Golden Hug (Bayley x Male OC) (DS2)

Chapter 4

-Bayley's POV-

"Thomas Calaway," I said, looking upon the absolute unit in front of me. A few years out of action and he still looked like he could win a fistfight with Andre the Giant. His tan had gotten lighter from all the time he'd spent working on MWF from the office building in Minnesota.

"That's my name, Bay. You look upset, what's up?" he asked, and I told him. Nikki, who'd been off to the side doing her own workouts, came over to listen. When I was done, he remained silent. Nikki wasn't amused, per usual.

"That's probably bad," she replied, going back to doing her reps. Why did she do wrestling workouts, anyway? She had less of a chance of wrestling again than Thomas did. I'd say Caleb, but... well, you know all about him.

"Do you really believe that he doesn't like you anymore, just because you made a mistake?" Thomas cocked an eyebrow and smiled. What, did he think this was some kind of joke?

"Yeah, I do Thomas. I feel awful."

"I don't think he's all that mad."

Thomas's gaze flicked, and I looked behind me. Malachi was standing there, looking fresh out of the shower. That was odd if he was coming to the gym.

-Malachi's POV-

I woke up from my power nap and remembered my encounter with Bayley. I grabbed my phone and asked my friends where she was. Nikki replied; she was the gym. Typical. WWE superstars always go to the gym when they're upset. When everything goes to shit, a 100 kg back squat still makes sense.

After a quick shower, I headed over and found her having a conversation with Thomas.

"-you really believe that he doesn't like you anymore, just because you made a mistake?" Thomas asked, noticing me. He didn't say anything or motion for her to turn around, so I stayed and listened.

"Yeah, I do Thomas," she replied, stunning me, "I feel awful." If anyone had to feel awful, it was me. I'd led her on and let her believe this whole thing was her fault.

"I don't think he's all that mad." Thomas had seen the mixed emotions running across my face and told Bayley, who turned around. Out of everything I expected, her storming off in a huff was not one of them.

"But I showered!" I mock-whined. Thomas shrugged and gave off that well-I-tried vibe, so I left him alone. Bayley had gotten in her car and driven off, leaving me all alone with my guilt.

In despair, I hopped into my car and headed back to my hotel. I just decided to pack up my things and leave for the airport, desperate to get back home. The wedding had been fun, but the couple already left for their honeymoon and I was relatively angry.

I had a lot of time to think on the plane. It was a sudden realization that came over me, and it was this: I wasn't mad at Bayley or myself, I was mad at Caleb. None of this would've happened if he hadn't dragged me out for that stupid wedding. I'd been around their entire relationship, so why did I need to go?

Those thoughts left my mind quickly, though. They were crazy. I'd been around his whole life, which was why I was the best man. The last time I'd seen either of them in person was in the days following his accident. I think that was the most helpless that he ever was or ever will be.

---

Stepping into the arena felt weird, even though no one else was there (never mind security and cleaning). Maybe it was because I would make my debut in the same arena that I'd been to hundreds of times before and even seen a few wrestling events. I'd met Alexa here before Caleb had even joined the company.

"I got a buddy on the way. His name's Caleb," I'd told her. Recognition had flickered across her eyes when I said his name. Though I didn't know it then, she'd known exactly who he was.

"Well, if he's as handsome as you are, we might have some trouble," Alexa had joked in reply. Man, the irony of it all was almost too much to bear.

Well, now it was my time to shine.

"Soooo... scouting it out, huh?" asked someone behind me. I turned around and was met with the Man, Becky Lynch. She had her daughter, Avery, in her arms.

"What brings you down here, Lynch?" she handed Avery off to me, and I pretended she was the heaviest thing in the world. The baby seemed to like that. I watched as Becky walked down the ramp, which had been set up for the event already, and sighed.

"Came to be with Seth, but he's out doin' some shopping. Diapers and stuff. I miss the old days of comin' out here and kickin' ass and takin' names. That's you now, I guess."

"You know it isn't too late to get back in the ring. The fans still adore you, and I'm sure the writers still have tons of ideas for you."

"Lad, I'm not sure I trust writing much anymore. Not after havin' to deal with two Lana weddings or Bayley's SD title run-" Becky stopped herself and looked at me apologetically, but I shrugged her off. Though it left a sour taste in my mouth, I didn't want anyone to think I couldn't function at the slightest mention of her.

"You ain't patched things up yet, huh?" she asked, taking Avery back. I nodded, climbing into the ring. I did a few laps back and forth, causing Becky to laugh a little.

"What?"

"You know it's bad luck to be in the ring before your debut."

"It's a myth, Becky."

"Just watching out for you, Malachi. Us gingers gotta stick together, real or not."

-Bayley's POV-

I got on a late plane after spending the rest of that day sulking. The strange thing was: I didn't even know why I was angry. Just seeing him behind me made me snap, and I drove off back to the hotel.

While I was there, a wave of shame and guilt passed over me. He'd probably come to apologize or something, and I once again drove him away. There was no point to what kept occurring between us.

Long before we made it to the WWE, I had a huge crush on Malachi. I'm pretty sure he liked me too, because he always played along when I flirted with him. While we were in FCW, though, I got called up to NXT and he got fired. He pretended not to be mad about it, but there was hurt in his voice when he said his last goodbye.

It was what he did after that amazed a lot of us. No one thought he had it in him, but his determination carried him through. He never gave up, wrestling in different indie companies all over the states. Most of the time he only really gained popularity, but he kept going. Eventually, he would to on to help create his own company, which did relatively okay, all things considered.

Now he was back and I could tell that he liked me, but we were pushing each other away. Well... I say 'we', but I knew it was me. What did I have to do to change that?