Vs. Raab

===========================================

11/25/2019

Chicago, Illinois

===========================================

The sun peaked in through the curtains, shining upon my face and in my eyes to the point where I couldn’t ignore it. I rolled over, blinking a few times as I sat up in the bed. I let out a groan as I stood to my feet. I made my way into the kitchen and made some coffee. I checked on Cody, but remembered he was at Adrina’s.

As the coffee brewed, I entered my built-in gym, because every wrestler has to have one. I did some quick exercises, hitting all the muscle groups quick, fast, and hard. Those are three words some ladies would use to describe my sexual technique. Once I finished up, I poured a cup of coffee, pouring some protein-based creamer in there.

I opened my laptop, going to the main SCW website, to see if Cassidy Carter had made any mention of our match. At that point she had not, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was going to do so. Cassidy didn’t seem to have the same drive as Rachel, but I knew I was going to approach her like she was just as dangerous as her mentor, if not worse. Plus, I knew Ace would be there.

I couldn’t help but respect the guy. He was a shit stain back in the day, but he had really come into his own a few years back. He became a multiple time World Champion, and really took the SCW by storm. He had classic feuds with just about everyone. He needed to be smacked either way, but for waiting so long to be like a good wrestler made me think it needed to happen sooner rather than later. I made a mental note to slap him or something during my match with Cassidy.

I left my laptop, grabbed my phone, and checked Twitter. Checked out the babes on my timeline, before grabbing a shower. I got dressed and realized how boring my morning routine was when my nephew wasn’t around. I needed to get a life, I said as I made another mental note as I left my place in my ride.

After surviving some pretty terrible traffic, I reached Adrina’s place. I knocked on the door, and was met by Evelyn.

“Asher.”

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“Fuck off.” She said, with a smirk.

I grinned. “I love our sweet talk. I can’t get enough of it. Especially when you get down and dirty from the very beginning.”

She sighed, rather heavily. I couldn’t tell if I made her moist, or if she wanted to stab me in the throat. “Cody will be right out.”

“Well, can I come in? Its not the warmest out here?”

She rolled her eyes. “Do come in.” She said, before turning and closing the door in my face.

I stopped it with my foot before slowly stepping inside, half-expecting her to attack me with a broom or a six-foot-long dildo. Neither happened. Once again, boring but I was okay with not enduring any sort of violence at the moment.

“Nice place.” I said. “Nothing’s changed since the last time I got to step foot inside.”

“We’re having the bedroom redone.” She called out from the kitchen. I edged closer as she poured herself a drink. “Would you like one?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Good. I wasn’t going to make one either way.”

“I’m not surprised. So, having the bedroom redone?”

She shot me a look that would make the assholes of most mortal men tighten up. I was too busy trying not to laugh at her response. “Yes. I couldn’t stand being in that room, especially the bed, after you tarnished it.”

“I’m pretty sure my cock and balls didn’t even graze the sheets, Evelyn.”

“I wasn’t going to take a chance.” She said, before gulping down some of her drink.

“So, isn’t it a little early for you to be drinking? Are there problems at home?”

“Yes.” She said with a nod. “You’re here.”

What a bitch, right? I grinned. “I am me, after all. But, if you really want to ease your pain, you should try heroin.”

She put her drink down on the kitchen counter. The butthole tightening glare intensified. “Is that supposed to be some kind of a joke?”

“I’m just trying to help you out.” Her glare remained. “Or not. Totally a joke.” She groaned, grabbed her drink, and left me in the kitchen. Adrina made her way out a few minutes later. “There she is. How are you, gorgeous?”

She flicked a sideways glance at me. “I see you’ve made quite the impression on my fiance’s day.”

“If you can really call her that.”

“She is.” Adrina stated, flipping me off before pouring a cup of coffee. I was glad not everyone was an alcoholic in the relationship. “We’re getting married.”

“Have you set a date?”

“Its possible.” She said, sipping her coffee. “You’ll know when everyone else does. Or maybe you won’t.”

“Hopefully my nephew would tell me. I know he’d be invited.”

“I wouldn’t tell you shit.” Cody entered the kitchen just then.

“You’re such a traitor.” I stated, rolling my eyes. “You ready to go?”

“Not really. But I guess I can get that way.” He replied.

“It was awesome having you here, Cody.” Adrina said, putting her arm around him. They were always so good together.

“Thanks for having me.” He said.

“Aren’t you two just cute.” I said, stepping closer, putting my arms around both of them. “Look at us.” I began. “This is the way it should be. The way it should have always been.”

“Are you drunk?” Cody asked.

“What?” I asked, feeling my face contort slightly.

“Yeah, are you drunk?” Adrina asked next, causing me to revert my attention to her.

“Why are you guys asking me that?”

“Because.” She said, breaking away from the group hug I initiated. “You’d know why things aren’t the way they used to be if you were sober.”

“That was below the belt.”

She shrugged and I released a sigh, before telling Cody to grab his shit. We made our way out of the kitchen, heading for the front door, when Adrina called out. “Cody.” She said, and we turned around. “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”

He looked at me. “What are my plans?”

“Um?”

I heard Adrina sigh and I looked at her. “Asher…” She began, clearly not wanting to. “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”

“Is that an invite?” I asked, shooting her grin which she didn’t return.

===========================================

A Few Years Ago

Chicago, Illinois

===========================================

“How did we end up in here?”

Her voice shot out, waking me from whatever fresh Hell I was resting in. When everything came to, I saw I was in a hospital room. I had tubes connected to me. I wanted to panic at first, but I knew there was no need to. I knew why I was there. No, I wasn’t getting my stomach pumped due to semen overload. I was there for an overdose or coming close to one.

“Hey.” I heard her call out. I looked to my left and saw her sitting in one of the chairs within the room. We looked at one another, and Rachel didn’t seem pleased in the slightest. “I asked you a question.”

“I know. And I didn’t answer.” I said, pressing my head into the pillow, thinking if I pushed as hard as I could that the pillow would swallow me, and I wouldn’t be connected to machines, nor would I have to share a room with my demons that never seemed to go away. “You already know why I’m in here.”

“Oh, because you can’t handle your drugs?” She asked, mocking me as she rose from her seat. “You asked for, and you got it. Didn’t think you’d end up in here. I think this is worse than the hotel room, Asher. But I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. So pathetic and tragic.”

I sat up a little bit in the bed. “I’m glad you’re getting so much fun of this, Rachel.”

“You’re a piece of art. I take comfort in knowing that everything falls apart. Yourself included. It’s fascinating.”

“And what about you? Aren’t you falling apart?”

She shrugged. “Not in the least. I hit rock bottom and rose from the ashes. Something you’ve not done. Hit rock bottom, that is. And even if you did…” She paused, looking me up and down. “It doesn’t appear that you’re strong enough to get back up again.”

“I’m a lot stronger than you give me credit for.”

“If that was the case, then you wouldn’t be here.” She said, as she inched closer to my bed. Once she reached it, she knelt down, her face just inches from mine. I remembered her scent. Her smell, her warmth, it was all too real. “I give you as much credit as you fucking deserve, Asher Hayes. And it’s not much.”

Before I could say anything, the door to my room opened. A nurse stepped in, and Rachel was gone. The nurse checked my vitals and seemed to avoid eye contact. “So, what’s the verdict? Am I going to make it?” I asked, giving a smile.

She didn’t seem to care.

“Not going to share a laugh with a dead man?” I asked, chuckling a bit and still getting nothing.

“You’re very lucky to be alive.” She said, not taking her eyes from her clipboard as she jotted down notes. I felt like most people do after listening to a Giovanni Aries promo. There was no point. I watched her walk out. The door opened wide before it even had a chance to shut, as my sister Kara, and my good agent friend, Hank stepped into the room.

“Did you get her number?” Hank asked, referencing the nurse, lifting his hands to his ass and indicating she had a plump one. It definitely wasn’t a slouch.

“Nah. It was like talking to a brick wall. I was able to get something out of her, though.”

“What did she say?” He asked as he stood in front of me. Kara took a seat in the chair where I found Rachel.

“She said I was lucky to be alive.”

I noticed Kara glance down for a few moments, shaking her head, before she replied. “She’s telling you the truth.”

“How bad was it?” I asked, turning my head to look in her direction.

Like the nurse, she avoided eye contact. I couldn’t say I blamed her if we’re being honest. “Do I really need to remind you of where you are?”

“No.” I said, looking away and down. “Kara, I’m sorry.”

She shook her head again, as I looked up at her. “Don’t go there with me.”

“Yeah, I don’t think sorry is going to cut it, Ash.” Hank chimed in.

“I know it doesn’t make up for anything. I know that.” I said, looking down once again, the feeling of defeat quickly creeping over me. “Just like I know I’m sick. Whatever this is…” I paused, grinding my teeth together. “I know it’s a sickness. It’s a fucking sickness. I want to get better.”

Kara bolted over to me, catching me off guard, with a slap to the face. We locked eyes as the sting from the blow rippled through my skin. “You can sit here and say that shit all you want…” She said, glaring in my eyes. “But talk is cheap until you actually back up your words. I’ve heard you say this shit over and over and over. I’m sick of hearing it. Do you something about it!” I could see tears building up in her eyes. I went to respond, but she turned away.

“She’s right, you know…” Hank said, as he stepped forward. “You’ve been down this road one too many times. You almost fucking died, Asher. You keep on this path, and you’re going to run out of chances.”

I sighed. “You say that like I don’t already know that.”

“Do you?”

I grinded my teeth together once more. “Yeah, I know that. Just like I know I’m a fuck up. And that’s why I do drugs. That is why I’m in here. I’m so fucking sick that I want to kill myself…” I buried my face in my hands as soon as the words escaped my lips.

“Look at me.” I heard Kara say. I took a deep breath and pulled my hands from my face, so our eyes could meet. “You’re a great guy, Asher. You are killing yourself, but you can stop. You can get help. You know I need you around for when the baby gets here. I want them to know their Uncle Asher as the great guy I’ve always known him to be.”

I shook my head. “You don’t need me around, sis. Look at me. I’m a fucking burden. I’m probably stressing the shit out of you, which you don’t need. You or the baby for that matter.”

“Yeah, you have stressed me the fuck out but you’re my brother, and I love you.” She said, looking down. She sat on the bed, and as I looked at her, I knew there were not enough words to tell her how much I loved her back. If she hadn’t shown up, I wouldn’t have been in that hospital bed. That I would have been six feet under, after having died a disappointing and lonely death.

“I love you too, sis.” I said, as we locked eyes and she grinned. And then, there was a knock at the door. Hank grinned as well before opening it. A couple of guys walked in, carrying boxes. I could smell food instantly. “What’s this?” I managed to finally ask, looking at Kara as she got up from the edge of the bed.

“It’s dinner.”

“I don’t think I’m going to be able eat that much.”

“This isn’t all for you, jackass.” She said, with a slight giggle. “Its for the three…” She paused, as she touched her stomach. “Four of us.”

“What’s the occasion?” I asked, sitting up a little bit more in the bed, preparing myself for what was probably going to be the best meal I was ever going to eat.

“I didn’t want you to spend Thanksgiving alone.”

===========================================

11/28/2019

Chicago, Illinois

===========================================

I asked Aidan if he had plans for Thanksgiving. After he said no, I took it upon myself to invite him to Adrina’s for dinner. I had Cody with me as we made our way over to pick him up.

“So, who this is guy?” My nephew asked, as we traveled through the Windy City.

“He’s the guy I told you about not too long ago.”

“Oh, the one you left to get drunk so you could get some ass.”

“Once again, if you have seen her ass, you would understand.” There was a pause. “Oh, right. You’re batting for the other team. Traitor.” I said, shooting him a grin as he shot me a bird, as I turned my ride to the right. With his finger in my face, I took it upon myself to bite down.

He shrieked in pain before pulling his finger from in between my teeth. “Ow! Goddamn that hurt! What the fuck, dude?” He looked at me, his face blood red. I couldn’t tell if there were tears in his eyes, but all I could do was hope he learned his lesson, whatever it may have been.

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be into that.”

“Be into what?” He cried out.

“Being bitten by a guy.” I replied with what was surely a shit eating grin.

“You’re my uncle, you fucking weirdo.”

“Touche.” I said, as I pulled into the apartment parking lot. I sent Aidan a text, and a few minutes later, he showed up at the car. “What’s up, fuck nuts?”

“Good to see you, too.” He replied, as he stood on the outside of the passenger side door.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling slightly puzzled. I figured he was going to tell me he had to bail, but then I realized he was trying to figure out the seating arrangement. “Oh. Cody, get in the back.” I said, motioning with my thumb.

“What?”

“Get in the back.”

“It’s really okay, Asher.” Aidan said.

I shook my head. “No, no. Cody…” I said, as we locked eyes. “Get in the back.”

“Why do I have to get in the back?”

I sighed. The kid was being super grumpy and annoying. I found myself questioning if males received periods just as women do. Telling myself that I wouldn’t find out a true answer, I rolled my eyes instead. “Look, when you finally have sex, you’ll be getting it in the back more often than not, I’m sure.”

“God, I hate you.” He said before climbing into the back.

I grinned. “Don’t worry. I don’t know if you’ve read the Bible, but if you have and God is real, then you know He hates you, too.”

“Damn, dude that is fucked up.” Aidan said as he slid into the passenger seat.

I shrugged. “Oh, Cody…my nephew…he’s used to it.” I said, before putting the car in drive and off we went, driving through the city as the sun began its descent over Chicago. We drove in silence until we pulled into the driveway at Adrina’s. “Here we are.”

“Thank God.” Cody said, as he shoved past me to get out of the car.

“So, are they okay with me coming?” Aidan asked, as we made our way to the front door.

“I’m sure they are.”

“What do you mean you’re sure?” He asked, stopping me in my tracks. “You didn’t ask if I could come, did you?”

I shrugged. “Not really. Hell, dude. I’m not even sure I’m supposed to be here, but let’s have some fun, shall we?” I grinned before entering the house. It took a few moments, but he eventually followed my lead.  We were met by Adrina. “Aidan, meet me former cum dumpster, and would-be baby momma. This is Adrina.”

She looked at me, completely shocked at my statement. She shook her head and Aidan’s hand. “Aidan, pleasure to meet you. As he said, my name is Adrina. Thank you for coming, though Asher didn’t tell me he was bringing a guest.”

“Is it an issue?” Aidan asked. “I can get a cab or something.”

“No, it’s fine. We have plenty of food. Come in, come in.” We followed her, moving further into the house. My former boss, Alex and I looked at one another. It didn’t take long for him to step outside. His daughter, my former fuck buddy, Sandy looked at and winked. She still wanted me. At least, that was what I told myself. Cody stepped out of the kitchen with a drink and a plate of food, before heading downstairs, where they had a ‘game room’ or some shit. I only knew of it because Sandy and I knocked boots on the couch.

“I don’t think she likes you.” Aidan said, as we neared the kitchen with Adrina.

“Not many people here do.” I replied.

“Oh, Asher. You made it.” Evelyn said with as much enthusiasm as Chris Cannon had any time a microphone was placed before him. Yeah, it was fucking brutal.

“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Evelyn.” I fired back.

“I was afraid of that.” She said, before sipping wine and walking out of the kitchen.

“So, should we go sit with Cody?” Aidan asked, as he looked around, appearing overwhelmed, which surprised me since he lived at a shelter for quite some time.

I shrugged. “You can if you want, man. They have a big screen TV down there. Some video games and shit. Its definitely not my scene.” I stated with a grin. “Okay, it was one night but it was only once. Okay, maybe twice. Three times, but who’s counting.”

“What in the Hell are you talking about?”

My grin remained. “Evelyn’s daughter…we’ve slept together quite a bit in the past.

“Asher…seriously?”

“Yes.”

Adrina walked up. “Alright, gents. Get some food.”

“What is this? I can’t get any service around here?” I asked her, giving her a slight smirk.

She sighed. “Asher, I think you’ve had enough service around here…” I followed her eyes, which landed on Sandy. “That at this point, you can take care of myself.”

“You know how I am, though. I am a walking disaster.” I said, with a chuckle that she did not seem to favor. Aidan gave a weak and uncertain laugh, before nodding and walking into the kitchen.

“So, what is the story with you two?” She asked.

“I helped him get an apartment. Kid was living in a homeless shelter.”

“Look at you. Doing something nice for someone.”

“You know me.”

“Yeah, you just said you were a walking disaster.”

I shrugged again. “Yeah, I did say that, didn’t I?

“Enjoy the food, Asher.” She went to walk by, but I stopped her, without putting my hands on her. See, I can be a gentleman. “Yes?”

I looked down for a few moments, feeling slightly vulnerable suddenly. “So, you’re really going to marry Evelyn?” I asked, finally looking up and locking eyes with her.

“We are really not going to do this here, Asher.”

“Well, can we go somewhere else and talk?”

She rolled her eyes before motioning for me to follow her. I did, and we ended up in a spare bedroom. “I ask to go somewhere to talk and you take me a to bed?” I grinned. “I know what’s up.”

“Shut the fuck up, Asher.” She said, a scowl on her face as she crossed her arms. “What do you want?”

“You’re really going to marry her.”

“Yes. What is so hard to understand?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like we didn’t spend time together, Adrina. We had a life.”

“Keyword there is ‘had’, Asher.”

“But we had a life together. And you threw it all away.” I fired back.

She shook her head. “I did no such thing. You couldn’t move on. It seemed like you refused to. You knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. You knew I wanted to get married, but you couldn’t get past your ex. I know she died, and I know that is all kinds of fucked up, but it was like you decided to stop living. I couldn’t allow myself to do the same.”

I looked down again, knowing she was right, but me being me…I wasn’t about to just give up. I couldn’t just tap out like Cassidy did the night before at Breakdown. “But, I’m here now. I’m living now.”

Adrina groaned and ran her fingers over her face. “Yeah, you’re here now and you’re showing me that you still can’t move on. I’ve moved on.”

“You say that, but you don’t love Evelyn.”

“And how do you know that?” She asked, coming off a little taken aback by my statement. I was too, in that moment.

“Because she’s a fucking dial tone. And because…” I paused, as a part of me began to consider whether I really needed to go down that road or not, before I continued. “Because I know you. I know you.”

“This is why I don’t want you at the wedding.” She said, becoming visibly upset, and I began to hate myself. She still had that effect on me.

“So, there is a date. Isn’t there?”

“Yes, but I don’t want you there. You can’t be there, Asher. You just can’t.”

“Look, I’m not trying to upset you. I’m upset about the whole situation, and I know how you and I are…” I paused, as she looked down shaking her head. “I know how we were. We were always able to be upfront and honest with one another. That is what I’m doing.”

She exhaled heavily as we locked eyes once again. “It’s a little too late with being upfront and honest, Asher. I think we both know that.”

I went to speak, but she turned away and exited the room. I stood there for a few moments, contemplating my next move. Most of them didn’t seem like good options, like putting yourself through a Syren promo, before I settled on just heading out. I walked out of the room, removed my keys from my pocket as I made my way toward the stairs leading to the ‘game room’, when I felt someone grab my arm suddenly. I turned to find Sandy there.

“Can I help you?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you can. Want to go downstairs and have some fun for old times sake?”

“I don’t think that would be very wise.”

“Why not?” She asked, giving me a pouty face.

“Well for one, my nephew is down there…”

She cut me off before I could continue. “You can kick him out.”

I sighed. “Plus, your parents would probably castrate me this time. I got off lucky after your dad found us. I really don’t feel like losing my man parts.”

“I wouldn’t let them do such a thing.” She said, playfully.

“I know, because nothing is going to happen. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I said, before making my way downstairs. I could hear the TV playing, as I disappeared into the darkness of the stairwell. The door to the ‘game room’ was closed, which was a little weird, but I thought nothing of it. I slowly opened it, telling myself I was going to scare Cody and Aidan, but as I opened the door, I got something completely different.

“What the fuck?” The words escaped my lips as my mind fought to process what I had just seen. Cody and Aidan were making out. Their eyes grow as wide as mine, I’m sure as we all ended up making eye contact, the sound of the TV filtering through the room, as we continued to look at one another as if we were all trying to figure out what to do next.

===========================================

11/28/2019

An Hour Later

Chicago, Illinois

===========================================

After making Aidan take a cab home, Cody and I drove home in silence. That silence didn’t last when we got home. “Okay, let me ask one question. What in the blue fuck were you thinking?” I asked, as we made our way inside. We were in the kitchen and I was already pouring myself a drink.

“I can’t believe you acted that way.” My nephew said, as we stood in the kitchen, separated by the island in the middle of the room. Neither of us made eye contact.

“I sure as shit can believe how I acted. You’re a kid, Cody. Aidan is way older than you.” I said, my eyes looking at the brown liquid in my glass, before I gulped some down. I replayed the memory in my head, remembering how I stomped over to Aidan, pushing him away and down off the couch. I towered over him, ready to strike as Cody pleaded with me to stop.

Adrina showed up with Evelyn. They had to keep us separated. Adrina took Cody upstairs, as I ended up telling Aidan that he needed to get the fuck out. That he needed to find another way home, as there was no way I was going to take him.

“Calm the hell down, Asher.” Evelyn said, as we watched Aidan head upstairs.

“You have no idea what they were doing down here.” I exclaimed.

She shook her head. “I can only imagine. But then again, it’s not like you have any room to talk. You were doing things with my daughter.”

I remembered rolling my eyes and sighing. “Yeah, sure thing Evelyn. The big difference there is the fact that your daughter is legal. My nephew isn’t. He’s still a kid.”

“Either way…” She began. “I’m going to need you to leave before this evening gets even more out of hand.”

I shook my head and went upstairs, where I kept my distance from everyone. Once Aidan left, I asked Adrina to have Cody meet me in the car. She had offered to let him stay with them, but I said no, telling her that he and I needed to talk about the events of the evening. She didn’t seem to like it, but she didn’t argue. I figured she was still dealing with our conversation from earlier in the night.

The memory faded as I brought my glass down away from my lips, placing it on the island. “Aidan is lucky that I didn’t kick his ass.”

“You’re being ridiculous, Uncle Asher.” He fired back. “Nothing wrong happened.”

I rolled my eyes. “Need I remind you that you had your tongue down his throat? He’s almost a decade older than you.” I fired back.

“I like him.”

I roll my eyes again. “You literally just fucking met him, Cody. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, so you can barely meet or know someone, and you can sleep with them at the same time?” He asked, shaking his head, before walking out of the kitchen.

I followed him, after pouring another drink of course. “What I do doesn’t matter.”

“It’s sort of the same thing, though.” He said, glancing at me over his shoulder. “You’re being a hypocrite.”

“Are you high?” I shouted. “I’m far from being a hypocrite. I’m trying to tell you that he’s an adult. You’re not. If you want to make out with guys your age, then by all means…go for it. But Aidan is older. Do I need to repeat that anymore?”

“You’re probably pissed because you didn’t catch me making out with a girl. Would you have said anything if I was with a girl and she was older than me?” He asked, as he turned and faced me, the two of us standing outside his room.

We locked eyes as I repeated his question in my head. I was stumped, and I hated that. I sighed. “Cody, that’s not the point…” He didn’t let me finish however, as he rolled his eyes and stepped into his room, slamming the door in my face. I knocked after a few moments but got nothing. The door was locked, too. I knew I didn’t need to force the issue, as I had already embarrassed him, and made an ass out of myself in the process.

I returned to the kitchen, pouring myself another drink. I told myself that I needed a good joint to ease my life for a few moments, as I had taken an ass kicking the entire night. Taking my drink, I went outside onto the back deck. The noises of the city filtered around me, as I sipped my beverage, before letting out a sigh as I rested my head against the lawn chair, I used for a seat.

“Feeling like you’re in over your head, huh?”

I had closed my eyes until I heard the voice. Her voice. Kara’s.

I stared at her, feeling like my eyes were the size of saucers. She laughed and shook her head. “The look on your face says it all.”

I took another sip and when I brought the glass down, she was still there. “Am I in over my head?”

“When are you not?” My sister asked, giggling a little bit.

“He’s your kid. Which means he is you, through and through.” I said, feeling a slight calm as a smile formed on my face, as I remembered how Kara was when we were growing up.

“Oh, then you have your hands full then.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” I said, taking another sip or two. I sighed. “But, he’s a good kid. A damn good kid, despite our little incident tonight.”

“Incident?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I caught him making out with an older guy.”

“Like when I walked in on you making out with babysitter all those years ago?”

I shrugged. “That was a long time ago.” I said, as we shared a laugh.

“It was and you felt you made a mistake. Like when she had nothing to do with you afterward. Do you remember that?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I do. My first real heartbreak.”

“He made a mistake, and I’m sure he knows it. He just has to accept it. You can’t force it on him.” She said.

===========================================

-PROMO-

===========================================

The view begins with a wide shot of Chicago, Illinois. The view sweeps through the city landscape, showing vehicles passing through the busy streets, as well as people scurrying around like worker ants trying to please their queen. The view pulls away from all the chaos, before focusing on one place. “Ricky’s Sports Bar and Grill.”

The view showcases the front door, before it transitions to the inside, while people are shown eating, and drinking, before it continues to move toward the back of the bar, showing a couple of pool tables, with some games going on currently. A man, with long dark brown hair, is shown but he doesn’t face the camera. He pulls his hair up into a bun, before removing his leather jacket. Before him, on the wall, are pool sticks.

He grabs one, before turning around to face the camera, revealing himself to be none other than SCW wrestler, Asher Hayes. He grins and nods, before he begins to speak. “2019 was a good year, the few months I was around. I came back and rattled the SCW landscape. I became SCW Adrenaline Champion. Stole the show with Regan Helms, not just once but twice. Got robbed by Gavin Taylor, losing the title. I bounced back and tapped out Cassidy Carter. That was just a fun get together, all round. Just like the End of the Year rumble was fun.”

He places the pool stick on the table, after an opponent racks the balls. He looks down the table, before the view shows him moving the stick slow and steady, back and forth, as he keep his eyes on the target, before the stick connects with the cue ball. He steps back as the balls break, and he continues to speak. “My run was short lived, but I had a blasty blast, ladies and gents. I got the chance to drive my knee into Bree Lancaster’s not too shabby face, before pinning her. It was a bit of revenge for myself. I got hit with a Glass Shard, and while my vision just returned to normal, I’d like to think Selena Frost for ensuring she hadn’t stepped in any sort of dog shit. I’m not a fan of pink eye.

He takes another shot, driving one of the solids into the corner pocket. He nods his head in approval, before Asher makes his way around the table. “No, I didn’t win the SCW World Championship. That honor was bestowed upon James Evans. That is a story for someone else to tell you, because right now, I want to talk about something else. I want to talk about my upcoming match on the first Breakdown of the new year, 2020 bay bay!”

“Yours truly will find himself pitted against the coldest motherfucker around. Wait…that was Glacier. May he rest in whatever crack den he’s probably in while Shorty does all he can to bail him out. God knows Rachel Foxx won’t be helping. Maybe Justin Davis could pitch in, but then again, he will want to blame it all on Josh Hudson, and who wouldn’t? That guy is an asshole. “

“I digress.” Asher drops down, and eyes another ball, before taking a deep breath. He strikes the cue ball as he exhales, with the ball being shown going into one of the side pockets.

His focus returns to the camera, as he continues to speak.I will be stepping into the ring, preparing myself to go one on one with the Iced One, Konrad Raab himself. Now, I don’t know which version of Raab I will be facing. Could be Black Ice. Rainbow Ice or Snow-Cone. Black Ice is supposed to be the most dangerous version, as he went toe to toe with the Devil Himself and knocked him for a loop. I believe it was the beginning of Damian Angel showing to the world that he could indeed spell. We’ve all been very proud of him.

Just as many were proud of Raab for overcoming the hells Damian and the Wonderland seemed to put that guy through. Just as many are proud of Raab for always sticking up for what is right, fighting against all that he sees to be wrong. I had Twitter when Raab was going at it with the F-Ups, dropping a never-ending flood of expletives, and while I enjoy a good use of the word ‘Fuck’, I couldn’t help but feel like Raab was showcasing a bit of his dark side.” The color scheme of the scene goes to black and white, with a brief moment of chilling music filtering through as a blood curdling scream can be heard, before everything returns to normal, and Asher speaks further.

“You went on a rant that buried Beard and Juice quite a bit, but it showed a side to Konrad that only his wife Fizz put on display, when she’d argue with everyone over social media. And hell, I get it Konrad. We all have some darkness within us. We all have demons we have to face and pimp slap into the new millennium. And you’ve used those demons to your advantage. Those demons helped guide you to a victory over Josh Hudson for the SCW Television Championship. He’s one hell of an opponent. We’ve exchanged victories over each other and are still in need of a tie breaker. You didn’t hold that title just once either. You captured it a second time, as well. Big ups on that my man.”

“It shows me that when you relish in that darkness, you are successful. But when you start to second guess yourself, you fall to the wayside. You let doubt cloud your mind, and you struggle to recover the ground you once held.”

“People could say the same for me. I was confident when I first returned. But my loss to Gavin has been quite the sore spot for me in all honesty. I don’t believe I’ve faltered, but I’ve not quite been myself. My back has been a talk of the town so to speak. It’s been a target in my matches. And yeah, it’s made me question myself since Clarity. But I know what questioning oneself does. I know what doubt does to the mind, as well as the body. That is why I’ve had to shake that negativity off, Konrad. I ain’t got time for that shit in my life.”

“Just as I don’t have time for you trying to step up and trying to fight Gavin. I hate to break it to you, but his ass, handsome as he is, belongs to me. He stole from me and made me his enemy. I vowed to make his life a living hell after I was able to shake off the cobwebs, he left me in when he took my title.” Asher takes another shot, sending another striped ball into another corner pocket, at the opposite end of the table.

“You seem to think you have unfinished business with Gavin, but the fact of the matter is that you don’t. I know you’re trying to find your place, and I know you like to do the right thing. I will tell you that this fight isn’t yours. It is between Gavin and I. Doing the right thing would be to step aside right now. You can have whatever scraps I leave behind after I get my rematch against Mr. Taylor, because when the match happens, and that bell rings, I am going to fuck him up.” Asher states, with a wink and a thumbs up.

“And go-ahead Gavin, use that little line to come up with something for your next diatribe. The loss against you…well it left me pissed off and I got motivated. And Raab, I hope you’re motivated as well, because at Breakdown…in Buffalo, New York…I am going to show you every single reason as to why you need to step aside.”

“You can change the game, and step up…you can show me that you’ve stepped up and that you belong in the same conversation as Gavin and I. I know you can do that. Anyone and everyone can change the entire perception of a situation, or feud, in this business at the drop of the hat. Do you think you can do that Konrad? Do you think you can do it on your own, or are you going to need to wear a mask in order to do so?”

“I believe we can have one hell of a match at Breakdown. I’d just like to know which version of you I’m facing. That seems to be a new trend in SCW. Everyone has a different version, or side, of themselves. I gave up heroin and other various drugs in favor of returning to the ring so I could kick ass and take names. That is who I am. That is what I’m about. I want to do all that all in the name making this company fun. Of making this sport fun. That is the side of me you’re going to see, that you’re going to face and Konrad, despite your valiant efforts, I know I am going to prove to be too much for you.”

“Because unlike you, I know when its time to step up. You need to step it up in every single aspect of your game. Your move set is basic, despite being well versed in various styles. Even your delivery when you’re speaking into a camera, unloading one of your diatribes, there is no conviction. There is no emotion. You’re just happy go lucky.”

Asher steps closer, his face filling the camera’s view, blocking out of the rest of the room around him. You’re going to have to change. You’re going to have to step the fuck up, Konrad. You’re going to need to find that same fire your wife had every time she composed a tweet that would have made George Carlin blush. If you want to survive this match, if you want to survive a match against Gavin after I take what he stole from me…with interest…then you’re going to have to find an edge and find it quick. Otherwise, I’m going to run you down. Otherwise, I will give the world reason to continue to say you’re not much without that mask. I don’t know about you, but you may need to find that darkness, relish in it like you have many times before, because it could turn out to be the saving grace you’re going to need Wednesday night.”

“It is up to you to rearrange the narrative, to rearrange the perception. And it is going to be up to me on whether or not, I rearrange your face, after I hit you with the Dust to Dust.”

“And Gavin, please watch this match. Hell, I know you will. Just as I will watch yours. We are going to be at one another’s throats before this night is over with, and by God or Thanos, I can’t fuckin’ wait. Face me face to face, though Gavin. Don’t be a coward. And when push comes to shove, don’t bail out with your tail tucked between your legs. Show that you got a pair. Show that your man enough to carry the SCW Adrenaline Championship.”

“Ah, damn.” Asher shrugs, grins, and shakes his head, before he continues.  “I just remembered who I’m talking to. You’re the guy wasting your time using that championship as an addition in-ring gear accessory. You’re the guy bragging about facing Sammy Thomas Davies. You’re the guy who had to use cheap tactics to beat me.”

“All I can say is…enjoy it while it lasts, because you’ve got a rude awakening coming your way.” Asher glares into the camera for a few moments, before smirking and turning away, returning to his game, as the scene slowly begins to fade, pulling out of the sports bar, showing the people of Chicago, before one last view of the city itself.