Endlessly ( A Dean Ambrose Story)

Chapter 26: The Better Man

We were back in Nevada. Honestly, the boys and I couldn't have been happier! I missed my bed!

"So are we planning on doing something or are we going to be lazy? Personally, I prefer lazy." Joe said.
"Ditto!" Jacob and I both agreed with Joe.
"Well, Summer is heading this way, so I'm going to be spending time with her." Tyler said.
"Have fun with that! I on the other hand, am taking a nap." I said.
"What do you say Jacob? Let's go to war on C.O.D?" Joe offered.
"Let's do it!"
I headed to my room, changed into some comfortable clothes, and laid down.
I woke up to my phone ringing. Half asleep I answered it.
"Hello?" I said sleepily
"Hey there beautiful! Did I wake you?" The voice on the other end asked. I knew that voice! Instantly I was excited.
"No. I've been up."
"(laughs) liar. Are you too tired to hang out?"
"I'm never too tired to hang out with you!"
"I was hoping you'd say that. Pick you up in an hour."
"I'll be waiting."
"See you then. Love you!"
"Love you too."
***Dean's P.O.V**
"Awww Joe! He loves her!" Seth teased.
"Can it Lopez!"
"So where are you taking her?"
"Somewhere you're not."
Roman laughed. I joined in after seeing the sad expression on Seth's face.
"I'm taking her Go-karting."
***Annaleigh's P.O.V***
I had just finished getting ready and headed to the living room when I noticed Summer and Emma were on the couch.
"Hey ladies!" I waved.
"Hey!"
"Wow! Look at you! Hot date?" Emma asked smiling.
"Yep!"
Just then the doorbell rang and Joe answered.
"Hey man! Come on in." Dean did as he said and came in. As always, he looked beyond handsome!
"Hey there handsome!" I said planting a kiss.
"Hey princess!" He said wrapping his arms around me.
"So where are you two love birds going?" Jacob asked.
"Go-karting." Dean answered.
"Aww that'll be fun!" Summer said smiling at Tyler.
"Hell yea! We should do that sometime guys!" Joe suggested.
"Why not now? We could all go now! It could be a group date!" Summer suggested.
"Um babe? I think Anna and Dean want to be alone." Tyler said.
"Oh." She sounded disappointed.
"How about you guys join us?" Dean suggested. I was honestly shocked! I looked at him and whispered, "Are you sure?"
"Really? You sure?" Tyler asked in a challenging way.
"Yea why not? Leighla, Seth, Galina and Roman are all here too. I'll call them up and have them join us."
"Hell yea I'm down!" Joe said excitedly.
We headed out the door and made our way to the go-kart place.
"You made me spin out! That should've been illegal!" I said to Roman.
"It was perfectly legal. You just have to be your A-game little Anna." He teased laughing uncontrollably. Dean wrapped me in a sympathetic hug.
"You should punch your friend for cheating." I teased. Although the date didn't go as I had hoped, it was fun racing everyone. Dean actually had a good idea inviting everyone.
"I don't know which one I'm more of: Tired or hungry." Joe stated.
"I'm hungry!' Jacob said, "Anna, your Sheppard's Pie sounds amazing right about now."
"Then let's go home so I can make it."
We headed home and I began to make my Sheppard's Pie.
***Dean's P.O.V***
Joe, Jacob and I were playing Call of Duty while Roman and Galina watched from the couch, Tyler, Summer, and Emma were at the mini bar, and Seth and Leighla were on the balcony enjoying the sun.
Joe paused the game. "Sorry fellas! Bathroom break!" Jacob got up to stretch his legs. I looked over at Annaleigh and just watched her in the kitchen for a few minutes.
"You and her make a really good couple! I'm glad you took our advice and gave it a try." Galina said smiling pulling me out of my gaze.
"Thanks. I am too. She makes me happy."
"Oh we know!" Roman laughed.
I got up and made my way towards Annaleigh. That conversation was about to get way too deep. I wrapped my arms around Annaleigh and kissed the back of her neck.
"Need any help?" I asked.
"No. I think I got it. Thank you though."
"What do you have left to do?"
"I just have to top it with cheese then stick it in the oven."
"What's in it?"
"You've never had Sheppard's Pie?" I shook my head no and she looked shocked. "You can make Sheppard 's Pie with just about anything you want, but I'm traditional with it. Just hamburger meat, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and shredded cheese." She explained.
"Sounds good!"
Just then Tyler came in to the kitchen.
"Hey how about we go out for a few drinks after dinner? Just us guys."
"I'm down." Joe answered.
"Why not?" Jacob chimed in.
"Okay cool." Seth said.
Roman and I were the only ones who were reluctant to answer.
"How about you Jon?" Tyler asked.
"Well.."
"You should babe! It'd be good for you guys to hang out!" Annaleigh encouraged.
"You sure?"
"Yea! Go have fun! Have a guys night out!" She smiled. I turned around and saw that Tyler was waiting for an answer.
"Sure."
"Sweet."
After dinner the guys and I headed to The Griffin. We had a few drinks and were actually having a good time. Tyler on the other hand was having a little too much fun. It wouldn't be longer before his loud mouth got us in a fight.
Annoyed, I separated myself from the group. I was having fun but I missed my girl.

Me: Hey beautiful!

Anna: Hey you! Having fun?

Me: Yea, actually. Your friends are pretty cool.

Anna: Eh yea. They can be. Lol

Me: Lol. What are you doing?

Anna: Finished a movie, just got out of the shower,

and now laying in bed talking to you!

Me: Sounds like fun. I miss you.

Anna: I miss you too.

Me: Get some rest princess. I'll see you tomorrow.

Anna: Okay. Goodnight Jon!

Me: Goodnight. Sweet dreams! I love you.

Anna: I love you too.

I put my phone up and stood there just thinking. I missed her. Yea I was having fun but truth is I just wanted to be with her tonight. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a figure stumble towards me. Tyler. He was clearly drunk.
"You and I need to have a talk." He said. I motioned for him to sit down and he did. "It's about Annaleigh."
"What about her?"
"You love her right?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"More than anything."
Tyler scoffed at my comment and starting laughing. It kind of pissed me off.
"What's so funny?" I hissed.
"How do you feel about marriage?"
"Why?"
"Kids?"
"Dude get to the point!"
"This is my point Jon! Marriage and kids mean everything to Anna. It's what she's always wanted. It's what she dreams about and no offense, but you don't seem like the kind of guy who is in to that stuff."
I stood there silent.
"How well do you know her?"
"Very well." I defended.
"Oh yea? What's her favorite color?"
"Uh.."
"Favorite candy? Favorite movie? Favorite drink? Favorite flower? Favorite subject in school? Favorite animal? Favorite author? Or even favorite T.V show?"
"...I don't know." I answered solemnly.
"I know you don't know. Which is why I asked. See Dean it's not just the major stuff that you have to know... it's the little stuff too. I know all of these answers. I've known her for twelve plus years. You can't learn all of that within a few months and think that you love her. I however, can. Because I do love her. I've grown to know her through the years. I know her better than she knows herself! Hell I even know all of her demons. What about a house?"
"She wants to live in the country." I answered.
"Good job! Earned some brownie p0points, but in what kind of house?"
"Why does that matter?" I asked feeling defeated.
"Two stories. With a wrap around porch."
"Why can't you just let her be happy Tyler?" I asked getting defensive.
"I do want her happy. That's why we're talking. Let's be honest here. Can you honestly see yourself settling down with a family and living in the country? You don't strike me as a country boy."
"I could try."
"Sure you could try. But what if it's not enough? What if you hate it? What if you can't take care of her? What would you do? Just up and leave? Leave her hurting?"
"I would never do that to her!"
"Maybe not intentionally. Jon she needs to be with someone that really knows her. And loves her. Who's stable and can take care of her. You're not that guy. You and I both know that the best option for her is me. I can take care of her. She belongs with me."
"You've had your chance. You've had alot of time to convince her you're that guy, Tyler. Why now?"
"Because she's scared. Actually, we were getting closer before you came along. Jon, you say that you love her. Well if that's true,you'll do what's best for her and don't lead her on to false hope. You'll give her a chance to truly be happy and be well taken care of." He said as he walked away.
I did love Annaleigh. I love how she makes me feel... but Tyler has a point. So far she's been the only one making me happy. I've never pictured myself getting married and starting a family, and she did say that that's what she wants back in California. I've known she deserves better.I know what I have to do... but it doesn't hurt me any less.
It killed me. After thinking everything over, I made my way back to the group. Joe and Colby noticed my mood changed.
"You okay bro?" Roman asked.
"Yea... just thinking. I'm ready to head out guys." So we left.