Goodbye Dallas
The Move
Dallas, Texas
Alexandra had her fears about the whole idea of moving to Vegas, but after moving her brother and his family into the old estate she had their things moved to the guest house to be stored away and then took herself, her daughter, a few small items that had been sent to LJ’s ahead of the big move. She found a moment to look back up at the house, before climbing into the rental and riding away to the airport.
The house loomed in the distance as they pulled away, its wide windows catching the late afternoon light. It was the house that had watched her grow up, the house that had been filled with laughter and arguments, first crushes, family dinners, and long Texas summers that never seemed to end. She had spent countless nights staring up at its ceilings, dreaming about her future, about who she might become once she finally had the courage to step out into the wider world. And now, here she was, leaving it all behind.
Ashlynn sat beside her in the backseat of the rental, earbuds in, gaze glued to her phone. Sixteen and already so much her own person, Alexandra thought. The girl handled the move with more calm than her mother had expected. Sure, there had been protests at first, some slammed doors and sharp words about uprooting her from her school and her friends in Dallas. But once Alexandra explained that this was more than just a move, it was about a chance at building something stable with LJ, Ashlynn had gone quiet. Not sulking, exactly, but thinking. Processing.
The airport was crowded, as airports always were on a busy day, a blur of rolling suitcases, coffee cups, and overhead announcements. Alexandra guided her daughter through the check-in line, her mind flickering back to Dallas even as her body moved forward on autopilot. Every step felt like a goodbye, though she knew the estate wasn’t truly gone. Her brother would care for it, his children would grow up in the same backyard Ashlynn had, and that brought a small measure of comfort.
By the time they settled into their seats on the flight, Alexandra finally allowed herself a long exhale. She pressed her forehead lightly to the cool window and watched the baggage handlers move with brisk efficiency. Her chest tightened as the plane’s engines hummed to life, and for a moment she wasn’t sure if the tears behind her eyes were from fear, relief, or something in between.
That was when her thoughts drifted to LJ.
It had been his idea, of course, though he’d framed it carefully. He hadn’t pressured her, hadn’t said you need to move to Vegas. Instead, he’d asked. One evening, in the quiet of his place, when the conversation had dipped into that sweet space of vulnerability, he’d reached across, taken her hand, and said, “What if you and Ashlynn came here? What if we stopped doing this long-distance thing and just built something?”
At first, Alexandra had laughed internally. The idea seemed too sudden, too monumental. Dallas was home. Dallas was everything she had ever known. But then he kept talking about how serious he was about her and about how he could see a future for them. About how Ashlynn could finish high school in Vegas, still have every opportunity she might have in Texas, and more. But had it really been unreasonable after a year of dating? No. It’s exactly what they both should have wanted. Especially after he wasn’t accepted to college in Austin. But home for her wasn’t a place, it was a person, home was LJ.
But when she really took the time to think it through, Las Vegas with LJ and Ashlynn seemed like the right move. And with her giving the house to her brother, if needs be, she could always go home right? Isn’t that the phrase, you can always go home. There were so many pros and cons to everything, but she was never one to let fear hold her back.
That word, FUTURE, had settled into her chest like an anchor. No more traveling back and forth, no more late night facetimes, no more falling asleep with her phone clutched to her chest. Now, she could curl up next to him and rest in his embrace. She had almost told him yes when he asked. But she always wanted Ashlynn’s opinion, because it affected her as well. There was
A home, roots, a future they were building together.
LJ wasn’t the type to throw words around lightly. He was steady, grounded in ways that balanced her own hesitations. When he said he wanted her there, he meant it. It wasn’t just about convenience. It was about commitment. Now, with the plane lifting off the runway, Alexandra replayed that moment in her mind, the way his eyes had softened, the certainty in his voice. It was the first time in years she had felt the possibility of something permanent.
Ashlynn nudged her, "You okay, Mom?”
Alexandra blinked, realizing she’d been staring at nothing. She forced a smile, "Yeah, baby. Just thinking.”
“About LJ?” Ashlynn asked, her tone casual but curious, "About the move?”
Alexandra chuckled softly, "Maybe.”
Her daughter rolled her eyes, but there was no malice in it, "You really like him mom. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I do,” Alexandra admitted, "More than I expected to. More than I thought possible. Even when I shouldn’t have, because he’s Miles' brother.”
Ashlynn took a deep breath and smiled, "Maybe this is the next step in your relationship with LJ then. It’s time you started focusing on your forever. As for the move, it will take time to adjust, but it’s possible to do. Especially since Las Vegas has some great programs for college, which you’ve been on me about.”
She let out a soft laugh, looking over at Ashlynn, "You are the one who needs to think about the future. What you want to do with life.”
“Mom, you need to think about what you are going to do once I graduate next year,” Ashlynn had always worried about what her mothers life would be like once she was gone.
“I’ll do what I’ve always done, work,” She laughed.
“Maybe you and LJ could...I don’t know. Have a sibling for me” She shrugged questioningly.
“Let’s not worry about that. Right now, this adventure is big enough,” Alexandra smiled and turned out to look out the window.
That was the truth. For years she had built her world around stability, raising Ashlynn, managing family responsibilities, maintaining the estate and wrestling. Dating had been casual, fleeting. No one had ever felt safe enough, serious enough, to fold into the life she’d worked so hard to protect. And yet LJ had come along, and suddenly, all the old walls didn’t feel so necessary.
The flight seemed to stretch on, the desert landscape eventually unfolding beneath them in shades of brown and gold. Alexandra’s stomach fluttered at the sight. Las Vegas had always been a place she associated with bright lights, noise, and chaos. But from above, it was quieter, more subdued, the city simply another collection of lives woven together in the vast sweep of the desert.
Still, the fears lingered. What if this didn’t work? What if the move proved too much for Ashlynn? What if living with LJ changed the rhythm of their relationship in ways they couldn’t anticipate? What if things failed and there was nowhere to go? All real fears to have at this moment. Especially with Ashlynn so close to being out of the house and away at college.
She closed her eyes and took a steady breath. Relationships were always a risk. Love was always a leap. And yet, something in her heart told her this was worth it. That she was worth it. That after all the years of treading carefully, it was okay to let herself imagine a life where she wasn’t carrying everything alone.
By the time the flight touched down, Alexandra felt a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. She gathered her things, nudged Ashlynn awake, and followed the flow of passengers off the plane. Stepping down off the escalator and there he was. LJ, waiting just beyond security, his face breaking into a grin the moment he saw them. Ashlynn smiled faintly, and Alexandra’s heart gave a little twist. For the first time, Vegas didn’t feel like an ending. It felt like the start of something entirely new. The two ran over to him Alexandra dropped her bag and wrapped LJ in a hug, kissing him passionately. Enough to make Ashlynn playfully gag.
“Oh gross...come on,” Ashlynn laughed.
“Get used to it Kiddo,” Alexandra smiled, the fear melting from her in that moment.
“Let’s go home,” LJ smiled and led them over to grab their luggage.
“To our new life,” Ashlynn nodded.
Seeing LJ made her feel as if all this was the right move. The fear she had been feeling was quickly melting away, leaving only the excitement of what the future would now bring. The trio got the luggage and quickly exited the airport, heading out to their new home.
The Only VIP that matters
Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe
Cancun, Mexico
The sun melts into the horizon, spilling streaks of gold, pink, and violet across the sky as the waves kiss the shoreline. The air is warm, carrying the gentle scent of salt and ocean breeze, wrapping the evening in a hush of luxury. She walks the white sand with quiet confidence, each step leaving a delicate trace in the soft earth before the tide sweeps it away.
Behind her, the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe rises like a beacon of elegance, its glow reflecting the promise of indulgence. But it is not the resort that commands attention, it is her. Bathed in the last light of the day, she radiates presence, untouchable, undeniable. The world slows, as if the ocean itself pauses to admire her. A golden shimmer dances along the rim of her glass, the sun’s final gift before nightfall. She lifts it slightly, not in toast, but as a subtle claim. In this moment, under this sky, on this shore, there is no doubt.
She is the only name that matters.
The only presence that lingers.
The only VIP that mattered.
Alexandra Calaway.
Alexandra turns to look into the camera, calm and collected. Licking her lips she begins to speak. Her focus on the task at hand.
“I’ve looked at the path ahead, and honestly, it’s nothing new to me. Every single woman standing in front of me right now? I’ve shared a ring with them before. I know their strengths, I know their weaknesses, and more importantly, I know exactly how far I’ve come since the last time we stood toe-to-toe. Some of them tested me, my career and my place here, some of them pushed me to limits I didn’t even know I had, but all of them have been stepping stones in my growth. I’m not walking into this blind or unprepared, I’m walking into it with experience, with scars, and with the kind of focus that only comes from being tried and tested against the very best.”
She takes a deep breath, a hint of a smirk breaking through.
“This isn’t just about proving myself anymore, it’s about proving that the future belongs to me. Every loss I’ve ever taken has taught me something, every victory has built me higher, and now I’m standing at a point where I’m not just looking to survive these matches. I’m looking to define them. Each woman in this division has her place, but it’s my time to carve out mine, loud and clear. And if anyone doubts that, all they’ll have to do is watch what happens when I step in that ring. Which brings me to my first of five other competitors in this match.”
She pauses, not moving around.
“Which brings me to you Crystal, you have been in the ring with me before and you’ve never managed to tip the scales in your favor. Tell me, what makes you think this time will be any different? It won't. I can assure you of that. When that match is over, the one woman left will be me. All I need to do is take out you and Seleana or watch as you are taken out and laugh alongside the others as the bouncers escort both of you out of MY VIP section. You see, Crystal, people like you live off illusions. You love the bright lights, the cameras, the applause—because it convinces you that you belong here. But when the lights dim and the crowd goes quiet, reality sets in, and reality is me. I am the wall you’ve never been able to climb, the storm you’ve never been able to weather. And just like every other time, you’ll find yourself staring up at the ceiling, wondering why you ever thought you had a chance.”
There was something behind the fire in Alexandra’s eyes. Crystal had clearly been an annoyance for everyone. Latching onto whoever she could for relevancy.
“Crystal, you’re the definition of smoke and mirrors. You change personas, reinvent yourself, slap on new names and titles as if that’s going to erase the failures stacked behind you. You don’t evolve, you just recycle. The problem is, no matter how many times you flip the script, the ending is always the same: you lying flat on your back, your voice silenced, your spotlight stolen by someone who actually knows how to deliver when it counts. And deep down, I think you know it too, that’s why you’re always chasing validation instead of commanding respect.”
Now it was time to drive it home with Crystal, once and for all.
“You can call yourself a star, a legend, a queen, whatever fantasy makes you feel safe at night, but the truth is you’ve never been able to shine without someone else holding the torch for you. Without the drama, without the theatrics, without the endless self-promotion, who is Crystal really? Just another name on a long list of women who thought they could step into my ring and prove something, only to leave broken, embarrassed, and forgotten. And that’s exactly where you’ll end up again, right where you belong alongside Seleana.”
She smirked and gave the camera a quick wink, before continuing.
“As for Seleana, she’s caught in the crossfire whether she realizes it or not. Loyalty won’t save her, desperation won’t save her, and certainly your history together won’t save either of you. When the bell rings, I don’t see friends, rivals, or partners, I see obstacles. And obstacles are meant to be destroyed. So when it’s all said and done, the only name anyone will remember, the only presence that will matter, is mine.”
She almost felt bad for Seleana, constant chances, constant failures. Nothing was ever promised in this industry and Seleana was finding that out first hand.
“Seleana, I almost feel sorry for you. Almost. Because no matter how hard you try, you’ll always be known as the one standing in Crystal’s shadow. You’ve built your whole identity around being loyal, being supportive, being the ‘good one’, but loyalty won’t win you matches, and it sure as hell won’t save you from me. You’re not stepping into the ring with a friend, you’re stepping into the ring with a predator, and predators don’t show mercy.”
She gave a sad shrug, she couldn’t play nice, not now, not with so much at risk. There was so much she could do. Another chance at that Bombshell World Championship. A chance to prove she was still on the top.
“You’ve had moments, flashes where people thought maybe...just maybe...you’d break out and become your own force. But every time, you fall short. Every time, you get dragged back down, and it’s not just Crystal holding you there, it’s your own weakness. That’s the truth no one says to your face, but I’ll say it right here: you’re not built to be at the top. And when this is over, you’ll learn that lesson the hard way as I stand tall and leave you lying beside the woman you’ve wasted your career protecting. I will say it time and time again, you could be worth so much more, out of her shadow.”
Now it was time to really get into it. The rest of the ladies in this match had either beaten Alexandra every time they’ve stepped in the ring, or have at least one win over her. Something she couldn’t allow to happen this time. Something she needed to do was outlast the others, to use her resilience.
“Cassie Wolfe, I’ll give you this, you’ve managed to get one win over me. One. And you cling to it like it’s the crown jewel of your career. But let’s be honest, you and I both know the score. For every one you’ve taken, I’ve stacked several against you. That’s not a rivalry, Cassie, that’s dominance. And while you hang onto that one little spark of victory, I’ve already turned it into ash several times over.”
She wanted to pace, to show her anger, but she didn’t move. She stayed in her spot.
“The thing about you, Cassie, is that you mistake hunger for power. You think showing up, scratching, clawing, and telling the world you’re ‘hungry like the Wolfe’ is enough to change the outcome. But hunger without substance is nothing but desperation. You’ve proven time and time again that when it really matters, you can’t finish the job. You don’t devour the competition, you starve in the spotlight, while I’m the one feasting on every opportunity.”
There’s so much she could say, but what she had said was already more than enough, wasn’t it? But still, she couldn’t stop herself.
“So go ahead, end another promo with your little slogan. Tell everyone you’re ‘hungry like the Wolfe’ and try to sound fierce. I’ll even let you say it with a straight face. But when the bell rings, I’ll remind you why I’ve beaten you more times than you’ve beaten me. Because there’s a difference between being hungry and being fed, and Cassie. When you step into the ring with me, you’re nothing more than prey waiting for the inevitable.”
With Cassie out of the way Alexandra could focus on the two women who worried her the most in this match. Two women she held no wins over.
“Frankie Holliday. Yeah, you got me once. I’ll never forget that. You walked out of the ring with your hand in the air, and I had to live with that picture stuck in my head for months. You had your night, you had your moment. Fine, I’ll give you that. But that was then. That was the old me, a different woman. Scared of the failures she already had. And the person standing here right now? She’s not the same. She’s stronger, sharper, and a hell of a lot more dangerous than you’re ready for.”
Frankie had managed to get inside her head for a bit. Alexandra found herself now ready to prove herself again. This time to someone new to her.
“Since that loss, I’ve been grinding. Every damn day. Breaking myself down, building myself back up, promising I would never feel that again. I’ve replayed that match over and over, picked apart every mistake, and I turned all of it into weapons. You showed me where I was weak once, Frankie, but that doesn’t happen twice. That loss? It became fuel. And now, I’m walking into this fight ready to light you up with it.”
She was on fire, filled with the fuel needed to win, perhaps she could pull one out of the bag and surprise everyone.
“So hear me, Frankie. You’re not beating me again. Not now, not ever. I’ll be standing across from you, looking you dead in the eye, and you’re gonna see exactly what happens when I refuse to fall. This isn’t revenge, it’s redemption. And when that bell rings, everybody’s gonna know your little win was nothing more than a memory. This time, Frankie Holliday, I’m the one leaving with my hand raised.”
Which brings Alexandra to the biggest thorn in her side. Victoria Lyons, cousin to one of her best friends. The two had repeatedly bathed each other in blood, but kept coming back for more as if they were bound to do this forever.
“Victoria, you and I, we’ve done this song and dance countless times. Yes, every single time we’ve stepped into this ring together, you’ve walked out with the upper hand. There hasn’t been a time when I’ve not heard how you are superior to me. It got to a point where I almost believed it for a bit. But honestly, if the truth needs to be told, I pity you Victoria. I pity the fact that you choose to be the kind of person you are. I pity you for the fact you could be an amazing person, if your attitude and persona weren’t absolute trash.”
She pauses for a moment.
“I do, however, respect what you’ve done in the company. Your title reign was nothing to bat an eye at. You showed everyone in this company just what you were made of. But you’ve also shown everyone just where to fail and fail spectacularly. You keep trying to be the end of me. You keep trying to say that we are meant to do this... To be enemies forever. And honestly, yes. We are. But I’d like to think in another lifetime, you and I could have been friends. Much like Xander and I are. But as this is how you’ve chosen to be I never see that being possible. Instead I’m going to have to prove to you that just because you might get one or two over me, doesn’t mean it will happen EVERY time.”
She takes a moment looking out over the water. Enjoying the sounds of the waves on the sand.
“Victoria, you thrive on people doubting me. You love being the one to smirk when I stumble, the one to point out every flaw and remind the world that I’m not perfect. But here’s the thing, perfection was never the goal. Growth was. And while you’ve stayed the same bitter, venom-filled competitor, I’ve adapted. I’ve learned from every misstep, every time you thought you buried me. And what you don’t realize is that every loss I’ve taken to you has sharpened me into the kind of threat you’re not ready for. This time, when the bell rings, I’m not the Alexandra you’re used to. I’m the version you’ve been unintentionally building all along.”
She takes a step forward towards the camera, her voice lowering but the conviction cutting sharper than ever.
“You see, Victoria, legacy isn’t about how many times you win. It’s about who you elevate, who you push to their breaking point. And whether you want to admit it or not, you’ve done that for me. You’ve made me stronger, fiercer, more determined than I’ve ever been. So maybe you’ll get your laughs in now, maybe you’ll strut around with that arrogant grin one more time. But when we meet again, it won’t be about me surviving you, it’ll be about me surpassing you. And when that happens, when I finally put you down, you’ll realize that our rivalry wasn’t your story of dominance. It was my story of becoming undeniable. This war between us is far from over, we both know that’s the truth.”
Alexandra took a moment to think over everything that had led her to this moment. The losses, the wins, the downfall from the top. How she’s fought with everything she had, even when others told her to give up.
“I’ve been pushed to the bottom more times than I’d like to count, yet they continue to book me because I’m resilient. I bounce back. I prove time and time again that I deserve my spot on this roster, can you ladies say the same? I guess we will find out in time won't we? See you all in the ring.”
Turning away she made her way down the beach, right into LJ’s waiting arms. Win or lose, she had him and her family, everything else was just window dressing. The camera fades out on their image fading into the distance.
