of the world.

“I’m so sorry, Brie. I kept meaning to get back to everyone but it’s just been an overwhelming week.” I breath and felt my chest tighten as I thought about all that had happened in less than a week.

I could still see Allen’s bright smile as we sat and looked out at the empty stadium, dreaming about our future after I was out of the storyline I had become imprisoned in. But that bright smile was soon replaced by the anger that filled his eyes and turned them cold as the rage took over his face and every part of his body.

We had fights before, but I wasn’t sure if he would even want to be in the same room with me any time soon.

“Well of course! You are engaged, I can’t believe it...” She gushed, and I smiled briefly not because I felt any joy in what the world perceived but because she sounded so happy and it’s how I wish I felt.

“Neither can I” I sighed which was something I found myself doing quite often. It felt like the only time I could relieve the heaviness on my heart.

I hated hurting people because I knew how much it could break you so I tried to be as gentle as I could with John and not let him know who the man was as well. But I should have just ended the storyline and told him it was Allen because me not being specific about things gave him the completely wrong impression.

“Are you okay?” The concern was clear in her voice.

I wished I was better at hiding things from her but the fearless me had disappeared the moment I had nodded to John’s proposal. If I were really the fearless woman I claimed to be, I would have left him on his knees and ran to the back into Allen’s arms.

“Yes, I just woke up that’s all.” I cleared my throat and slowly removed the covers and sat up against the fluffy pillows.

“It’s almost noon…” I heard her.

“I have been staying with Baron cause I am helping with their wedding planning so we have been having some late nights” I wasn’t lying when I said it because while you would think I would be depressed helping them.

I wasn't.

The idea of a wedding didn’t bother me, the person I was to marry did.

“Oh, I forgot that you mentioned that, but if you’re in Tampa wouldn’t you be staying at your own?”

“John’s out of town. You know I will look for any excuse not to stay alone. I love how you are just so curious about me when you should be on your way into labour soon” I voiced as I had been so consumed by everything happening in my life I hadn’t even realized that my sister still had to bring a life into this world.

“I really hope it's soon because she is really making me wait it out. Are you still flying in next week?” 

“Yes I am. I am sure she will be ready to make her debut then. It's probably just Baron’s prayers being answered so I don’t end up missing his wedding” I giggled slightly.

“That friendship still confuses me but I hope they have a lovely wedding though. The next wedding you will be attending is yours!” The excitement was heard in her voice again and I wasn’t sure what to say in response to it.

“Yeah, uhm…” I saw the door slowly opening and soon saw Baron peek in. It was like he just knew that I needed to be saved as always. “I have to go, Baron just walked in”

“Okay, see you next week”

“Next week” I mustered up a cheery tone before I hung up and tossed my phone to the side because I didn’t want to see what other messages I had waiting for me.

“She’s alive!” He smirked as he entered the room followed by Xander, their huge baby.

“I wish I had gotten some more sleep but yes I am, alive. I am guessing that Rochelle left for her fitting already?”

He chuckled as he sat on the edge of the bed while Xander moved beside me and I pet him just to acknowledge him. “Yes she left hours ago”

“How does she stay up with you like that?”

“I don’t know. We sort of got used to that routine, I mean we only get a couple of days together in a week most of the time so we try and make the most of it” He shrugged with a small smile.

I hadn’t even thought of befriending Baron before I had started travelling with him and Allen but I was happy that I got to know him more through his love for Rochelle. It let me see a different side of him which ultimately led to me actually enjoying his crude comments and annoyed stares because I knew it was just how he was and not because he was trying to be an ass.

I mean, sometimes he was just being an ass but he had his moments where it was just in good fun.

“That makes sense.” I nodded.

“I planned to come in here with some good news but unfortunately my plan didn’t go so well”

“What plan?” I frowned.

“I called AJ over for breakfast and thought I would be able to get him to speak to you but er… he left.” He shrugged and I could see he felt bad about it as he briefly glanced at Xander before he looked at me again.

“I know you don’t want things to be awkward at your wedding and I will just steer clear of him.” I offered a small smile, and tried to hide the hurt I felt because I didnt want to make him feel worse about his 'plan'.

“Yeah that would be great but I didn’t just do it for my wedding. I'm kind of sick of seeing you moping around”

“Wow, that’s so nice to hear” I narrowed my eyes.

“I think I have been soft enough on you for the past week but its time to sort shit out” He smirked.

“You just said that he left even though he knew I was here. He doesn’t want anything to do with me” I sighed as I ran a hand through my tangled hair.

“I think he is just scared that you will end up breaking up with him or something. What is your plan though? Don’t you think you gave John hope by saying you just needed some distance?”

I was overwhelmed by all the questions he threw my way but I knew they needed to be answered. I should have known all the answers by now but it had been easy to block it out with their help.

“I needed to say something just for him to let me leave that wouldn’t end with you sporting a blue eye on your wedding day” I shrugged and partially answered his question because I didn’t have any plan.

“I can defend myself just fine, Bella.” He rolled his eyes.

“I know but I don’t want you to keep putting yourself on the line for me.” I shook my head because he had played bodyguard and therapist for most of our friendship.

“It's not like you asked me to. I want to because you are my friend whether I like it or not. Anyway, get up cause we have to get shit done today. Rochelle left us a list”

“You are probably the most involved groom I have ever met”

“She likes to keep me on my toes” He shrugged while I moved into the shower and tried to push back the hurt I felt due to Allen choosing not to speak to me as far as it would go.

♥♥♥♥

I hope you are still enjoying this book!
What do you think about Allen leaving?
Baron trying to help?
Nicole avoiding everyone?