Flashin’ Back
Middleton, U.K.
LJ’s family’s home

*wavey lines...blah blah blah*

The room was half-packed, the kind of organized chaos that looked more like a storm had swept through than someone preparing for a new life. T-shirts spilled out of one suitcase, books stacked in wobbly towers on the bed, and a pair of boots—new, still smelling like the shop—sat untouched in the corner.

LJ stood at the closet, shoulders tense, folding a jacket he’d already packed twice before. The zipper caught on itself, and he yanked it, frustrated, before tossing it onto the bed with a grunt.

Behind him, the door creaked open. He didn’t have to look.

Rebecca’s voice was soft, but unmistakably hers. “You’re really going.”

LJ didn’t answer at first. He kept his eyes on the pile of clothes, like if he focused hard enough, it would distract from the ache settling in his chest.

“Mom…” he said finally, “I need to do this.”

“I know,” she replied, stepping further into the room. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. Her hair was shorter back then, clipped close to her jaw, the silver in it catching the light from the hallway. Her eyes—those sharp, unflinching eyes LJ had inherited—watched him carefully.

“You could’ve just stayed,” she said. “Gone to school here. Gone to law school. You had options.”

“I still do,” he said, not looking at her. “But I’ve made my choice.”

A pause.

Then, another voice behind her. Warmer, but firmer. Joan.

“Becca, let the boy breathe.”

Rebecca gave her wife a look but stepped aside as Joan entered, hands on her hips, brow raised like she was already preparing for a courtroom cross-examination.

“We’re not stopping you, LJ,” Joan said. “You’re grown. We get that. But your mom has a right to be concerned. And so do I.”

LJ sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Because I’m chasing wrestling? Or because I’m chasing him?”

“Both,” Rebecca said without hesitation.

“You think I don’t know what I’m walking into?” LJ turned then, facing them fully. “That people are gonna look at me and see Miles Kasey’s little brother? That maybe they’ll want to take a swing just to get his attention?”

He shook his head.

“I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the tape. I know who Miles is—and who his enemies are.”

Rebecca stepped forward, the weight of her worry coming off her in waves. “LJ… your father—your real father—he got caught up in this world. And it broke him. It broke everything. Wrestling’s not just lights and belts. It’s blood and politics. It’s grudges that never die. You think someone won’t try to use you just to get to your brother?”

“If they want to try, let them,” LJ said, voice steady, eyes hard. “I’m not afraid of being a target. I’d rather be in the fight than watching from the sidelines.”

“You don’t have to bleed to belong to him,” Joan said gently. “You don’t have to prove anything.”

“I’m not trying to prove anything,” LJ said. “Not to him. Not to you. Not even to myself.”

He took a deep breath, letting it sit in his chest before he exhaled.

“But I am going to make a name. My name. Whether people respect it because of him—or fear it because of me.”

The room went quiet.

Rebecca looked at him then, really looked at him, like she was trying to memorize every inch before he walked out the door. She’d seen this look before—the same fire in a man she once loved, long before it ever turned to ash.

“I just don’t want you making peace with pain before you even leave home,” she said.

LJ walked over, wrapping his arms around her, pressing his forehead against the crowd of her head.

“I’ve already made peace with it, Mom,” he murmured. “Now I just need to make them feel it.”

----

“Fallout & Firestarters”
Last Week following Climax Control

The hallway outside the locker room was dim, the overhead lights buzzing faintly in that way that made every moment feel like it was teetering on the edge of something bigger. Footsteps echoed heavy down the concrete floor as LJ rounded the corner, the bruise still coloring the side of his jaw a dull yellow, a leftover souvenir from the hell he went through with Logan. He hadn’t even finished healing, and already the next storm was barreling his way.

He spotted them before they saw him—Miles, leaning against the wall with that eternally unreadable expression, arms crossed like he was holding himself back. Carter was beside him, still in gear, wiping the last of the sweat from his brow with a towel, his eyes cast low but seething.

LJ didn’t wait.

“The hell is this?” LJ’s voice cracked through the corridor like a whip.

Both men looked up. Miles straightened, eyebrows raised. Carter paused, wary.

“You know damn well what I’m talkin’ about,” LJ said, closing the distance. “Alex Jones going on national TV and saying he’s not just coming after Carter, but everything he loves? That includes me, doesn’t it? You think I missed that little implication?”

Miles opened his mouth, but LJ didn’t let him get a word out.

“I got the call. Next week. Avicii Arena in Stockholm. Main event. Me versus Alex fuckin’ Jones.” His voice dropped into a low, bitter laugh. “I just went through a war with Logan, and now I’m the lucky bastard being used as cannon fodder.”

Carter looked at him with a flicker of guilt behind his glare. “LJ—”

“No, Carter, I ain’t mad at you. You didn’t say that shit. He did. But I got one question—” LJ turned his attention squarely to Miles now, “—why the hell didn’t you step up when he made the threat?”

Miles tensed, his jaw ticking.

“I heard what he said, same as you,” Miles said evenly. “But this? This isn’t my battle.”

LJ took a step forward, his voice hard now, nearly shaking with the adrenaline coursing through him. “Bullshit.”

Carter raised a hand like he was about to intervene, but Miles held up his own to stop him.

“No. LJ’s pissed. Let him be.”

Miles turned to face his younger brother fully, his tone calm but firm—the big brother tone, the one that came with years of hard-fought patience.

“Yes, Alex has a problem with me. That’s not new. He’s been bitter since the last time I left him lying in a puddle of his own regrets. But this beef? The title? The obsession? That’s with Carter. Carter is the one chasing his gold. Carter is the one who got under his skin. I didn’t swing the hammer this time.”

“You think that matters to someone like Alex?” LJ shot back. “He’s not gonna care whose name is on the damn contract. He’s already throwing threats around like party favors and I’m the one who has to eat it first!”

“I know,” Miles said quietly. “And I hate that. I’d give a lot for another excuse to put my fist through his face. You know that.”

“Then why not now?!”

“Because it’s not my time. Not my place,” Miles snapped, louder than he meant to. He took a breath and lowered his voice. “If I go running in now, fists swinging, I let him win. I take the spotlight off Carter. Off you. I become exactly what Alex wants me to be: the distraction. I’m not doing that.”

The silence that followed was heavy. LJ turned away for a moment, rubbing his face with both hands, trying to process. He didn’t like it. Any of it. The fact that he was now a piece on someone else’s chessboard. The fact that his blood might be spilled just to send a message.

Carter spoke next, voice lower now. “I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t want him to come after you.”

“I know,” LJ said quietly.

“And I’ll deal with him. In my own way. But I won’t lie—he’s gonna try and hurt you first. He wants to make a statement.”

“Then he better be ready for mine,” LJ said through clenched teeth. “He wants to use me to send a message? Fine. But I ain’t gonna break easy.”

Miles stepped forward now, putting a hand on LJ’s shoulder. “We’ll prepare. You’ve got me. You’ve got Carter. You’re not going into that ring blind. He may think he’s dealing with some kid just living in his brother’s shadow—but you’ve got fire, LJ. You’re not a pawn.”

LJ held his brother’s gaze, then nodded once.

“You’re damn right I’m not.”

-----

“If You Go to Hell, I’m Coming With You”
Present Day

The night outside the hotel window was a blanket of shadows broken only by the soft flickers of passing headlights and neon glow, painting faint lines across the floor. The city of Stockholm moved beneath them—restless, alive, cold. LJ stood by the window in nothing but a black T-shirt and sweats, arms crossed over his chest, eyes locked on a world that never stopped moving, even when his did.

Behind him, he could hear the low rustle of clothes being tossed into a suitcase. Ally had one boot on, one off. Her jacket slung over the back of the chair. She wasn’t even looking at him—not out of rudeness, but because she was focused. Always moving. Always chasing. Always burning.

He loved that about her.

But tonight… he needed her to slow down for a second.

“You got a minute?” he asked softly, not turning.

Ally paused, looked up from the bag, and set the second boot down. “Yeah. Of course.”

He turned then, and the weariness on his face was the kind that didn’t come from sleepless nights or stiff joints. This was emotional weight—the kind that settled in the chest and never quite let go.

“You and me both know what’s coming,” LJ said, walking over and perching on the edge of the bed. “Alex Jones isn’t just another match. This ain’t just another night. And I know what you’ve got going on too. You’re stretched. I see it.”

Ally opened her mouth to argue, but he lifted a hand to stop her.

“Don’t. I’m not accusing. I’m just saying… I’m not blind.” His voice stayed steady. “You’ve been carrying your own war. Day in, day out. And I know how heavy it is.”

She stepped toward him, quiet now, no excuses, no explanations—just listening.

LJ reached out and gently took her hand. “If you gotta go to hell to get what you want… if that’s what it takes… then I’m not about to sit back and let you do it alone.”

Ally’s breath caught, just a little.

“I’ll walk right into the fire with you,” he said. “And while I’m there? I’ll bring something back for myself too. You don’t have to carry the whole damn thing alone. We’re in this together.”

There was a tremor in the air between them. Not fear—understanding. Something deeper. Something forged in the scars they both carried.

“I don’t care how many people come after me ‘cause of who I am, or who I’m with, or who I love,” he went on. “Let Alex throw threats. Let him try and make examples outta us. He thinks he’s the only one who knows how to fight dirty? He ain’t met me when I’ve got something worth bleeding for.”

Ally didn’t say anything at first. She just sat beside him and leaned her head against his shoulder. The weight of her body, the silence, the warmth—it all told him more than words ever could.

He tilted his head slightly, lips brushing her hair.

“I ain’t lettin’ go,” he whispered. “Not of you. Not of this. No matter how bad it gets.”

She finally spoke, voice low and hoarse. “Then we go through it together.”

He nodded, holding her hand tighter. “Together.”

----

“You Wanted My Attention? Now You’ve Got It.”

They said Stockholm was chilly even in spring, but inside Avicii Arena, there was fire in the halls.

The kind that burned behind the eyes of a man who had been pushed too far.

LJ sat alone in the dim hallway just off gorilla—hood up, hands taped, heart hammering like a war drum. He could hear the crowd out there, restless, waiting. They didn’t know it yet, but they were about to witness something raw. Something personal.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring straight ahead like he was looking through the wall.

"This was never supposed to be my problem,” he muttered under his breath, jaw clenching. “But then you made it one, Alex."

He stood, slowly. His breath steamed in the air as he pulled the hood down, sweat already beading at his temple despite not having wrestled a second yet. He turned to the camera crew that had been waiting on standby.

“Roll it.”

The red light blinked on.

And LJ stared straight into the lens like it was Alex Jones himself.

“You wanted to make this personal, right?” LJ said, voice low, steady—but sharp enough to cut glass. “You got your eyes locked on Carter, and you couldn’t just keep it to him. No… You had to puff your chest and threaten everything he loves. Which means now I’m in your line of sight. I’m not fucking stupid, Alex."

His lips curled into a bitter smirk.

"You think you're some master manipulator. The big bad leader of Wolfslair that was. You think that by saying a few words, you’ll get people dancing to your tune. But see, Alex… You don’t realize the game’s already passed you by. You ain’t the final boss no more. You’re the outdated end-level character hanging on ‘cause of name value. And news flash—name value doesn't scare me."

He took a step closer to the camera, finger jabbing toward the lens.

"And you’re probably thinking I'm just some tagalong? Miles' kid brother? Carter's in-law? The easy one to go after ‘cause I don't have a belt around my waist in THIS company or twenty years of main events under my belt?"

His voice rose now, laced with fire.

"Well I’ll tell you what...You're right about one thing—I don’t have your résumé. But I do have something else. Purpose. And you just gave me the one thing I needed to tear through you without a second of hesitation."

He paused, breath heavy, gaze dark.

"You don’t get to make threats without consequences, Alex. You don’t get to drag me into your vendetta and expect me to show up like a good little soldier. You drew that line in the sand, and I’m stepping over it. And Sunday? In Stockholm? In that ring? I’m coming for your neck."

Another step forward. Now there was no smirk, no sarcasm—just venom.

"Non-title or not… This innit about gold. This sure as fuck innit about rankings. This is about respect. You tried to spit on my family. You tried to draw blood without ever swinging."

He scoffed.

"You didn’t count on me showing up with a damn blade."

A beat passed. Silence like thunder.

Then, almost growling—

"You should’ve left me out of it."

He reached up, yanked his hood back over his head, and turned to walk down the hall toward the arena. But just before he disappeared through the curtain, he spoke once more, voice low and final.

"You wanted my attention, Alex? Now you’ve got it."

"So here’s what’s happened…"

It’s funny how quickly things escalate in this business. One minute, you’re celebrating a hard-fought win against Kris in what felt like a defining moment, and the next, you’re thrown headfirst into utter chaos.

That match with Kris? It wasn’t just any match. It was a reminder that I could hang with the best SCW had to offer, and damn it, I proved that. But as the confetti settled and the adrenaline faded, I didn’t have time to bask in the moment because life had other plans.

It started innocently enough—or as innocent as it gets in SCW. I was walking backstage when I saw Logan Hunter doing what Logan Hunter does best—being an absolute bellend. This asshole hadn’t even been here long enough for cuppa and he decides that he is going to attack Caleb Storms. He had Caleb down on the ground, beating the hell out of him like it was some sort of sick performance. And of course, right by his side was his ever-so-faithful twat of a girlfriend, Brooke Shields.

No, not that Brooke Shields, though let’s be honest, the comparisons write themselves, and trust me, she hates them. Poor thing. So sad....

ANYWAY, there’s Logan, reveling in his brutality, and something inside me just snapped. I didn’t think twice—I stormed in, grabbed Logan, and yanked him off Caleb. It wasn’t heroic or noble; it was instinct. I wasn’t about to let him carry on like that. But little did I know, that one act would spark what feels like a never-ending war between us.

From that moment on, Logan and I have been at each other’s throats. He’d try something shady, and I’d be there to shut it down. I’d be walking backstage, and the next thing I knew, we were throwing punches like it was an unsanctioned brawl. Climax Control became less about matches and more about avoiding Logan—or, let’s be honest, hunting him down before he could get to me.

And then there was the last Climax Control before Inception. The moment when things finally boiled over. I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve known Logan couldn’t resist taking things to a whole new level. But I wasn’t prepared for what happened that night.

I was heading out to my car, tired, ready to call it a night and just waiting for Alexandra when....when they jumped me. Logan, Brooke, and whatever twisted sense of satisfaction fuels their sorry excuse for a relationship. They got me down, wrapped a chain around my feet, and then—because why not—they attached that chain to a bloody motorcycle.

Next thing I knew, I was being dragged across the parking lot like some sort of trophy. The gravel tore at my jeans, my boots scraped against the ground, and if it weren’t for the leather jacket I was wearing, I’d probably still be in the hospital. The jacket saved me from worse damage, but it didn’t save me from the humiliation.

That’s what Logan wanted, wasn’t it? To humiliate me. To make me feel powerless. To send some sort of twisted message. Well, message received.

But here’s the thing Logan doesn’t understand. Dragging me across a parking lot doesn’t make me afraid of him. It doesn’t make me want to run or hide. If anything, it’s done the exact opposite.

Because now? Now it’s personal.

The medics worked hurriedly around him, their hands moving with the kind of practiced precision reserved for emergencies. LJ Kasey sat slouched on a steel chair in the medical area backstage, his face a mask of pain and simmering fury. His leather jacket, now torn and scuffed from the assault, hung off one shoulder, while his jeans were ripped at the knees, exposing raw, scraped skin. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead, trailing down the side of his face.

“You need to go to the hospital,” one of the medics insisted, his tone firm but not unkind.

LJ shot him a glare, his lips curling into a defiant sneer. “I don’t need a bloody hospital. I’m fine.”

“Fine?” The other medic raised an eyebrow. “You were just dragged across a parking lot by a chain attached to a motorcycle. You could have internal damage. Broken bones. God knows what else—”

“I said I’m fine,” LJ snapped, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and pointed a bloodied hand toward the medics. “Just patch me up. Stitch me if you have to, but I’m not going anywhere.”

The medics exchanged uneasy glances but stepped back slightly, clearly aware they weren’t going to win this argument.

Nearby, Alexandra Callaway stood with her arms crossed, her expression a mixture of worry and fury. Her dark eyes narrowed as she watched LJ stubbornly wave off the medics, her jaw tightening. She had been there with him every step of the way, standing by his side through every run-in with Logan Hunter and his ever-present girlfriend, Brooke Shields. But tonight, Logan and Brooke had struck when Ally wasn’t there to back him up, and that fact burned hotter than anything else.

“You’re so damn stubborn,” Ally said finally, her voice low and sharp as she stepped closer to him. “I told you to watch your back. I told you they’d pull something like this the second I wasn’t there.”

LJ sighed, dragging a hand through his sweat-matted hair. “It’s not your fault, Angel. You’ve been right there with me this whole time. This? This was on Logan. And trust me, he’s going to pay for it.”

Her arms dropped to her sides, fists clenched. “They think they’re clever, attacking you like that. Brooke’s just as much of a coward as Logan. I swear, the next time I see her—”

“You’ll get your chance,” LJ interrupted, his voice firm but steady. “But first, I’ve got to deal with him.”

As if on cue, the sound of a camera crew approaching broke the tension. The bright red light of the recording equipment flickered on, signaling that the entire exchange was now live for the world to see. LJ straightened in his seat, the defiance in his eyes hardening into something colder, more focused.

He stared directly into the camera, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl. “Logan Hunter,” he began, his accent sharper than usual, each word laced with venom. “You think you’ve got the upper hand, don’t you? Dragging me around the parking lot like some bloody trophy. You think that makes you tough? Nah, mate, it just proves what I already knew—you’re a coward. A snake. A bloody joke.”

Ally stepped behind him, her arms crossed once more as she watched him speak, nodding silently at every word.

“You couldn’t fight me face-to-face,” LJ continued, his voice rising slightly, the anger boiling closer to the surface. “So you had to jump me. You and your little twat of a girlfriend—yeah, I said it, Brooke. Twat. What are you going to do about it? Nothing, because you’re just as pathetic as he is.”

The intensity in his tone made the air in the room feel heavier, each word landing like a punch. LJ leaned forward again, his elbows on his knees, his fists clenched tightly together.

“But here’s the thing, Logan,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You’ve crossed a line you can’t uncross. You’ve made this personal. And at Inception, we’re not having a match. Nah. What we’re going to have is a knockdown, drag-out brawl. And I’m taking you to the woodshed, mate. I’m going to beat your ass like your mama should’ve.”

The camera zoomed in on his face, capturing every ounce of the raw emotion etched into his features. Ally stood silently behind him, her expression mirroring the fury in his voice.

“So here’s how it’s going to go,” LJ continued, his voice now filled with cold, unrelenting resolve. “At Inception, in Las Vegas, it’s going to be No Disqualifications. No rules. No mercy. And just to make sure you can’t run when I’m done with you, it’s going to be Falls Count Anywhere. That means the ring, the ramp, the parking lot—you name it. Hell, I’ll pin you in the bloody desert if I have to. And, bruv...I am going to make you bleed.”

He stood suddenly, brushing off the medics and shrugging his tattered jacket back over his shoulders. His gaze never left the camera as he delivered his final words.

“Come hell or high water, Logan, I’m walking out of Inception the winner. And you? You’re walking out in a big bloody mess and torn to pieces. I’ll see you in Vegas, sunshine.”

Without another word, LJ stormed off, his boots echoing loudly on the concrete floor. Ally followed closely behind, her expression unreadable but her fists still clenched tightly at her sides. The camera lingered on the empty chair, the medics frozen in uneasy silence, before the scene finally faded to black.

The camera crew dispersed, their murmurs fading into the background as LJ and Ally made their way down the corridor. Every step LJ took sent a jolt of pain shooting up his legs, but he didn’t falter. Not now. Not when Logan Hunter was still out there somewhere, likely smirking to himself and thinking he’d won this round.

Ally walked beside him, her silence deafening. LJ could feel the storm brewing just beneath her calm exterior, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. She’d been his rock through all of this, but tonight, the fury radiating off her was almost palpable.

Finally, she broke the silence. “Are you even going to make it to Inception in one piece?”

He glanced sideways at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his bruised lips. “I’ve been through worse.”

“That’s not the point,” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through steel. “Logan doesn’t fight fair, LJ. You know that better than anyone. And now he’s got Brooke egging him on every step of the way. You think he’s going to stop at dragging you across a parking lot? What happens when he escalates again? You can’t keep playing the hero. You’re not invincible.”

LJ stopped in his tracks, turning to face her fully. His blue eyes, shadowed with exhaustion and pain, met hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “I know I’m not invincible, Ally. Trust me, I feel every bruise, every cut, every damn scrape. But this isn’t about being a hero. It’s about standing up to that bastard and showing him that he can’t break me.”

Her expression softened, just slightly, but the worry in her eyes remained. “I just don’t want to see you hurt worse than you already are.”

He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. “I know. And I appreciate it, Angel. But this is something I have to do. Logan needs to be put in his place, and if I don’t do it, he’s just going to keep running roughshod over everyone else.”

She sighed, her shoulders sagging as some of the tension left her body. “Fine. But if he so much as looks at you wrong again, I’m getting involved. No arguments.”

LJ chuckled, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at the tender muscles in his side. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

They continued down the corridor, the sounds of the arena fading behind them. Outside, the cool night air hit LJ like a welcome reprieve, the sharp sting of it grounding him in the moment. His car was parked just a few feet away, but he hesitated, turning to Ally once more.

“Hey,” he said, his voice softer now. “Thank you. For always having my back.”

She smiled, the fire in her eyes dimming to a warm glow. “Always. Just don’t make me regret it.”

He nodded, opening the car door and sliding in. Ally joined him, and as the engine roared to life, LJ’s mind was already racing ahead to Inception. The bruises and cuts didn’t matter. The pain didn’t matter. All that mattered was making Logan Hunter regret the day he ever decided to cross him.

Because come hell or high water, LJ Kasey wasn’t just fighting to win. He was fighting to make a statement.

And Logan Hunter? He was about to find out exactly what happens when you push the wrong man too far.


Mail Call

It had been nearly a week of private bliss for LJ and Ally in his new Las Vegas apartment. The two had spent time reconnecting and reveling in the calm after months of chaos in LJ’s life. But now, the stillness was interrupted by a dose of reality: mail call day.

LJ walked into the apartment, a small stack of letters in his hands. He dropped them onto the kitchen table with a heavy sigh, the corners of large envelopes peeking out. Ally, sitting on the couch with her feet curled under her, raised an eyebrow at his uncharacteristic lack of enthusiasm.

“What’s all that?” she asked, standing and padding over to the table.

“Just some of the post,” LJ muttered, moving past her to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. He avoided her gaze, keeping his back to her as he twisted the cap off.

Ally’s curiosity got the better of her, and she flipped through the pile. Her eyes widened as she saw the logos on the envelopes: UNLV, USC Gould School of Law, Columbia School of Law, and The University of Texas School of Law. She glanced at him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.

“LJ,” she began, holding up the envelope from Columbia. “This is huge. Why aren’t you excited about this? You’ve got some of the best law schools in the country wanting you!”

LJ leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. He looked at her with a mix of frustration and resignation. “I don’t know, Ally. I mean... I’m almost 23. I feel like I’ve got roots here. I moved to Vegas to be closer to Miles, and I stayed because I’m finally building something for myself. Now, this?” He gestured to the pile of letters. “It feels like... like it’s pulling me in a direction I’m not sure I want to go.”

Ally walked over to him, placing the envelopes down on the counter and wrapping her arms around his waist. “You applied to these schools for a reason, LJ. What changed?”

He hesitated, then sighed. “I applied to Texas to be closer to you. But now, everything’s different. I’m finally making progress in wrestling. Miles is here. You and I... we’re good. Why would I risk all of that?”

Ally reached up, cupping his face and making him look at her. “LJ, listen to me. You don’t have to decide right this second. And whatever you choose, I’ll be there. If you stay in Vegas, I’ll be here. If you go to Austin or New York or anywhere else, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth. This isn’t just your journey—it’s ours.”

He searched her eyes, finding nothing but sincerity and love. The weight on his chest lightened, just a little. “You mean that?”

“Every word,” she said firmly. “But you need to do what feels right for you. Not for me, not for Miles, not for anyone else. This is your life, LJ.”

He nodded slowly, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Thanks, angel. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out,” she whispered, holding him close. For now, the stack of letters remained untouched, a decision waiting for another day. “I cannot believe you applied to UT though.”

LJ sheepishly smiled, “Surprise?”

“A bit, yeah...” Ally looked up at him, “Especially because you practically just moved into this apartment, which isn’t bad. It’s spacious and you seem to be making it a space for you.”

“It’s just a place for me to sleep and hold my stuff though. It’s felt more like home this week than it has any other time...mostly because of you. After everything though, it’s going to take a lot of thinking about. I’ve heard positive things about pro/con lists but it’s not really my style.” LJ shrugs, looking around, “Hell, when I decided to come to Vegas, I flipped a coin and ignored what it said and went anyway.”

“Well this is going to be a bit bigger than a coin flip, I’d think.”

“That it is. How about this? ...we order some pizza, and I’ll let it lull in my brain and we’ll just veg tonight.”

Ally gets up to her tip toes and gives him a quick kiss on the lips “Perfect.”

The late-night quiet in LJ’s apartment was broken only by the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional rustle of wind outside the window. LJ sat on the couch, his fingers drumming lightly on his knee. Alexandra was curled up beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. She’d been telling him about her plans to get Ashlynn settled when she arrived next week, but her words had only half-registered in his mind. He’d been preoccupied, her earlier statement about following him anywhere looping endlessly in his thoughts.

He glanced down at her, watching how her dark hair framed her face, how her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. This was the woman who had stood by him when he felt like the world had written him off. The woman who saw potential in him even when he doubted it himself. And now, she had said she’d follow him anywhere. That wasn’t just a passing comment. It was a promise.

“Ally?” he said softly, his voice tinged with hesitation.

She stirred, lifting her head to look at him. “Hmm? What is it?”

He swallowed hard, searching for the right words. “I… I’ve been thinking about what you said a little earlier. About following me anywhere.”

Her expression softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah? What about it?”

LJ’s hand found hers, their fingers intertwining as he looked down at their joined hands. “It just… it hit me. You didn’t have to say that, but you did. And I don’t think I realized until now just how much that means to me.” He looked up, his blue eyes meeting hers. “Ally, I don’t think I’ve ever had someone… love me like that before. Not like you do.”

Her gaze searched his, her smile growing as she squeezed his hand. “LJ, I’ve always seen who you are. Beyond the wrestler, beyond the doubts you carry. You’re one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. I meant what I said. I’m with you, no matter where life takes us.”

He let out a shaky breath, her words settling in his chest like a warm flame. “You have no idea how much that means to me,” he said. “I… I’ve been so scared of messing this up. Scared that I’d let you down, or that maybe… maybe you’d wake up one day and realize you deserve better than some guy who’s still figuring things out.”

Ally cupped his cheek, tilting his face toward her. “LJ, stop. You’re not just some guy. You’re kind, you’re passionate, and you’ve got a heart bigger than you even realize. Ashlynn sees it. I see it. And I’m not going anywhere.”

He blinked back the sudden sting of emotion in his eyes, a grin breaking through his features. “You really mean that?”

She nodded, her own eyes glistening. “I do.”

LJ pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as though afraid she might disappear. “I love you, Ally,” he whispered into her hair. “And I’m not just saying that because of what you said. I mean it. I love you. And I love Ashlynn. I want you both in my life for as long as you’ll have me.”

Her breath hitched, and when she pulled back to look at him, there were tears streaming down her face. “LJ…” She touched his face, her fingers tracing his jaw. “I love you too. So much.”

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that felt like both a promise and a revelation. When they parted, she rested her forehead against his, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

“You’re going to make me cry again when Ashlynn gets here, you know that, right?” she teased.

LJ chuckled, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. “If she’s anything like her mom, she’ll call me out on it too.”

Ally laughed, the sound filling the room with warmth. “Oh, she’s absolutely like me. And she already adores you, you know.”

“Yeah?” LJ said, his grin widening.

“Yeah,” Ally confirmed. “So you better be ready, because you’re stuck with both of us now.”

He tightened his hold on her, his heart swelling with a happiness he hadn’t known he could feel. “Good. Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Remain Strong
Calaway Residence, Texas

The scene begins in the quiet calm of early Wednesday morning, just as the soft light of dawn begins to filter through the blinds of Ally's kitchen. The house is still, but inside, LJ is awake, his mind unsettled after a night filled with restless thoughts. The weight of the election results hangs in the air, making the tension nearly palpable.

LJ stands by the kitchen counter, preparing two steaming mugs: one of coffee for Ally and a cup of tea for himself. His movements are careful, precise, almost as if the act of making these drinks is giving him some momentary sense of control. His thoughts keep drifting back to Ally and Ashlynn—how shaken Ally was the night before, how anxious the future now seemed.

The sound of footsteps behind him catches his attention. LJ turns just as Ashlynn enters the kitchen, her appearance surprising him. She’s already up, looking tired but alert.

"Morning," LJ says, blinking at her sudden arrival.

Ashlynn smirks, leaning casually against the counter. "Morning. And, uh, thank you for not being in your underwear. That would’ve been...awkward." She gives him a playful grin, clearly teasing him.

LJ chuckles, though he feels a little flustered. "Yeah, well, I figured pajamas would be a safer choice."

Ashlynn laughs, the sound lightening the air just a bit. She approaches the counter, noticing the two mugs. LJ slides the cup of coffee across the counter towards her.

"For your mom," he explains. "But it looks like you could use it as you're up early too. Don’t you have school today?"

Ashlynn glances at the cup, then back at him. "I usually go for iced coffee, but I’ll take this." She picks up the cup, taking a sip, making a face that’s somewhere between acceptance and mild distaste, but she doesn’t complain. Instead, she looks at him, her tone becoming more serious.

"I’m glad she has you, you know," Ashlynn says suddenly, her voice soft but sincere. "She’s really happy with you."

LJ is caught off guard by her openness. He wasn’t expecting this kind of conversation, especially not so early in the morning. He hesitates for a moment before replying. "That means a lot, Ash. I care about her a lot. You both, actually."

Ashlynn gives a small nod, her fingers wrapping around the warm mug. "I can tell. And...I'm glad. Mom’s been through a lot, you know? She deserves to be happy." She pauses, biting her lip. "But now, with everything that’s happened... I’m kinda scared."

LJ’s face softens as he sees the vulnerability in her eyes. He can tell that this isn’t just teenage worry—it’s real, adult fear that she’s feeling.

"I know," he says gently. "It’s a messed-up situation. But whatever happens, I promise I'll be here. For both of you."

Ashlynn looks down at her coffee, swirling it in her hands. "It’s just...I’m only 15. And this whole thing—it makes me wonder what the future’s gonna look like for me. For all of us."

LJ reaches out, resting a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I get it, Ash. It’s scary. But you’re strong, like your mom. And whatever comes, I’m sure that your mom will kick it’s ass and I’ll be there to help. Just know that you’re not alone in this."

She gives him a small, appreciative smile, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. It’s one of those rare moments where LJ realizes how much their lives are connected now—not just because of Ally, but because of the world they’re all navigating together.

Just then, Ally appears in the doorway, looking sleep-deprived but relieved to see them both. Her eyes light up at the sight of them talking.

"Hey," she says, her voice still rough from sleep. "I thought you were bringing me coffee."

LJ and Ashlynn both look at each other and then laugh. Ashlynn, still holding the cup meant for her mother, lifts it playfully. "I kinda stole it."

Ally shakes her head, smiling as she walks over to LJ, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before turning to her daughter. "I see how it is. Well, at least one of us got a decent cup."

LJ, ever the peacemaker, picks up his own cup of tea and raises it slightly, offering a mock toast. "I’ll make another for you, love. I got you covered."

As they all share a quiet laugh, the tension from the night before doesn’t entirely disappear, but for now, in this kitchen, with coffee and tea, and a shared understanding, it feels just a little lighter.


Wrong Time, Right Place
Flagstaff, AZ

The scene opens on a chilly afternoon in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Kasey brothers are bundled up in jackets as they sit outside at a local diner, nursing hot cups of coffee to ward off the crisp autumn air. LJ huddles a bit deeper into his coat, absentmindedly picking at the edge of his sandwich, while Miles watches him, sensing the unease radiating from his younger brother.

LJ exhales, the steam from his breath mingling with the faint chill in the air. "I don’t know, man. This match... I’m up against Aiden Reynolds and Eddie Lyons. Two former Roulette Champions, and I’m just... me. The guy who had one shot at the Internet Championship and blew it."

Miles, sitting across from him, leans back in his chair, blowing on his coffee to warm his hands. "You’re still new, but that doesn’t mean you’re not dangerous. You've got more going for you than you think. Yeah, Aiden and Eddie have been champions, but that makes you the unknown, and trust me, that’s an advantage."

LJ furrows his brow, shaking his head slightly. "I get what you're saying, but it still feels like I’m the odd man out. I don’t have the experience they do. I feel like I’m out of place in a match like this."

Miles takes a sip of his coffee, his eyes scanning the street for a moment, then refocuses on LJ. "That’s the thing, though. You might feel like the odd man out, but that’s your edge. They don’t know what you’re capable of because you’re still an unknown factor to them. They’re established, but you’re hungry, and when you're the underdog, that's when you can take people by surprise."

LJ stares into his drink for a moment, letting his brother’s words sink in. The cool breeze picks up again, making him tug at his jacket. "I know I’ve got to take this chance. It’s just... they’ve both been at the top, and I’m still climbing. Feels like I’m fighting an uphill battle."

Miles chuckles, setting his cup down. "LJ, you're always going to feel like you're climbing in this business. It will never end and there is always gonna be some guy that you are going to have to prove yourself to. But here’s the difference—this match isn’t just a random fight. It could be your ticket to High Stakes, and trust me, facing Alexander Raven for the Roulette Championship would put you right where you want to be. You’ve got the skills, and this match is your chance to prove it."

LJ nods slowly, his confidence starting to build. "Yeah... I guess you're right."

As LJ begins to process his brother’s encouragement, their attention shifts to a commotion a few tables over. A man in a heavy coat leans over a young woman, his voice raised in anger. She recoils, her voice breaking as she yells, "Leave me alone!"

"Your body, my choice," the man sneers and tries to grab her arm.

LJ immediately stiffens, his muscles tensing. Without hesitation, he stands, making his way over to the table with Miles close behind.

"EY! TOSSPOT!," LJ says, his tone cold, stepping between the guy and the woman. "The lady said to leave her the fuck alone."

The man straightens up, eyeing LJ with a look of disdain. "What’s it to you, huh? You her boyfriend or something?"

LJ doesn’t flinch, staring him down. "Doesn’t matter. You’re not going to talk to her like that and it’s obvious she doesn’t want to be bothered by you. So why don’t you just fuck off and leave her alone as she has told you to."

The man steps forward, puffing out his chest. Noticing that Miles is standing by and the guy just scoffs at LJ, and lets out with as much venom in his voice as he can, "What, you one of those homos too?"

Before LJ can respond, Miles steps up beside him, his expression calm but deadly serious. "He’s my brother. And for the record, yeah, I’m married to a man. If that’s a problem, you can take it up with us."

The man sneers again, clearly unimpressed. "Figures. Freaks."

LJ looks back at Miles and just shakes his head, “Ain’t it like a bitch. Hey, brother, what’s the over/under that we are willing to bet he couldn't even point out where the clitorus is on a poster even if it was in bright glowing neon letters with a big flashing sign pointing directly at it?”

“OH FUCK YOU!” and with that the dude goes to swing....

That’s all it takes for the Kasey brothers to act. With a swift motion, LJ grabs the man’s coat collar, and with Miles right beside him, they shove the guy toward the door. The man stumbles, and before he knows it, Miles delivers a well-timed kick that sends him sprawling through the door and onto the sidewalk.

Applause breaks out from the nearby tables as the man scrambles to his feet, grumbling curses as he slinks away. The young woman, visibly shaken but relieved, looks at the brothers with gratitude.

"Thank you," she says softly, still trying to steady her breath.

LJ offers her a nod, his own expression softening. "Anytime."

Miles, still watching the guy retreat down the street, turns back to LJ. "You always did know how to pick your moments, huh?"

LJ chuckles, the tension from earlier melting away. "Guess I just can’t stand people like that."

The brothers return to their table, settling back into their seats as if nothing had happened, though the adrenaline is still running through their veins.

"Where were we?" LJ asks, a smirk tugging at his lips.

As the applause dies down and the adrenaline starts to fade, the brothers return to their table, sitting back down like nothing had happened.

"Well, that escalated quickly," LJ mutters, shaking his head.

Miles smirks. "What can I say? Kaseys don’t back down."

LJ finally lets out a small chuckle. "Yeah, I guess not." He pauses for a moment, then looks at his brother.

"You think I’m ready for Raven? If I win this thing?"

Miles looks at him, his expression serious but proud. "We were talking about you not feeling ready for Raven. And I was about to say, you’ve got this, little brother. Just keep your head in the game. You win this match, and the road to the Roulette Championship is wide open. I know you are, little brother. Now, ya just go out there and prove it."

LJ nods, a new determination in his eyes, looking around as everyone is still talking about what they just saw, knowing that they did the right thing, "Yeah. You’re right."


I Want It More
Rando Gym
Flagstaff, AZ

The neon light outside the gym cast a dim glow on LJ as he leaned against the ropes of the empty ring. His body ached from the intense workout, but his mind was racing, the upcoming match looming large in his thoughts. Aiden Reynolds. Eddie Lyons. Two names that commanded respect, two men who had been where he wanted to go. He ran a hand through his damp hair, taking a deep breath.

He began pacing inside the ring, talking aloud to the empty space around him as if speaking directly to his opponents. “Aiden Reynolds…” LJ’s voice carried a mix of respect and determination. “The Thunder from Down Under. A guy who walks into the room, and people can’t help but notice. He’s got that charisma, the swagger, the kind of energy that makes you believe he’s going to be the last man standing, no matter who’s in front of him.”

LJ couldn’t deny that. He’d watched Aiden closely, not just in his matches but in how he carried himself outside the ring. A former champion, someone who knew how to grind his way to the top. “I’ve seen you go to war, Aiden. I’ve seen the kind of competitor you are. You’re fast, you hit hard, and you know how to use every inch of that ring to your advantage. I know what you’re capable of. You’ve been here before—you’ve held the Roulette Championship. You’ve tasted what it feels like to be the best. But this time, Aiden… this time, I’m standing between you and another shot at that title.”

LJ’s eyes narrowed as he thought about what was at stake. He respected Aiden, but there wasn’t any room for sentiment. Not now. “I know you want that belt again, but so do I. The difference is, I’m coming at this like it’s my last chance. You know what it’s like to be a champion—well, I’m still fighting to prove I belong. And that makes me dangerous.”

He stopped pacing, turning his focus to the other name. “As for the “Unbreakable” Eddie Lyons.” LJ let the name hang in the air for a moment, considering his words carefully. “Another former Roulette Champion. Another man who’s been to the top of the mountain when it comes to the Roulette Division. You’ve been through it all, haven’t you, Eddie? You’ve fought your way through the ranks, earned every scar, every bruise along the way. You don’t just walk into a match like this—you throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got. I’ve seen you do it.”

Eddie was a hard man to crack. Tough as nails, someone who had never shied away from a fight. That kind of grit, that kind of determination—it was something LJ could respect. “I know what you’re thinking, Eddie. I’m the young guy in this match, the one who hasn’t held the gold yet. You probably see me as just another obstacle. But I’ve been an obstacle for too long. I’m not here to play second fiddle anymore. I’m not here to be a stepping stone in your path back to the title.”

He clenched his fists, feeling the tension in his muscles. “You and Aiden… you’ve already proven yourselves. You’ve held the gold. Me? I’m still waiting for my moment. And this is it.”

LJ paused, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths as the weight of the match settled over him. “This match… it’s everything for me. Aiden, Eddie—you both have your reasons, I get that. But for me, this is about more than just a title shot. This is always about one thing and that thing is about proving that I belong. That I’m not just here to fill a spot on the card, that I’m not just Miles Kasey’s little brother. I’m my own man, and I’m ready to show everyone that.”

He stepped toward the ropes, gripping them tightly, imagining his opponents standing in front of him. “Aiden, you’ve got that veteran confidence. You’ve been here before, and I know you’re coming into this match expecting to walk out with your arm raised. Eddie, you’re just as tough, just as driven, and I know you’re not going to let anything stand in your way. But here’s the thing—you’re both up against a man with nothing left to lose. This is my shot, and I’m not letting it slip through my fingers.”

LJ could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins now, the weight of his words sinking in. “This isn’t just another match for me. It’s everything. It’s a chance to change the trajectory of my career, to show the world that I’m not just chasing my brother’s shadow. I’m not just another face in the crowd. I’m here to make my mark. I’m here to show that the young buck deserves a spot on High Stakes, that I deserve to be a marquee player, that I truly believe that I could very well be the next SCW Roulette Champion. This whole Toughman thing that we’ve been doing since this cycle began is all about that.”

He paused, staring down at his fists as he spoke to himself, almost in a whisper. “I’ve got too much to prove.”

The thought of the Roulette Championship stirred something deep inside him. High Stakes was within reach. A victory in this match would give him a chance to stand toe-to-toe with Alexander Raven for the title. A chance to cement his name in SCW history, to carve out his own path. “Aiden, Eddie… I respect the hell out of you both. But when that bell rings, all that respect gets left outside the ring. I’ve got to be better than both of you. I’ve gotta want it more.”

He could feel the weight of expectation, the pressure of needing to succeed, but there was something else too—an excitement, a hunger. He wanted this. He needed this.

“Win or lose,” he said, his voice filled with a quiet determination, “you’re going to know that I left everything in that ring. And when it’s all said and done, I’m walking out of there knowing I did whatever it took to get that shot at the Roulette Championship.”

LJ looked up, his eyes fierce with conviction. He wasn’t just here to participate. He was here to win. To prove that he belonged in this fight. That he belonged in SCW.

And nothing—not Aiden, not Eddie, not anyone—was going to stand in his way.

Late Winter 2005
Middleton, UK

The room was dark except for the faint glow of moonlight peeking through the half-drawn curtains. LJ felt the warmth of his blanket cocooning him, and the soft hum of nighttime made him feel safe. But something was wrong. He felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently, then more urgently. He opened his eyes, barely making out his mother’s face in the dim light.

It was the dead of night. The world outside was quiet, but inside their small apartment, LJ felt the rapid thumping of his heart echoing through his tiny chest. His mother's hands were trembling as she gently but urgently shook him awake.

"LJ...baby...wake up, we have to go," Rebecca's voice cracked, strained with fear. Her face, usually soft and comforting, was tight with panic, eyes darting toward the door as if expecting someone to burst through at any moment. The dim glow of the moon through the window cast long, unsettling shadows across the room.

At three years old, LJ didn’t understand what was happening. He only saw his mother’s frantic movements, the way she threw clothes into a bag with shaking hands, her sharp breaths coming faster as she worked. The floor was cold beneath his small feet as she hurriedly dressed him in a sweater far too big for him.

“Mama...where are we going?” His voice was sleepy, confused, and a little scared. Rebecca knelt down, cupping his tiny face in her hands, forcing herself to meet his innocent eyes. Tears threatened to spill over, but she held them back.

“Shh...baby, it’s gonna be okay...we just have to leave, alright?” Her voice was hoarse but tender, though he could hear the lie in it. She was saying it for herself more than for him.

LJ watched as she grabbed the last of the essentials before taking his hand, pulling him toward the door with a sense of urgency he couldn't fully grasp. All he could sense was that something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

As they stepped out into the hallway, Rebecca whispered under her breath, "He's gone...he's dead...we have to go before they come for us."

The words swirled in the air around LJ, incomprehensible, but their weight settled on him. He didn't know what they meant, not entirely, but he clung to his mother’s hand as if it was the only thing keeping him from slipping away into the shadows.

Present Day-ish....about 2 weeks ago following Climax Control

Sitting in his dimly lit hotel room, LJ stared at the wall, the memory of that night lingering in his mind. He was older now, but the fear he felt back then hadn't truly left. It had just evolved, morphed into a different kind of anxiety.

“Back then, it was the fear of losing my mother, the only constant in my life after his father was gone, hell even before he was gone. Now, it was the fear of losing something else—this newfound success, this fragile sense of belonging he’d finally felt. I worked too hard to get here, and yet, every step forward seemed shadowed by the looming possibility of it all being taken away. Just like it was back then.“

He dropped his head back, his hair still shimmering wet from the shower that he got as soon as he got back to his room. He just sat in the chair, stretching his bare legs out and wrapped in nothing but a towel. He had energy for nothing else.

After a few moments, he took his hand to his face, gave it a rub, before taking it to his wild blonde hair and shaking it out before leaning forward and smirking.

“Of course that is going to be my reward for winning my first match.”

His train of thought though was cut off by his phone buzzing and a chime going off at the same time across the room. LJ looked over at it sitting there on the charger and gave it a little bit before he pulled himself up from the chair, making sure the towel stayed around him securely. A couple of strides and he was there, picking up and opening the screen up to a message from his half-brother. ...the husband of the man he was about to face in two weeks time.

‘Congrats on the win, bro. But remember what I said. From here on out until after VC, you’re on your own and I am, for all intents and purposes, Switzerland. BUT as promised, I made a call and we’ll discuss it later but you’re going places. After this, I’ll make sure of it.’

LJ just sighed and typed back.

‘I get it, and yeah get me the deets when ya can, mate. Tell Carter that- well...tell him that I’m looking forward to this and hoping there are no hard feelings.’

Before he can wait for a response a knock comes to the door and without even thinking he opens the door and as he stands there in nothing but a towel, Alexandra Callaway is standing there...mouth agape and not really sure what to say.

“Ally?”

Ally shakes her head like she is bringing herself out of some trance but she just can’t help but stare.

“Is everything alright, love?”

“Umm, yeah, no I just wasn’t expecting you to answer in..well..that.” Ally points down at the towel and when LJ’s eyes travel where she’s pointing he immediately goes a little more pink.

“Oh, shit. I completely forgot.” he turns and looks behind him, “Umm, it shouldn’t take me too long to get changed, maybe we can still make our reservation if I get the lead out. Got myself a little sidetracked unfortunately. Do you wanna come in and I don’t know maybe we can figure it out or-”

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart rate. Was she earlier than she was expected to be? She bit her lip and looked him up and down. “You know there is always room service. Then you don’t have to get dressed at all. And we can just loaf about, watch some silly little movie.”

LJ isn’t stupid, he seems the look in Ally’s eyes and with a smirk he opens the door to let her in and you can see her take a very deep breath before she crosses the threshold and the door closes, we hear:

“That and several other ideas are in my head at the moment, beautiful.”

----

About A Week and a several Days later....

The car came to a slow stop outside a modest but well-kept brick house in the quiet Manchester suburb. Ally's fingers tightened around the door handle, her knuckles going white. She stared out the window, her nerves flaring as she caught sight of the front door.

LJ shifted in his seat, noticing the tension immediately. "You good, love?" he asked, reaching over to place a hand on her knee.

Ally bit her lip, her gaze still fixed on the house. "I just... I don’t want to mess this up. What if they don’t like me?"

LJ chuckled softly, leaning closer to her. "They're gonna love you. Trust me."

"But LJ..." Ally trailed off, finally meeting his eyes. "Your moms are in their fifties, and I'm...well, closer to them in age than I am to you."

LJ took her hand, his thumb brushing soothing circles on her skin. "Hey, it doesn't matter. I've told you a hundred times, Ally. I don’t care about the age difference, and neither should they. You’re one of the most beautiful things in my world. That’s what they’re going to see when they meet you. Just... be yourself."

A small, reluctant smile tugged at Ally's lips. She nodded, exhaling softly as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Alright... let's do this."

They stepped out of the car and made their way up the short path to the door. LJ knocked twice before pushing the door open, his face lighting up when he saw Rebecca and Joan waiting inside.

“Hey, Mum! Joan!” LJ’s voice was bright as he pulled Ally inside. “This is Ally. The one I’ve been telling you about.”

Rebecca, a tall woman with graying dark hair, stepped forward first, her eyes scanning Ally with curiosity before offering a warm, if cautious, smile. "Lovely to meet you, Ally."

Joan followed, her more stoic demeanor cracking slightly as she nodded in greeting. "Welcome."

As Ally exchanged pleasantries with his mothers, LJ kept a watchful eye, silently reassuring her with soft glances and subtle touches. He could sense her unease, but he was determined to show her that she belonged here, with him, no matter what.

“So Ally, LJ tells us that you have a daughter?” Joan asked with a smile.

“Umm, yeah. Ashlynn, she’s 14. She just started high school in Texas. She’s the absolute light of my life. She loves wrestling too but I think she just likes coming to the shows sometimes to hang out with me.”

“And Miles.” LJ said with a laugh, “Whenever she’s there Miles and her are racing around the back against one another.”

“Well that’s the sugar high that they have one another on.” Ally laughs, “Would you like to see some pictures?”

“Oh absolutely!” Joan exclaimed, “Actually if you hold on, I got something here I should show you. You wanna see LJ in that awkward stage?”

“And on that note,”  LJ stood up, holding an empty glass. "I'm going to grab a refill. Anyone want something?"

"Another glass of wine would be great, thanks," Joan said.

"Water for me," Ally added.

Rebecca’s eyes followed her son as he headed for the kitchen. After a beat, she rose from her chair. “I’ll help him out.”

The moment they were in the kitchen, Rebecca leaned against the counter, watching her son as he grabbed the drinks. “So… Ally,” she started, her tone casual but probing.

LJ gave a small nod as he filled a glass. “Yeah, Ally. She’s great, right? Joan seems to take a liking to her.”

Rebecca hesitated before speaking again. “She seems...lovely, but I have to ask—what's going on between you two? There's a significant age gap here. Have you thought about that?”

LJ set the glass down with a soft clink and turned to face her, exhaling slowly. "Mum, I know what you're thinking, and yeah, there's a big gap. But I'm happy. Really happy. Ally makes me feel... I don’t know, grounded, like I can just be myself around her."

Rebecca crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly, but the concern was still there. "I just don't want you rushing into something you're not ready for."

"Trust me, I’m not rushing. We are taking things at a snail's pace. We spend time with one another when we can but she has a family to take care of." LJ said firmly. "And look, I get that it's a bit... unconventional. But she’s not some fling. I can’t explain it, Mum. I just feel... something real with her."

Rebecca studied her son for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright, just... be careful, okay? I don’t want you getting hurt."

"I won’t," LJ assured her. "And besides, I’m a grown man now. I can handle this. It's not like I don’t have enough going on already." He smirked, his voice turning lighter. "Like Carter giving me side-eye every time I breathe."

Rebecca chuckled. "Yeah, well, that’s just Carter being protective of Miles. He’ll come around. Just give it time."

LJ nodded. “I hope so.”

With drinks in hand, they made their way back to the living room, where Ally was sitting with Joan, looking much more relaxed. LJ smiled as he handed out the glasses, sitting down beside Ally. He slipped his hand into hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

----

You Don’t Know How Hard I Am On Myself
Hilton London Hyde Park
London

LJ sat on the edge of the hotel bed, the London skyline visible through the large window, but his eyes weren’t focused on the view. Instead, they stared blankly at the floor. The silence of the room only heightened the tension in his chest. His mind had been swirling ever since he won the Aces Wild Gauntlet match, but the reality of his situation hadn’t truly sunk in until this moment. At least, he hadn’t let it because he wanted to at least have a chance to really celebrate that first win.

And that’s just it. It was his first win in SCW. A breakthrough, finally, something he should’ve celebrated. But instead, it felt like a doorway to another weight. His reward? A match against Helluva Bottom Carter—his brother-in-law—for the Internet Championship. A ladder match, no less, in London, practically his backyard. It should have felt like destiny.

But it didn’t.

Carter’s skepticism hung over him like a cloud he couldn’t shake, and it gnawed at him. Why? What had he done—if anything—to deserve that icy distance from someone who was now family?

As he sat there, LJ tried to rationalize it. Maybe Carter was protective of Miles. That made sense. They were in love, and Miles was his brother, so naturally, Carter would look out for him just as much as his big brother looked out for Carter. But this? It went deeper than that, and LJ couldn’t figure out why. No matter how hard he tried to prove himself, Carter kept him at arm’s length.

"I just exist, and that's enough for him to doubt me?"

He balled his fists, tension flaring in his muscles, a creeping frustration filling him. The idea that simply being himself, simply being there, wasn’t enough—it was maddening. He had come to terms with the fact that he'd never be Miles. They were brothers, but their paths were different, their journeys were different, vastly and in many different ways. But he thought this—his own career, his place in wrestling—was a chance to prove that he was enough in his own right. Still, doubt crept in.

Maybe Carter saw through him in a way LJ didn’t see in himself. Maybe Carter saw the cracks—the places where LJ faltered, where he questioned if he truly belonged. He could act confident all day, but at night, alone in a hotel room or lying in bed, that confidence was paper-thin.

"Am I really cut out for this? What if they were right... What if I’m just destined to fail? To be the lesser of us all?"

His hand instinctively reached for the small silver chain around his neck—a nervous habit when the anxiety got too loud. This match, he thought, isn’t just for the title. It’s about more than that. It’s about proving that I’m not just the kid brother who tags along, at least had been for the last several months, that I can stand on my own, even if Carter never trusts me. Even if no one does.

But another voice inside pushed back, one that carried the weight of everything he’d endured. The voice of resilience, of someone who had fought too hard to stop now.

"No. I’ve worked for this. I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else. Maybe Carter doesn’t trust me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t trust myself."

He stood up abruptly, walking over to the window, his reflection barely visible against the backdrop of the London night. The streets below bustled, and he couldn’t help but wonder how many people out there had no idea who he was, no idea about the battle raging inside him. This wasn’t just about winning or losing. It was about his identity. About breaking free from the shadows of doubt, both his own and the ones cast by others.

But what if I fail?

That lingering thought, that question, lingered in the back of his mind. He had come so far, but the fear of it all slipping away remained. His first victory had been a weight off his shoulders, but now it felt like a heavier burden than ever. The pressure of being in his hometown, the crowd expecting greatness from him, the expectations pressing down harder than ever.

He turned away from the window, exhaling sharply.

"It may hurt but I can’t lose." It wasn’t just about the title or winning for the sake of pride. It was about proving to himself that the journey, the sacrifices, were worth it. That he wasn’t just some kid caught in the whirlwind of everyone else’s success.

He clenched his fists, steeling his resolve.

"I’ll show Carter, Miles, everyone... even myself. I belong here."

The city lights glow, but there’s a sense of distance between him and the outside world, as if everything beyond the window is part of a reality he no longer fully belongs to. His thoughts are far too heavy, much heavier than the weight of the SCW Internet Championship match looming over him.

He stands by the window, staring down at the streets he used to know so well. There’s something unnerving about being back home—especially now, with everything on the line. The pressure of the match, of facing Carter, of being back in his old stomping grounds, it all weighs on him like an anchor.

Leaning his forehead against the cool glass, he finally speaks aloud, to no one but himself.

"I didn’t ask for this to get so complicated," he mutters, his breath fogging the glass. “I just wanted to wrestle. To be here, in this moment, without all the extra baggage."

The knot in his chest tightens as his mind runs through every scenario, every possibility. His reflection in the window stares back at him, reminding him of the stakes. "But this isn’t just another match, is it? It’s Carter. A man who’s not just a champion, but someone who’s done what even Miles couldn’t. Carter's not some pushover, and... hell, I respect him for that."

He runs a hand through his hair, tension written in every movement. "But what if I go too far? What if we get in that ring and we both take it too damn far? What if I win, and everything... just falls apart? What happens to Miles? What happens to Carter? What happens to me?"

His voice drops, thick with doubt. "It’s like a damn Kobayashi Maru. No right answer. No win without something breaking. If I lose... I’m stuck. Always living in Miles' shadow, always doubting if I ever had what it takes. But if I win..."

LJ pulls away from the window and paces the room, the familiar creaks of the old London floorboards grounding him, if only for a moment. His fists clench at his sides, his voice gaining a hard edge. "If I win, I might break everything that matters. And for what? To prove I belong? To prove I’m not just some kid trying to live up to the family name?"

He stops, standing still, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him like the weight of the city outside. "Carter deserves to know it’s not personal. Miles deserves to know it’s not about him. But... I can’t hold back. Not now. I’ve been fighting for this for too long and I’m not about to pass up a chance as big as this to let it slip. I EARNED this."

He glances back at the window, the familiar sights of London now feeling foreign, distant. "I just hope, when this is all over, that there’s something left of all this. Of me. Of us."

Finally, LJ sits on the edge of the bed, staring down at his hands, as if the answers might be found there. The hotel room feels empty, a stark contrast to the chaos in his mind. But no matter what, he knows he has to walk into that match and give everything he has.

"I’ll step into that ring," he says softly, almost like a promise to himself. "I’ll leave everything out there. I just hope... it doesn’t cost me everything."

The silence of the room is deafening as he sits there, waiting for the morning to come. Knowing that when the sun rises, so does his biggest test yet.

It’s been a while....

Actually....It has almost been TWO BLEEDIN’ MONTHS!

Two damn months since I last appeared in a SCW ring.

Yes, boys and girls you heard that right, I was not a part of Summer Xxxtreme, I was left off the show but since I am never the one to complain I took it as a working vacation. I had never even been on a cruise ship before and I wasn't about to miss out on one of the biggest events of the year, sitting at home, pouting like a petulant child. My face was seen wherever I could get time, I shook hands and signed autographs and interacted with fans whenever I could.

I also wasn’t disappointed in the whole being left off the show, mostly because I knew that despite all the praise, I was not the one to produce or secure the wins to even be considered. I’m not that asshole that demands things when I have not earned that chance. I can get praise for my work, and that is fine but if I am not producing or securing the wins to get there, then I will gladly take a backseat to whomever and have zero issue in waiting for another chance down the line.

And it wasn’t like the time was a complete waste from my last match with Kris Ryans all the way through the time on the Sun Princess and even to Tokyo.

I watched my brother get married, spent time with my sister during that. Hell, I even finally found a decent place to call home that doesn’t have the moniker of ‘Murder Inn’, that I have moved the majority of my belongings into...at least what I brought with me. ...I should probably take care of getting the rest of my belongings here from back in Manchester eventually but find me the time.

And there is of course her.

While I do believe that relationships should for the most part stay private, I know there are a few out there that want to jump in and try to analyze this but from at least my standpoint, we are both consenting adults who are intrigued by one another. Actually a better word to use would be fascinated. Because Alexandra Callaway is indeed a fascinating human who some would see as broken goods, but I see her as a beautiful...scratch that, an extremely exquisite woman. She, like the rest of us, is looking for the simple basic necessities in life: to find someone that makes her happy and then everything that comes after that.

It’s still very new but it is simply refreshing to see someone look at you like you are something far more important than you actually are.

I’m a nobody, I’m a stupid kid from England that has a brother...sorry, half-brother that managed to turn all the right heads, that thankfully has been welcoming to the likes of me.

Part of me feels like I could easily be forgotten about at any given moment.

But I don’t want to be. And I have a chance to make a major impact.

I just need a chance.

---

A Quiet Night in Bangkok

The vibrant city of Bangkok buzzed with life around them, but LJ and Alexandra Callaway found themselves in a quiet corner of the city. They had stumbled upon a small, tucked-away café that offered a beautiful view of the Chao Phraya River. The soft glow of lanterns reflected off the water, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere.

LJ sat across from Ally, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of his coffee cup. His eyes, usually filled with confidence, seemed distant tonight. Ally noticed, her concern evident as she reached out to gently squeeze his hand.

“What’s on your mind, LJ?” she asked, her voice soft and inviting.

LJ hesitated for a moment before he finally spoke, his words laced with frustration and a hint of sadness. “I don’t know, Ally. Lately, it feels like I’m being forgotten in my wrestling career. I haven’t won a match in what feels like forever, and now I’m being thrown into this high-profile match with Alexander Raven. It’s like... they’re setting me up to fail.”

Ally’s expression softened as she leaned closer, her thumb brushing over the back of his hand. “You’re not being forgotten, LJ. You’re one of the most talented wrestlers I know. Sometimes it just takes a little longer for the world to catch up and recognize that.”

LJ looked into her eyes, searching for the reassurance he desperately needed. “But what if I’m not good enough? What if this is it, I am desperately forever scraping at the bottom of the barrel, and I never really make it?”

Ally smiled warmly, her eyes filled with unwavering belief. “You are good enough. You’ve worked too hard and come too far to doubt yourself now. This match with Raven? It’s not a setup to fail—it’s an opportunity to show everyone what you’re really made of. Win or lose, it’s your chance to remind them who LJ is.”

Her words seemed to lift some of the weight off LJ’s shoulders. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”

“That’s because I believe in you, Lyle,” Ally replied, using his real name with a tenderness that made his heart skip a beat. “And I’ll keep believing in you, even when you doubt yourself. You’ve got this.”

LJ leaned across the table, closing the distance between them, and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Thank you, Ally. I needed to hear that.”

As they sat together in the quiet of the night, with the city’s lights twinkling around them, LJ felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Ally by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead—starting with Alexander Raven.

---

LJ leans against the ropes in an empty gym, staring at his reflection in the mirror across the ring. His fists are clenched, the frustration boiling over as he tries to make sense of everything that's happened.

"Two months," he mutters to himself. "Two damn months of sitting on the sidelines instead of busting my ass, and what do I have to show for it? Not a fuckin’ thing. It has been loss after loss, and now they throw me into a match against Alexander Raven? The Roulette Champion? And to make the odds that much higher, they throw in an actual title shot at one of the craziest bastards in SCW. Are they trying to break me, or is this some twisted way of saying, 'Here’s your shot, kid, don’t blow it’?"

He pushes off the ropes, pacing back and forth. "Since the last time I was in an SCW ring, I watched Miles get married, and I've gotten closer to Alexandra. Those moments should have been enough to get my head straight, to refocus, but instead, it feels like everything's spinning out of control. I haven’t been able to get a win, and now they expect me to just walk in there and face Raven like it's nothing? Like I’m not coming off two months of hell?"

His voice rises, the frustration evident. "It's like I am being set up to fail. But I’m not about to let that happen, I refuse to be just another punching bag. I am a Kasey after all, sometimes it seems that is all we do. But I’ve worked too damn hard, sacrificed too much to let this slip away. This match... it’s not just another match. It’s my chance to prove that I belong here, that I can hang with the best of them in the main event of Climax Control and just to make it that much sweeter, I’m going to take that bloody championship and ram it down your fuckin’ throat Raven, just for good measure, that’s before I take that championship with me and wrap it around my waist."

LJ pauses, taking a deep breath, his tone shifting from frustration to determination. "Raven might be the Roulette Champion, but he’s going to find out real quick that I’m not some stepping stone. I’m not just here to make up the numbers. I’ve got something to prove to myself more than anyone else. I need this win. I need to have just one single solitary fucking moment to look crazy in the eyes and prove that I am not just another pretty face. I need to show everyone, and especially myself, that I’m not just fighting to stay afloat—I’m fighting to rise to the top."

He squares his shoulders, staring down at the canvas beneath his feet. "This is it. No more excuses, no more second-guessing. I’ve been thrown under the bus, sure, but I’m not about to get run over. And if this is my ‘One shot’ like you claim, Alexander, then I’m going to make it fucking count. I’m going to fight like hell and come out the other side stronger. And when that bell rings, when it’s all said and done, everyone’s going to remember my name."

LJ leans against the ropes, his thoughts now focused on his opponent. “Alexander Raven... the Roulette Champion,” he scoffs. “This guy isn’t just unpredictable; he’s like an escaped inmate from Arkham Asylum—totally unhinged, dangerous, and reveling in the chaos he creates. It’s like facing a man who’s got nothing left to lose, and that makes him even more dangerous.”

He shakes his head, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Raven, you’ve built this persona, this mythos around being the embodiment of insanity. But you know what? That doesn’t scare me. I’ve dealt with my own demons, fought my own battles in and out of the ring. You might think you’re the boogeyman of SCW, but I see through that. You’re just another man who bleeds like anyone else.”

LJ starts pacing again, his voice rising as his emotions surge. “You talk about chaos like it’s your best friend, like it’s something you can control. But chaos is a fickle bitch, Raven, and sooner or later, it’s going to turn on you. Maybe that’s why you’ve managed to hold onto that Roulette Championship for as long as you have—because you thrive in the madness. But guess what? I’m not afraid to step into the storm with you.”

He pauses, his eyes narrowing as he imagines the upcoming match. “You’ve got this reputation, Raven, this aura of unpredictability that makes people hesitate, makes them doubt themselves. But not me. You might think you’re the Joker in this deck, but when it comes down to it, you’re just another guy trying to play mind games. And I’m not here to play games—I’m here to fight, to win, and to take that title from you.”

LJ’s expression hardens as he leans forward, his voice dropping to a near-growl. “So bring your chaos, bring your madness, bring whatever twisted little tricks you’ve got up your sleeve. Because when that bell rings, all that’s going to matter is who wants it more. And I promise you, Raven, I want it more than you can possibly imagine. I’m not just fighting for a championship—I’m fighting to remind everyone, including myself, exactly who the hell I am.”

He takes a deep breath, the intensity of his words hanging in the air. “You’ve been the king of the crazy for too long, Raven. It’s time someone knocked you off your throne. And I’m just the guy to do it. You may be an escaped inmate from Arkham, but you’re about to find out what happens when you push someone like me too far. I’m not backing down, and I’m not going to let you walk out of Climax Control with that title. You’re not the only one who can embrace the chaos, Raven. And when it’s all over, you’ll remember that LJ Kasey is the name of the man who took you down.”

“Ta, bruv.”

Mend The Bond
Manchester, UK
A Few Weeks Ago

It was a rare beautiful day, and along the streets of Manchester stood LJ Kasey along with his mother Rebecca Collins. It had been practically a month and a half since the whole truth came out and well it seemed like the Gods were offering a chance for all parties to finally come together for peace talks, if one would be so inclined to call it that.

Conversation after conversation between the “kids” had come to the conclusion that there was no bad person but ONE in the entire situation that was remotely bad, and that was the one that provided the seed for all three to walk to face of the earth.

The innocents were the women that he took advantage of and the children he left behind.

So with the chance that was given to them that work brought them remotely close together, the brothers made the agreement to bring the once ‘Best Friends’ together once and for all to say their peace and hopefully things would begin to heal the way they should.

It wasn’t going to be easy, in fact if anyone had even thought that the two would just come together and all would be sunshine and rainbows, they never lived in reality for one iota of a second. It took a lot for LJ to even talk his mother into making the trip south from her humble abode to have this little meet-up. Promises made that he would protect her if things did get bad. But that promise was made by the brothers too that if things got bad, the brothers would protect what matters to them, their mothers.

So here LJ was standing with the woman that gave him life and raised him, standing in front of a local coffee shop and his mother was constantly fidgeting with everything from her hair to her blouse and then switching out to his hair and his shirt, which LJ had to occasionally swat her hand away with an annoyance. He gets it, she’s nervous but it was like he was back in grade school again and it was picture day with how she was picking at him.

“I really don’t know about this, dear. It’s been forever since I’ve even spoken to Mora and so much has happened-”

“Yeah, like my birth and about 19 years since he up and died and then those other three pesky years before that. Mum, you have to eventually come to grips with the fact that you and Miles’ and Bri’s mum need to have this conversation. Uncomfortable as it may be, you both were taken advantage of by our father.” LJ turns on his heels and places his hand on her shoulder and looks right in her eyes, “I’m going to be right there with you, Miles is going to be there with his mum. Besides, if we thought this was going to be a fight, we would have called for a camera and possibly made millions.”

Despite the foot height difference between him and his mother, Rebecca still managed to reach up and whack him upside his head, “Lyle Augustus Kasey, you may be 22 and a foot taller than me, but...”

“OW, I’M SORRY MUM!! GEEZ, I was just joking. Trying to lighten the tension. Especially when you are acting like you are about to go into the Lion's Den without an ounce of protection.”

“LJ, she was my best friend-”

“And you were both taken in by a man that promised you the world. Miles told me all about how he was before he and Brianna came along, it damn near mirrored everything you have told me, on top of how he was after. It’s downright frightening to think what would have happened if I had finally grown up with him around.” LJ glances over his shoulder and spots Miles, making his way down the road with his mother Mora by his side. LJ gives them a quick wave, “And there they are. Pity that Bri couldn’t come, she has the most adorable son that would have probably made this a little easier.”

As he turns around he sees his mother grab at her stomach and start to cry, “Mum?”

“She looks exactly the same. It’s been over 20 years and it’s like she hasn’t aged a day.”

“I’m sure if we found a picture of you from all those years ago, we could say the same for you.” LJ quipped with a smirk.

“Flattery will get you nowhere with me, son.”

LJ just looked at the sky and silently cursed because if his mother got any tenser she was gonna snap like a rubber band pulled way too tight.

“Jesus, maybe we should have met at a pub.”

“Alcohol solves nothing.”

LJ just sighs and mumbles, “Yeah but I know a couple of shots of whiskey could definitely lighten you the hell up.”

And before his mother could even get a retort in, Miles along with his mother Mora got into an ear shot, “I told you they’d beat us here, mum.”

Mora stood stoic next to her son and held a small smile on her face, “Yes, I can see that.”

“Yeah, we hit no traffic from Middleton.Surprisingly. Anyways, I’m sure you already know who this is but- Miles I’d like for you to meet my mum Rebecca. Mum, this is Miles.” LJ decided to get these introductions out of the way as fast as possible, “And you must be Mora.”

“I am and it’s finally wonderful to meet you, LJ- sorry, Ly-”

“Please, Mora, I prefer LJ. Obvious reasons, I’m sure. But it is a pleasure.” LJ looks to his mum who is fighting back tears, and slowly backing away, “Mum?”

“I- I’m sorry, I can’t.” Rebecca turns to run away but Mora takes to long strides and grabs her by the wrist.

“Becks, don’t. Please don’t run away.” that officially opened the waterworks for LJ’s mother, there was just no stopping it now, “Look, I know there has been a lot that we have both gone through. He hurt all of us and nothing we say or do today is going to change anything that we have all been through. So let me say this one thing before I let you go and then you make your choice.”

Mora looks at the two young men that brought this chance for her to make peace.

“Yes, I was upset when I found out that Lyle went to you at one of our worst times in my family’s history. Yes, it hurt when I found out that you had a baby and it had appeared that- that he gave everything that he had to you. Lyle abandoned me and the twins and I thought-”

“That he was loving his new life with his new family?” Rebecca quietly said.

Mora just nodded and eased her grip, “Yes, precisely. He was gone for DAYS at times and I thought that he had died some days and then maybe with you and LJ when I found out.”

“No, believe me, he wasn’t with me.” Rebecca turned around, “He told me that he left you, and that there were problems and I was stupid and impetuous in a way, but the minute LJ came into the world...the things he’d do.”

“You don’t have to tell me, I know. He was evil. And I’m sorry you boys had to be put into the middle of this at all but the man had no good bone in his body and your mothers were taken in by all the smoke and mirrors of practically a peddler.” Mora stands up straighter and looks at the woman she once called her best friend, “I’m not upset anymore, not at you. Not at LJ. And there is no point in being angry at a man that is worm food.”

That causes Rebecca to laugh, “An excellent way to put it.”

“Oh he’s lucky he didn’t get buried in a cardboard box.”

“I offered to set it on fire so we could all piss on the ashes but then I got popped upside the head.” Miles spoke up, as everyone looked at him, “By Bri, she was closer. Look, Rebecca...da was a lot of things but a good man was not one of them. We were all his victims at the end of the day. It’s why I think I am able to connect with my baby brother so easily. I could easily be pissed that he even exist but the fact that Bri and I have a chance to connect. Hell, I’ll take that any day over another chance to go back and correct the bullshit mistakes that the old man made.”

“Honestly, same. I was used to being an only kid with you and Joan raising me.”

“Wait, Joan?” Mora speaks up, “Who’s Joan?”

“My other mother,” LJ says with no change in his voice, “If it wasn’t for her I would have never been able to go to uni, let alone travel to Vegas.”

Mora’s face breaks out in a smile, “Becks? Care to share?”

And as if it all eases, Rebecca can’t help but laugh at Mora’s face as she shows the rings on her left hand, “I mean you always suspected, but she’s been my rock for almost 17 years now. We got married as soon as we could but...”

“Becks that’s...That’s so amazing!” Mora said, smiling ear to ear, she just grabs the ‘other’ woman and wraps her up in a big hug. After a long few moments of the women finally hugging it out, Mora pulls back, and takes a deep breath, “Ok you know what, we can cry later. I need coffee and we need to catch up on so much. Boys, I think we got it from here.”

“Uh, are you sure?” Miles asked.

“Yeah, we made sure that Bri kept Carter occupied and everything for this.” LJ adds in with a confused look.

The two women hook arms and Rebecca just looks at Mora, “Oh look at our boys, Mors. Always so protective.”

“I know! It’s not like we survived through the absolute worst of people in our lives. Boys, we will call if we need anything. Now shoo, your mothers have the rest well in hand.” Mora says, with a wave of her hand and the two make their way into the little coffee shop.

The two Kasey boys just stand there in shock.

“Wha- ...what in the hell just happened?” Miles asks.

“I have no bloody clue.” LJ says shaking his head, “I think they just shoo’d us away.”

“We have indeed been dismissed by our own mothers,” Miles just runs his hand through his curly dirty blonde hair and tries to knock the cobwebs loose, “You know, maybe we should have done this in a pub.”

LJ and Miles stand at the window and watch the two women fully catching up like no time or children had come along. LJ looks over at Miles and smirks, “I did see one not that far from where I parked.”

“Then by all means, after you.” Miles motions in that particular direction and the two brothers walk away as Mora and Rebecca are seen still chatting away. Best Friends Reunited. Women standing strong.

And no one comes between them ever again.


A Wild Opportunity
Gettysburg, PA
Present Time

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.
-Abraham Lincoln


The scene is simple that stands before you. LJ Kasey, looking dapper in an all black suit, walking through the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum that stands on the ground just outside the original battlefield. The halls are currently empty in the spot that LJ finds himself in.

For those that do not know, LJ prides himself on being an educated man, especially when it comes to history but when it comes to American History, he finds himself fascinated by it all. There was some study of it but he wanted to soak it all in when he had the first opportunity.

So when he found himself staring at an exhibit that featured the former President, he found his eyes trying to take in every bit of it.

“Such a spectacular man that attempted to heal a nation that was so splintered by differences of ideals and the belief that no one individual should be held captive by those that claim to be better than, just because the color of their skin.”

LJ smiles glancing over his shoulder briefly.

“Sorry about that, I just had a moment and don’t worry, I’m sure it will all come together in a few moments.

So, imagine my surprise after coming up short in not only the Blast From the Past BUT the match that I had against Aiden Reynolds that I find myself in one hell of an opportunity. Look, I’m going to be the first to tell you that I am not worthy of such an amazing chance. There are so many others that could have been named but seeing that the tone of the match itself is ‘Fresh Faces’ who am I to say no to such a gracious chance.”

So he just turns and begins to walk and talk, he occasionally glances at another spot and just for fun, he presses a button as it plays a random fact. He smiles but continues along the way anyways.

“I’m pretty much the green horn here, let me say that I gladly did my research on almost everyone here. We’re gonna start off with the man that quite literally holds a golden chance in his hands and has for a number of months and yet he still sits like he has a thumb up his ass. Yes, Rodrigo I am speaking about you. Man, how the hell can you be standing there with that chance and yet not use it for your big moment? You could have easily gone after ANYONE at any given moment and yet it seems like you are content on just pissing it all away.

Bruv, if I were you...I probably would have jumped at the chance and who knows maybe you are looking to bank here but if you don’t...then what? You just don’t seem to know, do ya?”

That just makes LJ stop and scratch his head.

“Then we come to Caleb Storms. I did actually have to ask my brother about when was the last time that he even seemed to even really be around in any sort of capacity and even Miles had to dig into the archives and....well lets just say that it’s been far too long, Caleb. In fact, it seems like you hit a ceiling and just gave up.

Could you imagine putting our bodies through the hell we did and just pop up whenever, when it’s just so damn convenient that a chance at the top title is on the line? Ooof, bruv, bad form.”

“Now for the next man...no...not you Teddy, in fact I feel like there were rules against fighting women in SCW....Oh wait, no I’m sorry, you're just a bitch. And usually I’m not one to take the low hanging fruit here but there is just something about you that screams that you never have ever really had it all together. From your career to your- *cough* “Family Life”. My brother warned me about you, hell Fenris warned him to warn me.

It seems like, I dunno, you are overcompensating yourself for covering up for something more. BUT that is neither here nor there. Darling, you seem to be ripe for another one of your breakouts when you claimed your chances and became something more than a joke. But, mmm...I don’t know...maybe you don’t know either. I just...I can’t place my finger on it but dammit man, I should have more to say! You’re a former Roulette and Internet Champion, for Christ sake! But it’s just another one of those moments where you are only there when it’s convenient for you instead of putting in the work.”

“Jaime Dean, a former tag champ...and that’s about it though. I’m sorry bruv, I wish I knew more. Hell, I wish Miles knew more sometimes beyond just that you have been there, done that and like the rest of us sorry lot, you never got that breakout moment as a singles competitor. Though I will say that I do love being under the proverbial learning tree, as it were, when it comes to working with and against the true veterans of this business and particularly this company.

I wanna soak it all in, mate. Win or lose, I would love every single chance I get to be in that ring with the likes of you. I think we could have a jolly good time...that is until I dump you over the rope. Nothing personal, mate, it’s just business.”

“Now we get to the Bulldog, BILLY BOY, man I have heard and seen a lot about you. Some good, some bad...some say you keep slipping at the biggest and best chances. Slumming your career down in the Roulette division for so long that sometimes you even forget that you are a multiple time champ! YOU perhaps have the best odd out of ALL of us to win this thing, but when you stand and face the fact that Finn Whelan is at the end of this particular rainbow, will you truly finally step beyond just being the man that is constantly mid.

Mid and one-dimensional. Sorry, bruv...you are boring. Hurts but so does life.”

“And finally, Justin Smith. First things first, you come at me for what my brother did to you last week and I will gladly remind you that while my last name is Kasey, I had absolutely NOTHING to do with that. You can hate me for what Miles did all you want but that’s a ‘you’ problem. And if you try to make it mine, then let’s just say that I am not above dropping you.

I look at this as a golden opportunity, mate. We all have a chance to perhaps make history. Finn Whelan is the MAN of SCW and seems practically untouchable. Don’t let hatred cloud your judgment.”

“For if you do, I will make you regret every single moment. I am a man that ...well...”

He looks to the picture of President Lincoln and presses the button and we hear:

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.

Revelations and Realizations
Several Weeks Ago
Middleton, UK

So.

How to begin this?

Hi. I’m L.J. Kasey. I’m named after my father, who has been dead since I was barely out of diapers. I was three to be exact. And that man just so happens to be the father of my older half-brother and half-sister, Miles and Brianna Kasey.

Truth be told, until just short weeks ago, they didn’t even know that I existed and I didn’t even realize that they were my own family until an unusual woman paid a visit to my mum about 3 weeks before that.

I don’t have any memories of the man, minus a few pictures that my mum had tried to hide from me.

Since 2005, it was just me and her. Her, by the way, is named Rebecca Collins and she has been the light that has guided me my entire life. She did a damn good job in my humble opinion making sure that I never went without. She is without a doubt one of the strongest women I know.

But she can also be extremely overprotective.

I was through grade school, I had zero interest in going beyond that but to her, she wanted nothing but the best, so I went to uni, at her behest. I used that to scratch an itch that I had long wondered about. You are all going to learn real fast, I’m a curious sod and about a year ago I began my search, finding what I could at home about the man that helped bring me into this world and the shock that not only were you not his only child...but you have other family out there.

The journey itself, to say it was frustrating was a massive understatement. On several occasions I would come close to a breakthrough only to hit a wall.

Who the absolute fuck was this guy that I shared a name with?

I had given up.

Instead I just put myself into my studies and something else, a love of wrestling. It actually had started with just general just wanting to get into amazing shape and then a few mates of mine pulled me to a show and from there, it became an obsession. Come to find out, it apparently runs in the family.

“Mate, you really should look at this guy.”

Infamous last words, I found my brother far before I even knew he was my brother. I think it was an obsession by that point, I found a school, I began to train on top of school and I took to it like no other. I dedicated as much time to that as I did my school.

Then it happened.

I had to visit home on one of the rare weekends off, by that time I had completely given up hope of finding out anything about my da. I was just gonna sneak things back in in a box and then I stepped into the kitchen to greet my mum and there she was...Wendy Barnes.

“Hey mum, I’m home!” I could hear her entertaining in the kitchen so I made my way in there, “Hope it’s alright, but I have an astronomical amount of laundry. But that’s the life of a college kid, ey? Boy it’s absolutely pissin’ outside, I was hoping to catch up on the patio with a cuppa but mother nature has other ideas.”

She stepped out from the kitchen and gave me a look as my arms were loaded down with the box and the two big bags of clothes and just gave me a look like I did something wrong, “It’s good to see you my dear. Why don’t you put your things down and join us in the kitchen?”

“We? You got a mouse in your pocket?” I asked setting the bags down at least, “Let me just put this in my room and then...”

“I think it may be better if you bring that with you as well, son.” she said simply and turned on her heels and walked back into the kitchen. I had to follow, as much as I didn’t want to but curiosity go the better of me. When I stepped across that threshold I got an eyefull of her guest. Brown curly hair, overly quaffed clothes for this part of the town and the perfume was so damn fraguant that you could tell it was high-end. “Wendy, I’d like for you to meet my son, Lyle. LJ, dear, this is Wendy Barnes.”

“Pleasure. I’d shake your hand but...” motioning to the box in my hand, “Seriously mum, can I just take this to my-”

“Why don’t you join us, LJ?” Wendy said motioning to the chair between the two women, “We were actually just discussing you.”

“You were?” Do you ever get the feeling you’re being set up? I did as my mother just looked forward as I sat down between them.

Wendy motions to the box in my hands, “You see, it was brought to my attention and it came to my desk that we had a young man making a request about his father recently. My job can be quite boring at times but when it is sent to me, it’s my job to make the invisible seemingly visible.”

“I see.” is all I said.

“LJ, can you show me what is in your box?”

“Oh it’s just stupid trinkets that I didn’t want to leave at school.” I was trying everything because my mother didn’t know that I had taken these...or maybe she did.

“Lyle Augustus...don’t be rude.” in such a sharpness that being busted was pretty much a foregone conclusion.

So opening that box and pulling out the album that she had hid from me for so long, I opened it up and the first shot there was me as a baby, being held by the only shot that I had of myself and my father together. Wendy let out a satisfied huff.

“Lyle Kasey. Born in Manchester, dying suddenly on November 19th, 2005 after being struck by a car in front of his home.” Wendy said, “Initial reports say that he was stumbling home drunk when it happened, later to be revealed that he was tossed from a moving vehicle before being struck. There are other things but there was a teenage boy found to be crying by his side.”

Confusion hit hard, how the hell did this woman know ALL of this just by looking at this one picture, “How did you even know all of that?”

“Because I know who the boy is...” Wendy says plainly. She reached into this giant bag that I could easily win a bet that it was more than my mother’s house, “LJ, that boy was your half-brother.”

I went to take a sip of my tea when she said that and damn near choked on it, “My what?”

“Ms. Barnes, please...let me.”

“Of course, I’m sorry Rebecca, by all means.” Wendy said simply setting the file down on the table and grabbing that damn tea cup.

I turned to my mother and she wouldn’t look at me at first, “Mum?”

The breath she took, it sent shivers down my spine, “LJ, a long time ago, I met your father. He was...well then...he came into my life at a time where he was sober and my God, the man was so sweet. I knew who he was, I knew about his wife and his family that he had but he swore that it was over. He spent days upon days trying to... well needless to say he won in the end. I ended up pregnant with you and he was over the moon. When we found out that you were a boy, he immediately said he wanted to name you after him.”

“So this whole time, in the last...21 years...you knew that I had a whole other family out there and just never thought to tell me?”

“It’s not like that. Mora was my best friend and I didn’t want to- I don’t know. I betrayed her friendship and then when he died, I just wanted to protect you. Your father was not a good man, my light. Your brother almost followed in his footsteps and your sister...well...”

“Sister?” my head was damn spun like a damn owl, “You’re telling me I have an older brother AND sister?”

Rebecca just began to sob, trying to reach for her son’s hand but he pulled away. Which shocked her but she could understand, “Twins, Miles and Brianna. Wendy here is Brianna’s mother-in-law, she married last year.”

And the names clobbered me. I knew there was a reason I connected with Miles, I thought it was just because he was from my area and was sort of a local hero at this point but this? “WAIT! Miles Kasey?”

“You know him?” Wendy asked with such disgust in her tone that it spun my head.

“I know who he is. I have been watching him for over a year now as I’ve been training myself. He’s a hero in that gym not just for what he can do in the ring but his life as well being so open and honest. His relationship with Carter is almost something out of a fairy tale.”

Wendy damn near choked on her tea at that point, “You’re kidding me right?”

And then it dawns on me, this is no freak occurrence that this woman is here. Too many connections would even make a blind man doubt her intentions, “Absolutely not. What is the real reason you are here, Ms. Barnes?”

My mom knew I could read the hatred in that woman’s tone with being perfectly fine with the love story of Carter and my now revealed brother and neither one of us were going to allow that for more than that reason, “LJ, please.”

“No, ma...I think Ms. Barnes has ulterior motives as to why she suddenly is so willing to show up here and actually give the information that I had been desperately searching for. I just wanted to know who my dad was but to know I have a brother and a sister out there that is connected to her and the tone of her voice right now...I don’t know. I think maybe she’s not going to like my feelings about it.”

“Well...” Wendy stood up in such a hurry she damn near spilt the tea when she hit the table, “I see this was absolutely pointless. I’ll see myself out.”

She went to grab the folder that she had placed on the table and all I did was place my hand on top of it, “I’ll keep this if you don’t mind, Ms. Barnes. Thank you for your help but you can go.”

Not another word was said by her and she left. The air that was left in the kitchen was palpable as I just stared at my mother, “I think I’m going to go back to school. The laundry machines get the stains out better anyways.”

As I stood up to leave with the folder my mom grabbed my hand so tight, “I’ll call Joan, ask her if she can stop and get your passport before she comes home in the morning. When you’re ready, I will tell you everything.”

I just take a deep breath, I need to calm down. Leaving to go back to school wouldn’t be it so I just look at her, “Let me go grab us some dinner...and then you and I...we’re going to have a long chat.”

And all she could do was nod and let my hand go. And to calm her I gave her a kiss on her head and left the folder behind.

No use in hiding it now.


Resolutions In Who We Are
A Week Ago
Manchester, UK

Miles led LJ through the bustling streets of Manchester, the city's energy pulsating around them. LJ couldn't shake off the nervous excitement that tingled in his veins as he walked beside his newfound brother. They were headed to meet Miles' family, LJ's family too, he reminded himself.

As they approached a cozy-looking café tucked away in a corner, Miles turned to LJ with a reassuring smile. "They're going to love you, LJ. Just be yourself. I sorta wish Carter would have joined us. He’s good in helping break up the tense moments.."

LJ nodded, trying to muster up his courage as they entered the café. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of lively chatter.

At a table near the window, Miles spotted his sister Bri, her husband Garrett, and their young son Riley. Bri's gaze met Miles', and she rose from her seat, a curious expression on her face as she approached.

"Miles, who's this?" Bri asked, her eyes flickering between Miles and LJ.

Miles stepped forward, a proud smile on his face, he gave his sister a quick hug before turning to Garrett and offering a hand shake. He would step back next to LJ’s side and looked at his sister’s family, "Bri, Garrett, this is LJ. He's... he's our brother."

Bri's eyes widened in surprise, her initial skepticism evident as she studied LJ, she knew of him for a few weeks but to actually bring him by, was a whole other thing but I guess the band-aid had to be yanked at some point. Garrett reached out a hand to shake LJ's, his expression apologetic. "Nice to meet you, LJ. I'm Garrett. Sorry about the circumstances that brought us together."

LJ shook Garrett's hand, offering him a small smile. "It's okay, Garrett. I'm just glad to finally meet you all."

Meanwhile, Riley had been eyeing LJ with curiosity from his spot in Bri's arms. As LJ knelt down to Riley's level, the little boy's face broke into a wide grin.

"Hey there, little guy," LJ said, ruffling Riley's hair gently. "I'm LJ, your uncle."

Riley's eyes lit up with excitement at the word "uncle," and he reached out to grab LJ's hand, his laughter filling the air.

Bri watched the interaction with a softened expression, her initial wariness melting away as she saw the genuine connection between LJ and Riley.

Miles, sensing the tension easing, spoke up. "I know, I know I should have warned you before we came and this is a lot to take in, but LJ's been searching for us for a long time. And I'm really glad he found us."

Bri nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Welcome to the family, LJ."

The atmosphere shifted, the awkwardness dissipating as they settled into easy conversation, sharing stories and laughter over cups of coffee.

Miles glanced around the table, sensing the need to break the tension that still lingered in the air. "So, LJ, I know we’ve talked quite a bit since Flagstaff but maybe you should tell Bri and Garrett a bit about yourself. What have you been up to, you know, before you came all the way over to Vegas to find me?"

LJ took a deep breath, his gaze meeting each of his new family members in turn. "Well, before I left for Vegas I was actually going to uni here in town. Just finished up my senior year actually, graduating and all that. And well, I was apart of an exchange thing with the wrestling school that I was going to and I've been training at Go Gym in Vegas for the past several weeks. Miles, I've been following your career closely. It's been inspiring to see what you've accomplished in the ring."

Miles grinned, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Thanks, LJ. It's been a journey, that's for sure."

Bri arched an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Oh goody there are two of you now in SCW apparently. So, you're into wrestling too?"

LJ nodded, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Yeah, it's become sort of a passion of mine. I've been training hard, trying to hone my skills. It's taught me discipline, perseverance, all that stuff."

Garrett nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can see how that would be valuable. So, LJ, what made you want to reach out to us? After all this time?"

LJ hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Honestly, I just wanted to know my family. Our dad, he... he wasn't around when I was growing up, he actually died when I was barely little Riley’s age. And when I found out about you guys, I realized I had a chance to fill in some missing pieces of my life."

“Well, one thing can be said by Bri and myself, the old man didn’t get a whole lot right. Da left us all high and dry, even if his death was a blessing.”

“I had no idea that he was so horrible, my mum did which is why I guess she tried to protect me from knowing anything about him. In fear of maybe falling into his life....”

Bri spoke up at this point, because her own twin almost fell into that life years ago, “Trust me, you were probably better off. Lyle Senior was a swindler, a thief and a low class criminal.”

Miles sighed, he wasn’t proud of his past but that was it, his past, “I was lucky to get out when I could. Wrestling saved me and then getting out of here was also a huge help. Thankfully I kept our sister as far away from it as I could.”

“As much as I fought him about it, your big brother here has a good head on his shoulder and we’re lucky. I got Garrett, I got Riley and I have my own salon and a wonderful life. Miles made sure that I was able to have that, taking the proverbial bullet for me.”

“Look, guys...I just, part of me wanted to know about our father but honestly at this point...I’m just- I know it’s going to be a bit but I’m just looking to be apart of a family. For the longest time it was just me and my mum and now I have answers and it’s all swimming around in my head. I’m sorry, it’s overwhelming but I hope you know, I’m not looking for anything but just this.”

There was a moment of silence as LJ's words hung in the air, the weight of his honesty settling over the table.

Bri softened, her skepticism giving way to understanding. "I get that. Family's important."

Miles nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it is. And LJ's part of ours now."

Riley, oblivious to the seriousness of the conversation, reached out for LJ's hand again, his laughter bubbling over. LJ couldn't help but smile, the warmth of his nephew's small hand in his own grounding him in the moment.

As LJ looked around the table at his newfound family, he couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging wash over him. Despite the unconventional circumstances of their meeting, he knew that he had finally found where he belonged.

And as they talked and laughed together, LJ realized that maybe, just maybe, this journey was leading him exactly where he was meant to be.


A Few Days Before LJ's First Televised Match
Normandy, France

LJ paced back and forth in the quaint hotel room in Normandy, his mind swirling with nerves and anticipation. His first televised match in the SCW Blast from the Past tournament was just days away, and the pressure of the upcoming event weighed heavily on him.

Miles had assured him that he was in good hands with his partner, SCW Bombshell Harper Mason. But despite his brother's words of encouragement, LJ couldn't shake off the apprehension gnawing at him.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Miles.

‘Hey LJ, just wanted to check in. How are you holding up?’

LJ sighed, his fingers tapping anxiously on the screen as he typed out a response.

‘Hey Miles, I'm... I'm okay, I guess. Just feeling the nerves, you know?’

Almost instantly, Miles replied.

‘Understandable, mate. But listen, Harper's a pro. She knows her way around the ring better than most. You're in good hands with her. You gotta be faster than Jayden and be ready for anything because that kid is the hell spawn of the most evil asshole I have ever come across. I wouldn’t put it past the demon spawn of Michael Harris to pull a fast one on the devil himself.’

LJ chewed on his lip, uncertainty still lingering in his mind. ‘Oh I get it, and we’ve had this conversation. Eyes in the back of my head and don’t hesitate to throw a whole lot of whatever to knock him down several pegs. And I know you said that, but... what if I mess up? What if I let her down?’

There was a pause before Miles' response came through.

‘Mate, trust me on this. I spoke with Harper and she feels the exact same way I do, she’s agreed to be your partner if she didn't think you had what it takes and make it through this tournament together, despite the random draw, I think you are in great hands. All you need to do is focus on the Harris brat, take him out of the equation and get the win. BUT, I need you to understand something, no matter what, you taking this step from school to real life application is even bigger. And besides, everyone messes up sometimes. It's part of the game, and fuck knows I have several chapters on that. What matters is how you bounce back from it.’

LJ nodded, Miles' words resonating with him. ‘Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Miles. I needed to hear that.’

‘Anytime, little bro. Just remember, I'll be cheering you on from here. You got this. Tell you what, how about you meet me at the cafe down the street in 20 minutes, I gotta meet up with someone that I think you’d like to meet anyways.’

‘A cuppa sounds good. And sure, I'll meet you there. Who's this someone you want me to meet?’

As he awaited Miles' reply, LJ couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity mingling with his nerves. Who could Miles be arranging for him to meet, especially at a time like this?

Miles' response came through almost immediately.

‘You'll see when you get here. Trust me, LJ, it'll be worth it.’


Dude, You Are the Reason for the Bear
Normandy, France

The picturesque landscape of Normandy stretched out before LJ as he stood on the balcony of his hotel room, gazing out at the rolling hills bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. It was a serene scene, but inside, his mind was anything but calm.

Sunday was looming, the day of his first televised match in the SCW Blast from the Past tournament. LJ knew the stakes were high, especially with the added pressure of teaming up with Harper Mason against the formidable duo of Diamond Steele and Jayden Harris.

As LJ leaned against the balcony railing, his thoughts drifted to Jayden, the cocky newcomer with a famous lineage. LJ couldn't help but feel a surge of anger bubbling beneath the surface every time he thought about him. The way Jayden had been trash-talking on Twitter, trying to play mind games with him, it was infuriating.

With a frustrated sigh, LJ clenched his fists, his jaw tight with determination. He refused to let Jayden get under his skin. Not now, not ever.

“So let me get something out of the way right now. I’m going to let Harper focus on Diamond. I’ve been well informed of the rules of this place and well, I’m not about to step on toes that way....HOWEVER...”

"Jayden Harris," LJ muttered, the name dripping with contempt. "The Brat."

He clenched his fists, his jaw set in a hard line as he replayed Jayden's taunts in his mind. The audacity of the guy, thinking he could waltz into SCW and act like he owned the place, made LJ's blood boil.

"He thinks he's so damn special, just because of who his daddy is," LJ growled, his voice thick with disdain. "Well, newsflash, Jayden: Daddy's reputation means fuck-all in that ring when it comes to what we’re about to do. The Blast from the Past tournament has been known to kick off some terrific careers and drag some old-schoolers back. Seeing as we are in the same boat, new blood, you've gotta earn your stripes like the rest of us. It means even less when your daddy got his ass shitcanned and got booted when he was sitting on top of the mountain like the bitch he is."

He paused, his eyes flashing with a fiery intensity. "And let me tell you something, Jayden Harris. I've earned every damn thing I've got. I've fought tooth and nail for every opportunity, every victory. I didn't have Daddy's name to open doors for me. I had to bust my ass to get where I am."

A bitter smirk twisted LJ's lips as he continued, his tone laced with venom. "But you wouldn't know anything about hard work, would you? That silver spoon is shoved so firmly up your ass to the point where it is tickling your tonsils. You've had everything handed to you on a silver platter, while the rest of us had to claw our way to the top. You're just a spoiled little rich boy playing at being a wrestler."

LJ's pace quickened, his anger fueling his movements as he ranted against his unseen adversary. "Also, make no mistake, I know exactly what is on the line when it comes to the Blast from the Past tournament. I know it’s history, I know it’s grandeur and I know what it could mean to win the whole damn thing. Mark my words, Jayden Harris. Come Sunday, I'm going to wipe that smug grin off your face. I'm going to show you what it means to face a real competitor, a real fighter. And when I'm done with you, you'll wish you'd never set foot in that ring to follow in your dear OLD dad’s footsteps. And then you can fuck off to whatever rock you crawled out from under and leave the rest of us in peace. And who knows, maybe your daddy can finally get you that proctologist to remove that silver spoon."

His words hung in the air, charged with the intensity of his conviction. LJ's eyes burned with a fierce determination as he stared into the distance, visualizing the showdown that awaited him.

"Get ready, Jayden," LJ muttered, his voice a low growl. "Because LJ Kasey is coming for you. And I'm not holding back."

A smirk tugged at the corners of LJ's lips, his confidence unwavering. "Come Sunday, Jayden Harris is going to regret ever crossing paths with LJ Kasey. Because I'm going to make damn sure he remembers my name long after the match is over. And then Harper and I are going to move on to bigger and better people than the likes of you."

With a final nod of determination, LJ turned away from the balcony, his focus razor-sharp as he prepared to face his biggest challenge yet. And as he headed back into the hotel room, the anticipation of battle coursed through his veins, fueling his determination to come out on top.

Sunday couldn't come soon enough.