Masked Heart

Chapter Fourteen

Bret looked at his phone for maybe the thousandth time that day but there were no messages still. She hadn't even told him that she'd gone home; he only knew because Vince had come and offered his condolences for a loss he knew nothing about and said it was a shame Rain needed to work from home, especially after her success with Wrestlemania. Bret was too embarrassed to admit he had no clue what Vince was talking about, but he'd tried calling Rain about a dozen times. The calls went straight to voicemail meaning her phone was switched off.

The only saving grace was he knew that Joe wasn't anywhere near his wife as after Wrestlemania the kid was well and truly wrapped up in a feud with Rey. Bret had managed to avoid the young luchadore since their heated exchange at the Wrestlemania after party and was pretty much keeping to himself, arriving at the arenas at the last possible minute and then leaving as soon as his match or segment was done. He toyed with his phone again for a moment and then brought up Rain's number. This time it rang out and he held his breath, fully expecting her to leave it to go to voicemail.

"Hello." Her soft voice made him jump but he recovered himself quickly.

"Can we talk?"

There was silence from the other end of the phone and he switched to his other ear.

"You still there?" he asked.

"I'm here. What do you want to say?"

"Rain..." He broke off unsure what to say suddenly. "Look I'll be home tomorrow. Promise me you'll be there when I  get back." His voice broke a little and he heard her breathe softly down the phone.

"I'll be here," she said, after a brief pause.

"I love you," he said,  but then he realised that she was already gone. Bret dropped his head into his hands and swallowed the grief that bubbled up. He wasn't sure she would ever forgive him for what he had done.

***
The smell of cooking hit him when he came into the house and he found Rain in the kitchen lifting a pasta bake from the oven. She gave him a small, nervous smile as he came in but then turned away to take bowls from the cupboard and dished up their food. His spirits raised a little as she put their plates on the table and brought out drinks for them as well.

"Thanks," he said, sitting down opposite her. "This looks great."

She just nodded and picked at her food, keeping her eyes fixed on her plate. The silence was strained but neither knew how to break it. When they were done, Bret cleared their plates and put them in the dishwasher. He leaned on the kitchen counter looking across at her and cleared his throat.

"I screwed up Rain," he finally said, watching as she stiffened. She picked up her water glass in a trembling hand and took a sip, not speaking. "I want you to know that I have never been sorrier in all my life than I am for what I did to you that night. I know I've hurt you and I don't deserve to have you forgive me but sweetheart I can't live without you. I love you more than anyone in this world and the thought that I've pushed you away kills me."

He fell silent and she heard him swallow hard. Glancing across at him she was shocked to see tears in his eyes. As she went to put her glass down, her hand shook and she dropped it with a crash, spilling water across the table. Bret quickly grabbed a cloth and hurried over to clear it up, dabbing it on her lap where most of the water had spilt. Tentatively she placed a hand over his and then took the cloth from him. Bret stepped back, clearing his throat and then sat down opposite her again.

"I would never cheat on you," she said quietly, her voice oddly emotionless. "That night I had too much to drink and one man tried to take advantage of that and then the man I trusted more than anyone in the world treated me like a cheating 'bitch' despite the fact I didn't do a thing wrong other than had a little too much to drink."