Midnight Sky (Book 1/3 The Anderson Brothers Series)

Sabbatical

Lauren

I spent the rest of my week off being surrounded by family before I had to get back to reality and go to Florida. The first couple of days back were normal. That was until the media shit storm started with Carson talking shit on social media and tagging me. He was now in endless photos with Shayna. I was more pissed than anything. That lasted for over a week before I blocked him, blogs, and started shutting people out.

How did I really deal with it? Drinking. I became a functioning drunk. Drinking wine every night after dinner, that was one thing. Wine turning into tequila. Lots and lots of tequila. I went from drinking a few shots a night to having I would wake up hungover, have black coffee in hopes of getting. I'd have a high protein breakfast, go train, and get into TV.

Living with my Aunt V and Uncle Ash, Uncle Ash was home more since he ran NXT. Aunt V traveled more running Raw and SmackDown. I always admired how they made the long distance work. They did it with ease.

It's been a solid three weeks since I've been back at work and I've been able to hide my binge drinking. My cousins, Blake and Hunter left me be, but they knew something was off. Hell, Uncle Ash knew something was off, but he didn't press the issue.

I woke up with a killer headache. My alarm had been blaring and I couldn't hit the snooze button anymore. I went out with some rooks last night. There was a hard knock on my door before it opened. It was Blake. Shit. Sometimes he could be worse than Hudson.

"I told you not to stay out too late."

"Wow, thanks, dad," I replied sarcastically.

Ignoring him, I pulled the blanket over my face as he opened the shade.

"Blake!" I groaned.

"Come on, get up. We need to get to the gym."

"I'll meet you there."

"Bullshit, then you won't be coming."

"I wasn't planning on working out today. I'll see you later."

"Workouts then mandatory meeting directly after."

"Shit," I whispered.

"You forgot?"

"Just go. I'll catch up with you later."

He sighed.

"I know you're going through it right now, I told you what's your options are. Talk to the bosses and take the time if you need it."

I threw the blanket off my face.

"We're so close to the main roster, taking time off isn't going to get me there any faster."

"I get that, trust me I do."

"You're already having dark matches, Blake. You're only in NXT until this feud you have is over then you're going to Raw."

"That's the plan, but that's not for another few months, might be even longer. I'm not focused on that. I know my time will come. You on the other hand know the same thing. You are Lauren fucking Legend. I just think if you're mentally sorting shit out, take the time."

"No. That means Carson wins."

"I don't give a damn about any of that. Carson, Shayna, they don't matter, Lo. They don't fucking matter. You have to be clear mentally so that you don't mess up in the ring and hurt someone or yourself."

"Okay, Blake."

"I don't want an okay. You need to make a decision before one is made for you. If you think no one has noticed that you've been coming to work hungover, sorry to tell you, they've noticed."