What If IX

"I've been thinking about you all these months." he told her. "I miss having you around. I miss being around you, hearing you laugh, seeing you smile, comforting and supporting me when I'm down and just being there for me in general. I didn't want to make a mistake today and be miserable for the rest of my life. I should have done this months ago, but I was so stubborn and didn't know how to. I made a mistake in letting you go in the first place."

"Why'd you have to do this now?" Lacy asked, frustrated. "Just when I'd accepted the fact that you and me would never happen? When I try to move on with someone else? Do you mean to tell me that over the time we slept together, you didn't feel something for me beyond friendship even once?" she asked exasperated. "And now that you can't have me now you want to pick me up and play with me again? This is what I was talking about."

He shook his head. "There was always something I felt about you, beyond friendship. I just never acted on it because I was sure you didn't see me as anything more. So I was the one who tried to move on with Maria."

"And I'm just supposed to leap in your arms and say lets give it a shot?"

"I'm not expecting you answer right away. You're the most stubborn person I know." he chuckled a bit. "So I know it won't be easy, but I'm hoping you do think about it."

"I'm seeing someone right now." she sighed.

"Oh." he said as he ran a hand over his head (since he cut it all) and scratched the back of his head. "So you guys are together? As in a couple?"

"It's complicated. He's complicated." It's fucking Ambrose, lol.

He nodded. "...well, I guess who am I to stop you? I shouldn't expect you to drop everything for me, but I had to tell you how I felt. I regret not telling you months ago."

She sighed. "I obviously still care about you, Punk."

"I know." he said. "I should um, go." he told her. "I already made this awkward enough." he chuckled.

"Wait, so you ditched Maria at the altar?"

He nodded. "Yeah, sure did."

She crossed her arms over her chest, looking unimpressed. "How am I supposed to know that you wouldn't do something like that to me?"

"Because I know that you make me happy and you wouldn't want me just for my money. You've seen me at my highs and lows. You've showed me that you would be there no matter what. She didn't care. It was all an act to get a ring on her finger. You're not like that."

"We messed around for years, Punk. How do I know you won't do me the same way you did your other girlfriends?" she asked. "What we did was never right, and I might sound like a hypocrite, but I'm not in the mood to be cheated on and have my heart broken." she shook her head.

"Because I'm done with that life, Lacy. I want to be with you and only you. I love you."

She blinked. "..what?"

"Yes Lacy, I love you." he told her.

She stared at him for a moment before socking his shoulder. "Idiot."

"Um, ow." he frowned as he rubbed his shoulder. "Why am I an idiot?"

"Becuase that ain't something you decide over night. You probably knew it when I left and you didn't [punch] say [punch] anything. [punch]"

"Woman, ow. You're going to injure me." he rubbed his shoulder again. "I was scared for the first time in my life. I didn't know how to tell you and how it would work out if I told you that. I thought for sure you'd just want to be friends."

"Do you think I'd put up with your shit and stick around to wait and see if you'd ever open your eyes for that long if I just wanted to be friends?"

"I'm clearly dumb in the love department." he snorted. "If I had known back then, I would have never stayed with Maria or even gotten that far with her. Hell, she probably wouldn't have been around."