Date July 17th 2019 / Time 11:49am / Status Not Recording
Location The Lee/Wylde Residence – New York City, New York

I’m concerned.

Just a little concerned. Not ‘drag my boyfriend to the nuthouse’ concerned. Just a little bit. I mean, that’s normal, right?

Especially after watching him drop someone (albeit someone who’s a bit of a prick) on the guardrail back first and then cradle said pricks (persons) head in his lap as he goes on a bit of a rant about wanting to end someone else.

I mean there’s nothing to worry about. Right?

Right?

Not to mention… That little video package at the end of Chaos? Well.. near the end of Chaos… that whole mystery person wanting to purify Carnage and knowing that that’s my boyfriend?

He told me he’s just trying to get into Paragon’s head. I believe him. I’ve never had a reason not to. But it just begs the question…. How far is he willing to go?

“You’re thinking about something.”

I glance across the couch at Joe, nodding my head. Of course I am. I’m always thinking about something. It just so happens this time it’s him and his mental wellbeing.

“Yeah. You.”

He sighs and shakes his head, laying back on the sofa.

“I told you I’m fine.”

“And I believe you. But even you gotta admit what you did to Zodiac was a little… far?”

I may not like the little asshole but I don’t know if the possibility of injuring him permanently is something he really deserved.

“I admit.. I lost it a little bit out there. But I’m fine.”

I turn towards him and pull my legs up under me.

“You can’t blame me for worrying. You’ve been under a lot of stress lately.”

I say it softly, hoping he doesn’t think I’m upset at him. I’m the furthest thing from, actually. We’ve both had our issues with mental illness in the past, and Joe’s on medication to help him with his ‘Dark Passenger’ – the voice in his head that encourages shit like what happened the other night.

It makes me wonder if he’s been taking his medication.. but I’ve made sure of that over the last month or so, since Silva attacked him. But does that mean his condition is declining? I don’t know.

I sigh and move closer to him.

“You’ve been taking your-“

“You’ve been persistent. So yes.”

He sounds a bit irritated and I know I should probably lay off but I just don’t want something to happen again… I don’t want him to lose himself completely.

“Okay, Joe.”

“You worry too much. Zodiac pissed me off and he got what was coming to him.”

I nod my head. He’s not wrong. I might not think dropping him back first on the guardrail was the best solution… Zodiac did attack Joe first. And to be fair, Zodiac was going to drop Joe on that same guardrail neck first a few moments before that.

“Besides.. you talk about me when you were out there not too long before me threatening to end Christy Chaos.”

My eyes widen. Fuck.

“Good point.”

He’s got me there.

But I know what he’s capable of. And I know he’s not going to rest until he gets Silva… At least. And I guess that’s what worries me.

“ANYWAY…”

“Now you’re the one that wants to change the subject.”

He replies, a slightly amused look in his eyes.

“Well I do have to team with your best friend in a little under two weeks and I’m pretty certain he still hates my guts.”

“Oh come on. OWF was three years ago.”

I sigh and lay my head on his shoulder.

“Well.. I was kind of a bitch to you guys back then.”

“Mmmhm.”

I roll my eyes.

“Listen, I was doing what I thought I had to do. You and I obviously got past all that… and I ain’t got no problem with Trent, I just don’t know if I can say the same about him with me.”

“Then talk to him.”

Talking to Trent Steel is easier said than done. The only real talking he and I have ever really done was with our fists. He’s Joe’s best friend and my tag team partner this week. I guess I owe it to both Joe and our match to try to make good with him… But God only knows how that’s gonna go.

“Do I have to?”

I feel his chest rise and lower as he sighs loudly and then I feel his finger under my chin, pulling my face up to look at his.

“Yes. He’s my best friend. He’s not going away anytime soon.”

“I thought I was your best friend.”

It’s his turn to roll his eyes as he pulls his hand away.

“I think we’re past the whole ‘best friend’ thing, besides… Stop being a brat.”

I know being a ‘brat’ doesn’t really get me anywhere, but it does get under his skin… and that makes it totally worth it.

I was going to talk to Trent regardless. That’s a given. If he and I are gonna work together at Chaos then we need to be on the same page. We need to put the past behind us, where it belongs.. Not just for the match.. But for Joe. Since apparently I have to share him now.

I chuckle and shake my head.

“I was gonna talk to him regardless, honey.”

“Good.”

“So give me his phone number.”

His eyebrows raise in question before I’m guessing he realizes that duh… I wouldn’t have Trents phone number. Without saying anything else, he pulls out his phone and hands it over, giving me the opportunity to dial it into my own phone.

I hand him his phone back as mine starts to ring in my ear. I look up into his eyes as I wait for an answer, my stomach kind of doing backflips. But not the good kind. I honestly don’t know what to expect.

“Yeah..Who is this?”

“I.. Uh. It’s Lucy. Lucy Wylde.”

I glance over at Joe to see him staring at me. I smile and nod my head even though inside I’m panicking. I knew it would be like this. I fucking knew it. Maybe I shouldn’t take his tone at face value. Maybe he just really, really doesn’t like it when he doesn’t know who’s calling him.

Or maybe because it’s me.

He hasn’t said anything yet… But finally I hear a loud, exasperated sigh come from the other end of the line.

“Okay. Why are you calling me? And who gave you my number?”

Okay so maybe it’s because it’s me. I take a deep breath and try to answer him without sounding like a scared little girl.. Why should I be scared? It’s only my boyfriends BEST friend.

“Why am I calling? You and I have to team up.. If you weren’t aware. And well, Joe gave me your number.”

“I am well aware of this attempt from our boss to try and get me and you to beat the shit out of each other because we get along like gasoline and napalm. Do not insult my intelligence. You could have talked to me at the arena, but you’re calling me. That’s the odd thing here. So I’ll speak slowly so you can understand me clearly. What. Do. You. Want?”

This is going well.

So well in fact that I can see this all going down the shitter as I look into Joe’s eyes. He knows Trent. He probably knows everything that Trent is saying word for word.

“I could have spoken to you at the arena, but you’re my boyfriend’s best friend and… well, I wanted to apologize for all the shit I put you through and maybe propose that we meet up and talk all this out? I don’t know.”

Another long, painful pause. I sit up and away from Joe as I wait for the ‘fuck you’ that I’m sure is coming. I wouldn’t blame him though. I mean, I did so some shitty things to he and Joe back in OWF.. but like Joe said, that was over three years ago. How long can one person hold onto a grudge?

I guess I’m not the best person to ask that. Fuck.

“I guess I better or caveman will have that sad look on his unibrow for a week. Fine. I’m in Pittsburgh. I’ll attempt to text you an address with this damn dumb ass phone I have. We’ll meet up and hash this shit out. Oh…do me one favor. Smack that idiot boyfriend of yours for not calling me first to tell me some random person was going to call me. Aim for the soft spot…which isn’t hard because his head is like an overly ripe melon. Bye.”

And he hangs up. I slowly bring the phone back down into my lap and stare at the screen for a few moments.

“So?”

Joe finally says, pulling my attention away from the phone. I put a smile back on my face and shrug my shoulders.

“Piece of cake.”

He chuckles and shakes his head.

“I could see you panicking and I know Trent. With him, it’s never a piece of cake, babe. But nice try.”

“Well he did agree to meet with me. I can’t guarantee I’m not gonna walk out of this meeting with something bleeding…”

I sigh and lean back on the couch, putting my arms over my face. It’s not everyday one has to face their demons… At least the demons of things that were done over three years ago, in the midst of what ended up being my divorce. But the facts remain the facts, the shit I did to Joe and to Trent back then… It was wrong.

He places a hand on my leg and pats it softly.

“You’ll be fine.”

Guess I’ll find out.

 

Date July 20th 2019 / Time 2:17pm / Status Not Recording
Location Gooski’s Bar – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

As I walk into the building at the address that Trent sent me, I can’t help but feel like I’m about to meet my maker. Seriously. And the red light that I walk into, doesn’t help that feeling much. This place is exactly the type of place I’d imagine Trent hanging out. Dark with only deep red and blue lights shining around the place, keeping things hard to see.

You know like the knife Trent is likely to bury into my sternum.

Joe told me not to worry. Sorry, babe.. But I’m worrying anyway. Not only is Trent Steel known for his thirst for blood and violence… but I’ve wronged this man. Not only that, I’m dating his best friend. I’m double fucked here.

As I step further into the establishment, the few people that are in here at this time of day turn and look my way… all except for one. Trent. He sits at the bar, nursing a drink and I figure, now is as good a time as any to get this over with.

“Nice place..”

I say, stepping in beside him as the bartender moves over to take my order.

“Hmm.”

He says, grabbing his glass and getting up – heading across the room to a booth in the corner. I quickly order a yuengling and follow him.

“Figure you’d like a more private area to chat about things.”

He motions to the bench across from him and I sit down, watching him remove his glasses. After a few moments, a waitress comes over and places my beer in front of me and I take a drink – wondering to myself if this is going to be the last beer I ever get to drink.

At least it’s a Yuengling.

“So…”

I say, my voice trailing off. I glance around nervously for a few seconds, trying to figure out where to take this already awkward conversation. Finally I turn my eyes back up at Trent and sigh.

“Thanks for meeting with me. I appreciate it.”

He looks down into his glass, nodding his head.

“…yeah I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Joe. Look. You wanted to apologize and I can say that’s very big of you to do, but it’s not accepted.”

My heart sinks down into my stomach as he sips on his drink as if what he’s saying is no big deal. I guess it isn’t to him. But to me, well… I wonder why I’m here since this is a lost cause apparently.

“I don’t forgive and forget. You can ask Joe. I don’t ever forget what people have done to me. I made a career about making sure everyone got a receipt from me for being an asshole. However I’m not going to hold what you did against you from here on out. You see…Lucy…you’re dating my best friend. I’m not going to fuck up probably one of the best relationships I actually have that’s healthy all because I think you are just like your sister.”

My eyebrows raise in surprise and that feeling in the pit of my stomach only gets worse as he finishes that last sentence. I don’t even know what to say to that.

Joe wouldn’t be with me if I were anything like Kyra… Would he?

“Wow.. I… Um. Okay. I mean, I don’t believe Kyra and I are anything alike.. but that’s your opinion and I respect that.”

I manage to stammer out. But without missing a beat, he looks up into my eyes with a coldness that chills me to the bone.

“It’s not an opinion. It’s a fact. You both are manipulative, you’ve both hurt me and my friends on multiple occasions, and let’s be perfectly honest here…neither of you have a history of dating or marrying people who are actually decent…save Joe. Now this isn’t me cutting a promo here. This is me being honest. The whole Shaun Stewart shit from years ago really left a bad taste in my mouth about you being involved in anything near me because we all got pulled into your relationship drama. And lo and behold…what’s happening now with your sister?”

I open my mouth to say something but he continues.

“She’s pulling us all in with her bullshit with shit face wooly lip. Neither of you think about the consequences of your actions…or at least you didn’t back then. When I got here I had to beat it into your sister’s head literally that I didn’t attack someone from behind like a little bitch. No one stood up for me but Joe. And the only reason I’m still here quite honestly is because I want to make her and everyone else suffer for it…and that’s the devil I deal with every fucking day and why I am trying to be a bit of a better person by managing my anger. So if that means I have to team up with you to pull that off and break their spines to put them out of my business for good…I’m fine with that.”

I nod my head, opening my mouth again but he leans in closer and when I didn’t think his gaze could get any colder… His eyes bore into mine and he lowers his voice.

“…But just so you know. You hurt him. You pull anything like you did a few years ago. If I see even a hint of it….I won’t take you out in a match or backstage. I’ll make sure they never find the body. And if you can deal with those terms. We’re good. I’ll take a chairshot, ring bell shot, any kind of shot to protect you if that’s what is best for our team.”

He sits back and I just stare at him in awe.

What the fuck do I say to any of that? Honestly.

Finally, after a lengthy silence between the two of us, I just shrug my shoulders and decide that if he’s going to put it all on the table.. I might as well do the same.

“You know what? I have done a lot wrong. But I’m a big enough person to admit that Trent. I have fucked up A LOT over these last couple of years and at the top of that list is pulling you and Joe into the bullshit I had going on with CJ. Y’all didn’t deserve that. I know that now. Hell, I knew that back then.. I just chose to do it anyway because I didn’t care who I hurt as long as CJ was collateral damage. Now, that doesn’t make everything peachy keen between you and I… I know. But let me just say, that’s something you’ll never see from Kyra. She doesn’t take responsibility for her actions. Me coming here today? That’s exactly what I’m doing. For you and for Joe.”

I take a quick sip of my drink, and look back up into his eyes. I might be doing this to not get killed by my partner… But moreso, I’m doing this for Joe. Because he means everything to me.

“I love him. I understand how protective you are of him. I feel the same exact way. It’s hard to explain, and I’m not even sure you’d believe me if I tried. But that man…he means more to me than anything. He’s stood with me through some bad shit… and he never once made me feel lesser than. I know that my words don’t mean much to you, I mean you’ve seen me at my worst and you’ve seen what I did to CJ.. someone I loved. But Joe’s different. So much different.”

I lay my hands on the table and sigh. I hope he understands. Something tells me that deep down, he gets it. I can only hope my feelings are right.

“And Trent.. I plan on doing whatever it takes to keep those fuckers from walking out of Chaos under their own power. If that means taking some shots to keep you in the game. So be it. That’s the best way I can show you that my intentions are true.”

I finish and take another drink as he stares across at me for a bit, before smiling slightly.

“It’s a start. And you’re right your sister wouldn’t apologize…unless I beat it out of her. You got anything you want me to make her apologize for?”

He laughs. It takes me off guard a bit. He actually sounds genuine…

“We’ll be fine. Besides you know as well as I do they booked this because they didn’t think we could work together. How dumb is the booking comittee in Carnage?”

“Not the brightest bulbs in the shed, that’s for sure. But that’s why I wanted to speak to you in person… not right before the match. You deserve a true apology. Not one manufactured just because we’re two minutes from fighting a common enemy. That’s not the type of person I am.”

He nods his head.

“And you know the type of person I am, for the most part. This wasn’t going to be a problem for me in the ring even if you hadn’t come here or wanted to talk. This got your head in the game so this isn’t going to distract you in the match. So all and all…good talk. So how about we leave this dump and I treat you to a decent meal for flying out here.”

He says, rising from his seat as someone walks past and bumps into him.

“Hey…watch it you scar faced fuck…”

My eyebrows raise as Trent holds up his hands.

“My apologies.”

He says, reaching over for his drink glass.

“You know as I was telling my partner here just now it’s good to clear the air.”

The man scoffs at what Trent said and turns his attention down to me. Ugh.

“Whatever fuckface…hey babe…whenever you wanna ditch the fugly bitch here lemme know. You’re too cute to be with someone this ugly.”

I glance up at Trent, who’s surprisingly calm. I guess those anger management sessions have been doing some good after all. I wish I could say the same for myself…

I get up from the bench, smiling as I turn towards Trent and motion towards this bastard in front of us.

“Clearing the air, right?”

Trent nods and without a second thought, I turn and bury my fist into that fucks face. He falls down to a knee as everyone else in the bar turns to see what the commotion is.

“Yeah, but you know some people are just about as welcoming as a fart in church.”

Trent smiles, taking his glass and slamming it down into the back of the mans head, completing the assholes fall to the ground in an instant. He looks down at the man for a few seconds before turning his attention to me.

“Nice punch…”

I shake my hand out and smile.

“Thanks.”

“Not a problem…although…”

He turns his gaze behind me and sighs. I turn around to see more ‘gentlemen’ heading in our direction.

Shit.

“Sigh…Joe’s gonna be mad about this. He didn’t get to smash people. Hahahaha!”

“I think he’s gonna be more upset if he’s gotta bail us out…”

Did I think this would end up in a bar fight? No. Did I think that Joe might have to bail Trent and I out of jail after our little meeting? No… but oh God am I going to hear about it when I get home regardless.

 

I really don’t have a lot to say this week. Surprising, I know.

I guess, in honor of my partner for Chaos 77.. I’d rather let my actions speak to our opponents just a little louder than my words. And boy, do I have a lot of things I wanna do to the two Paragon minions that Trent and I get to fight this week. A lot of pent up aggression that the two of them are gonna be the deserving victims of.

It’s like I said at Chaos 76. I don’t mind that Paragon has beliefs. EVERYONE has beliefs. Where the problem lies is in how Paragon decides to handle their beliefs, you know.. Like a fucking cult. ‘Either agree with us or we’ll beat you into agreeing’. What kind of shit is that? Seriously. That’s the shit you believe in Eli? Christy? You believe in FORCING people to agree with your ‘mentor’ or ‘friend’.. or ‘fuckbuddy’ if we’re referring to my sister. I wish you two honestly understood how fucked up that is. But nope. You two just keep drinking the Paragon Koolaid and you really do expect the rest of us to just fall in and fight for what Paragon sees as the best future for this business.

Well that shit ain’t going to happen, because I have beliefs too. And I believe in independence. I believe in making your own choices, your own mistakes. That’s the only way we GROW as people, as fighters.. as whatever we want to be. Paragon wants to take the mistakes away from everyone by forcing them to be clones of what Jack Michaels is.

Let’s be perfectly honest here. Jack Michaels isn’t the end all be all of this world we all fight in.

He might want a better Carnage Wrestling, but he’s trying to force his ideals onto those who want to forge their own path.

And the fact that you two follow him blindly like little puppy dogs? That makes you just as.. if not more dangerous than he is.

Trent and I will see you two Monday. And we’ll be putting you out of your misery because we fight for something so much bigger than you small minded morons could ever dream of.

The right to choose.

 

OOC: Word Count: 3987
Trent/JC Used with permission