before he cheats | a.cole

fifty three

I show Adam's parents around the Performance Center starting with the business area. "This is what goes on in the background," I say. "Match bookings, pay-per-view planning, contract signings. Everything that you don't see in the ring happens back here."

Adam's mom says, "That's interesting."

I show them to a conference room. The same conference room where I signed the contract with Adam. I put Troy down and he runs to one of the spiny chairs. He sits down in one and spins slowly. He giggles. I look at Adam's parents and say, "This is the conference room where I signed the contract with Adam that got us here in the first place."

"There was a contract?" Brenda asks.

I nod and say, "Adam was with Britt when we signed the contract. He had feelings for me so it was his idea for an on-screen relationship. He told me it was William Regal and Triple H's idea. They're the top guys in the NXT brand."

Brenda says, "Austin is very smart, sometimes."

I smile and say, "Yes, he is."

Someone walks in and I see it's Triple H. "Oh, I'm sorry Angelina," he says. "I didn't know anyone was in here."

"No, it's okay," I say. "We were just leaving. Oh, Hunter, this are Adam's parents. His mother, Brenda, and his stepfather, Peter."

Triple H shakes his parents' hands and says, "Adam is one of the best that we have here in NXT. We're very lucky to have him."

Brenda smiles and says, "We're happy that he found his way to NXT. He seems to be very happy here."

I smile and look at Triple H. He says, "You must be very proud."

Adam's mom nods and says, "We are."

Troy runs up and me and asks, "Can we go see daddy now? And Uncle Austin?"

Triple H looks at Troy and asks, "Is this Roddy's son? I've heard so much about him and have never met him before."

I carefully pick Troy up and hold him. "This is Troy," I say. "I'm on Troy duty while Roderick trains."

Brenda holds her arms out and asks, "Can I hold him if he'll let me?"

I nod and look at Troy. He's already leaning toward Adam's mother. I hand him over and Triple H laughs. "Oh, can I talk to you for a second since I have you here, Angelina?" he asks.

Adam's mom says, "We can wait outside while you talk."

Brenda, Peter, and Troy all leave the room, closing the door behind them. I sit in one of the chairs and look up at Triple H. "What did you need?" I ask.

Triple H says, "We've gotten a lot of calls about this feud you have with Britt Baker. They've all been mostly positive but one of the calls has me thinking about something. It's been bugging me and William since we received the call and we want your opinion on it."

I raise my eyebrows and ask, "What was the call?"

He says, "They brought to my attention that Britt might have injured you on purpose to get back at you for Adam breaking up with her to be with you."

I blink at him and say, "She might have. She said she didn't but I don't believe it. I think a part of her did purposefully injure me."

Triple H nods and says, "Alright, well, that's what everyone believes here too. We can get her fined or suspended from AEW for a few weeks."

I shake my head and say, "No, it's fine. I'll get back at her during our rematch when I'm back."

"Please don't injure her in retaliation for what she did to you," Triple H says. "We don't need to deal with that PR nightmare."